right, it has been a strange few weeks since I last wrote. Going down to Exeter was a blast from the past. I would just like to say thank you to Gordon Road who were as lovely as ever in putting me up, and looking after me - you are lovely people, and I thank God for friends like you. It was also great seeing Amy and Kate, and James and Ella, and my first meeting with baby Leona - who thanks to James and Ella I had a huge cuddle with, and wanted to take her home, but didnt think it would be fair! May Norris rest in peace. It was a sad occassion and a sad visit for many reasons, but hey, I now have some more answers to questions that I had, and worries that I had, but I have no realised, chapter closed, move on and rely on people who do actually respect me...and I have been offering a lot up to God.

I also have been doing a lot in my church and in Bromley Deanery. One thing I have been wanting to have is a re-dedication of my faith - as I now feel that I am actually having a better understanding of my faith that I did not have when i was confirmed. I put this idea to the Dean of Bromley who got very excited by it (as did Fr B), and so this may be happening. We had a parish forum where i talked about all my work with the senior youth group, and the bromley deanery. And I have been working my little bottom off for the youth sunday taize service, to which Petts Wood Churches together and Bromley Deanery have been invited! I really pray that this is a success, and that youth actually want to come to it! I have been to poverest baptist church to see my friend Karl get baptised which was just awesome...my first time seeing an adult baptism and it was special - i am glad that i went, and he is so happy to feel like a child of God again.

Karl and I went to watch the Lord Mayors show in London, and watch the lovely free fireworks on the thames, before going to meet dave after work. we then went to tha albert hall, and saw a lot of royalty and politicians (including the queen and prince philip) arrive for the remembrance service. we then tried out a few student bars, the spoons in leicester square, and then storm where dearest Susan was having her "I am in remission party" (Sue has suffered with throat cancer for the last 5 years, but had the brilliant news on remission recently). i danced a bit, but Dave was thrown out, and so Karl and i left early too - but still managed to miss the last train home (somehow dave got it, Karl obv had to get a burger), so Karl and i had to get the night bus home (something I had been saying all day i had not wanted to get...oh dear)...the next day was spent nursing a hangover, going to church and sitting at Chris and Sarah's house, playing with their cats, and me wanting to sleep, but karl and dave kicking, tickling, or putting cheese on my face to wake me up...

last weekend i had the house to myself which was nice....as dave was working last friday night, karl came over and we watched Amelie (dave, karl and i are going through a phase of watching foreign films), and the end of children in need, and then on saturday, i cooked dinner for them both, we had a boozy night, watched another film (l'homme de train) and then fell asleep in various rooms about my house. last night we watched Ronin - i was kindof tired so didnt really understand what was going on....but we had a laugh at the pretty boy!

Work has been going ok...i have been working very hard marking tenders that have come in, and dave has been working in our office as we needed a temp, and he needed work, so i rang the agency, and recommended him for us...it worked, and he worked, so it was good all round. this meant that i have also got to know Chris from PBC a lot better, and he is also v willing to help with youth ttuff which is amazing - i am blessed with good people around me at the moments

so all very busy, but i think now almost up to date

take care one and all

ok, so the last few weeks have been a bit tough. two deaths in one week - is not something i like. I just want to say something...Norris - the big man himself - what a tragic loss. I remember first being reallu scared of him - sat in Cowley Road eating out of his saucepan - but bug man big heart. My memories of Norris are him always helping people - when i stayed down in Exeter - i was offered porridge for breakfast - he was always willing to listen to me, and give me some advice....and after James and Ellas wedding - he deserved the title of nimble feet that I gave him - who knew the big man could dance so well...it is such a sad loss, and I really hope that we celebrate his life in the way that he wants us to. I am going to exeter this week for the funeral...am scared about going down - i really am. some people know why, but hey, Norris deserves to know just how much he was appreciated.

I have been doing a self purge of stuff that has been bothering me. I have made a very good friend who has just been awesome in helping me. so much so, that a five minute meeting to lend him some books from work for his interview turned into a 6 hour chat, that could have gone on for much longer, a big hug, and sharing of information from both sides that we found hard to do, but were glad that we could get it off our hearts. It was a special night, and it was what i was needed. He is getting baptised tomorrow, so I am making a trip to poverest baptist church for it. and, i am getting to know the poverest baptist lot well, and i am so happy that they have accepted me in their church, and have made friends with me, as it is good to get so many perspectives on things. it is good that we can just sit round each others houses and chat and laugh and just enjoy company, and i am so grateful that I have found these people who really appreciate me for the person that I am, and that they dont want to change me at all, and they just accept me...

the funeral on wednesday was very fitting. my great aunt would have been happy with it, and the hymns that we sang were just beautiful, the readings lovely. it was just fitting which was much needed.

work has been really good - we have an exciting new project going on, and i am getting involved in that, and they have been incredibly supportive of things.

and today i had a good pastoral counselling session with my parish priest - i was able to get some spiritual help to pull me through my rough patch at the moment, and i thank him for that. this is the first time since exeter that i have felt that i have been able to talk to a priest about my problems, and that was a huge relief.