Wednesday 28 October 2009

Home

It's half term, and Cat is back home. A happy juxtaposition of 'time off'.
It's not time off, though. It's catch up time. Cat, overbusy with her 'job' as activing (sic) president of the Christian Union at uni, now has to get her dissertation finished.
Mostly finished.
Well, partly finished.
Even halfway would be good.

Me? I'm enjoying having a daughter here who says, "Can I make pudding?" and then proceeds to whip up something delicious from fridge and store cupboard in minutes, with a minimum of fuss and mess.
A daughter who shows me some of the exercises which are part of her fitness regime.
(I managed a couple of them for a fraction of the time, and felt very pleased with myself.)
A daughter who has spent precious time writing thank you cards to the CU committee members who made the house party last weekend such a success. (Who thanks her, I wonder?)
A daughter who lights fires in the hearth and shares wine with me.

Precious.

The label function for this post won't let me put 'Cat'. It insists on 'Cat and Jonny'. Together. Jonny is back at uni, catching up on hours and hours of reading. He's had a good fortnight visiting his oldest friend who was passing through Amsterdam (from Tanzania, where his parents live, to the US, where he - presently - lives), then at the Hillsong conference in London, then at the University Surfing Champtionships in Newquay.

Sadly, now, no time to come home for half term.

Monday 26 October 2009

Resurrection!

The Mondeo - having claimed that its engine had seized (it certainly wouldn't turn over after its dramatic refusal to proceed any further) - is now running again!

Not well, however. It has had more spare parts replaced, is doing better, but not 100% healthy. The phrase 'throwing good money after bad' keeps occurring to me...

Hopefully worth it in the end! Watch this space...

Saturday 24 October 2009

My pupils

Half term - at last. Yet in many ways it has been relatively stress-free and easy. Yes, my class are quite high maintenance - but they are so much fun.

There's Matthew, who brings me fishing photos and stories. Shows me fishing magazines. Advises me on bait and fishing tackle. Alert, focused. He has the most wonderful smile.

Joel, whose gorgeous mum is running the Cycling Proficiency club - superbly. He is tiny, clever, capable, self-contained.

Harry: a bright-eyed bundle of mischief. Always up for a joke.

Alexander:quiet, highly intelligent with a command of language a boy several years older would be proud to have.

Robert, one of the kindest and most sympathetic - in every way - boys I have met for a long time. His unfailing gentleness and concern for others is quite amazing.

Oliver: holds a conversation like an adult.

Rory: bright, very artistic and dedicated. His History work this week - three colourful pages, extra on top of the set assignment - was the talk of the school.

Don: highly responsible, a diligent student,reliable and charming - a winning combination.

Reuben, the Henrys (three of them), Brent - whose mum is the most wonderful and supportive parent I have ever known, Nairn... I love them all!

Friday 16 October 2009

Death of a Car

It had to happen. Our Mondeo died yesterday. Left living with a rattle, a bang and a huge cloud of smoke. No youngster when it arrived in our family, it had served us faithfully for nearly 10 years.

God is faithful too.

The Mondeo broke down just a mile or so from home, right near a friend's house. As Richard was pushing it across a busy junction, two men - her lodgers - who happened to be standing outside saw and rushed across to help.
When we returned to collect it late at night when the roads were quiet, there happened to be two men standing nearby. When they saw our tow rope snap on first pull (we have had it years, and I suspect it might have come from the Pound Shop!), one fetched a towing strap for us.

God is faithful. He sends His angels to help when we need them.

We towed it home safely. Now we are just waiting for the undertakers to come.








Faithfully carrying the kayak

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Questions for teachers

I'm going to be asked some questions by members of the youth group at church on Sunday. Thought I'd better prepare some answers:

Do you have a teacher nickname?
Not as far as I know... though I'm a primary teacher. I think that's more a secondary thing. However, maybe I should do some research...!

What’s the meanest things that has happened to you by a pupil?
A child let my bicycle tyres down when I was in my first teaching post. It wasn't personal - just mischievous. I had a long walk home, though. Oh, in Kenya I was Deputy Head of a local school, in charge of collecting school fees, and received an 'anonymous' death threat once when I refused a student admission for frequent non-payment.

The issue of promoting Christianity in schools is a hot potato. What is your take on it?
Christianity is part of our British culture and yet it is often not taught properly. Other religions are. Not only that, but other religions are given glamour and mystery, whereas 'Churchianity' more than 'Christianity' is taught. That's ridiculous.

Do things go on in the staff room that would be disciplined if a schoolkid did it anywhere else in the school?
Oh yes. Cake and chocolate eating, for a start. The children are not allowed to bring sweets in to school. Then there was the time anyone who answered the phone had to include a particular word in the conversation. My word was 'windmill'. The staffroom was in uproar - people were crying with laughter and there was ABSOLUTELY NO DISCIPLINE WHATSOEVER. You can't have children behaving like that!


What is your favourite worship song and why?
Well, anything by Brian Doerksen, but probably my favourite is 'Today'. 'Today, I choose, to follow You. Today, I choose to give my life to you...' It's a wonderful reminder that following Jesus is a daily choice. I want to follow in the footsteps of Joshua, who is credited with those words.


Are there any specific prayer requests for your school or the teaching profession?
Pray for there to be a hunger for God among the teaching profession. Teachers are more influential than they imagine, but they need boldness and to be made spiritually aware of the wonderful opportunities which God gives them.
Pray for there to be a hunger for God among youngsters, so much so that they will voluntarily ask Christian staff for help in their search.
Pray for there to be a hunger for God among parents.

Fishing

A beautiful evening in the kayak yesterday. There was almost no wind and the sea was glassy calm in places. There was some swell, and a little rip along the coast, so as we came in we almost seemed to surf along on top of the waves.

We also caught a garfish. Twice. The same one. Apparently they do that - bizarre, stupid or what? Fortunately, he jumped off the hook without too much trouble.

Apart from Mr G, we caught lots and lots of seaweed, despite steering a zigzag course to avoid it.

Fun.

Monday 12 October 2009

Norman and I

Although we live together, Norman and I have a somewhat strained relationship. The trouble is, we don't really appreciate each other. Norman doesn't appreciate the care I give him - all the cleaning and tidying I do, for a start, not to mention feeding him whenever he is hungry. I've tried to be a good friend to him - but he just isn't interested. He's completely unresponsive when I try to talk to him, just doing his own thing as always. He is SO grumpy.

I have to say, I don't appreciate him either. Yes, I know he helps me with the shopping - but it's only because it's too much for me to carry on my own. He's useful for helping me take the kayak down to the beach, or comes along when I want to go surfing - not that he ever joins me. He seems to have an aversion for water and doesn't even like to go on the beach. Where's the company in that? It's enough to make me want to go on my own.

Then he always looks so SCRUFFY - he could do with a good spit and polish at least. I don't think he's actually had a bath for a couple of years now - it doesn't bear thinking of. As for the smell...old socks and bad BO. It's not so bad when we're out, although he's not exactly the sort of friend you'd want to be seen with. But otherwise - who'd want to sit down with him for a quiet cup of tea? Not me.

I mean, we were out together the other day, but he wouldn't even go at the pace I wanted. He dragged his heels, going as slowly as he could get away with, grumbling constantly. AND coughing and spluttering, pretending he was having trouble breathing. Of course, I wasn't having any of that and just carried on as normal, pulling him along without taking any notice. You just have to ignore that sort of behaviour - they all come round to your way of thinking in the end.

That's exactly what happened. After a while, Norman decided he would have some fun and just took off at a terrific pace. He didn't say anything and wouldn't admit to enjoying our little outing, but I can read him like a book. It's as if he's saying, "Oh no, I won't, oh no I WON'T... oh, all right then!". I wasn't prepared for that and had to hang on, clinging on to him as we careered round bends and corners without a thought for who might be coming the other way. Fortunately, the way was clear and he slowed down to a more reasonable pace after a few minutes. I do think he should show me a little more consideration. There was an amazing amount of 'get up and go' in him - he's not young any more, after all. Who would guess he was 25 years old?

Young, do I hear you say? Oh, for a human, that's young. But for a Renault 5 - geriatric isn't the word for it! For a car,25 years is well past 'sell-by' date, so actually, he's doing extremely well!

Hmmm...maybe I DO appreciate him after all!

Sunday 11 October 2009

Mushrooms!
















I found mushrooms yesterday - in the field next door. Little white caps glowing in the lush grass. I think they are field mushrooms (ha ha). A friend has a wonderful recipe where the insides are stuffed with herbs and beaten egg, with cherry tomatoes on top, which I'm going to try - sounds wonderful. Maybe with some grated cheese as well... pizzaroom! Or perhaps mushpizza...

Monday 5 October 2009

Of busyness, tiredness and refreshment.

Catharine has been overbusy lately.
She’s Vice-President of the university Christian Union this year, captain of the women’s ultimate Frisbee team and leads a small group at church.
She delegates, but has still found herself over-burdened and is now Acting – or activing, as she puts it – President.
There doesn’t seem to be much time available for her dissertation at the moment.
Hmmm.
Wonder where she gets this busyness from?
I’m busy too. Some days, I just seem to run from one thing to another.
Some evenings, I’m so tired I start to fall asleep in my chair, especially if I’m in a meeting.
Embarrassing.
If I don’t fall asleep, I become so restless that I can’t sit still – have a coiled spring inside me, ready to break loose.
A jump up and walk around usually cures that, but that’s not always possible.
So, when I committed to two church evenings at the weekend, with Open Day at school inbetween, I really wondered how I was ever going to wind down enough for some sort of rest.
But it was better than that.
True, the first evening was full of listening, as I heard stories and received training for Healing on the Streets.
The second evening was awesome.
Simple prayers. Simple healing.
My leg – slightly shorter than its mate – lengthened in response to prayer.
I feel stronger, walk more easily.
Yet even more than that, my soul was renewed and my spirit lightened.
Thank you, Jesus.
And thank you for a daughter and son who, in their different ways, love to serve others.