Birthday happenings

Why is it that when your birthday falls in the middle of June it is still not safe to plan for a birthday barbeque??! Yesterday was not my birthday, the real thing was earlier in the week, but a few weeks ago (when the weather was warm and sunny) I planned for an evening of barbeque food and games up at the park; a joint birthday party for me and a friend whose birthday falls next week. On Thursday as the school teddy bear's picnic was taking place indoors I began to doubt whether we would be able to have a barbeque after all.... And so it rained. We rearranged ourselves, rang around and went for a nice meal in a pub instead! It was lovely. I don't go out with friends often enough and should do it more. Thank you to those who came, it was lovely to spend time with you!

The joy of Guiding

Today I have been away at a Guide sleepover with my 'old' or rather 'home' guide unit along with another unit in the district. I have only been able to join them for the day unfortunately as this weekend has become quite a hectic one with birthday parties and school duties. Nevertheless I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Guiding can be so completely rewarding, seeing the girls really responding to one another, encouraging each other and working together. Yet it is all in such a relaxed and fun atmosphere that you just don't get at school. The guides have been working towards their 'Traditions in Guiding' badge so some of the activities may seem dated - that's the point! Still, you can have fun without doing a 'glamourama' Go For It (moreso in my opinion). In one short day we have: made patrol emblems and posters to decorate the hut, learnt the national anthem, played dominoes, done pioneering, made a trail and followed it, learnt and used hand and whistle signals, learnt ballroom dancing, made twists and cooked them on a campfire, had a campfire with songs and skits, played a quiz and made a catapult to throw a table tennis ball the furthest as well as set up and washed up after lunch, cooked tea on barbeques and even had free time! That is one activity packed day!

The most enjoyable part of the whole day has been how relaxed it has all been. No targets to fill, no pressure to achieve. But plenty of quality learning and tonnes of enjoyment. Can't ask for much more than that.

Oasis for women, words from the Lord and too much cheese

Yesterday was another of the wonderful women's days at church. Theme this time - self esteem and body image. On arrival there was a warmly laid out room with artwork from previous days and church events, tables set out cafe style, soft drinks and chocolate. Oh and chocolate. There were two chocolate fountains and copious numbers of strawberries, grapes and marshmallows.

As the afternoon got underway the Oasis planning team sat down in a panel on comfy chairs at the front. Connie described it as looking like Loose Women... and so it was! We discussed power and weakness, children, women's roles, how we feel about our bodies, colonic irrigation (that was a rather unpleasant aside!) and watched a clip of How To Look Good Naked (also quite cringeworthy, I shudder at the very thought!)

After much discussion, laughter and chocolate eating (I ate far, far too much!) we broke up into groups of 3 to pray for each other. It was one of those pressurised times that I really hate. Sarah and I got split up deliberately which annoyed me somewhat, not allowed to pray with friends obviously, and another two ladies joined me at my table. We numbered ourselves 1-3 then numbers 2 and 3 prayed for number 1 for 2 minutes and then were given another couple of minutes to share with that person what they had heard from God for them. Now, call me a cynic (Cynic! Cynic! I hear you cry) but I'm not really sure God works like that... "alright, Lord, you have 2 minutes in which to give me something specific for this one person that will mean something to them or encourage them; nothing airy fairy please..." Anyway, as I was praying for the first lady I was desperately hoping for something wildly exciting to happen or well anything really that I could share with her after 2 minutes. Perhaps my mind was far too consumed with the pressure of having to think of anything at all that I'd probably lost a minute of praying time in fretting! As I was praying a tune appeared in my head, "hooray!" I thought, "A word from the Lord!" and so I sang it through in my head to work out what it was.... only to discover that it was the Clover advert... So not that holy then. I didn't bother to share it. It reminded me of a talk that Jeff Lucas gave at Spring Harvest once where he described obscure 'words and pictures' that he's received in prayer meetings before speaking engagements. "Bless you, love", he thought, "I think you've been eating too much cheese!"

Too much sugar in my case perhaps?!