in an effort to blog more frequently...

Yesterday was productive, as I worked on my NT essay, had afternoon tea with a friend, did some more work, watched an amusing clip from Friday's cabaret evening, and then joined more friends for delicious food and giggles - thanks Louise! (and Becki!).
This morning I have done some more work on the NT essay. I'm about to join friends for lunch. Then I'll start work on a piece of YM coursework.
I love the holidays :-)

...the long awaited update...

"so this is Christmas, and what have we learnt?

another year over, and a new one just begun..."

(at least I think that's how it goes!)

Yesterday joined forces with 4 other college students to stuff over 2000 envelopes with college yearbooks, and stamp each one with 55p postage. The 7hr 45mins went very quickly. Learning more about each others taste in music (Kip & South Park!!). Learning about each others musical abilities. Learning that there really are a very limited number of Christmas 'Hits'. Confirmation that you only ever needed to hear Mariah Carey once.
Kip devised a great game of "give me the postcode for..." (Kip can give postcodes in Bristol if you tell him the street!) and to counteract this game we played "Rt. Rev. ... Bishop of...?" Another opportunity for Kip to shine!!

That's what I learnt yesterday!

...the long awaited update...

"so this is Christmas, and what have we learnt?

another year over, and a new one just begun..."

(at least I think that's how it goes!)

Yesterday joined forces with 4 other college students to stuff over 2000 envelopes with college yearbooks, and stamp each one with 55p postage. The 7hr 45mins went very quickly. Learning more about each others taste in music (Kip & South Park!!). Learning about each others musical abilities. Learning that there really are a very limited number of Christmas 'Hits'. Confirmation that you only ever needed to hear Mariah Carey once.
Kip devised a great game of "give me the postcode for..." (Kip can give postcodes in Bristol if you tell him the street!) and to counteract this game we played "Rt. Rev. ... Bishop of...?" Another opportunity for Kip to shine!!

That's what I learnt yesterday!

Ladies - read this book!

'In Trouble And In Joy' Sharon James

This is an easy and encouraging read. It contains the biographies of 4 women who loved and served God; Margaret Baxter (wife of Richard), Sarah Edwards (wife of Jonathan), Anne Steele and Frances Ridley Havergal.

A short biog is given for each woman followed by a critique of each one's character and significance. Also included are extracts from original sources and notes for futher reading. You can read it through or dip in and out. Sharon James intends it to be a short anthology.

It is definitely worth a read, see you identify with...

What is particualrly encouraging, in each case, is that they are different women, living in different times and different places, each with a deep love for God, the same God who is never changing and never ceasing, whose grace faileth never. Their lives, lived in faith are witness to God's grace.

...a hymn and a prayer...

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing,
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Frances Ridley Havergal, 1874

Fellowship, challenge and Mum's roast

I found myself with a spare weekend and kind friends lent me their car (thank you!) and I was able to join the folks at Kennet Valley Free Church for their morning service.
Graham Cooke (pastor at KV) led the service and Alistair Hornal (previous pastor at KV) preached from Ruth 3.1- 4.13 with lessons about love and family loyalty and lessons about our relationship with God.

I had many encouraging conversations with people after the service, not least with a young girl (who will soon be 8) about how she copes at school with false things that are taught (implicity and directly) about God. If you've not spoken to a child recently about their understanding of Christian things, can I encourage you to do so (sensitively, but do so). You will find yourself challenged! I was encouraged by this girl's ability to reason. She idenitfied one or two other children in her school who are also Christians whom she she would speak to during play time when false teaching, or understanding, about God is voiced. How many of us, when going about our daily lives, and encounter false teaching seek out a fellow Christian to talk about it, and pray for God's help to deal with it. Is this our first course of action?

After church, it was home to mum's for a great roast and lots of fun with the Sheltons and Ivor. There was a little too much hilarity about peas on the table, but least said soonest mended! The Rodulson's came for tea later in the afternoon and in the evening I was able (somehow) to drink more tea with my friends David and Lisa.

It was a great weekend and I truly felt that I had enjoyed fellowship with my family in Christ.
Isn't it amazing that those friendships that we have in Christ, will always be in Christ.
These are friendships that will last for eternity, as we are members of one body.

October Update

As I sit at my study desk, deciding which piece of work to attend to first, I realise that the term is flying past. Spending time looking at models for ministry and the challenging task of formulating a plan for ministry my thoughts inevitably turn to June 2007.
My prayer is that I will be able to serve the Lord diligently here and now and that when January comes I will be able to begin making some bold choices about where I will go, to continue serving the Lord in the service of his gospel.
I am writing to thank you, and the whole family of Kennet Valley Free Church, for making it possible for me to study here at Oak Hill, encouraging me to seek after the Lord’s will and with a generosity of finance, not to mention prayer support.
This term I have begun to meet with a student, Rachel, from Middlesex University for one-to-one Bible studies, she is the President of the CU at Trent Park campus. We have had an encouraging beginning to the term, with fifteen students (and five helpers) at our meeting on Tuesday. Last year we averaged eight students at each meeting. This time two years ago, the CU was new with only four students. We are praying that the students would grow in maturity of faith, that the light of Christ may shine and bring many more students into God’s Kingdom.
Rachel and I were encouraged this week as we read Paul’s prayer for the saints in Ephesians 3:14-21. Paul kneels before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Paul prays that out of his glorious riches God may strengthen the saints with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And Paul prays that being rooted and established in love we might have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
My placement church is Holy Trinity Lyonsdown, in Barnet. I help with the midweek after school club. The club is for primary age children. Games are all played together, and then we split into smaller age specific groups for a half hour teaching session. We have been working through part of Luke’s Gospel, learning about the Kingdom of God. Yesterday I had the privilege of teaching Luke 18:31-34 to 6 and 7 year olds. It is not an easy passage for children who think concretely, as it is such a stark passage. God graciously taught the children, through the power of His Word. Their responses and understanding were amazing. Having covered all the teaching points we had a few minutes to spare, a seven-year-old girl asked if we could use the remaining time to pray. We pray at the end of every teaching session, and the majority of the group pray aloud. It is so encouraging to hear their responses to what they have learnt.
My lectures this semester are stimulating. In Christian Doctrine II, at present we are looking at the doctrine of the Trinity. In New Testament II we are moving rapidly through the Epistles. We have two youth modules this semester where we are considering the Spiritual development of children and young people and looking at working in a church. I am also able to serve the college community as YCM rep on the Student Committee.
Please join with me in pray about all these things.

hmmm

Your Driving Is is: 55% Male, 45% Female

According to studies, you drive both like a guy and a girl.This means you're a pretty average driver, with typical quirks.Occasionally you're frustrated and or a little reckless, but that's the exception - not the norm.

Do You Drive Like a Guy or a Girl?

Where I am placed this year

This year I am placed at Holy Trinity, Lyonsdown.
I am helping with the Midweek Club. I will also be doing children's slots on a Sunday morning (2 per term). In addition I am helping CU at Middlesex (Trent Park/ Cat Hill/ Enfield campus).
Please pray that as I seek to serve God in each of these situations that He would use me and enable to use time wisely and for His glory.

To find out more about church see: http://www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk/

READ THIS BOOK!

Teach Them Diligently: How To use the Scriptures in Child Training, Lou Pirolo, 2000

This is, in my opninion, an excellent book. I'd love to know what you think.

At last!

Well it has been just over 2 months since I last had opportunity to sit down for long enough, without distraction to blog!
What have I been doing?
I worked for CCA until the 5th August when I went to Criccieth Beach Mission for my 10th year on team. Prior to that I helped at KVFC Holiday Bible Club week.
Beach Mission went well.
The Doctor Who theme was appreciated by the sophisticated and mocked by those who just don't get it! We stuck with it though, and the kids served us well by humoring us and joining in regardless! The Tardis was particularly appreciated, with adults popping in just to see it and marvel.
It was a tall order teaching an overview of 1&2 Samuel in 1 week, and following that with a thematic look. There was an awful lot of ground to cover. Next year we are planning to look at Ephesians. It will be good to spend more time on each section and give the kids more opportunity to really get know the letter rather than just a broad sweep (as good as it is).
After Beach Mission my friend Becs and I headed south to Monkton Combe, just outside Bath for a week's rest and relaxation. It was most certainly needed! We stayed in a lovely cottage that had been converted from farm buildings, stables I think. We also had access to an outdoor (heated) pool for the week which was fab. We ate very well in Bath (and the pub in Monkton Combe was particularly good). Every meal was well presented and delicious, and very reasonably priced - which made it all the more enjoyable! Our evenings were spent watching DVDs eating grapes, popcorn and chocolate (the order of the list doesnot indicate preference or quantities).
I returned home from holiday for the Bank Holiday weekend before moving into my new flat. My littlest brother, Nathan, moved me in. I am sharing a flat with Sarah again (I lived with Sarah last year).
Praise God for his great provision of this flat. Everything fell into place very easily. It is a nice flat, although there is some appallingly bad limescale in the toilet bowl if anyone knows what we can use to get rid of it please let me know. We've tried all sorts. Apart from the loo, which i have to say I don't actually spend time looking at, it is a nice flat. The area seems safe and quiet too. We are just south of a trainline, but the noise soon fades into the background.
Having moved in on the Tuesday I had a few days of unpacking and sorting before a meeting at college for final preparations before opening week.
Opening Week seemed to go very well, lots of lovely new people to meet. I thoroughly enjoyed my responsibilities that week as Youth and Childrens Ministry course Rep I had a few!
The following week, lectures began again. The Student Committee had responsibilities in that week too. We've just completed our second week of lectures.
My mum came to visit me this week, it was a really nice time.
This morning I have been to a training session on discipline with children run by TnT ministries. It was really very helpful.
That I think brings us up-to-date.

wow what a birthday!

Day started well with my parents croaking through an early morning rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. Opened lots of Cards (thank you). Ate Breakfast. Cleaned my room (a very normal thing to do on ones birthday!!!)
Got a lift to Whitley shop from my mum to discover Carl didn't have the keys. Rang Heather at Central Services who greeted me with 'Hello Birthday Girl, How are you?' I calmly replied that I was fine. We were locked out and enquired whether Dan was in Oxford Road shop with spare front door keys. Thankfully he was so I was able to send Carl in his Postman Pat type van to collect. Meanwhile I bought myself a paper and stood in the sunshine outside the shop, read the paper and chatted to regular customers (a highly productive hour!)
Carl got back and the morning progressed quickly, with Support Centre Cilents, Paperwork, more training for Carl and tidying up the shop.
Caught the Bus back to Reading and then had to walk home.
Home for just long enough to get changed, eat a strange a bit of lunch (10 mins) before walking to Oxford Road Office. Did manage to enjoy a ice lolly on the way. Picked up paperwork, then down to the Warehouse for a Manager Meeting.
More Birthday Cards and a box of (gingerbread) men from Heather (thanks!)
Lots of helpful feedback on the work that I have been doing for the last 5 weeks (or however long its been). Phone call during meeting from Carl, not sure about part of 'end of day' at shop. Second phone call from new landlady to arrange moving in, contracts etc..
Back to Oxford Road Office to do some filing before heading into Reading Town Centre with Heather to meet Becs for Dinner at Wagamama's.
Top food. (No. 41 as always)
Good company. (as always)
Onto Starbucks for cup of tea. (there's a surprise)
Home by 9:15pm!! (there's no surprise!)
Enough time then to watch Doctor Who DVD (from Becs - she knows me so well!)
All in all a busy day. But a good day.
Today I've only worked in one location, but that was enough!
At the end of the day I did forget which road I'd parked on and had a horrid moment of thinking my parents car had been stolen.
Heather and I are still making our way through the rest of the box of men (gingerbread men). Lots more to devour tomorrow!

quick catch up

Cricceith Planning Weekend went well.
The Mission begins on 5th August for 2 weeks.
Very excited by Dr. Who theme for Th'Undeground and Mexican evening
I will be teaching on the Friday Mornings of both weeks, and leading an evening session on ethical dilemmas...

Back in Whitely the new guy appointed as Site Supervisor, Carl, started today and I think he will do very well as he managed to cope with me all day!

My Parents returned safely from Canada, bringing plenty of maple syrup with them :-)

Birthday count down begins... (9 days) I will be working :-( such is life

Not long until the Kennet Valley Free Church Holiday Bible Club (KVFC HBC) still got to get my head around what I need to do for that. I'm teaching the final session on the Friday. People seem to be giving me the final sessions... what is that about?!