My Week.

I know a lot of people start their blog entries that occur more than a week after the previous entry with "I've had a busy week". This is why I put that long sentence in to start mine today! "It has been a busy week for me". I have been helping with junior club holiday club. It has been really good, and the time spent took me back to when I was a Childcare worker and also to when I ran JAM Club. Saying this I have really missed my usual daily chats with people who come into the Coffee Shop and Luncheon Club. In some ways this has helped me to realise what kind of work I feel that I most enjoy within the Corps. I enjoy working with Kids, but I also enjoy working with adults.

Panic's Over.

What a nightmare Mid week Worship turned out to be. Bram was supposed to be leading it, but rang me at the hall to say that he wouldn't be able to make it over to the Hall. I then went into panic mode, wondering whether I would be able to find something in my head that I could do. Then I had a great idea! I rang my CO who said that he would be over straight away to lead it. I knew that Gordon would be able to save the day!

Being overprotective.

We were just about to lock up and go home from the Hall when a young woman walked in eating Chicken and Chips. She asked for a food parcel, and so I went into the kitchen and put a few tins of food into a plastic bag for her. I don't like asking people why they want a food parcel, because I know that I would find it hard enough to ask a stranger for food without having to tell them what I had done with my money that had put me into this situation. I grudgingly gave her the bag of food, and off she went. The reason that I grudgingly gave her food was because I had a problem with asking for food (which is intended for people who don't have any food) when the person is eating. She came back 2 days later and bought herself breakfast, telling the kitchen staff that she hadn't eaten for 2 days. I am glad that I did give her what little we had because I don't know what her home situation is.

Even though I am very protective of my food stash in the cupboard that I keep for food parcels, whilst there is food in the cupboard for this purpose, I would never turn anyone away without some food because I would hate to find out that I had turned someone away who really didn't have anything.

Saying Goodbye.

I had a great day today at the Army. We said goodbye to the Cotterills, and Bram played along with everything that I suggested to him! I missed out on the meeting which was the main farewell because of problems with Greig House clients, so my highlights have to be times after the meeting. I am going to admit something now that I would get into trouble for saying at the corps. I love The Salvation and all it's little quirks, like marching in time, and anything that involves the Army flag! There, I've said it. I can say it now, because I won't be seeing the Cotterills again until September. (Oh dear! They will be my Spiritual Programme Directors. I'd better be careful or they will give me all the nasty jobs in college)

The reason I admitted that was because I encouraged Bram to use the Corps flag on two occasions today. The children were waving little brightly coloured flags and so I got Bram to wave the big Corps flag. I got spotted telling him to do it! Hmm, I need to be a bit more subtle next time. The next was a guard of honour for the Cotterill family with Bram holding the flag, Me, and our Cadets on placement saluting them out. It was Brilliant! I hope I get saluted out on the morning of my divisional farewell because the next time I go into the hall after the farewell I will be a Cadet!

Anyway, it was a great day, and I really hope that the Corps will give the new CO a chance to fit in with us. God has a perfect plan for Poplar Salvation Army, even though we won't always agree with Him. Something else I need to add is that although I do love The Salvation Army, the only reason that I am a member of it is because of my love my for God and the desire to do His will, which I believe for me is to be a part of The Salvation Army.

Road safety

At the minute there is a road safety advert on the TV about keeping to speed limits. This advert is so obviously meant to shock people. It shows a child of about 7 apparently lying dead at the side of the road. She is pale and has blood coming out of her ear. This always makes me feel really ill when it comes on. My brother was killed on the road about 28 years ago. From what I have been told, the woman who knocked him down wasn't speeding, Robert came out of nowhere and she didn't stand a chance of missing him. I agree that something needs to be done about speeding drivers, but wonder if showing this advert will help. I just think that it will upset people who have had a loved one die on the road because it will bring the memories back.

Whilst I'm in the mood for this rant, another thing that annoys me on the road is signs to tell you how many people have died on the road in accidents in a year. I drove to Skegness last Monday from my parents home and there is a stretch of road there that has these signs almost every 100 metres. Surely the money spent on these signs would be better spent on less distracting ways of keeping speed limits. I don't think speed camera's really work because people slow down at the camera then speed up again once the camera has been passed.

My Testimony

On Sunday, the afternoon meeting was centered around seeking God's will. This got me remembering the time prior to me offering for Officership. I was having quite a challenging time, and was seeking God's will for my life. During a Youth Councils in Leeds, I kind of felt God challenging me. They showed a Candidates video that I thought the people that were in it were looking at me. Then during the time of appeal where people go forward to receive God, or His help, or prayer I went forward. I explained to the person that came to pray with me that I wanted to do anything that God wanted me to do. The person said something that has stuck with me throughout. They told me to test the waters. I kind of knew at this point that God wanted me to be an officer. On the Monday, I rang my DHQ to ask for information and the person who looks after new Candidates, wanted to meet me for a chat. It all went from there really. Praise God it did!

The trouble with Multimedia Projectors.

I led prayers at the local hostel recently. The meeting went well, but I wanted to use the Multimedia projector to show a clip of the film Bruce Almighty. Trouble is, I couldn't get the projector to recognise the lap top. Give me an old fashioned TV and Video anyday! I had to laugh the incident off, and explain what the clip would have shown.

Candidates Update

It's all go at the minute on the Candidates front. I've got my fundraising event on Saturday, which is a table top sale, then my final interview at DHQ on Monday. (Hallelujah!!!!) I have also been asked to submit a 5o word testimony that will appear in The Salvationist. How do you sum up 6 years of applications in 50 words???? I think it will go along the lines of as God calls so he equips which has been my main experience in the process.

Thoughts on College

My thoughts have been centering around college this week. I was asked twice at the beginning of this week if I am looking forward to college. My reply both times was no. I am not looking forward to having to sit in lessons and write essays for the next two years. I have never studied at the level expected from college, and so this is what is scaring me. However, I am doing a correspondence course with the distance learning department at college and the lady who is marking my work is an ex college tutor. Her comments on my last piece of work say that my work is just about good enough for college! So I won't have too much trouble with this. What I am looking forward to about college is the greater opportunities that will be presented to me because of it. Like placements, etc. This will be good (I think). after all, I am a hands on person. I love my job at Poplar Corps. I get to speak to so many different people. My CO's at the minute have been apointed to the college as Spiritual Programme Directors so at least I will know someone.

ALL There Is of Me

I was walking down the road this week thinking of how different Poplar is from my home town. I was wishing I was back home in the midlands. Then when I got back to my house, I put a CD on. A song started playing. The words of the Chorus are

All there is of me, Lord,
All there is of me,
Time and talents,
day by day,
All I bring to thee;
All there is of me, Lord,
All there is of me,
On thine altar here I lay
All there is of me.

I realised why I am here. This is where God wants me. I am actually happy here, in case anyone thinks differently. But it was just a time that I needed to give my all to God. And since this moment, I have found it easier to sit and study. I've even found it easier to find time to read. I have rediscovered that my life is all about God.

Folkestone

Today we went on an adventure to Folkestone. We had never been here before, but because it is bank holiday here in England I decided to go out for the day. I got the map out, saw that Folkestone wasn't too far away and so it was decided.

Because I had no preconceptions of what Folkestone would be like I wasn't disapointed. What I saw was a town with two sides. There is the old side, which has run down buildings, disused fairground rides, and a harbour. Where, by the way, you can buy some nice fresh fish. Then there is the new side of town. This is not as new and posh as the Canary Wharf side of Poplar, but nevertheless, is quite asthetically acceptable. It has some nice shops. The downside for me was that there were area's where it smelled like people had used the walls and pavements as toilets. Also, as someone who had never been there before, I needed to see the road signs. I couldn't see them clearly because the tree's needed a good trim!

Bram got all excited because Folkestone is where the Salvation Army musical Glory is based. So he was able to see first hand the area's that Glory tells of. I admit that I was a little bit interested as well, but didn't let on. Today we seemed to be more interested in the SA history in Folkestone. We pass the site of the first SA hostel weekly. (Bram passes it everyday) We are members of the oldest existing Corps in the world, and both enter the hall almost daily. I guess the excitement of this has worn off now after 2 years of being here. For me now, the excitement is that we average around 50 worshippers on Sunday mornings. God has been good. I was given the opportunity to lead worship yesterday for these 50 people. I pray that I didn't let God down. We can look back, but it is equally as important to look around now, and look forward to the future.

Sound Advice

I was at our divisional International Praise event on Saturday. The speaker invited an Officer from Nigeria to come and tell of his experiences in Nigeria. This officer has commenced around 50 corps in Nigeria. Most of the corps that he started were in area's that have got a big Muslim population. He told us that in each area, he identified a need, which was that a school was needed. So he set up schools. This led to him being able to commence churches. The Speaker invited the man to tell us what the key is to working in these communities. All the Officer said was that it is about relationships. During my time here I have noticed that building relationships is at the heart of our church. I realised today that I have created some good relationships with breakfast club people. I pray that because of our example to these people they will come to know Jesus, the reason for our work.

My Week

I apologise for my lack of blogging this week. It has been a boring week really with not much happening, only college preperations. I guess my time between now and September will be filled with that. It's a small price to pay for a lifetime of service.

My car has got a flat tyre, and I only got it last November. I can't remember driving up any kerbs or anything. Good job I've got a spare whhel in the boot. Only problem is that I don't know how to fit one, and it's rained everytime I've thought about changing the wheel!

Sorry, but that is the most interesting thing I can come up with for now. Oh yeah, my brother's wife was due to give birth a week last Friday and the baby still hasn't arrived. I wonder if it is scared of the prospect of having Bram and myself as Uncle and Aunty!

Thanks to whatcar.com for the lovely pic of a Perodua Kelisa. I own one of these, and it is my pride and joy!

Fundraising

I received some information regarding my going into College in September. I have got a set amount of money that I need to raise. I am going to be trying to sell some items on e-bay to help raise funds. I have never sold anything on this site before, and hope that I don't need to sell too much stuff to get the specified amount, but that is just me being lazy!

I'm not worried about this, because God has provided financially in the past, and I know that He will do it again. More updates on the items being sold as they go on sale.

He's One Of Us

I had an interesting conversation on the way to church this morning with one of the clients from the detox centre. We were walking along when a man came walking towards us. One of the clients recognised this man as someone who comes to our church. He was making comments about he should be in church and things, and I replied that this man "was one of us". The man that I said was one of us has Schizophrenia and looks unkept, but all the same, I was proud to say that he was one of our church. I am proud to say that I do not belong to a 'designer church' with everyone who attends being people who are easy to talk to, but just by being here I get a glimpse of heaven.

Jesus

These are all images of what different people think that Jesus looks like. I was thinking about these recently and wondered whether we would recognise Jesus when we get to heaven. I think we would. I was having a conversation with Bram about this and he says that I would even know my Great, Great Grandma there. I just hope that Jesus doesn't say that he doesn't know me.

What God has said to me this week

The lessons that I have learnt this week are

1. People matter
2. I need to keep up a daily quiet time with a Bible reading and a devotional.

How I have been taught this.

1. I have had an insightful conversation with someone who quite regularly comes into our centre this week. From this conversation I have learnt a lot about this person. He is now a person to me and not just someone who prefers to spend his money on alcohol instead of buying food. This came about because I was chatting with Victor who regularly comes into our centre, and the other person came in. Victor told me that this person plays the flute, and this opened up an amazing conversation about music, commitment, and the fact he is ashamed because he doesn’t have a job. I think that this also teaches me to not be so cynical about people.
2. I will be honest and say that I find it difficult to set aside time for devotions. I realise that if I don’t do this, then God will not be able to teach me new things, and I will be stuck for sermon idea’s and things.

Roots Thoughts

Why was God more audible at Roots?

I've been thinking this through today after reading various people's accounts of their experiences at Roots and have two theories.

1. We don't get to hear the big name preachers all the time.
2. People are more relaxed at Roots because they don't have to worry about getting their equipment ready for the start of the meeting, and then concentrate on the part that they have to play during the meeting.
2a. People are more relaxed because they are not around people they know.

I'm not picking on Roots only, and I have been to Roots, but my experience of it was that it was all a bit of an anti climax in that I was never able to do anything with the new found enthusiasm in my corps. I was saved at a big Army holiday so I do understand the importance of having these events, but maybe there should be a follow up programme for people so that their experience of God in a major way is ongoing.

Just a thought or two.

In addition to the earlier post

I feel that I should add to my previous post by saying that I am not obsessed with bodily functions. I was merely trying to say (not very well) that I have been challenged by the position that people put Officers in. They have preconceived ideas of what they should do or say, and I hope that I live my life as God wants me to, not how people think I should.

Officers and bodily functions

Had a silly conversation with my Mum that finished by me saying that if I sat on her head I'd trump on it! For those who aren't familiar with the word trump, I mean break wind, or I've heard it described as a bottom burp. Anyway, back to the conversation. My Mum was shocked that I said I'd trump on her. She then commented that future Officers, or serving Officers shouldn't talk about trumping!!!! Every time I mention the conversation to Bram he kind of blanks me so my Mum might be right. Does this mean in September and afterwards I'm never going to be able to tell someone I'll trump on their head???? Is that what holiness is about??? I'm getting worried here.