A round peg in a round hole

I've just had a formative OSCE which means a practice of an exam that I have to pass in December as part of my prescibing course. It wasn't perfect, I missed something obvious but not crucial, and I need to get quicker cos the timings are crazily short ( but I knew that was a problem).  But... the slightly weird bit was that I was doing a consultation with an actor, but he was good, and I was in the moment, and I enjoyed doing my stuff. I do like working with patients, I like having time, and the knowledge and skills to help them. Yesterday I saw a mum and her son, she said she'd called me because she knew I could give her the answers she needed in a way that would make sense. This week a child and her family have been helped that probably wouldn't have got that help if it hadn't been for the work I've been doing with them. There are other examples but you get the point!

 

I'm not saying I am amazing, and that no one else could do this, I'm saying, once again, how grateful I am that I get to do my job, a job I believe God made me to do. A round peg in a round hole :)

halloween

I don't like it - I don't see why anyone thought celebrating all things nasty was a good idea, and I don't like wondering whether its better to answer the door and give away sweets (when you're home alone and feel vulnerable) of put up a notice and risk them playing pranks. We had raw eggs thrown one year, and after the recent tyre slashing episode I'm feeling a little more vulnerable than normal......

I do believe in celebrating All Saints Day, and all things good and powerful - namely my God

October?

As Paul has been posting most days I thought I'd better write something!

 

This is the 2nd whole weekend of Paul being away and there's another one after this one, but, in spite of it being October, the sun is shining and its already hot, with 28 forecast and I'm always happier when the sun shines :)

 

So 14 days in.....it's ok. Work is busy, had some very sad moments, but mostly its lovely, stimulating, good stuff. I've started my prescribing course (to quote PJ - trainee drug dealer!), which has given me loads to do, stuff which I'm finding really interesting, so that's all good. I'm doing some last minute prep for a days teaching to some 3rd year children's nurses on tuesday which is scary!

 

Sarah is around a nice amount, she's busy working, and is seeing her own friends, but in enough that I don't feel home alone. I like solitude, up to a point, then get fed up. So far the balance is fine.

 

I am, of course, missing Paul, and PJ, and Hannah, who went back to Uni just before Paul went away, but I this is PJ and Hannah's second year and I've got used to being at a distance from them but it being ok.

 

So time to get up and washed and dressed, to wander into town and buy a coffee, do some window shopping and then wander home again, before a spot of studying/sunbathing :)

 

Where did the summer go?

The sun is shining outside but it's distinctly cooler - autumn is on its way if not here. Which is a shame cos I love summer, I love sunshine, it lifts my soul. Thinking about it its sunshine more than heat, so a cold crisp day with lovely sunshine will do the same thing, its just much rarer (although thinking about this summers weather maybe not!)

 

But I didn't start this post intending to talk about the weather.

 

It's been a good summer.....

 

PJ being home has been lovely, I'm very aware as good friends take their offspring to Uni how it felt this time last year, and how lovely it is to have taken him back yesterday, knowing he's happy, healthy, enjoying Uni, his course, CU, life. I know I'll see him soon, and can talk to him, and that our relationship is just as strong, even though he lives somewhere else a lot of the time. I think its one of the irrational thoughts in a mother's mind, when one of your children has a significant life change - will I lose them? But I've always held onto the idea of let them go, and they will come back, idea, I hope I'd never hold one of them back....... but its lovely to know that family is important to them, even as it changes subtly.

 

Hannah only had about 4 weeks back in Abingdon, and wasn't able to do New Wine apart from the last day and a half, but did make Holiday Club which was lovely. I sometimes worry that Hannah doesn't get a chance to get a word in edgewise in my noisy family, but actually she does fine. Hannah I hope you know how very grateful I am that you're in our lives :)

 

Of course the huge event of the summer was Sarah's graduation. As most of you will know Sarah had some challenges on the way, as often happens, but she faced them, and thrived. A fantastic 2:1 Ba Hons and QSW (Qualified Social Worker). She has 2-3 jobs, working in a nursery, working for a Social Care Agency, and volunteering with the kids work at Church. This isn't forever, its while she works out what God wants her to do next. But it means she is earning, which is a huge relief to us all. Its a tricky transition, no longer a student but a working woman - but I know she'll make it.

 

And Paul is on his way to Heathrow as I type, off to Seattle for just over 3 weeks, including 3 1/2 weekends. Its a big course that Microsoft do. Now this is going to be challenging for us all, not least because when he last did this, just over 2 years ago, his dad was dying.......

 

But work is good, I'm about to start the next bit of my masters, the Nurse prescibing course, which everyone tells me is extremely tough....

 

Its so nice to be able to blog about a life full of family and friends, and work, and holidays. I'm very grateful for the balance and variety I have. I'm not complacent, I'm seeking my Lord, trying to know what's on His heart for me, and for me to be and do for Him, but mostly wanting to be closer to Him. Life is a journey that doesn't end of this earth, and I guess the changing seasons are a good reminder of that, so I'll enjoy the beautiful colours in the trees, and hope for crisp, frosty mornings, and not complain (too much!) about the dull, damp days.

New Wine 2011

We've just returned from another amazing week at New Wine. 12000 people gathering on an agricultural showground turned camp site/Christian conference. An opportunity to come together with people from my church, with Christians from around the Central South Wast Region, a chance to spend time with God, further away from the distractions of every day life.

 

I love New Wine.

 

Put aside the noise, and the queues for the showers, the variable quality of the loos (including more queues) and the lack of sleep (caravan helped but the site is only quietish between midnight and 6).

 

Focus on time with God, time to praise Him through sung worship, prayer and silence. Time to learn more about Him, through good quality bible teaching. Time to be encouraged ( He really does love me just as I am, and is pleased with me, His beloved daughter), time to be challenged (about creating balance between solitude, community and mission, about being true to the person He wants me to be, about working in a job that leaves me vulnerable to attack so I need His protection daily, and so much more).

 

Time to give to my relationship with Him. And time for friendships, old and new, to talk, to be honest, to say sorry, to recommit to Him, and to my community.

 

I have been blessed, and I have been used - spiritually and practically - more blessings.

 

I'm not naive - I will fail to follow through on much of this - but I am renewed, and energised, and have new insights and knowledge.

 

So as I plow through the washing, and as we unpack and sort and put away, I will give thanks to my Lord, the God of the Universe.

Normal service resumed

I debated deleting my last post but thought that would only confuse folk - have had a good night sleep and am no longer feeling sorry for myself - thank you for indulging me :)