It's Wednesday again

And you know what that means... giggly moments from the St Hugh's kitchen as we entertain ourselves.

The best brain storming for this team happens jaust at our busiest moments when I'm in and out of the kitchen serving Halyard students and the group of men who arrive aboout 8.30am.

So today we were brain storming St Valentines day (two weeks to go!) and decided on these

(yes they are pink heart shaped scotch pancakes - Trina made them, she's a genius!) and wearing pink.

Red flowers for table decorations and red napkins! Also playing some love songs in the background.

I'm definitely taking my camera into work next week. Sadly there have been reports of matchmaking in the past, but I'm sure Cupid is very busy this time of year (and I've told the girls to keep schtum).

If you are in Luton and can get to St Hugh's it'll be well worth it next week, 8am-9am!

Celebration

Another weekend has past and we are nearly in the second month of the year!

Christine had a birthday this weekend (Pics later) We had a lot of fun, various trips to Tesco and Asda, so we could have smoothies. We played Rapidough and had a laugh!! Was great to see everyone.

Then yesterday I spent my entire afternoon with a family from Church. Absolutely loved it. I was exhausted and feel a little ill, but nothing would stop me from enjoying their company.

Tonight we are having a sweet absitence... we'll see if the hyperactivity calms down. And it's New Testament mashed with why should I read the Bible and what have I learnt. Concluding the 4 week series on the Bible.

Back to dancing tomorrow night. Can't wait... and in a few weeks Liz will be joining me! Wohoo!

The Valentine's Day emails are rolling in, as are the plans for breakfast the week earlier (why does it always fall in half term?). Themes are something that delight me greatly!

Crisis and complaining

Billericay has made a name for itself on regional news last night... There was a massive fire down the road from my parents house, which meant that people were evacuated to the local Secondary school (which just happens to be the school I went to). I watched it on the news and then tried to ring my parents, could I get through? No.

They are miles away from the fire... so they are fine.

The second feature on the news was about the people of Crays Hill protesting outside Westminster yesterday. They got on the coach just outside the pub where I used to work! Why the protest? The biggest travellers site happens to be near Crays Hill.

So if you ever wondered why I can make a big crisis out of a little flame, or complain about something even though I've lived with it for a while, its because I'm an Essex girl!

What makes me laugh the most is when I say I'm an Essex girl the response is 'oh really' with a knowing nod, so I wait for the jokes to roll out. I'm not shocked, and this really stuns people (mostly Luton people). I'm incredibly proud of Essex, and nothing can phase me.

On other notes, there isn't going to be a trip to Africa this year. We are heading to Soul Survivor again. Africa is being pitched for Summer 2008. And I'm not sure there will be SS festivals in 2009 because they are heading to Durban. Prayers are essential as I plan and organise SS.

Snow

This is what greeted me at 5.50am this morning as I headed out to my car!

I'm really starting to love getting up so early and its made even easier if you've slept really well. I had lots of fun (literally) skipping to my car and de-snowing it, then I slid off to work.

It was snowing again as I left at 10 am, but I don't think it'll stick around very long.

Looks like the week is getting better. Wohoo!

Random Dreams

I love having random dreams that really make absolutely no sense, but that make you laugh as you wake up, so I'm in a great mood this morning!

We also read Hosea in staff prayers (no staff meeting this morning, it all happens tomorow), which made me think.

I have a very deep joy that God's word is living. Prophets who wrote years and years ago can still speak right into the heart of us.

It's quite a big thing, but it can be very simple too... I clearly am writing as I think. AND we live in the absence of a Saviour who has already come and will come again. I can't imagine what it would have been like to live as a Jew in the times of Isaiah and all the other prophets. To be God fearing, but to know that he was coming.

Or what about living in the 400/500 years between Malachi and John the baptist, when God said nothing!! Oh man, I find it hard enough when some one doesn't reply to an email or text. I'd be absolutely stuffed!

But here I am right now, living with God's word which (scarily) can speak to me and catch me out.

A new week has started and I feel like it's going to be a good one.

WiFi at home

So after many minutes on the phone to tech support (actual tech support, not my dad) I was told that my laptop doesn't support USB wireless adapters.

I got a card to stick in the side of my laptop and it worked first time, though my laptop can't seem to do anything with out complaining prefusely. I'm sitting at home blogging, after a productive quiet day.

It means I can finally do this


and this



Aren't we lovely. I miss them both loads.

Apart from the wind, nothing really crazy is happening at the mo. Preparing for things to come seems to be taking up a lot of my time. Living in the past, now and future is definitely a balance.

Old Testament teaching continues. We've got Genesis down, now Exodus. Don't worry, I'm not about to bore the young people with a book-by-book analysis, they can't sit still for long enough. We'll skip the law bits and get on to the adventure stuff, with David, Esther and Hosea.

I'm praying that my phone bill isn't massive. Seriously, the 15 mintues could have been about 30 seconds and have gone like this "The USB doesn't work? Right, what make is your laptop?"
"Compaq"
"OK, HP laptops don't support USB adapters, get a card"
"Thanks, bye"

And on that note, I'll leave...

At the end of the day

I go home.

Well, I go to Tesco's, then I go home.

Only to come back an hour later to do youth club...

Mondays were never going to be a short day to be honest.

Been thinking about burning some stuff. A few years ago someone suggested I burn somethings because I wanted to get rid of them for good. Just got to find a place where I won't set light to stuff that doesn't need to be burned!

That's a bit of an insight into my really crazy mind at the moment. Hmmm, maybe I should stop sharing.

God's doing really interesting things right now (yes, I'm carrying on even if you are shouting NO at your computer screen). Teaching the Old Testament Fathers of Faith tonight. It's only 4 peoples names to remember, we shall see how it goes. Going to leave lots of space for thinking and reflecting.

Have stopped. You can breathe a deep sigh of relief (I won't be able to hear you)!

Chocolate and gloves

There is something about getting up at 5.30 every Wednesday morning that is really releasing.

I was a bit hyper this morning and managed to eat a slice of chocolate cake at about 6.15. I was hungry and I think it was a good idea. When it came to getting the sausages out of the oven I had too much fun the with oven gloves.

Now for those of you who know me, you will more than likely know about the pink mittens... the oven gloves have a similar affect on me. Oven mits that go all the way to your elbow and make you feel quite invincible!

If you haven't worn mittens since you were 5, I suggest you find a pair and have a go. It's inspirational!

So I feel like I'm back in full swing now. Even forced myself to go dancing last night (wanted a night in to feel sorry for myself, but also needed the company) ended up really enjoying myself and getting some really good dances.

Does anyone want to come dancing next week? May even try Ballroom! He he... Watch out Liz, half term isn't far off.

I agree with Robert, get a blog J! Robert, you have to write more - need to be updated about you coming here again.

Cold Feet

No hidden meaning here.

I'm being absolutely transparent.

Hot air rising means that I have no circulation in my feet and have been cold pretty much all day. I wonder why I have a cold!

Back to work today. I almost added a finally in there, but i had a mammoth task of writing a Bible overview, which was fun. I borrowed from a variety of places (thanks Dad). It should all be ok.

I've already said this about the Nativity story, but I love it when things come alive and have meaning, when myths and traditions are blown away. When you find out facts you just didn't know and would never have been taught. Yes I am a bit of a geek.

I have much admiration for those who teach.

Plastic Carol Singers

Plastic Carol Singers
Originally uploaded by chrismacfie.

I think the title says it all.

Christine and I spent a good few hours driving around the Luton and Caddington area taking photos of the lovely Christmas lights.

This is late I know, but carolling is something that can be done all year. I'm lobbying for carolling in the summer!!

New Year

Happy New Year to everyone out there! Whatever you did on New Years Eve I hope you had a good time.

Like I said before I was spending a few days in Cardiff, chilling out with all my mates from my gap year. It was really good to see them all, even if it was only for a few hours here and there. I miss them all very much and am very glad that I got the chance to see them.

I think my next trip away will probably be to Edinburgh to see Rachel... We'll see.

I spent over 8 hours driving this weekend and it's done me a load of good. Not just for my driving (am now a bit of a pro at over taking!) but for me. Having to be forced to sit down for a long time with no one to talk to is very interesting. I don't think I've felt this chilled in a long time.

We went for a a walk on New Years Day... wet, cold, snowed on and I nearly lost both my trainers at one point. Many thanks to Nick who carried me over the worst bits. Maybe next year I'll go to Cardiff on the 27th and come back well before New Year hits!

The world is slowly going back to work, wohoo! Pray for my youth, I'm being a bit hard core on them as soon as I get back!