Two years in...

I've had fewer meetings this week, which has allowed me time to catch up with my team and spend time with them. I do enjoy being able to share ideas, methods and experience with people who are interested in learning. I've also valued time to find out about aspects I don't know well myself. 

During challenging times last summer I told myself to give it two years before deciding this role wasn't for me. I figured the first year is full of newness, the second year starts to bring familiarity, and then there can be enough which is established and second nature to fell less overwhelmed and more able to enjoy the challenge. It does seem to have worked like that.  

I'm glad; I was confident this was God's doing in the beginning and I've hung onto that at times, so I'm making sure I enjoy this breather before the next bout of hectic. 

Musical thoughts

Went through for this evening's Unconventional meeting.  It wasn't what I expected, but some food for thought about singing and expressing faith/worship.

- The singers (a Capella ensemble of 6) sang the same psalm in three different styles: plainsong, Rachmaninov and Graham Kendrick. It was interesting to see how the different treatments affected the way we heard the words and responded to them, or not.

- The need to be generous and gracious in our musical expression of worship. Sometimes we should choose firms which are less meaningful for us as individuals because they will bless someone else. 

- Ensemble singing as an example of community, negotiation, compromise, unity - working together to produce a beautiful combined sound. 

I bought a couple of CDs by the artist I'd expected to hear and listened to the first in the car driving home. I like it. 

Today's treats

- time to actually talk with people at work. So often I'm tied to my desk or in meetings so it's been a treat to catch up with the team and see how they're doing. They're a great bunch!

- A didn't make it home for this evening as planned but I could still enjoy the summer veg (aubergine, courgette, onion, carrots and cherry tomatoes) fried with cumin and mustard seeds, instead of roasted, with a couple of eggs. A tasty treat with strawberries and blueberries for pud. 

- writing this, I'm happy at how my tastes have matured. I still have too much of a sweet tooth, but I wouldn't have gone near those ingredients when I was younger!

Prayer from today's a Bible in One Year readings (actually for 10th July):

Lord, as we look around at the state of our city, our nation and our world, we need your deliverance. You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see. Lord, would you pour out your Holy Spirit again. May we see people seeking your name again. May we see miracles of healing. May we see the evangelisation of our nation, the revitalisation of the church and the transformation of society, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.

Today I'm grateful for...

- beautiful skies, full of every kind of cloud as I left work

- meeting friends and family at tonight's Convention meeting 

- a stunning sunset as I drove home (there wasn't much left by the time I could take a photo, but Bassenthwaite Lake was amazing)

Flowers and sunshine

A belated celebration lunch for an 83rd birthday last week

I'm also grateful for friends. 

- hugs and a chat at church

- keeping visitors company during a random Sunday meeting

- emails to plan a holiday next year