The past while...

- I finished my time house sitting and the dog is alive and kicking. Was good to have my own space and to be able to have people over whenever I wanted but it’s always great to get back to your own bed.

- My car broke down and I was without it for over a week. It over heated twice in Belfast so had to leave it at the side of the road. The only good thing was Mike let me drive his Discovery one night! It’s been over 5 years now since I’ve had to rely on lifts- It’s not a nice thing.

- I was up the North coast at the weekend- Stu and I stayed at Lois’s on Sunday night in Ballymoney then the 3 of us met up with Jaclyn, Johnny, Dave, Jen, Ross, Ruth and Drew in Portrush on Monday there was pitch and putt, ice cream, freak out, walks and carting the sun was shining and the laughter was much.

Here’s to measuring the circumference of people’s heads with electrical tape, the champs elysees and to Macooko!

Amazing

Ukraine President Transforming Country into a Nation of God:

"Our government has come to the conclusion that Ukraine can never rise on her feet until she bows down her knees before the almighty God."

You must read the full article- Christianity Today

Ukraine | The reunion

Last night we had a Ukraine team reunion... We gathered at the Browns, played for a while in the play park got a chinese, fellowshiped around a bonfire and reminisced about our times in Ukraine. I know its just been over a month since we returned but I can honestly say I have missed being there everyday since I've come home- "Tears stream down my face..." I miss the kids/teenagers, I miss trying to act out what I want to say when there is no translator at hand, I miss watching the kids giving it dixie singing 'our God is a great big God', I miss the lifestyle, I miss the love, I miss the landscape, I miss the smells, I miss the near death experiences, I miss the sound the buses make, I miss the example, I can even go as far as to say I miss the food, I miss my friends out there, I miss watching my team struggle, cope, learn, love, experince, laugh, step out their comfort zone, help each other and to fall more in love with God. I just hope and pray that my dream of doing this for the rest of my life will come true [Just 3 weeks until I go to Moldova!] This year in Ukraine both in organising and during was my toughest to date but you know its all worth it when you hear that 598 kids/teenagers become Christians [Just think the possiblities God has for their lives!]- Not to us but to God be the glory. Friends- sit back and really think about this: Some day ALL will see how great our God is...

A love for the box set

I always thought that TV box sets were a waste of money- what’s the point of buying something that was on TV? But I have recently discovered a love for the box set… Over the summer I have made my way through The OC box set season 1 [soon I will own season 2- oh the over whelming excitement that is within me!] 24 box set season 1 & 2 soon to be 1, 2 & 3.
My love for the box set is 3 fold:

1. You can sit and watch episodes back to back all day
2. You can revisit favourite episodes as you wish and have marathon days [Fellowship all round!]
3. You can share the love of the box set by lending it to someone who has not yet experienced the joy of it. [Which is how I discovered the greatness that is 24 when Lois lent me her box sets]

Sad I know but you’ve got to love the box set. Especially when you are a student and have a long summer!

More from the dog

Again today with more protesting from myself... Holly ate a shell!

The Dog

As I mentioned in a previous post Im house sitting: A dog named Holly comes with the job and much to my protest yesterday Holly ate an ear bud... that could be painful later on today when nature takes its course!

This week

Monday: I was working in Carphone Warehouse and again more classic plebs in- One man wanted to give me £160 for his phone even though it was free on the contract he wanted! Another woman wanted to cancel insurance that was a one off payment of £20.00 for 3 years if you think it through there is no point in cancelling- But could she understand that? NO!

Tuesday: Had a great day myself; Stu and Lois [from our Ukraine team for those who don’t know her] decided a few weeks ago that we would have a fun day out together as the 3 of us get on so well. We started out at Lois’s watching Friends, then went for lunch in Roast full lunch and dessert served by the lovely Lucinda [from our Ukraine team for those who don’t know her] we then headed into Belfast for a spot of shopping- not to much time was spent shopping thankfully! We then headed over to Dublin road to the cinema [£2.50 each and free car parking – Bargain!] Followed by a trip to the Odyssey for some dinner and bowling. The day was finished off back at Lois’s with a Carmel square we got in Roast earlier in the day. It was a fantastic wee relaxing day with 2 good friends, good conversation and good craic I even had my first cup of tea although still can’t say I’m a big fan- it just tastes of what it is – leaves!

Wednesday: I'm house sitting for the browns so moved in- A great time had by all so far.

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: Been helping out with the kids club at church... good fun and very well run I have to say and certainly not as stressful as a kids club in Ukraine but maybe thats becasue im not in charge this time!

As for the weekend who knows... But there will be fellowship oh yes there will be fellowship.

The OC brain box!

Now I know some of you are going to think I'm sad but I'll happily and openly admit I love the TV programme 'The OC' some may go as far to say addicted! I've seen season 1 and 2 in there entirety and even own season one on box set. I was filled with glee when I discovered the chance to win the season 2 box set with the ultimate OC quiz on the channel four website! 249 correctly answered questions later the quiz ends and I register to record my score happily thinking I must have answered all the questions as I'm waiting for my name to appear on the leader board I read that the competition ended on the 31st July- gutted! You can still play the quiz so I challenge any other OC fan [I know your out there!] to equal or beat my score!

Need a laugh?

If you fancy a laugh at someone else's expense check out the latest post from our newest blogger... Ross Bingham

Another [Ukraine] chapter closed

Tonight marked the official end of Ukraine 2005 [Sad times] we had the feedback service at church think it went well- the church was certainly packed, it was good to be able to share our experiences and to hear how God worked in so many peoples lives. Thought id share another picture from Ukraine with you- The woman in the middle with the dress on is who we called Happy Gilmore - Oh the laughter she brought us! - This was the day she skipped! "Hey Shooter!"
Here's to baby shark do do, do do do do... baby shark do do, do do do do