Amazed & Confused

We're home!

I love England, I miss it when I'm gone. It's been over a week since I left for Seville and I've chilled in the heart of the city, met with the international team, taken part in the Round Table and enjoyed the Feast! Steve and I have just arrived home to a clean but cold house and I'm looking forward to a few days rest. As I download my photos and upack my suitcase I have a lot to think about. I'll share my thoughts in the coming week but until then happy monday. If you were in Seville I hope you're home safe and sound, if you weren't, here's to a new week in a fresh autumn... xc

Fasting and Feasting

I just read Lisa Borden's fantastic article on the 24-7 website about fasting. I share her reluctance at fasting food and though I've tried to incorporate it more into life this year I still struggle with food fasts. Her words reminded me of reading Richard Foster's chapter on fasting in the Celebration of Discipline, his understanding and perspective on why we fast totally blew my mind...

Off on my travels

I've just packed two suitcases and I'm thinking I may need a third! This afternoon I'm travelling from Chichester to London to stay with my lovely little sister before getting up at sick O'clock in the morning to travel out to Stansted Airport and fly to Seville, Spain. Aforementioned suitcases are stuffed with a mixture of my clothes and notebooks, name badges, bio-degradable bags and kids activities. I'm off for nine days of Interntional team meetings followed by the 24-7 Round Table followed by the 24-7 Feast. Few, I'm tired already...

We got the blues...

Del boy and this side-kick Tim have been round this week knocking out the cracks running through the rendering in the House of Sven. Within two days our house went from being dishevelled, to looking like a zebra, to imitating a Smurf! We wanted to go for something a little different but weren't quite banking on the irridesence of the blue! Oh well, it needs another coat so if it doesn't grow on us we can always change the shade :) xc

The DeLoreans support Delirious: Shepherds Bush, Dec 18th

I can't decide whether I'm terrified or excited but it's official, The DeLoreans are supporting Delirious at Shepherds Bush Empire! It's their annual Christmas shebang and for some bizarre reason they've decided to give us a thrill and let us open for them... aaaaaaaaaahhhhh I'm gonna sing at Shepherds Bush!!!!!! Ok I'm being cool about it. They do sell out pretty quick so it's worth buying tickets early if you can make it to London. Find details of this gig and the rest of the tour here.

Our second marriage

This morning Steve and I got married again... well sort of. Just over a month ago the Chichester registry office called me to nervously inform me that they'd made a mistake on their certificate of our marriage. It's almost a year on and my heart was in my mouth wondering how much I care about the legality of our marriage as our vows before God are what seal the deal. Have we been living in sin???

Mary in Martha's clothing

This is probably the busiest week of my year. Saturday afternoon I begin my travels to Seville so the next five days are my last chance to iron out all the details of the 24-7 Round Table and Feast gatherings. I've gotten to the stage where the conference is invading my dreams, I'm waking up in the middle of the night remembering things I must do and I'm working hard not to give in to worry...

My Husband the Hero!

There are very few situations in life where Steve can truly say his wonderfully rational mind is totally over-rulled, ignored, even shunned by his heart. Football however seems to bring his passion to the fore and though the idea of tackling someone faster than you on a concrete pitch, playing in the dark may sound like a terrible idea to me... Steve didn't think twice. A few hours in A&E later and Steve is no longer he-of-the-unbroken-bones... that's right, when he hit the deck his shoulder popped out, popped back in and his collar bone went, "Ow!" as it got a big nasty crack in it. A rather tired looking Dr. said he'd be fine but please pray for his healing :) xc

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time

What an amazing book. I am truly blown away by its subtlety, intelligence and depth. Wow. I thoroughly recommend this one to absolutely anyone. Very easy to read and totally engaging as you experience life, family, fear and adventure through the eyes of an emotionally detached teenager. xc

Beards, Birthdays and Being Boring

The last week has been a whirlwind of music, work and attempting to unwind. Our gig on a deck over looking a lake last Friday was great, Steve has been entertaining me by trying a new beard experiment and Nat our gorgeous new housemate had her 28th Birthday. I’m to looking forward to the week after the Round Table and Feast (my two events in Seville, Spain) so I am fit for something resembling a social life again. I feel terribly boring at the minute: I work, I resemble a zombie, I sleep. Ah well it’s all worth it to hang out with lots of people I love in my favourite Spanish city. Hmmm I may even go hunting for the famous chocolate shop that made me shed a tear of ecstasy!

Not my will...

Last night Steve, Helen and I were chatting about unanswered prayer and the silence of God. Together we’re working through Pete’s book God on Mute and asking the difficult questions about prayer and what the Bible says. I have to confess at times I feel very frustrated, I would love to see God move through healing, but healings seem to be rare…