Preparing for Christmas

We are almost half way through Advent, that is shocking to me because I haven't even got an advent calendar! I'm blaming Fred for making me so dis-organised. I do somehow have all my Christmas gifts prepared (yes I am gloating a little).

Advent is important to me and many other Christians because it reminds us to prepare spiritually for Jesus coming to earth again, it is also lovely that it ties in with the run up to the celebration of Christ's birth. 

Advent for me is an essential part of Christmas, without advent and the reminder that we are living in expectation of what is to come, Christmas becomes a hollow, food and drink fueled present fest. 

Don't get me wrong I LOVE food (especially Christmas food, Christmas Cake is so good! I can eat a ton of Marzipan and roasted vegetables though not together), drink (sadly I won't be able to drink much this year because of breast feeding but I am going to have a couple of glasses of mulled wine - the drink of Christmas Champions) and presents (I LOVE opening presents! and giving presents, it makes me happy). But Christmas is much MUCH better when it has meaning, and is less self centered.

My Husband, Jamie, for every day of Advent is tweeting a way that we can prepare for and celebrate Christmas that is less selfish and will bless others; because realigning ourselves with God and his plan for us means we are more concerned about being a blessing to other people; over and above our own personal gain. 

You can follow his tweets with the Hash tag #ChristmasRhythms or you can check out the Tearfund Rhythms website. HERE As well as Jamie's tweets they have many ideas of ways to make Christmas more special and less consumer driven. All good things if you ask me.

I don't often do serious posts. but so many bloggers are blogging about gift ideas and festive makes and I don't feel I have anything to add to that strand of conversation. I feel so often we get wrapped up in the physical preparations that we forget to stop and remember what its all about.

Thanks for reading. Just because no blog post is complete with a photo of Fred here is the two of us in our accidentally matching Christmas outfits. (I was very embarrassed)

Just not feeling it...

I have a problem, must definitely a first world problem, but it is troubling all the same...

It doesn't feel like Christmas!!!

I am one of those terribly annoying people that gets really excited about Christmas, the presents, the carols, the worshipping and celebrating the most life changing event in human history.

But this year I am not feeling it, I can't seem to 'get in the spirit'.  Maybe this is what being a 'proper' adult feels like -not getting over excited about good and definitely exciting things. I always felt that the defining 'proper adult' thing would be not wanting to lick the bowl and spoon after making a cake. (I still do that, yes, every time and NO I have never been ill because of it, raw eggs- shmeggs)

I have decided I am not ready to not get excited about exciting things - such as Christmas - so to help me, (and you if you are feeling the same way) here are some awesome videos I found through facebook and youtube) 

This one is HILARIOUS

 Linus says it best

Christmas in a nutshell

Through finding these videos I realised that I have been wanting the wrong thing, I wanted that fuzzy excitement about presents, spending time with family and friends, good food and singing nice songs but really the thing I should be excited about is the ever present reality of Jesus and the impact he has had on my life and the world. Without Him, everything would be different. The excitement of Advent should be that we are ever waiting expectantly and excitedly for His return. Now that is exciting! (and a bit scary)

I didn't realise I was going to say all that. God convicted me as I typed, wanting the excitement of Christmas is not what it is about.

For us Christmas is going to be very different this year, we won't be seeing our families, giving presents, or having a traditional Christmas dinner. We will be in Cambodia with our friends swimming in a hotel pool but the meaning of Chritmas is the same wherever we are.

#ThankfulThursday The Church of England

As I am sure most of you are aware, this has been a turbulent and trying week for the Church of England. I am not going to pretend I know the exact ins and outs of what went on in synod and the reasons behind why the vote went the way it did. But I do know that many of my non-Christian friends and colleagues think much less of the church and Christianity as a result.

The debate around allowing Female Bishops has been escalating for many years and it reached its climax at 5pm on Tuesday. It followed a day of speeches from many bishops, clergy, theologians and lay people who all felt strongly one way or another. I personally have never been too wrapped up in the debate for a couple of reasons...(I am going to be completely honest here)1. It didn't really affect me (the worst reason EVER) 2. I didn't necessarily understand myself as attached to the Church of England per se. I say didn't because my reaction and heartfelt sadness on hearing the result of the vote has made me realise otherwise.

I believe women should be 'allowed' to be Bishops for a number of reasons. But right now another debate is the last thing we need. What is important is that we remember and celebrate all of  the good in the Church and strive to love each other and show all of the fantastic vicars who happen to be female that we love, respect and value their work. (I previously wrote about the great institution that is the church here.)

This is a great blog post reminding people of the good things the church has done and is doing >> http://www.eauk.org/church/stories/10-great-things-about-the-church-of-england.cfm

 If you are interested in further reading this is a great and thoughtful response to Tuesdays events >> http://godandpoliticsuk.org/2012/11/20/women-bishops-an-honest-reflection/

Today I am Thankful for the Church.

#ThankfulThursday Rainbows

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow

Today I am thankful for Rainbows because as I was driving home today marveling at the rain falling from a bright sky I re-realised how extravagant our God is.

God did not have to make creation beautiful, He could just have made it functional, The sun and the rain are necessary for the life cycle of EVERYTHING. God not only came up with that awesome self renewing cyclical system, He made it that water and the composition of light are just so that when they interact in a specific manor, prism dispersion occurs causing a rainbow or two.

That is the nature of our awesome and extravagant God.

We are going to Cambodia!

We have just booked our tickets so it is official... 

We are going to Cambodia!

Our friends Jane and Greg are living just outside Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, for a year.

(I didn't take this photo I borrowed it from facebook)

They are awesome people who among other things have taught us to appreciate board games. (we are geeks and we love it)

They are in Cambodia working for a church and helping to teach English to enable people to get better paid jobs and to help them change their situations.

Amazingly we have the opportunity to visit them.

Neither I or Jamie have ever visited such a different culture, flown so far, had to buy a visa to gain entry to a country, spent Christmas abroad or dealt with the sorts of weather that is normal in Cambodia.

It may be a bit of a culture shock which is why I am so glad we are able to visit Jane and Greg, rather than travelling completely independently. 

We will be spending the first half of our time Living in Jane and Greg's apartment and helping out in the centre. (I have never successfully taught anyone anything so I am a little nervous about attempting to teach English)

And then we are going to go exploring a little further afield.

We are fortunate that Jane and Greg are able to have a weeks holiday whilst we are there.

We aren't exactly sure of our itinerary, to some extent we are going to go with the flow. 

I am beyond excited.

James and Hannah's Wedding

It was a lovely day filled with friends, chats, dancing and good food. 

The service was filled with Worship and God's awesome teaching.

 

For the whole day there was a great relaxed and celebratory atmosphere, exactly right for a wedding of two such welcoming and loving people.

I was so proud of my best man (I know... I have just made myself feel ill)

  Jamie and Dave were the best men and they did a great job, they had a lot of organising, guiding and herding of people (although it could have been cows as the reception was in a barn on a dairy farm) to do and they did it well!

Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of Dave, he was rushing around too much.

Dinner was great I managed to sit with some awesome people and great Friends

 James' speech was brilliantly funny and loving

As I said a lovely day!

Our wedding Day

 I hope you don't mind my indulgent nature in wanting to share some of our memories form our wedding day. We had an amazing day surrounded by so many people we love and we were able to worship and thank God for the wonderful gifts he has given us in each other, family and friends.

It was a cold and windy day there were a couple of dramas and my hair got battered in the wind. But I wouldn't change anything!

There are so many bits to every wedding so I am going to spilt it up a bit in to a few posts. I'm starting with the church and group shots...

 Our proud parents

 

I absolutely love the big group photographs! they look great as a whole but are also a bit like Wheres Wally? because they are loads of different stories and scenarios within them. 

Look out for my mum looking lost on the edge, and try to count how many people are being distracted.

 Its fun.

It Rained. 

For some reason I haven't seen that umbrella or my pashmina since, it is still a mystery...

My family...

Love this check out Arianne's dubious face!

But they did manage it!

30 before 30 reading the whole Bible

As I said in my original 30 before 30 post, I have already read the whole Bible a couple of times. But I have never read it in any specific order. In the past I have written a list of all the books of the Bible and crossed them off when I have read them, or started at the beginning and tried to read as far as I could without getting absolutely mind numbingly bored in Numbers or Deuteronomy. During my degree I read a few parts in great depth, but i have never really followed some sort of logical plan or scheme. 
Until now.

 In 2009 when at Soul Survivor with Jamie's youth group, I bought a Bible in One year. I started reading it on the first of September as instructed with great intentions to keep up and read the whole Bible within the year. I didn't, I couldn't cope with the pressure I put on myself to read large passages every day, when sometimes I would be too tired or hugely rushed to have enough time to read it all that day. So I gave up.

 I picked it up again from where I left off this year. As I was already well out of date, the pressure was relieved and I read at my leisure.

 It has been great I can really recommend it. I have noticed things I haven't before, and have been able to soak up more of the realities of God's gracious nature by reading a passage from the Old testament and a passage from the New testament next to each other every day. (People in the Old Testament messed up A LOT!) Also it is mind blowing to read the Prophecies that refer to Jesus and give great detail about what he will be like, and what he will do, along side the Passages where they are being fulfilled!

I am about three quarters of the way through my Bible in one year now. I will be writing some of my further reflections and personal revelations on here so I can always come back to them and compare them with my future musings.

Spring Harvest

We got back from Spring Harvest on Tuesday evening,
 so I have had a few days to take in what we heard and process it.

 

 I have always loved the large gathering at events like spring harvest it is so moving to come together with so many other people to worship God.

The theme of the week was 'Church Actually', focusing on the amazing institutions and groups that are church. We learnt that the second largest welfare provider (second only to the government) in the UK is the church. and many other amazing facts about how the church as a whole has changed the face of our country and the world. The abolition of the slave trade is just one massively positive thing to come from Christians being inspired by God to step up and refuse to put up with things the way they are. 

For more facts about the church check out The Evangelical Alliance webpage.

So as well as being encouraged by things the church has done and is doing the speakers challenged us to look forward and most importantly to work together to further help those in need, to stand up for those without a voice and to give more and more people the opportunity to meet with Jesus for themselves.

I am saddened by the huge amount of people who know the Church as a place of division, disagreement, conflict and sometimes hate. Just because we believe slightly different things relating to how we live our lives of faith day to day. 

I believe that if we all sought to know God, to follow him and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, any disagreements that remained would seem insignificant because we would be looking to the one who is greater. 

Not arguing about who has the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth! 

 I'm not naive I know the deep seated disagreements and conflicts aren't small to those involved in them. I find it really hard to work with people who believe certain things. I have deliberately not mentioned them. (as a side note some of the most wonderful people in my life believe some things I find hard to accept, but I also know they love God and only want to do their best to serve Him, so we get on with it.)

One of the evening speakers at Spring harvest was Rev Les Issac the founder and CEO of Street Pastors. If you don't know about street pastors look here.

Street Pastors is a great and growing organisation that actively and practically ministers to drunk people on the streets of our cities. He shared some of the Joy he has had in working with people from every sort of church and seeing them work effectively together when they are on duty. 

But he also shared his frustration in the narrow mindedness of some people. The example that stuck with me was of a church leader who's congregation are really involved in street pastors, saying to him 'If the pope officially endorses Street Pastors our church will no longer be involved' - What actual difference to the work of Street pastors will the pope be making - None.

The sad thing is I can believe it.

This has to change. 

If we spend all day chasing our tail whilst the rest of the world gets on with it we (the Church) will be up that creek without a paddle.

I am so glad we aren't in this alone.

 If God wasn't in charge we would have combusted hundreds of years ago. 

If we would let God take full charge who knows what more amazing things would we have achieved!

Becnicks Wonder Emporium

First a quick update, the spare room has worked really well! Jamie's parentals slept in it and i stayed in my bed! We had a good time, we went for a couple of good days out, we went to the Museum of Science and Industry it was great especially because it is the Easter holiday and there were people giving demonstrations etc. We also went on the now obligitary trip to Chirk Castle.

We are going to Spring Harvest today, I'm really not sure what to expect, many people who have been there say it will be fantastic. So hopefully I will have good things to report when I get back to you on Wednesday.
 

I am also looking forward to going clothes shopping next week! I think I have benefited from my Lenten fast  from buying clothes. Apart from saving money I have also been looking at my clothes differently and getting dressed has been a bit more of an adventure. Also because I haven't been buying in to the fashion culture as much my confidence has been greater, I'm not sure of the effect on my relationship with God because I am always working to be a better disciple and am hoping to become more like Christ as I live and grow, but a concerted effort to seek to walk closer to God will must be good!

So back to the post title! Becnicks Wonder Emporium is a wonderful vintage and retro shop, in Brooke street in Chester.

Unlike many vintage shops it is approachable and very reasonably priced.

 They also hold some great events.

 Needless to say I am a big fan!  

 This is probably my favourite display. I LOVE beautiful teacups!

 They have a great selection of clothes, house things, and bits and bobs. 

I could spend hours browsing!

I really like this frame with lovely butterflies.

 I'm hoping Jamie will have got me something like this for Easter - I'm not a huge fan of chocolate, but I am a fan of pretty things!

 I wish you many blessings for the Easter bank holiday weekend and I pray that over this special and massively important Christian holiday you may know and grow closer to Christ.

Chirk with the ladies

This weekend Myself, Luci, Rachel, Jen and Abbie had a weekend away in Chirk.

We stayed in Newhall a beautiful house owned by a lovely guy called Mark who we know through Church.

I took this photo of Newhall at about 6am Sunday morning. It was beautiful.

The weekend was about relaxing, laughing, baking, encouraging and drawing close to God.

 Rachel (or Shanners as we call her) made some awesome pancakes for breakfast on saturday. This was our digesting phase of the morning.

We walked to Chirk Castle and after having a look around the house we wandered around the garden and stopped for a photo shoot.

 I mentioned that we encourage each other, well we also like presents...

We bought presents for each other and wrapped up a huge pass the parcel. 

Abbie organised for each layer to contain a promise from God.

Needless to say it was really fun.

 

This is Jen, she is beautiful.

We also had a bake off, watched a film, chatted lots, ate really good food and saw lots of really cute new born lambs. 

Somehow I didn't take many photos, but you have to believe me the cakes were awesome!

I absolutely love spending time with these ladies they are all so special and have enriched my life greatly since I joined the house group nearly 4 years ago.