St Andrews

Figured it was about time I blogged, and about time I said something about what I'm doing at the moment.

It's been difficult to both get round to it, and then work out what's ok to say due to the highly confidential nature of the environment I'm in.

Basically for the last 3 months I've been on an intensive group therapy programme - or as we like to refer to it - a personal development course - which is exactly what it is!

So three and a half days a week I join 15 others (when we're full) of all ages and backgrounds and a number of therapists, to learn more about ourselves and the way we interact with the people around us. To learn skills for life, to overcome difficulties, to problem solve, to better recognise our emotions and feelings and to learn how to suitably share them and work with others.

The programme structure is changing next week, but currently we have a mix of small group sessions, art therapy, awareness group, community meetings and various other bits and pieces. We are a real community who support each other and work with each other for each other. (Yes I know that was too many 'others'!)

It's pretty much like having a full-time job, and is hard work and draining. We learn so much each day, and think loads - both for ourselves and others. We try new things and are pushed (or encouraged) out of our comfort zones.

I'm looking forward to all that I'm going to learn, and the benefit it will give me, and how much more able I will be to fulfill the purpose God has for me once I've finished!

Love it...

Where's the rest of it

I've aquired a drum kit from church - currently it's missing a kick pedal, high-hat and snare... hmm....

Laura and Ben

Fabulous wedding,

great hen party,

gorgeous couple

and hiliarious talk from Garcia!

Harry Potter

I think this is a good post on the Harry Potter books, and I agree with most of it

http://www.norwichcentral.org/pastor_blog/?p=19

Internet - yet again

Sorry for the lack of blogging.

Moved house on the 31st July and we still don't have the internet!

We are now decidedly annoyed with our ISP (and it's not even Tesco this time!)

The latest story is that they had our address wrong - even though they ask us to state it every time we ring....

Will blog more once it's back.

Harry Potter - No. 5

Just got back from seeing the film. Loved it.
It must be so hard figuring out what to put in the film and what not to, but I think they did well.

I may post more in the coming week once people have had a chance to see it ;-)

Ramallah - West Bank

I was in Ramallah just under two weeks ago. Today, Fatah gunmen are parading around it.

Kind of makes the current news seem more real. Before I would have passed over most news bulletins about Israel as the whole situation is just so complicated. But now they're talking about places I've been to, where there are people I've met.

"Lord, I don't know what to pray, but please be with your people in Gaza and the West Bank, protect them, strengthen them and encourage them. Lord please bring an end to the fighting and suffering for all people, let your will be done."

First of about 996

Me on a camel in the desert somewhere in Israel - will try and work out where at some point!

Israel 1

Attempt two of my post from yesterday!

Currently I am sitting in a museum next to our hotel/inn, it is host to a boat that's 2000 years old. Quite impressive!
The hotel/inn is the nof ginnosar and is situated next to Galilee. It is so unbelieveably gorgeous. I'm debating whether to get up at sunrise tomorrow just to watch it rise over the lake.

Yesterday was our one and only chilled day so far! My roommate and I explored the museum and visited the ajoining kibbutz. Then the whole group went on a 'replica Jesus boat' across the lake to Tiberius (please excuse spellings, not got time to check!). Was a little disappointed - was just like Great Yarmouth!

We arrived in Galilee on Tuesday, via the Dead Sea (amazing!), Jericho, Masada and have explored Caperium, mount of the beatitudes, Jordan River, seen where the dead sea scrolls were found and a number of other places around the lake. In fact, there is so much that I cannot remember! I can't even remember where we're going today, but it will be jam packed. It's like we just wet our appetites for places, and don't really get a proper look round. Because of that tho, it feels like we've been here for months!

We had lots of security checks at Stansted, apparently we were just the chosen ones! It filled our 3 hour wait nicely though! Tel Aviv was beautiful to watch as we circled and landed, and in arriving I felt like I was coming home and definitely realised that I want to come back!

The first evening we wandered through the Arab streets to the Western Wailing Wall. Being the start of the Sabbath there were many Jews dancing, praying and singing. It was amazing. Unfortunately I have no photos for that reason.

Around Jerusalem we visited the garden tomb, mount of olives, david's city, hezechiah's tunnel, tomb of the kings and so much more! We also went to Bethlehem. This really opened my eyes. Will post more later.

On Monday a number of us joined the Jerusalem Alliance church in sending aid into the West Bank. This was not part of our tour, and so I missed a few things, but I'm glad I did it. I feel like I've experienced the real Israel. In our team of four, I was the only girl, so in many of the houses we visited I went alone into the back to sit with the ladies. Language barriers and all, this was an eye opening experience. They were all muslim families. It's horrible in these villages. It's like time has forgotten them. 60-70% are unemployed (same in Bethlehem), they cannot leave their towns/villages. There are big walls and many guns. You can be shot for being the wrong person in the wrong place. The guy who took us said that he's been shot at and escorted out of the West Bank. But still the church works hard to make contact with other believers in the West Bank, and other poverty striken people.

I am very tired and it is very hot, but I'm enjoying it!

I've met a guy in our group called Mark who went to Dereham Road whilst at uni, he knows Helen and Julian, Peter and Wendy, Brian and Doreen etc. He played the drums!

I also met a girl called Chagit who goes to Manchester Vineyard and knows Rachael and Andrew Fulford!

It's a small world!

Countdown to Israel

Well it's not long now! I'm going on Friday! Eeek! Excitement and nervousness all in one!

Prayers are much appreciated as I travel and while I'm there, I shall try and update this blog as and when I can.

God and I are gonna have a great time.

Finished Garden

Well it's finished, it's been judged, but who knows when we'll find out the results??!!

I took the pics at the end of the day, so it looks a little dry and wilted in the sun!

Gardening Part 4

I've worked hard yesterday and today - it's such tiring work, but it's kept me out of mischief!

I forgot to take photos while the sun was out, so these are a bit dark. Hopefully the flowers will grow fast for judging on Friday! I've also planted a window box and 6 pots of plants ready to bring out on Friday.

Israel

I'm going to Israel soon! I am so excited (and a little apprehensive!)

I haven't really been abroad much so it will be quite an adventure. I'm going with Oak Hall, and I'm going alone!

We're doing a 10 day tour around loads of Biblical sights and other places including, the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wailing Wall, Bethlehem, Quman where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, Sea of Galilee, River Jordan, Caesarea Philippi, Nazareth (and many more that there isn't really space to write!) but I'm most excited about floating in the Dead Sea as it's something I've wanted to do since I was a child!

Prayers are appreciated for safety, and I shall try and keep my blog updated throughout, if not watch this space for pics and stuff when I return!

Sing

I apologise for the lack of gardening information. The deadline has been extended until the 25th, and it's been raining, so motivation has gone down. I did receive some nice soil from the builders at the end of the road - although they made me shift it myself whilst they stood watching. Rudeness.

I have been attacking the back garden with the landlord's tools whilst we've got them. It has left my arms shaking uncontrollably though which is a bit irritating. Hopefully they'll stop soon!

First choir practice tonight. Was loads better than I was expecting - well enjoyed it! We're gonna be good!

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!