Gardening Part 3

And this is the garden after a second day of hard work. Well almost, I gave the soil a good digging about after the photo to start the process of removing all the roots that were like a carpet over the whole plot. Unfortunately it was a shorter day as it chucked it down late afternoon (and is still raining now - please stop!)

Met even more of the neighbours today, and one old Irish guy came back with some tools and helped me hack down the rest of the big bushes, and pull out two stumps! I so couldn't have done half of that on my own yesterday. So many thanks to him. Now I just have to figure out how to make the most of the space on my limited budget, and hope that the judges take into consideration the amount of hard work I've done before planting anything!

Gardening Part 2

Here's the garden after one day of hard work!

Gardening

I've entered a gardening competition to revamp our front garden.

Problem is, I know very little on the subject, I've only got until Tues/Wed, and I have a budget of £25

Currently it looks like this:









Anyone care to share anything knowledge/thoughts/tips?!! Pretty please?

York Gospel Choir

Well, today was the day for the audition for the new York Gospel Choir
I was so extremely scared and didn't decide what to sing until the last little while!

I got there and saw other people I know from church who were scared too, so that made me feel better. My name was called, I went in, stood before 3 people (felt like x-factor) and sang! My voice was completely different to my practicing, but I liked it, it felt strong and confident.

So all was good and I got through! Even though I had to stop singing because I forgot the words!

So here's to a new adventure, practices are weekly, and even though the choir hasn't started yet, the guy who runs it has 5 bookings for it! We will be singing a mix of contemporary and traditional Gospel, worship songs, and secular stuff at weddings, concerts and what not!

Looking forward to it.

Oh and for the record, I'm going down as a Mezzo Soprano or just a flexible whatever's needed!

Easter Baptism Photos

Found the pics of my housemates at the baptisms in the city centre - can't get them to work on here, but here's the link. They're the two girls with crowns on at the front!

Interesting articles in The Press

I was interviewed for The Press yesterday, very boring, but hey! Click here for photo, can't find my comment anywhere tho...

In reading the said newspaper the other evening I came across a classified ad for a clothes drier. All fine, until I saw that it was going for 50p, and yet it costs £5 to advertise in the newspaper!! That doesn't make sense!

Other interesting articles were the local Co-op that installed a device that emits a noise that only teenagers and 20-somethings can here to deter them from hanging around outside. How random! I almost want to go there and see if I can hear it! Full Story

Secondly, a new shop opened last week called Joy (I believe there is one already in Norwich's Chapelfield). To celebrate this launch, they agreed to give the first 25 people to strip down to their underwear a free outfit. Not entirely sure what I think about that! Full Story

Oh and people have been knitting jumpers for penguins...

African Snow

I went to see this over a week ago, but I've been a slacker in getting round to blogging about it!

My friend Lydia went to see it on Wed, and here are her thoughts.

I don't really have any great thoughts on it, so I shall just jot down my randomness in the order it comes to my head!

Very interesting to go to a play, where there is just one white actor and the rest are black. Seeing as though I've come from Norfolk where we're a little slow on catching up with the multiculturalness of the rest of the country, and now moved to York, where it's even more predominantly white (we do joke that my housemate is the token black person in York), it was quite weird to go to a performance in the city centre where the roles were reversed. But I appreciated it. It got me thinking.

On top of this, the black actors also played white people. I didn't twig this until Wilberforce came into the story! Again a little confusing, but an interesting take.

Unlike Lydia, it rather spoiled the play for me, having seen Amazing Grace the week previously. It's the same story, just from a different angle, so a times it felt like covering the same ground - potentially I needed to have a longer gap between the two. I did appreciate understanding the story from Olaudah Equiano's point of view though. It was a very long play. Both the film, and the play made me cry.

The question the performance is asking, is can a victim and abuser ever be reconciled? I don't think they really answered it, that wasn't the point, but it was good to get people thinking about it. As Christians is sometimes really easy to throw about words, saying that we should forgive each other etc etc. But seriously, John Newton caused Olaudah Equiano and his people so much pain, asking for forgiveness is asking a lot. I guess it can only be done with God's help.
There's so much hurt and pain, revenge and unforgiveness in this world.

Easter

Easter Sunday

We celebrated Easter as a house today. Probably the first time I haven't been with family at Easter.

Lorna, Bek and I went to church together this morning for a packed and lively service complete with entertaining children dressed up suitably for the Easter story with one particular boy running around with a sword shouting, 'kill Jesus!'.

We then met Lillian (our housemate) in town, grabbed ice creams and went for a walk around the walls. It was a beautiful sunny day. Following this we went to a celebration in the city centre organised by One Voice. There was face painting and crown making, and a red carpet to have your photo taken on to symbolise how we're all stars/unique/special to God. There was worship and an open air service involving an address from the archbishop and 21 baptisms. We were impressed at the speed and enthusiasm at which the archbishop carried out the baptisms, especially since each one got dunked 3 times - something I've not seen before! We were also impressed with his directness throughout the service for example telling the band to do just one song and not 'dither' about.

I was annoyed with the press though. They were around the whole thing like a swarm of bees, ignoring relatives of those being baptised who wanted to get closer to take photos.
Story here

We finished the day by sharing a roast together (cooked by Lorna) and just having a good old chat. Topics including whether Mary was always a virgin, to a strategy on getting into parliment, to the death penalty and anglican litergy.

Sarah and Helen's Trip to the Beach!

Oh the joys of Scarborough :D

Hover over pics for description

Voice

After being ill a few weeks ago, I still don't seem to have quite got my voice back properly.
It never fully went, and now it's only a problem when singing.
But since that's something I spend a lot of time doing it's quite irritating!

Any suggestions?

For the benefit of Rachel (and Lucy)

It's great working in a charity shop isn't it?! ;)

Mainly for the benefit of mum...

Had a free hair cut

Talcum Powder

It's snowing/hailing right now.
But it's so heavy, and the wind is blowing so strongly that it just looks like talcum powder flying horizontally across the window.
It's already stacked up in the corner of my window after a few minutes!

Little Is Much...

"What is the measure of a life well lived
If all I can offer seems too small to give
This is a song for the weaker, the poorer
And so-called failures

Little is much when God's in it
And no one can fathom the plans He holds
Little is much when God's in it
He changes the world with the seeds we sow
Little is much, little is much

Who feels tired and under-qualified
Who feels deserted, and hung out to dry
This is a song for the broken, the beat-up
And so-called losers

Consider a Kingdom in the smallest seed
Consider that giants fall to stones and slings
Consider a child in a manger
Consider the story isn't over
What can be done with what you still have"

from a band called Downhere been listening to it on the radio, I like it. It's encouraging that God uses even the smallest of people that the world looks down on.
You can listen to it here

Momentum - moving

After three days of being in bed, today I woke up and felt almost human :D

I am now going to Clifton Parish Church. It was a long and difficult decision, but in short I felt that it wasn't right for me to be at MV York any more. I've learnt a lot, but it's time to move on.

Tonight, David that vicar spoke. Him and a load of guys have just got back from two weeks in Rwanda (*mental note to figure out where that is, wonder if I could go there sometime...*). Of what he spoke about, the thing that stood out to me was what he said about momentum. Not momentum in the sense of Soul Survivor's student event, but momemtum as in movement. He compared it to starting to move a massive wheel. At first it's really hard, and it takes so much effort, and you really don't seem to be getting anyway for all this effort you're putting in. Then it starts to move, and you're pushing and pushing, and repetively doing the same little things, which again don't seem to amount to much on their own, and you still don't seem to be getting very far, but you've got to keep doing them or it'll stop. Then finally once the momentum is going, you really go for it and it takes little effort.

I like that picture. It encourages me.

He also said that it works especially well when you're using your gifting/talents, because that provides energy and enthusiam.

Not quite sure what I'm going to do with this, but hey ho!

Installation

Apologies for the lack of blogging. I don't really have an excuse!
Quick update:
Am currently unwell :(
Work is good, charity shop is good, housemates are great, as are friends.
I've been to the cinema and the theatre, and generally spent time socialising.

That brings us to today.

Today is the official installation day of The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu as Chancellor of York St John University. (Where I study if you hadn't gathered...) Otherwise known as the Archbishop of York.

I am sad that I didn't take a camera, as the service (or act of worship as our chaplin called it) was varied and exciting - including a giant. I have included a picture of my order of service, and two badges that I was given. The small silver one was received as a member of staff at uni, the larger one with green bits everyone got who went to the service.

The service started with our gospel choir singing the Circle of Life from the Lion King, and Happy Day, some organ music and then the procession of minster officials. This was followed by the York St John University Fanfare, and a procession of gowned tutors and members of staff. I would be very interested to know what all their different styles and colours of gown mean.

The service was very 'Christian'. A lot more than I was expecting! Although it York St John was founded by the Church of England, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. There were many Bible readings, including John 10:10b 'Jesus said, "I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly"' - this just so happens to be the verse we use at CU. There were a number of prayers throughout too, by staff, students, the chaplain.

We then had a performance by the Faculty of Arts called 'The Flourishing of York St John'. It basically told the story of St Johns and was all based around the idea of a seedling growing and florishing like the students of the university. It involved a giant version of Edward Cordukes the first student to enrol, students processing around the minster with small trees on their backs, young children from the minster school running down the minster and flags. It was good.

We sang two hymns - entertainingly some of the congragation thought they new one better than others and got out of time! We had a York St John University Prayer:
'Loving God,
you have bound us together in the unity of a learning community,
so that we may have live and have it in abundance.

Help us this day and in all our futures to draw on the wellsprings of your love,
so that people and justice may be on our lips and in our lives,
now and forever. Amen'

The actually installation took no time at all, and Kate and I wondered whether he came with an installation disc incase we need to uninstall him....

The Archbishop gave us an address, unfortunately I didn't hear much, but I did catch his final comment:
'Remember, never stand between a lamp post and a dog'

Clearly important...

I thoroughly enjoyed the service. Most excited to discover the York St John drummers - I wonder if I can join them...

What My Name Means

Nicked from Emma

What Helen Means

H is for Hardworking E is for Elitist L is for Luxurious E is for Exquisite N is for Neglected

What Does Your Name Mean?

Think I prefer sparkles!

What Sparkles Means

S is for Sweet P is for Posh A is for Artistic R is for Remarkable K is for Kind L is for Loving E is for Earthy S is for Sensitive

What Does Your Name Mean?

22

Baptiversary

Today is my "Baptiversary" as James so cleverly put it! ;)

Can't believe it's a whole year!!

I feel like I ought to write something more intelligent - but I can't think of anything! Will maybe add more later!

Minster Ball 2007

Here is a cartoon version of my housemates and I at the ball, and the minster all lit up.
Thankfully it wasn't as cold as when I went in my first year! We had a most enjoyable evening.
I would put more photos up, but they will take over!

Petition

Did you know that you can vote for things related to the government?

Click here

Philippians 3:12-14 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Running toward the Goal
12I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
[American Bible Society]

Five Things You May Not Know About Me

Thanks Phil for tagging me - (and explaining to me what that was!)

Five things:

1. I enjoy playing Bingo with my uni friends.

2. I prefer ginger nut biscuits when they've gone soft.

3. I tipped my little sister head first out of a baby bouncer when she was a baby.

4. I was the only girl on the cricket team at middle school.

5. I can do this with my eyes (excuse the bad old video ;))


I tag Sarah and Rachel

Beauty

1 Peter 3:3-4 (New Living Translation)

3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Beauty. Something we long for, and yet something that is a battle. We are taught that it's what's on the inside that counts, and yet we all still long for beauty. We admire beautiful sunsets, the sea, creation. Media shows us beautiful people, and we admire theirs' and each others' beauty. So is it wrong to seek visual beauty, or is it only when the beauty of the person as a whole shines through, that the external beauty is really beautiful?

I look at some of my friends, and to me they are amazing and stunning. Their beauty shines through and it's hard to describe, but by the worlds' standards they are dull or even ugly. So is the quote, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' true - or can we all see beauty if we look closely enough?

Why beauty? Is it shallow to seek beauty? Beauty comforts, beauty relaxes and refreshes. Beauty captures our imagination and sets us running wild and free.

Does beauty have to have a price? Can beauty thats not our own always make us feel good?

(This is both my thoughts and thoughts from 'Captivated' by John & stasi Eldredge)

Oh dear...

... I just got up from watching TV, picked up my glass, took it into the kitchen, and chucked the rest of the water in the bin...

... hmm...

testing

testing

---

Yahoo! Photos – NEW, now offering a quality print service from just 7p a photo.

Is there a right?

Our CU is 'multi-denominational'.

I've been briefly thinking about what this means in practice.

We don't have women speakers in case that offends people, we don't have free-flowing worship incase that offends people.

In most cases we err on the traditional/conservertive side of things. But in not offending them, are we offending others? What about the people that are used to free-flowing worship and prayer - are they not offended if we don't do that? What about the woman speaker?

So how does it work?

Home

Back to good old Norwich from flooded York

Smile

This is a great video that richybabexx and some mates made for the York St. John Christian Union Weekend Away. They're all based on the legend that is Dom Joly and Trigger Happy TV. Enjoy!!

Our God is bigger

Right, have texted some people about this already today, but ongoing prayers are appreciated.

Basically, as a CU we've got our mission week next week and at the end of the week we are having an evangelistic carol concert of sorts 'supposedly' in the chapel at uni.

Chaplincy became aware that we'd booked this event yesterday (all our room bookings have to go through them) and kicked up a fuss because they're having a carol concert on the thursday afternoon. There are usually two concerts, ours being more evangelistic and aimed at students, the chaplincy one being attended more by staff. This year the Dean has asked the chaplincy to make theirs more student orientated as well, so chaplincy see ours as in competition with theirs.

This is not our perspective at all, as we are not only going to chaplincy's concert, but actually helping take part in it. To us the events are completely different. Theirs is a carol concert, ours is an evangelistic events.

Anyway, this means that the chaplincy feel betrayed by us, so yesterday told us we couldn't have it, even saying that someone else was using the chapel. In visiting room bookings we discovered that this is not the case, and they let us book it.

Chaplincy discovered this, this morning, so our president went for a meeting, where she was greeted by chaplincy and room bookings saying that we cannot hold the event anywhere on campus. They've spoken to security, and student services and informed them that this event cannot take place on campus under any cirmcumstances. We are dumbstruck by this. Why are they doing this? All we want is to spread God's word and love. We're not bothered about who gets the most people to their service or whatever.

We were then thrown into crisis because we've got a speaker coming from down south who's paid for, we've got fliers and posters and cards printed and made etc etc. It's all planned for. So one of the presidents and I spent the rest of the morning running round York trying to find and alternative venue, feeling like Mary and Joseph trying to find and room and failing.

Our hopes were raised a little after speaking to the Students Union, and our UCCF rep, both saying that chaplincy have no right to ban us from booking a room, and that we can as students book rooms, but it's transpired since then that we can't. The event is still banned from campus.

What gets me is that it's not uni that we're fighting against (I don't think they'd be too bothered) it's chaplincy. Somehow a relationship that has been good until now has been almost destroyed. There's hurt, bitterness and confusion.

Therefore we are working hard to respond with love and how Jesus would. The devil hits where it hurts the most, and we're not letting him win. He wants us to respond out of hurt and lash back at chaplincy, but we won't. We pray for that relationship to be restored.

So yeah, please pray along those lines, and also that the right venue is found and God's will is done. This is also a distraction from Jesus and our mission. But praise the Lord for this amazing opportunity for His glory to shine!

Thank you

Thunderbird

Ever since I got the internet back, my RSS feeds don't seem to be received by Thunderbird.
All you guys have obviously written loads in your blogs, but every time I check for new messages thunderbird says there are no new messages.

Any thoughts?

Have tried unsuccessfully to search their knowledge base.

Back

The internet's back!

Thank you everyone for your prayer and support :D

Beyond Dead

And the internet is still dead.

We are now into our fourth week of complete switch off, and over three months of intermittent connection.

I hear you say why not change ISP, but unfortunately it appears that the problem is more likely to do with the line, therefore we are awaiting BT.

How much longer?!!!! I am going mad.

It interests me that it causes me such issues. For a while I beat myself up that I couldn't cope without the internet. I can cope, just I've used the internet as a good way of winding down and destressing - maybe I need to find an alternative.
On the internet I run my website, moderator two discussion forums, keep up with my college work through WebCT, research my dissertation, keep in touch with people, randomly search in google my random ponderings. There's so much to do!

I do miss it.

I'd really like it back. I guess what troubles me most is the frustration of not being able to solve the problem. Surely it's just one switch that needs flicking or one wire that needs reconnecting? Why can't they figure it out? Why do they have to keep passing the buck when the only one that suffers is me (and my housemates)?

Sigh

Dead

Well, my internet has been completely dead for over a week now :(

So that would explain my lack of posting.

And many other things

Look what you can buy for 49p

You gotta love charity shops

Thunderbird

I was just wondering if anyone else was having the same issues with RSS feeds on thunderbird?

For some reason, some of my feeds keep randomly stopping working, then a week or so later they'll work again.
Then at other times, I'll get all the posts of a blog sent to me again. It's just this minute happened to almost al l of my blogs! Now I have up to 4 copies of each post on some peoples' blogs!

I thought it might just be the people that have updated to Beta, but that's not the case now.

Murdery Mystery

This is my beautiful Angel and me at Pasta, Passion and Pistols :D


















I think I make a good bloke!

Morris Dancing

Look what my friend Sarah and I found in the centre of York (wonderful filming Sarah ;-))



MorrisDancing on Vimeo

My hand

I had a fight with a craft knife today.

In short I've got a deep cut in my hand, managed to cut some muscle but thankfully no tendons. Been stitched and sorted.

Please pray that it heals as good as new and quickly especially as in my job I need both hands!

At the moment my thumb has restricted movement and it hurts!!

Cheers

Clutter!

Well, this is my new room with my stuff in it.

Seriously need some shelves!

Here comes the bride...

Well, today is the big day!

Don't they look gorgeous!

Stand

I want to be a true woman of God.

I want to stand for God's Truth even if it will cost me my reputation or my friends.

I want my security to be in God and nothing else.

I want to be known as someone in whom people see God, so when I leave a room I am not remembered for anything other than God in me.

Shame it's easier said than done...

My New Room!!!

This is my new room at uni. As you can see it is currently uninhabited as I've not been in it yet! My housemate took the photos for me and sent them. It is almost finished. It's a loft conversion that's been done this summer. It's weird having a brandnew room that no one's used yet! This is the only time it will be tidy!

I have a great view of the chocolate factory out the back through the big window, and an interesting skylight the other side. I wonder if I can sit in it.... I'm also intrigued by the random bit of space next to the banister - think I'll have to put a suitcase or something there. Unfortunately the en-suite is not finished :-D

Avoidance

We had a visiting speaker at church today.
He spoke about the miraculous. There wasn't a great deal that I hadn't heard before, but I felt it was good as a church to hear it. He spoke about how we are often complacent about the miraculous (in western culture) and don't expect it to happen much. Or we go to the other extreme and say that if you're not healed there must be something wrong with your faith etc.

He talked about how God's put us, and we've put ourselves in the city centre where a lot of people are moving to now and where there is a lot of 'sin'. So basically saying we've got great potential to make a difference and show God's love and see the 'miraculous'.

He also picked out two passages in Acts.
Acts 2:42-47
'They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord's Supper and in prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They
sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity - all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.'
Acts 4:32-35
'All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God's great favour was upon them all. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.'

The speaker used these verses to encourage us to be like the 1st century church meeting together, being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, seeing miraculous things and reaching out to the non-believers. What interested me was that the verses about selling all your things, sharing and giving the money to the poor was completely ignored. Part of me was pleased because I find that idea quite challenging and would rather not think about it, but I wondered greatly why it was missed out. Are we not supposed to do that, are we being picking and taking the bits we want? It just made me think.

Momentum

Well back from another week at the good old Bath and West Showground. Haven't got much time now, but it was a good week, marred by bad weather, car problems and illness, but we survived and God is amazing!
Here are some random pics of Sarah and Emma on the last day in the main venue.

Fair Trade Clothes

Whilst at Living Water, Jenny Skivington really challenged me about fair trade clothes.
I struggle with fair trade food on a uni budget, and most of the stuff that is fair trade I don't eat anyway!
Clothes are different though. It's just a matter of choosing to not just buy clothes because their cheap.

Whilst I was at Momentum I was challenged by this further with the 'Ethical Bedroom' in the market place run by Tearfund. They provided me with a directory of where I can buy fair trade stuff online.

I've still got a lot of thoughts around this. At the moment, it appears I can only buy fairly traded clothes online. There is one shop in York, but the clothes are not great. (but is that really a good enough excuse?). Other ponderings include the issue of is it still fair trade if it's in a sale? Tearfund gave me a free tshirt at Momentum. I challenged this and they said that the workers had been paid it was them that were choosing to give it for free. But surely if they can afford to give it for free - they can afford to charge less for the clothes normally? Puzzled.
Another thought is the whole, if we all stop buying clothes from places that aren't fair trade then the workers that get barely anything will end up with nothing... hmm...

In my brief investigating today I also discovered the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), I don't have enough knowledge or time to go into it now, but there is more here.
So that suggests a number of shops that are better to shop in - I don't think they're fair trade, but perhaps they're second best? What do people think?

Living Water

Wow.

Look - our tents are on the Network Norwich website!

The article can be read here

It was my first proper time at Living Water. I went a number of years ago as a day visitor before I was a Christian - I don't remember much about it other than chatting to people on the NYFC stall and playing pretend golf of something with a tree branch with Paul Cracknell!

This year I was working and camping in the youth venue. I camped with Paul and Hannah Farmer and some of our youth from NCBC. (our tents are above - mine being the bent one at the front). We had a great time together - even though our gazebo blew down and broke on Sat leaving us with no where to cook! In the end Fakenham took us in and cooked for us - whoo! We also had to sleep elsewhere that night as it was a washout!

As well as helping look out for our youth I worked in the youth cafe, and did prayer ministry. I really liked the cafe, it was fun - we had a laugh! I've never seen so many people eat pot noodles! I found prayer ministry really hard, but it was good to trust God. All in all it was wonderful to see God work powerfully in these young peoples' lives.

Devon

Had a lovely time at Croyde Bay with the family even though I was ill!

We stayed into two chalets and there were 10-12 of us staying together. Most of the time we just chilled and went body boarding - the beach and sea was lovely.

Can't think of much else to say!

Here are some pics:

New Wine

Wow I haven't posted for ages. Sorry guys! Haven't been near a computer much!

Straight after Reality I went to New Wine with my friend Sarah. We worked for a company called Veritasse selling artwork. It was a lot more hard work than I thought it would be, but it was a real insight into New Wine and the market place and Christian Art. It's so expensive and I couldn't justify buying it, but it's amazing and people are really moved by it and drawn closer to God.

I also bumped into some Norwich and Gateway Vineyard people which was really cool. I love getting to know people from other churches in Norwich better. It's great to see different insights into church and to learn from others. I also saw some people from St Mary's in Leamington Spa where I had my gap year. It was really cool to catch up with them. Lastly I also saw some friends that used to go to Dereham Rd and who's parents are still involved with NCBC. It's so amazing to meet up with people you haven't seen for a while.

One thing I realised this year is that New Wine/Soul Survivor etc can be quite exclusive. This is not a purposeful thing, and I don't know if there's much you can do about it, but being just Sarah and I felt quite weird. People come to New Wine in groups (mainly church groups) and they tend to stick in these groups - so when you're on your own it can be hard to slot in. Coming in a group is not a bad thing - it can be a time of tremendous growth for your church group, spending so much time together in this way. But it did feel quite lonely/exclusive going as a pair. Don't get me wrong - Sarah and I had a great time together, but I just felt a bit like a little lost fish in a big ocean of many unknown fish (for want of a better metaphor).

A good thing about New Wine was that I didn't know any of the songs. Normally I would find that irritating, but I realised it was good for me. So often I know all the songs and take it for granted that others do - but they blatently don't all the time! We were let by Trent Vineyard in Venue 2. Not knowing the songs was a really weird experience, standing amongst many people singing their hearts out and me silent. It did mean though that I paid more attention to what the words were saying and whether I actually wanted to say them.

Anothing I learnt is that the people up the front aren't always what you expect them to be down on the ground...

Reality

Wow is all I can say for now.

God is amazing

I am drenched and have a splitting headache and cycling in a massive thunder storm is entertaining to say the least.

But God is still amazing and has done fantastic things today from putting out fires to saving BBQs from rain.

I shall post more in the morning.

Blogging-Reality-Life!

Was chatting with Craig this evening about blogging and how sometimes you just never get round to doing it, and how sometimes, when you post something that takes you forever no one comments. Also, how do you know what to post and what's ok for people to read, and how easy is it to forget that everyone's reading this...

Well, it was the first day of Reality today and I was impressed. I've been a little disheartened that people haven't been signing up and it just felt a little on the empty side this morning - but people were engaging and God was definitely there. Then when we were out in Mousehold I realised that God was making an impact however many of us there were. 10 of us were litter picking and we had such a laugh - there was joy and there was love - thank you God! We met a number of people who are gonna come along to the BBQ on Wed which was cool. Also spent ages chatting to this guy who it would be wonderful if God could touch in an amazing way right now. Lord - let your will be done!

Also had the cafe this eve - it was a little on the quiet side but good. Some people walked in from being given flyers and good conversations were had.

So Lord, thank you for all that's happened and thank you for all that's gonna happen! Help us to do your will.

Life - well, what can I say. Off to New Wine on Sunday to work, then joining family in Devon for a few days, before coming back to Norwich to work at Living Water, then going to Momentum! Also hunting for a placement - think I may sign up with a helpline or do some mentoring. 3rd year is quite scary. Real life is only just round the corner - perhaps I'll go do a masters! The counselling guy at UEA is good.

Right, must get sleep before another 13hr day tomorrow!

Mis-type

How bizarre that you get this when you mis-type my blog...

The Flour Game

As it says on the Tin ;)

If I ruled the world...

Good at maths anyone?

Total amount of money I receive for living at uni: £3473

Total amount of rent for the year: £2958
Estimated total amount of household bills for the year: £250+ (my share)


So that leaves me with round about £250 for the year for food, books, travel, socialising.

Good job I've got paid work while I'm at uni, which should give me £1000 for the year, giving me a grand total of just over £100 a month.

Money is fun isn't it.

On the other side of things, I will be in more than £12,000 debt when I leave university. Those who know me, know that I'm good with money - potentially a little too tight. So what about those who aren't? And how about the new fees this year? If someone takes the full loan, and has to pay all the fees, that's over £7000 a year, totalling more than £21,000 with interest after their degree. Isn't that a wonderful start to life? Is it worth it?

I read somewhere that about 75% of females never pay back all of their student loan ever.

Then we get to houses and mortgages. In short, unless I get a shockingly high paid job, probably more than my parents put together, I just won't be able to afford it.

Don't even start me on credit cards. I refuse to have one. I rang my bank the other day. They informed me that I was due a review on my overdraft since I use it so much (I keep it in my ISA :D). So I was put through to someone else, who said, 'Would you like a graduate credit card?' - a) I'm not a graduate for another year, and b) I don't want one!!!!!! Why are they asking me if I want one because I use my overdraft lots? - surely that means I'm in debt and therefore it is stupid to give more reason for me to be in debt? Or do they think that because I'm in debt, I will quite happily get more in debt - and therefore they'll get more money?

If only I ruled the world...

REALITY

OK guys - now is the time to sign up!!

Reality is only just over a month away and we need YOU to make it happen.

Sign up NOW for just £20 for 5 days of teaching, worship and celebration and most importantly 5 afternoons of reaching out to our local community!

It is the first week of the summer holidays 24th-29th July - so there is no excuse not to come and work for your city of Norwich in spreading God's love.

It is such a majorly important thing to do. Just think of what it could be the start of.
The start of life changing relationships and work in your community that will go on for years to come, where hearts will be change and people will be made whole. It can be the development of vital work that is already going on!

Everyone from the age of 14 is welcome to come along (over 21s need to be referenced) - so spread the word.
Tell all your friends and get them to come along. Tell your youth leader that it's a week of events ready organised for them where they can bring their youth group.

So, get praying and get BOOKING now!!!!

Practice

How can I get listening/counselling practice in the short term?

Two Place

I hate living in two places.

What is the point in that?!

Home!

Well, I'm back in Norwich!

Can't seem to move round my bedroom much - I have far too much stuff.

Starting to get some random bits for summer sorted.
Looking at driving lessons - but they're shockingly priced :(
Tried to go to Durban with Soul Survivor but they're fully booked :(
I'd like to go abroad. Get some worldly experience.
Like to do something musical - am feeling very musical at the mo.

bleh

Trusting God

Why is trusting God so hard?

In about a weeks time I shall be back in Norwich, but I have very little plans for while I am there.
Some may think that's a great thing as I can just relax and enjoy myself, if I was a 'good' girl I could even use the time to get closer to God.

But I want to do something. I want to make the most of the time. I want to give my time and skills at the same time as learning more, developing and growing spiritually and in all things. I'd love to develop my listening/counselling skills as I need as much practice as possible to gain some confidence!

So far though, I have found very little.

Naturally I will be helping with Reality and I'm also planning to go to Momentum with some friends from uni. Hopefully I can help lead worship at church, and Paul has asked me to assist in youth church. But what else can I do?

I'm daily asking God to show me how he wants me to use my time, and telling him that with his help I'm up for anything he wants, but it's hard to trust isn't it. Hard to trust that he does have a plan even when I don't know what. What if I get to the end of the summer and still haven't done anything. Have I done what he wanted?

This then spreads to the rest of life. This is probably my last 'free' summer. This time next year I will have finished uni. Yes there are options of further study, but even then, where would I study? Would I come home? Stay here? Go somewhere else? If I get a job, where would it be? What on earth would it be?! I feel like I have no clue as to what I want to do, let alone what God wants. I know it's ok to not know. I know I've got to trust God, but I can't help but worry.

I soooo want to do what God wants because I know that what he plans is better than my own desires or will. But at the same time, I don't want my life or time to go to waste, and it's hard to trust that it won't.

Chocolate

Bit late, but I thought I'd post a pic of my brother's chocolate fountain and the fun we had on Sunday:



We had it to celebrate Emily getting baptised which was amazingly cool! It's fabdabulous to see God working in her :D I'm excited at what else he's got planned for her!

Da Vinci Code

Just been to see the film and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Went a bit quick though, I was like, oh it's finished!

The first thing that stood out to me was how real it looked when Silas was whipping himself - I couldn't look it was horrible!

I'm still confused as to whether there's anything truth in the book at all, but whether there is or not it won't stop me believing in God and Jesus! It doesn't really bother me whether Jesus had a bloodline or not. So what if he had kids? It doesn't change what he did.

I was sad at the way it made Christianity look quite bad, but then I realised it's reflecting some truths from our past and we've made it look bad for ourselves.

Talked a bit with a friend today about the whole Jesus getting married bit. I don't think he did and I don't think he had children, but for me it doesn't really make much difference. My friend was saying that if he had got married it would have been recorded in the gospels because it would have been a significant thing. That's fair enough. In the film though, it seemed to me that if Jesus had got married and had children it would change the whole Christian faith, I'm not entirely sure how though (well, I can see that a lie could seriously rock things). So what if he got married? So what if he had kids. Can someone explain what's wrong with that? I'm happy to be re-educated.

I may write some more when my brain has filtered it all! I feel a bit naive about it all really.

Summer

Hmmm... what shall I do?

Fun on the buses

Well, it's been a fun week. As promised - here are some pics of me. Unfortunately I don't have full uniform yet, and they didn't have a jacket thingy small enough!



I'm not actually sure how much I'm allowed to say or whether I'm allowed to have my own opinion online! Lets just say, it's been interesting and it was free for most of last week! We now have conductors on the bus.

There are many views/letters/opinions etc on the local newspaper here as you can see, there are many opinions, most on the negative. To be honest, there is more to life than a bus. Yes it's not been perfect, and yes it's been extremely disruptive, but it will calm down. As human's we're not very good at change. But it's a permanent part of life.

Bleh

Bleh - me tired.

Please pray that I can make essays and work all fit together without being too tired.

Ooo... and that the bus customers aren't too horrible next week!

Drums

I want to play the drums.

Ftr Bus Job

Well, in less than 24 hours I have applied for and got a job!

I will be working for five weeks on one of these:



My job will be to show people how to use the touch screen ticket system. Should be entertaining to see how people pick it up.

More information can be found here and here.

Ooo. I've just read that when the Ftr bus approaches a traffic light it changes and goes green! Fantastic! And if you're wondering 'Ftr' stands for Future in text language - I had to be told.

XP!

I am sooo excited!!

Mark's given me his old upgrade of Windows XP!!

*Dances around*

Yes, I know I get excited over silly little things, but Mark - I shall love you for ever! (well, maybe till it goes out of date ;))

Finally, my computer will be dragged out of the deep dark depths of ME, and into the modern world of XP! Oh to have the uptodate version of media player, oh to be able to use the writing tool on MSN - the possibilities are endless ;)

YAY!

Frog - Human

It's ok people! My little friend has kissed me back into being a human again!

Fire!

Well, Julian was driving my bro, sis and I home after band practice this afternoon and we came across a burning car!

I found it highly entertaining that all the neighbours were out watching, but no one seemed to be doing anything. We went and chatted to one guy who explained that the taxi driver (who's car it was) had just got out and watched! So our neighbour had had to phone the fire brigade! Anyway, they toddled along and put the fire out.

A bit of excitement for the afternoon. Why are we all so nosey?

Oooo, and I also got turned into a frog.

I love Emily

Got this from the wonderfully amazing Emily!
I shall also post pics of Keith and my adventuous week sometime after tomorrow.


Two Names You Go By
1. Dorothy
2. Bikey
(Can I have sparkles too?)

Two things that scare you
1. Spiders
2. My mind

Two of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Computer (with internet)
2. God

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. Black snoopy pyjamas from H&M
2. Make-up (shock?!!)

Two of your favorite bands/ singers at the moment
1. Tre Shepherd (sp?)
2. Kelly Clarkson

Two Things You Want in a Relationship
1. Understanding
2. Unconditional positive regard (yeah ok, counselling term, but it covers everything!)

Two Things that Appeal to You
1. Sensing God's presence
2. Hugs

Two of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. Most things to do with the internet
2. Crafty stuff

Two Places You Want to go on Vacation
1. Somewhere hot and relaxing
2. Somewhere full of excitement and adventure

Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Be the Helen God sees
2. Rule the world

Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. How to iron out my brain
2. Why I'm up doing this and not going to bed

Two people you haven't talked to in a while
1. Bek
2. Claire

Two Favorite Sports
1. Badminton
2. Swimming

Two things you did last night
1. Went to Fridays
2. Went to Keith's gig

Two T.V. shows you like to watch
1. Home & Away
2. Casualty

Two things you like about yourself:
1. My passion for learning about myself and God and growing
2. My hair (on a good day!)

Two things you ate today
1. Yorkshire puddings
2. bread

Two people you last talked to:
1. Mum
2. Dad

Pah!

I am greatly entertained, that not only have you not poked me to read my Bible, no one has responded to my last post (which was posted over a week ago!) telling you all off!!!

Update: I am now into Deuteronomy :-P