Summer

No blog since May?? Oh dear...kinda echoing Scott's post by saying that I don't think it's been missed! haha But anyway, I will blog a bit about what my summer is going to be like....

First of all is our Uganda trip. A team of about 20 are heading out this year for 3 weeks. The team head out on Sunday 5th July then Laura, Dave and myself are heading out laster that evening on a different flight then we arrive home a day after the rest. I am very excited about the trip, but it's a different feeling from last year. Lat year's trip was my first time in Afirca so my excitement was more because of the anticipation of what it was going to be like. This year though, I'm excited to be with some of the people from last year's team and some new people, and I'm excited to see the familiar faces of the pupils and teachers from last year. Mostly though, I am excited to see our school, "Light for all". It opened in February so right now there is learning going on. How amazing is that? It's going to be a very special experience to return to the school and see pupils and teachers within the walls I helped to build with my own hands. I'm excited to see what God will do in my heart, when I was in Africa last year I had such an overwhelming feeling of God all around us. I wonder what he will stir up this time??

Secondly...my graduation...FINALLY! On Monday 29th June I will be walking across the stage to collect my certificate that says I have a degree! Relief doesn't even begin to describe how I'm feeling. I'm not really looking forward to the ceremony itself as I hear they can be quite boring! But I am definately looking forward to the feeling of achievement on that day (even though it's 2 years late!!) Unfortunately it's Scott's last day of school that day so he won't be at the actual ceremony but he will be up after for a meal in the Ramore Wine Bar (my favourite restaurant!!)

Then after all that, Scott and I are hoping to get away for a week's holiday in the sun in August sometime, only if we can afford it though as it would be a nice end to the summer.

So that's about it in a nutshell...a pretty busy summer lies ahead but I can't wait!

Love love love!

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks was on Jonathon Woss on Friday night...did anyone see him? I liked him alot. He seems like a really down to earth guy and he was really quite funny. My favourite part of his interview though was the rap from his film "Big"....

Marathon

Didn't Scott and Lewis do well on Monday?? (And also all the other people who took part!) It's such an achievement...it's quite an inspiration actually. I would love to be able to do it...maybe some day...I'm sure I have it in me somewhere!

I'm very proud of them both, especially at times it wasn't looking like they were going to do it, but they raised alot of money for a great cause, and they can now say that they have ran a marathon! On Monday night after all the action we headed round to the Woods' for pizza and a dvd..."Run Fat Boy Run"! Perfect choice! haha, but the boys (and pregnant Gayle) faded fast!!

Great job boys!

The Notebook

Been a while since my last post!

Was just watching the notebook and was reminded of a piece of dialogue that I absolutely love. They are the first words spoken in the film, and from the first time I heard them, they have stuck with me.

"I am no one special, just a common man with common thoughts. I have led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. I have loved another wth all my heart and soul, and for me that has always been enough."

Just beautiful.

love love love!

Homebird

We were at this gig in the Mandela hall last year and I just came across a video that was taken at it, it's one of my favourite Foy Vance songs and I loved it when he sang it here then the crowd took over! It's not a great recording but I just love this...

February so far...

So Scotty and I are back from Southampton and its back to work and back to the usual routine! We had a great time away, our hotel was amazing, although I can't say the same for the weather! We were away for 3 nights and we got 4 full days with the way the flights worked out which was great. Scott showed me round, we went to see the St. Mary's football stadium, I got to see his old room in the academy guesthouse where he lived for a few years and I got to see his photo up on the wall alongside some guys who are now famous footballers (truthfully the only one i knew was Theo Walcott!). Southampton holds a very special place in Scott's heart as his time there was a big part of his life for years, so it was special to me that he wanted to take me there to share some of that with me. It was also great just to spend some proper time together on our own.

Then it was Valentines day on Saturday. To be honest I don't get overly carried away on Valentines day, i hold the same view as quite alot of people that it shouldn't just be on one day that we show our love for eachother, but that's just me! I don't really do presents, as long as I get a card i'm a happy bunny. We did head out for a meal though and we had planned to go to the cinema aswell to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but the show we had booked for had been cancelled due to a technical fault. However the meal was gorgeous, we went to Dante's Italian Bistro in Victoria Square. It is such a lovely little place and the food was amazing, so i would recommend there!

Finally, for those who have been reading about my frustrations with uni and my exam which I sat on 12th January...i passed! So I now have my degree and I am finally set to graduate in the summer! So all round it has been a pretty great February so far...

Love love love!

This week....

This week is a pretty good one for me for 3 main reasons...

1. I have my interview for beauty college on Thursday,

2. I am leading a new group at Alpha and our first night was tonight with the meal, first proper night next week,

3. An finally, leaving the best til last...my dad got saved lastnight! After years of us praying for him he finally took that step and he committed his life to the Lord lastnight. He headed back to Iraq today which was harder than usual becasue he has been home since 18th December and won't be back now til the end of April. I am just so happy that our prayers have been answered, and is such an encouragement for others aswell...

"Don't expect God's answers to come too easily or too quickly. Prayer may be challenged by evil forces, so pray fervently and pray earnestly. Then expect God's answer at the right time"

love love love!