Feet havent touched the floor!

The last few months have been absolutely busy as can be....but in a really great way...there has been so much going on it has been impossible to stop for very long at all....I have been trying to blog about so many things but instead have been experiencing all sorts...which in a way is good right?

The Paraolympic games for one were awesome, I can't find words to describe what a day we had...from start to finish we felt part of something really special and all had such a fun filled exhausting but inspiring day...I did say at lunch it felt like the best Greenbelt style of festival ever without the rain and Jesus...but actually everywhere you looked ( as my wonderful friend Rosemary reminded me) Jesus was very much there....you could see him in the beauty of the buildings, the English gardens the caring and friendly games makers, the visitors from all over the globe and especially the amazing heroes who were the athletes...who have over come some horrendous experiences to be the best they can be at their sport...truly inspiring! It made me think as i have had time to reflect, how absolutely amazing God is in his creation.

And from that I was then straight into my Ordination retreat to the priesthood...I had 4 days away ( something I hate) to spend in silent contemplation...the silence was sooo hard and I really did struggle and did flounder at times...but it was a great time to really contemplate the calling upon my life that actually felt ( and still does feel) like an amazing privilege that I often don't feel worthy of serving God's people. See previous Blog!!!

Since that amazing weeekdn I have had the pleasure of sharing communion at 3 different churches, of praying with people who have had the most horrendous experiences anyone can ever dream of and have spent time planning a couple of new ventures....very exciting ( watch this space!!)

These last few weeks have still been ridiculously busy but I am trying to take time to remember the importance of spending quality time with people and especially with Marc and Daniel!

The Vicar of Dibley!

What a week! What a weekend! What a week!

These last few days have been exhausting, emotional, nerve racking, tyring and the most amazing days I have experienced for a while!

Last week I embarked with some 19 others on a silent retreat to prepare us for our ordination as deacons or in my case as a Priest into the Church of England. The time away was really difficult for me as i had to wrestle with feelings of guilty having to leave Daniel and anxiety at having to be quiet for so long.
The week, I can not lie, was very difficult for me, I struggle to be left to my own devices in silence and really need to be guided. However, I did manage to take the bull by the horns and found myself exploring the wonder of creation, trying to be creative ( however my attempt looked more like something Daniel would have created rather than me!) and read lots of books I have had on the shelf for ages!

As the time drew closer to the ordination on Saturday I found myself becoming excited as apposed to nervous and I wasn't to be disappointed. All Saints Frindsbury really did pull all the stops out to make the service the most amazing, exhilarating and wonderful moment I could have ever dreamed of. Bishop Stephen Venner spoke brilliantly in words that we could all understand on a level that was just right for each one there and gave us permission, if not insisted that we as priests should be at the local cafes pubs and clubs being with "normal" people...I like that!!!
But of course the truly awesome moment has to be when he laid hands on my with other priests that I have contact with, including my parents and brother in law...a truly awesome moment that I will never forget.

I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and family, family who travelled journeys of 5 or 6 hours there and back just to be with me, friends who sacrificed many a thing just to be with me, colleagues and parishioners giving up their time just to be with me....it truly was overwhelming.

Sunday also proved to be amazing being able to conduct my first Eucharist with my family in the congregation was a little daunting but to see Daniel at the back almost copying my actions with a dolls plastic cup and saucer brought a tear to my eye!

So the big question asked is do I feel different? All I can answer is I feel totally humbled, totally as if this is all a dream and totally in awe that God can use such a person as little ole me!