Long neglected!

Hello blog world! I'm sorry I've forgotten about you recently, I've been quite busy.


Most of you will know by now that we have moved from Luton. My time at St Hugh's finished up really well, and I even had time to guest blog for the diocese. You can have a look at that here.


We moved back to Billericay at the beginning of February. We left Luton pretty quietly, as we'll be leaving the country in a bit more style later in the year. After all that happened around Christmas and being unwell in January, it didn't seem right to have a party. But will immigration imminent, we'll do something when the time is right.


The process to immigration is getting there. We had been waiting a while to get our first letter back from the Embassy in London. In the end we waited for 4 months for them to check all my paperwork and credentials. We have to make the next step now, and then things will move pretty quickly, but we won't. We'll be in England for a while as we work and spend time with family. I'm going to try and document the process so that I can look back at it and remember the experience.


Right now I'm not scared about the next steps. I have to go through a medical and interview. Which will be two days in London, but with Robert now working for the train company, we'll be travelling a bit cheaper!


I'm waiting to start nannying as well, I didn't think that changing careers would be so tough. You need experience to gain a job, but you need a job to gain experience. So I'm very lucky that someone will give me a chance to work with their children one-to-one. As for a career in America, we're looking into me teaching at Elementary level. I'm choosing a universal subject so that my skills will be infinitely more transferable. I'm actually really excited about nannying and teaching. 


Keep an eye out for more blogging.

CUF

My salary is largely funded by a great bunch of guys at Church Urban Fund. They visited us a few months ago for Big Breakfast, took some information and some pictures.

We're currently "project of the month" on their website. Love it. There's Lauren and me under the rainbow in the hall (on the CUF home page), and then Trina and Dele at the top of the page and Alex at the bottom. Yes we have a wide mix of people at BB.

I cannot tell you how proud I am of all the hard work the volunteers do to put on Big Breakfast every week! It's a massive relief to see some of the work I do getting recognised.

Along with that and something God said to me last night, I'm feeling pretty chuffed right now.

Later this week I'm off to Youthwork the Conference. I'm massively looking forward to a) hanging out with the boys and my sister and b) being away for a bit with a purpose.

A Long List

Things have been happening since I last wrote...

My faith took another bashing at a Youth BBQ. I can understand the school children doing it, they don't know me, they are permitted to ask questions (however mockingly). But at a BBQ with young people I know quite well, sadly I had to walk away and not be part of the conversation any more, cause I'd run out of answers and patience.

Then we had Lewsey Churches BBQ inside because of the torrential rain and thunderstorms outside. I can't remember having such extreme weather in the UK, it's been such a long time since we had regular decent thunder and lightening. I really enjoyed it, mainly because I wasn't getting wet!

The week wore on; it's that time of year for trips. We have an unusal thing in our youth group where two people were born hours apart, so have the same birthday. They are completely unrelated. I love the way God brings people together. We headed to Laser Quest for their birthdays. During 'dinner' I sat back and realised what a wonderful youth group had been formed over the last year. They, as a group, are testament to how much I have learnt. I love them all dearly and pray that their group gets stronger.

We had breakfast on the car park and a mighty miracle from God to do it. He moved the clouds at 8am and the sun shone through till 9.30am. Everything is possible when you let God work! It was great to see the young people and teachers that day, though sadly no dustbin men or old grumpies. Our community doesn't feel complete without them really. It was a great way to end the term.

During that week I also completed the practice and essay for my PGDip and JNC. So I can now say that "I am a fully Qualified Youth Worker, subject to Exam Board passing my essay and practice file". Not quite as fun as saying I'm a JNC Youth Worker, but close enough for me! It's been 2 years of hard work, but it's all done (subject to Exam Board - it's like a sting in the tail).

Then it was time for me and my sister to turn 25. We went our separate ways for our actual birthday. She hung out with our family and went drinking and dancing, whilst I spent the morning at Luton Hoo, and the evening at Silverstone.

For those who don't know Luton Hoo is a stately home turned Hotel, newly refurbished and reopened to the public. They do a great breakfast. So I and 12 girls (and 1 boy who is so tiny he didn't know any different) had breakfast together. It was delightful!
Me and Christine

Me in my new role as Stately Home owner!

Silverstone is a whole other world. Its one of the main race tracks in the UK and where Formula 1 raced only a few weekends ago. I went up there to spend the evening with a friend who was racing with Formula Student. All the Mechanical Engineer departments in Europe racing cars they have built. Was very fun I stood on the track and in the pit lane. My Dad really lovely Formula 1 so was very jealous. I loved it.

The Home Straight

Me standing with a vacant expression on my face... hoping not to get run over, not really know what to do. I look proper tiny under the Santander Bridge!

The pit lane... apparently still had markings on it from F1 (I don't really know though, I'm a girl!)

Sunday was spent at church with a[n embarrassing] rendition of Happy Birthday, which left me very red and quite embarrassed. Then to the parents for BBQ with family, extended family, our church friends and the boys school/work friends. Was lovely to see everyone and hang out. (will post pics soon)

Monday night I held another Youth BBQ and the new Curate helped out. He's a man and loves building fire, so the job was perfect for him. The YP had brought me a card and cake! They surprised me massively. And again I realised how blessed I am to have all 13 of them in my life. Lovely young people! Brilliant end to a great weekend!

Hopefully life will calm down now. Just Uganda and September term to prepare for! Ha ha... working hard as ever!

Tigger moments

No internet at home means plain blogging for a few weeks. I promise many photo's upon the return of BT broadband to the house (Sky lost out because they were massively unhelpful...)

I'm at work, making massive use of the internet before working on a sermon this afternoon with no facebook distraction! There might be something go out of this lack of internet!

No thoughts worth sharing have occurred in the last seven days. But Good News prevails! Since we joined Mission Direct, had a project to go to and confirmed who was going to be part of the team we have raised the £11,160 we need to pay for our tickets.

This was massively helped along by my parents church, my own church and the local community. Everybody has put so so so much in. I got a bit emotional in church on Sunday. Not a bad thing, I was totally and suddenly overcome by how much people had given! It's amazing. God has been gracious to us, He's given more than I could ever imagine.

There are many minds at peace about this trip now, mine is one of them, but I've felt like this since February, so I turned into Tigger. My security and joy definitely come from God and I'm massively happy at the moment.

Now all I have to remember is to pay the money to MD oh, and get the booster injections and health passort I need to gain entry to Uganda.

Where are we at?

Half term ended with a bit of a flourish...

Two nights in London, one to see a friend play a gig and the second to be majorly disappointed by the Emerging Culture Salsa event. It seems that the emerging church still mostly caters for women and feels very disorganised.

I would have loved to have salsa danced to a live band with a man who could dance. Is that too much to ask? I would have done it very differently and I was not filled with hope when the organiser of the event introduced herself and said she'd never Salsed (sp?) before. Does this count as righteous moaning?

Then we had a town wide Pentecost Praise on Sunday night at the Calvary Church of God In Christ (COGIC). This was totally awesome, not only was it well attended, it was loud and so relaxed. I really loved it that there was no preach slot, but that leaders from across the town got up and prayed over the town. Hoping for more things like this and for more twenty-somethings to join in.

I was taking it all in and had a job to do, so felt more at home than previously.

Upon reflection of the whole weekend:

Thought 4: I really don't expect my peers (who aren't my friends) to know who I am, even if I know who they are/have worked with them before. I'm not sure where this thought is headed, I've not verbalised it enough. I think I expect young people to know me (I got on the train to London and said hello to two young people) but I never expect acquaintances to know my name, I'm just not important.

Oh and on the Uganda front, we had an afternoon tea this weekend and raised £180 from it! My young people have worked so so so hard towards the fundraising. I'm increasingly proud.

Cup Winners!

Oh yes! Probably the most gripping final of the season, the Johnstones Paint Trophy final was played yesterday at Wembley. Luton Town Vs Scunthorpe... an interesting match.

Luton have won something this season. Which makes a change from being unfairly robbed of 30 points at the start of the season. Yes, we still face relegation from the league, but at least we can go out on a high. We could join a small list of teams who are cup winners and then relegated.

And to take just under a third of the twon to Wembley Stadium is pretty impressive. I'm sure the rest of the town was listening or watching some where. I was, I got home in time for the beginning of extra time and managed to watch it on my parents sky box.

My lovely parents! And the rest of my family. We had a good time celebrating an 18th Birthday. We're all adults now, tis very scary. I can't believe we are already at this point, next thing we know we'll be celebrating our 30's!

401st post

I had to distract myself whilst writing the last post, there was too much pressure to perform! So God and Dad do come as a welcome distraction.

I'm not one to write about anything remotely political, but we stand on the brink of change for America. Well the American's do. Can't say I'm too fussed myself. Will have the radio on tomorrow morning on the way to work, just so I have something to talk about.

Luton is relatively quiet at the moment. It's really strange to be out in the dark, where it's really quiet. I know I've spoken about it being quiet before. It comes and goes, I think the cold snap put off all the revellers.

Anyway, 1 month till the Germany trip! Yeay!

A victim

The Luton On Sunday's front page was about the Muslim community complaining about the new HPV vaccine starting when Ramadan is. I learnt something new about the rules of ramadan, if you have an injection it breaks the fast.

The Primary Care Trust responded with the fact that the vaccine will run throughout the year for all the girls who's parent's consent to it. So even if the girls miss out this month, they can get the vaccine from their GP. Though the PCT were called "insensitive" I think that they dealt really well with the claims.

I just think it's just a case of realising the bigger picture. I can have the HPV vaccine if I wish, but I won't. I have to have enough vaccines to go to Uganda in the summer. I don't think I can hack 5 needles in 6 months!!

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.

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.

May Ball 2-007 / Pentecost

A bit nicked from Chris! We headed to the Universities May Ball on Friday, which had a James Bond theme...


And the girlies pre-coach trip...

It was a great night.

Now it's half term, and there are a few different things happening, but for now I'm chilling out and watching POTC3 with Liz this evening!

* * *

The young people led the Petecost service at St Hugh's on Sunday. They were all amazing, I was so impressed. Sermon is on other page.

The Holy Spirit definitely arrived and I'm well excited about what the future holds for the young people in St Hugh's.

Why do we do what we do?

So John tagged me...

1. I'm a twin, but I often refer to Liz as my sister, it's just easier to explain!

2. CSI is turning me into a geek, I know I will never be a CSI, it's far too much hard work. If I'm sat in front of the telly it's usually CSI related.

3. I'm currently driving my dream car! I love it, and it has had a lot of comments. I'm singing quite loudly at the moment, so I'm not quite sure if the stares are because of the colour or the dancing.

4. Teaching 11-14 year old's is a big passion of mine. Any thing that gets young people understanding God a bit more. I want young people across the world enabled to make their own decisions about faith.

5. Obscenities in pop music makes me want to cry every time I hear them. I don't understand why something/anything that is universal needs to be gratuitous or explicit. I'm starting to sound old in my ways, but lots of young people are robbed of their innocence because of pop stars etc.

6. I love luton, it's not hard to tell the way I talk, but I love it. I'm still really glad to be back here, I wonder if it will ever wear out, I hope not.

7. My biggest issue about myself is my face...

8. Beautiful jewellery is something I wish I had more of.

* * *

In other news, life is moving along at a swift pace. I can't believe we are headng towards the end of the academic year so quickly. I'm hoping to have a chilled out weekend, before a hectic one next week.

I may be saying good bye to the Proton this weekend. It's getting to be quite hard.

Oh and if you wanna know anything more about me, just ask!