Karen @ her 21st

Karen @ her 21st
Originally uploaded by fisherpeter_d.

Originally published in 2006 

Here's the picture of Karen, that I promised to share with her. It was taken @ her 21st Birthday party. It is one of a possible 3 that will be used on the mission board, along with her newsletter, of course.

Uganda Report - Last Sunday

Last Sunday, my daughter Karen came down to Billericay to speak at Christ Church.  Her subject was her trip to Uganda with Mission Direct.  She took a number from her youth group with her.  They had an incredible time in Uganda.  As you know, I'm sure, she grew up at Christ Church, and it was great to see her 'up front' and hear her talking about her experiences. She spoke at both the 8am and the 10am - essentially the same talk, but with subtle differences to take into account the age and profile of the audience. She is now an accomplished speaker and well-used to doing presentations, both to and for church.  She spoke of how amazing it can be working for God.  At one point in the 10am, she suggested the young people were asking their parents if they could go to Uganda.   She was wrong then, but not later.  A number of them had thought about it, and now it seems that Liz may be thinking about where the Christ Church youth group should go - some of them would love to go to Uganda, but Christ Church's primary links are in Tanzania.  We'll see. 
At the 10am, Liz and Karen did a 'double act'.  They started the service by getting us all in a 'circle' and singing "Rise, Shine", which is how she started the children's group each morning in Uganda.  There was also a baptism in this service - not by immersion - but not so far off as usual.

Sunday was a fun day at church.

Ipswich & Luton

It's been a busy weekend. On Saturday we went to watch Ipswich play Cardiff at Portman Road, that's one of the '25 things' project, and there is a report here. Jo was not quite so loud as she is at Billericay, but then it's not her team.
On Sunday afternoon we visited Luton, spent a while in a very empty Pizza Express, and then on to the main event - St. Mary's for the 7pm service. Karen was the speaker, and we had gone to see how she did. The evening service is based on film clips - this one from Disney's 'Enchanted' (which I haven't seen). Karen's talk is here. It is a very good talk and progresses from the 'love' expressed in the film, to the love that Go has for us. This is a difficult route due to the different natures of the two types of love, but it was navigated expertly - with them common elements being used to make the link. Then on to the pass it on phase, also related neatly back to the clip. I've asked for the DVD. Please go and read it now.

Long long day ...

I've been to a European HQ today doing Graduate assessments. As usual some very good candidates, but this year some not so good ones as well - shame about that, but apparently there just aren't so many good candidates this year. Why am I blogging? I started out on the 5:30am train, and arrived home with the sun at a similar angle of elevation, but going the other way. Remember, it's close to mid-summer's day still. I'm blogging because that's what I have to do - be seen, be heard, but who by? And am I seen and heard? 

Good discussion with Karen last night, made me think too -thanks Karen. We are all unique - completely and totally different, and yet in so many ways we are the same. Had a bit of the Nature / Nurture debate with one of the Graduates, but somehow that doesn't quite get there either. Maybe it's something to do with our unique spirit, or soul, that we are created differently - even those that were created at the same time.

Karen's Graduation

0604260033 Originally uploaded by fisherpeter_d.

Got some photo's (35mm slides) back recently, and have scanned them. Here's one of my favourites. Way back in October 2005 the other pictures were published. Now here's another .... (I'm still a proud father.)

My Family: In print

In the "Pilgrim", our parish magazine, there is an article written by Karen. It was interesting reading, especially as I had no idea she was writing it! Glad to hear that your year out has been such a good time Karen.

Weak of prayer?

Kaz, Liz and I went to the week of prayer youth evening. It was nice to start with the youth, shame about the preparation. Lots to pray about, lots to give thanks for, except we don’t know what it is because all the leaders are not their, and no-one has been asked to prepare anything. That one serious missed opportunity. At the start of a year of mission, I was really hoping for better.

Stansted

So for the second visit to Stansted in a few days. Motorways were clear in both directions, and the traffic was even relatively light. I parked in the right zone (C) nearest the terminal entrance. Less of a walk , and quick access to cover, as it was raining. Found "arrivals" tucked in the far left corner, from the entrance. Met some guy and his partner (wife?) picking up people they didn't know - the Valentines - for mutual friends, and he was on his way somewhere else. Hope it went Ok, cause Liz arrived before they went - so I'll never know.
Kaz is now on her way, so there'll be another brief few minutes when we're all together. Then 5 of 6 go to the ball, along with Christine. Should be good, Mike's serving the food - I'm looking forward to it!!!!

Pictures - before Christmas.

If you look back you will see a few comments about solo's. Now I've seen
the video, that was taken on the night. Is on PC, so its small and the
sound is nothing like it was on the night, but its still there. There are
also some pictures on the blog, which you can look at from here:
http://photos1.blogger.com/img/298/2739/640/19%20-%20Karen.jpg.
The other pictures have also arrived. They come from the author of this
http://hopefullymine.blogspot.com/2004/12/at-christmas-time.html, and are
quite amazing. A lovely Christmas present. I have them on CD also, so can
transport them about. Very glad that they came, because the agency that
produced them has recently been featured on Watchdog. That is all very
worrying.

One good Thursday deserves another

Another rushed day in prospect, I can't afford for anything to distract me. I must leave on time. I did, and journeyed to Luton relatively easily. Even managed to get my ticket in the middle of the afternoon (3pm ish). Got from the station without incident - good directions Kaz. Found somewhere to eat, and arrived in the church in plenty of time. A seat was reserved. Rescued Christine from having to greet people, and was shown to my seat. Said hello to Howard, and afterwards to Nick. Its like going back to visit old friends. Karen was brilliant, and even did a short solo. I'd expected that of Liz, but not Karen. All the students did really well, and makes some of our adult stuff look rather amateurish. Howard’s talk was very good. Hope he won't mind if I steal his story for a future preaching event.