Thinking. Growing. Learning. Changing.

Monday 23 March 2009

Every Blessing

Well, since my last post what can I say... things just keep on getting better!


This weekend has been just brilliant. I had a suprise visit from my best friend who was home on study leave. I love the spontanious opportunities to catch up and just hang out together - makes me realise how few and far between such occassions can be. Friday night I was back at FNL as usual and was helping to put together the epic event that will be "FNL's Got Talent." Rebekah and I were putting the kids through their paces and checking the progress of each act. One group of girls in particular just blew us away with their efforts. They dance and cheerlead together and are best friends both in and out of school. Every week these girls turn up with a themed outfit of some variety - usually neon rave and on occassion their PJs! The girls came to us before the rehearsal with some drama about having had a fall-out and some of the group members weren't speaking. They agreed to rehearse anyway. I was just in awe of their efforts and the teamwork they put in despite the fact that they weren't on speaking terms. I had to sit the girls down and just tell them what a special friendship they had going on and encouraged them not to waste that. Thankfully they saw my point and made up. I realised how much I love the kids at FNL and I'm so grateful to be part of the ministry there.



Saturday - what an adventure!

I was at work 11am-8pm and it was a tough shift cause the rugby was on. However, at 11pm that night I set off to help on the launch of the new ICC Buddies Bus. The college recently aquired a new bus. Thanks to the extreme hard work and sheer determination of a few dedicated people it was completely transformed. A few weeks ago I went along to help with some on-board painting and decorating and it was great to see the work in progress. Saturday night was the launch of the new bus and the first time in over 7 months the bus ministry had been on the street. What a night! We had a huge response and interest from people in the streets and between 12:30-4:30am the bus was full of clubbers, rugby boys and people just out for the night. I met some brilliant people and God just blessed us by giving us a noticeable and welcomed presence in Sauchihall St. We teamed up with the Street Pastors, giving them somewhere to rest for a while and were supported by the patroling police officers. The launch night was so successful and I know it meant so much to those who have been putting so much work in to making it happen.




Sunday - needless to say after getting home at 5am I slept in quite a bit but in the evening I set off for my friend's sister's Baptism. I had really wanted to go but couldn't because I was on band duty at church with no-one to cover. With only 10 minutes to spare before rehearsals someone stepped in to cover me and I was able to go. It was a really special night - not just because two people I knew were getting baptised but because I could see God at work in a much bigger picture in the lives of their families and friends. I just felt so blessed to be able to witness that and share in the experience.





And finally... I've got a flat! I went with my parents to view a few flats last week and they put an offer in on a top floor flat just behind the college. Today we found out our offer has been acceppted! We still need to do all the formal paperwork and so forth but it's pretty much ours! I feel like God has just blessed me constantly for the past few months and it seems to be a confirmation that I trusted Him and made the right decision in moving to ICC. My leap of faith has been well and truly rewarded.

Friday 27 February 2009

So...













What's been happening?

Quite a lot since I last posted. Personal circumstances and the pressure of exams squeezed out any time for reflecting here. Life at ICC was daunting at first, both socially and academically but eventually I settled in. I had my first four modules; Introduction to Old Testament, Christian Discipleship, Church History and Children, Family & Society. Each module was interesting; I learned more from some than others but even in a few months my faith, theology and perceptions have been significantly challenged. I'm delighted to say I've discovered that I love the old testament - it's so rich, challenging and inspiring all at once. I've considered my own spiritual disciplines and how I exercise my own faith and relationship with God and how I disciple others. Huge lessons were learned there - particularly lessons of integrity and honesty in dealing with others, learning to embrace and accept our differences in the way we pray, live and worship. I've learned a little more of the history of the church, how we got to where we are today and how to seperate tradition from traditionalism. It's good to know that even though the church today is a bit of mess... well... really it's always been a bit of a mess and it seems like we'll just never have the answers or get it right. Even the church fathers couldn't agree on everything! Looking at children, families and society has challenged the ideas that I take for granted of what family should be and how families should function. Families are messy... and there's no getting around it! The modules I've started this term are even more interesting and challenging; An Introduction to the New Testament, Explore Christian Beliefs/Doctrine, The Bible & Mission and The Bible & Ethics - all of which have inspired and challenged me already. In short... I'm loving it!





I've recently become involved in a local project which mentors young people age 14-25 through volunteering. I've taken on the responsibility of being a mentor and made a commitment to be the project convenor for the next year. So... lots of challenges to be faced there but I'm so excited and inspired about helping this project move forward and seeing it be developed to it's full potential. Working for an entirely secular organisation will be a good challenge to me personally too.

Today I found out I've been accepted on to the team of an SU Motiv8 Urban camp for this easter - something I'm really excited about! Thankfully my best friend Emma is coming with me. It'll be a challenging week for us both and it will be good to have each other there to share in the joys and struggles of the week.

That's about it... other things going at the moment including searching for a flat with two fabulous girls from college. The girls at college have been an absolute blessing. Over the Christmas holidays we had a great day out at Loch Lomond and it made me so thankful to have such a great group of friends there despite my initial fears I'd have none at all! I've also booked a holiday to Milan with four of my good friends - a much deserved rest I think!

Well that's about me... hopefully I'll get back in to my theological and reflective posting when time permits!