Mercy all, Immense and Free

Since becoming a Christian about six years ago, Easter has taken a bit of a different theme for me. It's always been a fairly big family day; a day for feasting and catching up with everyone, and of course for eating a tremendous amount of chocolate. 

But, when you get to know Jesus, the significance of Easter changes dramatically. I'd say Easter is pretty much the foundation of my life. Because my life and hope is entirely based on the fact that Jesus is ALIVE. And well, that's what Easter Sunday is all about - that this man who died, crucified on a tree, came back to life, destroying death, conquering sin and giving me life. It's incredible news, and though I get to celebrate it every day of the year, Easter Sunday is always something special.

Yesterday I was back at my home church, which is always a lovely feeling. I worked there for a year, and was fairly involved before I moved to London, so there's a large group of friends that I love to visit. On arriving at the door I was accosted by two of my favourite people, charging out of nowhere to leap on me. Easter, as I said is a time for joy and celebration, and perhaps our greater awareness of what we're singing adds a new dimension to our times of worship. These two verses of an old hymn blew me away yesterday.

He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace—

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

After church, I headed over to my Great Aunt's house, where there was a huge roast cooking. Lamb, potatoes, the whole shebang. We settled down to the feast, which was over far sooner than I would have liked! Afterwards, we went for a walk along the beach, intending to help digest the copious amounts of crumble we had eaten. 

It was absolutely freezing as we trekked along the promenade, and the wind whistled in my ears until it felt like I had none. Far to the west, the sunlight was seen through the storm clouds and as the sun set, it was absolutely stunning. 

Eventually we headed home to watch Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and some other terrible film that my mum had picked up cheap on DVD that I recommend no one ever watches. 

Sadly today is grotty and grey so I'm hibernating at home with that copy of The Great Gatsby, which I have very nearly finished. 

xo

Meltdown

With the sun shining, and my to-do list growing longer than my legs, I think I am feeling a tad overwhelmed by all the things I need to get done.

Oh dear.

I return to London on Sunday, and as the past week has been full of sadness, and organising, the uni situation has somewhat taken a back seat. However, Sunday is arriving rather soon and my lack of sorting is making me panic a tad.

However, after lunch today with a friend that's been living in Kenya for the past year and a bit, and a speedy coffee with one of the besties, I feel a tad more normal. Sort of.

PS - A friend made me LYCHEE RUM.

So, with the rum, a few clothes, the arrival of another close friend in London, and the promise of a busy few weeks, I should probably get off the computer.


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Sleep Induced Post

It's nearly two thirty in the morning. All you're getting is a list...

I went to work, read for nearly six hours, got lost in a world of dragons and elves and then came home. My evening involved tea and sunset at the beach, followed by watching We Bought a Zoo. There was a lot of icelandic music and I fear the combination of dragons and iceland may have melted my brain.

In the morning I have a phone interview for an exciting summer adventure. Oh boy, my head is such MUSH!

Love xo

Weddings by the Sea

This weekend I ventured back to the coast to see two friends from home get married. As you might've noticed if you're a Brit, the sun has been doing some serious shining the past few days and Saturday was no exception. Considering it's still March, it was an incredibly beautiful day, full of glossy photos and bare legs. (Yeah that's right, I braved no tights for the first time this year!)

Dave and Karen (the wedded couple) have been dating for what feels like an absolute age, and their wedding day had a real sense of expectation, as we all pondered where they'd come from and what God has in store for them ahead. It was a beautiful day, Karen really did look radiant and I'm fairly sure the beam on her face must've given her jaw ache. They'd thought of so much, with pots of bubbles in the church under chairs, and cute favours with quotes upon the reception tables. 

Here's a few photos of all the excitement!

The evening reception was a masquerade ball with a big swing band which left plenty of us dancing around like crazy people. There is a small possibility this was sugar inspired madness after the billion puddings that were displayed for the buffet began to be gobbled by hordes of guests. Still, who doesn't love an excuse to boogie!

The weekend also meant the opportunity to catch up with some of my best friends, and the family. I've been moved into the cupboard room so I'm tempted to take up Harry Potter as a nickname. I arrived back home on Friday night to discover a giant box of books taking up the only available floor space, and decided I was not okay with the new arrangements. Still, it was very lovely to see everyone, and I was somewhat disappointed to have to come back to Uni for another week; it felt about time for a holiday.

Sunday I went to church, and then had a family shindig on the cliff-tops, swapping copious birthday presents and  mother's day cards (I having managed to miss every recent family celebration of any kind!). Afterwards we took a stroll along the beach, soaking up the early evening rays before returning home for some salad, wine, and a bit of TV. 

I arrived back in London around lunchtime and spent the day catching up with friends and going to a double-length seminar. All things considered, it's been a rather good day. Unfortunately my intention of reading lots of Shakespeare, planning and assignment and being asleep by midnight has most definitely failed.

So on that note, it's time to say good night, and sweet dreams.

Lots of love, the newly named Harry.

xxx