Saturday, September 06, 2008
Time flies
Well, been meaning to blog for a few weeks, but well, what with all the moving and stuff...Anyway, here we are! Can't believe it's 2 months since I last blogged - first then a quick round-up of the last 2 months:
Last blog was half-was through our summer holiday to Loch Lomond and Dingwall, camping.
After that, we were home for a week packing.
Then, we took the long journey down to Heathrow, first, to celebrate Ben's 6th birthday at Legoland. He went when he was 2 and couldn't remember any of it! It was a lovely time, staying in a really posh travel inn, and the kids enjoyed a great day at Legoland, with proper summer weather!
Next we went to Lucy and Dave's wedding, which was really exciting! I like weddings. I love to see people taking that step in their lives, and it's so rare these days anyway, isn't it? It was great to meet up with folks from Pill, and some others as well, and lovely to be part of their day.
Then it was back up to Wick to get ready for the big move.
We moved down to Aberdeen on 31st July, and for 2 weeks we stayed in another quarters across the city, while the workmen got our flat nice for us.
The kids had a lovely week at Granny's and my mum and dad went on a cruise of the baltic.
We've been in the flat now for a few weeks, and finally have broadband and freeview, so life's complete (joke!)
Right, there you are, 2 busy months. Ben's enjoying his new school, although it's huge. Ceitidh's loving her new nursery and would go every day if she could. And we're really enjoying being back in the city and we're looking forward to what God's got planned.
Two things that have happened over the past few weeks, to prompt me to blog:
I had to phone the gas company to get our change of address and supplier sorted for moving. In the process, for some reason, I had to give my e-mail address, and I only have my work one. And so the man on the phone does the usualy thing, you know, oh my dad loves The Salvation Army. he always gives to them. How did you get involved? etc. But then he said something that I've been thinking about ever since. He said 'it must be good to get up every day and know you're going to make a difference that day'. How do you answer that. I just said 'sometimes', and he laughed. But what a challenge eh?
The other thing was at the school gate the other day. I overheard a conversation about going to see a clairvoyant/medium. I'm nosey. I listen to everyone's conversations. Anyway, I'm always amazed at how seriously people take it. One woman was talking about one of them who's really good, and does her 'angel' thing and another one always manages to get her gran, and always says the same thing.....a consumer spirituality if you like. They go to the person they know will give them what they want to hear! Do we do that too though? Just ask the people we know will tell us what we want to hear?
Right well, there's a catch-up. Hopefully some photos to follow, once we get that organised.
Last blog was half-was through our summer holiday to Loch Lomond and Dingwall, camping.
After that, we were home for a week packing.
Then, we took the long journey down to Heathrow, first, to celebrate Ben's 6th birthday at Legoland. He went when he was 2 and couldn't remember any of it! It was a lovely time, staying in a really posh travel inn, and the kids enjoyed a great day at Legoland, with proper summer weather!
Next we went to Lucy and Dave's wedding, which was really exciting! I like weddings. I love to see people taking that step in their lives, and it's so rare these days anyway, isn't it? It was great to meet up with folks from Pill, and some others as well, and lovely to be part of their day.
Then it was back up to Wick to get ready for the big move.
We moved down to Aberdeen on 31st July, and for 2 weeks we stayed in another quarters across the city, while the workmen got our flat nice for us.
The kids had a lovely week at Granny's and my mum and dad went on a cruise of the baltic.
We've been in the flat now for a few weeks, and finally have broadband and freeview, so life's complete (joke!)
Right, there you are, 2 busy months. Ben's enjoying his new school, although it's huge. Ceitidh's loving her new nursery and would go every day if she could. And we're really enjoying being back in the city and we're looking forward to what God's got planned.
Two things that have happened over the past few weeks, to prompt me to blog:
I had to phone the gas company to get our change of address and supplier sorted for moving. In the process, for some reason, I had to give my e-mail address, and I only have my work one. And so the man on the phone does the usualy thing, you know, oh my dad loves The Salvation Army. he always gives to them. How did you get involved? etc. But then he said something that I've been thinking about ever since. He said 'it must be good to get up every day and know you're going to make a difference that day'. How do you answer that. I just said 'sometimes', and he laughed. But what a challenge eh?
The other thing was at the school gate the other day. I overheard a conversation about going to see a clairvoyant/medium. I'm nosey. I listen to everyone's conversations. Anyway, I'm always amazed at how seriously people take it. One woman was talking about one of them who's really good, and does her 'angel' thing and another one always manages to get her gran, and always says the same thing.....a consumer spirituality if you like. They go to the person they know will give them what they want to hear! Do we do that too though? Just ask the people we know will tell us what we want to hear?
Right well, there's a catch-up. Hopefully some photos to follow, once we get that organised.
Monday, July 07, 2008
A cruise ship or a lifeboat?
Very quick blog - on my mobile - new trick! Question for you all - is the salvation army a cruise ship or a life boat? (from thoughts brought to us on a course this week)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Resolving issues!
Bit of a blog out of the blue! Do you ever leave something or somewhere, and you're aware that there's unresolved issues? Andrew was doing school assemblies this morning, and he used the word END, and MEND, SPEND, FRIENDS and ASCEND.
And the connection? Well, he was telling them about mending broken friendships before they leave for the summer. There's someone I've met recently, and clearly I've upset this person in some way, but I don't know what I've done. I have no idea, but the person walks past me, and 'blanks' me, if you know what I mean. Do you ever get that? It's really frustrating, cos how do you bring it up when they haven't said anything? I think the worst thing is moving away, or leaving something and knowing you've left a relationship/friendship broken, a conversation you should have had, and you know you won't now, it's too late, or you'll never see that person again. So, I guess if you're reading this, please be encouraged to go and speak to that person.
Hopefully at some point I'll try the photo thing that my friend Louise has done on her blog. It's very clever.
And the connection? Well, he was telling them about mending broken friendships before they leave for the summer. There's someone I've met recently, and clearly I've upset this person in some way, but I don't know what I've done. I have no idea, but the person walks past me, and 'blanks' me, if you know what I mean. Do you ever get that? It's really frustrating, cos how do you bring it up when they haven't said anything? I think the worst thing is moving away, or leaving something and knowing you've left a relationship/friendship broken, a conversation you should have had, and you know you won't now, it's too late, or you'll never see that person again. So, I guess if you're reading this, please be encouraged to go and speak to that person.
Hopefully at some point I'll try the photo thing that my friend Louise has done on her blog. It's very clever.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Government, etc!
Well, I can't say I've ever watched the Parliament channel before, but I did last night, to see the final decision on the abortion bill. I was sad as I watched them vote for no change in the law. But, I was more sad, and sat crying, when I heard a mid-wife speaking on the radio this lunch-time. Warning, don't read further if it's likely to upset you, but if it's more likely to provoke righteous anger, then please do read.
She was speaking about how the hardest part of her job is seeing a late abortion, within the 20+ week stage, and she sees the baby being born, sometimes a living, breathing baby, and then can do nothing for it. Sometimes they live for 3 hours or so, and they place them in a room, in a basket. The radio presenter asked her what size the baby was: ' a finger, a hand..?' The mid-wife replied along these lines- 'No, bigger than that, a baby, very small, with fully-formed fingernails...breathing, not how we breathe, but breathing'. AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!!
The mother then has to go to the registry office to register a birth and a death. It took me a little bit of 'trawling' the internet just now to find this, from the website of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
'In the event of a child being born which shows signs of life but subsequently dies, both the birth and death need to be registered, irrespective of the gestation period of the child, and the Registrar will then issue a form to allow the funeral to proceed.'
And the woman thought it was a simple thing? The mid-wife speaking said it was a very difficult situation, to be in a profession aiming at saving, and protecting lives, not allowing babies to die. Clearly, late abortions are rare, but they happen.
_______________________________________
We're getting somewhere with the packing now. It's really not long til we move, and we're away for most of July too. It's difficult trying to talk to people about it. I think for me it's a lot to do with stepping out of my comfort zone. The model of corps officership we have here in Wick is pretty similar to what i saw growing up, and i guess what I signed up for, in a way. But we sense God is calling us to something very different, and we're looking forward to it.
_______________________________________
The other issue on the lunch-time news, was this
Good on him, I say. And, he was getting some support from the listeners too!
_______________________________________
Just realised the time. Band practice soon. Will blog another time.
She was speaking about how the hardest part of her job is seeing a late abortion, within the 20+ week stage, and she sees the baby being born, sometimes a living, breathing baby, and then can do nothing for it. Sometimes they live for 3 hours or so, and they place them in a room, in a basket. The radio presenter asked her what size the baby was: ' a finger, a hand..?' The mid-wife replied along these lines- 'No, bigger than that, a baby, very small, with fully-formed fingernails...breathing, not how we breathe, but breathing'. AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!!
The mother then has to go to the registry office to register a birth and a death. It took me a little bit of 'trawling' the internet just now to find this, from the website of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists:
'In the event of a child being born which shows signs of life but subsequently dies, both the birth and death need to be registered, irrespective of the gestation period of the child, and the Registrar will then issue a form to allow the funeral to proceed.'
And the woman thought it was a simple thing? The mid-wife speaking said it was a very difficult situation, to be in a profession aiming at saving, and protecting lives, not allowing babies to die. Clearly, late abortions are rare, but they happen.
_______________________________________
We're getting somewhere with the packing now. It's really not long til we move, and we're away for most of July too. It's difficult trying to talk to people about it. I think for me it's a lot to do with stepping out of my comfort zone. The model of corps officership we have here in Wick is pretty similar to what i saw growing up, and i guess what I signed up for, in a way. But we sense God is calling us to something very different, and we're looking forward to it.
_______________________________________
The other issue on the lunch-time news, was this
Good on him, I say. And, he was getting some support from the listeners too!
_______________________________________
Just realised the time. Band practice soon. Will blog another time.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What to blog about? Well, we're really into the packing thing at the moment, and the house it a bit messy, but we'll get there in the end!
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My Dad's joined facebook!! Oh dear!! Lots of e-mails expected over the next few weeks/months, as he tries to work out how to add things, and how to reply to messages from people.
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I'm feeling very old these days, I can remember quite clearly things that happened 20 years ago, when I see someone on facebook that I haven't seen for a while, they look so much older than they should do. Ah, well, as long as I don't start insisting that 'things happen the way this way, because that's the way we've always done it, and we're not changing, so there', I'll be ok, I reckon!!
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I was at the Home League singers practice today, and organising the timbrels afterwards, and wondering what am I doing? Although, they do seem to sing some slightly more modern songs than in the songsters!?? Why??
__________________
I wish I could put some photos on here of the children, but I can't find the cable to link the camera to the computer!! They are both growing very quickly. Ceitidh can say lots of words now, and Ben seems very grown-up!
Do blogs need a title for each post? I think not, so I won't bother today!!
_________________
My Dad's joined facebook!! Oh dear!! Lots of e-mails expected over the next few weeks/months, as he tries to work out how to add things, and how to reply to messages from people.
__________________
I'm feeling very old these days, I can remember quite clearly things that happened 20 years ago, when I see someone on facebook that I haven't seen for a while, they look so much older than they should do. Ah, well, as long as I don't start insisting that 'things happen the way this way, because that's the way we've always done it, and we're not changing, so there', I'll be ok, I reckon!!
__________________
I was at the Home League singers practice today, and organising the timbrels afterwards, and wondering what am I doing? Although, they do seem to sing some slightly more modern songs than in the songsters!?? Why??
__________________
I wish I could put some photos on here of the children, but I can't find the cable to link the camera to the computer!! They are both growing very quickly. Ceitidh can say lots of words now, and Ben seems very grown-up!
Do blogs need a title for each post? I think not, so I won't bother today!!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Early Morning!
Well, I'm up and about this morning before 7am, and not out of choice I might add!! So, since everyone else in my on-line world is clearly still in bed (ie no-one to talk to on facebook etc), I thought I'd write another blog - what another one?- you say - you only wrote 2 days ago - I know, I know, but anyway here goes.
I was at the Home League yesterday, as I tend to be on a Monday afternoon, and it just struck me as I was there that we've been doing this for a long time. What do I mean by that? Well, the format doesn't change, does it? Now, clearly this was not a new thought, I'm sure I already realised this. It was only as we were singing a song I remember singing at the Home League nearly 25 years ago, when I was taken along with my mum. Now, why am I writing about this? Well, only because there are loads of ladies who would never go to the Home League, because it's for old people, and maybe all the people that go now said that 25 years ago, but it hasn't changed. Here at Wick a lot of our 'corps folk', ie our soldiers, actually go to the Home League, which I was surprised at because at Pill very few soldiers went, because they thought they weren't old enough yet! Most ladies I know would never even consider going to the Home League. How long will it be until this format ceases to reach even the generation it's reaching now? Will it take 'til then for us to be able to change it?
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Went to songsters last night, and I don't think any of the songs were written in my life-time!! And that word 'gay' kept appearing in the songs, like it was a theme or something! I do struggle with words that have very different connotations today from when the songs were written!!
________________
I realised I haven't said anything about our new move yet, so thought I'd better mention it!! People in the corps keep coming up and trying to start a conversation about it, like 'so you're moving then?', or 'we'll miss you', and I just kinda say 'yep', and then stop, and they're expecting some more but there's not a lot more to be said. The general story for telling people is that we're too different to the corps, and what they need and are looking for. But, actually, when i think about it, I can do the regular corps officer thing. And I really think this is a step into the unknown, a step of faith if you like. I guess I always thought that when I became an officer, that was the doing God's will bit, and then you kinda sit back and let 'the Army' do the rest, but clearly, thankfully I guess, it doesn't work like that. We've taken the step and said it's not working here for us, and now we have to act on that. My mum was commenting on our small corps programme at Torry, and asking what I'm going to do all day, and the answer I guess is not fill it with meaningless 'stuff', just be in the community at first I reckon, and build up contacts and relationships. But that doesn't seem much does it? People think you have to be doing, doing, doing all the time. I think it was Phil Wall at Roots who was saying it's easy to think you've had a good day because you've been busy, but sometimes the business is not helpful is it? I'm like that. I usually think it's been a good day cos I've filled it with stuff, but most of the time the stuff is just that - stuff. Make any sense?
Anyway, I think today's 'stuff' is calling now, and I'd better get on with the day.
I was at the Home League yesterday, as I tend to be on a Monday afternoon, and it just struck me as I was there that we've been doing this for a long time. What do I mean by that? Well, the format doesn't change, does it? Now, clearly this was not a new thought, I'm sure I already realised this. It was only as we were singing a song I remember singing at the Home League nearly 25 years ago, when I was taken along with my mum. Now, why am I writing about this? Well, only because there are loads of ladies who would never go to the Home League, because it's for old people, and maybe all the people that go now said that 25 years ago, but it hasn't changed. Here at Wick a lot of our 'corps folk', ie our soldiers, actually go to the Home League, which I was surprised at because at Pill very few soldiers went, because they thought they weren't old enough yet! Most ladies I know would never even consider going to the Home League. How long will it be until this format ceases to reach even the generation it's reaching now? Will it take 'til then for us to be able to change it?
________________
Went to songsters last night, and I don't think any of the songs were written in my life-time!! And that word 'gay' kept appearing in the songs, like it was a theme or something! I do struggle with words that have very different connotations today from when the songs were written!!
________________
I realised I haven't said anything about our new move yet, so thought I'd better mention it!! People in the corps keep coming up and trying to start a conversation about it, like 'so you're moving then?', or 'we'll miss you', and I just kinda say 'yep', and then stop, and they're expecting some more but there's not a lot more to be said. The general story for telling people is that we're too different to the corps, and what they need and are looking for. But, actually, when i think about it, I can do the regular corps officer thing. And I really think this is a step into the unknown, a step of faith if you like. I guess I always thought that when I became an officer, that was the doing God's will bit, and then you kinda sit back and let 'the Army' do the rest, but clearly, thankfully I guess, it doesn't work like that. We've taken the step and said it's not working here for us, and now we have to act on that. My mum was commenting on our small corps programme at Torry, and asking what I'm going to do all day, and the answer I guess is not fill it with meaningless 'stuff', just be in the community at first I reckon, and build up contacts and relationships. But that doesn't seem much does it? People think you have to be doing, doing, doing all the time. I think it was Phil Wall at Roots who was saying it's easy to think you've had a good day because you've been busy, but sometimes the business is not helpful is it? I'm like that. I usually think it's been a good day cos I've filled it with stuff, but most of the time the stuff is just that - stuff. Make any sense?
Anyway, I think today's 'stuff' is calling now, and I'd better get on with the day.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Stuff
Well, I decided it was about time I did some blogging, especially after a gentle reminder from a friend! At the moment I can't think of a title for today's blog, since it will probably be about a lot of things!
There's lots of reasons I don;t blog very often I guess. Maybe not knowing what to write, or forgetting, can;t be bothered, sometimes a bit fearful as I don't handle criticism/confrontation very well, and I know Andrew gets a lot at times!
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It's Pentecost today, the birthday of the Church, and what has the Army managed to do? Designate it Candidates Sunday too! And Candidates Sunday is important, don't get me wrong. The Salvation Army needs Officers more than ever. But, which of those 2 subjects did 'The Salvationist' choose for its front cover and main focus this week? Yep, Candidates Sunday. I was interested in the 'strap line' for the front page - it said 'The Greatest Adventure' - there's a song in that Happiness and Harmony book, I think, that says 'Lord Jesus help me to discover you as the way, the truth and life, and to find for myself that following you is the greatest adventure of all'. And that kinda got me thinking about this whole clergy/laity- officer/soldier - 'two-tiered Christianity' conversation that's going on. Because I'm not quite sure whether officership is a higher calling than any other calling, debate! Surely anyone following the way that God has planned for them is on a great adventure, the greatest adventure.
We were out on our usual Saturday afternoon escape yesterday, and we went to a place called Falls of Shin, which is a little 'out-post' of Harrods about an hour and a half away (we measure everything up here by time rather than distance, which makes sense really, since Inverness is 100 miles away, but always takes 2 hours). As well as lovely visitor centre and shop there's a good play area, crazy golf bit, and long walks through the woods (so the information board informs me). Well why am I telling you all this? Well, yesterday there were some funnily-dressed people about, who looked rather like Druids to me, but my husband reassured me they were quite harmless. I understand they were conservationists. The lady who seemed to be organising things was calling people to 'an adventure to change the world, lasting an hour'. It seemed like a good invitation to me.
______________
I've been keeping up with my reading. I'm very proud of myself (if pride is allowed!?). At the moment I'm in the middle of reading Shame Claiborne's 'The Irresistible Revolution- living as an ordinary radical'. Shane was speaking at Roots last weekend, and it would take too long to explain fully who he is and where he's coming from, so google it and see what comes up, but he lives in community with other Christians, who...oh I don't know how to describe it without totally giving the wrong idea, or impression. They live as much like Acts 2 community as they've been able to, I guess, sharing with others who don't live with them, but are in need. You should read the book. After he'd spoken in an afternoon seminar session, as I was queueing for the evening session, someone said to me, 'but he doesn't live in the real world does he? You can't live like that really' Well, I guess you can because that's how he lives, and it's real for him.
I would say the book's the most radical I've ever read, but then you can't say that can you? Because all he, and many others are really doing is living like the New Testament tells us to. So, the Bible, that's the most radical book you'll ever read, if you read it all, and don't juts high-light the bits you like, or block out the bits you don't. The early Christian church had all sorts of splits over people taking parts out of the Bible, discrediting certain bits, and I think we all do it today, but not quite to openly! Anyway, I'll leave this first blog that i've actually managed to write in 3 months with a thought from Shane (paraphrased as the book's upstairs) - if you have 2 coats in your wardrobe you've stolen one, because it really belongs to the poor, someone without a coat. Think on it!
Hopefully it won't be 3 months til the next instalment!!
There's lots of reasons I don;t blog very often I guess. Maybe not knowing what to write, or forgetting, can;t be bothered, sometimes a bit fearful as I don't handle criticism/confrontation very well, and I know Andrew gets a lot at times!
______
It's Pentecost today, the birthday of the Church, and what has the Army managed to do? Designate it Candidates Sunday too! And Candidates Sunday is important, don't get me wrong. The Salvation Army needs Officers more than ever. But, which of those 2 subjects did 'The Salvationist' choose for its front cover and main focus this week? Yep, Candidates Sunday. I was interested in the 'strap line' for the front page - it said 'The Greatest Adventure' - there's a song in that Happiness and Harmony book, I think, that says 'Lord Jesus help me to discover you as the way, the truth and life, and to find for myself that following you is the greatest adventure of all'. And that kinda got me thinking about this whole clergy/laity- officer/soldier - 'two-tiered Christianity' conversation that's going on. Because I'm not quite sure whether officership is a higher calling than any other calling, debate! Surely anyone following the way that God has planned for them is on a great adventure, the greatest adventure.
We were out on our usual Saturday afternoon escape yesterday, and we went to a place called Falls of Shin, which is a little 'out-post' of Harrods about an hour and a half away (we measure everything up here by time rather than distance, which makes sense really, since Inverness is 100 miles away, but always takes 2 hours). As well as lovely visitor centre and shop there's a good play area, crazy golf bit, and long walks through the woods (so the information board informs me). Well why am I telling you all this? Well, yesterday there were some funnily-dressed people about, who looked rather like Druids to me, but my husband reassured me they were quite harmless. I understand they were conservationists. The lady who seemed to be organising things was calling people to 'an adventure to change the world, lasting an hour'. It seemed like a good invitation to me.
______________
I've been keeping up with my reading. I'm very proud of myself (if pride is allowed!?). At the moment I'm in the middle of reading Shame Claiborne's 'The Irresistible Revolution- living as an ordinary radical'. Shane was speaking at Roots last weekend, and it would take too long to explain fully who he is and where he's coming from, so google it and see what comes up, but he lives in community with other Christians, who...oh I don't know how to describe it without totally giving the wrong idea, or impression. They live as much like Acts 2 community as they've been able to, I guess, sharing with others who don't live with them, but are in need. You should read the book. After he'd spoken in an afternoon seminar session, as I was queueing for the evening session, someone said to me, 'but he doesn't live in the real world does he? You can't live like that really' Well, I guess you can because that's how he lives, and it's real for him.
I would say the book's the most radical I've ever read, but then you can't say that can you? Because all he, and many others are really doing is living like the New Testament tells us to. So, the Bible, that's the most radical book you'll ever read, if you read it all, and don't juts high-light the bits you like, or block out the bits you don't. The early Christian church had all sorts of splits over people taking parts out of the Bible, discrediting certain bits, and I think we all do it today, but not quite to openly! Anyway, I'll leave this first blog that i've actually managed to write in 3 months with a thought from Shane (paraphrased as the book's upstairs) - if you have 2 coats in your wardrobe you've stolen one, because it really belongs to the poor, someone without a coat. Think on it!
Hopefully it won't be 3 months til the next instalment!!
