madhat's musings

Back on the allotment

2012-03-04T15:11:00.000Z

After a long winter break, I went with my husband to our allotment today.
Thanks to his hard work during the winter months everything is looking quite tidy and ready for the next season.

This is the new cloche for the carrots. The cloche covering will help them stay warm, even if the weather is still quite wintery. So hopefully we will have some young tender carrots in a few weeks time!

This is our new water collection system.
Okay, it's a fancy term for a couple of pipes hung from the roof of the old dilapidated shed, leading into two old water tanks.

Last summer was very dry and there is no running water on the allotment, so we want to be prepared!

The new rhubarb is beginning to come through the ground. It won;t be too long before we can enjoy the first stems.
I am hoping to get enough of our three rhubarb plants to make some jam and - if possible - some wine.

We are quite excited about the new growing season.
We have doubled our plot in size since last year, so we are hoping for plenty of fruit and veg this year!

Hope springs eternal

2012-02-29T19:16:00.000Z

Going for a walk at the weekend, I spotted this coltsfoot plant growing virtually out of the tarmacked path. Such a tough, hardy plant!

Does anybody know why ladybirds huddle together? I read that they do it for warmth ... but do they even give out warmth??
Either way, every winter, without fail, I see these little groups huddled together. Waiting for the spring sun, no doubt, which will warm them and allow them to leave the huddle and move on.

I was happy to spot this bumblebee. My first this spring!
It busied itself in a patch of crocuses, emerging dusted in pollen, only to move on to the next flower.

Mindfulness

2012-02-26T17:17:00.002Z

Thank you to Meditation Matters - St. John's Center, for this quote:

"Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn't more complicated that that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it."
-- Sylvia Boorstein

Lent

2012-02-21T06:53:00.000Z

Tomorrow is the beginning of Lent - the time of preparation for Holy Week and Easter.
Traditionally this is a time of fasting and giving, of repentance and reflection.

I came across this recently:

"Lent is a time of fasting in the run up to Holy Week and Easter. Fasting involves both giving things up and taking things on.

GIVING THINGS UP
Someone who is fasting might give up food during daylight, for example, or a particular type of food. They might give up a behaviour that hurts themselves or others, like smoking, excessive drinking, or judging others. This would involve honest self-examination, a sort of stock take on behaviour. This can lead to people apologising, either to God or to others, for things they have done wrong, and even to long reaching lifestyle changes.

TAKING THINGS ON
It’s not just about giving up negative stuff, it’s also about taking on positive stuff. This might mean giving money to charity or getting involved in social justice projects or campaigns that help the needy. It could be something as simple as popping round to check an elderly relative is ok. It very often involves taking on a commitment to pray more regularly, to find a healthy and sustaining spiritual pattern and rhythm."

Reflecting on this I have decided to have two very simple meals a day (such as dry bread, dry rice, porridge made with water).
I am hoping to learn from this what it must be like for the millions of people who live on very little and do without the many luxuries which I am lucky to enjoy.

Any money I save by eating such simple food rather than buying lunches etc will go to charity. (Although I haven't decided on a charity yet. Any suggestions?)

Will you give up anything or take up something this Lent?

More Wildlife pics

2012-02-16T19:55:00.002Z

Today we went for a walk through the Hanson Environmental Study Centre. A great place to sit in one of the hides and watch the birds. My favourite one is the woodland hide.

Not long after putting the bird food out, this little tit appeared. One of the fellow birdwatchers in the hide explained that debates had ensued amongst the experienced birders as to whether this was a marsh tit or a willow tit.
Who knows?

The robin is of course much easier to identify!
Earlier this week a robing landed on hubby's hand to take a some food. Quite a brave little fellow! (Robin, not hubby!)

This squirrel did not seem to care much about the fact that the food had been put out for the birds!

But the cutest of them all was the little bank vole, which appeared between the logs of a nearby wood pile.

For more great pictures from the Hanson Centre and elsewhere, visit Tales of a Bank Vole.

Along the river Great Ouse

2012-02-12T08:17:00.000Z

Today I went for a walk along the river Great Ouse.

This beautiful old cedar tree stands in the church yard of Holy Trinity church.

Walking down from the church to the river, I met this swan, who appreciated the sweetcorn kernels, which I had brought.

Further up the river I walked through the tunnel which runs under the old Iron Aqueduct that crosses the river.

Underneath the aqueduct I spotted this juvenile heron who was looking for fish.

Walking back home along the canal I fed some ducks ...

... and spotted this canal boat which was frozen in.

Then it was time to head home. Time really flies!

Snow

2012-02-05T20:16:00.001Z

Finally we've had some snow. The first this winter, which - compared to last year - has been very mild so far.

Plenty fell overnight, although most of it has melted by now.
I managed to take a few pictures on my way to church this morning, before the melt began.

Are you ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch?

2012-01-27T09:53:00.000Z

Goldfinch

Here in the UK, members of the public are asked once a year to spend an hour counting the birds in their garden (or park or any other place) and submit the figures to help map the population of birds in Britain.
The Big Garden Birdwatch is on this weekend (28th and 29th January 2012)!

Here is what the website says:

"For over 30 years, we've been asking you to count the birds in your garden – and you've been brilliant at it.

Every year, even more of you join in with the count, and 2011 turned out to be one of our best yet. Thank you.

With results from so many gardens, we are able to create a 'snapshot' of bird numbers in each region. This is important because we've been able to see that some of our birds are disappearing in scary numbers.

We've lost more than half our house sparrows and some three-quarters of our starlings. And your results have helped highlight these dramatic declines.

However, it isn't all doom and gloom - these surveys help us spot problems, but more importantly, they are also the first step in putting things right.

We look forward to finding out what you've seen."

You can register here and download your bird sheet.
Give it a go!

robin's song

2012-01-25T20:23:00.000Z

A gloomy, damp, grey

winter’s day.

Colour-less.

But the robin’s song tells of

things to come.

Rosehip tea

2012-01-23T19:09:00.000Z

I managed to find a few rosehips left on a rose bush today. (And no, they didn't look as plump and fresh as the ones in the picture above ...)

Robin Harford's website 'Eat Weeds' gives instructions on how to dry rosehips for tea making.
Can't wait until next autumn now!

Dandelion Coffee

2012-01-23T06:21:00.002Z

Now I love real coffee like the next person, but as part of my new, more relaxed lifestyle I have decided to have no more than two cups of coffee in the morning - which leaves the rest of the day to other interesting beverages.
Last year we tried making dandelion coffee, which was interesting and quite tasty (although nothing like the real thing!). I have used up our supply and will have to make some more ...

I went out in the garden and found a few straggly dandelion plants. (Not the best time of year for weeds - apparently). The roots are thin - but it's better than nothing!

Step 1:
Wash the roots and remove the leaves. Dry the roots for a couple of days on a radiator or somewhere else fairly warm and dry.

Step 2:
Chop the roots into pieces 1/2" (1cm) long and roast in the oven on gas mark 6/200°C/400F for 30 minutes or until they look brown in colour and have a nutty, roasted aroma. They should be completely dry at this stage.

Step 3:
Allow the dandelion root to cool then finely grind, and roast a second time in an oven for another 10-15 minutes on gas mark 4/180°C/350F. Cool and store in airtight container.

To brew the coffee:

For each mug of coffee (usually 200ml or 8 fl oz of water), use 1-2 teaspoons of the roasted root.
Add the root to simmering water and continue to simmer while covered for 7–15 minutes.Strain into a mug and add sugar and milk as required.

What'ya think?

Foraging

2012-01-22T08:30:00.000Z

Today it took my fancy to go foraging.

It's not the best time of year - especially since I was after anything I could turn into a herbal tea ...
I was looking for rosehips, but found that the recent frost had made them look black and shriveled. I should have done this months ago!

Instead I collected some firewood. Not much - just as much as my bag could hold, but enough for one comfortable evening by the wood-burning stove.

Then I found someYarrow, which makes a nice herbal tea. Again, not the best time to collect it, but I found handful of fresh new leaves (possibly because of the mild winter we have had so far.

Take a few leaves, pour over boiling water and leave to stand for 5 minutes or so. Add honey to taste.

Enjoy!

The role of meditation in mental health

2012-01-21T13:38:00.001Z

Thanks to Sr. Ellie Finlay of St. John's Center for Spiritual Formation I found this interesting article on the role of meditation in mental health.

"Clinicians are increasingly looking for effective, preventative, non-pharmacological options to treat mental illness. And meditation techniques – such as quietening the mind, understanding the self and exercising control – show promise as an alternative tool to regulate emotions, mood and stress.

Meditation enhances positive emotions and mood, and appears to make people less vulnerable to the stresses and upsets of daily life. Research shows that meditators are better at regulating immediate responses to negative stimuli and have reduced activity in the amygdala – a region implicated in response to threat. These findings reflect greater emotional resilience among meditators as well as less psychological distress and anxiety."

Couch to 5K

2012-01-20T15:18:00.002Z

I have enjoyed jogging on and off for some years now. I love the rhythmic (almost meditative) movement that comes with running and the freedom to let the mind roam.

'Couch to 5K' programmes aim to ease a complete novice into running - up to a level required to run 5 kilometers (or approx. 3 miles). That's equivalent to about 30 minutes of steady running.

There are many 'couch to 5K' programmes available on the Internet. Just google it.
I particularly like this one designed by the NHS. Apart from its staggered running programme (including downloads for mp3) it offers a lot of advice and support.

Friends and signs of growth

2012-01-19T17:39:00.002Z

Following my recent discussions with my husband, I have spoken to my friends at church to explain that I will be reducing the amount of time and energy I spend there. I am giving up my role on the church council. I have been blown away by how gracious and understanding and supportive people have been. True friends!

A good friend, who happens to be a pastor himself, gave me this counsel:

"It really is threatening to lose one's spouse to a God one doesn't personally believe even exists.

My own advice to you remains that despite the needs of your church, the people God has placed in your life are to be of your first concern. That would be (in order) your family, your neighbours, your greater community, and extended ultimately to the world. The church's role is to equip you for that ministry.

And as much as it is also important that you also help to equip others, doing so is not a substitute for the actual ministry you are entrusted with, beginning with your husband and your children. Love on them as God loves them. And let the Spirit guide you from there."

Sounds like good advice to me.

I am ready to move on!

Frosty day

2012-01-15T10:59:00.000Z

This morning I got out early to catch the frost before the sun put an end to it.

The snapdragons in the garden are trying to hold out in the frost. They should have gone long ago, but with the mild winter so far they are still in flower.

The rosemary is also frosted over, although this plant is hardy and won't mind the cold weather.

The teasel in the field is slowing thawing and showing its 'sunny side'.

And the sheep don't seem to mind the cold weather as long as grass is still in good supply. That's what those woolly coats are good for!

Maranatha

2012-01-14T16:30:00.000Z

For some time now have I started my day with exercising.

The wii fit introduced me to Yoga - something which I have not done for many, many years.So I have started replacing my morning exercise routine with gentle Yoga stretches and postures. I have found this 21-day-Yoga challenge, which is giving me a clear and easy introduction to Yoga.

I follow these exercises with a time of meditation, reading the Bible and prayer.
I was recommended a 'Christian meditation' method by a friend. The principles of focusing on ones breath is similar to other methods of meditation, but the words repeated in ones mind is Maranatha, an Aramaic word meaning 'Come, Lord'.

To aid the meditation and to prevent myself from distracting myself by counting the repetitions I made myself these simple meditation beads - made from some wooden beads which I still had from another project. The bracelet consists of 27 beads, knotted at an interval of three beads. With relatively slow breathing and each bead representing one count of 'Maranatha', moving round the bracelet takes approximately 13-15 minutes.

Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2012

2012-01-13T20:40:00.000Z

Poverty & Homelessness Action Week 2012 will run from 28 January to 5 February.

Father, we thank you that Jesus came to break down barriers. He did not see the migrant or the settled, the housed or the homeless, the employed or the unemployed; He saw and loved the person. Forgive us when we put up barriers between ourselves and others; help us show love to all without constraint. Help us, your church, to build communities without barriers, where all are valued because all are made in your image. In Jesus’ name, Amen

For more information click here.

Ecclesiastes - Tim Hughes

2012-01-10T18:24:00.000Z

First Crocus

2012-01-09T18:45:00.004Z

Today, on my lunch time walk I spotted - to my amazement - the first solitary crocus!
I pretty yellow one.
I didn't have a camera to hand, so this picture will have to do.

I found this poem, which I thought suited very well:

"First a howling blizzard woke us.
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus,
Crocus."

(Lila Rogers)

Learning to see the other side

2012-01-07T16:30:00.006Z

After a big row between us four days ago, little sleep and appetite since then, some talking, much crying, more thinking and praying I am finally beginning to see the other side.

I am not the victim of a big bad atheist husband, who doesn't like my faith ...
We are both victims of the same thing - the fear of losing in each because of our difference in beliefs!

As much as I find comfort in my faith, my husband finds it meaningless at best and threatening at worst.
As much as I feel part of my faith family, my husband feels excluded and not heard.

His issue is not with my faith (although he finds it incomprehensible); his issue is with how much time I spend away from the family and with my church family.
I realise that I have put my church family before my husband - and that is wrong!

I have decided to continue to put God first, but my husband/family a very clear second ... and everybody and everything else comes thereafter!

In the midst of the fatigue and exhaustion I am feeling, I also sense a great peace.
Now is the time to get closer to my husband again, spend more time with him, listen to him. Rediscover the clever, funny, caring, sensitive, practical guy, who I have taken for granted for too long!

Advent Wreath

2012-01-02T15:53:00.005Z

Hedgewitch's post (Earth and Tree: Evergreen) prompted me to write about our Advent wreath.
Every year I make a wreath to hang from our door.

Going out in the middle of winter to find greenery and berries is just a great reminder that life does not stop - not even in the darkest, coldest time of year.
It reminds me that life and light and warmth will return!

I guess that's a good Christmas message too:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

(John 1:5)

I am not sure what all the plants in this year's wreath are called, but I know that there is ivy (leaves and berries), holly, Clematis vitalba (also called Old Man's Beard), cypress and hawthorn.

Walking together

2012-01-02T15:14:00.005Z

Here is something my husband and I really share - our love for being out in the open, for walking together and for foraging.

Today was a brisk but sunny day. Perfect for going for a walk.

We are lucky to live in a small town with easy access to a number of pretty places within walking distance. We have the River Great Ouse, the Grand Union Canal and the old Iron Aqueduct, plus many other little areas which are worth exploring and walking around in.

What I like about walking this time of year, is the reminder that even in the middle of winter life has not stopped. Even when things seem to slow down, what they are REALLY doing is gathering strength to spring back to life again!

We found some Field Blewits (or Lepista Saeva), which are edible. Perhaps we will have a fry-up a bit later ...

Being myself

2012-01-01T18:39:00.005Z

I have spent more time thinking about how much my faith shapes who I am and to what extend it is part of me.

I cannot imagine being without my faith.
It is central to my being.

That's why I find it hard when people do not accept the fact that I believe what I believe ... not accepting that is akin to not accepting ME.

I have a friend who converted to her husband's faith. I have always had a suspicion that she did so because she felt coerced into it, perhaps to keep the peace and to save the marriage.
That will never happen to me!

When I first came to faith and realised just how antagonistic my husband was about it, I prayed fervently that I would have both: my husband and my God; my marriage and my faith.
For nine years God seems to have answered that prayer ...

Now I am starting to wonder whether it was the right prayer to pray.

Can we maintain a relationship, when there is no two-way respect and acceptance of each other?
I live in a country where I am blessed to have the freedom of religious expression.
What if I don't have that freedom in my own home?
Nobody should have the right to prevent me from living my faith and being myself!

I think I am ready to let go of my old prayer and to simply wait for what God has in store for me and my marriage.
Here's waiting ...

Tolerance in an interfaith marriage

2011-12-29T15:10:00.015Z

My husband is an atheist and I am a Christian.
For many years it did not matter. I was a non-practicing Catholic and he an easy-going agnostic.

Then, 9 years ago, I had a conversion moment which lead to a more committed and active Christian lifestyle ... which in turn lead my agnostic husband to do his own soul-searching and become a more outspoken atheist.

We have lived together for 26 years.
We are good together.
Most of our values are very closely aligned - despite our differences in beliefs.
And yet, the ONE THING which we disagree about - i.e. our faith and God - is a BIG THING, and it impacts on our lives together quite frequently.

The truth is that deep down both of us would love to see the other believe the same as we do.
I think this pressure is greater on my husband as on me, because whereas for me as a believer I have a deep sense that it is God who guides us (removing any pressure on me to 'convert my husband'), for my husband the responsibility to make 'his wife see the light' rests entirely with him!

Thomas Merton, a Catholic writer and mystic said this:

“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.”

How powerful is that??

But having trodden the sometimes tricky path of an interfaith marriage, I am aware that as much as being aware of the needs and feelings of the spouse and loving them as they are, we also need to learn to love ourselves and stand firm in expressing the spiritual needs which we cannot be without.

To love the other enough to let them be themselves, but at the same time to love ourselves enough to be ourselves!

As Soren Kierkegaard put it so nicely:

"Be that self which one truly is."

and

"Don't forget to love yourself."

So as we enter into another year, I hope and pray that we will continue to seek to be ourselves and at the same time allow the other to be themselves too.
We both deserve it!

Jesse Tree

2011-12-07T05:43:00.005Z

As part of my Advent preparation I came across this Jesse Tree - something like a Biblical Advent calendar, which sets us on a journey through the Bible until we arrive at the birth of Christ.

Jesse Tree

Click on each new symbol each day to follow the journey ...

Advent

2011-12-07T05:18:00.010Z

This year I have thought hard about the time of Advent and it's purpose.
It is meant to be a time of preparation for the festival which remembers the birth of Jesus ... but also a time of reflection and preparation for the second coming of Christ. Are we ready in our hearts for either??

Does preparation mean stocking up food, buying presents, getting stressed out over money, decorating the house and attending the office party?

Every year it seems to take me a bit longer to get "into the Christmas Spirit". Perhaps that it because I am looking for the wrong kind of spirit?

This year I have decided that before a feast should come a fast - a fast from the distractions which prevent me from REALLY getting prepared.

So I am abstaining from sweets and luxury foods - may it help me to become hungry for what really matters.
I am abstaining from Facebook and other time-wasting Internet activities - may it help me to focus on the things which nurture my soul.

This year I am spending more time in daily Bible reading and prayer and with my family.

Not a single Christmas present is bought yet, no Christmas food or chocolates stashed away, no decorations put up, no cards written - but I like to think I am getting ready for Christmas!

Home with parents

2011-10-04T10:01:00.004+01:00

After 22 months on various hospital wards and nursing homes, my stepfather has come home to be cared for by my mum.
I have gone to stay with them for the first week to help them settle in.

It is a joy to see how they enjoy each other company and savour the time they have together.

I am profoundly aware of the blessings thex have given me during my childhood and growing up years. More often than not have I taken their love, care and support for granted.
I am glad that it is not too late to say Thank You and to show my appreciation.

FROGS!

2011-06-30T22:36:00.004+01:00

Finally I did what had to be done - I released the tadpoles and froglets into the garden pond.

As soon as I had done that, I spotted this adult frog. I am just hoping that big frogs don't eat little frogs ... Hhmmm

Here is one of the froglets, enjoying the big outdoors.
They have been outside a week now, and I still spot them once in a while.

Hopefully at least a few will thrive and will be back in the spring.

Spot the frog! (Click to see the full size picture)

No longer just tadpoles

2011-06-10T06:07:00.007+01:00

Our little tadpoles are slowly but sure turning into little froglets.

Some have well established back legs, and this little fellow is starting to grow his front legs too.

Can anybody tell me what kind of frog/toad this is? (Both pictures are the same tadpole. They are not two different ones)

Tadpoles

2011-06-04T15:38:00.004+01:00

We found some tadpoles on the abandoned allotment next to ours.

They were swimming in half an inch of murky water with no sunlight and no way of escaping.

So we took a few home to watch them turn into frogs (or toads?)

Exciting to watch nature do its thing! I can't wait for the little froglets to emerge.

Growing food

2011-06-02T14:47:00.003+01:00

Everything on the allotment is rosy!

There is little I find as rewarding as growing, harvesting, preparing and eating my own fruit and veg (well, apart from knitting perhaps!)

I feel truly blessed to have such a variety and an abundance of food.

Elderflower cordial

2011-05-19T12:45:00.003+01:00

The elderflower blossoms are out and it's time to make elderflower cordial.

Homemade elderflower cordial is so much better than anything you can buy. Serve with sparkling water for a refreshing drink or sparkling wine for a delicious cocktail.

Ingredients

30 elderflower heads

1.7litres/3 pints boiling water

900g/2lb caster sugar

50g/2oz citric acid (available from chemists)

2 unwaxed oranges, sliced

3 unwaxed lemons, sliced

Preparation method

1. Gently rinse over the elderflowers to remove any dirt or little creatures.

2. Pour the boiling water over the sugar in a very large mixing bowl. Stir well and leave to cool.

3. Add the citric acid, the orange and lemon slices, and then the flowers.

4. Leave in a cool place for 24 hours, stirring occasionally.

5. Strain through some muslin and transfer to sterilised bottles.

We are just coming to the end of last year's batch and have enjoyed a little bit of summer, even during the winter months.

The Sparrowhawk

2011-05-19T07:42:00.003+01:00

In the back of our garden we have a vegetable patch, which at the moment is covered with a netting to keep the cats away.

Yesterday evening my husband called for me to help him, because a sparrow had managed to trap himself under the netting.

Just as we both walked up to the bed to lift the netting off, a sparrowhawk swooped down from nowhere, aiming for the helpless sparrow. Luckily the netting which had trapped the sparrow, now turned out to be a protection for the little sparrow - because the sparrowhawk could not reach him. Instead the netting was pushed down, leaving a gap at the side through which the lucky sparrow escaped.

All this happened in the blink of an eye, no more than a meter away from us!

It was a real "WOAH!" moment.

Feeling burdened

2011-05-17T14:17:00.004+01:00

At the moment everything seems to be happening at once - the daily issues of having two teenagers in the house, pressure at work, a busy time in the house and the garden, an increasing amount of responsibility in church with our old vicar leaving, and a husband who would like me to spend more time with him.

To cut a long story short, I feel burdened. Too much to do and not enough hours in the day!

After some time of feeling sorry for myself and then reflecting a little about it all, I can't help but feel that this is somehow a blessing. When I feel that I cannot do all these things in my own strength, then probably because that is exactly true. I cannot!

But I can do it with God's help and guidance and with his strength:

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light,” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT).

Right now I may not feel like I can handle things, but deep down I know that I will be okay - because I am not alone!

Spring is here!

2011-03-19T15:08:00.005Z

Spring has arrived!

You might think that after 44 years I am used to that annual event - but NO, every time it blows me away!

The new growth, the sun gaining in strength, the days lengthening, the soil warming, the creatures stirring ...

How can I not feel excited?!

Welcome sun, welcome life, welcome season of growth and development! Please enter and stay for a while.

Install Love

2010-12-21T18:44:00.004Z

TECH SUPPORT: Yes, how can I help you?

CUSTOMER: Well, after much consideration, I’ve decided to install Love. Can you guide me through the process?

TECH SUPPORT: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

CUSTOMER: Well, I’m not very technical, but I think I’m ready. What do I do first?

TECH SUPPORT: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

CUSTOMER: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?

TECH SUPPORT: What programs are running ?

CUSTOMER: Let’s see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

TECH SUPPORT: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However,you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off ?

CUSTOMER: I don’t know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

TECH SUPPORT: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

CUSTOMER: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

TECH SUPPORT: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

CUSTOMER: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, “Error – Program not run on external components.” What should I do?

TECH SUPPORT: Don’t worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

CUSTOMER: So, what should I do?

TECH SUPPORT: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.

CUSTOMER: Okay, done.

TECH SUPPORT: Now, copy them to the “My Heart” directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

CUSTOMER: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files.Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

TECH SUPPORT: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

CUSTOMER: Thank YOU.

TECH SUPPORT: You’re welcome, anytime.

(Author unknown)

Autumn

2010-11-19T19:56:00.007Z

I love this time of year.

The last chance to enjoy some colour and the last of the sunshine, knowing that the icy winter is close behind.

It seems to sharpen my focus and makes me enjoy every moment to the full!

Climate Justice

2010-08-26T17:10:00.004+01:00

David Cameron has said that he wants this government to be the greenest ever – both in terms of action at home and internationally.

We need to remind him of his pledge.

You can sign the Christian Aid letter to the PM here.

The Perfect Church

2010-06-03T15:57:00.004+01:00

If you should find the perfect church

Without one fault or smear,

For goodness sake! Don’t join that church:

You’d spoil the atmosphere.

If you should find the perfect church

Where all anxieties cease

Then pass it by lest joining it

You’d mar the masterpiece.

If you should find the perfect church

Then don’t you ever dare,

To tread upon such holy ground;

You’d be a misfit there.

But since no perfect church exists

Made of imperfect men,

Then let’s cease looking for that church

And love the church we’re in.

Of course, it’s not a perfect church,

That’s simple to discern

But you and I and all of us

Could cause the tide to turn.

What fools we are to flee our post

In that unfruitful search

To find at last where problems loom

God proudly builds His church.

So let’s keep working in our church

Until the resurrection.

And then we each will join that church

Without an imperfection.

–Mavis Williams

Let go and let God

2010-05-21T13:18:00.004+01:00

I haven't blogged for a while.

Partly, because I spent some time with my mother to support her whilst my stepdad continues to be very ill in intensive care.

The time I spent with my mum made me realise the importance of letting go of things which are outside our control, and to trust that those things - however painful - have a purpose and will work out for the good of those concerned.

Most of us have a natural desire to make a difference, get things done, help and be in control.

Sometimes, however, the best thing to do is to stop fighting and struggling and fretting - and instead just let go.

I found this poem, which really spoke to me:

To "Let Go," does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can't do it for someone else.
To "Let Go," is not to cut myself off,
it's the realization I can't control another.
To "Let Go," is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To "Let Go," is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands - but in God's.
To "Let Go" is not to try to change or blame another,
it's to make the most of myself.
To "Let Go," is not to care for,
but to care about.
To "Let Go," is not to fix,
but to be supportive.
To "Let Go," is not to judge,
but to allow another to be the human being they choose to be.
To "Let Go," is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To "Let Go," is not to be protective,
it's to permit another to face reality - regardless of how painful it might be.
To "Let Go," is not to deny,
but to accept.
To "Let Go," is not to nag, scold, or argue,
but instead - to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To "Let Go," is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To "Let Go," is not to regret the past,
but grow and live for the future.
To "Let Go," is to fear less and live more.
Let Go and Let God!

(anonymous)

Apple blossoms

2010-04-22T14:59:00.003+01:00

The apple trees are blossoming.

How pretty and delicate they are!

Because our garden is quite narrow, we chose to plant two ballerina type apple trees last year. They will grow up straight (to a height of 8ft), instead of branching out.

Sadly that means, I won't be able to sit in their shade in the summer heat ...

Sowing seeds

2010-04-16T19:56:00.006+01:00

Today I sowed some seeds to start off in the cold frame - runner beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and courgettes.

I have tried to use recycled material, such as newspaper, toilet roll inserts and egg boxes.

The last one is a picture of another plant container, which homes several strawberry plants. It was originally a chutney barrel, which we found behind the local curry house.

Foraged soup - nettle and wild garlic

2010-04-06T03:38:00.012+01:00

We love foraging, and today was a great day to go picking fresh nettle tops for soup.

They went well with the wild garlic, which my husband showed me on yesterday's walk. I had somehow never known about wild garlic. It has a distinct garlicky smell and flavour - although milder than it's commercially grown counterpart.

Here is the recipe we followed:

Serves 10

1 bag full of young nettle tops (wash well)
1 large leek (roughly chopped)
2 medium-sized onions (roughly chopped)
2 very large potatoes (peeled and chopped quite small)
1-2 cloves of garlic (chopped/crushed)
vegetable stock to taste (cube/powder, etc)
3 pints water
2.5 pints milk

4 bunches (of approx 50g) wild garlic (finely chopped)

a little olive oil
cream (single or double)
salt and pepper

a few garlic mustard leaves for garnish (optional)

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan except the cream, wild garlic and one pint of the milk. Bring to the boil and simmer for about half an hour, then liquidise. Also, liquidise the remaining pint of milk with the chopped wild garlic. Swirl some of this and a little cream into the soup once you have put it in a bowl. Garnish with a couple of garlic mustard leaves.

Enjoy!

I love you

2010-04-05T16:00:00.000+01:00

Just recently I have been wondering how often I say "I love you" and really mean "I love you when you are the way I want you to be" - when what I should really say is "I love you just as you are" ...

Easter Sunday

2010-04-04T08:57:00.000+01:00

This morning I got up early to put some brightly coloured primroses in the flower bed outside our church.

There is a very practical reason for me doing it at this time. Unfortunately we have had flowers and plants stolen from the churchyard in the past - so the best way to ensure that the flowers are there for people to enjoy on Easter Sunday, is to plant them very early on the same day!

But on a different note, getting up and preparing to go to the churchyard so early in the morning reminded me of another journey, which other women took 2000 years ago:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

(Luke 24:1-6)

I am reminded how quickly mourning can turn into joy.

Just as on Good Friday the hopes and dreams of so many seemed to be dashed - leaving them feeling hopeless and helpless; so now the sadness is turned into new hope, new life and a new promise!

May we never lose trust in God's promises.

May we never cease to hope and strive towards his kingdom!

Good Friday

2010-04-02T15:35:00.000+01:00

Today is the day when Christians remember Jesus' trial and death on the cross.

The churches in our town commemorate this event by a Walk of Witness - a walk through town, with people taking it in turns to carry a large wooden cross and the rest of the congregation following; stopping in places to read from the Bible about Jesus' last hours and praying; followed by a joint service in the town square.

I have always found the Walk of Witness very powerful.

Firstly, it really is a witness of our faith! Walking around with a wooden cross certainly does raise a few eyebrows in this day and age. People stop and stare, and we are noticed!

Secondly, it is one of those opportunities when people from different churches and denominations lay aside their differences and join in the same thing which as members of the Body of Christ all hold dear - following Jesus!

Thirdly, we are reminded that Jesus called us to take up our own cross and to follow him. We should not just watch from afar, but we should get in there and get to work!

Every year I am struck by how difficult it is for us the comprehend how terrible this day must have been 2000 years ago.

We observe Good Friday with the knowledge that Easter Sunday is not far behind, and that there will be joy and hope and the promise of eternal life.

How different it must have been for the disciples!

All must have seemed lost.

Jesus arrested and condemned to death.

Gone! The end!

What about the promise of the new kingdom? The claim of being the way to the Father?

Why can he not save himself?

Was he lying?

Have we been deceived?

Where do we go now?

Perhaps, if we cannot fully comprehend this time of darkness, hopelessness and despair, we cannot really appreciate the miracle and wonder which Easter Sunday brings?

Most of the disciples disappear or watch the crucifixion from a safe distance. Hide. Deny ever having known Jesus.

I wonder where I would be?

Standing at the foot of the cross? Or running away, fearing for my own safety?

Beauty in small things

2010-03-31T22:12:00.000+01:00

Now the weather has turned cold again, an icy wind is blowing and it seems that spring has abandoned us!

But then, walking through the churchyard we spotted this little huddle of ladybirds on a gravestone.

How sweet are they??!

The second group seems a little bit more organised! LOL

These little guys certainly brightened up this cold, miserable day, and gave me hope that spring IS on its way. After all, the ladybirds should know, shouldn't they?

Bad day ... or was it?

2010-03-31T17:49:00.000+01:00

Today was a rubbish day, and nothing seemed to be going to plan!

Firstly, I had planned to go our for a run in the morning, but I never got myself ready to go ... and then it started raining.

So hubby and I decided to go for a walk in the woods instead, looking for early mushrooms ... but on the way in the car (we only bought it last week!) the oil warning lamp came on, and we pulled over because we didn't want to risk damaging the engine. - So instead of a walk in the woods I got to run to find a public phone - without success. (Luckily, with my community based job I know many people in many parts of town, and one of the day centres was not too far - so I walked there, where I was offered the use of the phone and the toilet and a lift back to the car. Thank you, Julie!!)

The AA man came quickly and brought us back home, but we spent the rest of the day getting the oil lamp switch fixed ... only to find then that the heating is also faulty and spraying cooling water everywhere, and it will need to be sorted out too. So a phone call to the car dealer, who sold us the car, was in order! Tomorrow we are going back there to get it sorted out.

Not wanting to leave hubby alone with this, I had to cancel a dentist appointment which I had tomorrow morning.

So it seems to have been a very hassly sort of day!

But if I look back, there were many blessings:

Friends and colleagues I can call on in need

A speedy and friendly AA emergency service

My hubby and I pulling together and working very well as a team, supporting each other when needed

For every problem there was a solution at hand

Coming back home, our daughter cooked the evening meal for us all. Thank you, sweet pea!

Time to be grateful!

Palm Sunday

2010-03-28T19:51:00.000+01:00

Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.

Many Christian denominations remember on this day Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem - in the knowledge that within days events will turn and lead to Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, death and eventually his resurrection.

"Holy Week is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. It includes the religious holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) and Good Friday, and lasts from Palm Sunday (or in the Eastern, Lazarus Saturday) until but not including Easter Sunday.It commemorates the last week of the earthly life of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday."

Although our (secular) society seems to highlight Christmas as the main festival of the year, in the Christian calendar Easter is by far the more important occasion to remember.

Easter represents all Christianity stand for, and I love to spend some time during Lent - as especially Holy Week - to reflect on the enormity of the events which took place 2000 years ago ...

Earth Hour

2010-03-27T20:11:00.000Z

Earth Hour is about to start in 20 minutes here in the UK!

The WWF encourages as many people as possible to turn off their lights for one hour this evening (from 8.30 PM) to save energy and reduce the carbon footprint - and to protect endangered wildlife and people.

You can sign up here.

I guess that means I could turn this computer off too ...

Pray as you go

2010-03-27T07:58:00.001Z

A friend shared this lovely resource with me.

It is set up by the Jesuits in Britain.

There is a prayer, Bible reading, some spiritual music and the opportunity to meditate on and prepare for the new day every day of the week. It can be accessed via the website or downloaded onto the mp3 player.

I have found it a great way to prepare myself for the day, and to keep focused on God and his Word.

God

2010-03-26T20:18:00.001Z

"God is the place that always heals over, however often we tear it."

(Don Paterson, from ‘The Stream’, 2006)

Meet India ...

2010-03-26T15:00:00.001Z

... the new puppy we sponsor through Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Isn't she sweet???

India will live with a puppy walker for the first year, learning basic commands and how to deal with a variety of social situations in order to prepare her for her specific training as a guide dog for the blind.

In the garden

2010-03-21T16:06:00.000Z

At last spring seems to have arrived, and it is time to do some gardening.

The trench for the runner beans was already dug a few weeks back and is filling up with kitchen waste (apparently runner beans like it that way!).

Here is what's happening in the garden so far:

The chives are starting to grow again.

The winter lettuce has survived very well in the cold frame, despite the long and cold winter.

The swiss chard has also survived.

Although I am expecting the plants to bolt soon, the leaves are still good for eating now, and a great replacement for spinach in recipes.

I split the rhubarb in January. Now the new leaves are emerging.

I am good at ...

2010-03-19T21:29:00.000Z

knitting
cooking
planning and completing tasks
being organised
feeling empathy for others
helping others
keeping fit
sticking to rules
loving
giving

(I felt the need to remind myself of the things I am good at. It seems much easier to think of those things I am not so good at. Why is that, I wonder?)

Lent charity - Smile Train

2010-03-16T17:28:00.000Z

It has become my practice over the last few years to give some luxury food item or another up for Lent, and to give the money I have thereby saved to a charity of my choice.

This year my chosen charity is Smile Train UK, a charity which focuses on cleft lip and palate repairs.

Clefts are a major problem in developing countries where there are millions of children who are suffering with unrepaired clefts. Most cannot eat or speak properly. Aren’t allowed to attend school or hold a job. And face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache.
The good news is every single child with a cleft can be helped with surgery that costs as little as £150 and takes as little as 45 minutes.

Smile Train describes their mission like this:

-To provide free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries.
-To provide free cleft-related training for doctors and medical professionals.
Until there are no more children who need help and we have completely
eradicated the problem of clefts.

Just look at the difference a cleft lip and palate repair can make:

Gabriel, before the op...

... and after

Maria, before ...

and after ...

Please consider supporting this charity. It costs £150 to repair a cleft lip and palate.

2010-03-14T09:45:00.000Z

Stainless steel

cold

hard

un(for)giving

I would rather be like the living willow

gentle

flexible

willing to bend

Anniversary

2010-03-13T16:03:00.000Z

Today we have been married for 11 years. Add to that the 13 years we lived together before we married, and we have been together for 24 years!

It has not always been easy, and we do have our differences - but even in times of difficulties I know that we are good together and that we complement each other!

I am not a great one for writing poems, but on this occasion I have tried to put my feelings into words.

Walking together

sometimes pulling away

sometimes walking in unison

Maturing together

sharing life's experiences

united

Enjoying the sense of myself

but finding completeness with you

Bedford

2010-03-12T14:27:00.001Z

Our wedding anniversary is tomorrow, but today is the day the children are at school and we have the day to ourselves - so we spent it exploring Bedford. It's a place we normally drive through to go elsewhere, but we have never spent any time visiting.

We visited St Paul's church and the John Bunyan Museum, where we received a brilliant guided tour by a delightful elderly man.

We also spent a little while looking at our old friend, the river Great Ouse - looking wider and grander than it does further West.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't great, but it was lovely spending a quiet day together.

The old mill

2010-03-11T12:43:00.000Z

Today we walked past the old mill at the river Great Ouse. It is long disused, and has been converted into apartments.

The weir, which used to supply the mill is still there.

The great thing about going for walks is how you notice the small things along the way. Such as peering inside a hollow tree along the edge of the river.

And spotting the newly emerging buds on the trees.

Frank Skinner on Christianity

2010-03-11T03:48:00.000Z

Frank Skinner is better known for being a comedian than a Christian, so I was interested to come across his opinion piece on Christianity in The Times Online:

To many British people, Christianity seems like a weird but unexciting theme park. Personally, I like our ever-dwindling status. I even like our ever-dwindling numbers. There was a time when social pressure made people go to church. If anything the reverse is now true. Most adults you see in church nowadays are there because they want to be there. That’s not decline, it’s progress. The wheat has been separated from the chaff. We get quality, not quantity, in the churches and the chaff can enjoy a nice lie-in.

[...]

Lord Carey feels that Christians have been too soft. He said that if you behave like a doormat, you get treated like one. I’m a little wary of muscular Christianity. It’s been used to justify everything from the Crusades to the shooting of abortion doctors. It seems to be in direct contradiction to “Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”.

This is the doormat as positive role model — a doormat who’s more concerned about the “welcome” than the muddy feet. Surely the central image of Christianity is someone who can shoot fireballs out of his fingertips allowing himself to be nailed to a wooden cross — submission as the ultimate show of strength — love as impenetrable armour. Most British Christians are badly dressed, unattractive people. We’re not pushy and aggressive members of society. We’re a bit like Goths — no one can remember us being fashionable and we talk about death a lot. I love the glorious un-coolness of that.

[...]

I went to a debate this week. The motion was “England should be a Catholic country again”. I ended up voting against. The marriage of Church, any church, and State seems alien to the teachings of Christ. Power corrupts and British Christians should be happy to continue relinquishing it. The Catholic Church lost more than it gained when it got into bed with the Emperor Constantine.

Christians tend to save their best work for the “voice in the wilderness” genre. We are most impressive when operating as a secret sect, kneeling in small, candle-lit rooms and scrawling fishes on walls. I’m enjoying this current dose of persecution. It’s definitely good for the soul.

The woodpile

2010-03-09T21:12:00.001Z

The local Council has been busy clearing the undergrowths and and trees and hedges along the roadsides.

A good opportunity for us to forage for left-over pieces of wood, which we can collect to build up our woodpile. After all, the next winter is not too far away! (Haha!!)

Armed with our bicycle trailer, a splitting axe and investing an hour of our time and labour, and the woodpile has grown again. And it has cost us nothing!

It will take the summer to dry out to turn into wood good for burning in the wood-burner.

Walking into spring

2010-03-07T15:48:00.000Z

Today was a beautiful early spring day - still cold and blustery, but also sunny. The sun is now noticeably gathering strength!

I enjoyed a long walk along the river Great Ouse with my 13-year old son. It's a great opportunity for us to spend time together, relax and chat - and, best of all, end with a cup of tea and cake in the local cafe.

I am really, really, REALLY looking forward to spring now, to the emerging of the first green, to the birds nesting and us planning our garden.

Nature seems to be at the ready - just waiting for the right day to spring into life ...

I cannot wait!

A New Commandment

2010-03-07T12:09:00.000Z

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

(John 13: 34-35)

My church family

2010-03-06T13:52:00.000Z

I am grateful and feel privileged to be part of a wonderful church community, which aims to worship God and serve the local community at the same time (after all, when we serve our neighbours, do we not serve God too?)

We provide breakfast on a Saturday morning, and everybody is welcome. A couple of homeless guys are amongst the regulars.

At the same time we are a collection point for Food Bank, a UK charity which works in conjunction with health and social services to provide food parcels to people in financial difficulties.

I feel very welcomed and accepted into my church family. Being part of the Body of Christ truly is like being part of a great family!

The more welcomed and accepted I feel, the more my desire grows to reach out and make others feel the same; be they friends or strangers.

Perhaps the love of God is best felt, when it comes from fellow human beings ...?

Just as God loves us, so we should love each other.

Just as God forgives us, so we should forgive each other.

Just as God protects us, so we should look out for and protect each other.

I thank God for having brought me this far on my faith journey! I thank him for having brought me to my church community. I pray that he will continue to nurture me and mature me in my faith, and that he will use me for the purpose he has intended for me ... and I pray that I will never lose sight of it!

Thank you, Lord.

Left-over Friday

2010-03-05T12:13:00.000Z

Here is another go at using up the left-overs in the fridge before going out to buy food for the next week.

This time the recipe is Mixed Vegetable Curry. Useful for almost any left-over vegetables.

Happy Birthday, Anna!

2010-03-03T20:25:00.000Z

My daughter is 16 today ... and I feel old!

It doesn't seem like yesterday that I gave birth to our first-born.

Here she is, when she was 18 months old:

Car-free working and Walk to Work week

2010-03-02T19:27:00.000Z

I work in a community team for adults with learning disabilities, and much of my work consists of visiting people in day centres and in their own homes across town.

At the moment that often means me using my car to do those home visits, but I am hoping and trying to decrease my car use and rely more and more on alternative transport, such as public transport, bicycle or my own two feet!

I am in the process of finding out whether my employer (the good old NHS) would support me in those endeavours. You might think that, being the national health service, they would encourage people to go car-free ... but the perception that the car is the only realistic and most efficient mode of transport is deeply ingrained in people's minds.

So I am slowly gathering evidence about car-free options and their benefits, and about projects and incentives in other areas. (Any suggestions and advice is welcome!!)

Walking Works is one website, which I have come across so far. Did you know that it is Walk to Work week from 26-30 April?

"Thoughts come clearly while one walks" - Thomas Mann

KIVA (Microfinancing)

2010-02-28T19:17:00.000Z

I just made a loan to someone in Kyrgyzstan through KIVA - a microfinancing website.

You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made a loan to this group of women, named Nurjan Sabyr–kyzy's Group in Kyrgyzstan.

It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Just follow this link to find out more.

Love food Hate waste

2010-02-25T22:05:00.000Z

I hate wasting food!

So I was very pleased to come across this site. Full of useful tips and recipes!

Tomorrow is the day when we do our weekly food shopping, so I rummaged through the fridge and cupboard and found some left-overs to plan this evening's meal with - some potatoes, a few parsnips, half a swede and some spring onions. Eggs and flour is usually stocked.

With those ingredients I made these vegetable rostis, served with bacon and fried egg. Everybody liked them. Bonus!

Fairtrade fortnight

2010-02-25T05:31:00.000Z

Fairtrade fortnight 2010 runs from February 22nd to March 7th.

A great reminder that we can help those who grow and provide food for us in the developing world by ensuring that they receive a fair living wage!

We can do that by swapping as many food and household items as possible for fairtrade alternatives ( fruit, coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, sugar, rice, flowers, cotton etc) . Sure, they tend to be a little more expensive - but the extra money we pay means the producer has earned a better and fairer income.

After all, we all want to be able to provide for our families.

To get to the fairtrade page, click here.

i-church

2010-02-24T07:33:00.000Z

I attend my local Anglican church, and I value it greatly. As well as worshipping God people there have a heart to serve the community, and it is great to be a part of that!

However, there is also a small online community, which I am a member of.

People from different churches and none come together to share their thoughts and views, and talk about their faith.

Here is what i-church says about itself:

i-church is an online Christian community
based on Benedictine principles.

i-church was founded by the Diocese of Oxford in the UK
but has members all over the world.

This is the Gatehouse,
where you will find information about us and our activities,
and links to other parts of i-church.

The Courtyard
is the place where we interact with the world - our public forums.
We would love you to join us.

Perhaps you will come and join us ... just follow the links and see for yourself ...

Prayer for Serenity

2010-02-23T18:24:00.000Z

I just spoke to my mother on the phone - listening to her sobbing, because her husband is very ill and she feels so helpless. Unable to make him well, yet not able to accept the situation they are both in and the suffering he is going through.

How often do we try to change a situation for the better, when really it is outside our ability to do so, and when we would do better to try to accept what cannot be changed and move on to other things.

Easier said than done, I know. I can think of countless situations when I have done the same - knowing that all my fretting, worrying and fighting would lead to nothing.

How I hope and pray that my mother will be able to change and influence the things which are within her control, and learn to accept those things which she cannot change.

It can be hard to believe that God has a purpose, when things are painful and difficult ...

Experiences on the intensive care ward

2010-02-20T08:16:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago I stayed with my mum for a week, as my stepfather is very ill following a heart bypass operation.

My experience of being on an intensive care ward was very profound!
I was struck by the suffering on that ward.
Not so much the suffering of the patients - which I was not really witness to - but the suffering of the relatives and friends who were sitting in the waiting room.
Some were clutching the belongings of their loved ones, anxiously waiting to hear news from the medical staff. Some were almost emotionless and frozen with fear and worry, others were crying, others angry, others pacing ...
The emotions of fear, anxiety, anger, hopelessness and helplessness were clearly noticeable.

What struck me also was the desire of people to reach out to each other in that place and that situation.
Not only friends and relatives, but complete strangers too.
Small gestures - a kind word, an encouraging smile, a listening ear, offering a tissue or a drink, touching a hand or squeezing a shoulder.

I was amazed how much people managed to give, at a time when they were suffering so much themselves!
I am sure that under 'normal' circumstances many of those people would have just walked past each other.

I couldn't help but wonder that this was a miracle connected with suffering. A heightened awareness of the needs and the suffering of others around us, and a desire to help!

Despite the pain and the suffering on the ICU ward I couldn't help but find it an amazing place to be!

Enjoy the ride

2010-02-18T21:21:00.000Z

Follow this link and Enjoy the Ride!

Loving others

2010-02-18T16:31:00.000Z

Jesus instructed his followers with the following two commandments: to love their God and to love their neighbour.

But this is just the shortened version of his command, and sometimes we forget to look at the whole instruction:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31)

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

If we are to love our neighbours as ourselves, does that mean that we need to love and respect ourselves first; that unless we love ourselves first, we cannot offer true love and respect to others?

I wonder how often our good deeds towards others turn sour or are done resentfully or grudgingly, if we haven’t taken care of ourselves and loved ourselves first?

It reminded me that I was leafing through a book in a book shop recently, where the current Dalai Lama was asked what it was he did in his role as the Dalai Lama. His reply was “I take care of myself.”

Perhaps I will try to look after myself better, spend time doing what I enjoy and appreciate myself better (all things we often consider to be ‘selfish’) – and see if loving and appreciating others better will follow automatically.

Sounds too simple to be true, really …

Lent

2010-02-16T19:08:00.000Z

Last Sunday I listened to a sermon in church about Lent, which really touched me.

The priest who spoke, said that really Lent was about preparing (and purifying) oneself for the events of Holy Week, and about asking the question "Where do I stand with Jesus?"

"Am I amongst the ones the shout and jeer 'Crucify him!'?"
"Am I amongst the ones who spit and walk away?", or
"Am I amongst the ones who carry his cross for him and weep at his feet?"

Some people like to prepare by giving something up - either something like luxury food items, or things which distract us in our daily lives (such as TV or the Internet).

Others prepare by taking up a new practice, such as daily Bible reading.

Personally speaking, I feel strongly prompted to look at how I treat my family. My heart is aching with the knowledge how badly I sometimes treat others - especially my own family!

Isn't it just the way that we often treat the ones we love the worst? By taking them for granted, by taking our bad moods out on them, by being thoughtless in our words and actions ...

Jesus says:

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

(Matthew 25:40)

Ouch!

If I cannot show love to those around me, then how different am I from those who spat and sneered at Jesus??

So, as Lent is about to begin, I am hoping and praying that (with God's help and grace) I will be able to

be acutely aware of how much I love my family; and to
show my love and appreciation to them in my words, my thoughts and my actions; and to
resist the temptation to point out their faults and flaws.

Signs of spring

2010-02-14T16:24:00.000Z

This weeks I went for a walk and took pictures of the first signs of spring.

Sometimes we find ourselves in bad or sad situations, which seem to go on forever with no hope of change or improvement in sight.

These pictures are a reminder to me that no matter how difficult things seem to be, there is always hope that things will turn out for the better! We must hold on to that hope and trust that everything works out for the good, or - as my husband likes to put it - 'it will be alright'!

For all those who are going through difficult times or who are suffering, may times of joy and peace be just around the corner for you!

A new start

2010-02-12T19:18:00.000Z

Here is to my new blog!

After my knitting blog, this one will be dedicated to my own musings and pondering, and anything that goes through my head.

Who knows where it might lead me ...