5 things you probably didn't know about me

I've been tagged by Steve Tilley - see his blog for details of the little game. So here are 5 facts about me....

1) I still have three ‘Christmas Storyteller’ cassettes from when I was about 6 years old. I still listen to them every Christmas and really enjoy them. I still get scared by a couple of the stories and would be reluctant to listen to them if I was in the house on my own. Rich has spent a lot of time these past few weeks transferring them onto CD as the cassettes were dying from so much use – it is one of the best Christmas presents ever.

2) My big brother Rob fell off a cliff when he was 20 and spent a year in Salisbury spinal unit, having dislocated his neck. He was paralysed from the neck down for a long time but gradually regained some movement. He now walks short distances on crutches and uses a wheelchair. Since his accident he has travelled the world, been skiing, bungee jumping and done pretty much anything else adventurous you can think of. He is my hero, and my inspiration to do the exciting things in life.

3) I have written about 400 poems and songs. I started writing them when I was about 12, had my most productive period while I was at Uni and write them occasionally now. The majority of them are pretty rubbish but a good handful are not bad and I would really like to get back into writing them again.

4) I spent 6 weeks of the summer of 2000 in a little village called Ozd in Romania. I went with the Christian charity Oasis, along with 2 other girls. We helped run a number of holiday clubs for children from alcoholic families and taught English to the local village children. I went to Romania again in 2002 to visit the sister church of the church I grew up in and to help with the kindergarten there. The country has a special place in my heart and I would like to go there again soon.

5) I hiccup about 5 times every single day.

I'm going to tag

Si
Lucy
JonPotts
Andy
No pants Pete (I know you read this Pete - it'a about time you put a comment on!)

Spiritual Direction

I'd never heard of having a 'Spiritual Director' before we came toRidley. Every ordinand and their spouse has the option of having one of these. I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm not sure I really understand what it meant to happen though. You meet with someone who 'directs' you spiritually? How?

I suppose it works quite differently for different people but I'm not quite sure how to make it work for me. I had my first session today and it was alright but felt quite strange. I'm not very good at just talking about me. I certainly feel it would be good to have some direction from an older, wiser Christian but I'm not quite sure how to make these sessions work.

Has anyone else had a Spiritual director, or been one? What is your understanding of what it's all about?

Neighbour

Forgot to mention, our neighbour has not been at home for the past week or so. It appears her door was broken down again so we assume the ambulance had to come and take her away while we were out one time. I hope she's being looked after a bit better now and that they will increase her care when she comes back home. In the meantime we are enjoying some peace and quiet!

Busy busy busy

Never before have I uttered the words 'I'll be glad when Christmas is over'. I love Christmas!

However, Christmas when working in a church is busy busy busy and I'm longing for a bit of a rest.

A few photos from the barn weekend

Pine needles in my pants

After battling with St Barnabas' 3 metre Christmas tree today I have spent the afternoon with pine needles itching me all over, inside of all my clothes and bringing me out in a big itchy rash. Am now shedding them all over our flat as I walk about. I'm sure the hazards of pine needles weren't included in my contract...