Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Why?

I've spent a good amount of time writing a covering letter for a job. Crazy. I hope its worth it.

Time for tea, I think.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

It's Tuesday...

Which means its Youth Alpha, again. It's funny how a routine falls into place so quickly...

I have been excited by the news that Take That are touring again in November and have put the responsiblity on myself to organise the tickets for a date in December in London to see them - something me, my sister and my mum haven't done for over ten years!! Excited...I think so!! I would love to see them in Manchester, but thats a litlle far fetched.

I don't know if you've ever come across Super Size Me? Well, I have and that was disturbing...so imagine my horror when I saw Super Slim Me on the TV last night. It was shocking. A poor (or totally insane) woman subjected herself to only eating 500 calories a day...which is nothing - well a quarter of what women are meant to consume a day. Now I get hungry, quite often, but I can't imagine eating just 500 calories a day (which is about 2 coffees, 2 apples, a chicken breast and some salad). I would not recommend that anyone even thinks about extreme dieting, let alone going towards being a size zero model.

But there are people out there who do such things and promote living on no food what so ever, its stupid.

On the other scale, there is a 8 year old child who is having his future decided by social services today, because he weighs 14 stone.

What has the world come to? I'm going to ponder while I set up Alpha...

Saturday, February 24, 2007

You know when...

...someone doesn't want any contact with the outside world when you can hear their music over your own, whilst sat next to them on the tube.

I'm not joking, I'm really serious, the lady I was sat next to had her music so loud in her own ears, that I could hear it over my own music from my mp3 player. Maybe I can just hear really well, but thats unusual. It's not going to be good for her either in the long run, any loud music isn't.

London, other than the above, was really good. I will always enjoy it when I can just spend a day with a friend, in no rush, we went to the Tate, which I love, and the Science Museum, which has changed a lot since I was last there, its a lot more hands on than it used to be and also feels a lot bigger than I remember it. I now want to go to the V&A and the Natural History Museum again. The last time I was there I was about 12 and with my school friends - so didn't really pay attention much. Definitely somenthing I would do on my own too, less likely to worry about who is with me and more likely to spend a lot of time on things I'm interested in.

I'm currently watching Scotland get beaten by Italy, I don't know why this has happened...I think Italy are having a good day!

I've also got a very funny photo to show you - go to my Dad's blog to see my little brother dressed as Luigi from Super Mario Brothers!! I didn't get to see him dress up, but I saw all of the others who were out yesterday evening - the theme was S. For Mike's 18th the theme is M - I will be there, but what can I go as?

P.S. Luton was awesome, getting up at 5.30 was hard, but I enjoyed all of it, I also managed to stay awake all day!! I love see what my sister is up to, her ministry is so important to her, and she's made for it. I love getting involved and helping out, its all practice and fun...

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Late nights...late mornings!

People keep asking me why I'm at home. I work with school kids, who don't exist during the holidays (we wish!!)...so I can comfortably travel home and enjoy the company of my friends (who had forgotten that I was coming home) for a whole week, then comfortably travel back to Bristol refreshed and ready to lose sleep over Alpha.

I'm already in holiday mode (note the time being near 1am) and starting to feel all different types of ill, because I am not keeping a sleeping pattern. Wednesday is going to be the hardest day of this week, because I am joining my sister for breakfast in Luton, which means getting up at the unearthly hour of 5am. Joy! Looking forward to discussing youth alpha with her though.

Youth Alpha is rather dominating at the moment. I am going to miss not having dinner and a chat with everyone tomorrow, it is a good day in the week at the moment.

Also on the upside, I've spoken to Rich, who is on a disney cruise ship as a stage techie, and he seems happy, also, in almost the same breath, Steve is good in Tajikistan, thinking big as always!!

To bed, I'm traveling tomorrow and I haven't packed yet!

Saturday, February 17, 2007

At home...

I don't know how many times I have posted with that as the title, and I'm not going to find out, but you can dear reader, if you want...
I am now back in good old Billericay, having a quiet night in before I tell everyone that I am in town. I know its like uber sneaky of me, but I need time to get back into life here first. Tomorrow at church is going to be interesting. Looking forward to that one.
Went out last night with Claire and Chris which was brilliant, its nice to sit in the pub and just chat to like minded people. I have promised a big night out to both of them, when I have an evening without an early start the day after... we shall see if that happens.
Thursday evening was fun...we had the Rock Solid Valentines Dance, which was a hit. Though I had totally forgotten what being 11-14 was like, I must say though it brought back some memories!! Strange children, unique even, but a good laugh and you can help but love them!

So home for a week, then back to Brizzle (thanks Kaz) and Youth Alpha!!

Friday, February 16, 2007

Lots of good news!

I'm feeling a lot better about Youth Alpha than I did 12 hours ago. We've got the transport sorted and I've got an idea of how the weekend is going to look, but still pray for me.
I'm off to Globe Cafe...

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Using the new blogger and Youth Alpha

Ok so the new blogger isn't that bad, the only thing different is the font and the fact that I can label posts now, though I don't think I can be bothered to label all 392 posts from the last couple of years...let me think about it...no...no I won't that would be a pointless exercise, and horribly time wasting. I have things to do, like not blogging, or hows about I tell you about Alpha?

Well last night was brilliant, I managed to scare four girls into thinking I was going to make them do something ridiculously hard, get 'Dear Lord baby Jesus' into a talk (go on I dare you) and make the end of my talk really hard by handing out teaspoons. Who ever thought that a punch of teenagers would be absolutely besotted with the idea of trying to balance a spoon on the end of their nose? Still they got the point of what, why and how to pray, and also that God doesn't always answer prayers with a clear 'yes'.

Ant said I'd done a lot better, which I agree with, so much so, that I'm going to go home in a bit and have a closer look at the talks that I'm doing after half term. Should be interesting. I think I enjoy using props with this group, giving them something to take away (if possible) is a good idea.

So there we go...I'm off home.

Valentines Day

So far has been the most uneventful day I've had in a while...but then I haven't been at home to check the post!!
I think possibly the best thing thats happened so far was meeting and chatting with Claire (with an 'i'). She's a brilliant girl, and I know she's watching, so hello!
It is also, as I'm told by a mate at UWE, Singleness Awareness Day, so that puts a smile on my face. I am slowly coming round to the idea that being single is better for me!!
More later from my twisted mind....

Monday, February 12, 2007

Youth Showcase Evening

Just before we go to f.h.c.u. I'll mention quickly about the youth showcase evening. It was top! Everyone worked really hard to help it run smoothly. I'm dead impressed with everyone who stood at the front of church, not to metion all of the people who were working in the background.
I may as well explain what it was too, it was an opportunity for the church to see the youth work in the church. To see the different elements of stmikesyouth.

I ache all over this morning, despite feeling really well, if a little dehydrated. I don't quite know why, and I pray that I'm not going to get ill on my week off next week. I have gone though, from having 2 nights out to 4 in the space of 3 hours, last night, so it could well wipe me out. We'll see. Yeay, back to Billericay in a week!

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Going home

I'm going to have a couple of hours at home before coming back to work at 7. Student age pastorate this evening, looking forward to it. I have got to get more people on to the forum (which I haven't checked today) to make it all happen. We don't really see each other though, cos everyone is so busy right now. It clashes with the football though, so I've promised Trev I won't check the score or mention it if I do.

Unfortunately, Steve has had to remove his blog, so I'll remove the link. Still you all know he's out in Tajikistan, so I'll have to keep you updated now!! Keep praying for him.

Instead I'll put a link for my facebook account in its place.

I'm going to go home, with a stratch on my hand from losing a fight with the prayer board at 9.30am. Boy am I glad for online forums where I don't have to cope with pins!

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Hello again

Just to mention one blog for your interest.

Steve is a very good friend of mine and at the moment he's in Tajikistan. Don't ask me where that it follow the link to his blog here to find out where he's living an what he is doing.

Also pray for him - he's in a strange country, away from family and friends. He does have a real heart for mission and teaching though. I think he's brill.

Stick with it, it won't be updated that often, but when it is I shall let you all know.

In the quiet

Just having a moment of chill from all of the panic the Youth Alpha causes. I don't know why I get to worried about it, because in the end its been alright. Things have happened along the way, but we're alright come show time. This weeks cook has just turned up and is happy working on her own, so I'm going to leave her to it.

I'm going to also use this time to put some photos of Friday's live music online here.

I'm also taking stock of all thats around me, but you don't need to know the details of my inner thoughts...you'll be asleep before the end of the first sentence!

There's a good while before I have to get up again! Have a good evening.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Live Music Night!

Oh my goodness! It was sooo good! Seriously, the quality of music we saw on friday night is hard to find nowadays. These guys are so keen to be at the top of their game - they don't even realise how good they are. And they have all got their feet on the ground - except for when they're jumping around of course. I will post photos once I have them on my laptop.

I am so proud of both bands and George. I've said so rather publically on the st mikes forum. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Worship

Last night was The Mix worship special, which was good but had mixed reactions from the team. Seen as I'm not in a ranting mood, I will just ask one question - Is it right to practise worship? I'm not quite sure what the answer is myself. There are different types of practice i.e. doctors practicing medicine. They alreay know their stuff, but they are in the business of medicine...is it the same with worship? Do we already know how to communicate with God or do we have to actually learn how to do it.
The lady who spoke last night was going along the lines of actually learning how to communicate with God. But I think there's more to it than that. My thoughts on sung worship are the same as my thoughts on the gift of tongues - both I'm a little scared of really, but actually if I just open my mouth and start making noises God will help my along and encourage me. Maybe thats what practicing worship is. Doing it and allowing God to encourage you...After all you don't get something if you don't ask.
I don't know and I know I haven't explained it very well, probably because I haven't sorted it out in my head yet...
Pray for all the people around me, we're all tired!

Friday, February 02, 2007

Stokey G is about to ROCK!

The peace and tranquility of Stoke Gifford is about to be disturbed by the musical stylings of George Ray, Cobweb in the Corner, and Chaos Remains (formerly Pandamonium).
We are calling it the Live Music Night. We are sure that it is going to be the biggest thing the team has done since september and we are sure that we're going to do it again.
Sound checking at the moment is, while, a learning curve. The whole evening will be. From staffing this 'event' to clearing up and how the coffee shop will cope with 100+ people wanting drinks.
I was at Globe earlier and I'm starting to enjoy it.It has always been a challenge, since I started in September, but teaching students english is fun! All they want is a conversation, which I can quite easily do.

I'll leave you with a thought (and the prospect that I won't be able to hear tomoro) 'Shoes are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy'. Thanks Helen, you are a true 'star'!