Lovely N.I.

This weekend little Laura Battersby joined Phil and I in sunny Belfast for a couple of days. We had a great time together, apart from the slightly damp atmosphere which continued throughout the weekend. Yesterday Laura and I settled ourselves into Cafe Renoir for a good couple of hours catching up, and today after lunch we all went up to Newcastle to walk the dogs… the beach was looking lovely, and it was so great being at the coast. I love being at the sea. (We also stuffed our faces with hot chocolates, ‘buns’ and ice-cream at Maud’s Cafe… oh yes!)

Tomorrow Phil and I move on from clearing out his room and the kitchen to the garage… let the throwing out begin!

Jesus in the City??

 

Last week I was at the “Jesus in the City” conference in Bristol from Thursday until Monday. It was, umm, disappointing. The actual conference had so much potential but didn’t fulfill any of it! However, on the other hand, the conversations that I had with many of the mission leaders from the EBF (European Baptist Federation) made up for the not-very-brilliant conference. As well as that, I met Stuart Murray-Williams and heard Jim Wallis (God’s Politics and Sojourners bloke) and Kathy Galloway (Leader of the Iona Community) speak… so they also helped to make it worth while. All in all, it was an amazing time. Many inspiring things to write about… will hopefully get round to that soon!

I’m back in Belfast now for a wee while, and enjoying cleaning things and walking the dogs!

xxxx

hello Edinburgh..!

I’m having a girlie weekend with my old flatmates Elle, Sue and Sazzle! We’re having a grand old time in bonny Scotland..! Sazzle and I came from sunny (that’s not even sarcastic… its completely true!) Belfast and Sue came from Wick to cloudy Edinburgh for our little reunion. Its been 2 years since we graduated but in some ways it feels just like yesterday. In other ways it feels like we’ve all grown up alot in the past 2 years. Anyway, its great. Its weird being in Edinburgh again. I mean, its fantastic, I have so many wonderful memories from my time in Edinburgh… but in other ways, it feels like I’m ready to be going to another place. Phil and I have another year left in Prague and after that we’ll be heading back to the UK, probably somewhere in England. And that feels kinda OK. I used to feel very upset about moving to England (!) but I think that I’m ready for a new adventure… a new place to discover and explore. So, I feel much more settled with the idea now.

I’m in Edinburgh until Tuesday evening and then getting the overnight bus to London and then another bus to Bristol for a conference called “Jesus in the City”, about how churches can reach out relevantly into communities based in large cities. I think its going to be a good time of learning and conversation. After that I go back to my lovely husband who I abandoned in Belfast!

Hopefully catch up soon!