New Chocolate

You know that face the guy on the Revels add when he has the coffee sweet?

I found a coffee and chocolate sweet that doesn't make me pull that face and is actually quite nice. I shall be heading back to the shop where I brought it several times next year - I have found a new comfort food, yeay!

Also got set a challenge today, by a 15 year old (who's mum is a preacher) 'Show me where it says in the Bible that Jesus is God.

I couldn't actually do it off the cuff, I did have another 15 year old shouting that he was Jesus, which we all know isn't true. I don't think Jesus would ever be that cocky to his mates older sister.

Now I slowly realise John 1, and the passage about the Word. But I also need to find something that my little brother (who hasn't been to church and received communion for a while) can explain. I'll ask my Dad, he should have something up his sleve.

I can't wait to do some theological training formally. I love the fact that Jesus can teach me everyday through challenging 15 year old boys, who blatantly have nothing better to do than to wind you up.

Fantastic.

Storms

I was talking to Christine last night about being in the middle of a storm but being under cover. I can see and hear the storm, but I'm in no way getting wet, the most fantastic way to view a storm.


But don't get me wrong, I would go and dance in it if I wasn't here. I can smell it and experience it, and just like that it's gone. You know it will be sunny in a minute.


What I would really love is some dry thunder and lightning, stuff that has no rain attached, but that's hard to come across in the monsoon season.

Well at least the grass got watered and the birds have something to drink.

I found out today that the blocker that is on this computer blocks 24/7 prayer and the UCCF website, also my little random verse box. How depressing is that? Gonna chat to the administrator see what he can do about it.

Goodbye Luton, Hello Cardiff

Well that's it, officially I've left Luton and am heading in the direction of Wales.

It was good to say good bye to the church as a whole and get a 'sending off' as Nick called it. Charlie half apologised for springing it on me, little did he know Nick had warned me at the end of the morning service. They prayed for me. Thanks you guys! You are all amazingly gifted at being articulate and praying, keep it up!

Its hard to leave such a great town with all the people that I know and love. But its done now.

Saying good bye to the people who are my peers was... fun. Hugs and kisses (getting patted on the head?) all round. Sad that this kind of attention is at the end of it all. Loved it.

Well, Luton, I love you, I always will. You will be in my prayers and I will constantly be aware of God's calling over a town that has so many Godly people living in it, innit!

My personal thanks go to

• Chris - for being attached to my hip so I have a shoulder to cry on
• Mareike - attempting to re-teach me German, taking my place at the washing up bowl and loving me
• Gill - you are amazing, love the TGI's with all your heart, show them God's love, they need it
• Tasha - boys are always going to be a problem, but we can still chat about it all he time, lunch was great, keep in touch
• Michael and Nick - for being cell leaders, even thouh we were all a bit hesitant, thank you for encouraging me and teaching me
• Tim - for making countless hot chocolates and turning up to save me from my house, for all the advice you gave me
• Jude - for inspiring me to reach for the thing I think God wants me to do, and to search for my true hearts desire
• Selina - your excitablity about any thing is catching, more than glad to have your support, you can cook for me any time
• Howard - for listening to me and putting up with my chatting about issues that are revelant and irrelevant, thank you for staying in Luton
  

I know I've stopped there, I know that I've missed people. I love all of you more than I can put in words. Please continue to be you and keep talking to God about it all.

On to Cardiff, after the training and weddings... see ya around!

Manchester

I'm sitting in my hotel room watching whatever is on at this time in the morning. Liz and I are in Manchester for 3 days while we can. She goes back to Cheltenham tomorrow and I'm back in Luton for my last ever weekend.

I'm feeling very gutted as I didn't take my camera to horse riding in the peak district yesterday. We saw some beautiful sites and heard so many lambs. It was great to be surrounded by the sound of rushing water. God's creation all around. I was thinking which of my friends would come horse riding, any offers?

Liz's horse was decidedly slow, it was very funny watching her trying to control her horse, mine behaved for a change!

Got sun burnt on both my shoulders, so today we're going shopping for t-shirts and watching Tim Henman play. I think we'll find a big screen.

WLAN

I've decided I love my sister's wireless network card. I'm sitting listening to music off the net and eating breakfast in Oxford. It's great. I never thought I'd say that.

Currently visting Carrie and Dan in their new home in Oxford. I say new, they've been here nearly a year, but are well settled. It's been great to see them both and catch up, I think, depending on where I am, I'll stop here on the way back next year.

Speaking of which, YFC offered me a place, but are waiting for my references. I need to chase a few people up on that. So it's not confirmed yet, but I'll get a leter from Steve.

It's all go to Manchester this afternoon when Liz finally gets her bum in gear.

And I realised that boys timing is less than perfect. Got a phone call last night inviting me out in Luton, doh!! Why do I always become overly popular as soon as I leave a place, I don't get it!?!

Party!!

Manda's 21st Party last night. It was very fun seeing everyone dressed up. Most people made the effort. We had a good laugh.I hope there will be lots of those people making the same amount of effort in a months time.

Also went to Pete and Becky's wedding yesterday. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Clemison. It was a fantastic ceremony, involving lots of people I knew, and I'm proud of all of them.

Heres the Bride and Groom


And Christine and myself all dressed up... kinda.


A good day had by most! Great that the sun came to join in.

All the best to those who are married or will be getting married soon.

Driving me

Well, I'm back in Essex, if ever so breifly!

I had my absolute final interview this morning, after not getting the job at the Uni. They considered me for another place on the admin staff, processing application forms.

Its a desk job - should be interesting, if God shuts this door, I shall be leaving Luton for the summer on 26th June. My last St Marys Service that day (God bless Gill who will be taking over my spot in TGI's), so if you are in Luton, please come along. I would love to see everyone all together one last time.

Had my last cell last night. I told them all I love them and have been really encouraged by the support and friendship they have offered over the last year. It's been tough and fun sometimes.

Maybe I was abit too soppy for some people, but they'll get over it.

I was talking to God last night while I was watching a movie and thinking how movies, although incredibly epic, make life seem easy on the outside. It didn't seem to take any courage for the main character to tell the girl that he liked her.

There are some people I love and I tell them every time I see them, the others I love I have real trouble telling them and there are some people I just don't love, but that's a whole other post. I wonder if there is ever a balance.

I ended up telling God I was sorry.