in my last post about all the things that I have done recently that have been keeping me busy, I forgot an important event - in our parish 25 teenagers were confirmed. It was a lovely service...and my word it does make you think about your own confirmation, and the promises that we made, and the wonderful gift of the Spirit that was given to us. When the youth were making their promises, I was saying the I do's with them...I had to. I want the Lord to know that this is truly what I belive too, and how I want to be a witness.

During this last week, have also been quite busy. on Pentecost Sunday I had arranged a Taize service. After morning Mass, myself and Anne tissue papered the windows in the back of the Church to provide a stained glass window affect for the service in the evening. It was actually a really well attended service - every time we do it, we learn something new about what to do for next time, but most importantly it gives a person the time to reflect on their relationship with God. This week I registered for my two weeks with Taize in the Summer...and boy, am I looking forward to them!

Also this week I experienced my first football match at Wembley and my first England international (the same event). Someone had booked me tickets to see the match...i did not know I was going until we were on the tube there, and unfortunately I was not really dressed for the occassion, as earlier that day I had a meeting with the executive director of the hospital that my PhD is based at - so was smart! never mind...it was a ridiculously fun evening - the atmosphere was amazing...and I was very grateful for the surprise.

This week, i have been learning a lot about fears and anxieties. I have also had an incredibly low patch - I have not had one like this for a long time...so much so, that I did something I have not done for almost a year - disappointing yes, but really now learning how to trust in God. Last year a Taize brother said to me one evening that God is like an amazing bank - he keeps on giving and giving when you put your card in to take out money - but your account never goes down. so you can ask for as much as you want, and He will give it to you, but your account will remain...the other analogy that was used was the - why carry a heavy rucksack with you at all times...ask God to carry it for you, and He will - with pleasure. so I am praying that I can cast my fears and anxieties to the Lord, and that He will help me with them.

Work is still busy, and still not getting very far even if it is busy. It is rather frustrating, but just another thing for me to cast to prayer.

other than that, it is pretty much same old, same old. Although it is a bank holiday, I have some studying to do. My job i suppose is not really like a 9-5, I am always thinking that I could do a little more reading of the literature, or think up some interview schedules, code some data in N-Vivo - the list of stuff that I could be doing is infact endless. But for the time being, I am going to go back to my Dostoevsky, and see what the next installment of the Karamazov Brothers holds for me!

busy, busy, busy is what I have been

Busy trying to get work going well, and doing my annual presentation to the department of management showing our progress, development and project ideas. it went ok - i actually managed to get sympathy from the profs as a result of my lack of access (although there has been slight progression in that as well...hopefully the CEO will be on my side).

There has also been the election - i am not going to comment on that much...it will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months.

last weekend Petts Wood Festival Chorus sang Vivaldi's Gloria and other works twice in one day in aid of our local children's hospital. i am always moved by these performances, and it was a spectacular event...and some special people to me came to watch.

I have just been on an away day with work - tiring and a waste of time, but done for the year now.

this weekend, I have Russian folk singers to go and see, and our monthly Taize service to celebrate the feast of Pentecost...have to choose music and find some prayers to read.

this week also saw the first birthday of my god-daughter Joanne...happy birthday Joanne!
right, over and out

work has been pretty hard these last few weeks - i am a little lost with what I am doing, as things are changing all the time...it is all very fluid...i am striving for some stability with this.
the last Taize service at my church went really well - my priest said it was the best one yet, and he actually felt that he was in Taize...that made me happy.
we have just had a family celebration this weekend as my cousin announced that she was pregnant...i am so desperately happy for her, but wishing that it was me...
God knows how I feel, and I suppose that is what is most important.
I have had a lot of support from a few people recently which has been fabulous, and I am very thankful for that. I just pray that this will continue.
lastly, have finally had my hair cut - it been about time

and this really is final - if anyone is in south east London on the 16th May, and would like to hear Vivaldi's Gloria, and a few other pieces sung, then come and listen to Petts Wood Festival Chorus, raising money for Dumelza House Childrens Hospice...all for a good cause!