I wish you a day of ordinary miracles...

A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Green traffic lights on your way to work or shop.

I wish you a day of little things to rejoice in...
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing along song on the radio.
Your keys right where you look.
I wish you a day of happiness and perfection - little bite-size pieces of perfection that give you the funny feeling that the Lord is smiling on you, holding you so gently because you are someone special and rare.

Play:
Car Trumps
Office Olympics

Over-burdened!

Caught in the act!! Pic says it all really!

Boaz!

Can you see three cats in this picture?

Can you see four people in this picture?

Wednesday - comes and goes....

Well...for those who are vaguely interested in what I get up to in my daily life (which seems to be a few of you strangely enough!?!) - I went to the dentist this morning (again!). More injections....more impressions.... another temporary crown.....I'm sure it'll all get sorted one day! It was quite strange really...I had about three(?) injections (lost count after the first) - and suddenly realised my heart rate had increased rather significantly!! I'd like to point out here that I wasn't scared (never have been worried about going to the dentist) - but checked my pulse anyway....and am pleased to report that I'm alive and well!!

Other news??? It's raining in London....

Maggie left for America today :-(
....so, last night - 14 of us descended on the local Chinese for an evening to remember?!

Deep in conversation...

Bex, Maggie and Lisa get to grips with 'West Side' (whatever 'West Side' is?!) - apparently I'm too OLD to know!! (Thanks Bex!)

Pen and Amy struggle to work it out!

And now for my second trick....
Can you do this?

"I've always found that Fairy liquid keeps my hands nice and soft - wouldn't you agree?"

Bex - aspiring punk model?

Ann (Elim's Youthworker) & Maggie

What a charming lot!

Elim's dance group in action!

Lady Loose uses her 'magic light sabre' to perform her latest trick!
Truly amazing....
Can you do better?

Lord Loose plays D Major...

Da Penster - she cook!!!!

Spot the Penster..........

I found this squashed Mars Bar in my handbag today....having done my calculations, it appears that this has been in my bag since 7th May 2004 (the Joyce Meyer conference!)

I'm now thinking of auctioning it on ebay - so if anyone wants to buy it first, please post your bids here!

Extreme Sports

One for the next Olympics?

People and their dogs...

"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes."
Oscar Wilde (& Penster)

America here I come......

Well....it's been a bit of quiet week on the blog (my apologies for that!) I'm still recovering from last week (had three clients in for four hours of training - which took a lot of preparation!). Anyway - that's done now, PTL!

Other news....today I've booked my flight to America (it's amazing what good deals you can get - if you offer to fly as cargo!) Ok, ok, so I'm joking! I'm flying out to visit Maggie (in Minnesota) in October.......so, if anyone has any language tapes - 'American for Beginners' kind of thing - then do let me know (I need to 'perfect' the accent before I get there!!)

Tonight I'm meeting my friend Jess (who I used to work with) - and we're going out for a meal which will be nice (but not QUITE as nice as visiting The Ritz this afternoon [Jo, Tony & Brenda] - hope you have a great time!)

Maggie & Pen join the crowds!

Sunday afternoon @ Hillsong, London - with the United Youth Band from Sydney!

She had the making of a promising ballet career
- if only she had another leg!

Less work, more play!

Timewasters
The badgers are back!

The cloning didn't quite go to plan.....

Only in Texas...

Elim's most eligible batchelor (apparently!)
Batchelor: mmm......maybe now's the time to think about a moustache and a new hairstyle - what do you think?

Elisabeth: Do you think if we smile nicely, the gorilla won't attack us too?
Jan: I'm not so sure.....I think I see him in the distance.....
Elisabeth: Just keep smiling Jan - we'll be fine!
Jan: Sorry Elisabeth, but I don't think I want to risk it! I'm off to Eastbourne - I've heard that it's a 'gorilla free zone' there.

THERE WERE TWO GORILLAS OUTSIDE MY TRAIN STATION IN LONDON THIS MORNING!!
(Yes, I know what you're thinking - but they were there, honestly!!!)
Similar sightings occurred on our farm the other week (unfortunately this one attacked my Grandad - but he's fully recovered now)!!
PS: in case you were wondering - his right arm grew back too (scroll down for pic)!

Carolyn's Mum helps her find a way to keep her eyes open whilst having her picture taken!

Tabby

What a handsome chap!

Extracts From Church Bulletins

1. The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours".

2. Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist Hall. Come and hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.

3. The cost for attending the Prayer and Fasting Conference includes meals.

4. The Low Esteem Support Group will meet next Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.

5. The sermon this morning: "Jesus walks on water". The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus"

6. Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.

7. The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

8. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What is hell?". Come early and listen to our choir practice.

9. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members, and to the deterioration of some older ones.

10. This evening there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

My Grandad - 84 years young today!

Christian Events & Music

For the latest on Christian Events (including Jaci Velasquez in concert - 26th August in Milton Keynes) click here

Events @ Hillsong Church, London

Also, for some of the best deals in Christian music, click here

This is what a single country girl gets up to on a Saturday night!!!

A guy we met on the way back....

Cooling off in the fountains (Maggie & Penster)!

Worship in Trafalgur Square!

Saturday afternoon at Trafalgur Square (along with approx 15,000 others - and a few pigeons). Open air concert with Mike Pilavachi - and worship led by Tim Hughes.

Exchange Square by night....(home to Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada....)

....for an evening with J John, and worship led by Matt Redman (& Jonas from Hillsong)

Then it was off to St Paul's.....

Friday afternoon....a nice afternoon stroll along the Thames (2 mins walk from my office). Tower Bridge (and HMS Belfast) in the background.

Friday

Well....today's been great!

Had an AMAZING chat during Friday lunch today - really amazing!!! Ask me about it when you see me...

Went for a fantastic walk along the Thames this afternoon - lovely and hot! I have some pics but forgot the USB cable - so you'll have to wait until Mon!

Just rushing off now to St Paul's Cathedral - to hear J John.

Hope to catch up with you all at the weekend!!!! (Well - obviously those that live near me!)

Enjoy the sunshine! :-)

Good News/Bad News for a Pastor

Good News: You baptised seven people today in the river
Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current

Good News: The Elder Board accepted your job description the way you wrote it
Bad News: They were so inspired by it, they also formed a search committee to find somebody capable of filling the position

Good News: Mrs Jones is wild about your sermons
Bad News: Mrs Jones is also wild about "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "Howard Stern"

Good News: Your ladies football team finally won a game
Bad News: They beat your mens football team

Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically the last three weeks
Bad News: You were on vacation