Mamouth

It's been a weekend for many church services, I got a good cross section of what it means to be part of church this weekend.

Yesterday was Dad's Licensing as a Reader (which means Lay Preacher, with privileges). So here he is in his robes


I got to see lots of family and friends.

Then this morning the Bishop of St Albans confirmed 10 peole from St Hugh's. Then this afternoon I attened the wedding of Lorraine and Edmore.


Was a great afternoon, day, weekend... now I'm all churched out an ready to have a great week.

Intermittent

I'm a task related person, if there is a task to do I will put it off right until the last minute!!

Most days this is how I feel, but I know I don't work like this. Doing tasks, completing things you said you would do is a lot easier if your laptop at home works.

But actually sitting in my office, I realise I've done a lot more than I would normally do at home. It's a shame that online seminars start this week, otherwise I'd be quite happy that my laptop didn't work.

The solution is a simple one, get a new adapter (which I think is the broken thing). Luckily I have a twin and we buy the same things, including similar laptops. So I potentially have the simplest of solutions at my fingertips... wednesday afternoon will be the test for that one.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) not all solutions come as easily or as simply.

This month Soul Action is calling young people across the UK to live in a slum for a weekend (by live I mean build, inhabit, and dismantle). Just one weekend, it's not a lot, and it doesn't make the problem go away.

One sixth of the worlds population live in slum conditions every day for years on end. We're just raising money. Soul Action is here and our fundraising page is here. Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

Circus

Went to see the Chinese State Circus on Saturday night, was a lot of fun. Quite hard to understand at some points, but that would probably be the thick Chinese accent and bad acoustics. I feel sorry for the people who live over the road from the site.

The 'funniest moment' of the night is awarded to the small child who was sitting behind us, who said as the monks who were trained in the art of pain management left the stage "that was sick!". I think he meant "it was good". Or maybe it should have gone to Chris' reaction when the mum said 'shhh now, and watch' before talking for the next 5 minutes! I think I've seen C.S.C. before and they are a bit different than the Moscow guys.

Last week was 'back to school' week for me. Back in middle school and back to breakfast club. Back to admin and back to church. Also back to half of the blogger site being in German.

The rest of this month is a bit hectic... keep an eye out for random up dates.

Keeping tabs

I'm not really sure what to say. I'm back at work, and kinda glad that I just found a folder I thought I'd lost in the mess that is home right now. I'd always thought September was a weird month, but it gets even stranger if you are away for most of it because of holiday and learning.

Of course it's nearly over now and before you know it it'll be half term, and then we are into Christmas!

The last few days of the launch for the MA were more interesting, though to be honest the last day was a bit of a waste of time. But it is really great to chill out with the guys form the course and listen to their thoughts on the issues we seem to hold as a group.

The next three years will be hard, but fun and I hope that I'll be a better youth worker when I've finished. (and I get another graduation ceremony, fun!!)

Any way, back to work.

MAAAAA

I just listened to John Mayer singing to me down the phone!!

Ok he was singing to other people in the Albert Hall, but Christine was kind enough to ring me and share "Dreaming with a Broken heart", "No Such Thing" (which I'm told I heard, but I couldn't make it out) "Gravity" and "Why Georgia" (the encore).

Why am I not at the Albert Hall drooling on Mr Mayer's feet (that is how close I would be)? Because I'm in Leicester at the beginning of launch week fir my MA. I'm absolutely petrified (still) and have the feeling that I will be glued to my laptop for the next three years. Distance learning will definitely answer the question "how disciplined am I?".

Anyway... back to the fact that I'm missing John Mayer for the 2nd time in a year. His visits to the UK better become more frequent, or I'll be travelling to see him soon.

God has me on all this MA stuff, but I wish he's aduibly give me directions when I'm driving. Leicester is a confusing city with enough road rings to make even the most confident out of town driver (not me by the way) scared.

Oh Canada!

I'm back in the UK and I'm tired, but there is always time to blog.

After the wedding (see below), I spent some time hanging out with the Pullman clan, saw a hockey practice and ate lots.

Then I travelled to Calgary with Becky, Bryan and Bentley (their dog). Spent a few days in Calgary, the Zoo, the museum, shops, coffee shops, hotel, more coffe shops and saw the new Mrs McConachie. That was probably one of the most exciting things. Realised that the zo and museum are not really fun unless you have some one to share with!

Then I had an 18 hour bus journey ahead of me... which I was uite excited about. Don't ask why, 'the 1' which is the main highway, running the width of the country is a rubbish road in places and it's all flat between Calgary and Winnipeg... boring!! I slept for the most part and had proper canadian breakfast in Brandon (2.5 hours from Winnipeg).

I did get to stop in a place called Medicine Hat, drove by Caronport (where the weddin was) and then was in Regina in the dead of night. 18 hours on a bus, by yourself is no fun!

Next time I go away for that long, will some one come with me?

It was good to see Jana and Derek on Saturday and Sunday, to sleep in a bed and eat like there really was no tomorrow. Time for sleep...

I maid it!

So here we are, Sunday evening (I'm on Caronport time, so it's actually 7pm). I've been fully introduced and integrated into the Pullman family. I also feel pretty engulfed, there is quite a few of them.

This is me as a Bridesmaid.

Here I am fully dressed and made up. I'd been on my feet for quite a while! But I really enjoyed my self. (Better quality photo at Facebook.com)

But not as happy as these two!

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Brawner! See you in a few days.

Ladies and Gents I'm off to Calgary for a few days, then I have a nice long bus trip back to Winnipeg. I'll be back in England on Monday 10th... come say hi if you are around.