Seeing the sights

I'm not about to make a habit of this, but recently I've found myself driving into and around Central London.
I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, a photographer, but when I see a well framed picture I can't ignore it.

Here from left to right is a Red Double Decker Bus, the London Eye and Big Ben, if I'd have been stopped in traffic a little further back it would have been perfect!


This time I had Tim to keep me company, and give directions. Yes, Tomtom (sat nav) is most certainly my best friend at the moment. So apart from the traffic and a really bad sandwich on the way home, I've had a really good morning!

Dessert

I bet you wish you were having dinner with me tomorrow evening!! This is one of the many dishes I will be serving; Strawberry Crumble.

Strawberry Crumble will be making many appearances this summer as it is very very easy to make and should taste delicious!

Will be taking all extra strawberries home with me, because i figure I can make mini versions for the ones who are on diets!

Half term

I'm kinda having two weeks for half term this time round. I didn't have to go into school at all this week due to trips and changes of timetable.

It's been nice, nice to not have to be any where, and good to get through essays and plan for the long weekend. Having to take matters into my own hands and hope to get s decent essay in on time for next week.

God is definitely by my side, with me in all I do, even essay writing. Funnily enough I am really enjoying compiling a history of youth work and informal education. It's about time though.

So there won't be much going on in the next week, back in Essex for a bit, and then back to Luton for a nice quiet half term, one hopes!

Where Have All The Good Girls Gone?

20.1% of crime in England and Wales is committed by girls aged 10-17. That's 59,000 crimes during 2006-07.

An interesting set of figures, but as always there are lots of factors that the Youth Justice Board have to take into account when measuring these stats against the previous year/s.

The biggest question is, are girls becoming more violent? Or is crime just reported in such a way the girls are coming out worse off? Or have Child Protection Laws gone so AWOL that we (youth workers, PCSO's, teachers and the like) are no longer allowed to discipline without being arrested themselves? Has gender equality caused girls to think that being violent is an easy solution?

Are there also issues of mis-diagnosed ADD and ADHD? I strongly believe that we too quickly place a label on our children, and do not help the parents to cope.

Apparently the Youth Justice Board are on it, targeting 'high-risk girls'. But what about supporting single parents, or early intervention at school? I don't think that targeting is key, I think that we too often target individuals, when group and gang mentality is clearly a lot stronger in this country.

We also called 999 for no apparent reason, are scared of gangs of kids hanging out together, with no rational reason.

20.1% is too much... prevention programmes aren't reaching enough, but they are doing a brilliant job with those who they are reaching. There are lots of factors pertaining to the rise in crime in girls, but it is rising...

God Is With Us

You have looked deep
into my heart, LORD,
and you know all about me.
Psalm 139 v 1

After all is said an done, God knows me inside and out, He knows exactly how to comfort me, when to inspire me, when to push me to my limits. He knows me better than anyone else ever will.

It's not been a great week, news and events wise. I've attended the funeral of one of the men who used to come to church. Sadly it took six weeks for the funeral to happen because there were no next of kin and only one breavement officer in the L&D. Strikes me as a silly thing to do, everyone dies, quite a few of them in hospital. So why only one breavement officer?

Following some bad news on Tuesday night, my bible reading was about David being chosen because of how his heart looked, rather than his outward appearance. God's unknown way of bringing comfort to me. I am in awe of how he has helped me, each time I take stock of my life.


On Sunday we headed to the prayer room at Kestin House to be part of the ten days of prayer for Luton. Here's an arty picture to keep you intrigued about the prayer room!

God knows you, He knows your heart
God is here, his spirit is with you.

On the Move

What happens when 30 churches across Luton get together and have a passion to serve the people in the town centre?

What happens is over 2000 people are fed and happy. We hung out with the people who were drinking in the afternoon sun, and those who were heading off to watch Luton play the final home match of the season.

It was an enjoyable day. Picture is of one of the worship bands playing throughout the day.

I hope and pray that the atmosphere in Luton is changed, but it's a long process.