Back Home

Half term has been - and gone. It was interesting.

It was interesting because we went away on holiday. And what interests me is that it really WAS a holiday. Usually, although I like travelling and love seeing new places, it is a major mental effort to get myself onto a plane. Given the choice, I'd just as happily stay at home. After all, Guernsey is a holiday destination: sun, beaches, cliff walks, quaint corners to explore... and, even if I don't go out, I can always find something creative to do here - even if it is just to write this blog!

This week was different.

Different because I didn't stress about travelling. Leaving home is never certain: planes 'go tech', fog closes the airport down, rough seas mean that fast ferries are cancelled. This time, I had no concerns at all that I might not be able to make my connection. An answered prayer: because "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to her life?", let alone worry about making a flight connection.

Different because, once we arrived at our destination, I was able to wind down straight away. I immediately adapted to a more leisurely pace of life, more exercise than I had done in a while, and managed to lay aside all the pressures of school. I still pondered over different issues, but with a sense of peace and purpose, gaining a sense of calm as I mulled over problems and arrived at sensible solutions.

Different because it was ALL completely relaxing. No worries. Just laid back fun.

Thanks, Lord!

Gardening – at school

Starting up a Gardening Club at school seemed like a good idea at the time. Plant a few vegetables, let the children see how they grow… there was a large waste area tucked away in a corner which was begging to be planted up.

We started last year, with pumpkins, lettuce, a tomato plant or two, some potatoes we planted in a bucket.

All grew well, with the help of lots of sun and rain, half a dozen eager little boys, and half an hour of my – and their – time once a week.

This year, we have a huge, ploughed up, plot.

Some seeds. The help of two enthusiastic parents. The same number of children. The same amount of my time.

We haven't done too badly so far. We've planted broad beans and peas. Some of the peas and beans have germinated and are growing well. Some have been washed out of the soil by our recent heavy rain – we replanted them today. And some, I fear, have been scoffed by the birds.

We have a banana tree, a couple of beds of annuals, and a patch of geraniums and gazanias. Morning glories and blackeyed Susans starting to climb the fence. Two varieties of potato, each in a bucket of compost. Marrow and pumpkin seedlings.

And still only half an hour of my time, once a week.

I have plans. I have some money to spend to get the garden going well. But I also have a full teaching timetable. And a bucket full of panic over an empty garden.

Developing patience

I've had a situation which has troubled me for some time. It has just begun to be resolved. Now that things are starting to click into place, I wonder why I was ever disturbed in the first place! Looking back at my struggles, I feel astonished at myself: what on earth was all the fuss about?

A sober lesson to remind me to trust more and complain less.

Life tensions

I didn’t expect to start the day comforting an acquaintance of mine. Her mother is dying – slowly – of motor neurone disease, and it was all getting too much for her. My tears joined hers as she sobbed in my arms.

Meanwhile, a classroom of boys was getting ready for a day of exams. Different tensions – some of them are quite worried, even though these are just the end of year in-house exams.

Last night, we spent some time praying with friends about relationships, for various youngsters we nurture.

Physical sickness, mental and emotional tension, spiritual growth – all part of life.

Discombobulated

Wow, what a word. It means confused, disconcerted, upset, frustrated. One of the local vicars used it in school assembly this morning – and one of the boys knew what it meant! (Which must surely mean that his parents have used it… I wonder why…)

It's a good word, though. It could describe my state of mind quite accurately.

I'm in danger of becoming discombobulated because…

…we won't be seeing some of our oldest and closest friends, after a four year gap, this summer.

….we can't decide on holiday plans.

…I have so much on my mind that I'm getting very little done.

At school I have to:

Organise our school delegation to the Primary Schools' Congress for the day after tomorrow. I and the School Council chairman need to decide which issues we will present, organise the most important points and brief the delegates. We have a twenty minute slot tomorrow to do all that.

Organise our next School Council meeting

Plan and organise the school garden – a huge bare area of soil at present

Run the cycling proficiency club well enough for the boys to pass their road tests

Rewrite the PSHE and Citizenship scheme of work

Review the PSHE and Citizenship policy

Make sure that Walk to School week – NEXT WEEK!!! – is promoted properly.

That's all without teaching, marking and preparation.

'Ware discombobulation!

Life is crazy

If I were to write down the myriad of annoyances I've had to deal with this past week, I'd be a candidate for some sort of reality TV show.

It would also take me several hours.

At times, it has seemed as if everything is descending into chaos.
If I wasn't a Christian, knowing that I can turn my anxieties over to Jesus, I'd be tempted to despair.

I can't help laughing about it - it's all so crazy and, at times, downright ridiculous.

Yet, as I deal with children, parents, and harrassed staff, a pattern is emerging.

And everything is pointing to a (hopefully) satisfactory solution.

It might still be a rough ride, but at least I'm not on the rollercoaster on my own.

Yay!