Manchester

Having a nice couple of days over here with Lins visiting Stefan in Manchester. Nice to connect souls again with my best mate and her about his travels in Japan and Thailand. We took Lins out for a birthday tea last night and we got this ice-cream thing with a sparkler in it (which really was an excuse for a birthday cake!!), while singing happy birthday to her...good times!!

It's been brilliant just trying to switch of and de-tox my mind if you know what I mean!! I saying 'trying' because to be honest I have learnt that I find this really difficult. I have found that my mind attaches itself to things so easily. Stuff about the past, stuff about the future and the result is that it can rob me of entering into the fulness of life in the present. Phil said to me a couple of weeks ago that often my greatest strength (which is my ability to strategise and analyse things to their death!!) can become my greatest weakness. He's right and I am seeking how to ensure it does not happen.

Heading home tonight.

London!!

Sitting in a youth hostel here in london tonight...it's awful!! Definitly not the nicest place I have stayed. In saying that I have loved chilling out round London today, walking through Hyde Park this morning with my good mate Adrian, then around Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. Of course this was all squeezed in round being part of the International Leaders Gathering for 24-7 prayer. Was a privilege to be there and here stories of how God is moving in wild ways all across the globe as people who are desperate for God are connecting with His heart. Inspired with lots of ideas that has got my mind racing, which is the last thing I need on a week off!!

Heading up to Manchester on the train tomorrow to see Stefan. Lins flying over in the morning to meet up. It's her birthday on Tuesday, so we taking a few days out.

Better get some sleep in this 8-person dorm!! It's a nightmare!

P.S. the train to Manchester from London costs 56 quid!! How much of a rip off?!! Can't believe it!

DISSERTATION IS NOW COMPLETE!!

Well guys, there it is - my dissertation is handed in eventually and I want to shout it from the rooftops!! All twenty thousand words of it and more is now in the hands of some intellectual genius who will probably now tell me that I should have spent a lot longer at it. I went to bed on thursday night at half 6 on friday morning, if ya know what I mean, got up again at 9 and worked all day. Thanks to Veronica I got it bound and was handing it in at half 4 yesterday afternoon, only half an hour past the deadline!!

Running on adrenaline I went to youth last night as we kicked of another season and I was blown away by the numbers!! There was almost 100 kids there and it completely humbled me about what God is doing, because I have been so busy this summmer, that I have really have got little planning and to be honset little praying done for it. Looking forward to the next year as we explore Jesus and what He meant when He said 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.'

Heading to London tonight to catch up with the 24/7 leaders gathering tomorrow and then getting the train up to Manchester to spend three days with Lins, visiting Stefan. Looking forward to the break.

Not blogging much at the minute as I am trying to get my dissertation finished before my deadline on Monday. Up to 3 in the morning trying to make some sense of it. Waiting on feedback from Patton my tutor today and if it positive then i just have my Introduction and conclusion to write. It is going to be tight!! Interesting subject, 'Alternative community in the Old Testament' - maybe I will tell you about it sometime!!

Spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings down at Castlewellan Castle taking the Queens pre-term. Nice to get to meet all the freshers for this year and some of the committee who are fantastic people. Reminded me about how exciting but daunting a time of life it can be for would-be students. It also made me think though about how important a time of life it is as well - how you are shaped and conditioned in so many ways at university. So my prayer is for all the uni students that God would be with you and that you might find Him in new and exciting places at your time in university.

As for me now its back to trying to get my dissertation finished for the deadline next friday. Help!!!

Had another couple of really busy days. Was helping out with some training for the 24-7 year team with the Methodist church. Really exciting that 2 girls from the Methodist church are taking a year out to encourage the Methodist churches in Ireland in prayer.

Spent this morning down at Ballynihinch Baptist, with Dave Dunlop and the guys, looking at vision casting with our youth programmes. Was great to hang out with those guys and explore our respective youth ministries together.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in a planning meeting for an event we are going for next March. We are bringing HELIX together with an event some guys in Dublin have been running for the past few years called ELEVATE. Was great to meet the Dublin guys and have a palpable sense of excitment about doing something amazing for God in our nation amongst our generation. More on this to follow.

All in all, exciting stuff happening all round and a privelge to be part of it. The night was topped of well by heading out for tea with Lisa who is 27 today. Happy Birthday Lisa!!