I spent a great weekend up in Norwich with Lois. I took the day off on Friday and travelled up by train (having booked tickets online earlier in February meant that the whole return journey only cost me £11.60!). Friday we wandered around Norwich a bit, went into the Cathedral which is gorgeous – I enjoy imagining may have been there in years gone by, worshipping the same awesome God we worship now. Lois lives 40mins walk from the centre so I was pretty wiped out by the time we got to hers! She lives with 4 other girls – I only met Claire and Naomi who were very lovely and welcoming! We later went and had a look round the campus at UEA where Lois is in her second year studying English Literature. Having not really been on a Uni campus before it was a very surreal experience! Like a whole little world of students!! It was nice to see where she is and walk around the lake in the grounds. Friday evening we enjoyed a girlie night in watching a film with a bottle of wine, crisps and Jaffa cakes! Just what I needed after a busy week!

On Saturday Lois, Claire and I braved the weather and took the train to Cromer. It was a bit grey and windy but we had a great time walking along the beach and then finding a little fish and chip restaurant. I love being by the sea – it’s always so calming and it’s one of the places that I feel closest to God. I really appreciated the time just to reflect a bit. In the evening we went to Lois’s local pub with Claire and Naomi for a chat which was really lovely.

Sunday I went to church with the girls – they go to Eternity Norwich (40mins walk in the opposite direction!). I love going to other churches to see how different people do things and to relax and worship God without anyone knowing who I am! I really enjoyed the service – didn’t agree with everything that was said, but I quite like that – gets me thinking about why I think what I think! After Church we went home and had Pizza, yum! We wandered to the park and discussed motorised scooters and nicknames! Was cold but sunny – lovely weather to be out in! My travel home was a little bit of a mission with replacement buses, but was home safe and sound by 9.30pm.

It was really lovely to see Lois and spend time chatting and being girlie! I really appreciated the break – being somewhere completely different, with different people and being able to relax. It was nice to take some time out of the normal schedule to reflect on what I’m doing and just get some space.

Today was a welcome day off! After a lie in and relaxed breakfast we headed to Cologne. First stop was a mahusive music shop with lots of instruments and techy stuff! We spent an hour looking round while Keel was dribbling over various sound equipment and I was enjoying watching all the pretty lights and smoke! We then followed Joy who had sat mav in hand to find the steak house by The Dom (cathedral). Fortunately there were some non beef options so Keel and I shared a platter of ribs, chicken, sweetcorn and wedges. It was very yummy! We then had the best part of 2 hours to explore. It was pretty grey and drizzley but still enjoyed wandering around. Went into the Dom which was huge and pretty. Walked down the the Rhine and then back to the shops. 4 H&Ms in a very short space of time! Went into the Lego shop which was very exciting-there was lots of Toy Story Lego including a giant Woody. Also Lego digital cameras and mp3 players! Got a double chocolate Dunkin Donut on the way back to the van and we sat in lots of traffic to get back to the hotel! Quick freshen up then to Hans (the guy we’re working with) for dinner. It’s his birthday today so got him a tray of Dunkin Donuts with a candle in. We ate pizza and chatted then headed back to our hotel as we’re leaving at 7.30 in the morning for some lessons in a school. Please pray for us!

This seems to be becoming a Christmas Tradition.

I started to feel a bit yuck Christmas Eve, then woke up with a sore throat on Christmas Day, then sniffles on Boxing Day, then the whole lot this morning.

It’s ok though, hasn’t affected the festive celebrations! Christmas Eve was busy getting everything done and visiting my nan in Braintree, then Christmas Day was Church in the morning and Sarah, Matt, Emi and Maddie came round for dinner and the afternoon. Boxing Day we went to see my nan in Ongar and today we’ve been to London to see the lights.

It’s been a good few days spending time with family. I quite enjoy the kind of days that only happen round Christmas…where it’s perfectly ok to sit down in the afternoon and watch TV and it’s fine to just eat all day long!

The next few days will be a bit busier, and then it’s up to Lowestoft on New Year’s Eve for a party and for Dan and Jen’s Wedding on the 2nd Jan. I can’t wait!

So I’ve been pretty rubbish at blogging lately…I hope to fill in the gaps as and when I have time!

Its Christmas Eve Eve…I’ve made gift tags but have run out of enthusiasm to wrap presents. Me and mum made mince pies and sausage rolls this morning, a true Christmas tradition. I then had an opticians appointment and am hopefully back on monthly lenses, but this is unlikely to be straightforward. Where my eyes are concerned it very rarely is! I spent the afternoon at my sisters. She went out to Freeport while Maddie and I made snowflakes and covered them in stickers, pom poms and glitter and stuck them on the windows. Emi was asleep and when she woke up she had some lunch and then we played together. It was Maddie’s birthday on Saturday (3!!) and I bought her a till from the Early Learning Centre. It’s actually amazing!! Properly calculates the cost and has chip and pin! We spent some time playing shops…I loved it!!

Christmas this year will be at home with Sarah, Matt, Maddie, Emi and bump coming round for dinner. We’ll see Russell, Becci, Chloe and Sam on the 30th. I’m looking forward to seeing people, watching Christmas TV and eating the sausage rolls I have made.

Was thinking today about the panic that leads up to Christmas. Braintree town centre today was packed and ridiculous. There’s just so much stuff that has to be done, traditions, presents to be bought and the pressure to have a good time. What is it that makes Christmas a good time? Why do we do it? What are we celebrating?

I’m remembering the incredible birth of Jesus. We all know the story, but it’s not just a story. It happened. And Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew into a man, transformed lives then, and now 2010ish years on is still transforming lives. Wow. That’s what I’m celebrating. And while all the frills that come with Christmas are nice and fun and I will enjoy it…it’s not the be all and end all. Maybe that takes the pressure off a bit.

I hope you all have a really lovely Christmas and enjoy spending time with the people that are important to you. Here’s to a fabulous 2010.

I now have a week off and it’s very strange! It’s great, but strange. Having spent 13 days with the team, being crazy busy it’s kind of an anticlimax feeling to then be without them!

Saturday was a lazy day, unpacking and sorting out my room. Went to the cinema with Lewis to see Up (it’s brilliant…totally recommend it!) and then caught a lift back to Braintree with him. Sunday I woke up at 12.30pm. I NEVER sleep that long! 13hours sleep! Clearly I was tired! Spent the day with Matt, Sarah, Maddie and Emi which was lovely. Monday morning I spent sorting out my stuff and then went to Sainsbury’s in Stanway with Mum. I bought a grey cardigan and a black jumper and introduced Mum to Vanilla Lattes. Had roast gammon for dinner, apple pie and custard….wonderful! Today I looked after Maddie and Emi while Sarah went for an ante-natal appointment; Jasmine, Joseph and Samuel came round - was so lovely to see them. Can’t leave it so long next time! Went to Pram Service with Sarah, Emi and Maddie in the afternoon. This is a Mums & Toddlers group at St Michael’s Church in Braintree. I used to go there when I was little and it still smells the same!! Amazing. It was really cute – they sing songs off an OHP and everything! Me and Mum made Toad in the Hole for dinner tonight and then watched Holby City…oh my goodness! Got to watch the second part tomorrow now!

I’m going back to Wickford on Thursday.