Last Weekend.....

Last weekend I was in Frankfurt for a surprise birthday party for a friend (Suzette). It was a fantastic evening - honouring an amazing woman of God, who had no idea about the party! Had a great time meeting up with friends over there, and also had breakfast on Sunday morning with David and Bobbie (Elim Pastors) who know Mike and Tony v.well!

My basic German that I'd been learning paid off - although most spoke English anyway. I don't know if it was the hat I was wearing (it was -6C!) that made me look German, but apparently I did - so people were happily speaking to me in German, while I stood there not having a clue what they were saying! Probably the most useful phrases I know are:
"Do you speak English?"
"I don't speak German, I'm English" and that all important one......
"I'd like a cup of coffee please".

It was also a very sad weekend, as I got a telephone call passing on the sad news about Neil Cooper. We are all going to miss him heaps.... especially his guitar playing in church - and his blogging! He had a heart to worship - and to serve God. He was a great musician, and it has been a privilege to play alongside him. As a band member he was always on time, always enthusiastic and 'up for anything' (with a smile to go with it) - especially if it was something 'out of the ordinary'! I remember one time when he wanted to try out his new electric guitar at a Monday night practice, and wasn't quite sure whether he should 'rock it' to its full potential! Needless to say, he didn't need much encouragement to do so - and we had a great practice!


When I heard the news, I was on a bus in Germany. I'd only been talking with a friend the night before about this song, and I was reminded of it, so I've put the words here.

I can only imagine......


Our thoughts and prayers are with Anna, Joel and Simon - and the whole family. Praying that you may all know God's comfort and presence around you, particularly at this time.

Mmm....interesting pic!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Diary Entry: Tuesday 8th February 2005....
.....It's strange - I really don't know what God has got planned - but really believe that this year could be a year of change!

When I read that the other night, I laughed, and laughed - and laughed!!! For those that know me, and for those that read my blog - you'll know what I'm on about! It's certainly been a year of change - in SO many ways!
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Anyway - our thoughts turn now to 2006!!!
Have a fantastic 2006 - and a Happy New Year to you all!!

To have an excellent life,
stive for an excellent year.
Within that year,
strive for an excellent month,
and within that month,
strive for an excellent day!

Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:6

Pen x

Reindeer - last seen in Chelmsford High Street mingling with Christmas shoppers.

Answers to the name of Rudolph.

Reward if found.

Santa x

Come out mother!

A couple were going out for the evening. After getting ready, they put the cat out on their way out of the house to get in the taxi. The cat, however, had a different idea and scampered back inside before they could get out. They didn't want the cat shut in the house, so the wife went on out to the taxi while the husband went back in to chase the cat out.

The wife, not wanting it known that the house would be empty, explained to the taxi driver "My husband will be here in just a moment. He's just gone upstairs to say goodbye to my mother."

A few minutes later, the husband got into the cab. "Sorry I took so long" he explained, "Stupid old thing was hiding under the bed and I had to poke her with a coat hanger to get her to come out!"

Happy Christmas from Darth Penster!

Maybe that should read 'daft Penster' instead!

Oh, and just in case you were wondering(!) - I borrowed the mask and light sabre from a little friend of mine (age 6)!

Happy Christmas everyone!!

May the Force be with you in 2006!

Have a good one!
Pen x

Best of British

Be very proud to be British because:

Only in Britain... do supermarkets make sick people walk all the way to the back of the shop to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in Britain... do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a DIET coke.

Only in Britain... do banks leave both doors open and chain the pens to the counters.

Only in Britain... do we leave cars worth thousands of pounds on the drive and lock our junk and cheap lawn mower in the garage.

Only in Britain... do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.


NOT TO MENTION...

3 Brits die each year testing if a 9v battery works on their tongue.

142 Brits were injured in 2004 by not removing all pins from new shirts.

58 Brits are injured each year by using sharp knives instead of screwdrivers.

31 Brits have died since 1996 by watering their Christmas tree while the fairy lights were plugged in.

19 Brits have died in the last 3 years believing that Christmas decorations were chocolate.

British Hospitals reported 4 broken arms last year after cracker pulling accidents.

101 people since 1999 have had broken parts of plastic toys pulled out of the soles of their feet.

18 Brits had serious burns in 2003 trying on a new jumper with a lit cigarette in their mouth.

A massive 543 Brits were admitted to A&E in the last two years after opening bottles of drink with their teeth.

8 Brits were injured last year in accidents involving out of control Scalextric cars.

RULE BRITANNIA!!

Pastor Tony

Pastor Tony and the family need our prayers particularly at this time - as he goes into hospital next week for an operation. I think Pat's summed up last Sunday well on her blog, so if you haven't read it, read the post here.

Tony and Brenda have set up a blog, so we can all keep up-to-date with news and progress.

Tony, Brenda, Jo, Simon, Helen, Lorna, Jonathan (and the wider family) - we love you and are praying for you!

Pen xx

Go faster stripes....

I'm currently sporting THREE 'go faster stripes' - which sounds great, although they are red and purple (and on my right knee)....I'll explain.....

I went Christmas shopping this afternoon - but spent most of the afternoon in Starbucks (and got a free sandwich) - also checked out their gingerbread latte! So, I was shopping towards the end of the day - and decided to enter Debenhams (at the back, by the escalators).

The UP one wasn't working, so rather than walk up the stationary one, I decided to run (yes, RUN!) UP the DOWN escalator!! I'm still not sure what made me do this - whether I was:
1. Just trying to see how fit I was.
2. Seeing if I could still do it!
3. Trying to prove something to myself (especially as a friend [you know who you are!] sent me an e-mail containing the word 'wrinkles' this morning!
4. Deciding to act like a kid, because I've just turned 30?!

Anyway.....thankfully there weren't any people in sight....because as I reached the top - it my legs got heavier, the steps got harder, and I had these embarrassing images of me not succeeding....so I took one giant leap (to get off the thing) - and didn't quite make it!!!

Let's just say, I ended up at the bottom of the DOWN escalator (with a bruised knee - and pride, together with a new estimation of my 'fitness'). I then WALKED UP the UP escalator into the shop (which I could've done in the first place) - pretending that NOTHING had happened, my knee didn't REALLY hurt - whilst as the same time, praying that this whole episode hadn't been caught on CCTV, and would be shown at some future point on 'You've Been Framed'.

So, to sum up this little 'adventure' - it's not big, it's not funny, and it's definitely NOT clever!!

If your name's Penelope, and you have a 'P' themed party - I guess there's only one person you can really go as...... Penelope Pitstop!!

Thanks to EVERYONE for such a great effort on the night (in every way!). Also, huge thanks to those who made a donation to the Childrens Home in Madurai, India. A fantastic amount of £186 is on its way to the children via Child-Link (just in time for Christmas!).
From me, and the children - Thank YOU for your generosity!!!!

Also, a massive thank you to Robyn, Caroline and Jo for everything - you girls are stars!! Also - thanks to Matt for the music, Tom for these photos (double click to enlarge), and to everyone else who helped on the night (you know who you are)!
You guys are awesome!
Pen xx

Penelope Pitstop meets 'Punk'.......Two of Elim's Worship Leaders - as never seen before.....!!

That's all folks!

Where does the time go??

Last Sunday, I woke up - and was convinced I was still in Singapore!!! Not sure if this is to do with turning 30 last week - or just jet-lag!

Since being back, I've attended several training days (which included a 'Moving and Handling' course on my 30th birthday....believe me - I know how to celebrate in style!!), had an interview....followed by another one - and got offered a job (which I started today).

I still have to update my blog with a report on the Philippines trip.....still have pics from Australia and New Zealand to post on here (no idea when that's going to happen!) - and pics from the weekend!

It's a quick post tonight, because I'm on the early shift again in the morning!
More soon.....
Pen :-)

Leaving Singapore...

Time to head home again.....and get ready to face the cold!! Having got used to temperatures of 30C - it could be a bit of a shock to the system! I think the hottest day was 38-40C in the Philippines....seriously hot (and I don't have one hint of a tan)!

Whilst in Singapore, I met up with Andy & Veronica and Lucas, which was great! They're doing great - and said to say 'hi' to everyone, and to particularly thank everyone for their prayers (as Lucas hasn't been too well). He's now fine - and they're leaving Singapore on Monday.

I'll see you all in church tomorrow morning!! In the meantime, I'd better find myself a coffee and muffin (to help with the jet-lag of course!!).

Keep smiling! :-)

Pen x

Philippines update!!

The Philippines trip has been AMAZING, and I'll write more and post some pics on here ASAP.

I've just arrived in Singapore, after travelling for 36hrs, so I'm quite glad that I haven't got a 14hr flight home today!

We have seen God do amazing things - seen approx 400 saved. It was great to go into two prisons (a first for me). The conditions were unbelievable - but we were allowed in, and over two days, saw 65 prisoners and 6 guards saved. We've also seen many people healed, and touched by the Holy Spirit......more news later...

We've been to a several small remote village areas - and have met some wonderful friends along the way. In the meetings - I'm always introduced as Sister Penny, Missionary from England, age 29 - and SINGLE!!! It's become a bit of a joke now!

On a humourous note - I've now become an expert at killing cockroaches, am used to geckos living in my room, - and have generally been living 'missionary' life! We have had many laughs (you have to have a good sense of humour!) - and have been thankful for things that we usually take for granted (like hot water). Oh - and I must add - one Sunday, Roz and I travelled to church in a SIDECAR!!! The funnier thing was that we had a smaller one on the way back (we nearly tipped it up!), and then got stuck in it!!! Philippinos are much smaller than us English ladies! :-) Twice in the last week, I've travelled to church on the back of a motorbike (thankfully I wore trousers that day) - no helmets (and bumpy roads).... You have to be ready for anything!

Thank you all for your prayers......we're safe in His hands - and forever thankful for the harvest!

God bless you!!!!

Pen x