General happiness

About three weeks into FP and I sort of feel like I'm getting into the swing of things so to speak. I still struggle with the early wake up every day and the trek that is my walk to the office. But, all in all, it's been a good few weeks and I very much enjoy what I'm doing.

After spending a year being a mopey, confused working person and doing some really rubbish jobs whilst my friendies (I really don't know why I keep calling them that) were off having the time of their little lives, it's beyond delightful doing something that I actually want to be doing. What's also great is that I still get to meet new people cos the church is far from a static, stationary place...people come and go, and visit and all sorts. It's pretty epic!

Anyway, yesterday I took the afternoon off as I had some time in lieu and had a delicious vanilla latte and chat with a friend (this was after a slight incident where I fell out of my shoe on the way to the cash point, I'll leave you to imagine and laugh a lot) and then we gathered with some other people for a road trip to Southampton. A great band called Jesus Culture had an event on, and I love both their music and what they stand for so around 20 of us from my church ended up being there.

It was an incredible evening of worship and teaching, and a reminder of what we're asking and what we need to give if we're to see revival break out. Absolutely mind blowing and God was so present with people being healed and stories that increased faith. It was one of those momentous evenings where you really sense that something dramatic has changed, not just in your own heart but in the hearts of the others you were with...

So that was the beauty of last night. At this point I'd like to give kudos to Alex who drove us and in fact drives us about a lot. Much love my friend!

Then today, after an epic drive, sitting in both a lot of traffic and later watching the beauty of the English countryside as mist lifted from the hills and the sun shined on, we arrived at Yeovil for a regional meeting.

Until today I hadn't seen nearly any of my friends who are also doing FP for nearly a month, and whilst that's not that long in comparison to some people, I tend to love and miss people easily. I guess I'm just the mushy, emotional type. So we got to all meet up, chat about the exciting projects we've started, the crazy hours we're doing and the madness that's going to continue to be our lives for the next year. I tell you, being a Christian is NO boring thing. It's not rule following, it's love and it's adventure. There's nothing better. We had three fantastic sermons which once again challenged and inspired and shared lunch before another drive home. AND I got home early.

So yes, I mean everything isn't perfect and I do miss those same friendies I mentioned earlier, rather a lot and wish I could combine everyone I love in the same place at once (miiiight have mentioned that one before :P) but for the time being I love what I'm doing and it's not too stressful or emotionally challenging (YET).

Tonight I'm babysitting my sister so I'm going to catch up on a bit of Gossip Girl and possibly Glee if I can find it. Sleep too. To you students out there, you don't know how good you've got it. Sleep is valuable, precious and in my life, not exactly available.

Happy Thursday one and all
xoxo

Ache

I have a headache :(

I think I'm going to stay in, wear pyjamas, feel a little sorry for myself and watch Spooks and Merlin.

Hugs would be appreciated.
xxx

Autumn

Today I had one of those 'blissfully happy' moments and all it involved was some apples and an open back door. Weirdo I hear you say!

...Perhaps.

Anyway, the smell of crisp, sharp cooking apples being chopped whilst I sat by the open back door, which filled the room with sunshine but also the cool breeze of autumn was just perfect.

It aided the fact I was chopping big infested pieces off of apples so they could be cooked with.

Lots of fun tonight at a friend's housewarming party. There was a little dancing, a little wine and a lot of Ligretto, my new favourite game.



Epic day tomorrow. Farewell and sweet dreams
xoxo

The happy medium

Now I'm one of those people who like to be busy. I get bored if I don't have a project and my head explodes if I spend too much time on my own thinking about things. Saying that, I do like time to myself and being hidden away and watching mind numbing tv or reading books or just listening to music. I can be a little philosophical at times.

However, normally, being inactive slowly begins to kill me. This week therefore has been quite the opposite, I've had things to do every day and am generally quite a busy bee. Next week on the other hand is about as busy as it could possibly be. I actually have not got a free day...or evening. Not one. This is rather scary to say the least. In fact, I think this 'fact' would be enough to make my head explode in the same way as over-thinking... You shall have to see how I fare in a week's time.

I'm not normally too good at getting the right mix of busy and not...especially when I like doing the things I'm doing and want to be around. We shall see. Hopefully I wont find myself having some sort of emotional meltdown. Ha! Or trying to balance an egg on my head...




Today I am going to do fun things as it's my day off. I'm going to do some tidying, and then some food shopping and then some baking and then dye my hair and then I'm going to a lovely friendy's new house for dinner before she has a little bit of a gathering.

Tomorrow I'm up early for what I expect is going to be an epic but stupidly long day. If I have energy I shall update tomorrow.

Lots of saturday sunshine love to you all
xoxo




However if you're not busy here's a little cartoon for you to ponder and then go find some friends

Primary school

No, today I was not helping with 5 year olds art classes, I was in fact creating posters for student work at church.
This however involved far more cutting and sticking than I could have ever imagined.

Had a nice walk to and from work. Lots of trees and green and a slight hint of autumn. Almost sounds like a recipe. "Half a cup of green, a pinch of red, then leave to stew until golden brown"...

A little tired so excuse the strangeness.

I like this song today :)

C S Lewis

Currently I'm reading a book called 'Counterfeit gods' by Timothy Keller. It's good but challenging and I have 1000 things to read at the moment. Prioritising is the key...anyway, I digress. In one of these chapters, Keller quotes CS Lewis, and this struck me as a great summary of the life that too many of us lead.

"Most people, if they have really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise. The longings which arise in us when we first fall in love, or first think of some foreign country, or first take up some subject that excites us, are longings which no marriage, no travel, no learning, can really satisfy.
I am now not speaking of what would be ordinairily called unsuccessful marriages, or holidays, or learned careers. I am speaking of the best possible ones. There was something we have grasped at, in that first moment of longing, which just fades away with reality. I think everyone knows what I mean. The wife may be a good wife, and the hotels and scenery may have been excellent, and chemistry may be a very exciting job, but something has evaded us."


I know too often in my own life, I'm aware too late that something has evaded me. For too long, I was blind to see that the life I led would not satisfy, that the friends I adored, the books I ate up, the media I consumed did not lead to life.

I am excited to say that I have found life, and hope for that matter. It is not a crutch, it is not a whimsical fancy, it is truth and foundation and most of all, I feel satisfied.

How? Jesus.

Peace and love, over and out. Until next time.
xxx

Sunday Night

I don't really have anything in particular to blog about. I just feel a bit rambly and have a head full of stuff. I spent the night doing a sort of Alpha course type thing and answering deep questions which probably explains it.

It's been a nice day, though a tad long. It was great to see lots of lovely people and catch up, makes me even more excited about the year ahead! Lots of little heart challenges today. I shall update more when I can put it into words.

Study day tomorrow. Not entirely sure where to start, I think I'm just guna do lots of reading. FUN!

Life is good, I miss people though.
Love x


PS Gossip Girl has started once more and this makes me happy inside :D Despite it's ridiculous message about clothes, money and status buying you happiness... x