So my friend Jenny, who is severely ill with ME, wrote a long blog post titled "My Favourite Things" (do go and read her original post - or at least the introduction - for more context) and her friends have been challenged to write similar posts on 1st December, to bring a smile to her face. So, Jenny, this is my attempt....
(And I challenge you, even if you don't know Jenny, can you come up with your own list?!)
I don't like labelling things as my "favourite", as it feels too definite; so instead, I felt it more appropriate to title this "a few of my favourite things" (in deference to The Sound of Music, of course!) I have to say that I have actually found it quite a hard post to write. There are many things that I like, but often in the busyness of life, and in the desire to please others, I always end up pushing down the things that I like, until I've almost forgotten them myself! But I still find a key giveaway sign when I really like something, is that it makes me smile or grin a lot, so, based on that, here we go...
A few favourite TV programmes:
Like Jenny, I also like Chuck (if you don't know it, check it out - it's awesome!) and Doctor Who. Also...
Warehouse 13 - a series that my brother introduced me to
Game shows - too many to name, but I particularly enjoy watching question or word-based games.
The Great British Bake Off - traditionally I've always found cooking shows quite boring, and never really watched them. But I really got hooked on this show last year, and have been watching it since. I love the creativity of the people on the show, and seeing what creations they come up with!
Childhood programmes
The New Adventures of Superman - I am proud to admit to owning all 4 seasons on DVD! I loved this show (helped by the fact I *may* have had a slight crush on Dean Cain).
Ocean Odyssey - About a girl, Neri, who can breathe underwater and speak to whales. Awesome show. I love swimming, and when I was in the sea on holiday I always pretended to be Neri. I think this show is where my love of swimming underwater comes from :)
David the Gnome - very few people seem to have ever seen this programme, but I loved it! (It was on very early on Sunday mornings I think).
A few favourite books:
Gentian Hill (Elizabeth Gouge) - my all-time favourite, which I keep coming back to. She is a great writer, but that's not the real reason I love it so much (I've read other books by her which I don't love so much). I think the real reason that I love it is because I really identify with some of the characters, and have learnt a lot from them.
Chronicles of Narnia (C.S Lewis) - my dad read these to me when I was younger, and I often re-read them to this day. I also have a couple of them on audiobook, and I always listen to them to cheer myself up whenever I'm feeling ill and don't have the brainpower to read an actual book!
Archives of Anthropos (John White) - series of 6 books that my godparents introduced me to. Similar concept to the Narnia books, in that they are an analogy of some of the key passages in scripture.
The Oriel books (Robert Harrison) - "Oriel's diary", "Oriel's travels" and "Oriel in the desert". These are books based on the lives of 3 figures in scripture (Jesus, Paul and Moses), as seen through the eyes of the fictional archangel Oriel. I was introduced to these books by a friend at Bristol uni, and they have really helped me with thinking through these familiar parts of scripture in a new way; I often find that fiction books engage me more than non-fiction and I learn more through stories than documentaries!
The Dark is Rising (Susan Cooper) - a great series of books based on the Arthurian legend. I have read and re-read these books so many times that my copy is falling apart. The only part I don't like is the ending, as it grates on me somewhat (which is why I have stopped reading them of late).
The Ender saga (Orson Scott Card) - very thought provoking books. Don't know how the recent film compares, as I haven't seen it yet.
Agatha Christie's Poirot - I have read pretty much all of the Poirot books ever written.
Sherlock Holmes - similarly, I have the complete Sherlock Holmes, and love his deduction abilities (maybe it appeals to the scientific side of me?!) I prefer the earlier stories though, as the later stories can be a little weird.
Redeeming Love (Francine Rivers) - an incredible romance novel, based on the Biblical book of Hosea.
A few favourite films:
Pride and Prejudice - I do enjoy the most recent film, but the BBC drama is still my favourite. My G'ma enjoyed the BBC drama so much that she wore out her VHS tapes (ah, those were the days!) and I have very fond memories of watching it with her :) I now own both versions on DVD.
The Saint (film with Val Kilmer) - the perfect mix of action and romance.
The Fifth Element - a slightly quirky sci-fi film, which I saw at the cinema when it first came out years ago. It's a great mix of action, romance and comedy, and it's firmly become one of my "films to stick on to cheer me up when I'm ill".
The Holiday - Great romcom; fun to watch, with some good messages. I just have to try not to wonder too hard about how they solve the problem of this transatlantic travel thing!
The Little Mermaid - my favourite Disney film, ever! I haven't watched it for years though, as I banned myself from watching it because I always cried so hard watching it that it gave me a huge headache! (I tend to cry a lot with films - regardless of whether they're happy or sad!)
I should also mention that I'm really enjoying the recent spate of superhero films (e.g. the Avengers and everything associated!)
A few favourite musicals:
I'm a huge fan of musicals, and love Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals (especially Cats and Starlight Express), as well as things like Les Mis, The Sound of Music, and Annie.
Some favourite folk music:
Megson - a great husband and wife duo, with some great song arrangements and wonderful vocal harmonies. I particularly love the songs "The Old Miner" and "The Handloom Weaver", which Glyn and I have played together on occasion.
Eastmountainsouth - these guys only produced one album, sadly, but it's beautiful! Incredible harmonies. I particularly love the song "Show me the River", as it holds some very special memories for me.
Show of Hands - awesome band to see live! They have a lot of stage experience, and I am always in awe of their ability to craft the "ebbs and flows" of their live shows. I have learnt a lot from these guys.
Cara Luft - great musician and song writer, with a big heart. Her shows are always great fun and I enjoy keeping up with her travels via her news updates.
Seth Lakeman - what can I say?! Amazing. I am in awe of his ability to play the fiddle AND sing at the same time. I also greatly admire his tenor guitar! (I want one!) He writes great songs, crafts a great live show, and I think that he has done great things in terms of making folk music popular for a new generation (whatever the more traditionalist folkies may say).
Fidola - this is a group that I saw at Sheffield Folk Festival, when Glyn and I were there to perform. They were really my first introduction to folk tunes, and I still listen to their album to this day - beautifully crafted.
Martyn Joseph - a great showman, with a great heart to bring people hope and to fight for social justice. I particularly enjoy his album "Whoever it was that brought me here will have to take me home".
Soiree - not usually my preferred style of music, but these guys have been good friends to me over the last few years and I always really enjoy seeing/hearing them perform together. Sue has a beautiful voice, Steve is a great guitarist and Hector does a wonderful Elvis impersonation (as well as being a great singer).
Some favourite folk tunes:
Shove the pigs foot a bit further into the fire (great tune and great title!)
Charity Tweed - written by
Pip Jopling
The Sloe Gin set - originally performed by Spiers and Boden, but I love the version performed by Glyn Collinson and Andrew Marcus, which never fails to bring a smile to my face
when I listen to it.
Some favourite Christian music:
Steven Curtis Chapman - anyone who has known me for a while will probably have heard me speak about this guy! I was privileged to see him perform live in London last year, and his music has been such a source of encouragement for me. He is so open about sharing the ups and downs of his life with his fans, and it is so powerful to see that he really does believe all of the things that he sings about.
Bethany Dillon - a great singer-songwriter.
Switchfoot
Ginny Owens
Nathan Tasker
Kari Jobe
Chris Tomlin
Jeremy Camp
Some favourite Bible verses:
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Ephesians 3:17-19 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Psalm 139
1John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
2
2Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
John 15:5 " “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
A few of my favourite things to do:
Music
- I love sessions; when I was first introduced to these through the folk scene, it just felt so right; it's how music should be - a group of people, enjoying playing and sharing music with each other
- I have so many good memories from playing in the band Waterfront, either as a duo with Glyn, as a trio with Glyn and Ben, or also with Pip or Richard.
- I far prefer going to a pub and listening to live music, than going to a club. I owe The New Root a huge amount, for helping me to discover the joys of live music and for also introducing me to Glyn, with whom I played in Waterfront.
- God has given me both a certain amount of musical ability and opportunities to develop that ability, and I love having the opportunity to use this to serve others through being involved in the worship teams at church :)
Landscape photography and spending time in God's creation - I don't do this nearly enough, but spending time in nature always refreshes my soul and photography lets my creative side make an appearance :)
I also love spending time with friends, and playing board games.
Lastly...a few favourite foods:
Roast chicken
Tomatoes
Chocolate cake (mmm....)
Pineapple
Thank you for reading this long post; I hope that it has given you some insight into the world of Ro! :)
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Happy 2010 !!!
So...a very belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !!! Welcome to 2010 ! :-)
It's been a busy time, with lots going on. I'm really out of the habit of blogging, and never have anything to say anyway, but thought the dawn of a new year was probably an occasion to write at least something !
A friend of mine from Church in Guildford recently set us a challenge, and so I thought I would extend the challenge to all you out there...he suggested that it is a good time of year to have a think about what has been a) a blessing, b) life-changing and c) a challenge you can learn from, in the past year.
Mine would be:
a) that it has been a huge blessing moving into a new house with a friend from Surrey Uni/Church. After several years of effectively having been living on my own it's such a huge blessing to have someone to share the joys and trials of everyday life with and it has really caused me to feel so much more settled in Guildford.
b) starting to come to and get stuck into Eternity Church in Guildford has really been life changing in a lot of ways. Much as I still have a huge love for all my previous churches and friends there, it was important to me to get stuck into a good local church, and I have already learnt so much from being a part of Eternity.
c) Stuff at work has been very challenging, especially over the last few months with the intermediate report I had to write and viva I passed (yay!)
-Being involved with "Waterfront" over the past 2 years, but especially the last year, has also provided me with many moments of all of a, b and c !
So, what would your answers to the above questions be ?!
It's been a busy time, with lots going on. I'm really out of the habit of blogging, and never have anything to say anyway, but thought the dawn of a new year was probably an occasion to write at least something !
A friend of mine from Church in Guildford recently set us a challenge, and so I thought I would extend the challenge to all you out there...he suggested that it is a good time of year to have a think about what has been a) a blessing, b) life-changing and c) a challenge you can learn from, in the past year.
Mine would be:
a) that it has been a huge blessing moving into a new house with a friend from Surrey Uni/Church. After several years of effectively having been living on my own it's such a huge blessing to have someone to share the joys and trials of everyday life with and it has really caused me to feel so much more settled in Guildford.
b) starting to come to and get stuck into Eternity Church in Guildford has really been life changing in a lot of ways. Much as I still have a huge love for all my previous churches and friends there, it was important to me to get stuck into a good local church, and I have already learnt so much from being a part of Eternity.
c) Stuff at work has been very challenging, especially over the last few months with the intermediate report I had to write and viva I passed (yay!)
-Being involved with "Waterfront" over the past 2 years, but especially the last year, has also provided me with many moments of all of a, b and c !
So, what would your answers to the above questions be ?!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
"The Life of Christ"
No, this isn't an account of the whole life of Christ as described in the New Testament, rather, I wanted to say that I had the most amazing day today ! We went to Wintershall in Surrey to see this open air play (entitled "The Life of Christ") which is described as: "The greatest story of all time, movingly recreated by a cast of over 200, authentic detail, outstanding quality, sound and music." It was running all this past week (and has been every year since 1999, although this is the first year I've ever heard of it !) and today was the last day.
It was amazing. It lasted all day (10 til just after 4), but I forgot that it was a play, and actually feel like I have spent the day sitting in Palestine watching the Biblical story unfold. It really brings it to life in a way that I find very hard to sense from just reading the narrative.
For one: I was really struck by the vibrancy of the community that Jesus lived in. For some reason, I've always pictured it more like just streets of dust/desert, (I guess cause it's such a foreign place to me, never ever having been to that area of the world - though I would like to go to Israel someday, if it ever stabilises a bit more). But here were streets of people running about, and showing emotions just like us, and dressed in the most amazing array of colours you have ever seen. Wonderful music at the wedding...basically, it just brought it home how Jesus was actually living with real people, at a real time in history, in a real place.
Second: I really felt a part of what was going on (which I think was part of their intention in putting this on). Especially when it came to the sermon on the mount and the feeding of the 5000 I really felt a part of the crowd that Jesus was speaking to; and like he was speaking directly to me in a way I've never experienced before. And, although I knew he wasn't actually Jesus, I still had this overwhelming desire for him to just look at me, and see me in the crowd. But, then that made me realise, that actually, Jesus does see me in the crowd; and in fact, amazingly (I can't get my head round this however much I try) he sees each one of us in the crowd, no matter who we are. Wow.
Third and just generally: it was amazing to get a big picture, as so often when I read the Bible, I don't have/make time to read a whole gospel, but only read a part; this gave us a picture of how all the different parts of Jesus' life fitted together.
There are many more things that struck me too, but it would take too long to go into all of them. All in all though, it was very very moving. I didn't really cry much as such, but was very deeply moved.
It was also very interesting to note the different reactions of the people in the crowd to what was going on; just as in the day of Jesus. Some were crying and clearly moved, others were chatting and more interested in finishing their lunches, some laughed, many applauded which I found odd - yes, ok, at the end of the day it was a play, and it was amazing, but the point is, that I wasn't watching the story, I was IN it. And to be suddenly jolted back out of that by people reminding you it was a play I found a bit unhelpful, and slightly missing the point (although I did join in with the standing ovation at the end, but that's different). So, the real question at the end of all of this, is, how would you have responded ? If you had been there in the real Biblical times, or even there today, what effect would Jesus' words and deeds and life have had on you ? It's a question worth pondering.
And from a practical point of view, I would also highly recommend anyone to go and see it - whether they are a Christian or not. I think it is the kind of thing that whoever you are, (and even however many times you've been to see it before) you would take something away from it. They've finished for this year now, but hopefully it will be back next year; so why not go along and find an answer to that question ? (Tho I would advise a sunhat, lots and lots of water, and a fold-up chair!) The same people also run "The Acts of the Apostles" in October, and "The Nativity" at Christmas time, which I would also be interested in now seeing (in particular "The Acts of the Apostles.)
p.s. If you're my friend on facebook and you want to know more about today, for a bit of a taste do go and have a look at my facebook photo album (just uploaded). I have something from the majority of the major scenes.
It was amazing. It lasted all day (10 til just after 4), but I forgot that it was a play, and actually feel like I have spent the day sitting in Palestine watching the Biblical story unfold. It really brings it to life in a way that I find very hard to sense from just reading the narrative.
For one: I was really struck by the vibrancy of the community that Jesus lived in. For some reason, I've always pictured it more like just streets of dust/desert, (I guess cause it's such a foreign place to me, never ever having been to that area of the world - though I would like to go to Israel someday, if it ever stabilises a bit more). But here were streets of people running about, and showing emotions just like us, and dressed in the most amazing array of colours you have ever seen. Wonderful music at the wedding...basically, it just brought it home how Jesus was actually living with real people, at a real time in history, in a real place.
Second: I really felt a part of what was going on (which I think was part of their intention in putting this on). Especially when it came to the sermon on the mount and the feeding of the 5000 I really felt a part of the crowd that Jesus was speaking to; and like he was speaking directly to me in a way I've never experienced before. And, although I knew he wasn't actually Jesus, I still had this overwhelming desire for him to just look at me, and see me in the crowd. But, then that made me realise, that actually, Jesus does see me in the crowd; and in fact, amazingly (I can't get my head round this however much I try) he sees each one of us in the crowd, no matter who we are. Wow.
Third and just generally: it was amazing to get a big picture, as so often when I read the Bible, I don't have/make time to read a whole gospel, but only read a part; this gave us a picture of how all the different parts of Jesus' life fitted together.
There are many more things that struck me too, but it would take too long to go into all of them. All in all though, it was very very moving. I didn't really cry much as such, but was very deeply moved.
It was also very interesting to note the different reactions of the people in the crowd to what was going on; just as in the day of Jesus. Some were crying and clearly moved, others were chatting and more interested in finishing their lunches, some laughed, many applauded which I found odd - yes, ok, at the end of the day it was a play, and it was amazing, but the point is, that I wasn't watching the story, I was IN it. And to be suddenly jolted back out of that by people reminding you it was a play I found a bit unhelpful, and slightly missing the point (although I did join in with the standing ovation at the end, but that's different). So, the real question at the end of all of this, is, how would you have responded ? If you had been there in the real Biblical times, or even there today, what effect would Jesus' words and deeds and life have had on you ? It's a question worth pondering.
And from a practical point of view, I would also highly recommend anyone to go and see it - whether they are a Christian or not. I think it is the kind of thing that whoever you are, (and even however many times you've been to see it before) you would take something away from it. They've finished for this year now, but hopefully it will be back next year; so why not go along and find an answer to that question ? (Tho I would advise a sunhat, lots and lots of water, and a fold-up chair!) The same people also run "The Acts of the Apostles" in October, and "The Nativity" at Christmas time, which I would also be interested in now seeing (in particular "The Acts of the Apostles.)
p.s. If you're my friend on facebook and you want to know more about today, for a bit of a taste do go and have a look at my facebook photo album (just uploaded). I have something from the majority of the major scenes.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Switchfoot rock !!!
Last night was amazing !!! Can't really be described in words, but I will try and share a bit of what happened last night. (If you don't know much of their stuff, then I would really recommend checking them out. Go to their website or their myspace).
I'd never really been to such a big gig before (although I've long wanted to). The venue was big, but we stood somewhere in the middle, so had plenty of room. The atmosphere was amazing, and the lighting awesome - just added to what the band was playing, as lighting should really. The support band, Superhero, wasn't bad (tho I liked some songs better than others and unfortunately couldn't really hear the lyrics), then there was a brief talky bit about God stuff, followed by Switchfoot !!! The switchfoot guys are so amazing, all seem such nice guys and great musicians. I haven't been to such a big gig before, but I always love going to gigs by Christian musicians as it always ends up being a bit of a cross between a rock concert and a worship special (for me anyway - might not be the same for everyone). I just really wanted to let go into the music and be open to what God wanted to say through the music.
In between bobbing up and down, I was reminded of quite a lot last night. Although at a gig the focus is usually on the band, my focus last night wasn't. It was past the band. I love Switchfoot's songs. They're so honest about the struggles they face and crying out to God in that, and so many of the songs I identify so much with. I was reminded of why I started to love their music so much in the first place - many of their songs have had a profound impact on me since last summer. In fact, I'd even go so far as to saying one or two of their songs were what helped me when trying to make a final decision about whether to do year team or not. In particular the song "This is your life" (Chorus: "This is your life, are you who you want to be?") and "I dare you to Move".
As well as being reminded of things past, I was also struck afresh by new things. The lyrics in the bridge of "on fire" really resonated with me last night: "I'm standing on the edge of me, I'm standing on the edge of everything I've ever been before". I do feel like that at the moment. This whole year, but especially through the mullers theology course I feel like, the best way I can describe it is as if I've been climbing up a mountain, and I've just reached a peak and am standing looking as a whole vast expanse opens up before me. The question is though, where do I go from here? Into the valleys ? I was also struck by the lyrics in another song, "Where you gonna go? where you gonna go? Salvation is HERE" Just how, actually, as well as the context of God being in that place last night there's also the whole: 'where else could I go that where I am now, because where else is salvation found but in Jesus ?' I can lose sight of that so easily. Reminded of that Bible passage, John6:60-71, where after many disciples desert Jesus because His teachings are too hard Jesus asks Peter whether He wants to leave too, but Peter replies: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life".
Anyway, that's a 'brief' glimpse into the way I tend to think deeply about things, especially music ! I hope it might have helped others too, not just been a personal and very cryptic ramble. Last night was rather a trek/adventure in terms of getting to Swansea and back, and a very late night, but worth every minute of sleep I lost !!! (Was also interesting trying to decipher the American and thick Welsh accents we encountered last night - no offence to Americans or Welsh intended.) I was rather on a high last night, but - you know when you do something late at night you can wake up the next morning wondering if it was just a dream ? - I woke up wondering if last night was a dream. But I still had songs going round in my head, I had photographic evidence we'd been there too. It's difficult, when you have these highs to know quite how to come down gracefully. Because, though we might want to, it's not possible to live everyday quite like that. (I'm sure those of you who have been to things like Soul Survivor can identify here?) Although, it was good to have something which took me out of the ordinary and gave me fresh perspective for a while, how do I now hold onto that still, even when the memory of the gig fades ?
I'd never really been to such a big gig before (although I've long wanted to). The venue was big, but we stood somewhere in the middle, so had plenty of room. The atmosphere was amazing, and the lighting awesome - just added to what the band was playing, as lighting should really. The support band, Superhero, wasn't bad (tho I liked some songs better than others and unfortunately couldn't really hear the lyrics), then there was a brief talky bit about God stuff, followed by Switchfoot !!! The switchfoot guys are so amazing, all seem such nice guys and great musicians. I haven't been to such a big gig before, but I always love going to gigs by Christian musicians as it always ends up being a bit of a cross between a rock concert and a worship special (for me anyway - might not be the same for everyone). I just really wanted to let go into the music and be open to what God wanted to say through the music.
In between bobbing up and down, I was reminded of quite a lot last night. Although at a gig the focus is usually on the band, my focus last night wasn't. It was past the band. I love Switchfoot's songs. They're so honest about the struggles they face and crying out to God in that, and so many of the songs I identify so much with. I was reminded of why I started to love their music so much in the first place - many of their songs have had a profound impact on me since last summer. In fact, I'd even go so far as to saying one or two of their songs were what helped me when trying to make a final decision about whether to do year team or not. In particular the song "This is your life" (Chorus: "This is your life, are you who you want to be?") and "I dare you to Move".
As well as being reminded of things past, I was also struck afresh by new things. The lyrics in the bridge of "on fire" really resonated with me last night: "I'm standing on the edge of me, I'm standing on the edge of everything I've ever been before". I do feel like that at the moment. This whole year, but especially through the mullers theology course I feel like, the best way I can describe it is as if I've been climbing up a mountain, and I've just reached a peak and am standing looking as a whole vast expanse opens up before me. The question is though, where do I go from here? Into the valleys ? I was also struck by the lyrics in another song, "Where you gonna go? where you gonna go? Salvation is HERE" Just how, actually, as well as the context of God being in that place last night there's also the whole: 'where else could I go that where I am now, because where else is salvation found but in Jesus ?' I can lose sight of that so easily. Reminded of that Bible passage, John6:60-71, where after many disciples desert Jesus because His teachings are too hard Jesus asks Peter whether He wants to leave too, but Peter replies: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life".
Anyway, that's a 'brief' glimpse into the way I tend to think deeply about things, especially music ! I hope it might have helped others too, not just been a personal and very cryptic ramble. Last night was rather a trek/adventure in terms of getting to Swansea and back, and a very late night, but worth every minute of sleep I lost !!! (Was also interesting trying to decipher the American and thick Welsh accents we encountered last night - no offence to Americans or Welsh intended.) I was rather on a high last night, but - you know when you do something late at night you can wake up the next morning wondering if it was just a dream ? - I woke up wondering if last night was a dream. But I still had songs going round in my head, I had photographic evidence we'd been there too. It's difficult, when you have these highs to know quite how to come down gracefully. Because, though we might want to, it's not possible to live everyday quite like that. (I'm sure those of you who have been to things like Soul Survivor can identify here?) Although, it was good to have something which took me out of the ordinary and gave me fresh perspective for a while, how do I now hold onto that still, even when the memory of the gig fades ?
Monday, January 01, 2007
HAPPY 2007 !!!
Well, another year gone by. It's now 2007 ! (And I'd only just gotten used to writing 2006 on everything!) Happy New Year ! I hope that you have all had a good Christmas and New Year. Mine has been a little mixed, but good mostly. Has been good to have some time at home and I had great fun at a friends' party last night for New Year.
I always find it strange at New Year, cause I tend to think of the beginning of a new year in September, i.e. the new academic year, and so do the whole 'reflecting on the past year' thing then, but I guess it can't hurt to do it twice ! I hope you all have a good day today, but in that, I challenge you all to think about what your best moment(s) of 2006 were. I was challenged to do that by my small group (aka Huddle) at the Woodies staff Christmas lunch a couple of weeks ago. I had to think quite hard to narrow it down, but was a good thing to do as it brought back a lot of memories (both good and bad). And I think (to get everyone started) I narrowed mine down to two very good moments:
1) In the Easter holidays when I gotten a lift back with a friend to Bristol after a week in Skegness for Spring Harvest, I stayed the night in my house at the time, and the next evening went to the last (with their current line-up at the time) New Root gig, at the Fleece. It was the first time I've actually gone with a group of people, rather than just seeing other Rooters there. And I just really had such an AMAZING night; listening to the New Root and seeing how much they were enjoying playing, and spending time with so many good friends :-)
2) Seeing the Grand Canyon in the summer. It's just amazing ! It really showed me the literal meaning of the word breathtaking. People say seeing is believing, but I couldn't even believe it when I saw it with my own eyes. So huge and amazing. Can't be described. Was altogether a great holiday this summer. Was great to be with my family and the Grand Canyon was only one of so many amazing things we saw.
I always find it strange at New Year, cause I tend to think of the beginning of a new year in September, i.e. the new academic year, and so do the whole 'reflecting on the past year' thing then, but I guess it can't hurt to do it twice ! I hope you all have a good day today, but in that, I challenge you all to think about what your best moment(s) of 2006 were. I was challenged to do that by my small group (aka Huddle) at the Woodies staff Christmas lunch a couple of weeks ago. I had to think quite hard to narrow it down, but was a good thing to do as it brought back a lot of memories (both good and bad). And I think (to get everyone started) I narrowed mine down to two very good moments:
1) In the Easter holidays when I gotten a lift back with a friend to Bristol after a week in Skegness for Spring Harvest, I stayed the night in my house at the time, and the next evening went to the last (with their current line-up at the time) New Root gig, at the Fleece. It was the first time I've actually gone with a group of people, rather than just seeing other Rooters there. And I just really had such an AMAZING night; listening to the New Root and seeing how much they were enjoying playing, and spending time with so many good friends :-)
2) Seeing the Grand Canyon in the summer. It's just amazing ! It really showed me the literal meaning of the word breathtaking. People say seeing is believing, but I couldn't even believe it when I saw it with my own eyes. So huge and amazing. Can't be described. Was altogether a great holiday this summer. Was great to be with my family and the Grand Canyon was only one of so many amazing things we saw.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2006 !!!
I just wanted to wish all readers of this blog a Merry Christmas !!! I hope you all have a good day on monday; enjoy all the festivities and also take time out to think about what Christmas is really all about. I'll see you all on blogger again in the new year (or after Christmas anyway) :-)
p.s. I've now been home for a few days, and it's been great. Really good to see family and have also appreciated all the sleep.
p.p.s. Try a quick prayer this Christmas, asking God to open your eyes and help you to see something new of him in all the well-known songs and carols. I find I can too often just sing words for the sake of it, cause I have sung them so much before. But I find that God does really answer this prayer !
p.s. I've now been home for a few days, and it's been great. Really good to see family and have also appreciated all the sleep.
p.p.s. Try a quick prayer this Christmas, asking God to open your eyes and help you to see something new of him in all the well-known songs and carols. I find I can too often just sing words for the sake of it, cause I have sung them so much before. But I find that God does really answer this prayer !
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