Listening Skills
This is how it goes:
Person A: "Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb"
Person B: "So what I hear you saying is that this made you angry"
Person A: "Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb"
Person B: "Really? And how does that make you feel?"
Person A: "Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb"
Person B: "Ok, so what do you think God is trying to tell you through this?"
Person A: "Rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb"
Person B: "Nooo...I don't think God is telling you to leave your wife and four kids and enter an enclosed monastery"
The above is a fine example of reflective listening, empathic listening and spiritual direction. As you can see, we have been busy at college this week.
But lectures isn't really where real life happens nowadays. I have a ministry to the poor in Bramcote, by supplying them with second hand CD players. Unfortunately, my car window is worth a lot more than said CD player, so I wasn't too impressed, however I bless these people in Jeeeeee-sus' name. May they have joy with the CD player, and may they be converted by the fine Christian Rock CD that was in said CD player.
In other news, I went swimming yesterday, in order to combat my general laziness in the sports area. I am quite impressed with myself I must say, but let's see how long this latest craze lasts.
I also went shopping today - we are starting our hospital chaplaincy placement tomorrow and the dress code is smart casual. What better excuse to go shopping!! I managed to restrain myself and only spent £40 which I think is quite good. Hospital chaplaincy will be interesting. I'm on the "Breasts and Plastics" ward, which is sadly not plastic surgery for the vain but plastic surgery for disfigurements such as burns etc. Please Lord give me strength!
Weekends
This weekend, I planned to have a long lie-in on Saturday, get up early on Sunday to prepare for my guests and the Sunday lunch (which involves furniture moving in my little flat). Instead, I woke up at 8 am on Saturday and couldn't get back to sleep for toffee, so I got up. I lounged around in my sloppy clothes and unwashed state til lunchtime, when I got startled by the door bell. It was Sue, wondering if we could pop to the pub for an hour as her hubby had taken the kids shopping and she was allowed out to play. Typical. The one day I am definitely not ready for polite company and what happens? Well, I set up a new world record: I was washed and decent in 7 minutes!!
So we went to the pub, had a nice chat etc, and then got back home. I then decided to do ALL my filing, and even did an hour's worth of Greek (yes - I know, I am fabulous!!). I also managed to read a trashy novel (Last Chance Saloon) and cook the dinner for my Sunday guests.
On Sunday, in contrast to Saturday, I overslept. I didn't wake up til 11 am, and panicked, as the aforementioned furniture moving still had to take place. So I showered etc, and got down to business. The sofa went along the wall, the extendable table came out and all was set up. Then Jenny, Dan, Steve and Ali came for lunch and much fun was had by all. Keith also popped in for a cup of tea, and I found out I can seat 6 at the amazing extendable table.
I then played (and lost) two games of pool, watched some telly and went back to the flat to retire for the night. Another weekend over!
Back to Skool
Well here we are again. It's the new year and the new term. Nothing much has changed, apart from the subjects. Pastoral care and Ethics are the flavours of the half-term. Very interesting (Ethics) and very challenging (Pastoral Care).
Pastoral Care seems to have the effect of bringing up unwanted issues with me. And I thought I was all sorted!! Only kidding.
It's quite fun actually. Listening skills. Appropriate boundaries. Counselling models. I'll be an expert in no time (or think I am which is just as dangerous).
2005 Review
I've just been on
Adele's blog and got inspired by her '2005' review. So I'm going to attempt to do the same thing (minus the witty and inspiring way Adele has of writing...)
Here we go...
January
Started blogging - a definite highlight!
Experienced my first (enforced) sung eucharist...and started appreciating that the Church of England encompasses everything from the wacky HTB to the more staid country church
Went to Warwick Castle for our company Christmas do - Kingmakers feast. Down with the Yorkists!
Some God revelation about motives and my heart - hard but good!
February
Got nearly blown up at church when connecting new cables to foldbacks
Got told by the Chichester DDO that selection conference and therefore college this year was a definite no-go
so all in all February sucked...
March
Busy with lots of insignificant things - realised that I needed to make time for God
Other than that, pretty eventless
April!
Spring Harvest
Met 'the Bish' (who shall remain nameless! ;) ) at Spring Harvest who decided to put me forward through his diocese
May
Met 'the Bish's' DDO
Went to Interview Day at St John's Nottingham - they offered place
Got date for selection conference
June
Some more God-kicking-Kat-up-her-backside
BBQ's galore - Steve and Judith do the best BBQs this side of heaven...
Home to Germany for my mum's birthday
July
More BBQs
Prep for Selection conference on 1st August
New Wine. Did I mention I hate camping??
August
Selection Conference!!
Got Accepted!!!
Started packing
September
THE highlight must have been moving to Nottingham - into my own flat, to be my home for the next three years.
Started college
Getting wireless in my flat (geek factor 10)
Learning how to paint (thank you Carolyn!!)
October
Settling into College - not really a highlight just a reality
Peanut the Pear got created and also laid to rest
Shared 30th Bday party in Crawley
November
My 30th Birthday - yay! Great party in College - thanks Ellie and Helen!!
My mum and dad visited
December
Great times with God
Great times with friends
Great times with family
Overall, I laughed and I cried this year, I questioned God and he proved faithful over and over again. I made fantastic friends (you know who you are!!) since starting college and I learnt heaps about myself and God. Roll on 2006!!!
A hug for y'all
Why am I still single?
Someone asked me this question a few days ago, and I was challenged to come up with an answer that goes beyond "because the right guy hasn't turned up yet". Here's what I came up with:
What God wants to do with my life has always been important to me. I would not want to compromise that for my own personal happiness (although of course it doesn't preclude being happy!) I guess if God's plan for me is a husband, I can trust him to find me one (whilst still pro-actively looking!). After all, it's His job - He's my Father.
Also I don't want to marry for the sake of it. Although I'd absolutely love love love to have a family, not at any cost! I've seen people around me marry because that's what you do. Well no thanks. If/when I marry, it'll be because I found the man God wants me to marry.
Happy New Year!
May 2006 be your best ever yet!!
(((hugs)))
