Wednesday morning my alarm went off at 4.45am and I fell out of bed to a red sunrise, beautiful clear skies and mild temperatures. I hastilly dressed and met Charlotte to begin our 6 hour treck to the North. Thelma and Louise were re-united and bringing our particular brand of traffic cop defying roadtripping to Leeds!
Our journey was fantastic, we hadn't had any real time to talk in a few weeks so we spent two hours having honest chats about things we'd screwed up in, things we are learning and our hopes for the future. We prayed, we laughed, we confessed and we grew. I always love travelling with Charlotte, she's someone I can always be honest with and trust that she loves me and encourages me towards God regardless.
The further north we went the grimmer the sky became. I only brought a light zip up anticipating a continuation of the lovely weather we'd had in the South, oh how wrong I was. We were making this journey to be part of the 24-7 UK Network day. I love them, Phil Togwell gathers UK activists in a city about twice a year and we worship, pray and discuss what's happening at the minute and how we can take it forward. I don't have any responsibility there so I get to be one of the crowd, make some new friends and catch up with much loved old ones.
The day was great. We had a blast, even if we did spend an hour and half driving around Leeds trying to find the venue and nearly got a parking ticket when we abandoned the car in an attempt to find someone who could direct us. Thankfully English traffic wardens are much easier to charm than American ones and we got away scot free, they even let us stay to apply our make up. What lovely chaps.
Later that night we broke the journey home by stopping at my parents for the night. Smiles had caught the train up from Chi to mee us there and copped bravely as my brother treated her to back-to-back Star Treck. She is brave. Mum, as usual, produced a feast from nowhere and we sat to eat out fill. I do love being home. I always immediately relax and have trouble motivating myself as all the weariness of the last few days washes over me. Home is a place I feel comfortable, safe and loved, I really am very lucky. xc