Today is a day off before we head off on tour. So basically getting as much sleep as possible, doing lots of washing and packing and making sure I’m ready for 3 weeks on the road!

We are setting off tomorrow and driving up to Selby to Keel’s house where we will be eating and having fireworks (yay!!) and staying the night to shorten the journey. Then Sunday we’re off up to Oban in Scotland. Our van can only go 56miles an hour so we’re expecting it to take the best part of 8hours.

This tour is a week in Oban, a week in Hawick and a week in Bradford. Its gonna be really good but we really need your prayers!! Its going to be intense and tiring so please pray for energy and that we don’t get grumpy with each other! The week in Oban looks a bit different to how we usually do things but lots of opportunities to share testimony and Christian views on topics. Pray for us as we speak to the kids, for the right words to say that are helpful, and that we don’t get tempted to try and argue our point!

So…here we go! 4 weeks of rehearsals and preparations and now we hit the road. Heading to Grantham for 2 School’s Weeks.

I’m quite excited…also a little scared! I’m desperately trying to think if there is anything I have forgotten, or should have done that I didn’t even realise I should have done. Hmmm! Have done my packing and somehow the mountain of clothes on my bed has gone into my case with room to spare…It’s a bit worrying!

I shall try and keep you updated with whats happening as and when I can. Just pray for us! My prayer is that we all gel together as a team and can be the best shining lights possible and that we won’t waste any opportunities to chat with the young people. We are going to be busy so the temptation will be to retreat to quiet during breaktimes and lunchtimes but actually these are the most valuable times to really get to know the young people!

Have a look at a few photos from our photoshoot on the CIO Team page.

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It’s 9.15pm and all of us except Keel and La Roche are staying in the same place. Me and Becca are sharing a room. We’re just unpacking and sorting ourselves out. This week we are in Ambergate Sports College (for pupils with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs), in at 8am tomorrow to set up. We are only seeing 61 pupils all week but have a full timetable so we get to see everyone lots which is good! Tomorrow we are seeing Year 8 and 9 for a Values Lesson, some speed dating (don’t worry…!), a music lesson and a lesson on Friendship. Must get an early night!

So the past week has seen me going to the airport to meet Lois back from Peru (hurrah!!), buying a tent, putting up the tent, Maddie weeing in the tent, an incredible lunch at Joyce’s and much line learning and rehearsing with the legend that is Mr Andrew Dimon.

Today I met Lois in Chelmsford and we did a bit of shopping but mostly chatted which was so nice. I have missed our girly chats, laughs and our habit of thinking and saying exactly the same thing at the same time. It’s great to have you back Lois, you bring a smile to my face. And thanks for my birthday present and my hat!! Photos to come if you’re lucky.

Tonight has been packing. Packing for camping. Such a headache! I have now given up and will finish in the morning. So much stuff to think about and who knows what the weather will do. I’m not a camper. I like my luxuries. I’m kind of excited, kind of dreading it. I don’t like bugs and i absolutely hate getting wet. I’m really hoping it’s going to be better than i’m expecting. But all that will be far outweighed by the great time we’ll have getting to know the kids and seeing what God is going to do.

Off up north we go!