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

End of Term

This week has been for all intents and purposes, the final week of my second year of Uni. There's been the usual rush of deadlines, but in some strange freak occurrence, I was finished a week in advance, and aside from proof reading, I am ready and waiting to submit my 7,000 words...Hurrah!

So instead of attempting to scribble words all week, I've been trying to catch up with people and get planning for the month of deadlines that follow the Easter holidays. Oh the joys. I've made the walk to and from campus  on average twice a day, and then tried to fit in coffee dates with people. I make it sound strenuous, but really it's been a week of talking.

Today I had a day of enjoying the delights of East London. I was in Uni early, and then made my way down the road and round the corner to a new cafe. It's called Paper and Cup, and is the second branch of a great social enterprise. They dropped a flyer in our door a couple of months ago, and as it offered free coffee I've been meaning to go for weeks. Today, I finally got around to it.

There's a few social enterprise coffee shops around, and as they combine some of the things I love the most: coffee and social action, I am a big fan. Yet often there is a slightly sad compromise you have to make; not great quality coffee, or slightly tired looking décor. Obviously not huge things in the grand scheme of life. By any stretch. But...it's nice to see Paper and Cup doing well. Both with coffee, with space, and with their general vision and ethos. 

Guilt free caffeine fix, HELLO.

I sat down for a bit of chill time with a favourite book (I've read it at least four times before) and my free coffee. And then I decided not to leave. So I spent the afternoon there, setting up camp with one of their sandwiches and a flapjack. Very good decision, and their prices were good too! Always a bonus!

So I can completely recommend that you take a visit. I can see I will be setting up camp there in a few weeks when I have essays to write. And I'm kind of okay with that. 

One of the other delights about being in East London is the fact that my house/life is based on a road that at one end points East, with the sunrise, and the other heads West, across the City, with the sunset. Tonight the sky was looking particularly impressive, and right as I was walking home via some old east end buildings. I love this part of London. 

Tonight I've got my bake on and am making a three tiered cake for my housemate who just got offered lots of exciting positions. 

Time to celebrate!!

A Saturday in the City

I think they're meant to look like this.

Wake up at a friend's house following a lovely evening of chilling, eating and catching up, as the sun is pouring in the window, after you've slept for a sufficient time that you're no longer tired. 

Enjoy breakfast with her and her housemate. This should involve porridge, nuts, coffee and juice. Maybe some raisins if they can find them. 

Travel home, managing to catch the train as it arrives at the platform, and not get stuck with mess ups on the tube, despite crazy construction work.

Arrive home, check emails, and such, and then settle down to do some reading. Possibly get distracted by the beautiful sun that, though beginning to set, is making the sky the colour of candy floss and golden syrup as it lowers behind the gherkin and the rest of the London buildings you can see from your window.

Chat about cheese, being a bird and budgets with your Norwegian flat mate. 

Have a tea break with some Earl Grey and English Muffins, listening to some folk music.

And then write about how much you love the City.

I think that's a pretty good achievement by four in the afternoon. 

x