From Under The Duvet..: January 2008

Friday, January 25, 2008

I know, I know, I've an exam this afternoon...

But I've just been reading my post. I get the Down Recorder sent out to me each week - I found I could no longer cope without a newspaper in which a teddy bear's picnic in a local school is a news story.

I also had a package from my granny with the Reader's Digest in it. My granny always accompanies little letters with it and she writes exactly how she'd speak. Here is today's letter:

Dear Rachael,

I don't know if you will have time to read this RD but if you like you can keep it until there is more time.

As you can see it is Thursday, I have your mother the Down Recorder this morning to post to you. I was speaking to Val Bowman yesterday, she said you looked very well at the formal and your dress was beautiful.

There is no news here, it is still very wet and cold. I think I will hibernate until Easter. I will ring you soon.

I absolutely adore my granny and I love love love the "I think I will hibernate until Easter" - everything in the letter is factual (well, apart from Val's opinion!) up until that point and suddenly we have granny talking about hibernating. Love it!

Anyway, I'd hate to postpone revising the sign test (yuck!) any longer. I'll leave you with this wee video I recorded on New Year's Eve. Let's all note the social dancing!

Labels: friends, fun, good times, granny, laughter, New Year

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

House and Statistics!

Just to let you know I haven't dropped off the face of the earth but I've been busy!

I now have a house! Well, I know what house I'll be renting next year. It's a gorgeous house (or it will be once we disinfect, fumigate etc it!). It has sinks in most bedrooms (I think), two toilets and one shower/bath. Four bedrooms and a spare "bedroom" (you might, just about, get a futon in there) but I think we're going to use it as a quiet room, away from the TV, where people can chill - or Dave's drum kit might go in it. And it's one street up (as in, parallel to) the one Highfields is on. We're hoping this means we won't be late to church - we were early for the first time on Sunday morning! There are also many many many coffee shops and takeaways along the road my street comes off - not to mention a Greggs! If I gain weight...

Anyway, statistics is on Friday and I'm dreading it. It's just knowing what test to do that bothers me! Or whether the data is ordinal, nominal, interval or ratio.

Proper blogging will resume soon! I have so many posts in my head. And I'm positive that church on Sunday night will be blog worthy. The title is Why Don't Men Go to Church - and the guy who wrote the book is coming to preach. Something I, as a single Christian chick, am immensely interested in ;-) There's a Q&A session (it's not a "normal" church service this week) after the talk so if there is any pressing questions I'd be happy to put them in the little bowl.

Prayer appreciated for Friday - I know God knows but... (and, that's a clue for one of the upcoming posts!).

much love!

Labels: church, exams, house

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Back Again!

So, I got back to good old Cardiff on Monday. The flight was ok - they (thankfully) ignored my slightly-bigger-than-allowed hand luggage that was really rather heavy. It never ceases to amaze me why my bag is searched going through security - this time it was a block of Coleraine Cheddar and some mints. Seriously?
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Annie and Dave met me as I came off the bus and Dave managed to haul some of my stuff back for me. Later on, after I'd returned from Tescos, Amy popped round and we caught up. It has been so good to be able to catch up again with so many people!
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On Tuesday I helped at the creche that goes on while the mum's have their bible study - I was asked if I was Scottish, American (by an American!) or from Zimbabwe! I was also approached by one of the women who asked "So, which one [as she looks around at the various babies and toddlers] is yours?" I think my stutter of "no no no - I help at the creche!" got the message across.
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Wednesday was Hoffi Coffee with the guys I'll be living with next year - now down to Jo, Annie and Dave. Mike has sadly left us as he is applying to other universities which he may prefer and therefore cannot guarantee he'll need a house in Cardiff! On Monday we'll be going round to view the properties we liked the look of. Scary biccies!
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On Thursday I had my research methods exam - what a flipping joke! For an exam partly on questionnaire design it was the worst questionnaire ever! There were loads of questions where you could answered using two of the choices. And two questions after a grammar question (you'd to say which sentence was correct with the words being a/effected and a/effect in it) they were talking about a study involving breakfast cereal only to write "serial" in one of the sentences instead! I mean, seriously!
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And today (Friday) has been again in part spent at Hoffi Coffee! This time with Amy. Lots of fun! We had a computer (SPSS - and we decided what that ACTUALLY stands for but as my blog doesn't have a bleep-system in place I really couldn't type it, for fear of damaging you all) assignment due next Thursday. You could work in groups of up to three and Amy and I worked together. SO much fun (not the SPSS, hanging out!) but it's now handed in!
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Since returning back up to my wee place I have tidied my room! Coming back on Monday with an exam and so many other things tidying my room definitely took a back seat. So by today I had the carnage after a suitcase, hand luggage, revision AND two boxes full of clothes, shoes etc that had to be posted to me because they wouldn't fit in the only suitcase I have that I could store here.
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I have to admit, I'm quite proud of myself for the room transformation! I used the boxes used to post stuff over - I covered them in some pretty wrapping paper I bought. The smaller of the two now houses my quiet time/devotional/I should finish reading/night time reading books - these used to all pile up on my window sill which made it hard to open it! And the other one now houses the A4 document tray and the printer sits on top of the box. I now have a LOT more space and some very pretty storage. I feel all accomplished! hehe.
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Just to show you why I'm so proud I've got some before and after shots! Oh, and check out the teacosy my granny got knitted for me! And there are also two minature ones that are egg cup cosys! (I don't own egg cups! But will have to get some - I'd love some dotty ones though to match everything else).

Quite the transformation?

Anyway, I have an insanely busy week ahead. Tomorrow (Saturday) from 9.30-5.00 I'm attending a course called Confident Christianity. Sunday will be church. By the end of the weekend I also need to have submitted my ETW due Tuesday 15th.

On Monday we'll be looking at houses and there is possibly hall group. Tuesday is creche. Wednesday I'm leading the CU prayer meeting and then there's CU in the evening (which is now rather far away! But we now all fit in the building!). Thursday.. hmm... I was sure there was something I'm doing on Thursday... But Friday is the exam!

And sometime before next Monday (28th) I need to have read a bajillion textbook pages and met up with three others from my seminar group to prepare a presentation.

It's great to be back (although I will admit to there being tears last Sunday in church after certain girls wouldn't let go!) and it looks set to be a very busy time! And a very busy semester. Once term starts on 28th January there are only 3 weeks I don't submit something before Easter (I'll probably be home the evening before Good Friday)! And with research participation hours (10) to do, lectures to attend, reading to do, photos to take, coffee to be had, mission week, and everything else... It's going to fly! But I can't wait to see all that will happen!

Labels: busy, exams, friends, good times, stress, tidying, uni life

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Formal

Tonight was the Touchdown Formal. Touchdown is the name of a frequent church service for all the youth of the Down Presbytery and they organised a formal!

I went along to help Val keep our lot under control. Hehe - I think they were the only group that were never off the dancefloor! We were also probably the group that stole the most stuff (namely, balloons). But what a fab wee group.

The dinner was great - vegetable soup, Christmas main course (with champ!) and a chocolate fountain for dessert! Val and I may or may not have gone twice (although first time we only got three bits of fruit/marshmallows/whatever and they had loads left over, with quite a bit being packed up by the people at the end). And I may or may not have got five(!) things on my second stick. Heaven.

And the girls all looked so pretty in their dresses! And the boys in their tuxes! Although when people remark in a surprised tone "You look nice" you really do wonder what train wreck you look like normally! I think Tasha and I are wearing the dresses we wore tonight to church tomorrow! lol.

It was a fab wee night. Good to spend time with people. Unfortunately there was a bit of a draft so we were all foundered. You'll see a picture of Val with a cup of tea - she got it two hours after the desert so she looks really pleased.

The DJ... only knew one beat! Seriously, everything was speeded up and put to a steek-y (what chavs are a rip-off of!) beat. My head is still going to it!

One of the last songs had the "Save tonight... Tomorrow I'll be gone" - what is now tomorrow I'll be gone. I go back to Cardiff on Monday (and probably won't be back in Saintfield before Easter - I don't get off uni until Easter Saturday (ie my last lecture will be on Good Friday!)). I can't believe I've been here a month. It's been SO good to see everyone again. It's been so good to be back at First Pres.

But I'm excited to be going back. Well, definitely NOT for exams. But friends, house hunting, Highfields, Tesco Extra, lectures, Hoffi Coffee, mission week, etc all await me. And, above all, that's where God has me right now - let's see what happens!

Photos of tonight can be found here.

Labels: church, friends, fun, good times

Friday, January 11, 2008

A New Toy

So, I'm a bit technologically challenged but I'm completely ok with that. Instead of getting an IPod I have stuck it out with random MP3 players that held 28 and 100 songs respectively. I've had the 100-song one for a while but it is eating batteries and one headphone is... tempermental.

With that, I took the plunge. I decided to go for a Creative Zen V 4GB. I decided with 4GB because I didn't want to pay for a bigger one (I've over 8 GB of music on my laptop) and after having 100 songs having 1000 is a HUGE leap.

I shopped around and the cheapest I found was £59.99 (if you find cheaper please don't tell me!) at Currys so dad and I headed off to Currys this afternoon.

I had to ask a shop assistant called Scott where the one I was looking for was - I couldn't see it. After he established it wasn't in the wee cabinet with all the other Zens, IPods, etc he did a stock search. Beside him at the computer I saw that there were 3 in stock but I noticed the price it said it was - £69.99 (but I assumed it was a mistake).

He went to find one and on his return I asked him how much it was and he said £69.99. I asked why it wasn't the price it said on the website (especially when I could have "reserved" it at the store online to pick it up at that price). He waffled about perhaps the website had been updated before their prices etc. When I asked what price I would be charged he went to talk to Joel. After saying they ususally price match - although in this case they'd be price matching their own website!

Scott came back and "had to check something". He then told me it was possible that the standard delivery charge of £6.99 was the extra. I asked then why the store was charging £10 more. Before he'd a chance to answer that I asked what would have happened had I reserved the item online at that price? And why would the delivery charge matter when the item wasn't available for home delivery at all?

I felt kind of sorry for Scott - he was clearly exasperated and probably not enjoying the idea of going back to the manager. But there was no way I was going to pay more (I think I'd even have actually went to another Curry's!).

Scott came back saying that I'd beat him and I'd get it for their advertised price of £59.99. A little cash desk silliness later and I walked out of the store with my lovely new Zen and a receipt that has "at the manager's discretion" beside the price.

Ok, so I'm pretty stubborn. But £10 is £10!

And I'll let you know what the transition to some actual technology is like... Wish me luck!

PS - lots of updates lately, huh?

Labels: rants, technology

Another fine comic from asbojesus.

“People don’t go to church to be inspired - they go and they are bored. They go out of habit.”
- a very loose paraphrase of something said in Dogma
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Today I had lunch with Val and then babysat Erin and Talitha in the evening. It was so cool to spend so much time with those amazing Bowman girls.
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It was good to talk to Val too – after her and Paul returned we got talking for a couple of hours! It was great to talk about life, challenges, and frustrations – as well as plenty of laughing!
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One thing that Val laughed at was my attitude to certain things. I think I used the phrase “Let them go there” more than once.
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You see, I don’t really care what people think about me and I hope to always avoid “church” (or anywhere else) “politics”. I don’t think anything should ever get in the way of the Gospel.
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Traditions can be good things. They can bring us closer to God. But once God-honouring traditions can become godless rituals which people do for no other reason than they’ve been done for the past million years.
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Just because you’ve always done it or your parents… grandparents… etc have always done it doesn’t mean it’s still relevant. If it doesn’t bring glory to God, if it doesn’t bring people closer to Him surely it needs to at least be evaluated?
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God doesn’t care if people are wearing their Sunday best to church… He cares that they’re there.
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He doesn’t care what their past is – we’ve all done some rather questionable things – He cares what their future will be.
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The same goes for what race they are, who their parents are, whether or not their parents are still together, relationship status or anything else.
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God loved us all so much He sent His Son to die for us. And let’s not forget Jesus kept some rather “questionable” company while He was here.
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If people want to get caught up with stupid things let them go there. I really don’t care. Let’s try to keep the main thing the main thing. Church politics, tradition or anything else should never ever get in the way of the Gospel.
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Labels: church, rants

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Lunch and D-Ship

Today I had lunch with a friend (who I'll leave nameless to avoid embarressment on his part). He lives in a house with guys - I doubt this really needs to be said because when you read the following quotation from it you'll realise that it could only be guys in the house.

Him: We are clean, our house... less so.

Me: You didn't clean your kitchen floor in three months.

Him: ... there were lapses ...

And I'm left rather traumatised after being told that there is a super kind of duct tape that is sometimes used on planes and hearing about what people (the crew!) can get up to while in the air. Also recovering from being in the model shop for ages - I think I survived largely due to the amount of sarcasm I was able to employ.

This afternoon I went to D-ship - this started up after I left and I'm so jealous! It gives the girls a great chance to get together on a Wednesday and have a bible study, accountability and grow closer to God and each other. I was able to share what it's like being a Christian in Cardiff University and it was cool how closely linked my bit and the actual bible study ended up being (I didn't realise!). And I'm really pleased my grocery bill isn't what the girls predicted - it's far below the £60 estimate some gave!

Anyway... Essay submitted and I'm realising how much I need to do before Thursday's exam (especially when Monday will chiefly be travelling, food shopping and potentially hall group. Tuesday I'm helping at the creche. Wednesday from 12.30 on I'll be with my future housemates houseshopping etc and CU is in the evening and I'd really like to go to it!).

Fun times!

Labels: church, essays, friends, revision, scary

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

"You tried to kill me!"

Sandy, a dog with Skittles for a brain.

Sandy would eat until he burst, he isn't all that clever. Of course, when I say this to dad he says Sandy keeps all monsters away from the house - the "logic" being "Well, you never see any monsters about the place, do you?"

Anyway, I was eating some blueberries last night and Sandy was begging for one. Knowing how he doesn't eat oranges or anything vaguely resembling something that would contribute to one of the five-a-day I knew he wouldn't approve. But he is really rather persistant.

So, I chucked a blueberry on the floor and it went as follows...

*Sandy puts the blueberry in his mouth*

*He bites ito it*

*A look as if he just bite into a lemon*

*Spits out*

*shoots a look that says: "What WAS that?! You TRIED TO KILL ME!!"*

*disappears off*

Five minutes later he comes back and eats it as if to say "But I'm not going to let you have it" - again, it looked as if he had just bitten into a lemon!

So funny, and conclusive proof that I have the most stupid dog on the planet! Although his vet is cute - so I might just forgive him!

Labels: Sandy

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Transparency

“It is probably no mere historical accident that the word person, in its first meaning, is a mask. It is rather a recognition of the fact that everyone is always and everywhere, more or less consciously, playing a role.”
-Robert Ezra Park, sociologist (1864-1944)
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I’ve recently moved to a new country, a new city, a new room for a new life (well, an almost divided one!). And in this process there are many opportunities to meet new people and you feel like you introduce yourself forty times a day, if not more.
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It’s so easy to put on a mask – in a completely new setting, where no one knows you and when there are many different people with competing motives it is rather easy to have multiple roles or masks.
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Another place I think that it’s easy to put on a mask is… church. I love my church – I love both my churches – but I’m going to focus on First Pres for this post, knowing it better. But… it’s a wee rural church where most people know most people (and some people know everyone!) and gossip abounds!
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Being home (this term applies to both my addresses so watch the context!) at Christmas I’ve been really encouraged by what has been going on in the youth of the church – to see the youth club (the.element) and what was youth fellowship (now elevate) has been fantastic!
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But one of the most encouraging things is the girls – Val and Rose are amazing, I could have told you that long before now! But through their efforts the girls have grown so much closer and one thing they’ve all been really convicted of is gossip – we even got into a conversation about what constitutes as gossip!
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I think church should be a warm, inviting place. In The Hunchback of Notre Dame we see one of the characters beat on the church door crying “Sanctuary” – churches should be a sanctuary where people feel safe and feel completely loved.
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That doesn’t happen when we worry about what people are saying about us behind our backs – especially, and this frustrates me beyond anything, if it is about what we’re wearing. Who the hell cares who wore three-quarter length trousers to church?! Can we not rejoice in the fact they’re there at all? Hopefully injecting some life into the place. (I do believe people should dress modestly – although the line of comfort within that varies from person to person – but it should apply equally outside and inside church – I see little point in going to church in a lovely neat skirt when you spent the night before in hotpants).
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Yes, I think we should try to live beyond reproach – to the standard that people see the Gospel in us and in our lives.
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We all fail though – personally, I’ve failed in that second sin resolution already! But I’m picking myself up again and trusting in God’s grace.
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We all need someone to pick us up. Someone to point us to the cross and the grace we find there. And grace is such a vital part of the Gospel.
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But how can that work when we worry what would happen if people knew what are innermost battles were about?
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Yes, I haven’t disclosed what those two sins are – but I don’t believe a public blog is appropriate place to do that!
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We should all have relationships in which we can say “Look, I’m struggling”, relationships that point us to grace. And the church should be the model for that.
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In some ways some non-Christian friends would be much more helpful than Christian ones. We can all be so judgemental! And I include myself in that. There are some people in my church who drive me crazy, there are people in my life who I despair at. God calls me to love them all like He loved and loves them. We, imperfect though we are, need to echo that love.
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Yes, this should start with me.
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If I want to see change I need to be that change.
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But I would love to see the church be change. I would love the church to be that bright, loving, welcoming beacon to its community. One that says “you’re ok, we all mess up, we all fail, but that’s ok…”
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Labels: church

Friday, January 04, 2008

Snow!

"What is it? What do I do?"

I've been getting jealous messages all day - people have seen us on the news and the words "you suck" were sent (very hurt guys, very hurt!).

It started snowing last night around dinner time. And I was worried it wouldn't lie because it was random snow.

I needn't have worried! I was out playing in at least four inches of snow late last night (in slippers, pjs and a dressing gown, naturally!) a couple of times. It was hilarious to see my daft dog figure out exactly what this stuff was.

There was a good six inches about the place this morning but two-three hours of mizzle later it had mostly gone. And after the snow causing chaos on the roads there is now so much water that many roads are flooded! And there are so many eejits who can't drive at the best of times - it just gets worse!

Anyway, you can check out my pics from it here.

Labels: NI

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

A Review and Resolutions...

Well, it's offically 2008! Happy New Year! I thought I'd review all those resolutions I made back at the start of 2007.

Make morning church on a regular basis (even if evening church is infinitely better and one of the reasons is just to stop the comments I get on a Monday morning… :P)
It has to be said that I rocked at this one! Once I got used to getting up that early (ok, like 10) it was ok and I enjoyed morning church. Especially Lucy the butterfly.
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Have longer “quiet times”

Ok, so this didn't really happen all that often! There have been days, perhaps even weeks without them and they haven't always been the longest things in the world!
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Make more time to read – reading is a real passion for me and I give so little time to it
I've been better at this one - some days I do a "I will read for 15 minutes a day". I got through a few books but bought many many more!

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Memorize a few bible verses – my knowledge of them is rather pathetic
I have done this! It is a really useful thing to do. When you're talking to someone you can quote them and you can tell yourself them when you most need to hear the awesome truth those words can hold.

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Fold towels after I shower
I do this more often than I used to!

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Get fitter (think about doing the marathon…)
Well, I did the marathon again and in a much better time! Over an hour less!

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Eat better
Sometimes...

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Be more grateful
This year I have had the growing sense of how much I have and how much is undeserved! We in the West are so very rich and beyond that I've been given the greatest gift of all in salvation. I should be so much more grateful for so much!

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Give more to charity
Again, sometimes. I've decided that rather than give in pennies to lots of charities I'm going to devote my money to a select few (probably primarily Tearfund - but I also hope to give to Open Doors, my home churches and projects that touch me such as Project Romania (I served with them), Belfast City Mission and Josiah Venture (if I don't go again this summer)).

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Try to sort my back problem out
This has been a real rollercoaster this year and, to be honest, a bit disheartening - I've had physio, podatrists and even blood tests with scary possible results (which thankfully all came out clear). No one can quite figure out what the cause is. All I know is I am fine sometimes and then at other times, as I put it, "my back reminds me how nice it is sometimes by showing how horrible it can be!" It really is a rollercoaster - heat patches help me function. This year may see no further improvement as all professionals have signed off on me! I hope this year I can get my Birkenstock shaped to fit me and my weird one leg longer/one leg tilts etc thing.

I really think that through this I've been taught that I'm not the invincible gal I wish I was - that I struggle, that I'm imperfect, that I need help. Something I continually need to remember. I'll never forget sitting in that room in the Hotel Krystal in Czech as Paul told me to not be afraid to fail. Something I need to remember as I always strive to perfection in all I do! I can't do it all, I need others, I need God - and in my wonderful back problem I've learnt a lot about this!

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Write more – you have no idea how many “one lines” I have scribbled everywhere!
Not exactly... I love blogging though! I don't think people realise when they ask if I've not written any poems lately that the poems were written when I felt like I'd no other way to express myself, like I'd no way out. Now I no longer feel like that I write less! So maybe this shouldn't have been a resolution!

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Take better photos
I've certainly taken lots of photos! I think the record was at Easter when I went to the North Coast with the Czech gang - over 250 in a day! But loads of those were trying to catch the moment when a wave hit the rocks!

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Waste less time
Hahahaha. I discovered facebook this year! Enough said! I really wish I could manage my time better - my time is a very precious gift and it would be a shame to waste something so many people wish they had just a little bit more of!

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Worry less
I picked a great year to do this! With university decisions, A levels, Czech, a job, a relocation, new friends to make etc etc there was lots to worry about! I still worried loads but I'd like to think I inched further along the step of trusting God more. One memory that really stands out was the days (and specifically the night) before my A level results and I knew that whatever happened on Thursday 16th August 2007 I would be grand. Had I got over AAA I would be in Cardiff and that was "the plan". If I got less than AAA but more than BBB I would be in Birmingham at Aston and that would be grand. And if I'd got none of the above it would still be "the plan" and everthing would b e grand.

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Have less regrets

There is very little, if not nothing, I regret about this year. Sure, I've screwed up a LOT but without all of that it wouldn't have been this year. Looking back I have a wonderful sense that it all happened for a reason. And that rocks!

2007 has been wonderful. I did a bit of a review of the last year in my birthday post on 9th November but here I go again...

In 2007 I did my A levels, went to Czech, taugh English, learnt a little Czech, learnt some crazy dances, met some amazing people - some for the first time and others are old friends, worked in the church office, got into Cardiff uni, moved to Cardiff 8 months of the year... I couldn't sum up 2007 in one post. I wouldn't want to.

I've learnt SO much. The most valuable being what could not possibly be put into words. I've learnt that you can never laugh to much and you should never let go of those who make you laugh. That you can cry too and to not let go of those who help you through that. That the best of times, and the memories that will endure forever, are often random moments that happen.. well, randommly!

"It's SEXY time" will remain for ever etched fondly in my memory, and my line "Mark, you're on FIRE... in the hell kind of way" said the same night is there too. The Torr (Head) Road and going up it was.. amazing! Rose Wade is the greatest friend anyone could ever hope to have and the only thing that saddens me is I'm not there to see how amazing she is at leading at church this year in the youth ministry. And that leaf fight with the housemates to be along Maindy Road.

I've also learnt that... "home" for me is a fluid concept and I love this fact! Wherever I am to lay my head that night is home and I love that. That my carbon footprint will always be horrendous (11 flights in 2006 [inc two transatlantic ones!] and 8 in 2007 - 6 were domestic and 2 were within Europe!). That my cheesecakes never get old. That in the worst of times God is faithful... but I need to trust that more. I've learnt a lot about myself! And a lot about God.

I saw the New Year in once more at Jayne's house - surrounded some of the most important people in my life! There was a bit of a Czech reunion going on - with Marten visiting from Czech, Mark, Ruth, Rach J, Rach S (all the Rach[a]els together again!), Nina and Alex, Rose, Jayne! lol. As well as loads of others from youth group. It was great to spend time with these guys - to hear as we shared what we loved about 2007, what we are looking forward to in 2008 and a resolution for this new year... There was Big Booty, the hand/clap game, singing Ireland's Call, I'll Tell Me Ma and other classics, dancing with Mark in the kitchen, post it notes, another encounter with the horrific dessert that goes by the name of "Fluff" (and tastes like it!), lots of laughs, vommiting as Rach J got a call from her boyfriend at five minutes to midnight, and lots of hugs in the five minutes after midnight! An amazing way to see in the New Year!

My resolutions for 2008...

Well, there are two big sins in my life that I'd really like to beat. I'm not going to go into details but new year, new slate. I'd really like to combat these. There are a few other things I'd like to get sorted too in this area so I'm including those under this heading.

I'd also really like to trust God more! 2007 has been an incredible ride! 2008 looks to be just as exciting! I can't wait to see what could be in store! Continued uni life. House hunting. Hopefully visiting other uni friends. Maybe starting essays earlier! A lot more chocolate. A possible return to English camp. More friends. Friends I know better. Turning 20!

I could list more things I could see happening in 2008 (Ireland winning the Six Nations? Ulster sucking less at rugby?) but whatever 2008 holds for me I know and trust that God will be faithful, that His grace will never fail me, that He is more than could ever want or need and that He knows exactly what is going on. I sometimes attach a "DV" to plans and over all these resolutions, all these hopes, I attach this "DV". It stands for Deo volente (latin) which means "God willing". And I hope I can trust this phrase more in 2008...

No one knows what 2008 will hold... Who knows who'll we'll be celebrating the dawn of 2009 with... Who knows who'll we'll be celebrating it without... Who knows if we'll be celebrating it at all? But whatever the future holds I wish you all a very happy new year! May 2008 hold many surprises and blessings for you and those you love!

much love and may God richly bless you all

Rach!

Labels: 2007, 2008, dates, New Year, resolutions, review