So as you may have picked up from Robert's, Dad's and Liz's blogs, Robert and I are getting married. This is exciting news for us and everyone who knows us.
My American Adventure has turned my life around and upside down. I never thought that I'd marry my best friend, that God would be so generous and gracious to me. robert and I have known each other for 5 years, ever since Cardiff. He has some stories about the time we spent together, I have very few memories (a great way to start!). Since then we have kept contact via email and skype.
I'm getting married! All the years I've prayed and prayed and got impatient and prayed some more. It's finally happening. I'm so excited! If you want to find out more there is a website. I'm really looking forward to the day. Please keep us in your prayers.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Celebrations
There were lots of celebrations going on this past weekend.
On Saturday we celebrated Kirsty and Ed getting married. A brilliant day was had by all. The bride looked beautiful and the groom was smiling so much his cheeks hurt. There were lots of people around to help them celebrate. I think that's how weddings should be, family and friends around all laughing and smiling. It was a long day. My favourite moment was being able to pray for the couple during the ceremony (and dancing with the bride's half sister to Justin Beiber, but don't tell anyone else that - it's one of my guiltiest pleasures!).
Then on Sunday I went to Essex to celebrate Mike turning 21. It's really hard to believe he's turned 21, it makes me feel quite old. In time old tradition, we were retelling stories of past family gatherings, especially ones which involve everyone, but mostly the boys telling stories of nights out. We also have new stories to tell. Especially ones that involve injury to one or more of the parties telling the story! We are an accident-prone bunch. I shared my news with them. They all were very excited. It lasted about a minute, and then moved on to talk about much more recent events. I'm happy that they know now.
Soon we will celebrate Mum and dad being married for 27 years. I think I'm home that weekend as well. Mum pointed out that two years ago when we were celebrating their Silver anniversary was probably the last time I saw my other cousins. I'm gonna have to rectify that one. It's hard having family scattered all over the place, but a time will come when I will be more than just a car journey away, that should be interesting!
On Saturday we celebrated Kirsty and Ed getting married. A brilliant day was had by all. The bride looked beautiful and the groom was smiling so much his cheeks hurt. There were lots of people around to help them celebrate. I think that's how weddings should be, family and friends around all laughing and smiling. It was a long day. My favourite moment was being able to pray for the couple during the ceremony (and dancing with the bride's half sister to Justin Beiber, but don't tell anyone else that - it's one of my guiltiest pleasures!).
Then on Sunday I went to Essex to celebrate Mike turning 21. It's really hard to believe he's turned 21, it makes me feel quite old. In time old tradition, we were retelling stories of past family gatherings, especially ones which involve everyone, but mostly the boys telling stories of nights out. We also have new stories to tell. Especially ones that involve injury to one or more of the parties telling the story! We are an accident-prone bunch. I shared my news with them. They all were very excited. It lasted about a minute, and then moved on to talk about much more recent events. I'm happy that they know now.
Soon we will celebrate Mum and dad being married for 27 years. I think I'm home that weekend as well. Mum pointed out that two years ago when we were celebrating their Silver anniversary was probably the last time I saw my other cousins. I'm gonna have to rectify that one. It's hard having family scattered all over the place, but a time will come when I will be more than just a car journey away, that should be interesting!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
All in time
I don't often blog, so I often get out blogged. Dad always does a pretty good job of blogging about events in our family, before I get the chance to switch my archaic laptop on and wait for it to warm up (no - I will not buy a Mac). so he has already talked about the weekend's events.
On Sunday Mum, Dad and Liz met Robert for the first time via the loveliness of Skype. At this point in my life I really love technology, it keeps me in touch with the people I care about the most. I especially love it when it works.
This was a momentous occasion, and probably one of the strangest in my life. But it was really, really good. We had a good meal at a pub recommended by a friend, Dad's written about that too. And the joys of google maps helped us find the place. I could have found it without a map, but better to have dinner than be lost!
We are all back to work for a short week this week, ending in Mike turning 21. Which is scary. Yet again a reminder that we are all growing up and moving on with life. I'm looking forward to celebrating with them and seeing family again.
But before that there is time for one last fun thing as the summer comes to a close. On Tuesday we visited Adventure Island on Southend sea front. This is a place me and my siblings were taken to as a treat. I love it. It's a small theme park, packed with rides and loads of people, with hardly any queueing time. We were on and off rides like you wouldn't believe. The girls i was with managed to get me on Rage. I was terrified! I'm not doing that again any time soon. I had some of the best conversations of the day strapped into a rollercoaster, it makes you a captive audience.
The summer has been full of adventure! Not least this one: this is it!
On Sunday Mum, Dad and Liz met Robert for the first time via the loveliness of Skype. At this point in my life I really love technology, it keeps me in touch with the people I care about the most. I especially love it when it works.
This was a momentous occasion, and probably one of the strangest in my life. But it was really, really good. We had a good meal at a pub recommended by a friend, Dad's written about that too. And the joys of google maps helped us find the place. I could have found it without a map, but better to have dinner than be lost!
We are all back to work for a short week this week, ending in Mike turning 21. Which is scary. Yet again a reminder that we are all growing up and moving on with life. I'm looking forward to celebrating with them and seeing family again.
But before that there is time for one last fun thing as the summer comes to a close. On Tuesday we visited Adventure Island on Southend sea front. This is a place me and my siblings were taken to as a treat. I love it. It's a small theme park, packed with rides and loads of people, with hardly any queueing time. We were on and off rides like you wouldn't believe. The girls i was with managed to get me on Rage. I was terrified! I'm not doing that again any time soon. I had some of the best conversations of the day strapped into a rollercoaster, it makes you a captive audience.
The summer has been full of adventure! Not least this one: this is it!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Surviving
The last two weeks have been particularly busy, first week was LCET camp. If you haven't heard of LCET before click the link and find out some more. They do amazing work with young people across Luton.
I went on their summer camp for the first time this year. We took 60ish young people to Alton Castle (that was a fun part of being in America, getting to tell everyone I was staying in a castle) which is near Alton Towers. So near that you can hear the screams from the rides! It was a beautiful castle, lovely grounds and great young people. We had a very good week, listening to the LCET staff talk about the young people, you can hear their passion and empathy. God is really working through them.
Then young people from St Hugh's headed off to Soul Survivor for the week. We had a few success stories throughout the week, young people becoming Christians, hearts being broken for new ministries and me being able to mass cater for 16 hungry people! It was a brilliant week, St Hugh's family really does tranplant to wherever it is taken. We had a very family based week, which most of the young people responded to well.
It's been a long two weeks for a number of reasons. Time for some sleep.
I went on their summer camp for the first time this year. We took 60ish young people to Alton Castle (that was a fun part of being in America, getting to tell everyone I was staying in a castle) which is near Alton Towers. So near that you can hear the screams from the rides! It was a beautiful castle, lovely grounds and great young people. We had a very good week, listening to the LCET staff talk about the young people, you can hear their passion and empathy. God is really working through them.
Then young people from St Hugh's headed off to Soul Survivor for the week. We had a few success stories throughout the week, young people becoming Christians, hearts being broken for new ministries and me being able to mass cater for 16 hungry people! It was a brilliant week, St Hugh's family really does tranplant to wherever it is taken. We had a very family based week, which most of the young people responded to well.
It's been a long two weeks for a number of reasons. Time for some sleep.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
A Little Adventure
I love a bit of adventure. And I can make an adventure out of the tiniest thing as well (like driving in London or putting on a Holiday club). If you enjoy a little bit of adventure ever now and then, it makes life a little better.
So I went on a little adventure last week. All the Way to Atlanta, Georgia and back. "What's in Atlanta?" I hear you ask. Well, I'll tell you! My best friend is in Atlanta.
Here's some pictures from my first (but not last) trip to the States.
Penguin up close and personal
The Sea turtle
The "Finding Nemo" part of the Aquarium
Jelly Fish
The CNN centre and it's vastness. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it! I literally gasped. I'm in the bottom right corner. It's a bit mental for something to be that huge, but then that's my general impression of America anyway!
Here we are at the end of the Atlanta Braves baseball game. The Braves lost, but it was a good first experience of baseball.
Sweetwater Creek State Park. A very beautiful place
Me and my best friend!
I really liked my first experience of America. It was lots of fun and an eye opener in many ways. And there are many more adventures to come, but more about that later!
So I went on a little adventure last week. All the Way to Atlanta, Georgia and back. "What's in Atlanta?" I hear you ask. Well, I'll tell you! My best friend is in Atlanta.
Here's some pictures from my first (but not last) trip to the States.
Penguin up close and personal
The Sea turtle
The "Finding Nemo" part of the Aquarium
Jelly Fish
The CNN centre and it's vastness. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it! I literally gasped. I'm in the bottom right corner. It's a bit mental for something to be that huge, but then that's my general impression of America anyway!
Here we are at the end of the Atlanta Braves baseball game. The Braves lost, but it was a good first experience of baseball.
Sweetwater Creek State Park. A very beautiful place
Me and my best friend!I really liked my first experience of America. It was lots of fun and an eye opener in many ways. And there are many more adventures to come, but more about that later!
Friday, July 23, 2010
end of term
Well, the academic year has come to an end for children in English schools. We are now on summer break. And when I say break, I don't mean for the youth workers, nor the teachers.
While this year has been a challenge, we've also had some amazing things happen. I won't bore you with the details, but my young people always surprise and encourage me. They are brilliant and well disciplined. They turn up to events, pull out all the stops to welcome others and become more of who God created them to be each time I see them.
We have natural leaders, preachers and the faithful. It's an excellent mix.
So here we are. I've been at my job for 4 years this August. And as visions go, I'm pretty clear for this year. But God can change those things too.
While this year has been a challenge, we've also had some amazing things happen. I won't bore you with the details, but my young people always surprise and encourage me. They are brilliant and well disciplined. They turn up to events, pull out all the stops to welcome others and become more of who God created them to be each time I see them.
We have natural leaders, preachers and the faithful. It's an excellent mix.
So here we are. I've been at my job for 4 years this August. And as visions go, I'm pretty clear for this year. But God can change those things too.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
done and done!
Cycling is over!!! Wohoo! And a few days in advance as well, very proud of myself!
I cycled 400 miles in 35 days and last night I had a dream that if one person reposted this I would get the money for it!
Later I'll put a picture up of the moment I finished, though it won't be of my face, because I was far too hot and tired!
Please sponsor me http://www.justgiving.com/nerakjf
I cycled 400 miles in 35 days and last night I had a dream that if one person reposted this I would get the money for it!
Later I'll put a picture up of the moment I finished, though it won't be of my face, because I was far too hot and tired!
Please sponsor me http://www.justgiving.com/nerakjf
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