Another two weeks have flown by and I’m still enjoying every moment. The “honeymoon phase” may be over but I don’t feel worse because of that - I love that I now know where everything is that I need and understand more about what I’m supposed to be doing!
The winter is setting in, which is making me a bit grumpy. This time last year I was in sunny Africa, wearing shorts and sipping Djino coke (cheap version of Coca-cola). Now I find myself wearing a man’s wooly jumper that I found in a charity shop and gulping hot chocolate. So cold. I’ve even had to resort to blow-drying my hair before I leave the house each morning to stop my head from freezing - something I rarely do! But who am I to complain really? At least I have a hot shower, food and a home to go to. Plus I do love some of the treasures that winter brings with it; open fires, Christmas, snow, being allowed to drink Ovaltine without being considered an old woman, ...to name a few.
Beth and I did our first proper day at college on Monday, which I was a little bit nervous about. I realised I haven't got the right bus pass to get on one of my buses (typical me), but I think I’ve managed to suss it out now. We shall see on Monday when I’ll either get lost somewhere in Cowley or make it to college…
I enjoyed the teaching on Monday and it was a chance to start getting to know the others doing the same course as us. They all seemed friendly and just from talking to them once, I think I’m going to get along with them all. During lunch time, I was asked the question that has no simple answer - “so, what have you done since school?”. I’m not really sure how to condense down; worked in a chocolate shop where I ate far too many free samples, volunteered at my old primary school where I got totally freaked out eating my sandwiches in the same room as some of my old teachers, went to Africa to tutor two children who ended up being my favourite people in the world, held a gorilla, got evacuated twice… you know, the average ;) but I do enjoy telling people really, especially because normally it’s the first time anyone has ever heard of Central African Republic and are horrified when I tell them about what’s happening out there (not that I blame them - until 18 months ago, I hadn’t heard of CAR). I think it's really important that people know what's going on elsewhere, and maybe it'll prompt people to do something - pray, give money, just something.
All in all, it’s been a good fortnight. I’ve had homemade brioche (made by my new favorite baker, Beth), watched School of Rock videos with my “boss” (pahaha, we do do work really, I promise!), cried with laughter so many times :) and I’ve even tried my first vomit flavoured jelly bean - seriously, the most disgusting thing I've EVER eaten. If anyone ever offers to play bean roulette with you, just smile and politely decline - I CAN STILL TASTE IT NOW!!!
I cannot believe how time is flying past. I've just finished my
third week as an intern, but it doesn't feel that long (I guess
that's a good thing really, and I've not just come on here to moan
about how much I hate my job).
Nothing is ever straight forward and the last few months
especially have felt like every day is either an up or a down, with
the possibility to change in a split second – but this week has
been full of ups. Even when things haven't quite gone to plan or I'm
running late or I'm struck down by the WORST COLD EVER (and it can't
even be blamed on man flu), somehow I've felt happy.
Oh, except the morning when I heard that two stories featured on
the news were that Ed Milliband's dad (who died 20 years ago) hated
Britain, and (prepare yourself for this one, it's a shocker) ......David
Cameron uses a bread maker. NO WAY. So, obviously, I vented my frustration all over Twitter, but was still left
feeling #angry whenever anyone mentioned bread. It did cause a lady,
waiting at the bus stop at the same time as I was waiting with my
friend, to smirk rather a lot as I gave one of those speeches (which
you secretly wish someone was filming so you could watch it back and
be amazed at how passionate you can actually get over something)
about how twisted the world is. I initially got annoyed later on when
I told this story and got called “a typical youth” - what was
actually said was “atypical youth” :)
Anyway, that massive rant aside, I've been happy. A few things
have happened in the past couple of weeks that have smacked me in the
face telling me how unpredictable life is and you should never take
anyone for granted (a lesson I thought I had learnt already) so I've
been making an effort to be positive whether that's at home or work.
No joke, I actually helped an old lady cross the road on Wednesday
because something reminded me that I only have this one life to do
all the good things that God wants me to do.
So that's the attitude I want to carry for the rest of this year.
And if everything goes belly up I will remember that “...God
intended it all for good...” (Genesis 50:20)
Bring on another week of playing miniature tanks, eating far too
many of Beth's cakes, being inspired, and spending time with these
amazing young people. And hopefully no more talk about the PM using kitchen appliances.
There's not many jobs where you can melt chocolate into nappies,
wear a blue onesie to church, or be carried across an assembly hall
by some year sixes whilst having water tipped into your lap - but I
am blessed to say I have one of those jobs. I am pretty tired after
two weeks of madness (I mean, my boss IS Olly Shaw) but I have
enjoyed every day.
The best thing this fortnight has definitely been spending time
with da youf. Whether that's the year 7 boys in my cell group or the
lovely year 10s who bundled on me at last week's Pathfinders, every
single one of them is amazing and I am well excited to get to know
them better over the coming year.
My big worry for this year is that it will all go wrong again. I
say again, because this is my third gap year, and let's just say the
previous two haven't gone quite to plan... I wouldn't be the person I
am today without these two last years, but I would love it if for
once, my plan went the way I expect. But then again, it's not my plan
that's important, is it? As a very lovely lady from church pointed
out to me, these aren't “pear-shaped” years, they are
“God-shaped”. I love that.
So a word of wisdom this week (not that you've asked for it, nor
can I pretend that I am all that wise) would be: stop fussing over
whether everything is going how you want it to. Work hard, pray lots,
and get obsessed with God. He's the best obsession I've ever had.
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30) was
one of the verses we looked at in this weeks cell group. It makes so
much sense to me, because following God isn't something that requires
nothing, but what it does require is simple really. It isn't that I
won't be burdened, but I will be burdened with something new,
something that God knows I can handle and something that lets me let
go of the old burdens. Yippee.
I hope this week holds as much fun, worship and time with the
wonderful young people as last week. Most of all I hope this week
keeps my eyes focused on God.
