Last weekend was full of social gatherings, family, friends and big celebrations. Saturday was the lovely Anna Hughes's Baby Shower. I've never been to one before but the gifts, games and advice flying around the room were fantastic. I have to confess it made me very broody, even when the Mums of the room starting terrifying us all with their scars and mishaps. I'm looking forward to being a Mum so much, we're not trying imminently (i.e. the next year) but it's not too long now 'til we might start bringing another Harding into the world. I wonder which nose they'll have?
Sunday was an early exit from Church to celebrate the Wedding of an old friend - Jel Muir. I met Jel when I was 16 years old and became fast friends when I moved to Chi a few years later. Jel is joining the Furlong family and has gained a beautiful wife Jo and and a gorgeous son Jack. It was amazing to see such an old friend making an important step in his life.
There's such a sense of life moving on at the moment. My community are getting pregnant, married, engaged (hopefully in reverse order), gaining qualifications, finding callings, getting pets, paying mortgages... It's such a change to the scruffy bunch that prayed in the first prayer room nine years ago. Some things have changed, lots of maturing and we're nearly convincing grown ups now... We may look a little less radical but there's a depth and commitment I see now. Rather than changing our lives after every sermon and being an enthusiastic, chaotic, beautiful bunch people, many are finding one message, one call, one cause and literally spending themselves to see it happen. I cannot believe how many missionaries, initiatives, social businesses, ministries, youth/social workers and charities have come out of such a small bunch of people. It makes me immensely happy to be part of such a challenging lot. xc