365

So here we are…

The end of an era, the alleviation of what has sometimes been a duty, but sometimes fun, sometimes a blessing…

The 365th entry of my 365.

For today, I am grateful for the time to read as I travelled: Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns.  I love books that breathe you in so much so that when someone speaks to you, you feel like you have to drag yourself back from a whole other world.  This book made me cry, made me long for freedom to be known, made me mourn for hurt and hurting.  Made me wish I could read it all over again like the first time.

For this year, I am grateful for all that has blessed me – friendships grown and deepened, times of hope and joy in darkness and despair, food enjoyed, places seen…  I am grateful for all I’ve been given.

And… if I’m honest… I’m grateful this 365 is done!

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364, 1 to go

A whole, sunny day spent wandering around the city of Marseille, MY city of Marseille.  Langouring in memories, feeling completely normal being there and yet completely different.

It has a rough reptutation, my city does, but its beautiful in its way.  So many different places holding so many tiny pieces of memories.  I’m so grateful for the year I spent there, and for the opportunity to go back.

Here’s just one of the many highlights of the day…

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363, 2 to go

A visit back to the church I went to whilst on my year out.  Except, when I went to it there were 10 people meeting in houses and now there are about 50 meeting in a building!

An evening spent chatting in French and feeling at home in it.

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362, 3 to go

Lying in a park on the south coast of France in the sun after a picnic!

After a potter around another coastal town, we returned to Marseille to have dinner then went to a great little asian-themed teashop.  I used to spend Sunday afternoons there with friends, eating cakes and drinking random teas.

Tonight I picked just the right tea and enjoyed sharing a huge slice of cake (watching in amazement as the two girls next two us devoured TWO huge slices ofcake each).  A couple of hours in Shamballah, spent just the way I wanted.

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361, 4 to go

I stood in Marseille Airport waiting for my friends to pick me up, grinning like a loon and trying not to jump up and down in excitement at being back in the city!  The flight went over the cityscape and it was an incredible view… I am so grateful for the time I spent in this city and that I now get to come back and visit.

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360, 5 to go

I love that the last few days of my 365 will play out with friends in the South of France.

So, I sit this evening after a satisfying day of prep, a chance to talk about Jesus and his transforming way of True Life, but ultimately in anticipation of a flight back to the city I spent my year out in.  I’m soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited!!!

I am grateful that God promises to work in our weakness, that he promises that his word will not return to him void, that he gives grace to live, grace to speak and grace to travel…

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359, 6 to go

A great chat ripping apart our thoughts on sung worship and putting it all back again.  Playing devil’s advocate and seeing the fruits of it!

The beauty of relationship given, shared and hoped for.

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358, 7 to go

There was a 60% increase in numbers at Magee CU last night – that was pretty exciting.  But the real highlight-moment was driving back to Coleraine with my new Relay Worker.  It only really struck me then that we had a whole year ahead of good conversation, growth and support.  I’m excited for me, and for her!

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357, 8 to go

Today was a beautifully sunny day… can anyone blame me for having to take my work to a sunny coffee shop rather than sitting in a dark office??  Today I am grateful that I have a very flexible workspace 🙂

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356 down, 9 to go.

This is going to sound ridiculous, but truly sometimes simple foodstuffs can be incredible!  My housemate made a spiffing Sunday Lunch which included roast turnip with parmesan cheese! Sounds weird, but soooooooooo good!

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