Checking in…

I’m not really a cute animal sort of person… but this picture seemed a perfect illustration. I am totally knackered. Completely and entirely. And I’ve technically still got 3 more weeks of this job. Oh. my. word. Today we were on a trip to Brighton. It was actually a really sunny day until the late afternoon, so sitting on the beach eating lunch was pretty great..! Did a little bit of shopping in The Lanes too, which was great..! Bought an interesting dress… I’ll try post a picture somewhere. It was nice being in a shopping area that wasn’t another High Street, identical as they all are. Brighton is quite a nice little town (I think it actually has city status, but come on, really… its not a city!) It was nice being at the sea… granted it was the English seaside, but it was still good to see the sea again..! I love the sea.

Tomorrow Phil and I have some time off… together! Crazy! I have to work in the evening, but we’re going into London during the day… yippee!

In other news I have joined Facebook. It has finally happened. Bebo held my attention for a short and fragile time, but Facebook is entirely different. I think that I could become addicted.

Right, I’ve run out of words and sentences. Good night.

Missing in action…

Dear readers….

I apologise for the lack of bloggage over the past week. Sadly it might continue, but I hope not for too long. Phil and I are working at a summer school and its completely hectic… too many foreign children who don’t understand English..! Oh dear. Tonight we had a ‘Bad Taste’ disco. Phil wore a hawaiian shirt (tied 80’s style), fitted boxers (made from beautiful material covered in kisses), white socks and black shoes. Oh yes.

(p.s. Its not a Christian camp… so Phil’s outfit was greeted with delight and laughter and many requests for photos… not rebukes, downcast eyes or ‘tut tut’s!!)

WOOO hoooo!!!!

I was phoned this morning by the chairwoman of the committee that interviewed me yesterday to say that they were happy to accept me into baptist ministry! I am pretty much over-the-moon..! They also recommended that I have a month-long placement in the UK during this coming year so get the feel of a working with a minister in a more ‘normal’ church in the UK, as Sarka Valley (our church in Prague) is quite unique and doesn’t give me perhaps a more regular experience of what church ministry in the UK might be like. So yeah… that will be interesting too… as well as being great experience. I don’t really know what happens from here… I think that I write up a profile of what kind of church I would like to work in, and feel called to work in and then I think I go on the list of student candidates for ministry graduating next year that are looking for a church… and then something else happens, which eventually leads to me working in a church..! As you can tell, I don’t know the whole process yet, but hopefully all will be revealed now that I have cleared the major hurdle of being accepted as a candidate for ministry. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers…

YEEEEaaaaaaHHHHaaaaaaa!!!!

Post-interview relief…

Well, its all over… my interview was this afternoon and I think that it went well. Phil was encouraged to come into the interview with me, which was a new and kind of strange experience, but I thought that it was good that from the beginning the role of the spouse is part of discerning God’s will for a possible ‘ministry couple’. The group of 8 people that interviewed me (and Phil got a couple of questions too..!) were all very nice, and although there was no messing about with the questions, the atmosphere was informal, which helped to put us both at ease. I was asked questions about my testimony, how I had discerned my calling, what kind of church I felt called to work in, what I thought about declining church attendance in the UK, what I thought my gifts were, what were my views on heaven (!) and what our lives on earth are for etc etc etc..! Quite alot of ground was covered and I answered honestly which I think is the most important thing..! The interview lasted over an hour, which was definitely the longest interview that I have ever had, but it was a good experience. I don’t yet know what the committee’s decision is, I will hopefully get a phone call tomorrow to let me know. Although I’m feeling positive, I’m still nervous and I don’t want to take anything for granted… so I’ll write tomorrow about the good or bad news!

This evening after the interview, we went to see “We will Rock You” in London town. Its the musical with Queen music. Unfortunately, it was a bit disappointing. The music was great, the band were excellent and the singing was good too… but there was little or no thought given to the plot (in the second half they just basically gave up trying at all) and a few too many Ben Elton ‘carry-on’ sorts of jokes. Hmmm. Anyway, never mind… Phil and I might go and see “Spamalot” while we’re in the lovely South. Its the Monty Python musical… guaranteed to please!

What is the gospel?

In preparation for my interview tomorrow, I met the minister of my home church in Kent today for coffee. We had a good chat about what sort of things I might get asked tomorrow, what the interview panel will be like etc. It was a helpful time, and a good opportunity to ‘try out’ some of my answers on Neil. He was encouraging and that was good too.

One of the questions that he asked me was “What is the gospel?”. Its a question that has been niggling away at my mind for some time. Obviously, the gospel is the good news… but what is that? Is it that Jesus Christ - God incarnate, came to earth and lived his life to the fullest as the example of human life then died and was raised again so that our sins might be forgiven and that we might live in relationship with God? How does that sound? A bit wordy for me. While I know that that answer may be doctrinally sound, how does it actually translate into everyday life and experience? What would that mean to a person living in the inner city of London, Johannesburg or Los Angeles? Anything at all? In answer to Neil’s question, I said that the gospel was about freedom/liberation and God’s love for his people. I’m still trying to decide if that is a cliche or not. Whilst I think that it most definitely about those two things, is that definition enough? Or, conversely, in trying to look for a more complicated answer do we detract from the simplicity of the gospel? Maybe it is just as simple as freedom and love.

A little French sun…

Been in France with lovely husband and parents for the weekend. Was good fun, went to the beach and played football (so tiring!) and ate lots of french baked goods. Hmmm. We were staying in a little rural village called Rimboval and there were a ton of kittens on the farm opposite to ours… they were completely adorable. Also lots of calves and foals running about… I like the country feel.

Today (9th July) was also Phil and my second wedding anniversary! Hurrah! Well done us! We’ve had a great two years so far… here’s to many many more!

Two days before my interview..! Any ideas about what I should wear? Should I go for the conservative wifey look:

Or the ‘I’m cool and sexy, I’d be a great Baptist minister’ look:

Neither?! I was told something that I’m comfortable in, but not too casual. Hmmm. Any ideas..?

Interview countdown…

Last week I found out the date of my interview with the South-East Association of the Baptist Union of Great Britain! Argh. Its on the 11th July and I’m feeling pretty nervous… (surprisingly?!!) Any positive thoughts and prayers would be more than very much appreciated! Feeling sort of excited and also a bit apprehensive. But hopefully it should go well. I’m just gonna go for it, be myself, be confident of what I believe God is leading me and Phil to, and hope and pray for the best. I’ll keep you updated.

Our time in Belfast is nearly coming to an end. Its been really good actually. I was worried that it was going to be a bit more difficult… you know, living with your husband and his mama! But its been great. I have enjoyed hanging out with the family, doing stuff with Phil and Hazel, walking the doggies etc. Phil and I have worked pretty hard cleaning and clearing out the garage/Phil’s room/the kitchen. We still have a couple of things to do, so we will hopefully get those done before we leave on Thursday morning when we head to Kent for a week of relaxation before starting on the children’s camps. Fun fun fun!