Adios!

Well.....the work all got done - finally!! I stayed tonight to finish a few bits off - but then we lost our connection at work, so I had no alternative but to go home (PTL!)

I spoke to Maggie last night - I don't know what's planned (apart from visiting the 'Mall of America' and Starbucks!) - but we're off to a Bible Study tomorrow night (1/2 hr after I land) - sounds great (especially as it'll be approx 2am here)!

I'm off to pack my thermals now (I've heard it's not too hot out there).....

Have a great week!!!
See ya soon...
Pen x

What a blast!

Wow - what a fab day in Church yesterday!!! If you weren't there - here's what happened: Pastor Mike preached a 'cracker of a sermon' in the morning (according to Ann's blog) - and then in the evening - he didn't even get to preach! Basically 'God just turned up' (I know He's always there - but you know what I mean by that!)

There was an AMAZING sense of the presence of God in the meetings - truly awesome! People were blessed - and met with God (and that's what it's all about really).

I laughed (a lot) - and thoroughly enjoyed myself all day really!!! Which was good - because I haven't had a chance to laugh today! It's 7.15pm and I'm STILL at my desk working (ok, so I've taken 5 mins out to update my blog) - and I've still got LOADS of work to do before tomorrow evening!!! Aaaahhhh!!

Anyway - I was reminded this morning of 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. I can't even begin to tell you how much I have hung onto that verse today!!

Two thoughts for this week:
1. Psalm 84:10 For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere....
(a minute spent in God's presence is better than a thousand elsewhere).
2. 'I'm too blessed to be stressed, and too anointed to be disappointed' (ok, so it's not exactly in the Bible like that - but it's a good thought anyway).

Have a great week everyone! I leave for Minneapolis on Wednesday (to see Maggie and her new kitty) - so will see you all soon! I'll try and update the blog whilst I'm out there (depending on internet connection etc).

Be blessed!!!! :-)

Always read the label!

(Click on the pic to view larger version)

17 cups of Earl Grey, and 33 cakes later.....it was time to head back to the office!

Happy Birthday Granny!

Tea at The Ritz

I'm feeling sublime
For I've passed back in time,
Surrounded by glamour and glitz.
As I sip my Earl Grey
All life's cares pass away,
For I'm having tea at The Ritz.

It's friendly, no fuss,
But it's luxury plus
Cocooned in a creamy gold light.
There's a 'Tea for Two' mood
As the waiters bring food,
Displayed on three tiers of delight.

There are scones, jam and cream
Straight out of a dream
And sandwiches minus the crust.
Pastries good to the eye
So they can't be passed by,
And fruity fruit cake - that's a must.

To accompany this,
Is a pianist, what bliss,
As music of old fills the air.
One fancies that it's
The right theme for The Ritz,
And a Nightingale's in Berkeley Square.

Female Mouse!

After years of research, scientists have discovered that women do not like the standard mouse given away with PCs. They found that there is not a physical reason for their aversion; it is more of a psychological problem. Some women reported that the mouse 'just didn't feel right' in their hands. Based on the research, a new mouse has been designed especially for women. Various field tests have been carried out on the new design, here are some of the testimonials:

Julie from Hawthorn: "It feels so much better. More comfortable, more like how it's supposed to be".

Susan from Kew added: "I think mice were originally designed just for men, but this new type is definitely made for women. It fits right in with my lifestyle".

Hillary from South Yarra: "I took to it like a duck to water, every woman should have one!!"

Battery hen!

Someone will always be prettier. They will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house. So let it go. Think about it.....

The prettiest woman in the world can have hurt in her heart. And the most highly favoured woman on your job may be unable to have children. And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes....might be lonely. And the word says if "I have not Love, I am nothing." So, love who you are in God.

Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say "I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"

Winners make things happen. Be blessed ladies!!
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world".

Well, we can all dream....

Inspiration from the Psalms

Inspiration from Darlene Zschech here

Nia Concert @ Elim

Nia and the Tileagd School Choir, Romania.
Smiles Foundation

Nia's talk...

Mmmmm......nice tea shops in the country - perfect for Saturday lunch with the Grandparents (+ bruv + Nicki)

Faithful with much?

At a Wednesday evening church meeting, a very wealthy man rose to give his testimony.

"I'm a millionaire," he said, "and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life. I can still remember the turning point in my faith, like it was yesterday: I had just earned my first dollar and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I only had a dollar bill and had to either give it all to God's work or nothing at all. So at that moment I decided to give my whole dollar to God. I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today."

As he finished it was clear that everyone had been moved by this man's story. But, as he took his seat, a little old lady sitting in the same pew leaned over and said: "Wonderful story! I dare you to do it again!"

Last night the Elim band (led by Carolyn) were at Chelmsford Cathedral leading worship for the latest CADEF meeting. Silly me forgot the digi camera - so here's a dodgy shot from my phone!

Great for colds!

Blonde Joke #5,243,147

A blonde, wanting to earn some money, decided to hire herself out as a handyman-type and started canvassing a wealthy neighbourhood. She went to the front door of the first house and asked the owner if he had any jobs for her to do. "Well, you can paint my porch" the man said. "How much will you pay?" asked the blonde - "How about £50?" The man agreed and told her that the paint and other materials that she might need were in the garage. The man's wife, inside the house, heard the conversation and said to her husband "Does she realise that the porch goes all the way around the house?" The man replied, "She should, she was standing on it."

A short time later, the blonde came to the door to collect her money. "You're finished already?" he asked. "Yes," the blonde answered," and I had paint left over, so I gave it two coats." Impressed, the man reached in his pocket for the £50.

"And by the way," the blonde added, "it's not a Porch, it's a Ferrari..."

Yesterday....

...was interesting! We had a power cut at work, which meant that I spent the morning working in Starbucks (with a muffin and a latte, of course!) I also then visited again in the afternoon, and again this morning (even though our power is now back).

So....there you go! Just thought you'd all like to know how I spent my Monday morning! How did you spend yours? Answers on a postcard.....(or post a comment!)

Yum, yum....lovely Chinese!
Sunday lunch with the Youth Plus crowd!

Baa, baa, baaaaaa!!!

Baa!

Girls and their toys......

MOO!!!

The Penster gets down to work!

Blonde Moment #3,792

Well....last night I walked to the Station car park (right to the FAR END, I might add) – then looked for my car, and realised it wasn’t there(!) Oh yes, another classic blonde moment....I hadn’t even parked IN the Station car park!!! – but actually parked in my usual spot, and had completely forgotton! Maybe this is a sign of early dementia....let’s hope (and pray!) that it isn’t!!

I'd better go.....I've got to start remembering where I parked this morning.....

It's always good to marry someone you can have a laugh with (or should that be 'at')? Maybe I'll ask Jodi....

Then it was off to Mr & Mrs T's housewarming - and very pleasant it was too!

....and here is the sea!

A few weeks back, I went to the seaside!!! I got a call from Gem(ma) [who used to be in my youth group several years back] - and we spent the afternoon by the sea (and the shops!).....