Monday, May 18, 2009

you know it's been a long time when...

you can't remember how to sign on... (and the 'remember me' facility has forgotten you as well)...

Most of the people whose blogs you follow have had baby/ies that were hardly even thought of the last time you wrote...

You're less-than-double-digits away from your PhD submission dates...

Anyway, I am getting ready to go home after a long day, but I just thought I'd write - nothing very interesting to say but a quick up-date:

Andrew's been accepted to do his PhD at Durham (lots of implications for us, we're praying hard for him to get funding but who knows...?) You'd think he'd have been put off for life after watching me!

The allotment (and all the crew, Peter, Josh, Mark, Deirdre, Andrew plus an honourable mention for Chris) is going really well!! Hard work, and we've been definite part-timers this term, but still... Eating fresh raddish, still smeared with dirt, is bliss.

Longsight Church is the usual mix of wonderful and messy and difficult - and we are still seeing good things, but also facing hard things together.

I've been utterly inspired today by two visits - one of a young woman (13), who is courageous and gracious and holy and ordinary all at the same time - truly inspiring in the way she is facing every difficulty she encounters. {I am thankful for the NHS}. And, a visit to Doc, who is beloved and known by many. He too is inspiring, wise, the kind of person who is open to learning, generous with himself, and courageous and gracious... He used to take me to school - I grew up with him as a mentor and friend - and it is one of the greatest honours I can imagine pastoring him. As someone who excelled in leading, overseeing change, transforming so many organisations he could be formidable, but he has chosen to be one of the world's encouragers - and we are so blessed as a congregation by him (and his family).

PhD - well, as noted, I am under pressure. A lot. Stretching me thin it is (not literally, actually to keep awake/focussed/writing I'm pretty much like one of those army ants... I'd eat wood for the sugar content, but as it is, chocolate, crisps, umm, almost anything)... Anyway, it is still there, hanging over my head like a big sword.

Can't think of much else - not very interesting, eh?

Anyway, I need to go home!

Oh! Reading: Lee Child (go Jack Reacher); Marilyn Robinson; Zygmunt Bauman; and Louis L'Amour...

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was away last week and my phone is broken, so I don't know if you tried to contact me about the allotment! Anyway, I'm house sitting for the Elsey's this week, so will be in the area...

9:57 pm  

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