May I Be A Bright Star Shining!

Introducing the new Mrs Allman ........

2008-08-16T22:21:00.003+01:00

Well what a wonderful wonderful day! Everyone was so calm. The weather was perfect (it was sunny until all the photos were done and we all went inside to have our meal - then the heavens opened!) The ceremony went perfectly and was beautiful. It was so good to see lovely friends and family.

We had a wonderful honeymoon to Los Angeles first, where we went to Disneyland, Universal studios and Hollywood. Then we went to the Maui which is one of the Hawaiian island. It was beautiful there - not quite how we imagined but it was still lovely and relaxing. Then finally we went to San Francisco which was lovely. However, by the time we got back there had been that many time changes that our body clocks were all over the place. We only now seem to be getting sorted.

It's been all go since being back. We've said goodbye to Richard, Heidie and Lukeyboy who have gone back to Zambia - just for the year. I'm sad they've gone back but I understand. They have done such an amazing job out there and God has used them so much - they needed to go back to ensure that the work done wasn't undone. Hopefully, the army will find someone to take over from them in time for them coming home next year because I don't want my hopes being raised to be dashed again!

Now we're trying to get into the routine of married life. Ade and I have both lived on our own for so long so working out living with someone else is interesting. We seem to be coping ok and have not come to blows yet. When we're at home together it's strange getting used to it being ok being in different rooms getting on with different things. When we were together before being married we wanted to spend every moment with each other and make the most of the time because it was so scarce. I can't get used to the fact that we are now spending the rest of our lives together and so it's ok for him to be in one room doing something and me in the other!

Portsmouth North Corps is lovely. Everyone is so keen and wanting to make a difference. We have already ordered a Skip and filled it with stuff that's been hoarded. On Monday the holiday club starts. We are expecting about 25 children. The club is from 10am -3pm Monday to Friday which should be fun but tiring I reckon. Somewhere in that time I've got to find some time to do some reading for a 3000 word assignment due in at the end of the month.

So for both Ade and I we knew in theory that this year is going to be a hard one, what with him doing two jobs and me jobbing and studying but when the reality kicks in, so does the emotions and all the fore-knowledge in the world doesn't properly prepare you for that because you don't ever know how you will react to something until you are actually facing do you?

However, what I am clinging to is that in the early days you want to do so much and you need to get to a more level and realistic plane. I'm also clinging to the fact that I'm sure this is part of God's plan. I know he doesn't promise to take away the hard times, but he promises his resources of heaven to help us through the hard times. Next week the theme for the holiday club is champions, and what it means to be a champion for God. We are looking at 5 words: determination, direction, distraction, dedication and decoration. I'm keeping in mind the memory verse for the Direction day which says, 'Let us run with determination the race that lies before us. let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in who our faith depends.' (Hebrews 12:1-2). I think that might be my memory verse for the year, let alone the week!

laters
cx

The Final Countdown

2008-07-07T20:08:00.003+01:00

Only 4 more days to go - I can hardly believe it. A whole year has passed. I have got through the first year of training. It's been hard work but really good. I have been challenged in so many ways but that's good because I feel a lot more confident about what God wants me to be and have a lot more confidence in God helping me to do what he wants me to do.

Anyway, 4 days from marrying my beautiful. Someone asked me if I was excited and I think I am but I'm not quite sure how to feel as I've never been in this position at all. At this moment, I think I feel more excited about getting my haircut the day after the wedding! Perhaps it's just that I feel very content and happy about it all. I've waited a long time to find the man of my dreams (actually he far exceeds those dreams) and no amount of rain (which is forecast for the day) is going to spoil it or put me off!

laters
cx

14 Weeks today ....

2008-04-04T15:56:00.003+01:00

Okay - I'm going to try not to do a weekly countdown on this blog - even though I have one in my diary but I am so excited and this coming week is going to be a week of wedding plans! Zapping for the gift list, page boy and flowergirl outfit sorting, mother of the bride outfit sorting and my first dressing fitting! Once this coming week is over I shall endeavour to keep my excitement a bit more to myself and my beautiful!

So I have just come back from my week long Corps Placement to Bedford Congress Hall. It's been a busy week but I've really enjoyed it. It's brought me back on track and reaffirmed my calling which is a good thing!

I've not been a comfortable christian this week which has made me happy - I've stepped out of my comfort zones. I've relied on God lots and that's made me happy. I've been with some quality officers who are very lovely and funny which has also made me happy.

There are a number of highlights from the week - beating an armed robber at Rummy three times in the homeless drop-in. Mashing the potatoes with the worlds biggest masher at the Luncheon Club. Watching as a drunk man stood up in the evening meeting and shouted with his hands held high "I love Jesus, Stand up if you love Jesus" and then watching him as he then passed out! But it's also been a bit of a deathly week. On Monday morning, the CO had to lead a funeral at the Crematorium and afterwards we had a tour around the back from Jim. Did you know the incinerators need to be 850 degrees to be hot enough and it takes on average 100mins to do the "job"? Many people who work in this profession really see it as a vocation and it was lovely to walk around with Jim and listen to him tell me all about what he does and how he treats the job with dignity. Good on Jim. He loves his job - not in a weird way but a lovely caring way. Anyway, the only way to ensure the job is done is to turn the burners off and ensure that all the embers stop burning. To get an idea of how things are going there is a little spyhole into the incinerator - and I got to look in it! I was a bit nervous to start with but once I looked once, I couldn't stop! It was fascinating - to actually see a body burning! I saw the skeleton! wow! The next day, a lady from the funeral directors came to talk to the Over 60's Club - I wasn't sure how sensitive this was but it was actually a good afternoon and they all seemed to enjoy it. It made me laugh when the leader asked them if they felt a lot happier after the lady had spoken! I certainly learned alot - especially in light of the previous day's experience. Then the next day I spent the morning at the local Funeral Director's! I found out all about what they do - it was very interesting. There is a coffin called The Last Supper. This is their most expensive one and it has a carving of The Last Supper on the side! I was taken for a tour around. I felt distinctly funny when I went into the embalming theatre though - and my tummy still turns at the thought of it! I felt the colour draining from my face and was rushing the man to move out of that particular room before he noticed or before something happen which made it really obvious! I was ok in the mortuary though. I borrowed a College Zafira to go on placement which is a fairly long car - afterwards, I checked to make sure they hadn't mistaken it for a hearse - I did not want any little 'surprises' or whacking great human surprises when I opened the boot!

Anyway, to balance the death stuff out, I did go and see a newborn baby as well - he was beautiful - although he must have known I was coming as he decided to give me a nice 'present' as I held him! What does the song say:
'how sweet to hold a newborn baby, and feel the pride and joy he gives'
- no mention of the smelly parcels he also gives! Ah the joys of being a CO!

So now I've got a week off which I'm muchly looking forward to.

laters
cx

It's only 15 weeks ....

2008-03-27T16:30:00.004Z

and 107 days until we get married! Yippee! and I don't even care that I'm counting! I'm excited!
I'm excited about being able to see my beautiful everyday!
I'm excited about talking to him face to face instead of over the phone.
I'm excited about not trying to squeeze everything we have to do into one day.
I'm excited about being able to spend the day doing nothing and not feeling like we've wasted time together.
I'm excited about working together with my beautiful again!
I'm excited about setting up home with him.
I'm just excited!!!

College has been so good for me in many ways. I have learned so much from being here but I am so looking forward to putting it all into practice now. Which is good because I'll soon be able to do that. I have now received details of my summer placement and in fact my placement corps for my 2nd year where I'll be a distance learner. I'm going to help my beautiful at Portsmouth North corps. Another thing which I am excited about! Everytime I visited the corps before I used to think how good it would be to be the officer there - now I'm going to experience that and that's cool!

College is challenging. Assignments, sermon outlines or meeting plans to hand in every week is challenging. Spiritual Formation is challenging. Trying to work people out is challenging. 39 people living together and working together is challenging. But hey, God didn't say he wouldn't stop me from experiencing the hard stuff and I know that's often when I learn the most about myself and who God is shaping me to be.

On the odd occasions we get out and about in corps or on our Personal Initiative Projects PIPs) I get glimpses of what it's gonna be like and that's challenging, scarey but exciting!!!

I'm still trying to be a bright star shining. It's blooming hard at times though!I'm in the process of becoming. I'm always in the process of becoming!

laters
cx

Joyfilled Christmas!

2007-12-26T07:28:00.000Z

Happy Christmas from Zambia everyone! In my blog last year I said how every year Christmas is just a wee bit different – the tradition in our family seems to be that there is no tradition! This year is no exception. This year is a Christmas of first for me: the first in Zambia, the first with my first ever nephew, the first with my fiancé and the first without mum and dad!

Getting here was a bit of an experience. Because of Adrian’s air miles we were able to travel in World Traveller Plus which meant we both could have extra baggage allowance so we each had two bags to check in. I was very excited about being in World Traveller Plus – there was loads of room and the entertainment was on demand. However, my excitement was short lived when a family got on the plane and the boy then sat for the beginning of the flight with a sick bag up to his face! Now those of you who know my fear of sickness will understand that this was not nice for me at all! However, as soon as we got up in the sky and the in-flight entertainment started he was ok so I could enjoy the flight.

So we arrived in Lusaka airport and waited for what seem liked ages to get through customs, we went to get our bags. Only to find that there was no sign of one of the bags on the carousel – and it just would be the one with all the Christmas presents in wouldn’t it? So we queued to speak to customers services and in the distance I could see Rich, Heidie and beautiful Luke but couldn’t get to them because of the stupid missing bag. Anyway, the girl said they’d had notice from Heathrow to say that they had left the bag there and it would be on the next flight over! Praise the Lord!

We’ve spent a few days in Livingstone where we had breakfast on Livingstone Island which is just on the very edge of Victoria Falls. There are only 3 months a year when you can go over to the island so that was a real treat. Luke also experienced the falls for the first time.

Yesterday we celebrated the Danish Christmas for Heidie and today we are celebrating a small British Christmas but we are waiting for mum and dad to arrive on Thursday so we can celebrate Christmas for real, which we are all very excited about.

The run up to Christmas for me has been a bit non-existent and I’ve been complaining a bit because with being at the training college and doing all the assignments I was worried that I had lost the joy of Christmas because I haven’t been involved in much Christmas activities and have hardly any decorations up. But I have a card on my wall which I believe God used to remind me that joy is not in things it is in us. This joy which is in me is a beautiful gift from Jesus who when he was born brought glad tidings of great joy on that first Christmas and ever since then for those who choose to accept him.

Have a joyful Christmas!

Laters

cx

An enlightend day

2007-10-25T15:35:00.000+01:00

I am contentedly happy for 5 main reasons:
1. I have ordered my wedding dress - although I am nervous that it might be the wrong one even though I feel that it is the right one. It's a big decision!

2. I have just had a very enlightening Old Testament Class and like the fact that Abraham put his hand in the hand of God and stepped out in faith (I knew that before but it blessed me again today!)

3. My Beautiful now watches CSI and enjoys it - apart from the gory bits. He's a bit of a wuss! (is that how you spell it?)

4. I am able to get emails on my Salvation Army address again after a 3 week drought!

5. My Beautiful took the plunge and gave me my favourite snack - toast with tomato sauce on it. That shows a lot of love. My cousin Caroline and I started having tomato sauce on our toast when we were about 5yrs old and I have continued to have that since then. It's so lovely! My mum and dad will put it on for me without too much grumbling. My brother makes a big song and dance about it if he ever does it. My Beautiful just put it on - and what's more - he even tried a bit and quite liked it! There you go! RESULT!!! See we are meant to be together! That's for anyone who may have had any doubts!

laters
cx

Sweet Chariots and Fairy Tales

2007-10-20T20:25:00.000+01:00

So My Beautiful and I are supporting England in the world cup:

Well actually the truth of the matter is that I was supporting them until I finished eating my tea which was about 10 minutes into the game and then decided I'd had enough and so am now on the puter writing this and checking out some wedding stuff. Thing is, I can't be seen to support England too much as I do have some Scottish allegiance

We did sing "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" at the beginning and recorded it on my phone for prosperity and so I could send it to Suz and her Rugby party - apparently it brought tears to their eyes!

Can you remember what you were doing last time England won the Rugby World Cup? I was staying in a hotel in Bournemouth because I was on a course: Understanding Sex Offender Behaviour. It was November and I had only been doing my job as Divisional Children's Officer for only a couple of weeks at the most I reckon. Funny the things you remember eh?

Anyway, I now have a few study days at college. I found out on Friday that I am going to Dublin (to Lefroy House) to do my week long Social Placement in November which I am excited about. When I told mum she started spouting off all these tourist attractions I needed to see to which you just hear my dad shouting the background "Jean she's going there to work!" So I must get my need for a Jolly in all situations from my mum - she's always ducking and diving!

Anyway, it's been a strange old couple of weeks really. I think this college is going to turn upside down all that I have believed - in particular about the bible and then place it back round in the right place. It was revealed to me the other day that The Bible might actually be made up of fairy stories! I mean apparently all these stories I've have longed believed in and loved may not be even true but the authors using poetic licence! And all these books probably weren't written in the order we find them in the bible. The Gospels were written after all the letters for instance! And you think one person wrote one book but actually it could have been a whole load of different writers for each book! Do you want me to go on???? Was Luke a Doctor? possibly. Was Luke a disciple? Apparently not!!! That was news to me and Alison who has now placed the 12 disciples up with Santa's Reindeer's and the Seven Dwarfs - names you think you know all of but actually you realise you don't. I've come to the conclusion that these writers were like journalists who like to write their interpretation of things which is not always the truth - but it's a good old story and makes someone look bad and someone look good.

But anyway, after chatting it through with My Saviour from Numptiness I've come to the conclusion that the Bible - the word of God - is meant to be a living word. If God is a living God and if the word is a living word then He's going to look after it and ensure that it reflects the truth about Him and His greatness. I still believe in it even though I've found out this crazy stuff. I believe it because it's words are true in the way we live it out in today's world. The words are true in so much as they have been a living reality for me, a source of comfort, a source of guidance, a source of joy and a source of challenge to me in my life as I try to do be all and do all that God wants of me.

Plus I've been shopping today with My Beautiful and that always makes me feel better and view life and things more logically!

Well, I might go back and see how England are doing - My Beautiful is clicking his finger which means he's getting excited/frustrated about it all. "Swing Low Sweet Chariot ....."

laters
Cx

Here's an interesting question ....

2007-10-04T17:47:00.000+01:00

So today my classes were:
-Salvationist Doctrine
-New Testament
-Old Testament

Do you think this was an interesting day for me?

Am going to learn some self defence tonight so watch out!

laters
cx

Just in case you missed it ....

2007-10-02T17:47:00.001+01:00

... my beautiful new nephew!

He's so gorgeous! I love him. I am eagerly waiting for a picture with him wearing the tee-shirt I bought in the summer which says "If you think I'm cute you should see my auntie"!

However, I would like to point out that I am feeling somewhat missed out in this whole situation. I would like you all to know that being an auntie is no less an joy and an privilege than being a grandparent - so why is it that my parents have received many "congratulations on becoming grandparents" cards and I have received diddly squat cards which say "congratulations on becoming an auntie". Why? Because they don't make them! Now in this day and age when they even have cards for Happy Divorce and Happy Birthday to my pet - why don't they have a card for me! I feel neglected and undervalued! I am very very very very very happy about Luke and his birth and very very very very very happy to be an auntie!

So the welcome weekend is over. It was fine. I marched ok. I saluted ok. I remembered most of my words to the sessional song and I managed to just get my uniform skirt on although it was very tight! It was good to see Rita who was the YPSM at Gainsborough Corps when mum and dad were the officers there about 30 years ago and remembers me when I was in the primary - and quite grizzly! It was also nice to see Dawn and Jim on the Sunday and of course, it was lovely to see mum and dad and my beautiful! I'm sad Richard, Heidie and Luke weren't there but they will be back soon and I am excited about that.

Now we have started our classes in earnest. We have had Understanding People the past couple of mornings which has been quite challenging. We have been dropped into the deep end a bit in terms of asking us how we would deal with some pretty heavy pastoral issues but I guess that's life. I feel quite affirmed in that some of the things we've discussed I've already encountered and dealt with.

It's all been interesting and at the moment I am feeling very motivated and determined. These feelings I am going to nurture and cling onto for dear life.

This afternoon we had our first sessional meeting - it's Ronseal (does what it says on the tin!). At this meeting over the next 3 weeks we will get the chance to hear every one's story. Already it's been really interesting and challenging to hear the diversity in people's experiences of life and of God but yet how he has had the same call on all of our lives - for such a time as this. The overwhelming thing that has already come out is that God is faithful! He's also very very very persistent! But actually, how when we give in to his persistent calling and signs things seem to fall so much into place. It's not brain surgery! So if you know God is telling you to do something, beware, he'll not rest until you've done it and then you'll rest so you might as well do it and save the hassle and time!

laters
cx

The Big Change

2007-09-28T10:28:00.000+01:00

Well it’s been a couple of weeks of change in the lives of the Bradbury family.

Last week I moved to London to the training college to start my 2 years diploma in Salvation Army Officer Training. I have a nice little flat although it is on the third floor so I have to climb many steps to get to it. I don’t mind – I have a uniform skirt to fit into and ultimately a wedding dress so the exercise will do me good! Thankfully, when I arrived at the college the other Monday most people had moved in and some helped carry my stuff up the stairs so Adrian, mum and I didn’t have to do it on our own (I was dreading the thought of that). I’ve managed to unpack most things and it’s weird but nice to see all my familiar things around the place. Every time Adrian comes to see me he either brings something I have forgotten or takes away something I don’t need.

Here are some pictures of my flat.

Life here at the college is ok. We have had a week and a bit of inductions and study skills classes; plus we have been given our first essay, which has to be handed in today. It was only an 800 word practice assignment to get us into the habit of writing essays but the essay title was mammoth and it was really difficult to fit it all into 800 words. I experienced something in writing this essay I don’t think I have ever experience when writing an essay – having too many words! I had to spend a good hour editing it to get the word count down! Classes start in earnest on Monday after the welcome weekend. Today we have Marching practice and our final chance to practice our sessional song (which I’m liking a lot) for Saturday night’s welcome. It’s all a bit surreal really. The Witnesses for Christ are a nice bunch of people – I think we’re going to have a nice time together.

And secondly…. Please say a warm welcome to my beautiful new nephew: Luke Jonathan!!!!! (da daa! – that’s a fanfare by the way!)

Isn’t he just so beautiful? He was born last Thursday (20 September 2007) at 20:50 in Chikankata hospital (for a fuller account of the birth see my big bro’s blog on the link list). It was a bit traumatic last Thursday because we received word from Rich that the baby’s heartbeat had weakened and so they decided to do a C-section. When they did the section they found the cord wrapped tightly around Luke’s neck and he had stopped breathing so they had to resuscitate him. The placenta was also in a bad state and bleeding. They told Richard that had they waited for Luke to be born naturally he would have most likely died and Heidie would have had permanent damage so I say thank you to a great big mahoosive God who I believe worked in that whole situation and produced this miracle. Thank you also to a brilliant load of friends who I texted to pray that night.

I got a chance to speak to Luke that night on the phone – I told him that it was he Auntie Clare speaking and he cried! He better not be giving me that cheek when he’s older!

And finally, I say congratulations to my friend Jane who married Ross last weekend. It was a lovely day and nice to see some familiar faces.

Adrian and I travelled up to Scotland by car on the Friday afternoon; went to the wedding on Saturday afternoon; stayed for the meal and the speeches (which were some of the best I have heard at a wedding) and then drove back down to London just as the evening reception was starting so that I could be back for the Spiritual Day at the college the next day! I arrived back home at 3am! When saying goodbye to Jane she told me to text her when I got home. I looked at Adrian and commented that I did not think my welfare would be utmost on her mind that night and I didn’t want to be part of that night - even in text - at all. So I feel it’s safe now to say to Jane that I got home!

Laters
cx

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye ....

2007-09-16T18:11:00.000+01:00

Well here I am, Cadet Bradbury, at the Lord's service! I've said all my farewells (apart from my Beautiful's which I'm not looking forward to) and I depart tomorrow morning for the Training College.

People have been so very kind, generous and supportive. The past four years have been such a pivotal few years of my life. The decision to move down here was completely a God decision and I've never felt so much that I've been right at the centre of God's will and doing what he wants as I have done over these years. I can see now how my whole life he has taken me on a journey and each decision and move made has been a stepping stone to me getting nearer to his destination for my life. I feel now that I've reached that destination. This is precisely where God has been leading me and preparing me for my whole life. of course I didn't necessarily see that at the time but now with my degree in Hindsight I can. I'm so grateful to God for all the adventures along the way and all the beautiful people he's placed in my life to guide me when I was getting lost or just for the company.

So from tomorrow I start a new journey and I'm excited - I don't mind telling you! I'm not so excited about taking all my belongings to my flat which I found out this week has moved from the first floor of house 5 to the top floor. I am seriously worried about the inability my body will have to move the next day - but I have My Beautiful to help and my mum. However, I am excited about the possibility of all those stairs helping to make me thinner - I have a wedding dress to get into you know!?

Anyway, there are many things I am excited about but the main things is that I know I will be right at the centre of God's will for my life and I can't even begin to tell you how amazingly happy and content that makes me feel.

laters
cx

Ring a bling bling!

2007-09-02T16:24:00.001+01:00

You are reading the blog of a very very very very smiling person! I am smiling because my Saviour from Numptiness, my Godsend - Adrian last Wednesday, on the shore of Loch Lomond at Luss in the beautiful sunshine asked me to marry him! I said yes - hence the picture above of the beautiful bling bling ring!

He really is wonderful. You know Luss has very many happy memories for me. I'm sure for most people there is a place which is a real spiritual place for you; a place where you feel really close to God, a place which fills you with happiness, refreshment and the awesomeness of God. Luss is that place for me. I always said that my dream proposal of marriage would be there. However, because I told everyone it seemed unlikely that this would happen as it wouldn't be a surprise.

Can I just said that God is a dream maker! He has worked so many situations out this year for me to make my dreams come true. Being with Adrian is one of them; this week away was another and the proposal yet another.

In truth Adrian and I knew pretty much as soon as we got together that God had planned for us to be together. Everything just clicked nicely. I often pray that I will live in the joy and contentment of God's plan for my life and being with Adrian has just put the cherry on the cake in that way. I feel a deep contentment being with him and a great excitement about all the future holds for us.

So we went on holiday this week. I didn't know where we were going - it was a magical mystery tour! We started off in the Lake District and then he drove to Luss on Monday. You can imagine my absolute joy when I realised we were staying in the hotel just next to Luss called the Lodge on the Lomond . I had the meal to celebrate my graduation here about seven years ago and always dreamt that one day I would love to return and stay here with the love of my life (you know - like girls do!).

The hotel is right on the shore of Loch Lomond and each room has a balcony with a direct view right over the loch. Here's the view from my balcony:

Isn't it so beautiful? And what's amazing is that everyday the weather was different yet the Loch with the hills behind never lost it's beauty - every time I looked I was filled with amazing gratitude to God who created all this beauty for us to enjoy and I was so grateful that I had someone to thank for the beauty. I wonder how people who don't acknowledge God as the creator manage to channel their feelings when they see such beauty?

Anyway, We went for a lovely walk on Wednesday morning before breakfast because the sun was shining so brightly and it was such a beautiful day. We sat on the bench overlooking the loch, watched as an aqua plane landed in front of us and as a couple of boats came in and moored at the pier and I joked about us witnessing a drugs heist (it was very peculiar - especially as there was a dodgy man hanging around) and Adrian asked me to marry him right there and then. It was so beautiful and I will never forget it. You see I am just an old romantic and he made my dream come true! I love him.

laters
cx

Michael Schumacher Wannabe ...

2007-08-25T15:23:00.000+01:00

And the second reason for not blogging recently is that I have been in a state of invalidity and shock! Yes shock!

You see as I was coming home from camp a week last Tuesday I crashed my car and wrote the blooming thing off! Now the roads around Milton Abbey are little country roads and it had been raining. I was listening to "Abide With Me" on my ipod (quite fitting really!) and suddenly a bend appeared before me which I knew I wasn't going to get round at the speed I was going. So the car skidded and went up on the bank on one side (just managed to stop it from rolling right over) and then back over to the other side, through a big hedge, down a bank and into a field! Amazingly, I was not hurt in anyway and immediately phoned my saviour from numptiness (as he's now know) - Adrian. Who advised me to call 999. They said they would get the police out to me asap and to flash my lights if I saw a helicopter in the sky (wow - how exciting, a police helicopter coming to save me). I avidly looked out for this helicopter but it didn't come (apparently it was too misty) - however, the armed police came in their car instead which was still pretty impressive!

I couldn't find a way to get up onto the road because of this whacking great hedge but the policeman managed to and helped me out. I then phoned the lease company to help recover the vehicle. The policeman took a look around the car to inspect the damage. It was then that I remembered that as I was on my way to camp the week before, I had stopped to meet my mum. We were chatting in front of Frank the Tank (my car) when I suddenly noticed that the tax disc said 31.01.07!!!! I had been driving around for 8 months with an out of date tax disc!!!! So thankfully, the day before this accident Adrian phoned the lease company to order a copy of the tax disc as I had no recollection of them sending it to me. Plus, with your own car you get sent a reminder when the new one is due but as this is a fleet car that reminder is not needed to be sent to me so it's not my fault really. Anyway, I was really panicking thinking that I was going to be arrested on top of everything else. When I explained the situation to the policeman, he said "oh don't worry about that!" can you believe that - all that nervous energy? Anyway, what if I had stolen the car? What if it was a bodged up car? What if...? What if...? I don't know, policemen of today, no wonder we have so much crime on our streets!!!! Only joking, I was very relieved really because I couldn't have coped with being arrested and was really and truly grateful for the kindness of the policeman.

So Adrian was driving to meet me as well. The police asked where he was and I explained that just before they had arrived he was at the Ferndown roundabout. The policemen estimated that it would probably take him another 30-40 mins to get there. However, I knew the concern that Adrian was showing when I called him and therefore, knew that despite me just having had an accident because I was speeding, it probably wouldn't have stopped him going slightly over the speed limit to get to me. So I pleaded with the police not book him if he did arrive before the estimated 30-40 mins, which they were very good about.

When Adrian (my saviour!) arrived the local bobby also arrived and the armed police then left. The bobby suggested that we got my stuff out of the car. It was now very dark and we couldn't see so a torch was suggested - can you believe the policeman did not have a torch? He was in a massive range rover car and there was absolutely no torch! However, Adrian (my saviour!) had one. So I started my mount up the hedge to get to the boot but it was quite difficult so Adrian (my saviour!) told me to come down and he would get it - at this point the bobby was just kind of watching. So I came down and stepped off the bank onto the road but as I did this, I went over on my ankle and fell to the ground! Can you believe it? I manage to write off my car and escape any injury but I then sprain my blooming ankle half an hour later just walking along the side of the road!!! Adrian (my saviour) suggested I got into his car (probably out of harms way in case I did anything else!) I got into the back so I could stick my leg up to try and stop the swelling - it also helped the pain. Adrian came and opened the back door to speak to me and then as he went away slammed the door shut - nearly injuring my ankle again!

Finally, after a while of waiting (and a tea and toilet break in a local pub) the recovery man came - unfortunately he came in a little van even though the police had advised the company that they would need a truck to hoist the car out over the hedge. The wee recovery man said that he would have a go with his wee van but would probably need some help so Adrian (my saviour) put on his Salvation Army emegency tabbard which excited him no end to help (he had nearly been knocked over by some maniac driving too fast along a wet country road earlier on so wanted to make sure he was wholly visible!!) As we thought, the wee recovery man with his wee recovery van couldn't get the car out and so we had to leave it there for the night to be recovered the next day by tommy truck. That, my friends, was the last I ever saw of Frank the Tank! Since then, no one (including the lease company and the accident management company/insurance company)seems unable to locate him! He's probably already gone off to that great garage in the sky.

Anyway, I got home at 2am to be then taken to A&E at about 6am the next morning because of the pain in my ankle. They x-rayed it but found no breaks. I had just sprained it and apparently sprains are often very sore the next morning. I have been waiting eagerly since then for a massive bruise to come out so I can take pictures but there's only been the smallest hint of one which is a bit pathetic really.

I've had a couple of shakey moments since - mainly due to my mum's driving - not giving way at a give way junction and going up on the curb does nothing for your nerves when you've just had a car crash. I've also had a bit of a pain in my chest where the seatbelt must have saved me and of course some pain from my ankle but apart from that I am fine. Amazing really. I think God was certainly looking out for me that night and has some ways still in which He wants to use me on earth.

A special thanks must, of course, go to my saviour from numptiness without whom I would have definitely been a complete mess and who was - as always - my Godsend!

I'm now off to put my ankle up!

laters
cx

Ah ha! I'm back again!

2007-08-25T14:48:00.000+01:00

It's been a long time - in fact over a month since I last wrote in this blog which is quite disgusting but I have had a good excuse. Firstly, I have been preparing for Ministry and Mayhem 07 (MaM) which is the camp the SA runs for the children (8-12 yr olds) down in the Southern division.

The camp is held in the Milton Abbey School. It's an absolutely beautiful setting - out in the middle of nowhere which is great but a bit of a bummer to get a mobile signal.

Everyday the children spend the morning in collective worship and bible teaching. In the afternoon they do ministry and mayhem workshops. They choose which ministry workshop they want to do for the week (stomp, dance, multimedia or puppets) and the the mayhem workshops they all have a go at (Craft, T-shirt printing & sports). In the evening we have different activities such as a games and quiz night, the big games night (with inflatables and giant connect four etc..), a video night (it was High School Musical this year), the talent night with a disco and the final celebration.

As it was my last year, they organised a cheeky little surprise party on the Monday night which was good fun - thanks guys! It proves as the camp director that I have absolutely no knowledge of what the staff or the kids are doing really nor do I have any control over them!!

Each day we have a theme day which we keep a secret from the children and then wake them up in our fancy dress. Monday was Pirate day, Tuesday was Wacky day (an old favourite), Wednesday was Circus day and Thursday was Wild West Day. We try to decorate the theatre and dining hall accordingly and do extra little bits during the day to fit in. On Wednesday for circus day in the afternoon we had people come to teach the children circus skills such as juggling, plate spinning and acro-balance which was really cool. We also had a surf simulator and Jackie face painted for four hours!!!!

The theme for the week was I'm Livin' It! and we looked at what it means to live out God's greatest commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbour as yourself" . We looked at a different parable each day which fitted in with the love that we were looking at that day eg: love with heart: the Pearl of Greatest Price and the Hidden Treasure; love with soul: The Barren Fig Tree; love with mind: parable of The Talents; love with strength: the parable of The Sower and finally love your neighbour as yourself: The Good Samaritan. When you truly think about what it means to love God in these ways - it's actually really difficult and was a massive challenge to us adults as well as the children.

Each morning during our collective worship there was an opportunity for us to spend time on our own with God. Everyone was given a prayer journal and a daily devotions booklet to help focus our thoughts for the day if needed. At the end of the day we had our Quiet Celebration where we did the Fanfare of the Day (when we celebrated something 5 different children did for the 1st time that day - they receives a specially made medal, we gave them a standing ovation and they lifted the trophy up accompanied by the Olympic anthem - it's fab!) and then in groups the children discussed what they had learnt that day and whether they had managed to live out that specific love for God.

The staff team as usual were absolutely fab and I love them very much. God has given them such amazing gifts and it was really amazing and heartwarming and encouraging to see them using those gifts to encourage 65 children in their relationship with God.

At the end of the week as Adrian drove me home up along the beautiful main drive he stopped the car, made me get out and look back at the school and we prayed. As he prayed in that evening light - just as the darkness was closing in - the most perfect, bright and single star was shining right at the centre above the school. I believe it was God's sign that he had set his seal on MaM and was well pleased!

laters
cx

Delia Smith I am not!

2007-07-20T08:48:00.001+01:00

Mental note to self ....

When switching on the oven (in particular one that is not your own) remember to take out the grill pan handles:

Oh well - instead of normal handles they are now paddles - unique, designer ones. I told Adrian I couldn't cook! Now he's learned the hard way!

laters
cx

Truly Scrumptious....

2007-07-19T15:45:00.000+01:00

Seriously, all I want to say is if you have never seen this show at the theatre or indeed the film then SEE IT!!!! A group of us from work went to see it last night and it was fab! The car was amazing! The show had everything a show should have - I loved it. I sang along to almost all the songs (I should be on the stage really!).

SEE IT. SEE IT. SEE IT. SEE IT.

What a fabulous night out.

laters
cx

Let's Go Fly A Kite ...

2007-07-10T19:47:00.000+01:00

So Adrian and I have decided that once a week we will have a proper "date" where we'll make an effort to do something a wee bit different for just the two of us. The first one was to La Dolce Vita - a beautiful little italian bistro in Hamble. We went on a Wednesday night which is live entertainment night and a man was there playing on his classical guitar all these wonderfully romantic songs - it was so perfect it nearly made me cry (nearly - but I didn't!)

So last week (friday) we decided that our date was going to be down at Southsea Seafront (which is a special place for us) and we would fly the kite that I bought him the other week. Adrian of course was going on about him being a scout and doing the kite flying thing when he was a boy - you know, like men do. I just recalled the time when me and my family flew our kite on Dartmoor and I managed to aim the kite so it did a nosedive right on Richard's head (very very very funny to watch him being chased by this kite!)

Anyway, here's me flying the kite:

What absolute skill!

And here's him flying the kite:
Up ....

Up ....

Up ....

and down it comes ....

Adrian "oh stuff it - I'm too old for this!"

So then as the loving and encouraging girlfriend I am, I got alongside him and we flew the kite together - aaawwwww!

We then had some chips, sat in our little "Darby and Joan" shelter on the seafront and it was all a happy ending.

Stick around for the next adventures of the Adrian and Clare dates! We're going to Port Solent this week but I don't think we'll be sailing a boat.

laters
cx

laters

A Whistle Stop Tour of my Weekend ....

2007-07-03T00:10:00.000+01:00

Well last weekend I had my friends Jane and Ross come down for the weekend. It was really good to see them. we did lots!

Friday we visited the Historic Dockyard in the morning and got wet! Stupid rain! Then we went to Gunwharf, had lunch and then met up with Adrian so we could go up the Spinnaker tower. I love the tower because the views are brilliant. The Spinnaker tower was built to celebrate the milenium but wasn't actually opened until 2005 and on it's opening the mayor and guy who was in charge of it being built got stuck in the glass lift! ha ha! I don't think the glass lift has properly worked since! Anyway, it's still cool to go up and one of my special places to go.

There's a glass floor right at the top - you can walk over it. The men were being a bit wooselike:

So we went to Petersfield to lead the kid's club and then had a chinese at Adrian's - what a nice evening.

Saturday - God wet - stupid rain! However, we weren't going to let the the rain rain on our parade so we went to Beaulieu. It's got a Transport museum and we saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Wow!

And loads of other cool and old cars. Beaulieu would be a lovely place to go to for the day if the weather was nice. Next time I go I'm going to fix the weather.

At night we went to see Shrek 3. It was ok. Not as funny as the first but it was fine.

So Sunday, I went to Poole and finally did the meeting. My opening line was that I was so eager to be there that I came two weeks running (having come last week as well). It was lovely to be there - I love Poole, it's a cool corps. The kids stuff is fab.

Poor Jane and Ross had to deal with a lot of faff in the airport as they were flying back to Glasgow and there was all the problems up there due to the terrorist attack at the airport. However, they didn't seem to get back too late.

Meanwhile, I met up with the Poole lot at Moors Valley country park. I wore my wellies and splashed in all the puddles - it was wicked fun!!! We had a wellies club see:

So tonight, Adrian and I are going to Southsea Seafront to fly the kite and have a poke of chips. Am excited!

laters
cx

Isn't he just beautiful?

2007-06-30T15:59:00.000+01:00

Thing are going well and I am a very blessed lady - I don't even care who knows it!

On Thursday I was downstairs photocopying stuff and came back up to my desk to find these:

No particular reason - just because! How lovely is that and how lovely is he?

I am very blessed!

laters
cx

What a Numpty!

2007-06-30T15:39:00.000+01:00

Yes I'm a complete and utter numpty! It's official. Last Sunday I left home at 9am to travel to Poole to do the morning meeting which was the YP celebration. I'm in the process of getting all my stuff out of the car when Mandy comes up to me and says "Clare, you've got the wrong Sunday - it's next week you're meant to be coming!" I did question a number of times if she was joking and then when I finally accepted that she wasn't I had a right strop and threw my stuff into the boot of the car exclaiming "Oh you've got to be joking!" So feeling very foolish, I went into the hall, had a cup of coffee and had a chat with a few people and then made an escape - there was no way I was staying around - how embarrassing! So I wondered what I should do next. Here I was dolled up in my uniform with my army hairstyle. I could have gone back to my own corps, knowing their time keeping the meeting would have only just started. But I decided I would worship the Lord by spending time with my family and went to see Auntie Anne instead as she only lives about 20mins from Poole. It was nice to see her and she made a lovely lunch.

Whilst I am annoyed with myself somewhat, I realised that in all my travelling around for this job doing various things in three and half years this is the first time I've ever got the details wrong and I am so very grateful it wasn't the other way round: to not turn up when they were expecting me. I am also a person who likes to learn from experience and draw out the lessons or the positives from it. It could well be that someone this Sunday may need to especially hear what God has to say that couldn't have been there last week. It also meant that I was able to have a lovely sunday with my Auntie.

Of course people have found this very funny (I guess whilst they're making fun of me, they can't be making fun of anyone else!) and they think it's because I'm in love. Can I just clarify that I did put this date in my diary months ago!!!! A long time before all of this other dreamy stuff happened! Having said that, this week I have missed an appointment with the plumber, got confused about what day I'm meant to be meeting Liz, turned up to do a club with half of my resources missing!

What is that all about?!?!?!

Anyway, I've got my opening line for the tomorrow's meeting all planned. If you can't beat them, join them - so I'll let them have a good laugh at me. I can handle it!

laters
cx

Twitty Twoo!

2007-06-20T23:05:00.000+01:00

Well, what can I say.... what an eventful week i have had! You will never guess.... I have been romanced this week! yes romanced! I can hardly believe it myself. His name is Adrian and .... wait for it... he's my boss!! Oh my word! It's all very crazy really.

We've been good friends since he came into this job but I guess the friendship has blossomed over the past 15 months what with working together and having long conversation after work in the office when everyone else has left and I guess it all came to point last week where the relationship changed gear.

So, on Tuesday we spent the day in London together. We went to Covent Garden where we had lunch in a small cafe outside the opera house and could hear the music which was really beautiful. Then we walked around some of the famous sites in London. We walked through St James Park, had an ice cream and sat on a bench opposite the pond. It was so lovely because even though London was very busy - it felt so relaxed as we wandered around, chatting and it felt like we were the only people in the city that day.

In the evening we went to see Mary Poppins at the theatre. Adrian ordered drinks for during the interval and we drank them on the terrace outside. He was such a gentleman and made me feel so special.

What a wonderful day.

On saturday we spent the day at Longleat. We went on Safari, the boat, the railway, the house, the butterfly farm, the secret garden and the maze (that was funny - it said that it was a big maze which could take between 30-60 mins but only took us 10 mins to find the middle). Adrian brought afternoon tea in his rucksack: a flask of earl grey tea, strawberries and muffins. Again, such a gentleman.

Another wonderful day.

It's kind of weird knowing that I am to use an old phrase "stepping out" with my boss and I guess it's going to take a while to get used to that.

What's so lovely is the reaction from people when they hear about it. Most people say that they are not surprised but very excited and delighted and that's really confirming. Lesley in our office is telling everyone because she's so excited! She even told the sandwich lady yesterday!

Adrian is a really lovely, godly, caring, encouraging and supportive man. He is such a gentleman and really looks out for me. We both believe that this is a gift from God and that it is an answer to prayer - it's not like we've rushed into it! And so we're going to make the most of it and enjoy it. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

laters
cx

'It's a lovely day today ...

2007-06-08T22:42:00.000+01:00

..... and whatever you've got to do, it's a lovely day for doing it that's true.'

So the song goes. Today I have been on our office outing. We've been to the Isle of Wight. It was very very busy because it's the weekend of the Isle of Wight festival so there were also many interesting sights to see. We made our way from Ryde Pier passing through Newport where the festival was being held, down to the Needles (a collection of rocks right at the end of the IoW)

When we got to the Needles we went down to Alum Bay where there is a beach and cliffs which have lots of different coloured sand which is beautiful. We went down the the beach on the chairlift which was wicked fun.

See how steep it is?! When we got to the bottom we sat on the beach for a while and soaked in the sun - it was lovely:

When we finally got back to Gunwharf we went out for a meal at the Water Margin restaurant which is a chinese buffet place. It's well nice. We went out for the meal as a sort of leaving do for Chris and Ian Barr who are moving to London:

They have been our divisional leaders and are great and lovely people. They are in the words of Linda:
Professional
Astute
Looney
Spiritual

Which all spell - Pals and that is what they are to us. I decided at the dinner table tonight that I was unable to cope with the leaving of so many people in the office over the next few weeks (Chris & Ian, Ken & Hazel, Ian, me) and so wanted everyone's move to be forgotten about or put on hold. We've been a really good team and I've enjoyed working with everyone so much. We have had lots of fun and laughter. Unfortunately I know that we all have to move on to the next chapter in our lives and I believe that God will amazingly bless but challenge us.

And finally ... I need to make a positive comment about my boss because apparently so far the couple of comments I have put in have been harsh and not an altogether true picture of who he is (well that's according to him!) Therefore, I'd like to document that he is a vey very good boss. He is very caring and encouraging and supportive. He is funny - even when he's winding me up! He is a very very good officer and has been a good example and influence to me with regards to my future officership. God really shines from him mot of the time - except from when he has his grumpy pants on! So I'd like to propose a toast to my Boss (or my bo as the mug which I gave him says because the cleaner has managed to wash off the 'ss' to make is spell 'bo' instead of 'boss'). I would put in a picture of him so you can toast him more directly but I fear I may be sued for not asking permission from him first!

Well I'm off to London tomorrow - not to see the queen but to take part in the Gospel Arts Festival in the Royal Albert Hall - along with a whole load of other youth choruses in the territory. I've got to be a DHQ by 9:30am!!!! Quite frankly currently I feel abit like I would rather eat my gallbladder than go tomorrow - especially as I don't know the songs.

Oh well another weird day in my life!

laters
cx

You Tarzan. Me Jane!

2007-06-07T23:02:00.000+01:00

So NRGize happened lat weekend. I cannot believe the weather. The week before the forecast was rain on Friday and Sunday but there was none the whole weekend - it was absolutely beautiful the whole time. So I am very grateful to God and to all those who prayed for good weather. It really was amazing.

Well, with the lovely weather I never got a chance to wear my gold-plated waterproof trousers. I went to take them back today but they only do either exchange or a credit note - bummer! I did however, wear my wellies as the ground was still quite wet in places from the rain during the week. I loved wearing my wellies! The are cracking!

The kids all did various activities mainly on the Saturday. One of the activities was the high ropes. This is various things you need to climb in the trees. One of the climbs was called the chopsticks. I did this climb in record time with my wellies on:

I was very proud of myself - it was very high! Ian also did this climb but not as fast as me. My boss was too chicken to do it (I said I wouldn't tell anyone but he's been winding me up over the past few days so I've decided to let all know! as payback)

On Saturday Ian also felt really unwell in the morning. So he took some drugs and had a lay out in the sun. During this time I sent text to some people to get praying for him as he was due to do the evening session. About 10 minutes later he got up and said that he felt perfectly fine! It was amazing! God transformed this situation. As soon as the evening session finished he bagan to feel unwell again and in the morning felt so unwell and Louise had also text him to tell him she was ill as well that he went home.

The theme for the weekend was 'transformation' and we looked at how Jesus transformed situations and people through miracles and talked about how God can transform different situations that we may face in our own lives. God certainly began to transform many live this weekend and for that I am very grateful and amazed. Rob, one of our staff sent me a text on Friday morning which said that he had just prayed for NRGize and felt God was saying to him "be prepared to be amazed" God really did stay true to this and did some amazing things.

To all the kids and staff of NRGize 07 - cheers!
laters cx

Me and My brother ...

2007-05-29T23:19:00.000+01:00

Then...

and now ...

I'm not sure who's changed the most!

I love him. I miss him.

He's the best brother.

cx

They know it's near the end ....

2007-05-29T22:45:00.001+01:00

Now I know my house isn't really like the house in Beauty and the Beast where all the household things come alive but I'm sure all my household appliances know that we're coming to the end of a very beautiful and happy time in this flat and are now on strike. First my washing machine carked it. It started making a very weird noise Sunday afternoon and then there was the burning smell. it happened mid spin and so I stopped it early and unfortunately the towels still had a lot of water in them. I put my heater on to help dry them off and left it on all night. In the morning it was so hot I thought I was in a sauna! It was ridiculous! Now my electric toothbrush has carked it! It jut won't charge. What's that all about? It's a disaster.

In anticipation of the end I cleared out my clothes, bags and shoes tonight. I filled two black bags. I feel a bit disappointed I wasn't more strict with myself and got rid of my clothes but you never know when you're going to need them. Maybe I'll have to have another go when i actually pack them up to leave.

Finally, I would like to announce that people are just not praying hard enough - the forecast for the weekend is still rain! Let me be clear - I DON'T WANT THE RAIN THIS WEEKEND!!!! I cannot cope with another wet camping weekend. However, this time I'm so going to be ready for it. Tomorrow I am going out in pursuit of wellies and waterproof trousers. I feel very sad about the rain.

laters
cx

It's not just food ... It's M&S food!

2007-05-28T21:30:00.000+01:00

This has been a perfect end to a lovely bank holiday day for me! I have had such a chilled day and completely loved it! I really needed to have some me space today. I got up late, watched telly, talked to my big bro and HB on the telephone, got showered and dressed about 2pm, went to Southsea seafront for a long walk with a cup of tea and kit kat break midway, came home and did some ironing (what?), then suz came round and made tea with not just any old food but M&S food! Lovely Lasagne and salad and then the most beautiful dessert - Strawberries dipped in chocolate! mmmmnnn! You see Sainsbury's and M&S are terrible for those cheeky adverts which shows the most divine food. One evening we were watching telly when this Sainsbury's advert came on for the most beautiful lemon sorbet! Well, as quick as you can say Jack Flash Suz and I were in the car and driving round to the BP garage to get some lovely pudding that vaguely resembled this beautiful lemon Sorbet. We wanted to get back home before the end of the adverts. Anyway, we ended up just buying a solero ice cream instead - well seeing BP don't do adverts for their food! They'd stink! So a number of times now we've watched with great longing the M&S advert with the strawberries and chocolate dip and finally succumbed tonight - it was lovely!

So now - a perfect end to the evening - we are watching Ocean's 11. Oh my word - so much beauty and gorgeousness in one day!

I love Southsea Seafront. Wherever I move to I always think it's important to find one place where you just love to go to and know that you will feel free and feel close to God. When I lived in Scotland I loved going to Loch Lomond for this very reason and now down here Southsea Seafront is that place for me. I love the vast expanse of the sea, I love that there's always something happening on the sea, I love the spaciousness of the pavement and the flatness of it, and today I loved the wind blowing in my face, it felt like it was clearing out the cobwebs ready for the freshness of the summer and the exciting next few months.

I'd like to finally add that I am doing ok on the cruzshuz. I am mastering one foot quite well at the moment and have only nearly broken my back twice. I shall persevere! Greg said:

that I would keep at it for 2 weeks and then give up! I most certainly will not give up! I'm determined! You just see if I'm not!

Well that's about it for today. This week I'll be getting ready for NRGize which is an activity camping weekend Ian and I are organising next weekend for 24 10-14 year olds. Last year it rained the whole blooming weekend and we all ended sleeping in a barn on the Friday night because our tents got waterlogged! I am soooo praying for no rain this weekend. Unfortunately I've just checked the 5 day forecast and rain is on the menu! Big fat pooh! Please pray for no rain. I don't think I can cope with another wet camping weekend! Last year, I took a picture on my phone of my bathroom with all the candles lit and the bath nice and full of bubbles and every so often looked at the picture when I felt particularly cold or skanky and it helped me to keep focused on 5pm Sunday evening when I would actually be able to enjoy that bath for real. I'd like to confirm that the bath I had on that Sunday night was heavenly! I am expecting more of the same this year.

night then!

laters
cx

OOO aargh me 'arties!

2007-05-26T22:47:00.000+01:00

So i've been to see Pirates of the Carribean now. It was good - a bit long and very weird but good. I laughed quite a bit. I didn't like it when Davey Jones killed a man with his beardy tentacles - Frances and I both covered our eyes at that point. The best bit in the whole film was when one of Jack Sparrow's alter egos exclaimed "nobody move - I've lost my brain" - he literally had lost his brain (I guess you need to see this to understand how truely funny and surreal this was). I turned to Frances and told her that I am always saying that!

Well, there you go then. it's nice to know that Monday is a holiday as well! I'm not doing anything and I'm really really looking forward to that. If it's nice I might go for a walk by the beach - I want to make the most of it before I have to move to the black bogie London. I'm feeling really sad at the moment about leaving life down here on the south coast. It really is a very beautiful place to live. I'm also feeling very sad about leaving all my friends. Sometimes I have these feelings when I'm on the brink of a big change that things will never be the same again and it makes me feel unhappy even though I'm excited about the future. I'm sure you understand.

laters
cx

I am very blooming happy!

2007-05-26T16:35:00.000+01:00

This is for two reasons:
Firstly, I eventually managed to get some Heelys - except they're not heelys but Cruzeshuz! - on ebay for a very favourable price. Of course I had to try them as soon as they arrived at my work yesterday and I nearly broke my back! I will master it! people were being very discouraging! Instead of telling me that it looked fun and that I would master it etc... they kept talking about how they didn't want me to break any bones! Anyway, reckon if I wear them around a do the odd skate every now and again I'll eventually get the hang of them!

Secondly, I am happy because last night I had my fundraising ceilidh and it was jolly good fun! about 50 or 60 people came along and I made £273 profit! wicked!!!! What a laugh! Almost everyone got up and danced and those who didn't dance had a good time laughing at those were attempting to dance. No major calamities apart from Chris falling on Ian - or maybe it was the other way around - anyway it was a bit of a pile up but they got up and seemed to be ok only hurting hips and hurting pride! The other calamity was my shoes busting so I danced in my bare feet instead and now have a blister but it was so worth it! I love love love a ceilidh and everyone else seemed to last night as well - what a wicked time!

God bless everyone who came along and god bless everyone who supported the evening in whatever way! Thanks!

Now I'm going off to see Pirates of the Carribean - that will be nice - to spend some time with Johnny Depp.

laters
cx

Och Aye the Noo!

2007-05-19T11:42:00.000+01:00

So as part of my journey into the training college, I have to raise money for the Candidates Fund. So next Friday night (25 May 2007) I'm organising a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee). To find out more about Ceilidhs check out one of my past posts: http://mayibeabrightstarshining.blogspot.com/2007/02/noo-that-whit-i-ca-ceilidh.html written on 24 February.

The cost is £5 which includes food and drink and it starts at 7pm. If you want to come along then let me know and I'll give you more details. It would be good to see you there!

laters
cx

It's all Victoria's fault ...

2007-05-19T11:22:00.000+01:00

Yes it is! It's all Victoria's fault - the reason why I am frantically trying to buy a pair of heelys. Now for those very uninformed and uncool - Heelys are the trainers with little wheels in the heels:

Now I have been looking at these shoes with great interest for a whle and really wanted to have a pair but never got round to it. However, after chatting with Victoria the other day she told me that at the kids club they have on St Peter Port they have a sub-club called the Heely Club. The kids all come with their heelys on and and wheel around - they're even going to do so dance routines! Wicked! And so she said that she's also bought a pair so I thought that I would like a pair as well because when I go over there in the summer - I don't want to be the odd one out!!

Now I thought also that they would come in handy when I'm at camp because there's an awful lot of walking around and then I could also take them to college and skate around the campus! how cool would that be?

So I was bidding on come cool ones on Ebay last night but some nasty person got in with a winning bid in the last minute!!! How absolutely frustrating! However, I was saved because I've since found out you should get a bigger size than you normally do and I hadn't so I hope whoever bought those shoes knows that!

I'm now bidding on some others - I'll let you know how I get on! They're quite expensive so if anyone finds any cheap ones - I need a size 7 - let me know!

laters
cx

Alright Guv'nor

2007-05-16T19:35:00.000+01:00

So it's official - I'm a properly trained school governor. I spent my day in Hampshire Golf Club in some very interesting and helpful training. I was dreading it really - mainly because I didn't know anyone. I've worked out two main things about being a school governor:
1. Pass everything to someone else - in particular the Headteacher or class teacher.
2. If the school goes into Special Measures (when it's failing) it's the fault of the Governing Body!

So there you go! Despite the burdern of responsibility in ensuring the school excels I am very excited about being a school governor. It's really amazing to think that your decisions can have such a big impact on the lives of many children - you have a real chance to indirectly influence them.

Talking of influencing children; on Sunday I sat next to Hannah in worship at The Gap. Hannah is six and she is Ian and Louise's oldest daughter. I work with Ian (he is the Divisional Youth officer) and Louise is the associate officer at The Gap and a fellow school Governor. Anyway, Hannah always sits next to me, Lesley and Fi when we're at the Gap. Hannah is beautiful (all the Davis children are beautiful). So we were all standing singing. I had my thumbs in my jean pockets as I was singing. Hannah was sitting down. Then she suddenly got up and spent a while putting her hands in her trouser pockets and then stood just like me! It was a really lovely moment and nearly brought a tear to my eye! It just reminded how children watch everything you do and I was also reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein where he says something like "being an example is not just a way of influencing a child - it's the only way". Ever since I read that quote in the Tug of War document about 5 years ago (this document was a report of research the SA commissioned to be done on it's children's work) it has had a massive impact on me and has been proven over and over again - children really do watch you so closely and that is a real challenge to me as a person.

Which brings me to my third point in this blog - Not only do children watch you closely but so do adults. I have been in a foul mood today. I don't think there is any particular reason for this but I think I literally did get out the wrong side of the bed this morning. I normally get out the side of the clock but today I got out of the other side and when my routine is changed it sometimes makes my grumpy. Ian said that I had 3 pairs of grumpy pants on today - he's right and I'm quite ashamed of myself. I'm not particularly nasty when I'm grumpy (well maybe only a few sharp comments but they're more utterances under my breath) but I'm just a bit quiet and low. Sometimes when I get grumpy if I tell someone I'm grumpy it's enought to make me laugh and take my out of my mood but I just couldn't shift the cloud today. I remember my mum saying that when you feel down, get out and see your people. So this afternoon I had to lead my first Cameo Club (come and meet each other club) which was really great and I enjoyed doing it. One little lady there called Ruth (I know this because she told me about 30 times) is in a home and this afternoon she was sitting on the end of the row. As I was playing A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square by Vera Lynn Ruth started to fall asleep so Steph had to move herself next to Ruth so she didn't fall off the seat. Aw bless her! It was a real ministry to me doing that this afternoon especially when the theme was My Favourite Things (thanks Suz) and we were thanking God for all the things he has created for us to enjoy so that we can live life to the full! Doh! and here's me - Miss Grumpy pants! I'm suitable chastised because I knew people noticed and I feel bad because of that.

So I was going to be baby sitting the Davis clan tonight but Esther is teething so Ian has stayed in with them. I'm having a nice evening in watching As Time Goes By! Brilliant.

laters
cx

Yoohoo! I'm Home!

2007-05-07T22:01:00.000+01:00

Finally .... After nearly a month of being away from home I am finally back. I actually got home from Africa last Thursday evening only to leave at dawn the next morning to travel to Roots in Southport where I have been working in the Kids Tent.

However, before I tell you about Roots and what a brill experience it was, I must tell you that I nearly did not make it home from Zambia! The Monday before we left, Rich, Suz and my parents visited Chaanga and I stayed at home because I didn't fancy the 3 hour off-road drive. Anyway, I took beautiful Ronaldo out into the garden for a little wander and toilet break.

Beautiful Ronaldo:

Suddenly I noticed something in the grass and realised it was this snake rearing up at me. I got a shock but quickly grabbed hold of Ronaldo and got her inside and shouted for Heidie. I showed her the snake and she really panicked so phoned Richard. However, Richard was off road somewhere so couldn't do anything about it so he suggested she get some of the men over in the vehicle yard to come over. I told her to tell him that it looked like a cobra because it had that flat bit on it's head but I think he thought I was exaggerating (I can't think why he would think that!) So some men came over. I thought they would be all macho and laugh when they saw the snake but they were really scared! They confirmed that it was a Cobra and then set about stoning it to death. They really threw those stones with great force. It made me think about people being stoned in bible times and how truly awful that would have been. At one point they hit the snake with stone with such force the snake flew into the air! At first I didn't want to watch but then I got a bit hooked so watched the whole thing. Once it was dead, they threw it over the fence! When Richard came back mum, dad and Suz wouldn't get out of the car until they knew all was safe! I was very very brave! I'm only disappointed I didn't take a picture but i was just completely focussed on saving my life!!!! So I've tried to find a picture on t'internet but i got the complete creeps looking at all the pictures of cobras!

The next day we travelled to Livingstone so Suz could see the Victoria Falls - oh my word it was so wet there! Even wetter than last year! What was also really cool was that that evening we saw a lunar rainbow or a moonbow at the falls. It only comes when there is a full moon and can only be seen in four places in the world - the vic falls being one of those locations. It wasn't really colourful - more a cloudy white but was amazing to see and actually to see the falls at night was so beautiful as well.

We also went on The African Princess for a sunset cruise. We cruised down the river zambesi, taking the beautiful scenary and enjoyed nice food and drinks. It was very colonial and I decided that mum and suz looked like characters from an Agatha Christie film:

So after Livingstone we travelled to Lusaka where we met up with Heidie and had a nice meal in the evening. We stayed in Lusaka that night in a backpackers hostel called Chachachas which was very interesting. We stayed there because we had to get up early to go to the airport the next morning.

I had a great time in Africa. I experienced many many new things and so am due many fanfares of the day. it was so good to see Rich and Heidie. We had many laughs and lovely times together. I love them very very much and am overwhelmingly proud of them and all they have achieved. I miss them very much. I'm not sure when we'll see each other again. I'd like to see them at christmas and see my new neice or nephew but I'll have to see if I can afford that. Other than that, I'll see them next May when they come home - either on holiday or for good depending on what they decide.

Well I was going to blog about roots but I'm just so tired that I think I'll leave that for another day and go to my beautiful bed instead!

laters
cx

Never mind the apple tree in the garden of eden ...

2007-04-29T13:13:00.000+01:00

Richard and Heidie have a very beautiful garden. There are many lovely plants and trees. It amazes me that the garden is so lovely because their garden boy - Bright who is a very lovely man - doesn't really seem to know much about plants. There is this beautiful deep pink flowering tree just outside the front door and I asked Bright one day what the name of the tree was and he called it a flower tree - helpful! I can see that!!!

Anyway, amongst all that is growing (and living) in the garden are banana trees, orange trees, lemon trees, papaya trees, onions, pumpkins and butternut squash. There is also the Avocado tree. I was most excited about this tree when I first found out until I was sitting under the shelter of the tree yesterday when an avodaco fell from it to the ground just very very narrowly missing my head! I did feel the thud and the vibration on the ground as it hit it. I have to say that I suffered from shock for a considerable time afterwards. I kept wondering what damange it would have done to me had it fallen on my head. Of course the usual jokes about it knocking some sense into me come to everyone's mind but seriously! I could have died or lost my memory which would have been a disaster!! It was weird because in the evening we watched the end of a film called 50 First Dates which is about this girl and guy who have this first date and then the girl is involved in a very bad car crash and can only remember her life before that day and will never remember what happens after that. The guy is so in love with her that everyday he goes through the process of meeting her anew and telling her all that has happened and they have their first date. It's a very lovely story but a bit too close to the bone in so much as her losing her memory after my traumatic experience with the avocado earlier on in the day. Mind you Issac Newton worked out the gravity theory because an apple fell on his head so who knows what ground breaking theory I might have worked out if an avocado had fell on mine - I don't think I'll risk it though.

laters
cx

Kamwamba!

2007-04-28T06:42:00.000+01:00

…Or for those of you who don’t understand Tonga – Hello!

Here I am blogging all the way from Zambia!

I’m having a lovely time. We started off in Capetown where we visited all the main sites: Table Mountain (where we lost dad – it had to happen and it was good it was so early on in the holiday and we were able to get it over and done with!) Cape Point, The Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island and The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (where I ate a very dodgy fishcake which made me ill all night and meant I had a day off sight seeing).

The sites in and around Capetown were amazing. In my relatively short life I have had the great opportunity of seeing many beautiful sights but I don’t think any have been as beautiful as those I have seen around Capetown. No amount of photos or words could actually describe how beautiful the scenery is there. Again you just marvel at God’s creation and just are full of absolute praise and awe of him that he created something so amazing and beautiful.

Last Tuesday we traveled to Zambia and back to Chikankata via Jo’burg. Richard and Heidie were most surprised that our luggage managed to make the connection and get to Zambia – I was very relieved! I did not fancy wearing the same clothes for another 2 weeks!

The first morning we woke up to hearing a lot of commotion up near the hospital so Heidie, mum and I quickly ran out (me still in my jym-jams under instruction from Heidie) and dad following on behind having to get out of bed and dressed. Anyway, it turns out that this man who was on the run from the police for axing his wife a couple of night before had been tracked down to the hospital and the people were all surrounding the man wanting to do “community justice” by stoning him! Richard was telling all his staff to get back to work – unaware that his wife and family were also watching and enjoying the entertainment from afar! Anyway, Richard locked the man in the laundry for his own safety until the police came for him. I asked Richard what would happen to him and he said that once he was in prison he would probably die either of hunger as he would rely on someone to bring food in for him or from some incurable disease. Well the story reached the front page of the Zambian Times so we're famous because it talked about the angry crowd (us) and the hospital administration (Richard).

So some excitement! We spent the next couple of days chilling out. We put the cot up in the nursery which was very exciting! Heidie is getting very big – we think she is going to have a giant! She certainly eats as though she is going to have a giant. I was most distressed one day in Cape Town because I was wearing my beautiful new smock type top which is very fashionable in the UK and we visited a shop called Baby City to buy some baby stuff; we were all wandering around and the shop assistant came up to me and asked if she could help me! I was mortified! I am never wearing that top again and I must lose some weight!

We picked Suz up from the Airport on Saturday and on Sunday we traveled to South Luanga to the National Park there where we had a few days on Safari. We stayed in the Mfuwe Lodge which was amazing. Each of the rooms were little huts which had a veranda overlooking the river where alsorts of wildlife live. The bathrooms all had a gorgeous sunken bath which also looked over the river (no curtains or anything!) It was so beautiful – well so I thought until we got to our beds after our evening meal on the first night and found a plague of frogs and spiders in the bathroom!!! I did not like it! There was much jumping and screaming and a few naughty words – I have to admit! I had a shower with a frog! It’s just not something you expect to experience. Anyway, we found out the next day that apparently - contrary to what Suz and I thought – it is better to turn the lights off at night because the lights on attract the spiders and frogs whereas we thought they would prefer the dark! So the following evening whilst we were out we kept the lights off and when we came to our beds, the room was very much less crowded. Richard (my saviour!) kicked out the one cheeky frog and also the Scorpion – YES SCORPION!!!! - from the room. It was just a wee one but if I had stood on it I would have been very unhappy! So I slept a lot better that night as I didn’t feel that I needed to be on night watchman duty. The next morning we woke up to still find the room quite empty of undesirable creatures apart from the mother of all frogs in the bath! Now as much as I would be happy to find the man of my dreams – against the advice of many of my friends – I ain’t kissing no frogs to find him! Ming Mong!!!!

The safari was brill. We saw: elephants, puku, impala, zebras (we even saw a zebra crossing – the road!), giraffes, lions, buffalos, hyenas, hippos, storks, cranes, herons, baboons, waterbucks, bushbucks, snakes, and so the list goes on. We traveled home Tuesday on the smallest of planes. It was so small we could see out of the front window! That was fun.

So Heidie picked up Ronaldo their new dog on Wednesday. She is beautiful. Just a 3 month old puppy. Richard decided on the name and then found out he was a she. We have been really battling against calling her a him and Suz has been the gender monitor. We did decide to call her Molly to see if that makes any difference but we felt too many people now knew her as Ronaldo so it would confuse her and everyone else. So she’s back to Ronaldo. Although I am not particularly a dog lover I must say I am loving her. She is very cute. She has left a few “jobs’ around the house and thankfully there is no carpets so it’s easier to clean up. She cuddles up to you and it’s lovely.

Last year I was very sheltered from the hardships of this place but have been exposed to them a bit more this year. We don’t always have hot water so we have to jump in the shower when there is some. Often there is no water during the day so the deal is that when we go to the toilet we don’t flush for number 1’s but we do flush for number 2’s and we use the antibacterial hand gel to wash our hands. I don’t brush my teeth with the tap water; I use the borehole water which has been filtered to do that. This is only a little thing compared to the realities of everyday life here and the people do really well to cope and make the most of life. For most of them, they have known no other. I am so proud of Richard and Heidie with the way they handle all the struggles of this place.

And for me, someone who hardly ever gets unwell – I have had 3 diseases! I have had food poisoning, a cold(which I thought was Malaria) and now a little poo bug which has made it’s way around the family except for dad. I have coped very well I think and hopefully will not be unwell now for a long long time.

For the next few days I’m chilling out and working on getting rid of my stupid strap marks! Mum and dad are doing the meeting at Chikankata Citadel tomorrow. Richard is vetting it to make sure it doesn't go on for 3 hours which is quite usual for meetings here (good grief!) Tuesday we’re going to Livingstone to show Suz the Victoria Falls and I think go on a Sunset cruise which I’m excited about. And then we’ll be home. That’s sad!

Finally, one bit of very very good news – I HAVE SOLD MY FLAT!!!! Yippee!!!!

Laters!
cx

Wish Me Luck as you wave me goodbye ....

2007-04-09T18:41:00.000+01:00

Well I'm off to Africa this week. I thought I'd get one last blog in before I go. Hopefully you will be able to share in my adventures whilst I'm away because Richard has managed to get a wireless connection in his house so providing he lets me borrow his puter I'll be able to keep you updated. I was going to take my own puter but as I'm having great difficulty fitting everything in within the weight allowance, that's looking more and more unlikely which I'm quite sad about.

Two things which amazed me about myself after my visit to Africa last year:
1. I came back home with a lighter case - mainly because we took so much stuff out for richard and heidie.
2. I must be about the only person who has gone to a 3rd world country (actually I think the proper name for it now is developing country) and come back heavier! That is certainly not going to happen this year!

So I've just had another conversation with my mum about cases and stuff we're all having to take and now I'm going to repack this time I'm going to try putting my stuff into a smaller case (if I can!) in the hope that it will be lighter! They supposedly charge £25 per extra kilo - I am currently £50 over!

A question I'd like to ask .... How do you deal with noisy neighbours so they don't get angry with you and start causing your life hell? My neighbours upstairs are getting on my nerves. They don't seem to realise that the walls are not that thick and when the volume of your life is the volume of my neighbours life then you hear everything that's going on. They play their music quite loud which in turn means that they talk loud. It's only a one-bedroomed flat yet the lady has a little girl living with her who seems to use the hallway as play park and runs up and down it regularly - often very late at night. This morning I decided to do some bank holiday chores; I cleaned my car and washed my windows. Whilst I was washing my windows I found a whole load (2 handfuls) of cigarette butts on the ground just underneath my window - obviously thrown out of my neighbour's window rather than putting them in her bin! So how do you go and say - please turn the volume of your life down and please don't be so scanky and put your rubbish in the bin without it sounding like I'm a real Victor Meldrew? I was thinking that my consolation is that for the next few weeks I will have peace and quiet in the wilds of Africa until I remembered that last year we were regularly woken up at approximately 6am by the sound of the cockerel cockadoodledoo-ing and the drivers coming to get the keys to the vans and sometimes by the wailing of relatives whose loved one had just died so all in all I'm swapping one neighbour from hell for another! I have been regularly reminded recently of the greatest commandment that God gave us to "love the lord your god with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbour as yourself". At this moment in time, the loving your neighbour bit is very difficult and I am feeling very challenged!

May I be a bright star shining yeah? ....

laters
cx

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

2007-04-06T17:47:00.001+01:00

So this song is like the title song from the film Amazing Grace. It's absolutely beautiful and just blesses me everytime I hear it. Chris Tomlin who has arranged it and sings it includes a new chorus (well it's new to me) which says:

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

Wow - to understand and experience that freedom that God gives from the heaviness and oppression of sin is awesome and just makes me smile the biggest smile - a smile that's bigger than my muscles can extend to and bigger than my face. A real lightness within me - a real joy.

Thank you for saving me - what can I say ...

laters
cx

I'm a great sinner and christ is a great saviour!

2007-04-04T22:01:00.001+01:00

Well, last night I finally went to see Amazing Grace - and I thought it was amazing! It really stirred me. There are some brilliant moments in it two of which are featured in this trailer:

The first one is when Wilberforce was trying to decide if he should become a man of God or an activist and make the world a better place the lady next to him said in a gentle way "well perhaps you can do both?" Both Suz and I were discussing this afterwards and saying how when he said this to the lady we were both saying in our heads "you can do both, you can do both!" we were so relieved when she did say it to him.

The second one - and is the one which particularly stirred me was when Wilberforce went to see John Newton (who was his bible teacher/preacher when he was a child) to ask him to tell him all about the slave ships because he was going to start campaigning again and John Newton had worked on the slave ships and been responsible for selling many slaves. Anyway, in a really emotional and poinant moment John Newton said to Wilberforce:
"though my memory is failing, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great saviour!" It really stirred me. I don't know why - I think I was really overwhelmed by the phrase "christ is a great saviour!"

I've been thinking a lot about grace recently what with Freedom day and this film and easter. Last sunday night I led the meeting at the gap and really felt compelled to make grace the theme for the meeting. I think it's because for me, grace is an ever evolving thing. I'm trying to understand it more and more for myself and trying to receive it from God. I often find it so hard to believe that someone loves me that
much - so much. Everytime I mess up God just loves me and keeps on loving me unconditionally. It's so difficult to get the right balance between accepting God's grace and being released from the guilt and oppression of sin and not using God's grace as an excuse to go and sin.

God's grace really is amazing!

laters
cx

I'm Shopped Out!!

2007-03-31T22:59:00.000+01:00

I was in Southampton shopping at West Quay again today. This time doing some shopping with mum for our trip to Africa. We had with us our lists from Heidie of things to get for them both. We left home about 9:30am and didn't get home until about 6pm! My feet were aching! I do love shopping but I don't think I'll be doing it again for a wee while - I've shopped myself out I reckon!

I never saw the christian hotdog man today - I wanted to show him to mum. I was a bit sad about that.

So Heidie's list was quite big because she needs to get some clothes for her anticipated growth. I have never in my life bought maternity stuff and neither mum or I had any idea what we were looking for so we hope that what we got will be ok for her. We bought a few tops for her from Primark (my new favourite shop!). It's good because the sort of tops in fashion at the moment are long or really bouffant ones from the 60's and 70's so you can get a normal top knowing that it will be fine for HB to wear. Heidie wanted a skirt but we couldn't find one so I had a bit of a brainwave - I saw a summer dress in Primark which had an elasticated bust and so we decided that HB could use this as a skirt with the elasticated busty bit acting as the elasticated tummy bit for the baby growing and then when the baby's born she can use it as a dress again! Perfect!

So anyway, we also bought some cheeky baby clothes - not very much - just a wee bit of cuteness. I bought a giraffe:

Oh my word! How cute is that? I'm excited about my new nephew or neice cuddling up to it. I just can't wait!

So the day is over. My feet are still aching and I'm looking forward to getting into my bed with the electric blanket on. I've had a nice day and it was lovely to spend it with my mum. We had lovely chats and lovely laughs and lovely bargains!

laters
cx

Are you Amazed?

2007-03-29T10:45:00.001+01:00

Everytime I watch this and listen to the words of the song it just really stirs me and blesses me. Here are the words - be blessed and be amazed!

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

It’s deeper, it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider
It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

What an amazing God! I am overwhelmed with love and thanks to God for all the grace he gives me.

laters
cx

Hotdog Selling and Music Playing ...

2007-03-25T21:42:00.000+01:00

Saturday - how funny. Fi and I went to the shops in Southampton - I was looking for some cheap bargains for my holiday to Africa (which incidently is in just over 2weeks). Suz joined us a wee bit later and we started to check out some mobile phone shops for Suz who was looking to get a new phone. So we went into Phones 4 U - I love going in there because the sales men are always so friendly! Anyway, Suz went to have a chat with the man about a phone and Fi and I then started having a chat with another man - the end result: both Fi and I ended up getting a new phone - the same one. Suz left the shop empty handed! However, she did get a phone from another shop a wee bit later. So the three of us got new phones.

Anyway, On the main shopping street in Southampton - just outside West Quay shopping centre is a hotdog vendor. Here he is:

Now I know he doesn't look anything out of the ordinary but to me he is and I always look out for him when I go shopping in southampton. The reason I look out for him is that his little cd player which sits on the top of the hotdog stand plays christian music! Almost everytime I've been there it's been playing My Jesus, My Saviour which is a fabulous song but also my ultimate favourite song "What a Faithful God". What a blooming great witness! He goes about his everyday work witnessing every minute of it. I'm reminded of what the bible says in Paul's letter to the Romans: "Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him." (chapter 8:1) alternatively, "take your everyday hotdog selling life and play your christian music before God as an offering...."

This is constantly a challenge to me .... I want that my whole being and doing be about worshipping God. May I be a bright star shining yeah?

laters
cx

Just a bit of randomness

2007-03-22T23:36:00.000Z

Firstly, I'd like to share with you my tea:

I really did enjoy it - Fritata and potato wedges - mmnn! Now I generally hate cooking but sometimes I make something I really do enjoy - and tonight was one of those nights so I thought I would record it.

Secondly, I'd like to tell you that I spent the afternoon with Nic and the beautiful little Zach. Zach is still in hospital after having his operation on Monday. Whilst I was at the hospital today Zach was finally taken off the morphine. He also managed to have milk and has poohed - all very good signs. Nic was saying today that the poor boy is going to be so embarrased when he's older and finds out that most of the first month of his life we were talking so much about his pooing habit! god bless him! Anyway, Zach really is a beautiful little boy and was very smiley today which I reckon shows what his character will be like as he grows up.

And finally, there is a random person in my office who when they finish the toilet roll, they don't put a new one on. This really bugs me! It's not brain surgery to do this is it? Really! If everybody does a little bit, somebody doesn't need to do it all!!!! If nobody does anything, somebody's left to change the toilet roll - plus everything else!

well... bed

laters cx

The dreaded Lurgy ....

2007-03-19T22:15:00.000Z

I have had a cold now for over a week! I've had enough. I have currently got a cold on top of a cold! I thought it was going but as that was fading a new one crept up on me. My nose is stinging with all the blowing. Tissues are sore on your nose aren't they. I hate cold - it's evil.

Next thing to say is that my flat is on the market. It went on sale on Friday and today I had my first viewer. I wasn't able to be in when they came so the I had to leave it in the hands of the estate agent. I wonder if the viewers liked it. I had a little weird moment on Friday when I phoned the estate agent - Kevin - to tell him to go ahead and put it on the market. He asked if I had a set of keys to give him because he reckoned he knew some people who would be interested. So when I got off the phone I started driving home and you know that when about 20 million thoughts go through your mind in one minute? Well all in the space of about a minute I thought 3 major things:
1. When I told dad about me selling the flat, he said that was fine as long as i was sure that I was doing the right thing with regards to going into training. When he said this to me it kind of took me aback. I never thought that I wasn't sure about it! So I started thinking about that.
2. Kevin mentioned that he may know some people who maybe interested in the flat. So then I thought how strange and funny it would be if the first person who saw my flat decided they wanted to buy it straight away and make an offer on it!
3. All the things I have done up until now with regard to my future and going into training haven't really affected me - I'm still living and doing the same things in the same place - there has been not great cost. Putting my flat on the market is like - now it's serious, now there's no going back.

So this all freaked me out and kind of excited me at the same time. At that moment Marilyn Baker began to sing on my pod these words:
May the blessing of the Lord your God rest upon you day by day
May he keep and guide you every step of the way
And may you know his peace, deep within your heart
And may his love control all you do and say.

It was a real God moment. A moment when God spoke to me directly and said - don't worry, don't stress, it'll be ok, and I truly believe that and have done all along but I think I just needed God to reassure me and say that to me. God is brill - he knows exactly what we need before we even know it ourselves.

And finally ... little Zach, the baby I dedicated last Sunday, is back in hospital. He was puking all Saturday and Sunday so Nic phoned the hospital and they told her to bring him in. When he was in hospital, the sick started to go green - eugh! - which would suggest an infection somewhere. He has just had an operation tonight which found that some of the bowel was dead and looped around itself after his earlier operation which was causing the green sickness. They have sorted that but he may take a wee while longer to get over this. Keep praying for him please. God bless him.

Bed!!!!

laters
cx

My Mum

2007-03-18T08:29:00.000Z

(aka: Lady Rosa Jean, Wee Jeannie)

Seeing as it's Mother's Day I thought I would dedicate today's post to my mum. I know that many people would say that their mum is the bestest mum in the world - but mine really is!

My mum is the most kindest, gracious, selfless, wisest, generous, loving, beautiful, funniest, craziest, weirdest, godliest, caring, gentle, strongest, cutest, patient, thoughtful, encouraging, reliable, constant, creative, reliable mum - and person I know.

She is my best friend.

Some of the things I love about her:
I love the way she loves dad, Richard, Heidie and I with an unconditional love.

I love her for the way she listens to my incessant drivelling on and really listens and has the right thing to say when I'm finished.

I love the way she is so wise and knows the best way to deal with every situation.

I love the way she leaves the price on presents and cards.

I love the way she wears the most weirdest combinations of clothes and gets away with it.

I love the way she is so selfless and will so go out of her way to help people and not let it show in anyway that she's bothered.

I love the way she is so crazy and makes me laugh.

I love the way she always sees the good in me and encourages me.

I love the way she supports everyone - especially those who often people don't have the patience to support.

I love the way she's brought Richard and I up.

I love the way she never fights our battles but supports us and equips us to fight them ourselves.

I love the way she's exposed us to things which have really broadened our horizons.

I love the way she's protected us from things until we were able to handle them.

I love the way she gives me money for "bed and breakfast" when she comes to stay!

I love the way she comes out with the most weirdest/embarrassing ideas yet somehow seems to pull them off and people love it.

I love the way she phones me everyday.

I love the way she gets alongside people and encourages them and moves them forward.

I love the way that anyone is welcome in our house anytime.

I love the way she laughs at Richard and I when we're having a go at dad.

I love the way she hardly ever gets angry.

I love the way she loves looking at my pictures

I love the way she just says one word when she's going to do something eg: "coffee' (for making a cup of coffee) or "toilet" (when she's going to the toilet)

I love the way when she's says she's going to do something - she does it.

I love the way she knows me better than I know myself and anticipates what I'm thinking and how I'm feeling.

I love the way she gets her prayer mat out for you when you need it and gets all her friends to do the same and you know you're completely held up in prayer.

I love her.

I love her infintely.

I am immensly proud of her.

I am immensly thankful that I am her daughter.

I am immensly honoured and proud when people say I am so very like her - I tell them that next to Jesus I couldn't be like anyone better!

Thanks mum! I love you!

laters
cx

Mpower

2007-03-17T23:50:00.000Z

Today was Mpower - this is a training/retreat day I organise for children's workers in the division. I've called it Mpower because the aim of the day is to empower workers in the Ministry with children - hence the name Mpower - get it? Anyway, it seemed to go well. People responsed well and the feedback has been helpful.

My good friends Lee and Richard came and helped with the sessions. Lee did a session on developing Children's Spirituality and Richard did a session on All-Age Worship. I topped and tailed it with some collective worship and my theme was You're Worth It! I wanted to explain to those present that if we want to be effective in developing children's spirituality and all-age worship then we've got to be authentic. We've got to just be our real selves. Who God has made us to be. Ruth Tracey writes in one of her songs in the army song book - "only as I truly know thee can i make thee truly know. Only bring the power to others which in my own life is shown". When we truly know God and take on board how worth it we really are to him and all that he's done for us then we can achieve great things. In Daniel 11 it says this "the people that know their God shall be strong and do great things" (paraphrased).

I love this day. I love that nearly 50 people give up their Saturday to come the training. I love their willingness to come and get involved. I love their responsiveness. I love their encouragement. I love them. I am so grateful to Richard and Lee also for giving up their busy time to come and support me. They are so busy - I think Lee was going home to write a sermon for tomorrow. God bless him. They are cracking friends to me - a real encouragement and a real laugh and I love them! So I'd like to toast the Children's workers in my division and I'd like to toast Lee and Richard ... Cheers!

laters
cx

Do you know what's happened to his Toot????

2007-03-16T23:51:00.000Z

Quickly! Someone help this poor child!

Ha ha! That made me laugh!

laters
cx

The new addition to the Bradbury Weirdness...

2007-03-16T20:44:00.000Z

This is the new baby Bradbury! oooh I'm so excited! Isn't it such a clear photo? Normally I can never tell what I'm looking at in these scan pictures and I pretend and tell whoever that it's so cute - you know what I mean. Anyway, I can actually tell this is a baby! I can see the head, the hands and the feet - all three of them - only joking! But most of all, I think I see a big cracking great smile! Can you see it? What a cheeser! God bless it! I can tell s/he is going to bring a lot of happiness. Anyway, as you can see, the scanman is called Joseph. Richard sent him on a special course because he was rubbish and but he most definitely is not rubbish anymore! He's cracking! Top marks to Joseph! Cheers!

So yesterday's new thing - I went to my first school governors meeting! yes I am a governor of a school - Governor Bradbury that's me - to add to my list of titles: Cando Bradbury and now this. Anyway, it's all very interesting and it's a real privilege and responsibility. This governing body is for a new school which hasn't been built yet. So we're starting from scratch. The decisions we make now will determine the success of the school.

And now today... I've been preparing for Mpower. This is a training/retreat day which I am organising for the children's workers in the division. There are about 45 people coming which is great. My good friends Richard and Lee are coming to help. They are doing seminars on The Spirituality of Child and Creative Worship for Children and All-Age. So it should be a good day.

Mum stayed with me last night because she was getting the plane to Aberdeen this morning from Southampton to see her good friend Kathleen. Kathleen has been unwell for some time and has been in hospital for the the last wee while. Up until a few days ago the doctors and nurses had told her sister that they anticipated her coming home but they told Rachel on Wednesday night that actually Kathleen only had a few days left to live. When mum arrived at the airport she was told that Kathleen had died earlier this morning. So unfortunately she had not been there in time to see and speak to her before she died which I think she's sad about. In many ways it's good for her to be around for Rachel now because she'll be a good support to her in arranging the funeral and other decisions that have to be made. I know that mum will miss Kathleen very much. She was such a beautiful, gracious, elegant, discreet, gentle, and generous lady. My mum often talks about the support Kathleen gave her when we lived in Aberdeen and dad had his quaruple by-pass in Glasgow. Kathleen would travel down with her to see dad in hospital. They have been great friends ever since that time and have spoken on the phone just about everyday for the past 20 years. I know that mum has found great joy and support in her friendship with Kathleen over the years and will miss her greatly. I am really grateful to God for Kathleen; for the support she has been to our family and for friendship she has given mum and the rest of our family over the years. God Bless her!

Laters
cx

I ate Bambi! ....

2007-03-14T22:28:00.000Z

.... It's the truth! Tonight I ate a Bambi! All these fanfares of the day I should be getting for things I've done for the first time recently! Life is cool - all these new things I'm doing.

So tonight for the first time I ate Venison. Is it really unclassy to say that it tasted just like Beef? It was really lovely though - very tender. It was all just very nice. Attempts were made to make me feel bad about what I was eating, you know the "you're eating Bambi" comments but it didn't really make much difference to me seeing as I never seen Bambi! The next meat I'm going to try is either Kangaroo or Ostrich. There is an australian restaurant in Hamble where you can have this - so I'm blooming going to! I'm into trying things for the first time - Life is so much more cooler and exciting when there's loads of new things things to experience. What an exciting world God has created!

well i'm gonna go to sleep now - I don't want to be too tired to miss the new things God has got planned for me tomorrow!
laters
cx

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

2007-03-13T21:41:00.000Z

So I was browsing someone's blog (like you do) and found this - the soundtrack to your life. Here's what you do:

1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)

2. Put it on shuffle

3. Press play

4. For every question, type the song that's playing

5. When you go to a new question, press the next button

Here are the questions and here's the soundtrack to my life. Some are a bit weird but some are very fitting. This is when you get a glimpse of my crazy music collection:

Opening Credits: You Make me Feel Like Dancing (Leo Sayer)

Waking Up: Rock of Ages (Songs from Amazing Grace)

First Day At School: Everyday (Buddy Holly)

Falling In Love: All I Have to Do Is Dream (Bobby Gentry & Glen Campbell)

Fight Song: Let it Be (Elvis)

Breaking Up: End of the Road (Boyz II Men)

Prom: I Only Want To Be With You (Vonda Shepard)

Life's Ok: It Must Be You (Barbra Streisand)

Mental Breakdown: Beautiful

Driving: Created (Soul Survivor Sampler CD)

Flashback: I Feel Like Praisin’ Him (Govan Songsters)

Getting Back Together: Okey Dokey (Duggie Dug Dug)

Wedding: The Rose (Westlife)

Birth of a child: Lord You’ve Been Good To Me (Graham Kendrick)

Final Battle: This Thing I Know (Nik & Emma Pears)

Death Scene: I Believe in You and Me (Whitney Houston)

Funeral Song: Put on a Happy Face (Tony Bennett & James Taylor)

End Credits: Perfect Day (Children in Need Song)

DVD Main Menu: Lollipop (Mika)

So there it is. Interesting! Off to have to some lovely toast (one of my favourite smells! I would like to congratulate whole-heartedly the person who created toast!)

laters
cx

And another thing ....

2007-03-11T18:19:00.000Z

I've spent the day with Liz, Amanda and Nic and I just want to take this opportunity to thank them for being ace mates! There are so many things I want to thank God for especially since taking up this job in November 2003. He has blessed me abundantly! I can't even begin to tell you how much. He has blessed me with loads of great friends. Liz and Amanda and now Nic are amongst the many who have been there to support, encourage and tell me the truth - which is a very important thing to look for in friends! And we have a great laugh which is increasingly at my expense!!!

I love them dearly ...

To Liz, Amanda and Nic ... Cheers!

laters
cx

In dedicating this child to God ....

2007-03-11T17:19:00.000Z

Well it's a very special day. I deserve another fanfare of the day because I did something for the first time again today - I conducted the dedication (the SA name for Christening) of Zachary Christopher Best to God. It was an absolute awesome and beautiful honour and I thank Nic and Pete for allowing me this priviledge and having faith in me to make this special for them and for the responsibilty!

Every child is special - there's no denying it. But Zach is really special! Nic and Pete have been on such a journey to get to this point today and Zach's short life already has been one miracle after another! I'm sure that Nic and Pete won't mind me sharing with you a bit of their story because it just is a great example of the beauty, power and the grace of God!

About a year ago now Nic and Pete were about to start IVF treatment. A number of people were aware of the situation and were praying regularly for them. At Mpower (divisional children's workers training/retreat day) about this time last year, Liz (nic's twin sister), Lee and myself went to a corner with Nic and prayed specifically over Nic about this situation. We prayed that God would get rid of anything which was stopping this from happening and would fill her with his power and peace. We also prayed that if this was not what was right for her and Pete that God would give them the wisdom, guidance and strength to know what they should do. Nic tells me that it was around about this time that she fell pregnant! Wow God! What a miracle and answer to prayer!!!!

Nic had a relatively stress-free pregnancy - she even managed to come to both NRGize (our adventure camp) and MaM (children's summer camp!) and survived both very well. Zachary was due about the 2nd or 3rd week of December but was born a few weeks early. Things were at first fine but then Zach wasn't poohing. He was taken to Poole Hospital and then Southampton General Hospital where was given a wash out and things seemed to be ok. However, he soon developed trouble again and so underwent some tests. I'll never forget walking into the children's intensive care unit at the SGH and seeing him for the first time lying in this little incubator cot - he was so beautiful and so perfect and you would have never have thought all this was going on in his tiny body. Liz and I were there when he sneezed for the first time! Nic was in the process of changing his nappy. His Auntie Lizzie and I were standing at the end of the cot cooing at him when he sneezed. You've never seen Liz and I move so quickly as we were right in the firing range for any bowel explosions should they have happened!! Thankfully all was well.

Anyway, tests revealed that little Zach had Hirsprungs disease. This is basically when a bit of the bowel doesn't communicate with the brain which was causing Zach not to poo. Zach needed to have an operation to rectify this problem. Between the time the disease was diagnosed to the time of the operation which was about a month or so, nurses had to come to the house everyday to wash out Zach and his parents had to take him to hospital at the weekends to have this done. Eventually he had the operation. I remember going to see them in hospital the day of the op. When I arrived Zach wasn't there as he was just coming out of theatre and was in the coming round room. But I got a chance to see Nic and Pete. Bless them, as parents you don't expect to have to go through this especially considering all they'd been through to have him. The time they had to wait seemed like eternity!

Well Zach has come through all that. He will always have the disease but hopefully they will be able to control it so it causes no or little discomfort or embarrassment for him.

So you can see that their journey has been a long eventful one and you can see why today was such a special day for them. Zachary means"not forgotten, God remembers. Renowned by God" we thanked God today that He did not forget Pete and Nic in their desire to have a child and he did not forget Zach as he went through such an eventful first month in this world. He is very loved and very known to God and to his family and friends as well.

So thanks again to Pete and Nic for the priviledge of today. You are beautiful parents and I will watch with great love and interest the rest of Zach's journey.

so lift your glasses and toast Zachary - the one God remembered and Nic and Pete. God bless them all!

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in His hands

HE KNOWS MY NAME
HE KNOWS MY EVERY THOUGHT
HE SEES EACH TEAR THAT FALLS
AND HE HEARS ME WHEN I CALL

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

laters
cx

Forgive Me....

2007-03-10T09:02:00.000Z

Right! I've not been able to sleep. My brother has made me feel guilty... You see when I was at university I borrowed a tenor horn for some music stuff I was doing for one of the classes. I left uni quite abruptly at that time and never got round to giving the horn back.

Anyway, Richard sent me a text yesterday to say that he's been reading The Herald (a scottish newspaper) and it reported that Jordanhill Concert Band (the college I went to) came second in a big competition and apparently they would have won it but were missing a horn!

I don't believe that is a truthful story Richard - well it might be about them coming 2nd in the competition but the rest isn't, However, he has succeeded in making me feel guilty enough to get up early on a Saturday morning and confess to all who are reading this blog - but not enough for me to travel back up to Scotland to give it back.

It's not like it's not been put to great use and blessing since I've had it! If I hadn't had it I wouldn't have been able to bless Rich and Heidie with my playing on their arrival at Heathrow at Christmas! So stick that in your pipe and smoke it big brother!

I am sorry though!

Brothers are such a wind up - well especially mine! He makes me doubt myself - I'm sure he's trying to send me loopy. He also says that when we lived in Glasgow, nearly 20 years ago, we went to see the film ET. Now I am sure I have never seen it - ask me what it's about ... go on.... The answer, I DON'T KNOW!!! Other than it's about a little alien. He even mentions the cinema we went to on Paisley Road West. WE SO DIDN'T SEE THAT FILM RICHARD!!!!! So if he tells you otherwise or you hear him trying to wind me up - I just want to make it clear: WE SOOOOOO DIDN'T SEE THAT FILM RICHARD!!!!

Right, I feel alot better now.

may i be a bright star shining yeah?

laters
cx

I'm soooo excited ....

2007-03-09T23:43:00.000Z

I am so excited that I might stop breathing! I can't quite believe it.... I'm going to be an auntie! Yes, Heidie is pregnant! She and my brother are going to be parents - actually, that's quite scarey! nah, it's lovely and I'm very chuffed. Raise your glasses and toast to Richard and Heidie ....

They told me on 2 Feb. It was 7:30am and I'd just got out of the shower. It was mum's birthday so when I answered the phone Richard said that he'd just phoned mum to tell her what her birthday present was - that she was going to be a granny. My eyes began to leak! I wondered what this strange phenomenon was. Suz says that it's much more easier to get Richard to cry than me - I've become quite hard in my old age - and sure enough, both Rich and Heidie were crying at the other end of the phone. Then Rich became all macho and told me that he wasn't paying for a phonecall just to hear me cry! Aw bless him!

Anyway, It's due on 26 September which has made me even happier because most of the best people are born in September! As we are going out to see them next month, we probably won't see them again until next May unless we can wangle some cheap flights so I won't get to see my new nephew/neice for ages!

I'm also really chuffed for mum and dad because I know they will make fab grandparents. I think they might be known as the crazy ones! Mum and I were discussing what she should be called and we reckon Grandma or nana - she doesn't want to be called Granny. I think my dad might go for Grandad. For myself, everytime I hear Auntie Clare I think anti-christ and I don't want to be thinking that. Perhaps I should be called Auntie Clarey or Auntie Clarebear - we'll see. I hope that I am a big part of my new niece or nephew's life. I don't want them growing up hardly knowing me. I guess a lot will depend where in the world we all are.

So I've finally got my little baby back - yes my puter's back and working. I needed to have a new hard drive so all my stuff on the puter was lost. Thankfully I managed to back up most of it but not my music (I'd built up quite a collection over the years!) but I have a lot on my nano and I've still got my CD's so it'll be able to get a lot of it back on and in some ways I'm quite happy because I had accumulated alot of rubbish. Anyway as my mum often says, It's not brain surgery. What is brain surgery is that when they installed the new software and gave the computer my name - they spelt my blooming name wrong! IT'S CLARE WITHOUT AN 'I'!!!! for any favours! I ask you!

So here I am in bed typing. I have a cold. It has very cheekily gone into my chest but I'll survive. I have to try and get rid of it by Sunday as I'm leading my first dedication. I'm nervous - can you pray for me please? I'll tell you how it goes afterwards. I'm excited as well though.

I'm just generally blooming excited!!!!!!!!!

take good care!
cx

Oh Mr Darcy ...

2007-03-04T21:23:00.000Z

Oh my word! Yesterday I had a Pride and Prejudice afternoon and evening. Steph lent me the videos of the BBC adaption of this novel after me telling her how much a I liked the recent film with keira Knightly. All I can say is "Oh Mr Darcy..." He makes my heart skip a beat and actually takes my breath away! He's beautiful! I have heard many people go on about the Colin Firth Mr Darcy before but never got what they were going on about until I actually watched the whole series and now I get it. Cheers Mr Darcy for giving me a lovely Saturday afternoon!
A toast to the beautiful Mr Darcy ...

So anyway, the ongoing saga with my puter ... I took it to the Apple Store in Westquay shopping centre yesterday. I went in and was firm but nice. They dealt with me straight away and signed it in to be looked at properly. They asked me if I wanted to back up the info stored on it. Thankfully, Nigel had already backed most of it up apart from my music. So I enquired into them backing this up but they were going to charge me another £35 to do that! Blooming swizz! I hope they sleep well at night! The bad news is that the apple man phoned me later to tell me that my puter was very poorly (aw bless it!). The hard drive is crunching away and needs sorting to the cost of just under £200. Oh flip! So what started out as a little software problem turned into a lot more.

So here I am on a Sunday evening watching CSI - New York in my jym-jams. The world could not be much better! I've had a good day worshipping at the Gap. Linda did our meeting this morning. I enjoyed what she spoke about. She talked about when in the book of Exodus the Israelites were building the Tabernacle under the direction of God via Moses and how Moses asked for them to bring their gifts, skills and talents to help build the Tabernacle. The people gave loads of gifts willingly until eventually Moses had to tell them to stop it. Linda asked us if we'd ever heard our minister telling us to stop bringing our gifts because they had too many! Not blooming likely is the answer! But because the Israelites all gave their gifts so willingly the glory of the Lord came down and shone on them. Wow! It's true what they say: "God loves a cheerful giver!"

This afternoon I watched Happy Feet with Lesley. I've never seen it before but it was lovely! There were a number of themes flowing through it about being an individual and respecting and making the most of each others talents and skills. Also about perseverance and about being tolerant and understanding towards other people and their views and ways of living. Plus a whole load of laughs! It's good - watch it!

Then finally, the Gap again tonight. Whenever I play the piano, no matter how confident or practised I might be I always make mistakes and they're really obvious mistakes and quite frankly, it sucks! Tonight, we were getting to the end of the chorus of one of the songs so i shouted out the first line of the 3rd verse to sing it again but I was too late and everyone started singing the chorus again whilst I played the verse! In the end I just stopped had a little laugh and the then joined in with them. I must learn that I cannot lead worship and play the piano at the same time - one or the other! I may be able to multi-task cleaning the bathroom and cleaning my teeth at the same time (no I don't use my toothbrush as the toilet brush or vice versa!) but I obviously need to learn my limits! Perhaps I'll get training in the college on how to be a better multi-tasker!

laters
cx

A funny thing happened to me ...

2007-03-03T09:10:00.000Z

At a recent funeral I attended of a friend's father I was wearing my uniform. During the "thoughts on the word" bit I had my legs crossed and looked down at my foot and thought to myself (whilst listening to the preacher) "I never put those shoes on this morning." So then I uncrossed my legs and recrossed them the other way and looked at my foot again and thought (whilst still listening to the preacher) "I did put those shoes on this morning!" The startling realisation came to me that I had put two different shoes on - both black court shoes but one with quite a chunky heel which I wear when I'm going to be jumping around and one with a bit less chunky heel - more ladylike. Well there are two ways you can deal with this. You can pretend you hadn't noticed - as no one else seemed to or you can draw attention to yourself and your stupidity! Guess which one I chose? Yes the later - well you know me, always up for a laugh. But that's not the end of my stupidity. Yesterday morning, I'm getting dressed - I think with my eyes closed - I put my trousers on and didn't recognise the fit to be any of my usual navy blue trousers - I have a couple of pairs which are tight and a couple of pairs which are loose - this pair was inbetween so I just thought I'd put on weight and my loose ones were no longer loose. Anyway, thought nothing more of it until I'm sitting in a little meeting with Steve and Diane at Bulford Red Shield (Bless them!) and realise that I had a pair of black trousers on! Now maybe not that big a deal for you but the thought of wearing black trousers for me with a whole load of navy blueness was not making me happy. I am concerned that I am regressing in my behaviour and am beginning to develop an inability to dress myself appropriately - or maybe I'm just becomming my mother who often just puts on anything in the cupboard she likes the look of regardless of whether or not it goes! Which is very endearing really. Sometimes she does it because she knows no better and other times she does it out of sheer cheekiness - you can usually tell the difference because she comes downstairs with a cheeky grin on her face anticipating my reaction! I can tell I'm going to have to watch myself. This morning I'm going to take great care and and attention to what I put on.

As I often say in this blog I'm so very grateful to God for the people he has placed in my life and today I would like to pay tribute to two special ladies firstly because one has just celebrated her birthday and the other we have just found out is going to be moving to London in July.

Linda has just celebrated her birthday. On Thursday night some of us gathered at the good old Bold Forrester for a meal to celebrate the occasion. Linda has been like my second mum whilst living in Southampton. She's looked after me - bringing me supplies when I have been ill (thanks for the paracetomal and toilet roll!), had me around for lovely meals, gone shopping with me and forced me - no I'm only joking - encouraged me to realise and follow my calling to officership. I will never forget for as long as live the actual day I decided that I would do it. Linda had just come back from being an assessor at an assessment conference and in my mind this conference was one of the things that was really making me nervous about going through the whole process. So throughout the day i was asking her loads of questions about it. Then at night we had a little jaunt to Matalan in Waterlooville and then to the big Asda Hypermarket in Leigh Park and as we were walking around the shops I was still asking her questions. On these little jaunts we usually have our tea in Asda (steak pie normally because it's lovely but I don't think they had any that night) anyway, right there in that cafe in Asda, in the biggest council estate in Europe (apparently I think) I decided that I would do it - I would start the process towards officership. Right there and then Linda prayed with me and it was just a really special and unforgettable time. Thank you Linda for persevering with me! Linda is one of those people who generally says what she thinks which is sometimes helpful but at other times not so helpful! I like it because you know where you stand with her because of the honesty and it makes me laugh (you've got to really!) when she says her none helpful comments like "you'll never be beautiful!" She also makes me laugh by the way she pronounces some words - you know like the policeman off of 'Allo 'Allo who doesn't pronounce his words quite correctly? Like when she says baguette - just as it's spelt not as it's pronounced. Linda is a very generous, caring and strong person with a beautiful faith and someone who I love and thank God for regularly. I know that God has placed her in my life for such a time as this and I look forward to her coming to visit and help me out with my home leagues when I'm in my appointments.

Chris is moving (boo hoo!). She and Ian are moving to London to work on THQ. When we were told on Thursday I had mixed emotions because I will miss them both very much but I'm happy that Neil and Chris Webb are moving down here to take their place. I then realised that I would have the best of both worlds because I will be around for a couple of months with the Webbs and then will go off to the training college in London and so will be near Chris again so we can still meet for coffee! Perfect! Chris is a beautiful lady. She's another one who has been like a mum to me. I love going into Linda and Chris' office (I call them the diddy men because they're both so tiny!) and having a chat and concocting another little scheme or outing. Anyway, Chris is crazy and she hums alot but that's very endearing and if you want to chat anything through with her she comes up with a good and helpful way of seeing things. Chris is beautiful example of a godly lady and always has something encouraging to say. She always cares for you and remembers stuff that's going on in your life and follows up on that. I love the fact that she's often just like a little girl - with her excitement and enthusiasm - which is probably why I get on with her! I know also that God has placed her in my life for such a time as this and I look forward to meeting her for coffee and stuff when I'm in London.

So in case I don't get a chance to say it again - thanks Linda and Chris for your friendship, for your fun, for putting up with my hairbrained ideas and humouring me! Thanks for telling me how it is and how it should be and thanks for encouraging me to be the person God has made me to be. Be blessed beautiful ladies!

Well, I suppose I'd better get up and face Westquay and get my puter fixed. They better beware at that Apple Store - I am not happy and not in the mood! May I be a bright star shining yeah? ....

laters
cx

It's a disaster!

2007-02-28T16:54:00.000Z

Not that I am one prone to over-reacting but I do think the end of the world has come! My puter is bust! jiggered! dead! knackered! caput! and I am oh so very very sad! In fact I cried over it yesterday I was so sad. I can't believe how much I have come to rely on it. I think I love it! (not in a weird way!) I took it to the apple store today and the man supposedly fixed it but when I got home found that he hadn't so that was a waste of time. Now I'll have to go back to the store in Westquay and I hate going to Westquay and it looks like the only time I can do that is Saturday which will be a nightmare! Oh it's a disaster! Thanks be to Suz who currently allowing me to use her little puter until she returns home from seeing her dad.

I would also like to announce that I am now officially a candidate (Cando Bradbury as my brother calls me!) I have been officially accepted to go to The Salvation Army Officer Training College in September. I have lots of mixed emotions about it which i have no doubt gone on about before but on the whole I am quite excited. When you become an candidate you get a badge which has a big star on it and inside the star is a big C which stands for Candidate. I've decided that on my badge it stands for Clare - "May I be a bright star shining" yeah? Anyway, I'm not wearing it coz it's embarrassing but I have displayed it proudly on my purse alongside my candidates fellowship badge. I've decided that I'm not gonna take up badge collecting! Too many holes.

So tonight I'm getting a bit of culture and going to the theatre with some people from work and we're going to see High Society. I've only previously seen the film and the last time I saw it was when I lived in Glasgow. I went to the Glasgow Film Theatre on the invitation of my friend Claire (yes I do have a friend called Claire - and it's not me before you think I've got some sort of split personality) to see the film on weekday afternoon. It was a sing-along-a-High Society. I think that we were the youngest people by about 40 years there. It was a very surreal experience - something that I'm quite used to having when I'm with Claire! But it was a good laugh and one of life's memories that you wouldn't be without!

laters
cx

Noo That's Whit I Ca' a Ceilidh!

2007-02-24T13:07:00.001Z

Last night I went to a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee). Now a ceilidh is a scottish dance and the video clip gives you a little taster of what they're like. It wasn't quite like the one you see in the clip - we didn't wear all the scottish gear and we certainly didn't dance so well or take it so seriously but It was a cracking night and very good exercise.

When I lived in Scotland at just about every celebration we had a ceilidh. They're really cool because everyone of all ages can get involved and have a dance and it doesn't matter if you don't have a partner to dance with because you just go and get anyone up - ladies dance with ladies, children dance with adults, however the men don't generally want to dance with other men unless it's an adult/child which I can understand. The ceilidhs are one main thing I really miss about living in Scotland because they were always just so much fun.

So last night they had one at Shirley SA. It was a good laugh and everyone really entered into the spirit of it. You see if you've got a good caller to tell you what to do it doesn't really matter if you don't know the dance. They're easy to pick up and even if you don't pick it up, it's just a jolly good laugh making the mistakes or just making up you're own dance. Dr Phil was very funny doing his version of The Dashing White Sergeant.

So anyway, this morning my body aches considerably; I don't remember feeling this sore after the ceilidhs when I was younger - but it's worth it! If you've never been to a ceilidh - get yourself to one but remember to wear comfortable shoes and light clothes because it's energetic and you'll probably get very hot with all the jigging about!!!!

laters
cx

Miss Congeniality

2007-02-19T22:23:00.001Z

Last night I watched this film with Fi. What a laugh! I spent the whole film either laughing or thinking - "that's me!" Now I know I'm no Sandra Bullock before anyone reading this says "who's she kidding!" but some of her personality traits and lifestyle stuff was scarily like me! I'm not sure I'm ready to be too specific but for instance I know that I don't have the most gentil laugh; that at times I eat like I've never seen food before and that it's a constant wonder to me that I have not broken my ankles on any of the high heels I've occasionally worn (it's been pretty close sometimes and I have managed to scratch poor Margaret Moore's car when I went over on my ankle wearing stupid high heels)! I don't have a talent for playing the glasses (of the drinking kind) Like Gracie LeBush but I have been known to play the spoons to Salvation Army band marches in my past - which is equally unique. I tell you - I was the highlight of the singing company programme with this talent!

I am very aware that I am 31 now and need to start acting like it. Part of this awareness has brought about the decision to try and be a little bit more lady like so that people might think I'm older. I quite enjoy it but the Miss Congeniality in me keeps peeping through - no matter how hard I try - I just give my true self away in some generally small but sometimes mahoosive way. But is that a bad thing? Why should I try to be something I'm not? Ian (who I work with) and I often talk about the need to be authentic and if we want people to respect us and respond to us then one of the most attractive traits we can have is authenticity.

I was having a right old moan today because I was fed up of feeling like some people were patronising me and treating me like I'd just left school rather than someone who has had some experience of the world around me. So then I get to thinking - how can I act in order to try and change how I feel people see me and treat me? I guess this is something that I'm really conscious of as I think about going into training and becoming an officer - I really need people to take me seriously. After chatting with the wise old bird otherwise known as my mum (Lady Rosa Jean) she made me realise that if that was how people did see me then that perhaps it was their problem and something they need to get over - if indeed they actually do feel that way and it's not just me! But also that God has made me me for specific reason - whatever that is, perhaps I'll never know but I guess I'll just keep on being the clumsy but well-meaning me - aka Miss Congeniality!

laters
cx

P.s. Happy 30th birthday to Heidie my lovely sister-in-law!

Veggietales

2007-02-17T00:02:00.001Z

Aw this song is cute! Veggietales are cracking!
laters
cx

When I grow up I'm going to be.....

2007-02-12T23:35:00.000Z

Remember as a child you couldn't wait to grow up and had these great ideas of what you were going to be or do as adults: an actor? a dancer? a fireman? a footballer? a policeman? When I was younger I always wanted to be either a teacher ( I used to love playing schools!) or own my own motel - like Crossroads and drive a racing green Escort XR3i convertable and my husband was going to be called Gary.

I'm reading Cure for the Common life by Max Lucado at the moment. In this book Max talks about us finding our sweet spot - the spot where everything is just perfect. In relation to this he writes about us doing the thing in life which makes us happy and brings out the best in us. He suggests that if we want to know what the futures holds then we need to look backwards with regards to finding the perfect role. He expands on this by suggesting that we think back to the things that we did as a child which made us happy and that should give us a good indicator as to what will make us happy as adults. It seems ironic that another thing which made me happy when I was a child was playing Salvation Army's (I was the officer!) and I also loved going out and about with my mum whilst she was doing officery things like home leagues, over 60's clubs, jumble sales and visiting. Now I am actually about to do that for real!

Talking about jobs, I love meeting people with unusual jobs. I'm excited that I know Nick who works as a member of the cabin crew on an aeroplane and can just phone in and say "I'm fatigued" and can get a day off; then there's Sandy who's a school photographer! How cool is that? Jackie is a florist; my cousin works for Scotland Yard as forensic scientist - that is very exciting but he says it's not like CSI which I was a bit disappointed about. Then there's Amanda who's trained to be a beauty therapist just recently. I was her model when she was training.

You can't be everything in life and it's good that God made us all so differently so there's a bit of diversity and hopefully a bit less boring. We can make the most of each others gifts and best bits. For example I have these pamper evenings in my flat for Linda, chris and now steph. We eat together and then Amanda comes to the forefront using her best bits by pampering them. For example, my model (Linda) will now show you what happens. There's facials, eyelash tints ...

and pedicures ...

and we have a very nice evening. Amanda does a very good job. I can recommend her! Unfortunately, I might not live to organise another pamper evening after this posting when Linda sees these pictures displayed for all to see! But it's worth it!

In the book Max Lucado tells the story of Charlie Steinmertz who designed the generators that powered Henry Ford's first assembly lines in Michigan. Sometime after he retired the generators stalled and this brought the entire plant to a halt. The engineers just couldn't fix the problem. So Ford called on Charlie to see if he could fix the problem. Charlie fiddled with the gauge, jiggled the lever, tried the button, played with a few wires and when he switched on the master switch the motors started and all returned to normal. Charlie then sent a bill to Ford for $10,000. When he saw the bill, Ford thought it was a bit excessive and so sent a note to Charlie which read "Charlie, it seems awfully steep, this $10,000, for a man who for just a little while tinkered around with a few motors", Charlie sent a new bill to Ford saying "Henry, for tinkering around with motors, $10. For knowing where to tinker, $9,990". Max says that we tinker like no one else and that we should explore and extract our tinker talent because when you do the most what you do the best, you put a smile on God's face. What could be better than that?

So if we all found our sweet spot - the thing that is perfect for us; explore our tinker talent and do the most what we do the best how cool would life be? We could all have so much fun and be very happy and fulfilled!

Just some random thoughts!

laters
cx

The Hills are Alive ...

2007-02-08T19:38:00.000Z

Oh my word! I've been to see The Sound of Music in the westend! Oh my word! It was amazing! I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I bought the tickets for Suz for her birthday and I reckon it's one of the best birthday presents I've ever bought!

We stayed at Kev's flat which is just by the Globe Theatre. It over looks the River Thames and the scene of St Paul's Cathedral right across the way is absolutely stunning! Bless Kev, He ordered us a car to take us to and from The Palladium which was a real treat. Anyway, we finally got to our seats in the theatre. We were up in Gods so it took a little while to climb the steps - talk about climb every mountain! We were on the back row and at times I thought I had vertigo. However, despite this we still had quite a good view of the stage. Unfortunately, Connie (who won the part of Maria on How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria) didn't perform that night - it was announced that she was unexpectedly indisposed. Once we got over the initial disappointment of that we realised that we didn't really know how good or bad Connie was so it didn't matter and that the understudy would have to be just as good - and she was.

The singing and the live orchestra was absolutely stunning. The show is slightly different to the film but not in a bad way and there were a couple of extra songs which I didn't recognise but it was still fab. The baroness is not as nasty as she is in the film and Rolph doesn't tell the guards when he sees the family hiding in the convent which made me happy. What was also very interesting and lovely was that the times when Maria was seeking advice from the Mother Superior seemed so much more spiritual and poinant - it wasn't naff or overdone - it was just beautiful. Lesley Garrett who played the Mother Superior was amazing and just so suited her role. I will be listening to Climb Ev'ry Mountain with different ears now.

So Suz and I cried our way through the evening. It was amazing! Everyone go and see it NOW!

The next morning I got up early, sat in Kev's front room and this is what I saw:

How amazing! It was also so quiet. I can't quite believe that it was so peaceful in the middle of London. You know I was reminded how everyday, God gives me so much to be thankful for. God has blessed me with a very loving family and amazing friends. Isn't it so important to make the most of everyday and enjoy the people and the things that God has given us because you just never know what tomorrow brings.

This has really been highlighted to me again over the past few days. On Saturday a family who I know from Chelmsford Salvation Army were involved in a tragic road traffic accident.

Len, husband to Jean and Stepfather to Sarah was killed outright in the accident. Jean and Sarah were badly hurt and are currently still in Hospital.

Also in the car was Amelia, Sarah's three year old daughter. She was rushed to Great Ormond Street with serious head injuries.

We have heard today that her condition has deteriorated and that she has been put on a life-support machine. Earlier this Afternoon Jean and Sarah were transferred to Great Ormond Street hospital so they could be near Amelia and the officer from Chelmsford went there along with other family members so that he could dedicate Amelia to God. After this the life-support machine was going to be switched off with inevitable consequences.

My heart goes out to this family right now. It's just such a tragic situation and I would ask you to pray for them as they try and come to terms with all that's happened and that God will just guide and strengthen those people who are supporting them at this time.

God has given each of us this wonderful gift of life but it's also very fragile. He wants us to live our lives to the full - that's wnat he said. Isn't it so important that in living our lives to the full we ensure that we make the most of each day, ensure that we're right with our relationships and with the situations we're facing. Make sure we tell those people who we love that we love them. Make sure we thank the people who have added to our lives and anyone who we've hurt or has hurt us we put in order because we just don't know what tomorrow's going to bring.

Island Ahoy!

2007-01-28T18:42:00.000Z

Well it's Sunday night. I've just got back from spending the weekend in Guernsey. I love going to Guernsey. I've made some really good friends over there and people are very kind and generous. The children's work is really doing well in both the Salvation Army centres over there and the children are brilliant and really friendly.

During the summer a group of the children came over to MaM (ministry and mayhem - a camp for 8-12 yr olds) from L'Islet and then a couple of weeks later I went over there to help with the holiday club at St Peter Port. It was really good to catch up with a lot of those children this time around and great to know that many of those who came to the holiday club at St Peter Port regularly come to the Friday night club now where they play games but also receive some christian teaching.

This morning it was particularly good to see Roy, Rose and Steph. They are such lovely people and I always enjoy seeing them because they are so encouraging and supportive. Thanks you lot for being so lovely!

Now the past few times I've gone to Guernsey I've stayed in Langland! This is otherwise known as the Lang Family: Victoria, Kelvin, Francesca and Felicity. I love spending time with them. They are a beautiful family. There are many people I thank God for placing in my life and this family is definitely one of them. Now I don't thinki Victoria is a particularly soppy person (although I did make her cry yesterday - Result!) so she may be squirming at this next bit but all over the weekend I've really been trying to pin point how I feel about them. I have been so inspired by them as a family. By the love they show each other - it's not an overbearing love, it's a beautiful, secure, fun and disciplined love. Today, it was really lovely; Kelvin came looking for Francesca and I wondered what he was going to say; I was thinking perhaps he was going to ask her to do something but he just wanted to find her to tell her that he loved her! it was a really really lovely moment! Victoria is just fabulous with the girls and her and Kelvin just make me laugh!

As for the girls: Francesca is my mate! Saturday night just sitting with her on the sofa watching Dancing on Ice was cracking and really special and as for Felcitiy! She makes me laugh. She's filled with such love. She's a cheeky monkey and I think is going to cause her parents many sleepless nights. Just spending a few minutes with Felicity and Francesca and you're day is brightened up!

Francesca and Felicity - if you're reading this then imagine I am singing this song to you (to the tune of Beautiful Dreamer!)
Beautiful Flick and Beautiful Fran
They are so beautiful
Flick and Fran
Beautiful Flick and Beautiful Fran
They are so beautiful
Flick and Fran

As I've been thinking more and more about being an officer I think you tend to look around to see what kind of officer you would like to be. Now I know it's about being yourself and allowing God to mould you into the person and officer he wants you to be, but i think one of the ways he does this is to surround you with people who are good influences. I truly believe that amongst many other people including my own parents, God has placed Victoria and Kelvin in my life to be good influences on me for my officership and perhaps family life - if that's what God has planned for me. So thanks God and thanks Langlot! you're fab!

So I'm now sitting at home. I've had a lovely bath and am just relaxing by watching "As Time Goes By" (which will probably not surprise many of you who know me well!) I'm feeling slightly strange (ok, some of you will say there's no change there) and so hoping and praying that Felcity and Francesca have not passed on their colds to me! Bless them - everytime they coughed they seemed to cover their mouths after the cough! I now understand fully how children pass on bugs so easily!

laters!

cx

treadmill dance

2007-01-17T01:09:00.001Z

Wow! I watched this on ruralarmy's blog (Garry). It's so clever. I think I'd do serious damage to myself if I tried to do this. It reminded me of the time I took my mum to the gym. She only went on machines she could see the big red stop button for. So one thing funnier than me trying this dance out would be my mum having a go! I'm laughing out loud at the very thought!

laters
cx

Fanfare of the Day

2007-01-16T19:38:00.000Z

If I could, I'd have a fanfare playing as you open this post. You see, Chris Evans on his radio show on Radio 2 has a little slot called the Fanfare of the Day where children phone up and tell the nation something they've done for the first time that day. I used this at the children's camp I organise in the summer. The kids would come and tell me just before supper something they had done for the first time that day and then when we met up after supper, I'd pick 5 of them to come up on the stage, they would tell everyone what they had done, I'd present them with a special medal and then everyone would give them a standing ovation whilst they passed the big blow up trophy to each other with the big Olympic fanfare playing in the background - it was a very cool thing. Anyway, Yesterday I did something for the first time ever and so deserve a fanfare: I fed some chickens!

Meet Gertrude (the ginger one) and Doris (the dark one). They belong to Tania and Garry. Garry bought them for Tania for a wedding anniversary present. I didn't really think many positive thoughts about chickens but after meeting Gertrude and Doris I feel a little bit different about them now. I fed them some leftover bread and even allowed them to peck the bread from my hand - it felt a bit weird but I felt very proud of myself for doing it! I might get chickens when I have a garden - you get eggs from them as well! Richard had been asked to feed them whilst Garry and Tania were away. We had a chinese on Sunday night and so Richard fed them some of the leftover rice. It was special fried rice which had eggs and bits of chicken in it!!!! That's not right! You can't feed a chicken chicken! It's not entirely right feeding them eggs neither! Poor Doris and Gertrude! I hope they're not mentally and emotionally scarred!

So later on yesterday I went to the shops in Chelmsford. I love shopping in Chelmsford. The shops are cracking and it's such a lovely place. I really miss Chelmsford. As a child of Salvation Army officers you move around a lot and consequently never feel like anywhere is your home. However, Chelmsford was probably the closest I ever got to feeling this and it was a massive wrench to leave it for many many reasons and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. Anyway, one of the many things I miss about it is Deichman Shoes. It's a shoe shop in the High Chelmer shopping centre which sells very reasonably priced shoes. Here it is:

I love it and I've not seen another Deichman shoe shop anywhere so is this the only one? Can anyone tell me where there's another one?

Yesterday was Suz birthday so a group of us went to the old faithful - The Bold Forester for tea last night. Ian had Whitebait for his starter. He had this when we went there for my birthday as well. The first time I tried it I quite liked it until I saw that they still had their eyes in!! How can you eat something with their eyes still in?!?! It tastes like fishfingers really but it's guts and eyes are stll in and it just doesn't feel right eating it. Of course, Ian uses these feelings I have about Whitebait as a source of entertainment for himself and a wind up for myself! I got him back today though by telling him he looked like Beaker from The Muppets - HA! That'll learn him! Anyway, we had a nice evening and I bought Suz a ticket to see The Sound of Music - of course I bought myself one at the same time because it wouldn't be right her going by herself so I'm very excited!

And finally ... there is a nasty bug going around my office. Already 6 people have gone down with it. I am very nervous that I will be next. Now seeing as I have a phobia - or at least a very great fear - of vomit, having this bug would be a disaster! Therefore, today I took the necessary precautions:

You can never be too careful!

well, I think that's about it for the now.

I've still got a good vibe about this year.

laters
cx

So Long, Farewell

2007-01-16T08:22:00.001Z

Well here I am again sneaking on someone else's wireless! People are so unknowingly kind!! Thank you whoever you are! Richard and I are sitting here both typing on our laptops the latest post to our blogs.

Anyway, I've entitled this So Long! Farewell! because tomorrow Richard and Heidie go back to Zambia. I can't believe how quickly this time has passed. It's been so good to have them here in the country even though they've been all over the place. Suz hit the nail on the head the other day when she said that even though they've been all over the country it's just been so comforting to know they are in the same country!

It's been so good to have them home. They are both so funny and so lovely. I laugh so much with them. This whole Christmas time has been so lovely and again it's made me very thankful to God for such a fab family who are also my closest friends.

Well, at least it won't be long before we see them again. Mum, dad, Suz and I are going back to Zambia again in April for 3 weeks which I'm really looking forward to. It's not far away. Then the next year (2008) they will have finished their 3 years and so they'll be back home again for a wee while until they decide what they're going to do next. I selfishly want them not to stay in Chikankata but I also want them to do what's right with God. I'm so unbelievably proud of them both and all that they have achieved. They have both been on a journey which at times has been so difficult yet they have dealt with things in such a strong and admirable way. I thank God for the way he has been all they've needed. I thank God that he has protected them. I thank God for his faithfulness to them. I thank God that they are in my life and that he has placed them there to be such fabulous influences and to make me laugh!

God bless you Richard and Heidie - you bunch of beauties!

Miss Potter trailer

2007-01-13T02:44:00.003Z

Linda and I went to see this film last night. It was so lovely! Probably not particularly one for the guys but some might like it. Good on Miss Potter! She was a strong, beautiful and successful lady. Rene Zellweger who plays her is not on first glance the most beautiful person to look at but on second glance she has got real beauty - real natural beauty and watching her in that film I felt a sense of happy, peacefulness.

I read a book over Christmas called "Captivating - understanding the mysteries a woman's soul". In it the authors talk about how when you see a beautiful scene or view it makes you feel calm, relaxed and peaceful. However, when you're out and about in the centre of a busy town or city - it's noisy and chaotic and sometimes quite threatening. The author goes on to say that a woman who is content with her beauty - the beauty that God sees in her - her natural beauty - is like the beautiful scene: she makes those around her feel calm, relaxed and content. But the woman not content and searching for beauty makes those people around her feel hassled, uneasy and perhaps even threatened.

This really challenged me. I think most people have self-esteem issues. Some more than others and I know that I do. I've been really praying and thinking about this recently because I want to face this year and my future confident in who I am and in who God made me. So reading this gave me an incentive to be confident in the beauty that God sees in me and has created in me. I don't want people around me to feel hassled, uneasy or threatened. I want them to feel relaxed, calm and refreshed because only that way will I have any chance of being any good to God and building his Kingdom. Plus actually in my daily pursuit of continued happiness, I think this way will make me more happy.

I've got a good vibe about this year ...

laters
cx

Happy 2007!!!

2007-01-10T20:14:00.000Z

I'm really quite excited about this year. Firstly, because I like the look of the numbers 2007. I love the number 7! Anyway, I've got a good vibe about 2007. It started off as I mean to go on - laughing a lot!

We were all at Mum and dad's for new year and Suz and Liz joined us. We ordered the most mahoosive chinese which was lovely. Then we played a few games of Uno and Taboo and then we "jumped" into the new year at Heidie's instigation and sang Auld Lang Syne. Then we went out the back to watch the fireworks "display" in the back garden. I type "display" in inverted commas because I'm using that word very loosely to discribe these fireworks. They certainly were no where near as impressive as the ones in London but caused alot of gasps! Mainly gasps of fear as a couple of them headed towards us instead of the sky! I've never moved so quickly! We all bunched into poor Liz - I'm not quite sure why because we were no more protected! Anyway, you know that way when you laugh so much you can't breath or actually make a noise? That was me on seeing the freak fireworks. Richard got them for half price at Lidls. That figures - Richard you were done!

New Year's day and we all went for a walk around Dawlish whilst mum and dad got the lunch ready. It was truly beautiful there.

When we got down to the beach we all separated for 5-10 minutes and just had some time on our own which was really significant for me. On that beautiful day, in that beautiful place, I just took some time to just thank God for being beautiful in my life and praying for the year to come.

I think poor liz got quite a shock when she experienced The Bradbury family plus Suz! I think it might have been a bit like going into the twilight zone for her! Anyway, here we all are. I took the photo on my phone using the timer - I love doing that!

So we did a bit of shopping in the first few days of the new year and got some good bargains. It's a good job sometimes that Heidie and i don't live in the same country because we're beginning to have very similar wardrobes! For christmas we both got the same top and then we bought the same shoes a well. I found a dvd of Miss Congeniality which I was wanting to see because someone once likened me to the character which Sandra Bullock plays - sadly I don't think this person meant the likeness in her beauty but I think it's more that no matter how much I try to look beautiful and glamorous - I'm still a bit of a tom boy / casual bird or was it more of a cinderella thing?!?

So last weekend, I travelled to Sunbury Court to take part in the assessment conference. This conference is for people who believe that God is calling them to Officership which is a full time minister in TSA. At the conference you have 6 different interviews (academic, pastoral, vocational, one from a member of the pastoral care council (another name for an elder), a sorting the practicalilties out one and one with the Candidates Secretary). We have an assigment to complete and a book report. There is a group work session and a group discussion session. Everyone was very nervous to start with but after we got the first night over and done with things became a bit more calm. I realised after my first couple of interviews that the assessors weren't there to trick you or catch you out which was a relief because I reckon I would have been caught out straight away. I have this fear that one day I will be exposed as a fraud - I wonder what Freud would have had to say about that.

Anyway, there were 12 of us all there going through the process but plenty of people also going throught it with us from a distance.. I was so assured in the knowledge of so many people saying that they would be praying for me. It is a good job that I don't believe in good and bad luck though because if the fact that my uniform skirt was so tight I could hardly get it on was an indication then that was not a good sign! Anyway, I did get through it all and I got through it very succesfully - praise God and thanks for the prayers everyone!

So now I'm back to normal having had a nice break and some good news to start my year off positively. I've got a good vibe about this year ....

laters
cx

HAPPY BLOOMIN' CHRISTMAS!!!!

2006-12-25T10:59:00.000Z

woohoo!!! It's christmas day! as I sit here in my parents house the famous christmas clock has just struck 11am and played We Wish You a Merry Christmas! Which I want to wish anyone reading this blog right now!

You may or may not be interested to know that the Santa toilet seat I talked about in a previous post does not play music - much to my great relief! Here is a picture of it:

Have you ever seen anything like it? Mum got it from the Keeneze catalogue - I'd be interested to know how many of these toilet seats they actually sold. I can only imagine my mother buying one! It feels a bit like someone's watching you there I feel a bit uncomfortable with that!

so far we've only opened a couple of presents each and I seem to be taking after my mum coz I left the price on my dad's present - doh!

Anyway, since my last blog post, as always for everyone at Christmas, I've been really busy and all over the place. A couple of weeks ago I went to Copenhagen with my parents, Richard and Heidie and my auntie Anne. We stayed in a new youth hostel (which was a contradiction in terms with the old fogies!) - all 6 of us in one room!! Now as ridiculous as this may seem, it was actually ok. The youth hostel was really lovely (and cheap which is unique in Copenhagen!) and the room, despite having 6 of us in it was spacious enough. We did a lot of shopping (woohoo!), we went to "The Tivoli" as mum calls it which is the botanic gardens/amusement park and at Christmas time they also put in loads of christmas stalls as well. It's really beautiful at night with all the christmas lights.

We saw the statue for Hans Christian Andersen the famous storywriter who wrote The Little Mermaid - a statue of which we also saw:

They've also made a modern-day statue of The Little Mermaid which is really ugly and scarey - I did not like it!

It gives me the creeps yeah?

Anyway, we also went to Malmo in Sweden for the day. Mum wanted to go into some of the "attractions" such as the Guiness Book of Records Museum and the Ripley's Believe it or Not museum. I'd already done the Ripley's one in Blackpool so Richard went in with the oldies whilst Heidie and I did some shopping. Anyway, I'd prewarned Richard that there was a bit in the museum about gurning:

It encourages people to look in a mirror and have a go at gurning for themselves - unbeknown to them, the mirror is two-way so people who have gone on before can watch you gurning away from the other side of the mirror and making a complete fool of yourself! Apparently, mum and Auntie Anne (just as I thought) fell for it hook, line and sinker - I only wish I'de been at the other side of the mirror!

Since being back, there's been the usual christmas celebrations. Every year at work I've organised a little christmas party to do with the nativity story. The first year it was an Angel Party, then a wise men party and this year we had The Nativity Party. Everyone had a special part to play and dressed up. We had a little carol service with a little quiz and a thought and then we ate some speciality food from the mangerscene - such as manger cakes, straw (chipsticks), sheep droppings (chocolate raisins) and donkey doo (chocolate truffles). We had some lovely Angel punch to wash it all down.

Bless everyone at my work for joining in! I love them lots for the way they humour me and go along with my hairbrained ideas. I'll really miss them when I've gone.

So, I've also finally been ice-skating. Didn't get round to doing it in Winchester, didn't get round to doing in in Copenhagen. Finally got round to do it in Southampton - which was fairly disappointing because the ice rink was probably no bigger than half a gym hall so it was a bit crowded. However, there were some spectacular falling over from Liz (which I missed - bummer!), Helen and Matt. We then went back to Suz (top host) for a fantastic feast. I had everything nicely set up for the guests to get a really christmasy welcome. I pretended that we would surprise Suz with our carol singing when she answered the door. So I got them all to sing "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" and when Suz answered, we'd set the snow machine up to send snow out of the bedroom window and fall on them! Aw it was lovely!!!

So that's it just about. I'm now down at mum and dad's with Richard. Heidie's in Denmark with her parents but will join us on Thursday. Dad's off visiting some of The Salvation Army centres in the division. Mum's making the lunch and ironing Richard's pants and socks (WHAT????) Richard's playing with my new ipod nano coz he can't play with his new ipod until he buys his laptop (which i reckon he'll do tomorrow coz he can't wait!) and I've managed to sneak onto someone else's wireless network (thanks mate whoever you are!) so I can finally update my blog which I've strangely very much missed doing. Just another normal christmas day in the Bradbury household which is the fact that there's nothing normal about it! Every year it's different in some way so you don't get bogged down with traditions. It's really chilled out and just lovely. Thanks God for an ace family who I love so very much.

Whatever you're doing this christmas I hope it's not too stressful and that you just take time to relax and enjoy the company of the people you're with. Don't get bogged down with the tradition unless it brings joy! I really pray that you really enjoy the gift of hope that God gave in Jesus. Remember that this gift was the gift of a Wonderful Counsellor, a mighty God, an everlasting father and prince of peace which brings hope and all you need for all you face.

take good care

laters
cx

Jesus Goes Shopping

2006-12-23T20:26:00.001Z

I think I'd like to go shopping with Jesus - he'd be cool fun! I have no problem being like Jesus after watching this! He's wicked man!
laters!
cx

Oh No! Not the Nativity!

2006-12-10T22:37:00.000Z

Today I went to my first carol service which is pretty good going considering carol services down this way started at the end of November and it's now the 10th December! Anyway, it was a lovely one. It was a children's carol service. One of the little girls sang as a solo Away in a manger no bed for the crib - bless her and she sang it so well - no hesitation. Well if you're gonna get something wrong, you might as well do it confidently! Last year Mary got stage fright and locked herself in the toilet! They had to quickly find a substitute Mary - who incidently did very well all things considering!

Now my next comments are not in anyway related to what I've experienced at the carol service today but just some random thoughts I've recently had. It's funny how every year it's expected that the children will do the nativity in all the carol services and it is lovely but I also keep thinking about a line in a poem called If which says this: "if you give your worship and people think it entertainment then you're a child". I wonder, do we have the children doing the nativity because it really add to our worship or is it because they are just entertaining us and it's a token way of involving them. When we laugh because they make mistakes, forget their words, sing louder and more out of tune than the others, start to undress, have a fight over the cuddly sheep, wave at someone they know in the audience etc... how are we making the kids feel about what they have prepared to give to worship? This is the greatest story ever told yet we wanna see how cute and funny it can be. It's certainly something I'm challenged about now. Having said that, Jesus told us to be more like children - in their simplicity and authenticity. Therefore, when they make mistakes, forget their words, sing louder and more out of tune than the others, start to undress, have a fight over the cuddly sheep, wave at someone they know in the audience etc... in the middle of the nativity - I guess we should be happy because they are being just as God wants them and made them to be.

Am off to Denmark for the week with my family early Tuesday morning but am travelling to Chelmsford after work tomorrow so that we're nearer the airport. Hopefully, I'll get there in time tomorrow to catch up with my dear friend Rach and Christina and Julia and have a bite to eat at the Foxy Loxy - one of our favourite eating establishments (mmmnnn Hunter's Chicken!). Suz is also up there at the moment looking after her dad - Geoffrey - who is back in hospital. Geoff has a rare disease that affects the muscles - a bit like MS but it gets better, but very slowly. Geoff has had this now for 3 years and has remained so unbelievably optimistic about his situation in all that time. He has been such an inspiration to everyone who knows him and has been to see him but I think it's all getting a bit to him now - which is perfectly understandable. So whoever's reading this blog - can I ask you to pray for him and Suz as she supports him. Life has not been easy for them both and they're not the sort of people to make that a big thing. Every trial they have faced they have dealt with so positively and so strongly. God has been their support and strength in those times. I know that he doesn't give us anymore that we can handle and gives us all the resources we need to deal with each situation but seriously now - enough is enough! This is one of those occasions where we don't know the answers and are dealing with the loose ends often involved in following God's will. I just pray and would ask you to pray that God will continue to comfort and give both Geoff and Suz his peace and strength right now. At the beginning of this illness, Geoff really struggled with the step into my block of flats - it's his nemesis. When he conquers his nemesis - there will great celebrations on that final day! I thank God for them and the massive love and support they have given me. God bless 'em and God bless you all!

laters
cx

I'm a Christ Follower (Mac vs. PC Parody) Part 01

2006-12-09T14:49:00.001Z

Oh Jesus be thyself to me a living bright reality yeah?
laters
cx

Elastic Band

2006-12-08T23:31:00.001Z

Right! Everytime I watch this it makes me laugh so much. It reminds me of my office!
laters
cx

Brassed Off!

2006-12-05T23:25:00.000Z

Well Richard and Heidie have finally arrived and it's so good to see them! We've all be waiting for this day for ages! They had a great welcome home. Mum arranged for a little salvation army band to play carols as they arrived and she also got the SA chaplains at Heathrow to help out with getting R&H through customs quicky and getting permission for the band to play. As the plane was going to be late, we did a little bit of carolling beforehand and collected some much needed funds for the chaplaincy service at Heathrow. Anyway, bless Ian (Scott)! He organised for a few bandsmen from Chelmsford SA to come along and play (Matthew, Keith and Andy) plus a couple of odd players (emphasis on the 'odd' as it was Nick and I!) Mum decided that she wanted the band to wear red festival tunics! Now when I heard that I may be needed in the band, that was one thing but then to be told that she wanted me to wear a red festival tunic well, I was not best pleased! Neither was Nick. Nick who at his own candidates farewell to go into the college for officers wore his shorts and army polo shirt! and what made me laugh was that she thought I would moan about it more than him! At least i still know where my uniform is in my cupboard! At least it gets an airing about once a month! Nick's has probably got mothballs! Anyway, my mum bribed me to wear the red tunic - yes bribed! This is meant to be a lady of God! She is corrupting me, her young impressionable daughter! Needless to say, I'm not going to look a gift-horse in the mouth! So I agreed to wear it and mum agreed to pay for a third of the cost of my new MP3/MP4 player! That is a very good deal if you ask me! Anyway, we finally got back to Southampton where Suz had bought in food from the chip shop. Richard was very excited about having a sausage and chips and a can of iron bru. He ate it down like he'd not seen food for a long time - bless him.

They've now left to go and catch up with all their friends starting with Nick and Lisa in Stratford. We've spent the past couple of days shopping pretty much all the time! I never need an excuse to go shopping so I've been in my element really and Heidie's always very good for encouraging the shopper in me and I in her. She bought the same coat as me today so we were walking around West Quay this afternoon like twins - we also bought the same skirt yesterday (of course the only difference is that she buys the size loads smaller than me because I'm a fat rat!). Today I also managed to do something which you dread doing in a shop. I picked up an ornament to show mum as a suggestion for a present she could buy for someone but I unfortunately dropped it and broke the hands off of it! Thankfully, my mum liked it so bought it and I bought the superglue to fix it! I was very embarassed!

Yesterday, we went to Gunwharf which is one of my favourite places to shop. We went to the Water Margin for lunch which is a chinese buffet. It's like a massive canteen but the food is excellent and this time it was Heidie's turn to eat like she's hasn't seen food for ages! Yesterday, I also bought a new suitcase for my holiday to Zambia next year and any other journeys where a considerable amount of clothes are going to be needed. It's a very exciting case and very good value! Last night, Heidie and I were doing some investigations to see if we could fit in the case! We both did very well but we did feel like we were suffocating so couldn't stay long inside.

As you can see the case is quite bright. I left it in the shop whilst I looked around the shops some more and went back to collect it when we were finished. Mum told Richard to shout when he saw me but when he did see me, he told mum that he didn't need to shout because I was shouting loud enough with my new case and that was without speaking because it's so bright! Oh well, at least there'll be no mistaking it in the luggage reclaim bit!

So the parents have left and I'm getting ready to go back to work tomorrow for a couple of days before I'm off again! What a life! I have a good job!

laters!
cx

Praise God! I'm Healed!

2006-12-02T20:36:00.000Z

This is me! Praise God I'm healed! I LOVE SHOPPING!!!! After writing my last post, Suz was concerned and felt that she needed to help me find myself again and find my love of shopping. So she suggested a quick visit to some shops this afternoon. Now it was touch and go for a few minutes because we did choose a very busy time to go to the centre of Southampton shopping (Saturday afternoon - 1st weekend of December!) but I coped and all of a sudden ..... Just as I entered Accessorize ... I found me! and from then on in it was easy! We shopped and shopped as if no identity crisis had ever befallen me. However, it was coming to the end of the shopping spree and I was becoming slightly disappointed because I had bought nothing for myself. Suz had bought me a coat but this was my Christmas present from her so I still hadn't bought anything for myself. We went into M&S as the last shop before the carpark and the disappointment was growing. I was just browsing around, and then I saw it and took it to the counter almost immediately. This was when I knew that I had been healed completely - because I bought a bag!! It's just so good to be myself again!

So tonight, I have put up my christmas decorations. I'm not sure my flat looks particularly christmasy though. I thought I'd put them up now for when my brother and his wife (Richard & Heidie) come home from Zambia on Tuesday. They don't really celebrate christmas in Zambia although it is meant to be a predominantly christian country. Seems strange, therefore, not to celebrate probably the most prominant christian festival! but hey - never mind! Richard & Heidie will make up for it when they arrive back home to all the palava we get caught up in, although I'm really not quite sure what some people here in the UK think they're celebrating at christmas anymore. Every year we say it's all getting a bit out of hand but every year it seems to get worse. My mum loves christmas and goes a bit mental mickey with some of her christmas decorations. One year she got a mat so when you walked in the door you stood on it and christmas music played. Another year she got a clock which plays christmas music on the hour. This year, she has bought not only a doorpull - you hang it over the door and pull the cord and it plays music (I'm very honoured because she also bought one for me! Luckily, or unluckily it doesn' fit over my front door so is on my living room door instead) and apparently, she's also managed to acquire a christmas toilet seat cover which I think might even play music as well not sure if it's sensor operated or if it plays in time to "noises" - one things for sure, it will be interesting to see how it works so watch this space! It would seem that mum is looking for as many christmas music playing novelties as possible. It's very funny and endearing really. The other thing my mum does which has become a family joke is the fact that she always seems to leave the price on her presents! This year Richard and I will probably be watching closely to see how many presents we find out the cost of.

Christmas brings with it so many different emotions for so many different people. It can be so stressful to make it a happy occasion because of many reasons including family situations, past memories of bad christmases, loneliness, debt, living up to so many expectations with presents and relationships and so the list goes on. For me, it just makes me so grateful for what God have given to me in my wonderfully understanding family and friends and the best gift he gave to me - Jesus and the peace and joy that he brought. Wouldn't it be great if in every household this Christmas Jesus enters so that the tension and negative emotions disappear and people celebrate the real peace, joy and love which was God's gift to us in Jesus.

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee to-night.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

O holy Child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us to-day.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

laters
cx

It's the end of the world as I know it!

2006-11-30T22:28:00.000Z

Right! It's a disaster. Now this is normally me:

I love shopping! It's brilliant! I love it even more when I've got nothing planned for the day but to shop shop shop with my mates (good shopping mates: Suz and Rach - see below)

We just chill out and have a good old laugh. We shop, drink coffee, shop, eat lunch, shop, refreshment and shop. Then we go home and play wih our purchases! O the joy!

However, I've come more and more to the realisation over the past couple of days that this is more like me:

Yesterday I went for a look around the shops but wasn't in the mood and couldn't be bothered - what is that all about? I COULDN'T BE BOTHERED!!! I can always always be bothered shopping! and today, I went to the beautiful Tescos - my local and just was uninspired and only ended up buying caramel shortcakes as a consolation for the ways I was feeling!

So you see, it's a disaster! I don't know who to be anymore! Who am I? I do hope that this is just a blip in my life and that I can find my identity again.

Tonight I was going to look after my beautiful godson Hayden because his parents Caroline (my cousin) and Russell were due to go to the final practices for the big carol service on Sunday. Hayden is the most beautiful boy in the world - his father will not thank me for calling him beautiful - that's how you describe girls he would say. Anyway, poor Hayden had a collision with the ground today and had to go to hospital where he was stitched up just above his eye. So because of this, Caroline decided that she would stay in to make sure he was ok. I'm kind of glad about that because I wouldn't have wanted him puking on me if he was suffering from concusion. Last time I looked after him, his thank you present to me was a nasty sickness bug where I thought I had died and gone to hell! Anyway, I going to see them tomorrow to check up on them and I'm really quite excited about it.

Also today, my friend Liz text me to get my prayer mat out because her twin sister Nic who expecting a baby, waters broke in the night and the baby isn't due for another couple of weeks. Now a couple of weird things happened today because of this. Firstly I sent an email out to a few friends to tell them to get praying and all of a sudden as I'm having a chat to Manda on the phone about it, I get an email from no other than Nic herself - I asked her what on earth she was doing as I thought she was having a baby! It gave me a fright! She seemed as calm as anything waiting for the midwife. And secondly, I sent a text to liz to see if there was any news later on today. Liz told me that there wasn't but that her lower back had been killing her all day. I thought (because her and Nic are twins) that she was going to have a phantom baby and have all these sympathy symptons and was quite excited about that. When I mentioned it to Liz she told me it was because she thought she had a cold coming on - doh! How can she be thinking about that when her twin sister's about to give birth!

isn't life just a bit weird and crazy sometiimes - you just never know what's around the corner. A couple of people have used this cliche to me this past week. I'm watching out more carefully for those corners at the moment because some of them you just don't want to be going round - but keep right on that straight road! I've gone down some corners in the past couple of days I'm not happy with. I'm having a few days rest now.

Bed for me now. I think today has been the longest day in the history of the world!

laters!
cx

Saliva City!

2006-11-28T18:32:00.000Z

So last night was kidz club which I help out at. We have two clubs at my church on Monday evening. The first one is for 6-10 yr olds and the 2nd one is for up to 13 year olds. The 2nd club is just a hang out club - we put snooker, table tennis and other games out for them to just chill out at. About 20 kids come along and it's good fun - we've made some good relationships with them all. The 1st club is cracking! I love it. It's more structured and so each week we try and organise something for them. We have seven boys who come along and they are so funny. Last night we had a challenges night. We gave the boys different challenges like how many sit-ups they can do in a minute and how long can they go without blinking and so the list goes on. The best challenge was to see how long they could keep a malteser in between their teeth. After a while, the saliva builds up and then we get them to bend over and all the saliva dribbles out on to the floor- it's so funny and the boys loved it! What a laugh! It's great working with that age. They are so brilliant.

Today at work has been crazy. Yesterday Ian (who I work with) and I decided that we would try not to laugh at all today. However, by the time I got to work I'd already laughed very heartily about 3 times so I was on to a loser from the beginning. When Ian came in, he took ages to walk up the stairs and when he walked in the door he had this face on him which was trying so hard to not to laugh. He explained that he had walk up the stairs slowly so to get into the right frame of mind not to laugh - which made me laugh. It was hopeless, within ten minutes, both Ian and I had laughed millions of times! However, I love laughing! When I die, I want to die laughing! Wouldn't that be a fabulous way to die? I was thinking of the song Uncle Albert sings in the film Mary Poppins when they float to the ceiling because they are laughing so much:

I love to laugh
Loud and long and clear
I love to laugh
It's getting worse ev'ry year

The more I laugh
The more I fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more I'm a merrier me
It's embarrassing!
The more I'm a merrier me!

Some people laugh through their noses
Sounding something like this "Mmm..."
Some people laugh through their teeth goodness sake
Hissing and fizzing like snakes

Some laugh too fast
Some only blast - ha!
Others, they twitter like birds
Then there's the kind
What can't make up their mind

When things strike me as funny
I can't hide it inside
And squeak - as the squeakelers do
I've got to let go with a ho-ho-ho...
And a ha-ha-ha...too!

We love to laugh
Loud and long and clear
We love to laugh
So ev'rybody can hear
The more you laugh
The more you fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more we're a merrier we!

The rest of the day was just crazy like that - laughing all the time. People were just in a very crazy mood today - especially this afternoon. It was ridiculous. Looking back over the day and what we were doing, I find myself thanking God that I can laugh! I know that there's probably many people in this world right now who can't bring themselves to laugh for many reasons. I thank God that despite all the things that have happened in my life, I'm still able to laugh now. They say that laughing is very good for you and is like a jog on the inside. I reckon in that way I'm in good shape! I thank God that he has surrounded me with many people who also love to laugh! I love laughing!

However, with that in mind, I am now feeling a sense of mourning as tonight was the last in the series of Trinny and Susannah Undressed. I absolutely love Trinny and Susannah! I think they are very beautiful, strong and wise ladies. And I do believe that the way you dress says a lot about you but also makes a whole difference to the way you feel about yourself - rightly or wrongly. Their new series has been really emotional to watch. I love the way that they make people feel better about themselves the way they are now. They don't try to change their actual bodies but try to make the best of them. Bless them! I hope someone buys me the new Trinny and Susannah book for Christmas. I'm not buying it now in the hope that someone will! We laughed at the possibility of Trinny and Susannah coming into our office and making over all of us working there. I reckon that would be a real challenge but very very funny!

Right, can't write an epic again so I'm finishing up now. Remember, laugh - see how much better it makes you feel! Come on, you can do it!

laters
cx

Panda Sneezes

2006-11-27T21:44:00.001Z

This so cute and funny. Every time I watch it it makes me laugh. As always, children can make a massive impact on our lives!

WHO AM I???

2006-11-25T09:10:00.000Z

DISC profiling yeah? This is what we did in work yesterday. It was basically training to see what sort of person you are in your team. There are 4 main categories - Dominance, Influence, steadiness and conscientious. To start there were about 28 questions. Each question had short character descriptions and you had to mark which out of the four you were most like in a team and which one you were least like. From that we got points which we plotted on this grid and that somehow worked out what sort of person we were. My highest two (by far) were i and s which were Influence and steadiness. Which figures - especially the influence. In a group it means that I tend to be motivated by relationships rather than task. I am quite an encouraging person but also require that for myself. I don't like to be kept out of any social activity going on (which would be hard in my office because I'm the one who generally organises them!). Anyway, it was interesting because there was only one Dominance in our office which worked out well because it was our boss! Most people were a mixture of conscientious and steadiness. There were only two influence and I was one of them. I read the description of my two characteristics and it was freakily like me! Which challenged me because we all like to be individuals. God made each one of us unique and special - there is no one else like us - well that's what we preach but yet I fitted into this box perfectly along with many other people who have done this training and worked out to be this type of person as well! I wasn't happy about this to be quite honest! So perhaps my aim in life now on is to fit into none of these characteristics but to make up a brand new one which IS unique to me! However, perhaps there is some comfort in knowing at the times when you feel a complete weirdo freak that other people feel and act the same way as you. Also, one of the supposed character weaknesses of being in the influence category was that you tend to be excitable. Now, when in the world did it become a weakness to be excitable? Are we all meant to walk around like blooming Zombies now? What's that all about?!?!?! I understand that there are negative points to being excitable - but you can say that about many characteristics can't you? I know that being excitable can mean that you might be slightly annoying to others at times and that perhaps you may make rash decisions but on the whole I would say that excitement brings about enthusiasm, motivation, happiness and is a generally positive emotion. It also means that you never really get bored of life! Look I know that this shouldn't be taken too seriously - and I'm not doing that but these are just some points about this that I wanted to get off my chest. Is being excitable a weakness? Discuss!

I am gutted to say that I a never got to see The Polar Express last night after my rantings about it in my last post. I had every intentions of seeing it but then got caught up with chatting to my boss. Now if anyone knows my boss, you will be aware that once you get him started talking - there's just no stopping him! He is a good guy, a really good boss, a really sincere christian example to me and we have a good laugh. He was once the private secretary to the general of The Salvation Army. I know that he gets quite a bit of stick within TSA about this job being a cushy number. The nickname for people in this job is "the general's bag carrier" but I find his stories about it really interesting and i could listen to him going on for hours. He recognises that this job did allow him loads of amazing opportunities but with those amazing opportunities also came some real challenges; having to cope with the almost constant travelling like being in Pakistan for 5 days and then getting home only to fly off somewhere else 36 hours later for a few days - yes I know all you travellers would think this was great but to be doing this for 3 or 4 years (or however many years it was) constantly i don't reckon is great and not good for your whole body clock. It's not like it's a holiday when they get to these destinations is it? They didn't stay in the best hotels all the time. They had to stay in some awful places where the food was dodgey, the sheets were not clean, the toilet was a pot and not eating properly for days on end and anything you did eat there was always the fear it was going to have a negative effect on you - so you'd have to make sure you took enough of the necessary medication for such times and have to carry on regardless - put a smile on your face even though inside your stomach you felt like Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks were having a wrestling match and having to deal with people who had dillusions of grandeur as to how important they were. All of this is not in the least bit my idea of a cushy number! However, they did get to visit some amazing place, staying in some amazing hotels, meet some amazing people and experience some amazing things and he never complains about it - the positive experiences far outweigh the negative and the negative ones were all character building and perhaps many of them you wouldn't want to change. So he says that when (and a big IF!) I become an officer, if I'm ever offered this job I should jump at it. Unfortunately we realized after saying this that really only people who fit into the Conscientious category (like he does) would be suitable for this job because you had to be very organised and quite task and end result orientated. I don't think that this job is suited to someone like me who is an 'i". I don't think they'd want someone too excitable!

I think quite alot about the pros and cons of The Salvation Army being such a big part of my life and the discussions with my boss last night about his job with the General brought about a bit more thinking. I was brought up as an officers child. My parents were (and still are) Salvation Army officers. Now the demands of this job meant that they were pretty much on call all the time, so were out pretty much every evening, we had to spend most christmas days at the army, no particular place felt like home because we had to move around a fair old bit, so you were changing schools and having to make new friends which was a right pain and often you as the offspring didn't leave home to go to university like most in the family rites of passage but the parents left you to go to another appointment. I reckon that there's a number of OK's (affectionate name for officer's kids) who have a massive chip on their shoulder about this and I guess I can understand why because we didn't get a lot choice or say in this lifestyle - it was chosen for us (in many cases before we were even born) and I guess there have been a number of occasions as I've grown up when I have could nurtured the negative feelings about it. But then I actually look back on my life so far and just thank God for the amazing opportunities being an OK has given me. I have lived in some brilliant places. I have met some brilliant people and made some great friends. Because of a special bursary offered to ministers children, I was able to go to a private school which was one of the best schools in Edinburgh and this gave me such a good education. I have had my eyes opened to some real interesting, sad, scarey, funny, amazing experiences all which have helped mould me into the person I am today. Plus I have had THE MOST perfect example of parents anyone could hope for. They have been two of the most brightest stars shining in my life and have been brilliant examples of what being a true christian is about. If i do end up being an officer as well - which is what I'm planning on doing, if I'm half the officer my parents have been, then I'll be doing well. In all walks of life there pros and cons and it's easy to walk around with a chip on your shoulder about the cons. But as christians, God never promised us that life would be easy. He didn't promise that we would never have hard times. He promised that he would be with us always and give us all we needed to get through. He came to give us life in all it's fulness. He told us to celebrate Him (and in Him we celebrate life) all day every day. We're told that the joy of the Lord is our strength. All of this reminds me that life is so much better when we concentrate on the pros rather than the cons. That we acknowledge the cons as character building and learning experiences but that they don't dominate our lives and our relationships. It's something I'm still learning at times but I'm trying hard to live by. A quote I read recently: 'I can complain because the rose bush has thorns or rejoice because the thorn bush has a rose - it's up to me"

laters!
cx

Hands Up for Coffee!

2006-11-23T21:45:00.000Z

I love going for coffee with Marilyn! She's one of the nicest but craziest ladies I know next to my mum and Heidie! Every month or two we meet for coffee - just as friends but also as a support to each other. Our coffee sessions last for most of the day. We met at Starbucks at 10:30am today and we finished about 2:30pm! It's crazy! We reckoned that if Starbucks had one of those loyalty cards where you got a stamp for every coffee you ordered and then had a free one every ten coffees then we would be claiming our free coffee in one sitting! Anyway, Mazza - (as I affectionately call her - and Bazza her husband!) is great and I love her dearly. She's one of those people who you sit down and look at and just want to tell everything to her coz just by listening and smiling she makes things right and she's just so caring and encouraging. She really is a bright star shining in my life. God bless her!

Tonight I went to Dorchester to catch up with my mum at my auntie Anne's flat. We showed Auntie Anne and her friend Sandra the photo's from our trip to Zambia - just let me check, is there anyone who has not seen these photos yet because I'm sure between my parents and i we have shown the world and his wife! and just in case someone hasn't I've put in a cheeky couple of pics of our safari - the beautiful hippos and cheeky dung beetle. My Auntie Anne is something else. Once you meet her there's no forgetting her! If you ever watch Last of the Summer Wine there's a character on it called Marina who is Howard's fancy piece. There are likenesses between her and my Auntie Anne but Auntie Anne is about 20 times worse. when she talks she could go in competition with a fog horn and I have never met anyone else like her in my life. She and mum are like opposite ends of the spectrum the only common bond is their craziness. Nevertheless, I absolutely love her and wouldn't swap her for any auntie in the world. We're all going to Copenhagen for a few days next month and she is determined to get herself a danish man like Peter Schmichael (I take it he's danish - I'm not sure - that's what she says). I'm not sure if she'll find him in the christmas markets but I'm all for looking!

So the Toad in the Hole .... Oh my word! It was absolutely lovely and if you could only taste it over the website I'd let you have a slice from the picture which shows Suz showing off her prize-winning creation. Well done Suz with some very nice roasties and peas and sweetcorn - you just can't beat it. I bought a nice cherry pie and custard for pudding. I rolled home that night I tell you and I'm still rolling!

So tomorrow we're having a training day in my office. Its the DISC training - not sure what that stands for but apparently it's about finding out what role you take on in a team. It should be quite interesting. I like doing things like this - finding out what sort of person I am. I shall update you as to what I find out about myself. In the evening I'm going back to Petersfield to check out their kids club. They're showing the Polar Express which I'm very very excited about. It's a beautiful film and the animation/graphics are amazing. I went to see it in the cinema originally with Suz and Rach. There were many gasps of amazment from us during the film because of the graphics - it was so lifelike. The best bit is when the elves are just about to meet Santa Claus and they start with a "oooohhhh" which starts quietly and gradually gets louder and they move their arms from one side to the other above their heads and then break out into "You better watch out, You better not cry, you better not pout I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town" and then there is an enormous cheer and Santa appears! Woohoo!!!! It's sooo beautiful. If you've not seen it - DO! and do it this christmas! do it now before it's too late!

laters!
cx

Another Culinary Delight ....

2006-11-21T19:29:00.000Z

My friend Suz she is a blooming fab cook. Tonight's culinary delight is Toad in the Hole. She's never made it before but I reckon it will be just beautiful. She has got the gift of hosting and I think I'm very good at being hosted! Anyway, Suz and I used to share a house with my bro Richard (whom I love very very much and miss loads - he lives in Zambia you know). The deal was that Suz and occasionally Rich would do the cooking and I would do the washing up coz I hate cooking so much! Anyway, she's moved down to Southampton now which is very good for me because I was getting quite sick fed-up of my cooking so have been making the most of it! and what's even better now is that Suz has got a dishwasher! Sooooo I don't need to keep to my side of the arrangement! Cheeky!! Suz has just said that she loves cooking! Out of the blue - no one asked her to say it and quite frankly she can keep it! I hate cooking! I'm not the worst cook - I can cook. I'm more in the Won't cook if I can help it group. If I ever find the man of my dreams (a very big IF because my experience of men recently is making me crazy! Is there ever a dream man? A debate for another day) Anyway, if I ever find the man of my dreams amongst many other attributes (standards standards!) he really must have the gift of cooking and enjoying it. I will do the washing, I will clean the toilet (I strangely find that rewarding), I will dust, I will hoover, (I would say I would iron but I'm not overly sure what that is!) but I will not cook if I can absolutely help it! I just don't like it! Have I made my point? I tried watching Saturday Kitchen to inspire me but it just made me salivate and just go and make myself another slice of toast. However, having said that, I do enjoy Tesco's Finest Chilli and Pork Sausages with wedges and roasted vegetables. mmmmnnnn! Sausages are just delicious.

Today has been a bit of a nuisance day. Ian (who I work with) and I were going to deliver a lecture on communicating with Children and Youth at The Salvation Army Officer training college in London tomorrow. We were flapping this morning getting our stuff organised and then Ian had a phone call from Lou - his wife to say that she had taken the third child in his collection (a long story - and a long family!) to the doctor because he has a chest infection and the anti-biotics weren't working so the doctor told her to take him to the hospital for a chest x-ray. On having the x-ray done, they found that poor baby Benny has got Pneumonia in both his lungs! God bless him! So they're keeping him in hospital for a few days. The wee soul! Anyway, that put a halt to our visit to London tomorrow so our flapping was wasted!

So only 2 weeks today until my brother Richard (or big dick as I sometimes affectionately call him!) and Heidie will coming home for Christmas from Zambia. They work for The Salvation Army out there at Chikankata hospital (check out his blog: www.charliechikankata.blogspot.com). They've been there since May last year. We went over to see them in April this year and had an absolutely fabulous time. We're going again next April. Anyway, I miss them so much. I know before they went they lived in Scotland so I wasn't seeing them very much then either but it was a lot easier to see them should the opportunity arise! Sometimes, I wish I had another brother or sister (delivered by the stork of course!) as it's a bit lonely with rich being so far away. I hope that God doesn't tell them to stay there! Rich is one of the funniest, most generous and most wisest person I know. And Heidie is one of the most beautiful but craziest person I know and when they are together they make me laugh.

Right - the toad in the hole is ready. I can't tell you how excited I am about eating it! It's taken some time to make but I know it will be worth it! will tell you about it.
laters!

Woo hoo! I'm a blogger!

2006-11-19T23:52:00.001Z

This is very exciting! I've finally decided to get blogged up! I don't know how it will all work out and whether I'll be motivated to keep it going for long but hey - I'm gonna give it a try. I wonder if I can make my life seem interesting? It's interesting to me but I just wonder if it will be to people who read this?

Today, I have led the worship in Peterfield. It's been a fun day. I like the people at Petersfield - they're really lovely people who are very welcoming and make me laugh. The kids there are so keen and happy to be there and that's so encouraging. In today's society there's so many other things for kids to do on a sunday that church often loses out. These kids from Petersfield are made to feel loved and cared for and the adults really take a keen interest in them and each other. You know, you can have all the up-to-date technology etc.. but at the end of the day I reckon what most people want is to be made to feel loved and cared for because life can be so busy and inpersonal and that's more of a pull than any state of the art stuff.

However, I will say that Petersfield has been a very cold place for me today - my feet have been like blooming blocks of ice and I have been glad to come home just to thaw them out. I'm looking forward to getting into my bed because I've got the electric blanket on ready to warm up my tootsies!

Have had a nice time unwinding since I've got in - checking out my emails and watching CSI - I love the new channel Five US coz it shows CSI all the time - it's cracking! I don't know what it might say about me that I really like programmes like this. I've really missed Midsommer Murders tonight. Mum and I normally have a wee bet to see how many murders there's been. It's brilliant Sunday evening viewing. Mum and dad often have to visit Midsumer Norton as it's in their area for work. I always get slighty worried when they go there - I don't want them to be any of the murders I'm betting on! I make sure I tell them to be careful when they're going near the place - you just never know!

Well my feet cannot take it any longer. I'm off to warm them up. So my first blog is finished. I've quite enjoyed doing it really. I didn't think I had that much to say!

laters cx