Before the big sleepover

For the last three years I have been involved in the big sleepover. For the last three years I have started by doing the icebreakers. For the last three years  I have resisted using the fat penguin joke. Maybe this year will be the year to use it!

In truth I don't like organising games, I'd like a chance to do something more complex but I'm not sure what. For the first two sleepovers I was actively involved on leading the late night worship. I don't think we have one this year. It was an amazing feeling though and it's one I don't think I'll ever forget. Especially that first year!

The first year I led a session on me and my community too and I think it went well. People enjoyed it anyway.  

Each sleepover had brought a different set of challenges with it and by now all of the young people know each other quite well and they know the leaders quite well so Ice breakers aren't needed really except for the scattering of younger ones who haven't been before. 

I can't wait for Sunday evening! I'll have that fantastic happy exhaustion (hopefully!) I'll look back at everything that maybe didn't go exactly to plan and smile because it was probably better that way.  I might type again on Monday and tell you how it all went. 

I had another form from Cliff College too, this time it was an APEL form. This helps them assess how much work and experience and learning I have in the areas covered by the course I've applied for. 

I'm glad I'm going to their summer school and I hope it will help me with the YMM course application. It's a bit daunting not knowing if I'm on the course or not yet. I know it will help me get a perminant post as a youth worker and it's what I really really want to do! It's what I've been called to do and it's taken me far too long to realise that.  

I was given a song to listen to a few days ago, and yesterday I managed to find time to do so, a line of the lyrics is as follows. 

'Your worlds not falling apart, its falling into place

I'm on the throne, stop holding on and just be held

Just be held, just be held'

It's not falling apart. It's falling into place. And that's how I feel. And what I need to be reminded of. The next part  told me I was still looking in the right place. 

Last Sunday during evening service I kept my eyes on the wooden cross next too the lectern. 

'If your eyes are on the storm

You'll wonder if I love you still.

But if your eyes are on the cross

You'll know I always have and I always will.'

So I was looking in the right place. 

I can't quite forget that none of this is in my hands. All I can do is listen for that call and when I hear it answer loud and clear. So if God wants me to go to cliff college, and be on the YMM course then all I can do is say okay. 

Recently I've been thinking a lot about the leap of faith I did in November to encourage the little girl with me. All the way up I was thinking 'what am I doing!?' But I kept going. Struggled so hard to get onto that platform. And I shook so much when I finally got on it at the top! But I leapt off. And survived!

Right now I think I'm climbing.  The course will be me getting onto that platform. 

But I know all the way through God will be there. And when I jump off it will be for him. 

God, help me fly for you. Help me help other to fly!

Numb!

I've just returned from the dentist! (It's not going to all be about the dentist.) And I now have half a numb tounge and half of my mouth numb. I've not had this before so it's all a bit new. I'm lucky when It comes to the dentist, I don't have to have something done very often. It was very strange having my tooth out especially as I could feel it in my nose! 

It left me thinking about the things that we are numb about in our lives the things that we just ignore. Maybe situations or even people we pass.

All I can think about is that I'd really like a cup of tea right now! But I can't until this numbness goes.  

I've also been taking part in the 100 happy days challenge. Every day you have to put something your happy about that day. Sometimes it'll be hard finding something I'm happy about. I'm only on day five, and so far so good. The people who set the challenge said that only 71% fail the challenge Which is sad.  I really really hope I can be part of the 29% that manage to finish it. It will be may? When I finish if I keep going till the end.

So today I'm probably happy that my tooth extraction didn't hurt. And I'm happy it's over.

What are you happy about? Do you think you could do the challenge?

Hope you have a good happy time till I type again. XxX 

God bless you. 

Legends.

I've been trying to write a few legends for one of my book series recently. I've written four so far, three about landmarks and one about a monster. 

Legends are immportant. Not only are they part of history but they are also a fundamental way of life in some places.  Ask anyone about the grim who is a Harry Potter fan or anyone in Suffolk about the black dog (they sound similar) and they'll tell you all about it. As someone not native, and they'll give you a blank look. 

Yes legends are stories that are told so much they become a legend. But I don't know where I would be without knowing about King Arthur, and I know I would love to meet Robin Hood, (even if only to beat him wrestling, he want very good at it apparently!).  

Legends take time. Years and years to establish. But inspiring someone through being good and true to yourself is something you can do right now. 

So if maybe, you want to be a legend, someone who is remembered time and time year after year, just try and be the best person you can. 

Oh, and if you see a sword in a stone, maybe give it a little pull? After all, it can't hurt to try can it!