4

I’ve been working in a church community centre just round the corner from my house for two weeks now.  Today the postman brought a parcel for me to my desk in the centre.  I looked at it, confused – wondering why anyone had sent me a parcel at the centre, wondering if I’d put the wrong address on it myself… But Postman John said “I brought it here because I didn’t know if it’d fit in your letterbox.”

I loved it!  When the postman cares enough and is willing to go out of his way to bring you your book order to work, not only do you have a great postman, but you know you’re part of the neighbourhood.

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223

Eating breakfast outside on the decking this morning was grrrreat!  Not only cos it was outside, but also cos I’m just so thankful for my housemate (not just because she’s the reason I get to hang out in a house like this…).

A “game” of tennis (very funny), a HOT shower in the rain-like shower and an impromptu barbeque…

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203

Hmmm… Oh – I know!  I loved this morning’s bowl of chocolat chaud with breakfast… yum!

This afternoon, I travelled away from Loches where the conference was to Tours to stay with Marc (Dutch) and Jody (American) the missionary couple I did my Bible College Placement with.  it was sooooo good to walk into their home and feel immediately at home.  I’ve been so excited at the prospect of being able to ask all my questions rather than being the one being asked and tonight was soooo good for that.  We had such a great chat that made me feel freer and lighter than I had in weeks.  The funny thing was, we talked about one of the very biggest things on my mind, without me even bringing it up!

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171

Being a little disappointed at the non-eventfulness of my first day off for Easter, I was happy to see my housemate come home from work!  Later on we went to see a potential flat for next year.  I love the mental furniture removals and picture hanging, the imaginary nights in on the sofa, the dream parties…  Thoughts of setting up another home from home.

(now if only we could just get a disappearing desk, computer and filing cabinet from somewhere…)

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126

Today I am thankful that I have had people and experiences that will be worth mourning if and when things begin to change.

I am thankful that tears didn’t drown my chance to speak.

I am thankful for a housemate who is my friend.

I am thankful that God is greater than I could ever imagine and that he met with me as I wrote a song to him today.

I am thankful for Psalm 73… 

21 When my heart was grieved
       and my spirit embittered,

 22 I was senseless and ignorant;
       I was a brute beast before you.

 23 Yet I am always with you;
       you hold me by my right hand.

 24 You guide me with your counsel,
       and afterward you will take me into glory.

 25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
       And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

 26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
       but God is the strength of my heart
       and my portion forever.

 27 Those who are far from you will perish;
       you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
       I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
       I will tell of all your deeds.

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119

Catching up with a friend from church.  A good chat with my Dad.  Several bargains from Primark!  Coming home to Coleraine.  Making it to my exercise class (I did NOT enjoy the actual class though!).  Butternut Squash.

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118

Steak, medium-rare and a power nap in Wetherspoons!

Pottering round the shops with no pressure to hurry or buy or even look.  Just hangin out with my buddy, Hops, and dreaming dreams about a holiday in June…!

Getting to the airport, I was actually knackered, feet killing, no energy… So, a chilled mango smoothie and feet up in Costa Coffee through security was bliss.

A completely unexpected conversation on the plane.  Flew with bmi who allocate seats – someone from the year above me in school was allocated the seat next to mine.  I didn’t want to have to be sociable at all, but God had obviously ordained it, because we had such a great chat about Jesus and how his lordship is good!  The guy on the aisle was ear-y-wigging which annoyed me at first, but then I didn’t care!

My own-own bed at home-home and the prospect of a relative lie-in!

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111 (all the ones…)

(The intrepid ‘explorer’ returns – heralding feverish blogging to catch up…!)

Sunday.  Bit of a hectic one this week with preparation and packing for the conference.  But it was still good…

Led praise in church this morning which was fun and it all went well – its great when you have musicians who can just follow your lead without any practice!  Not ideal, but handy nonetheless!

A late evening coffee with my housemate in a still-clean house!

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All the 8’s – 88

A homecoming to my home from home.  I’m so thankful to be able to say I have two places I’m comfortable in to call home (and home home).

Today I felt so privileged at the insight the whole 365 thing gives me into the lives and loves of others.  I loved, loved, loved reading about the thankfulness which people felt this Christmas.  Particularly that some were tinged with the bittersweetness of people missed.  Again, not because I’m a sadist but rather that this whole thing really does help us see the small things we’d usually overlook, or at least never name.   Plus, the pain somehow validates the record of the pleasure – rather than it just being a trite ‘I loved today’.

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87

Another lie-in to be grateful for and a brunch of bananas on toast – one of those simple pleasures we often forget!  With real butter too!  yum yum…

A late afternoon jaunt to Junction One with mumsie and a Chinese feast on return!

A catch up with church friends over a game of Cranium (I am SUCH a rulebook lover…) and victory was MINE!!  Well, ok – ours.  Then an unexpected late night chick flick with mum and sister no 2 accompanied by crisps and dips… hurray for Christmas!

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