Friday 28 December 2007

Christmas surprise

Santa had a nasty accident on Christmas Eve. This pond is situated on dangerous bend, and he was obviously driving too fast.

The guy looked in a bad way. The pond is normally a haven for wildlife, all scared away by this unprecedented event.

Although the water is not particularly deep, it conceals a waist-thick layer of mud, as perilous as quicksand.

It would be a dangerous task to attempt a rescue. Who knew what other perils of the deep would await an intrepid rescuer?

Fortunately, Jonny, who holds a top life-saving award, was at hand.

He struggled out to poor Santa, who by this time was no longer breathing. Jonny tried everything - CPR, shaking, and a good British, 'Come on, mate, you'll be all right if you can just get on your feet,' but all was in vain.

Abandoning the attempt, he called the rescue services to come and remove the body.

We note the callousness of the onlookers, all of whom had already received their presents. Santa's plight was treated with laughter and a complete lack of compassion. They were obviously unaware of the implications for next Christmas...

Sunday 23 December 2007

Parties

The last few days have been full of parties. We have had the privilege of meeting up with friends every day, just enjoying each others' company.

It leaves me hungry for heaven. For the day when we will all be there, having one huge party together. And it will be far, far better than we can even imagine: the ones here have been pretty good, too. There's no substitute for fun and deep friendship.

Friday 21 December 2007

Christmas Spirit

The dog has already got into the less welcome aspects of the Christmas spirit. I don't know WHAT he ate - or drank - yesterday, but at 3 o'clock this morning he was making vomiting noises outside the bedroom door. He obviously wanted us to share in his discomfort. He then retired to his basket for several hours, nursing what, in a human, would have looked like a hangover.

This is NOT the sort of Christmas spirit we want. I'd rather he would learn to sing carols properly, rather than howling. Or give the postman a kindly greeting rather than a snarling, territorial bark. (The tinsel on the postie's cycling helmet doesn't even help.) A little more goodwill would be good.

Thursday 20 December 2007

Catching up

There is a lot of criticism about the ubiquitous Christmas 'round robin' - and, to be fair, some of them are pretty dreadful ...letters quoting the wonderful achievements of offspring and the incredible holidays to exotic destinations. Some of them do sound unbelievable. I have, in the past, seen letters which make the holiday destination of choice sound previously undiscovered. Such a place has been 'chanced upon' by the extraordinary family who have opened up an unknown island destination for the world. As for success - these people might have invented the word.

It's easy to carp. It's difficult to write a good letter which celebrates achievements - even survival of family tragedy or other personal disasters - without 'showing off'. I always pass mine through the ultra-sensitive filter of my children who sniff out pretention in the first phrase. And always tell me so, straight out. They are my best critics and I hope our Christmas letter is received in the spirit in which it is written - just to let our friends know what has been happening throughout the year.

Yet whatever other people's letters are like, I do love getting them and catching up on all the news. I'd much rather have to trawl through pages of minutiae than receive only a card with a signature.

I'm really interested in my friends' lives. This Christmas season I've laughed and rejoiced, wept and sorrowed... written cards of celebration and letters of condolence... I'm so glad these special people have shared themselves with me. I'm so glad to hear from my friends.

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Recuperation

Any teacher will tell you how exhausted they feel at the end of term. It's not necessarily physical: mental exhaustion forms a large component. A term of giving of oneself, of pouring out into students leaves its toll.

I am always surprised at how long it takes me to 'recover' - even if I don't feel particularly tired. This time, it took the form of indecisiveness. Of course, my Christmas 'to do' list is added to the usual list of end of term tasks - tidying up, essential cleaning that falls by the wayside in the last week of term, and so on. I have found it hard to organise myself - putting off the least attractive of tasks, such as shopping.

I've given myself little 'carrots' in the form of seeing friends: scheduling a meeting ensures that certain tasks get done first. Asking a friend round gets the tidying up and cleaning done, for example. Joy is sure to follow!

Monday 17 December 2007

Home again

The house is relatively quiet again - but only for a few hours. Jonny and Cat arrived home on Saturday evening, and it is so wonderful to be together again as a family. I feel incredibly privileged to have two such wonderful young. Their maturity amazes me - I'm sure I wasn't like that at their age.

It was wonderful, as well, to see the reunions at church last night: many have now returned from uni for the holiday. The 'young' range in age from 13 to over 30, all mixing equally well together. The buzz was inspiring.

I'm so thankful for these great kids - not just ours, but the whole group of their friends.

Today, our two have gone off to work. They both worked in the finance industry to earn money for their gap year travels and their bosses are delighted to have them back every holiday. More reunions at the office!

I'm so glad they're back this evening. Special times.

Saturday 15 December 2007

Different

We got SO excited this morning. We thought we had a rare yellow wagtail in our garden. He hopped around the pond, wagging his tail energetically up and down with each hop. He gave our place a thorough checking out, not knowing that we were doing the same for him. We rushed to the bird book to get a definite identification.

He wasn't a yellow wagtail at all. He was a GREY wagtail. Yet he was still different from the usual pied wagtails we see - sometimes in huge flocks hanging around, of all places, car parks and large buildings. And we were still thrilled to see him.

We also have a blackbird who is different. Not unusually, this one is slightly pied. Her neck has a pretty white collar around it, like fine lace, and she has other embellishments of white on her wings and body. She is not the usual, run-of-the-mill, textbook bird.

Different, and accepted by the other birds in the garden. A reminder to accept all those who are different from us. Just as Jesus accepted us. And how different we are to him!

I may look different to Jesus on the outside, but I hope I am becoming more like him on the inside. That's what matters.

Cappuchino catch up

Whoopee - first day of the school holidays. I had a great beginning to the Christmas break - met up with a friend for coffee in our favourite cafe. It was bitterly cold outside, so it was somewhat bizarre to be warm and cosy while we watched white waves whipping up a grey sea.

There is nothing quite as good as catching up over a cappuchino. I am fortunate to have good friends who are both decades younger and older than I am. I value their wisdom and outlook on life. I love to hear their experiences: sometimes these echo my own, sometimes they offer new possibilities. Just an hour with one of these special people enriches my life and reminds me how blessed with friendship I am. Energising, revitalising.

Friday 14 December 2007

Friends

You know how you sometimes want to be in two places at once? I had one of those moments last night.

It was our end of term party at school. Or, more accurately, at an expensive restaurant in town. (This is the downside of teaching, as opposed to working in an office for a large company: we have to pay for all our social functions ourselves!) Plus, a colleague and good friend is leaving to go to another school, so it fulfilled the function of leaving party as well.

At the same time, it was the final meeting of the term for our home group. This group of friends is like family: we share our lives together - joys, concerns - and pray for each other. We have seen God answer our prayers in amazing ways. Our group is a support and a lifeline.

My colleagues at school have also been a wonderful support to me - they are an exceptional staff.

I went to the staff party. It was great fun. But I SO wished I could have been with my 'family' as well. To be in two places at once!

Wednesday 12 December 2007

Friends

Sometimes I'm amazed at how God answers prayer even before I ask.

Whenever we can, my friend Sarah and I meet on a Wednesday after school to chat and pray together. We chat more than we pray, but we know Jesus is listening, a silent third party to our conversation. That's a great thought during the actual prayer times when we forget what we have talked about!

As usual, we prayed this afternoon. By the time I arrived home, I found one of the prayers had already been answered - quite unexpectedly and definitely much earlier than I thought might have happened. If that makes sense?

God knows before we even put our requests into words. That's amazing!

Tuesday 11 December 2007

Relief

My struggles at work have taken a huge turn for the better. I have a game plan for next term, which should make the situation much more manageable, and the support from my managers has been outstanding.

It is a huge relief to know that I am not assailed from all sides. I have more energy and enthusiasm than I have had for weeks. I am smiling at the future. Praise God, who sustains all his creation and hears the prayers of his people - even little me!

Psalm 37: 23 - 24 says:

"If the LORD delights in a woman's way,
he makes her steps firm;
though she stumble,
she will not fall,
for the LORD upholds her with his hand."

Monday 10 December 2007

Photographs

Since our photograph taking turned electronic a few years ago, I've hardly put any photos into albums. We had plenty saved digitally, so a few weeks ago I trawled through the files and selected some -over a hundred, in fact - for printing.

It's been quite a chore to write on the back of each one and then sort the photos into three albums: one for us, and one for each of the kids. A couple of years ago I made them an album each for their eighteenth birthday, so they would have a pictorial record through the years from birth. Now they are complete.

It's wonderful looking through, reviving old memories. I can even be thankful for the more painful times: thankful that God sustained us through them, that he has brought us to a better place, that he loves us whatever happens...so much to be thankful for!

Sunday 9 December 2007

Protected

I've been watching the birds as the storms rage. They try to huddle in the bushes, occasionally venturing out. Seagulls soar overhead, helplessly swept backwards by the howling wind. Even a kestrel skimmed over the hedge, battling against the rain, losing its mastery over the currents.

I feel like those birds. Storms rage over me at work, threatening to engulf me. Every so often there is a lull and I relax: only to find myself increasingly battered on every side.

Yet tonight, at church, I was reminded of some Bible verses from Deuteronomy (Chapter 32:9 - 11, my version of The Message):

He (God) found his people out in the wilderness, in an empty, windswept wasteland. God threw his arms around them, lavished attention on them, guarding them as the apple of his eye. He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly.

I knew, then, that God was indeed looking after me with tender care. Storms might rage around me, but I do not need to be afraid: God is on the case!

Saturday 8 December 2007

Hope

Only a few more days until the end of term, and I'm looking forward to it. It hasn't been easy, since one of the children has exhibited very challenging behaviour. I'm dispirited by his constant attention seeking and self-centredness, tired of his arrogance. I feel helpless in the face of the poor parenting which has brought all this about.

Yet there are spontaneous acts of kindness, little beacons of light. The child who tidied up someone else's lunchbox; the boy who, when another was upset over the loss of a sweet he had been given, offered his own; the boy who, after the bishop's talk, presented me with £2.5o for the AIDS orphans in Africa; the children who don't just offer to help, but quietly DO small, meaningful tasks, unasked; the lovely, supportive parents who give me a boost just when I need it; my fantastic colleagues who provide me with help, advice, support and love.

I have much to be thankful for: this is what I try to focus on: it all makes my job more worthwhile.

Contrasts in learning

I was privileged to hear the Anglican Bishop of Ngara speak this week, twice - at church, and again at school.

He told us how, as a child, his parents couldn't afford to send him to school. He kept on begging them until, at the age of 13, he was able to go to school. Primary. The lowest class - where our 4 or 5 year olds start. His parents were able to afford the school uniform shirt and a pair of shorts, which had to last for 2 or 3 years. Instead of his own tribal language, he was taught in Swahili.

He then did well enough to go on to secondary school - an achievement equivalent to one of us going to one of the world's top universities. He was twenty. His brother owned two pairs of trousers, so gave him a pair - otherwise he would not have been able to go. A generous brother-in-law bought him his first pair of shoes. The teaching medium in secondary schools in Tanzania is English. The equivalent, for us, of suddenly being taught entirely in French.

Now, decades later, he is pastorally responsible for thousands of people.

He concluded his talk in school with a blessing in Swahili. As soon as I heard the familiar words, I burst - quietly and discreetly so that the children didn't notice - into tears. I had started my life in Africa teaching children desperate to learn. Now I struggle with children who have everything apart from the same hunger for learning.

If only the children I teach now would gain, not only more of an eagerness for learning, but for all the things that money cannot buy. If only they would gain a deep sense of compassion and a willingness to help others. If only.

Wednesday 5 December 2007

Weird times

This time of year is really strange. It's the run up to Christmas, so there is a lot going on at school - performances, parties, decorations... - and it can all get rather hectic. The children become more and more excited.

As in previous years, our classroom has an Advent calendar - with a difference. Rather than 'getting' - a chocolate, sweet or other treat - on opening each day in the calendar. the class are giving. Each day, some of the children bring some money to help support the Tumaini project for AIDS widows and orphans in Tanzania. The children take turns to count and record the total for each day. At the end of term, we'll send the money off. It's a local project, started by some of the doctors here: a married couple who used their sabbatical a few years ago to work in a mission hospital there.

Just £1 is enough to feed, clothe and educate a child for a whole week. Just over £50 for the year. Every penny given goes to Tanzania - the two doctors do all the administration and cover any costs themselves.

Some of the children have really taken to this idea. It is touching to see their interest grow daily. An emphasis away from the 'give me' culture we have here.

Tuesday 4 December 2007

Boys!

Aargh!

A favourite expression at this time of year. Two more weeks before we break up for Christmas, and everyone is becoming over-excited.

That's just the teachers. We stay sane by consuming any chocolate or biscuits which are unfortunate enough to appear in the staffroom.

The children are bouncing off the ceiling.

Calm, calm, calm!

Monday 3 December 2007

Calm in the storm

Yesterday was a day to remember - for various reasons.

Richard went to work, battling with the wind to land the plane safely. At one point - when the wind was gusting in hurricane proportions (literally: 68 knots) - he could no longer taxi after landing. The plane had to sit tight on the runway until it was safe to turn across the wind towards the terminal. I was thankful to see him return home safely.

Meanwhile, I had been out in the car, dodging flying branches and enormous puddles. I went to see a dear friend. Life isn't particularly easy for her at the moment, but you would never know. She radiates love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Once I started listing her attributes, I realised I might as well just quote straight from Galatians Chapter 5: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

She is such an inspiration and encouragement to me. She doesn't see herself this way: it's only apparent to others. I just hope I am, at times, just a teeny bit like that. I wish.

Sunday 2 December 2007

Island Life in the storm

Woke several times in the night to hear the wind lashing the rain against the windows. I lay in the cosy warmth of my bed, thanking God for shelter and comfort. I thought and prayed for those I know who are not so fortunate: Mary, our housekeeper in Kenya, who does not have the luxury of electricity or running water in her house, nor of paved roads and street lighting. The orphans supported by the Tumaini project in Tanzania, some of whom did not even have shelter to live in when they were found. Refugees. The homeless in our world.

Day brought no ease in the weather. Richard has spent the last couple of hours reading the weather charts and checking on the regulated safety limits. He is supposed to fly to Alderney this afternoon: the airstrip there is notorious for awkward cross-winds which make landing difficult.

He doesn't, at the moment, think he'll be going. The wind speed is forecast to go up to 38 knots, gusting to 65 knots - that's approximately 43 mph, with the odd gust of wind to over 75 mph. Or in other words, Force 8 gusting to Force 12 - hurricane force.

With wind of hurricane proportions, he's not going to be going anywhere until this particular storm has passed through. And we're obviously not going to experience the warm weather which often accompanies hurricane-sized wind.