It started in Christmas Eve.. approximately 11.25pm just as we were getting ready to start midnight mass. We noticed that someone had suddenly collapsed on the path near the main road and church ... it was freezing cold and as I've some first aid training ( thanks to the air cadets!) myself and a couple of others headed out ( me in full on alb) . To cut a long story short we needed an ambulance and so after necessary checks put the casualty into the recovery position and waited .
By the time I arrived back in church I had a minute to spare before I was due to preach and no word of a lie my first line was let me tell you a story about one night at 11.30pm ...when things didn't go to plan .... what I proceeded to do was to pray for our injured person and their subsequent trip to an over stretched A and E
And so I Continues by talking about how much time and effort we put into Christmas trying to make it perfect ... and then low and behold 40 hours later all our plans were haltered as marc got the flu!
As frustrating as it has been , as hard work as it has been as exhausted as I feel the time has helped me focus on the true meaning of Christmas... things for Mary didn't go to plan yet still 2000 years Go a perfect baby was born the saviour of the world for you and for me in my imperfect, grumpy tired state !
It has also been lovely spending quality time with the boys enjoying the toys and games and educating them in Christmas films from decades ago!
As we sit on the cusp of a new year I know so many approach it waiting for results operations opportunities for work ... pitter parter of tiny feet , weddings ... whatever happens in the good and in the difficult May that baby born in unusual circumstances all those years ago bring you peace hope and love in 2019
Monday, 31 December 2018
Sunday, 23 December 2018
The best gift
The eagle eyed of you will be aware I've not blogged for a while ... tbh I've had a bit of writers block. I've had friends and family going through some tough times especially health wise and so everything else has felt less important.
But tonight as I'm sat here desperately hoping the kids will sleep so I can finish prep for the next 4 services I've felt compelled to write.
The next few days will be chaos of work, wrapping paper tinsel wine ( I hope!) good food ( I hope!) and precious family time but today again the whole point of the celebration s comes head first at me.
God loves the world so much he sent his son ,. The best most surprising gift anyone could ever want ( find out more about the surprises tomorrow 12pm at Upnor church!!!!)
Why? Because the world is broken ... today I see my favourite place in the world in TV broken, this week I've seen families in poverty broken , this month I've seen friends and families bodies (and my own) brokenand bow especially our country feels broken.
But God still loves us ... Jesus is still the best gift ever ... unfortunately the world hasn't really opened that gift and allowed him to reach his full potential ..
This Christmas have an amazing celebration .... and I hope to catch as many of you as possible in 2019 😘
But tonight as I'm sat here desperately hoping the kids will sleep so I can finish prep for the next 4 services I've felt compelled to write.
The next few days will be chaos of work, wrapping paper tinsel wine ( I hope!) good food ( I hope!) and precious family time but today again the whole point of the celebration s comes head first at me.
God loves the world so much he sent his son ,. The best most surprising gift anyone could ever want ( find out more about the surprises tomorrow 12pm at Upnor church!!!!)
Why? Because the world is broken ... today I see my favourite place in the world in TV broken, this week I've seen families in poverty broken , this month I've seen friends and families bodies (and my own) brokenand bow especially our country feels broken.
But God still loves us ... Jesus is still the best gift ever ... unfortunately the world hasn't really opened that gift and allowed him to reach his full potential ..
This Christmas have an amazing celebration .... and I hope to catch as many of you as possible in 2019 😘
Monday, 12 November 2018
The rough with the smooth
it has been a REALLY hard week....last week started off really good being away (with dad so precious daddy daughter time) with the air cadet chaplains...it was an intense course with long dryas but a great chance to meet others across the country , experience things military style, and join in with the house patterns of prayer several items a day so almost at times felt like a mini retreat.
Coming to the end of that there proceeded to be a catalogue of sadness with illness , and things just going pear shaped for people I care about.
One of the things I've been aware of those week though is how shockingly BAD our care system is for those in need. I contacted over 12 homeless charities this week to find help for someone and there was only one that could help ....in 3 weeks time. It seems to be the case that if you're young, single, not an addict and a person of good reputation you'll be ok on the streets for a bit and of something comes up then they'll help you but in the mean time youre not a priority!
That's generalising of course but it angers me that there really is no help for people when they are most vulnerable.
At the moment this story after 3 days of stress, anxiety and searching has a "happy" ending in that I did find somewhere and thanks to some real life Good Samaritans putting deposits together and pushing protocol through quickly this person now has a roof over their head but how many other vulnerable young people are there out there?
Coming to the end of that there proceeded to be a catalogue of sadness with illness , and things just going pear shaped for people I care about.
One of the things I've been aware of those week though is how shockingly BAD our care system is for those in need. I contacted over 12 homeless charities this week to find help for someone and there was only one that could help ....in 3 weeks time. It seems to be the case that if you're young, single, not an addict and a person of good reputation you'll be ok on the streets for a bit and of something comes up then they'll help you but in the mean time youre not a priority!
That's generalising of course but it angers me that there really is no help for people when they are most vulnerable.
At the moment this story after 3 days of stress, anxiety and searching has a "happy" ending in that I did find somewhere and thanks to some real life Good Samaritans putting deposits together and pushing protocol through quickly this person now has a roof over their head but how many other vulnerable young people are there out there?
Tuesday, 30 October 2018
God is Good!
This job is just amazingly extreme....I've gone from standing in a freezing cold play ground keeping vigil for parents and children after the sudden death of a teacher to being commissioned and anointed by the actual Archbishop of Canterbury this evening !!!
today in a meeting , my line manager asked what parts of my role do I enjoy....and genuinely I said all of it! Yes it's exhausting , all encompassing, frustrating at times but I genuinely love it...because I love being with people , normal every day people.
I know I'm blessed (before I get shot down ) that I have no building , PCC committee , accounts to balance..and at times the lack of a meeting space, the total lack of a budget and no lack of a support/ responsibility board is frustrating but the freedom of being able to engage in people's lives at the happiest and saddest and all the times in between and drink lots of tea and coffee and count it as work is truly wonderful !
The last few weeks have felt a bit uncertain for many reasons but being anointed by the arch bishop was a real turning point for me and what better blessing than to have my mum and dad sat there to see it ! ...God is good!!!
today in a meeting , my line manager asked what parts of my role do I enjoy....and genuinely I said all of it! Yes it's exhausting , all encompassing, frustrating at times but I genuinely love it...because I love being with people , normal every day people.
I know I'm blessed (before I get shot down ) that I have no building , PCC committee , accounts to balance..and at times the lack of a meeting space, the total lack of a budget and no lack of a support/ responsibility board is frustrating but the freedom of being able to engage in people's lives at the happiest and saddest and all the times in between and drink lots of tea and coffee and count it as work is truly wonderful !
The last few weeks have felt a bit uncertain for many reasons but being anointed by the arch bishop was a real turning point for me and what better blessing than to have my mum and dad sat there to see it ! ...God is good!!!
Saturday, 13 October 2018
craving "normality"?
2 posts so close together ....therapy!
Marc and I caught up on an interview John Bishop did with Paddy McGuinness a while back....as well as talking about his life growing up in Bolton ( obvs I could relate to that ) he spoke about life with his 3 autistic children. One thing he said that really made the penny drop, left me with a light bulb moment , was craving the normal....seeing friend s doing normal things, taking their kids out for normal fun days out with ease and it being normal and fun!
Social media is a nightmare for this as you see people getting up to alsorts of awesome things at the weekends and during holidays and some days I just think....If only we could do that!
You see I've realised why I get so tired easily....every time we go out somewhere or especially to an event. E it work related, or socially I'm on edge, constantly wondering , how will the kids cope in this situation, what could be the triggers and how long can we stay before it gets too much .
This weekend has been exceptionally busy for Marc and I and a s aresult the kids, so today we had a "lazy" morning..I longed to go out and do something especially with Elijah as knew Dan needed his cave but not being able to drive or really walk far we stayed home and sorted toys and watched Postman Pat.
It has taken me many years to recognise that Dan and Marc need these lazy spaces, a chances to download , go into themselves and rest...I feel terrible that it's taken so long and I am still finding it hard but the result in being able to spend a few hours at a dear friends leaving party makes it worth while.
Whatever Sunday holds for you enjoy every moment ,
And appreciate "the normal"
Marc and I caught up on an interview John Bishop did with Paddy McGuinness a while back....as well as talking about his life growing up in Bolton ( obvs I could relate to that ) he spoke about life with his 3 autistic children. One thing he said that really made the penny drop, left me with a light bulb moment , was craving the normal....seeing friend s doing normal things, taking their kids out for normal fun days out with ease and it being normal and fun!
Social media is a nightmare for this as you see people getting up to alsorts of awesome things at the weekends and during holidays and some days I just think....If only we could do that!
You see I've realised why I get so tired easily....every time we go out somewhere or especially to an event. E it work related, or socially I'm on edge, constantly wondering , how will the kids cope in this situation, what could be the triggers and how long can we stay before it gets too much .
This weekend has been exceptionally busy for Marc and I and a s aresult the kids, so today we had a "lazy" morning..I longed to go out and do something especially with Elijah as knew Dan needed his cave but not being able to drive or really walk far we stayed home and sorted toys and watched Postman Pat.
It has taken me many years to recognise that Dan and Marc need these lazy spaces, a chances to download , go into themselves and rest...I feel terrible that it's taken so long and I am still finding it hard but the result in being able to spend a few hours at a dear friends leaving party makes it worth while.
Whatever Sunday holds for you enjoy every moment ,
And appreciate "the normal"
Thursday, 11 October 2018
Belonging
It has been a strange old year...they say these things are sent to try us and they certainly have and the last few weeks have really escalated !
However within this there have been real moments of blessing, Ive been to 5 Harvest assemblies, each different and each showing the huge gift of wanting to help those in need but also making me feel like I belong there.
we've had our "fresh expression" groups meeting over breakfast and picnics and in those moments of sharing food I've felt like I'm in a place where I belong .
Ive spent two days on a training course, one that was engaging, was practical and made me think of so many situations in work and home where I could implement the teaching. Not only that but met some amazing council youth workers who wanted to connect and find ways of how we could work together...refreshing! In just 2 days I felt like I belong.
And yet theres the polar opposite, the times and places where you'd expect to belong, expect to feel welcome, expect to feel a part of something bigger...yet despite being in a group I feel so isolated and at times lonely.
It has really had me thinking...how many other people feel like this that we engage with, speak to, visit every single day? In this busy, crazy world that we live in we are so busy, so absorbed in the next thing that needs to be completed we miss what's going on around us...we miss living in the now!
So I'm trying to slow down a little, to appreciate the morning mist, the evening sun set, the new insights the kids suddenly come out with just at the moment I need to be elsewhere , I'm going to really stop and listen to the person at the school gate, in the supermarket queue, in Starbucks when waiting for my decaf soya latte!
And next time I rush past ( once off crutches!!!) or don't have time to answer that phone call or make space to pop over and see you...pull me up on it!!
However within this there have been real moments of blessing, Ive been to 5 Harvest assemblies, each different and each showing the huge gift of wanting to help those in need but also making me feel like I belong there.
we've had our "fresh expression" groups meeting over breakfast and picnics and in those moments of sharing food I've felt like I'm in a place where I belong .
Ive spent two days on a training course, one that was engaging, was practical and made me think of so many situations in work and home where I could implement the teaching. Not only that but met some amazing council youth workers who wanted to connect and find ways of how we could work together...refreshing! In just 2 days I felt like I belong.
And yet theres the polar opposite, the times and places where you'd expect to belong, expect to feel welcome, expect to feel a part of something bigger...yet despite being in a group I feel so isolated and at times lonely.
It has really had me thinking...how many other people feel like this that we engage with, speak to, visit every single day? In this busy, crazy world that we live in we are so busy, so absorbed in the next thing that needs to be completed we miss what's going on around us...we miss living in the now!
So I'm trying to slow down a little, to appreciate the morning mist, the evening sun set, the new insights the kids suddenly come out with just at the moment I need to be elsewhere , I'm going to really stop and listen to the person at the school gate, in the supermarket queue, in Starbucks when waiting for my decaf soya latte!
And next time I rush past ( once off crutches!!!) or don't have time to answer that phone call or make space to pop over and see you...pull me up on it!!
Friday, 21 September 2018
Mrs Bump
well it was only a matter of time ... everyone who knows me has been expecting it and to be fair it has been an impressively long time since I last injured myself ; However having only had a visit from the paramedics 4 months ago it feels a little too soon to have had another visit from them last night !
After building up my self confidence for a second time to try and brave playing netball the last few weeks have been going pretty well, not only have we been playing relatively well but I've also been enjoying the game , getting to know our team better and feeling the benefits of getting regular excercise again (alongside park running too!)
Now all that has gone down the pan ! Nikki (team member ) and I both ended up fallen over very badly and we ended up sat in A and E with matching injuries on opposite legs !! We were a real sight and caused a stir as to what kind of game we'd been involved in ! The upshot is I've managed to badly tear the ligaments on both sides of my foot . My foot is about 3 times the normal size and a beautiful shade of black and blue ... I tried to take photos but the colours haven't shown up . I'm now really frustrated .. I can't weight bare for the moment And I can't drive .. I'm totally useless
But, yet again I've been blown away by where the kind thoughts and messages have come from .. dear family of course cos they rock ...and special friends (you know who you are) little messages of support have really got me through today , visits have been lovely and the bottle of home made blackberry gin will definitely help the healing process !
Reflecting as I can't do much else has made me realise I'm getting old , I still don't bounce when I fall and I'm rubbish at sitting still!
I expect my netball days are over ... last night I saw a very dark side to the game which I'm
Not sure I can be part of but I'm out of excercise until after Christmas so will review then .
For now it's excercising the 2 toes I can wiggle !!!
Ps if anyone has any film recommendations please send them my way!
After building up my self confidence for a second time to try and brave playing netball the last few weeks have been going pretty well, not only have we been playing relatively well but I've also been enjoying the game , getting to know our team better and feeling the benefits of getting regular excercise again (alongside park running too!)
Now all that has gone down the pan ! Nikki (team member ) and I both ended up fallen over very badly and we ended up sat in A and E with matching injuries on opposite legs !! We were a real sight and caused a stir as to what kind of game we'd been involved in ! The upshot is I've managed to badly tear the ligaments on both sides of my foot . My foot is about 3 times the normal size and a beautiful shade of black and blue ... I tried to take photos but the colours haven't shown up . I'm now really frustrated .. I can't weight bare for the moment And I can't drive .. I'm totally useless
But, yet again I've been blown away by where the kind thoughts and messages have come from .. dear family of course cos they rock ...and special friends (you know who you are) little messages of support have really got me through today , visits have been lovely and the bottle of home made blackberry gin will definitely help the healing process !
Reflecting as I can't do much else has made me realise I'm getting old , I still don't bounce when I fall and I'm rubbish at sitting still!
I expect my netball days are over ... last night I saw a very dark side to the game which I'm
Not sure I can be part of but I'm out of excercise until after Christmas so will review then .
For now it's excercising the 2 toes I can wiggle !!!
Ps if anyone has any film recommendations please send them my way!
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