Six months in at Wycliffe Hall

So, we're six months in and at the stage where we realise it's not going to get any worse and probably not going to get any better (although, who knows what might happen with this documentary filming). We've got a year and a few months left but really, things dial down in about a year's time.

I'm the Chair of Contact (spouses' thing) and Rich is in charge of a charismatic thing in college & he's the New Wine rep. He's about to do his summer placement at Holy Trinity, Cheltenham and needs to decide where to do his 2nd year placement, possibly at Radio Oxford or in an asylum-seekers' detention centre. We also lead worship at church, do the occasional kid's group, teach a bit of Lifeshapes in and out of college and we still manage to do a bit of travelling the country speaking/networking on the back of our St. Thomas' reputation.

So there's plenty happening and, unsurprisingly, Rich has fallen behind in his work this term.

Before I suddenly became what has been called "high-priestess" of Contact, I was feeling a bit frustrated and D2-ey. Is this it? Are we wasting 5 years of our lives (training + curacy)? I know we have to do it; the time is definitely now. But I've been thinking about how apostolic people have an almost felt need to influence and determine their surroundings; they have to instigate things!

I was thinking about Mike Breen's "The Apostle's Notebook" (incidentally, now selling on Amazon for £65!) and the things in there that, when I first read them, made me cry with frustration, mostly because I hadn't the capacity to fulfil my dreams! That's how I've been feeling - like, what is there to do, to really grab hold of and shape and change and make happen here? In fact, I was feeling that need so badly and then, almost overnight, I was made Chair and I had something to do!

Contact's not a big deal - at all! But, I have a team (we scrapped the term "committee"!), some people to lead and loads of grace to do it with, so I'm happy.

Taking over the world!

Hi there. I don't know if you've missed me but I've certainly missed you. We haven't had internet access for a few months, meaning no TOM website and no blogs. Had my life not been a whirlwind of activity, I could've been quite lonely!

We've done just about all the things listed below and term ended a few days ago with the Englands having another bout of vomiting.

Emily's first term at nursery has been great and she's loved it, though she's so independent and outgoing - wonderful but a constant challenge. Joannah learnt to walk and then forgot after an illness. She also started crawling the other day but she doesn't really do either and is nearly 17 months!

Lifeshapes has been interesting. We've been processing it in the Church's one small group on Wednesday nights. Time will tell as to whether or not people want to take on the values. We had a great time speaking at Greg's church in Bristol too.

The last few weeks have taken a surprising turn as, after not being that bothered about the spouses' activities (called "Contact") at Wycliffe and not really wanting to be on the committee for this next year, I'm now Chair of the whole thing!! God made it all happen - I really felt him calling me to do it, which is weird 'cause it's not really a big deal. I suspect he's just continuing to stretch me as I knew he would while were here at college.

Then, on the last day of term, Wycliffe sent round an email saying a film company wants to do another vicar documentary following ordinands in training and they need ordinands to volunteer in the next few weeks (that's during the Easter break, so there's no way for us all to process this sudden announcement!). So, of course I immediately dismissed it out of hand and made Richard promise he wouldn't volunteer, then spent all night awake trying not to hear God suggesting we should do it!

You know when you get that sinking feeling as you realise God's giving you peace about something you don't want him to! ...