Back to the mill!

Well, it’s been an interesting past 10 days back in Coalville. Mum and Dad have been at work (as one would expect), as have Mark and Kathryn (my brother and sister-in-law) and friends which I’d hoped to meet up with were either a) at university, b) abroad or c) too far away to get to without a car.

I say without a car, as dad attempted to put me on his insurance like he usually does but his present insurance company said: “computer sez no!” So yes, my long hours alone haven’t been as dedicated to reflection, meditation and prayer as the ambitious Christian in me might have liked!

It’s been good to catch up with some old friends though, some I’ve not seen since before Jack (my 18 month old nephew) was born. Mum and I have also got along remarkably well this time! On the first morning here, I woke with a start (my first feeling being: “I’M LATE”), before realising I was indeed on holiday. I raced downstairs with tears of joy filling my eyes as I rushed to tell mum how much I loved her and how much I’d missed her…only to find that she was at work. I told her later, but somehow it wasn’t the same. I wish I’d have gotten the chance to show here how much I really love her. Despite a few “near-miss” clashes of our equally strong personalities, we’ve really not been too bad this time.

It was of course GREAT to see dad again. I also pulled in a visit to see my paternal granddad who to my shame...I’ve not seen since I first joined Lee Abbey 18 months ago! It was upsetting to see how much Parkinson’s Disease has robbed him of his independence, but not so much that I couldn’t get thrashed at a game or two or dominos!

My maternal grandparents were a joy as always to be around. I even helped grandma with her Christmas puddings and got to make a wish as we stirred it for the last few times lol! Jack also barely recognised me, I thought it had got better towards the end of the week but he can still manage to run off crying at the very sight of me. Something tells me he’ll take any hugs he can when his new baby brother or sister arrives to take away some of the attention his age makes him crave.

Jeremy and Catherine are due to pick me up tomorrow afternoon (or should I say today…looking at the clock) and then it’s back to Lee Abbey. My feelings about returning can best be described as “first-day-back-at-school-nerves” only I’m not a pupil anymore, I’m a department head! So, yes I’m nervous! But then I guess that’s to be expected. I’m now more sure than ever that to London Bible College I must go (naught naughty…I must get used to saying London School of Theology) to do a Theology and Counselling qualification. The only question is…WHEN. The way I see it it’s either next September or September 2009…prayers for wisdom on this matter would be most appreciated.

Well, that’s all for now…lots of love – ME!

Tired lol

Well, I can't believe how quickly the time flies. Since Sunday afternoon, Lee Abbey has been closed. "CLOSED" is normally a time for massive Deep Cleaning of the House to be undertaken by House Team. In my new Role as House Team Leader, it has been something I've been fretting about for quite some time.

On this occasion however, so many of my team were doing training such as First Aid or Food Hygiene etc, that the few of us that were left have had to work like crazy simply to get the Beacon in ship shape ready for tomorrow, and a get a good way into tomorrow's Changeover at the Main House (as there will probably only be 6 of us working as opposed to the usually 12+).

Despite the hard work, "CLOSED" is good for lie-ins. On House Team we start at 9:00am as opposed to 6:55am and morning prayers changes to 8:30am as opposed to 7:50am. The main carpets don't need to be hoovered daily, meal times are SO relaxed and jovial that "CLOSED" is just a very relaxing time - not to mention I can play the Grand Piano at 2:00am if I so wished without the fear of waking anybody. The Main House is eerily quiet at night though, I'm glad I don't live in it for such periods as these - especially with the nights drawing in.

To say I'm looking forward to going back to Leicestershire for a holiday next week would possibly be the understatement of the century! I can't wait to see family again (though it has to be said that the vast majority of my friends will still be at University).

I had one of the most profound moments of my entire life last week, which I hope to try and describe a little of in one of my posts. The Lord met me in a captivatingly intimate way and it's an experience, which has shaped my life powerfully. I have CERTAINLY fallen short since last week, but my ability to pick myself up and know myself loved by God seems to have increased tenfold! I'm especially prone to depression at the moment as am on some VERY powerful drugs (a consultant-level prescription for a skin condition affecting my scalp), these affect my mood (not to mention my skin) but even a weepy moment is soon sent packing when I recall what God did for me last week.

Watch this space...

If anyone is reading this website over the next few weeks...then please PLEASE pray for my time at home. It's always a shock-and-awe tactic by the devil who pounces on me in more ways than one whenever I leave the support systems of Lee Abbey for extended periods of time. Pray that I would actively demonstrate a new way of living by not succumbing the temptations he so readily puts before me.