Chinese.....

Went out for a Chinese last night! Never knew just how much fun you could have making crispy duck pancakes!!!

It made me laugh anyway!

:-)

Off to the seaside!

I'm off to sunny Folkestone for the weekend - so will catch up with you all next week! Enjoy the weekend!!!

Pen x

Ipod - 25 Most Played Songs!

Quick update!

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the lack of news lately.....life's been great - but really busy too!

It's a month ago now when we had the baptism service at church! What a fab evening - and so cool to see so many being baptised, including several young people! Awesome!

Work's great - but busy too! Loads of things to organise....and tomorrow we're off to Soul Survivor (until Monday!). Would value prayer - as the only camping I've ever done before, was a night in the garden about two weeks' ago - in a tent which I bought for £8 in Tesco!! I might even post a pic on here if I get a chance today!

Last week was cool - met up with friends in Ipswich and went to an African evening. A friend who I hadn't seen for ages is off to work in Kampala (Uganda) - so I got to take part in a South African 'gum boot dance' and eat lots of amazing food! I tried billtong for the first time (speciality dried meat from SA) - and even ate some ostrich! I was a brave girly!! - and it tasted ok too! I also watched a DVD of Uganda....and slightly wished I was going too......

Sunday was the first of our 'Summer Special' services - and I was asked to do the whole meeting! A first for me (speaking in main church) - and an amusing morning!

Yesterday I met John & Bron for lunch at Heathrow (en-route from Rwanda to NZ) - it was great to see them and catch up on all the news, and hear what's been happening in Rwanda!

Tomorrow, 21 of us are heading to Soul Survivor!!!! I'm sure it'll be a fantastic few days..... We're back next Monday - so you might get some more news then!

Have a great week everyone!

Pen x :-)

Only Fools on Horses

Anyone else been watching the program? I got laughed at the other day, as I was probably the only one in our Life Group who managed to sit through the whole of the England v Sweden game without shouting at the tv once!! Now put me in front of the horses (and their riders) on tv - and it's another story!!

I rode at the same place some years back (and it was there that I discovered my horse liked jam doughnuts) so it would've been cool to go and watch the show (as it's only at Towerlands) - but no tickets available!

I'm just pleased that there's now a decent reality tv program to watch (if you like horses of course)!

Something for nothing.....

What a fabulous day....the sun's shining - and some of us from church went out onto the streets of Chelmsford this morning, to give out free bottles of water with a 'Message on a Bottle'. It's amazing isn't it - that people just don't expect to be given something for free! "What's the catch?" they ask. Quite simply, there is no catch! We just like to give things out for free and bless people!!

We gave out 800 bottles in 40 minutes - pretty good going I'd say!! I think Trevor's thinking much larger quantities next time! We had some good conversations, so let's pray for everyone who received one!

If you're into football - enjoy today's game! If you're not - just enjoy the sunshine!!!

Keep smiling!!
Pen :-)

Please don't feed the animals.....

YP Corner Develops.....

A week in the life of a Youth Pastor.......

I've moved into my new desk (or desks) - and here's a little pic for you all. The background is a bit 'blue' at the moment - so will soon be sorted out (and customised in usual 'Penster' fashion!) I always think that a girl can never have too many computers(!). The ambience is good.....the lava lamp's going.....Hillsong & Delirious DVD is playing in the background....yes - it's a good place to be! Oh, and check out the blow up globe in the corner of the desk - totally fab! All it needs now are a few fish in a tank on the desk - and we're almost there!!

Yesterday I went to High Leigh with Annie (we thought we'd start our w/end away early!)...no, not really - we had to make sure that everything's in place for this weekend (and sample the coffee & biscuits - v.important!). I'd recommend the oat crunch biccies, but not the jammy rings - they were lacking in cream...nuff said really!

I was thinking about joining the 'Songs of Praise' crew in Chelmsford Cathedral tonight - but thankfully (for them) they were full....so it's an evening with the Elim worship team instead, to practice/plan for the weekend!

Tomorrow I'm off to Carrotty Wood - and then off to meet Glen Podd (the Metropolitan East Regional Youth Director!). Then Thursday - I'm speaking at the Ladies meeting in the morning, then have a meeting in the afternoon - then Friday it's off to High Leigh for the church w/end - yay!!!

In the meantime I've got lots of stuff to sort out for High Leigh....music to think about - and thoughts for Thursday morning!

More soon....
Pen x

This season's must have....

Me and my cousin thought we'd try this season's look...... in none other than Harrods!!

What about these?? (Bargain at £165!)




These are by far the best - don't you think?!

Starbucks 'n other things....

Just thought I'd let you know that I checked out the re-furbished Starbucks today (and their new range of muffins!!) - definitely worth a visit (or 6)!

I went to see Jo's new flat last night - very exciting it was too (and a good supply of coffee and cakes)!

Not that I'm overly concerned about coffee and cakes you realise.....

Anyway....I'm off to CRE tomorrow (Christian Resource Exhibition). First stop I think will be the 'African Praise Church Vestments' stand, to see if they have any suitable 'Youth Pastor' wear. As long as it comes in pink - I'm happy!!

Thursday afternoon is the funeral - so would value your prayers!

Friday I'll be back at work - ready for youth - yay!! By the way: if anyone from the youth band (who played in church on Sunday night) is reading - you guys were awesome!!

Have a good week all!!
Pen x

New job!!!

Today I started my new job, as Youth Pastor at Church! Ann and I have a month's handover time - before she leaves to have her ickle baby - bless!

It's cool for lots of reasons - but also because I knew from the age of 16/17 that I would be in full-time ministry one day. When people used to ask me that question 'what do you do?', I always used to reply with 'well, I work in insurance, but one day I believe I'll be in full-time ministry'.

I realised that over the years, I had stopped saying the last part, because although I believed that it would happen, I couldn't quite see how and when. It was only three weeks' ago - when I remembered this and thought 'hey, in three weeks' time, I'm going to be in full-time ministry!' Even though it's only for seven months, and I'm now 30 (not 17) - it's all part of God's plan - which is pretty awesome really!

So, if God's put something in your heart - trust Him with it! It may take a few years to come to fruition - but it's worth the wait!

Have a great week!
Pen x

PS: you might want to pray for the Elim crew who have to work with me now!! :-)

Goodbye to a very special person....

Last weekend, my Gran passed away peacefully in her sleep, whilst on a family holiday in France. It's been a very sad week for us as a family, and a complete shock, as she was full of laughter, life and health - and very close and special to us all.

....But faith in Christ alone, gives us the assurance of heaven. When you die - what then? John Maxwell tells of attending a funeral where the following poem was read: "I am standing on the seashore. A ship appears, spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till last she fades away on the horizon. Somebody at my side quietly says, 'She is gone.' Gone where? Gone from my vision, that is all; she is just as large as when I saw her last. The diminished size and loss of sight is in me, not her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says 'She is gone,' there are others who are watching her coming, and voices take up the joyful shout, 'Here she comes!'"

Thanks for all your texts, e-mails, cards, phone calls and prayers - they have been appreciated more than you know.
Pen xx

The gym induction......

Well.....I survived!!! Oh my goodness, what a LAUGH!!! Where do I start? I'm afraid to say that I laughed my way through the whole thing, and couldn't bring myself to take it too seriously! Thankfully I had an understanding young guy who was very helpful (but couldn't understand what was so funny!) I'm still not sure what WAS actually funny - but there you go!

One of the funniest things, was those big exercise ball things (the ones that look like space hoppers)! When I sat on it, I said that it was like being on a space hopper, but it would be better if it had the handles (you know what I mean) to hang on to (and bounce around)!! He just looked at me with a look of bewilderment - and smiled (he couldn't have done a lot else really!) I guess it could've been worse.....I could have suggested they paint smiley faces on them like my space hopper used to have (should point out that I was about 5 at the time!) ah, fond memories!

Moving on....
I didn't like the bit where they weigh you (probably because now they will know that I lied on my form!!) ah, confession is good for the soul!
The guy asked me about my job, and I explained what I do - and then went on to say that I did a sleep in last night (which means you don't always get much sleep). He asked me if this was the reason for me being a little 'lethargic' so I said yes, although, I figure that actually, I was just being lethargic because I was in a gym - doing exercise!!!!

It got better..... my blood pressure is apparently v.good and heart rate good too. I was asked if I'd had any caffeine this morning, and when I answered '4-5 cups of coffee', I realised that to have this many by 11am really wasn't displaying 'healthy living'! (Good job they have a Starbucks on site - ha ha!)

So.....to sum it up - an interesting morning!
I should add that I did then do 25mins on the treadmill, but of course, the guy only happened to walk by when I was doing the 'cooling off' bit, so I spent the next five minutes trying to prove that I had actually been exercising, and was taking it seriously! Not sure if he was convinced......not sure if I am yet either - but will continue!

Watch this space.....

Oh my goodness - I'm at the gym!!!!

Yes, I'm as shocked as you are! I should add though, that I'm on the internet, and have just finished a cappuccino (courtesy of Helen - thanks!), and would you believe, I've just signed up!!! It probably has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it's got a Starbucks on site, and free internet access etc!!! However, I thought it was about time that I thought about getting fit (again!) and the fact that I can sit here (with a coffee), updating my blog and THINK about fitness, is just about perfect! I feel better already, and I've only been here a little while. The added bonus is that in the space of a short time this afternoon I've met half (ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration) of the church here!

Happy days!!
Watch this space for news of any progress! Ha ha ha!

PS - I have an induction booked for 10th April - so if you could all pray that I just survive that - that would be fab! I think I'm still in shock....!

I'm off for a 10 mile run now.....

Surprises......

I've had a couple of surprises this week! Today was a good surprise.....I went to Heathrow Airport (I was missing the place - ha ha!) to pick up my Aunt who was flying in from Australia. My Aunt walked through with my cousin Lynette, and I had no idea she was coming over as well, so that was a nice surprise!

My other surprise was yesterday - when I took my car to the garage.... I'd figured the tracking was out a little, so thought I'd better get it checked out. To cut a long story short (a first for me) it was an expensive surprise! My almost new front tyres have to be replaced - as my tracking has been WAY out. I also need new wishbone bushes, and some other boring stuff done (such an exciting thing for a girl to spend her money on - not!!!)

Anyone else had a surprise recently??
Answers on a postcard, or post a comment!

New Job!!!

All change - again!!!

As most of you know - I've been working as a Residential Worker in a Childrens Crisis Unit (for 11-16s) since December (quite different to my previous job - but there you go!!). Originally, they needed people up until mid March (ie, now) which was fine, as I was planning to go and live in Rwanda for four months (March to July) and help with Hope Rwanda. The idea of living in Africa was pretty cool, and everything was coming together nicely (so I thought)....

Less than 24hrs after replying about Rwanda, I then had another job emailed to me, which would've meant moving to Birmingham....and if two options weren't enough, I was then offered a permanent position where I currently work, and then came another offer which I wasn't expecting..... It's kinda like buses - you know, you either get none - or three at once!

So....for all who've been wondering - I've been praying about Rwanda, Birmingham and Chelmsford (how different can you get?)

For those in church today, you will have now heard the news! I'm staying in Chelmsford - and will be covering Ann's maternity leave. I'm going to be a full-time Youth Worker at Church with effect from 1st May! How cool?!

So, thanks for all your prayers etc - it's v.appreciated! Just thinking back to this time last year, I was working in an office in London. Since then, I've been to six new countries - and COMPLETELY changed my work. I'm thinking that I've now got out of my last 'comfort zone' - so I'm ready for the challenge! The challenge may be just to stay in the country for the next 7mths or so!

Pen x

A few more ads....

The offside rule explained for girls

You're in a shoe shop, second in the queue for the till.
Behind the shop assistant on the till is a pair of shoes which you have seen and which you must have.
The female shopper in front of you has seen them also and is eyeing them with desire.
Both of you have forgotten your purses.
It would be totally rude to push in front of the first woman if you had no money to pay for the shoes.
The shop assistant remains at the till waiting.
Your friend is trying on another pair of shoes at the back of the shop and sees your dilemma.
She prepares to throw her purse to you.
If she does so, you can catch the purse, then walk round the other shopper and buy the shoes.
At a pinch she could throw the purse ahead of the other shopper and, *whilst it is in flight* you could nip around the other shopper, catch the purse and buy the shoes.
Always remembering that until the purse has *actually been thrown* it would be plain wrong to be forward of the other shopper.