Day 7

Yeah, Yeah! I know I'm rubbish... day 7?! What kind of blog do you call that but hey...! I've been busy...! Not really doning much of amazing interest but I think I reliased today how much I really am blessing specific people in the church and that despite my stupid big head and ideas above my station that everything that I do is being noted and appreciated, even if not in words....

Let me explain....

Last Wednesday - got up early, didn't do anything all morning, went for lunch with the Dognons (surname of the Pastor+his family), came back to the office, made an excel document of my expenses and created my Prayer blog, bought sim card and stationery in town, went from 5-11 to look after Thelma, a 9 year old girl. Lydia, Thelma's mum, is doing the Alpha course, and has oly just found a job after 5 years of unemployment....!!!!!! the church is trying it's best to help and support her.

Thursday - meant to be my study day but got up late! discussed with God the best use of my day and He decided that I needed to get my barrings and ifnd out what was at the end of my road!! finished reading an amazing book called "Prayer life: how your personality affests the way you pray" by Pablo Martinez (that Kate gave me and has blessed me so luch and helped me understand myself so much better - Thanks hon!!!), wandered around town trying to get my barrings and reading lots of French, came home and spent the evening alone reading, replying to emails and writing my prayer journal (house group was cancelled - don't know why!!!)

Friday - typed up some of the pastors notes on baptism, did the ironing and cleaning at the pastors house because Diane, Francis' (the Pastor) wife, had to go to Paris for the day, came back to the office and finished typing up, break for a bit, helped the youth, looked after 2 kids whilst their parents had a meeting, watched CLICK with the youth who turned up at the pastors house where I was.

Saturday - got up late, mooched around, went shopping in the big supermarket, came home for lunch, went to the tourist office to find the local scout group/stuff to do, wandered around town praying and trying to get my barrings, came home and watched a DVD in french "Je vais bien, ne t'en fais pas" http://www.marsdistribution.com/xml/flash.html?cfilm=51829. It had a great song that is really haunting but the words are quite good http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xdm65_uturn-aaron

Sunday - was meant to be at the pastors house by 10 (he didn't tell me, or I just forgot, so I turned up at 11 after his wife called me!!) looked after 2 kids whilst they had a meeting, then looked after 7 kids whilst they had a new members group, church 3-6pm (very odd times, will take a bit of getting used to, but it's still God's time...!!!), then was invited back to someones house for dinner which was great because I got to drive down windy French country lanes and eat yummy food, left at 10, came back and made a long telephone call.

Monday - spent all day at home on my own. monday is jour de conges here (day off!!!) and so I got up late (as usual) and then sepnt the WHOLE day reading my stduy book from Bless for this mission "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster: heavy going but full of amazing insights and spirit filled truths.

So as you can see everything is trundling along fine but nothing interesting to report. I do feel like I am being used a little bit as a babysitter and that instead of being included in the church and the church life I am being left a bit on the side lines and used as an au pair, which is what I did when I was 19. I have, however, discussed with a number of mums, helping a mum out has more than the effect of practically reliving them of their child, and also I need to have a servant heart and do EVERYTHING in His name and with joy in my heart!!

Also hit me very hard when I read the front page of the Bless network website, where there was the following peom posted

When you call

I am willing

When you push the boundaries

I am willing

When you set the pace

I am willing

When you encourage

I am willing

When you set the challenge

I am willing

When you blow my mind

I am willing

When you reach out your hand

I am willing

When you apply the brakes

I am willing

When you change the course

I am willing

When you turn the tide

I am willing

When you pull the plug

I am willing

When you call another

I am willing

When you call

I am willing

Lord I am willing... Please pray that I can truely say this with 100% of my heart and that I can serve all who have need int he church, no matter if that means doing the washing up for an hour, cooking, looking after children, doing the shopping or other seamingly meanilal tasks; the Lord is in them and today I have really seen that at work. Also pray for Lydia and Thelma, for their flat, her work, her illness (she was in hosital 2 weeks ago due to something with her eyes), and her faith - Lord open the heavens above her; let her see and understand your grace and Lord bring her into your kindgom.

PS. As most of you know I prefer real snail mail post to emails any day, and I have made the decision that anyone who writes to me will not only get a response by the same method but that they will be entered into a lucky dip draw for a meal out with me when I get back, all expenses paid, so far there is no one in the hat apart from my friend Alasdair who is getting married in July, and his post was my wedding invitation!!!

PPS. please excuse the spelling mistakes in this: the spell checker on the blog doesn't work neither does the spell checker on Word!! what did we ever do before computers...? learn to spell probably......