"I came in like a pigeon ball"

It's been a while. That while has been taken up with a lot of stuff though like a promise auction, so much training, a retreat to Center Parcs, a sponsored swim, a 21^st birthday, lots of parachute games, a college deadline and a meeting where no-one turned up.


Center Parcs was a lot of fun; some of it “enforced fun” but nevertheless, fun. Olly, Jo, Beth and I got up bright and early (well, early for youth workers anyway) and headed off to SoulNet on Friday 31^st. We arrived and within a couple of hours were in the swimming pool, zooming round the rapids and going down flume slides having just eaten burgers (I did warn them that it's not safe because the piranhas can eat you, but they didn't listen...). The rest of the weekend consisted of interesting talks, amazing time to just be with God and so much activity. I'm not sure what happened to me but on the Friday night I had a massive urge to go for a run, so found myself jogging around Center Parcs at 7.45am on the Saturday morning. When I say “jogging around Center Parcs”, what I actually mean is being forced to keep moving by Olly, whilst moaning and wondering what had been put in my tea the night before to make me think this was a good idea. I was also introduced to the joy that is "pigeon ball" - basically, rugby without any rules where you have to try and get to a certain place with the ball in your hands. We played it in the pool which made it even more extreme. However, I think I did pretty well seeing as I'm usually the one who hurts themselves (I've never done anything serious, not even broken a bone, but I'm ALWAYS the one who gets trampled/accidently punched/hit in the head with the metal frisbee) as I only got hit in the face once. 


We've been really busy in the office as always. I'm excited for the youth weekend away which is coming up at the end of this month. It sounds like it's going to be full-on with not a lot of time left to sleep, but having been once before as one of the youfff I know it's gonna be loads of fun.


I am looking forward to having a holiday, preferably somewhere hot after all of this bad weather! One year ago today I was in Bilolo, having the best time ever and actually able to feel my toes without two pairs of socks on. I have Spring Harvest to look forward to – maybe there will be a heatwave over Butlins?!


I'm off to Northampton tomorrow to have another look around the university so that should be good. Then Beth and I are off for a week as it's half term; however, I've got 4 days of work with Yellow Submarine so I'll still be busy busy busy! I'm hoping I can squeeze in some serious sleeping at some point!


That's all for now. I'm off to find some letters and numbers so we can play Countdown at Pathfinders tonight...

Uni offers, sour Skittles and cups of tea with Kate Feast (which are my favourite and she is just so amazing)

So it's come to that time again when I write a blog. It's been a busy few weeks getting back into the swing of things. There have been some really big positives though :) like I got into my first choice for university! Northampton, here I come... and it's been great spending time with the wonderful youfff again.

I had to say good bye to one of my best friends on Sunday. Rachel has jetted off for 7 months of travelling all over the world! I am really excited for her and it is an amazing opportunity :) but also gonna miss her a lot. I've already heard some funny stories about her adventures including being sick and taking selfies on a plane. What can I say really?! I would've been shocked had she NOT got up to mischief ;) 


I'm really looking forward to going to the SoulNet retreat next weekend with Olly and Beth. It's a weekend run by the people who do Soul Survivor, aimed at youth workers/people who work with young people and giving the opportunity for a bit of a break and some fun at Center Parcs! Unfortunately, I am missing my little sister's birthday (for the second year running) as she turns 19 on the Saturday, but I've got some surprises planned so I hope she won't be too annoyed :D


Recently in the office we have been: thinking lots about the youth weekend away coming up at the end of February, watching Prank vs Prank videos, drinking hot chocolate (shock), planning fundraising activities for Soul Survivor, eating sour Skittles, and keeping busy with all our usual weekly goings on. I'm still loving every moment of being a minion ;)

I've been encouraged in lots of ways over the past week. I think people don't realise how a tiny little comment can sometimes be the most encouraging thing I've heard all day! I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such lovely people.


Before I go, the title of this blog might sound a bit weird, but a certain someone was saying the other day how I never mention her in blogs and seeing as we've done quite a lot of tea-drinking this week...

Why hello there 2014...

Happy new year all! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed all the new year celebrations. I'm glad to be back after the break. I mean, there's only so many days you can spend watching films and eating chocolate... it's a hard life! I was quite ill over Christmas which was rubbish, but it seems like lots of people were being struck down with bugs or colds. I think next year, I'll be dreaming of a healthy Christmas!


I came back into the office on Friday along with Olly and Beth, and it was really cool to have some time to pray for the upcoming youth work this year. I think I'm right in saying we're all excited :) we've got some ideas for one-off events in the next few weeks as well as being inspired in the more long term work that's happening. I can't believe how quickly time has gone since September. Yesterday Olly and I were feeling a bit sad that the internship will be coming to an end in the summer... part of me wants to stay forever! But I'm also excited about what's coming next, plus there's loads of time before the summer so I'm going to enjoy every moment.


I haven't really got any new years resolutions. My friend Emma has started this “one word” resolution thing. (Check out her blog http://juststepoutoftheboat.blogspot.co.uk to keep up with how her year goes) Basically, you choose one word to sum up what you want to achieve out of the year and spend time focusing on that, rather than making endless lists of resolutions that you know deep down you're never going to keep. I thought it was worth a try and I've come up with the word MOVE. For those of you who know me well, it isn't just so I can sing King Julian. Every year I dream of being fitter and doing more, so in that respect it's a good word! But it's also making me think about the changes that will happen this year and I know that God wants me to move on from lots of things that have held me back before.


I've finally sent off my university application and I'm pleased that I've had two offers. Things definitely seem on the up at the moment and I'm feeling grateful for lots of things, especially God giving me so many amazing opportunities. I'm praying that 2014 will be a good one!


“Be very careful, then, how you live your life – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...... always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20

IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAS!

“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go” - well no actually. In some places, it's looked like Christmas since October; I'm just happy to embrace it now. I've been a bit of a Scrooge this year to be honest (I even bought a “Bah humbug” jumper) but I now feel that it's ok to get excited about Christmas! I'm sure Beth will be relieved as she's been going on about it FOR WEEKS. The first time I felt properly excited was on Tuesday at the staff meeting when Beth produced the most amazing Christmas tree made of biscuits and icing I've ever seen. Somehow, the tree disappeared pretty quickly during the morning and weirdly, Beth and I felt sick all afternoon...


I'm sad that I don't get to do my year 7 cell group until January now. I will miss them all brightening up my Wednesday afternoons! I planned a Nativity treasure hunt for Wednesday which sent us all over Eynsham looking for clues. They found the treasure in the church and we had some fun unwrapping chocolates and sweets – Harry even got a harmonica (Santa was feeling generous!) It's been great to spend some time with them over the past two weeks looking at the story of Christmas. I think it's important that we're all reminded what this time of year is really about – and this year I feel like I've learnt loads more about it that I didn't know before. Like I never knew that the Bible doesn't actually say “wise men” or mention how many there actually are. They're referred to as Magi, and the only reason we say there were 3 is because of the number of presents Jesus got. We watched a 4 minute video during cell last week showing scenes from “The Nativity” which was on TV a few years ago and tells the story of Jesus' birth (not the film about the primary school who put on a Christmas play – although that film is hilarious especially watching it with Kate Feast who likes to sing along) which I think is a brilliant reminder :)


It's the last Pathfinders this evening and we have lots of fun Christmas things planned. I'm particularly looking forward to dressing up as an angel and playing pass the parcel (such a child), and then making mincemeat toasties with the older group... not sure that they will taste that nice, but we'll see ;)


We then have the cell Christmas celebration next Thursday which I'm really looking forward to – and then that's it! Until January 2^nd, I am freeeeeee!! I think I know already what I'll be doing... attempting to go last-minute Christmas shopping, writing assignments, seeing friends who are back from uni (YAAAY!) and probably eating far too much.


I'll be remembering what it's all about though, and praying for CAR at this time. If you haven't been watching the news, last night there was a section on Channel 4 news about CAR and if you go onto 4od, it should be on there under “Channel 4 news”. It's strange to think that this time last year, I was there and makes it all the more real. I'd love it if you could keep CAR in your prayers.


That's all for now. I was just about to sign off with “I'm going to get a hot chocolate” but that's exactly how I signed off my last blog... so, I'm going to do something mega healthy, like jog around Eynsham. Pahaha ;)  

Advent (already?!)

Another 10 days has flown by! I'm still reeling from the fact it's December – how is it this close to being 2014?! I've got 5 advent calendars this year, which definitely makes up for not really having one last year! (I'm not that greedy - I share 3 of them, but no way am I sharing my Percy Pig one!!!) Also, it was a bit scary yesterday when I realised at college that I won't be seeing 4 of the people on my course until the new term, and as they left, we said “see you next year!" 2013 has absolutely flown by, yet it feels like it's been one of the busiest, craziest, up, down, memorable years of my life. Still, there's December to go yet and there's a lot happening.


I feel like I live on the bus at the moment. That saying “time flies when you're having fun” is very true. When I'm actually doing something or with other people, the day has gone before I know it. But on the bus, I'm pretty sure time stands still... I've decided to make a real effort to talk to people while I'm on the bus. Yep, I'm gonna be that annoying person who gets all in your personal space and asks you how your day's been. How very un-British of me ;)


The weather is getting colder and colder. I miss CAR weather more than ever right now. I think if I decide to live abroad when I'm older, I will live somewhere hot! There's only so many extra jumpers I can put on before I look like the Michelin man.


There is lots to do in the office and within the youth work at the moment. In fact, it feels like everyone is really busy; preparing for Christmas or just generally at work. This will be the first Christmas Eve for 3 years when I haven't been either at work or extremely stressed, so I hope it's gonna be a good one :) I better stop waffling now as there's lots to do that won't plan/tidy/annoy Olly itself. Plus I walked back into the office half an hour ago and it smelt like hot chocolate, so I now really want one...