We have fantastic neighbours. When we were away in Portugal recently, our neighbours not only looked after the house for us, but pressure washed the patio. Looked brilliant when we returned. Even better, they cut the front lawn for us.
Just one tiny snag. Last year, we dug up the front flower border edging the lawn, planted some daffodil bulbs, and sowed grass seed over them. As we went on holiday at the end of February, some of the daffodils had emerged through the grass, but others had only just begun to venture forth.
When we returned, there were tiny, headless stalks tremulously growing through the lawn.
Oh well. You win some, you lose some. It was lovely to have the grass cut.
Ah, but the story hasn’t finished yet. This week, I noticed that the tips of some of the headless stalks looked as if they had a blob of yellow on them. Upon closer inspection, there were tiny flowers blossoming straight from the damaged stalks!
I am amazed. How’s that for resurrection? I think we’ve managed to grow an entirely new sort of miniature daffodil, which we’ll call an Arnold…
Yes, they may have been the last words of Jesus on the cross, but they also apply to my third novel. Finished writing this afternoon! It feels like a great relief, except that now I have the really hard work of editing and proof reading.
I proof read from the back forwards. It’s quite a good tip, as you don’t skip over those tiny words that you often miss when you read through. At least, that’s the theory. Actually, I think you just have to go over it again and again, until you’re completely satisfied (does that ever happen with an author?)
Anyway, rejoice with me, all you who venture here – and thank you, all those of you who have commented on my blog. I’m now off to read yours…
The course is going well, and I have relaxed! Having been out of full-time ministry for over a year, I was feeling quite anxious about whether I was up to this task of facilitating a small group, but they’re all really nice people and very responsive, so they make it easy for me.
The weather yesterday was superb, warm and sunny, so I decided to go for a walk in the afternoon, when we have two hours free. I carefully checked the large map on the wall in Reception and mentally noted what looked like a good footpath which would provide a circular route across country and back here.
Oops! I should have remembered that I am severely directionally-challenged! I found said footpath, walked for miles – probably about four – found I was on a road in another parish and had no idea which way to turn.
So I decided to knock on the door of the next house I saw (there weren’t many.) Eventually I came upon a farmhouse, knocked and banged (no bell – this is Norfolk!) to no avail. I peered through the windows and saw a Zimmer frame, wheelchair and crutches, at which point I gave up and started to walk away.
But there is a God after all, for at that moment a small car turned into the farmhouse drive. I told the driver I was hopelessly lost, and asked for directions, which he gave me.
“Down here, straight across the crossroads to the Bungay roundabout. Then turn right, walk back to Ditchingham…”
I thanked him and set off again, somewhat worried by now as I had half an hour to get back.
A few steps down the road and I heard another car behind me (hadn’t seen any all afternoon. This is bow-and-arrow country) I stood to one side, but the driver stopped. It was the same young man, in a different car.
“Where did you say you were going?”
“The conference centre at Ditchingham. It’s where the convent is.”
“Hmm. It’s a long way. Do you want to jump in?”
I was in that car like a flash of blue lightning. The driver worked in Norwich for a large garage, and had been returning a car to its owner at the farmhouse.
He dropped me in the village after a four mile drive, I walked back to the centre and arrived on the dot of four o’clock, just as the lecture was about to start.
How’s that for evidence that God really is at work in our little worlds?
Today Ed and I walked to church in weak Spring sunshine, listening to the song of the birds (they’re getting very frisky now) and looking at all the Spring flowers, which are now coming out in some profusion. Lovely to see all the changes each time we walk.
Tomorrow I move into a different world, a clergy world. The Clergy Leadership Programme is designed for clergy who are perhaps in the midpoint of their ministry, and is an opportunity for them to reflect on where they are now and where they hope to go in the future.
Much of the work will be in small groups, and I shall be responsible for a group of four clergy, hopefully facilitating their thoughts and discussions.
I hope it will be fun (can’t be doing with too much seriousness, never could) but I know it will be a rarefied atmosphere. Can’t be anything else, with a group of around 25 clergy all together for a week.
I expect to find it both interesting and stimulating, but I know I’m going to miss home, and shall be longing to see Ed again by next Friday.
I’m told there’s WiFi broadband throughout the conference centre (that’s a first, for the Church of England) so I’m hoping to be able blog at least once.
I’ll keep you posted!
Isn’t it funny how long it takes to settle down after a break away? Or is it just me?
Mind you, the weather has been horrible – grey, damp and depressing – since we returned. What a contrast to Portugal, where even though it was overcast at times, it was still warm!
Our friend put his photos online today – I want to go back to the azure skies and sea, golden sands and sunshine.
Instead, today I played the worst game of golf ever. I was cold and damp (the weather) and couldn’t hit a thing. Ended up with an horrendous score, and couldn’t wait to get back to the bar and some warmth.
Never mind. No golf next week as I shall be away again, Monday to Friday, this time on official business for the diocese. They’re pulling me out of retirement to be one of the group facilitators on the Clergy leadership Programme, a residential course for a week now, and another week ion October.
Not really sure I want to go, but I expect I’ll enjoy it when I get there.
And then it’ll take me another week to settle down again…