Beautiful things

This song is beautiful. Have a listen. And drink in the words.

'All this pain, I wonder if I'll ever find my way, I wonder if my life could really change at all?
All this earth, could all that is lost ever be found? Could a garden come up from this ground at all?

You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust,
You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us.

All around hope is springing up from this old ground, out of chaos life is being found in you.'

 - Gungor, 'Beautiful Things'

There is hope. And it doesn't come from inside us. Beauty is possible in brokenness because of the Beautiful One who imparts life and hope. Grace bestowed on the undeserving!

Hard pressed...but not crushed?

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)


The excitement levels were high across the board at Forum this year! There is lots to be excited about - most of all our amazing God who works in people's lives and who shines light into our dark hearts! There is the brilliant 'Uncover' project to be excited about - the challenge to read the bible with people who want to explore Christianity, a chance for them to examine the evidence and meet Jesus for themselves - http://www.uccf.org.uk/uncover/

Lots of stuff flying through everyone's heads as we come back to reality - so much to do, such a massive mission field, such a small mission-team....

It would be easy to lose heart.

I confess I HAVE lost heart too many times.

And yet to lose heart in a mission involving such an amazing God and a wonderful message is surely to miss the point!?

We are 'hard pressed on every side, but not crushed'. The truth is that this is not our mission, and it is not our message. It is God who shines the light into our hearts and opens our eyes see who He is. It is God who has already won the ultimate victory! It is good that we are weak, because that is how people see that God is strong! If we make it about us then we will be crushed. If we look to Him for strength and identity, perhaps we will still feel overwhelmed, but we will know that all is not lost. It does not all rest on us.

Overwhelmed...but on the winning side!

I still feel discouraged, because I am broken, but I am thankful that God is big enough to cope with my frail emotions. Take heart Alison.

Cardiff Cashier Kindness!

The cashiers of Cardiff were on form today - at least 2 were above the average levels of friendliness!

My favourite one was in Boots, I found it quite touching!

Me: purchasing Halls Soothers.
Cashier: Looking at my purchase of choice "Sore throat?"
Me: "A little bit, yeah"
Cashier: Genuine sympathy "Aww, I hate having a sore throat, can't get rid of them!"
The purchase is made, cash exchanged etc.
Me: "Thanks, bye!"
Cashier: "Hope you feel better soon!"

How kind!!! Hooray for Cardiff cashiers!

My crazy, crazy friend Alison Williams

This week we officially said goodbye to our Team Leader and friend Alison Williams. She isn't leaving quite yet...but since we got into the farewell mindset I thought I would write some reflections on here now.

Well, I say write...actually I just want to show you some photos...there are some things words can't even get close to describing!

 

One of my favourite things about our Team Days together is how we just laughed and laughed....and laughed....and laughed some more!

 

Thanks Al - we're going to miss you!!!

Thai Stationary: RE-VISITED! (part 2 - coming to join in my wonderful!)

For some reason there is a whole range of milk themed stationary...here are some of my favourites in the writing-paper range:

Thai Stationary: RE-VISITED! (part 1 - Let's listen to our piano voices!)

It's been a while since I shared any Thai stationary with you. I thought it was time...

Folder - 'Let's listen to our piano voices'
Pencil-case - 'Thread gently on the earth'

 Writing paper - 'Pigi and Pogi: We are mini pig!'

 

Beauty in the Breakdown

"So let go, let go, jump in,what you waiting for?It's alright,
'cause there's beauty in the breakdown.
let go, let go, just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here.
It's alright,'cause there's beauty in the breakdown."

- Frou Frou (Imogen Heap), Let Go

For the Christian there's beauty in the breakdown.

 How else do I grow? 

 To break down is to move forward. 
In my brokenness to find His strength - there is no greater privilege. 

 'Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, 

that to be low is to be high, 

that the broken heart is the healed heart, 

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, 

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, 

that to have nothing is to possess all, 

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, 

that to give is to receive, 

that the valley is the place of vision.'

- Valley of Vision  

 Beauty in the breakdown.