On a personal note ...

DID YOU KNOW ...

**  The O2 was built in 1999 and originally called the 'Millenium Dome'.
**  It has 12 supports that jut out from the ceiling which represent the 12 months of the year or the 12 hours on a clock face.
** The circular dome has a diameter of 365 metres, for the 365 days of the year.
** The viewing platform at the centre of the dome is 52 metres high to represent the 52 weeks of the year.

YES, I'm still cashing in on birthday gifts ... determined to just keep celebrating all year long :-)

Thanks Chris for this fabulous gift of a walk over the O2 roof.  The weather was just perfect.

So, how exactly am I supposed to get in to this harness??

This photo really doesn't show how steep parts of the walk are, other than the fact that you can see there's a sudden drop towards the end. The steepest incline is a 30 degree angle  ...  tough on the calves on the way up and tough on the knees on route down the final section.

Highly recommended!!!

Thought for the week ...

Summer BBQ

Another year ... and another BIG THANK YOU to Luke, Martha, Matilda & Alfie for hosting our summer BBQ.  Though the sun, sadly, didn't make much of an appearance.

Never mind, the company was great, the food was truly scrumptious and 'The Name Game' a big hit, yet again.

Oh, I do so love the acting round :-)

Towards the end of the afternoon it did get a tad chilly ... jackets were put on and others went in search of blankets.

Thought for the week ...

On a personal note ...

Suzie and Kate, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of your special day yesterday. It has been a tough year, but you've battled through and come out the other side. I believe your faith in God has played a big part in your journey and my prayer for you is that you will continue to grow as believers in the knowledge of His grace and mercy towards you. You both looked so beautiful. 

I like Saturdays

What a cracking way to begin my Saturday  ...  a scrumptious English breakfast and a great friend.

Thought for the week ...

On a personal note ...

I see my role as Medway Campus Chaplain as one who is called to 'come alongside' students and staff for a season. To walk with them on part of their journey, through both highs and lows. My hope is that along the way I am able to speak words of life, words of encouragement, words of truth. That those I meet will come to see that they are created in the image of God and truly loved. 

But to do all that I also need to care for myself. This is why I have regular 'well-being' days throughout the year and also why I take an annual retreat.  My faith, as a Christian, is central to who I am and, hopefully, influences and shapes my character, my words and my behaviour towards others.  

This past week I have had a wonderful break in a 14th century cottage in the stunning countryside of East Sussex.  Time to pray, time to read, time to re-energise, time to plan and prepare for the coming academic year.

As we give of ourselves in the service of God and in service to others, it is important, no, not important - vital - that we are daily being filled with the presence of God. That we feed on his Holy Word and soak ourselves in his presence, in order that we truly come to know and trust in his character and his promises.

I love my role, I love what God has called me to, but without the presence and the power of God it would all be empty and useless.