Friday, July 27, 2007

a no good very bad horrible day - I want to move to australia but probably wouldn't qualify :-(

well, after the gloom and doom of my last post - how does this sound?:

mum hurt leg
drbl walking sheppa
sheppa in heat (do I need to go on?)
other lady in park not very nice (if you are reading this and have a Cairn terrier called Molly and live in didsbury I'm really sorry, okay?)
computer not working
frustration
trying to work on job description
frustrating
trying to explain myself to others
frustrated
PhD supervision meeting (***good - so far, so good, 4 drafts in, 6 to go***)
leave meeting, trip on curb
car has flat tire
***nice man changes tire***
car brakes not working
(ABS) sign on - no idea what means, drive to place, stop, look at manual. it says when (ABS) shows, STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY CALL DEALER - what?! How are you supposed to know that?
borrow car
dad's just changed insurance, so probably not insured (*later find out i am, so that's good)
printer not working
curses
other printer out of toner
computer crashes... ?!
Faint smell of Burning
coffee in pot roughly consistency of tar, forgot to turn it off...

Anyway, actually - it is all okay (generally I write nothing when it's not!) . I'm smiling, and getting ready for the north district Nazarene holiday (Northbreak) where I am speaking on social justice. I'm really looking forward to it - though am, as ever, nervous. Andrew is coming, and it will be one of his first inductions into British Nazarene-dom... It is so lovely that his boss gave him the time, and I'm looking forward to his impressions -

Apart from that - I've been trying hard to write, think and read. So many books, so little time. Nearly through SexGod, which is okay, but not earthshaking... on the other hand, been re reading Solitude, by Nouwen, which is wonderful. And all those Phd books... which are also interesting (to me) - of course. Also getting my head around Terry Eagleton's How to read ... which is fascinating and stretching.

We did a Food hygeine course this week - and a test - don't know yet if I've passed, it was really difficult: sample question:

Which is important in a kitchen?
a) to spit in the food you prepare
b) to use your T shirt as a drying towel for dishes
c) to pick up food from the floor and say "three second rule"
d) to wash your hands thoroughly...


Church is grace-filled - thanks so much for those of you who've been praying it sustains us greatly. We have wonderful people... On that front: We've sold the manse now and are trying to think about 'what next?'

Other good things:
Derek and Sandra moved to Buxton and Leon likes me! (I think he used to think I was Derek and freak out when he heard my voice, so it's nice that he likes me now. We both like slugs and worms, I think that might be why!). Anna just kind of hangs out an Uber-chilled out baby!
Katie is talking in sentences, so that's cool
and Emily is toothy - and growing by the second.

And so - that's about all folks.

Monday, July 16, 2007

4 minute blog

Well, things have been a bit difficult lately - high stress of a Ph.D is gradually upon me (read us - since Andrew suffers with me); being chronically behind is a niggling, head-pecking thing; more tests at hospital (which the consultant is chuffed by, since I'm a mystery!), and recently the tragedy of Manchester has really hit our church hard - I've thought long and hard about that - and about the reality that our congregation is nitty-gritty, vulnerable, and pain-filled. A blog isn't really the place for descriptions of pain, so I'll leave it at saying that our congregation is in the midst of trying, trying times; and is seeking grace upon grace to respond to every facet of pain we encounter. If you are a praying friend, please pray. The 'why' questions that face humankind are very much upon us.

I am much taken by the first verse of a poem/blessing encountered on Jonny Baker's blog:

on the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.


Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Good News

I, along with many others had tears brought to my eyes today at the news that Alan Johnston has been released. I think that in the midst of a wet July it was a wonderful way to start the day.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6267928.stm


Other than that, not much to report. PhD pains, allotment growth, steady downpours, thunder and lightening, my church appraisal tonight, so much to think about & do, so, back to it.