Amazed & Confused

Smiles Victorious!

Another day another trip to St Richards Hospital for team Smiles. Our lovely, imfamous friend had a (miracle!) operation to attend, the fruit of much prayer and some particularly spectacluar answers from the Big G. 7.45am is never a good time, but it's especially difficult when you're heading to hospital with your pants over your trousers...

Working through the grog

Today I feel like I'm needing to function as an adult with half my usual cognitive ability. I just finished my call with the 24-7 International Team (I love my boys!) and the two topics of this morning were frighteningly grown up and responisble. I often feel grossly inexperienced when inputting into pioneering situations and theological hot potatoes in cultures I'm unfamiliar with. How I landed this job I'll never know but I do love it. I've never learnt so much, so fast in my entire life. Now if only I could get through this 'orrible cold my brain may actually catch up with my to-do list; five days of lurgy and counting... xc

Back to Bass-ics

I have finally succumbed and decided that world is not complete with out rock star Carla. Due to a signifigant lack of bassists at church I am attempting to learn to play.  Last night Steve taught me E A D G Fm and C, the riff from that chewing gum advert, some white stripes song, summer loving and Light of the world.  My first practice session this morning saw my standing in my nightshirt, tousle haired with the bass slung over my shoulder trying to sing and play at the same time.  I think Susie Quatro can rest easy for many moons to come...

Live long and prosper...

Oh my goodness, is it possible, could the genuis who created LOST, Alias, Felicity and is about to release the most intrigueing Mission Impossible movie to date actually ressurect the Star Trek series! Apparently the big boss thinks so and has handed the keys of the hallowed franchise to Mr JJ Abrams. I have to admit that I did harbour a passion for the federation in my younger years, I'd love to see a fresh and vibrant re-imaging from a master of his trade.

Long Live our Gracious Queen!

I have never been so glad to live in this fine country! My lovely brother (the true Tory Patriot he is - bless him he's young) reminded me that tomorrow is Queen Elizabeth II 80th Birthday! That, for us 24-7 patriots of convenience, means a whole day off! Long live our gracious Queen. Good Queen Liz, we salute you. May you have many more Birthdays to come!

I am

“I tell you the truth”, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was born I am.” As I read that sentence, sitting cross-legged on my yellow duvet, shock waves of revelation overwhelmed me. In that one moment it was like the whole story of God opened before me like a tunnel through time with the vein of this verse running from the furthest point right through to burst into the foreground…

Happy Birthday Smiles!

I’m not sure what was more frightening, a blacked up white guy, or Charlotte New dressed as Dolly Parton complete with collagen lips. When Smiles announced the theme of her 24th Birthday Party as all things American I’m sure even she underestimated the lengths to which the Chi massive would go…

Bargain Bling

My patchwork weekend of relaxation, friends and surprise finds has continued today with breakfast with Mark Topley, visiting from Tanzania and telling me fantastical stories of his new life (Jo I miss you!), stumbling across a lovely secound hand necklace that matches the tiara I want almost perfectly (fingers crossed it cleans up nicely and I may have just bought the cheapest brides necklace ever) and lunch with the lovely Helen Monkton to natter about fundraising, dreams and how God's blessed us.

Bliss

The grin that split my face this morning as I stretched and slid into consciousness has meerly widened throughout the last few hours. I had 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. Only one odd dream in which I got really upset that Dan Brown couldn't accept the divinity of Jesus, the rest were inoccuous and instantly forgotten when I woke. The house is peaceful, clean and everyone's home as it's good Friday and none of us are going home or to Spring Harvest... The joys of the quiet life...

So Dark the Con of Man

Today's blog title has little to do with The Da Vinci code (it's source) and more my frustration at today's rediculous expidition to Homebase to act like a grown up and buy a Bathroom! The aforementioned suit is an incredibly kind gift from Steve's parents for our Wedding and Steve and I spent yesterday morning whipping round retailers finding our ideal suite for the best price possible...

Food, totum poles and races over sand...

I'm on a train to London as I type this and the view from my window is a strange collision of Spring and Winter. The dilectable blue sky and the smile tickling sun are falling on the green fields (daffs and lambs are out in abundance) but there's also a peppering of snow over the ground from the bizzarre cold spell last night. It's a welcome view; is it me or did our winter seem a lot longer this year?

Imogen Deep

Astounded is the best description of my response to the unique singer songstress who propelled herself high into my 'most admired' list last night. Steve and I finally enjoyed the fruition of his Birthday present (two tickets to see Imogen Heap at the Brighton Komedia) and for once an artist trully exceeded my expectation.

Entertainment interlude

Thought I'd give you a heads up on my most anticipated films for the coming few months. I drueled over Empire's Summer preview last night and I've restrained myself from indulging in film forays for quite long enough...

The Space, Time continuim...

I've realised that I've recently succeeded in my mission to find time. Impacted by Eloise's challenge that we are all time poor, and sick of replying "tired" to friends enquiring "How are you?", I've been on a mission to have more space in my life...

Snapshots

This weekend has been littered with wonder-filled moments inspired by spring. I've felt lighter, happier, warmer and more patient with the arrival of the sunshine. Here are just a few snapshots of the enchantment it's brought...