It's beginning to look a lot like....

it's been a crazy busy few days, make that few weeks....doing a lot of schools work means that this time of the year schools are keen for me to be involved in various parts of school life whether that's to just go along and watch nativity plays, to visit nursery classes and do a lesson about Christmas, to whole school carol services, Christingles and even the pleasure of a class party !
It is an exhausting time, the usual winter cold, sore throats has kicked in and the mild panic about how am I going to find the time to write the 2 talks/sermons I've still not done for Sunday let alone wrap presents and prepare the house for our family Christmas.

Yet tonight we ventured out, a band of merry singers, Carol singing in and around Lodgehill in Chattenden to share free mince pies and goody bags . It was cold, we haven't done it before yet the reaction as we walked and sang was amazing, people came out of houses, people stopped and listened and we even made some cry so moved were they that we'd come to them.
When we are so busy we can loose track of what Christmas is all about ...the spark of love come down in the form of a baby. That love is what I want to share with everyone, this year I've been so blessed to be able to hear that love told, shared and sung throughout our schools and to those members of staff who've invited me in I'm grateful.
This Christmas amidst the busyness of what needs to be done.....take a moment to watch, to observe, to take in the moment , the love come down and be blessed x

Waiting

its been a while! We've had no internet for 6 weeks and we've moved house so life has been pretty hectic!
In 7 days time we will be on the cusp of Christmas Eve..."The most wonderful time of the year !"
Until then there seems an endless amount of things to do ....3 Christingles, 2 school carol services, 2 crib services and a host of other services and appointmets let alone the secular side of stuff to do!! It's so easy to feel overwhelmed by the task ahead yet in doing that I fear we miss the precious moment. The time to step back and take time to appreciate what's to come. For this moment, advent is a time of preparing and waiting....waiting for the greatest day the greatest moment when heaven and earth touched through the birth of a baby. ...preparing to spend time with loved ones, give and receive gifts and remember those who can't be with us any longer .

Tomorrow amidst the morning services, christingle making and carol service Daniel will take his first communion...something he's been asking to do since he was 3! Amidst the busyness I want to take A Moment...freeze time to appreciate the here and now, the sheer overwhelming proud moment that will happen for Dan .

At this time of year , this week amidst the excitement, craziness and the fun take time to appreciate th moment ..

beyond the collar

It's  been another crazy week in the V-K household. After a wonderfully chilled if not high energy weekend away go aping and segewaying for my cousins non hen do I was back in full swing of a busy week, marc was away leading music at a conference for the diocese with mum and dad so I was on juggle duty trying to fulfill my work commitments, the kids and do the own thing I dread ...cook !
It's been a strange week as last week I was buzzing with ideas for new possibilities once weve moved house, things we can do people we can engage with joy of being able to use the house as a community hub...ideas were flying around and again I felt excited about what's to come.

This week though I suddenly feel overwhelmed with the changes that are coming at me from left right and centre things that need to be laid down, things that I need to let go of and that's tough. The hardest part though of this job is the relationships.
Sometimes it can feel that people can't get past the dog collar it becomes like a barrier that stops people in their tracks, it seems people have such ideas of what a priest should be like and let's face it I blow most of some preconceived ideas out of the water 💦
However, when you're busy, tired an emotional wreck it's amazing who steps up to the mark to support and guide you ..those who remember you before the collar...those who see you as a person behind the collar  and those who just know the right thing to say...to my hidden stars  ✨ thank you for putting up with me it is massively appreciated.

Shine!

A massive apology to you all for going on and on about Shine....all who donated are a proper star and I love your dearly!
I did my first Shine walk in 2014 having just found out I was pregnant with Elijah (but didn't tell anyone in case they stopped me !!) I wanted to achieve a marathon but knew I'd never achieve it running as I have dodgy knees so when I saw friends put on Facebook they were doing the Shine walk I wanted in!!
Cancer is such a git that's hurt and even taken some very dear people close to me in work , family and friends that I felt useless... doing this has been a very tiny way of raising money, showing support, and enduring a little pain in solidarity of those who suffer.

Going through a marathon is an amazing experience from the preparation (which I definitely didn't do enough this time) which made me take time out to not only exercise but to get some fresh air and spend time with lovely folk walking, to the night again spending time with wonderful people. The atmosphere really was electric on Saturday hearing powerful stories, seeing the labels people were wearing in memory of loved ones, but it also is an endurance , for me it definitely wasn't a walk in the park I had to dig deep, I had to find some mental energy and I had to control my constant need to wee !!!

Since yesterday many folk have asked if I'll do it again.....never say never 😜

Vikki

The last few weeks have really taken their toll on Marc and I. Some of you know that a friend of ours Vikki passed away very suddenly at just 43 years of age. Vikki was one of the first people we met when we moved into Hoo and she welcomed us into the toddler group ..(especially Marc as I was working ) with open arms. I then had the real privilege of meeting Mark when I was asked to baptise baby Amelia who is now a gorgeous 6 year old, her and Dan went to the same prep school for a while.
Vikki was one of the kindest people I've ever met and always had time to chat, she popped into our cafe church a few times to chat through the "big" questions, we'd bump into her in the Chequers pub and have a chat there, or even passing in the street she'd stop for a chat.
When things like this happen you alway think I really should have made mroe of an effort to meet up, chat A little longer , follow a certain conversation up etc but in the moment you think you've got all the time in the world.
On Thursday I was honoured that Mark entrusted me to take Vikki on her last journey from earth into the heavenly realm in her funeral. I've never seen a crem so overflowing that people couldn't get near but instead listened to the service outside on loud speakers, so much was the love for Vikki. The service of course was a toughy full of emotion and it would  only be fair for others there to comment on it but it felt beautiful. Afterwards we spent a long time at the Chequers chatting to family and friends Sharing stories and releasing balloons.
This week has shown me how special friend s are, how fragile life is and how amazingly supportive some people have been to us... appreciate each moment, love those cLose to you and take care of those who are struggling at this time !
Love and prayer s are with you Mark and Amelia xxx

Summer

So this morning I spent the morning welcoming, supporting, moping upmtears of the new year sevens and their parents  /carers...marking the end of the school summer holidays !!!

It's been a really different summer for us...for many reasons we chose not to go away away (if that makes sense) . We had a lovely few days visiting my cousin and seeing her fringe show, seeing old school friends and climbing my mountain and doing the Vallente thing. Dan had an amazing experience going away for the first time with my folks being all grown up and living the life of Riley and then we've had a truly restful, inspiring fun 5 days at the Greenbelt festival with my amazing aunty and fab friends . These experiences have been great don't get me wrong but I'm feeling the strain of not having a block of time completely away from everything.

It's been an interesting Summer connecting with different people spending time with folk and developing friendships ...it's amazing the folk who've been around To help and support us. I love the summer and have a,ways dreaded September but there's something Reassuring about a routine but also the excitement of knowing the fun of autumn/winter is on its way.
Whatever you've been up to this summer whether it's work rest or play I hope you have found some chill time for yourself and your loved ones.

Bucket Lists

Im not sure when the notion of a bucket list came into my mind but over the last few years I've begun to name key things I'd like to do, see, achieve amongst the busyness of life.... the list includes things that are hopefully achieveable and some which aren't but are pipe dreams.... so aft they've been pretty shallow things like seeing Kylie ✅and Take That ✅ is also like to see Cold play And U2 but they are proving tricky... amongst other things are to swim with dolphins, see the northern lights and attend a school reunion ✅ but top of the list was definitely to climb a mountain ✅

Last week thanks to my fairygodPEteacher who I've stayed in touch with we managed to arrange (eventually) a day to climb Helvelyn in the Lake District... climbing a mountain is on Marc s bucket list too but unfortunately we couldn't find child care so he sacrificed his space to enable me to go. (Don't worry I'm hoping my dear friend will agree to take me again but both this time in the

future )
There is something really really exhilarating about achieving a goal of specially a physical challenge....I can't deny that at points I struggled and needed my beloved blue puffer a few times and also needed a lot of emergency first aid, not on myself but my boots that disintegrated (berghaus have offered a 30% discount on a new pair!) but to reach the summit, see the views and meet people from across the world..and their dogs ! It really was amazing...what a wonderful creator we have !
One week on I'm still buzzing from it and keen to go again though living in Kent makes it some what more tricky...
                        
So now I'm on the look out for new adventures for my bucket list....any suggestions greatly received !