The end of my first year of pre-ordination training

So I haven't written for a while!

I finished in London on Sunday- I shared my testimony and some reflections on the last year in a lovely morning service. I was asked what reading I'd like for my leaving service, I chose John 15v1-17. For me the last 12 months has been a pruning time. Pruned from Lancaster and pruned theologically. When I begin to reflect on how much I've gained its huge amounts. It hasn't been easy but I hope it has been a fruitful time. It was a Communion Service, led by my supervisor Cathy Bird. There were 9 of us altogether and it was really special. We went out for lunch after worship. Then Mum and Dad arrived to meet me. I was rather tired as I hadn't gone to bed till 3am because we had an MCH gathering on Saturday night! Then I was up again at 7!
Finished packing (Mum and Dad had to bring a 4th suitcase!) and then headed for the station. There was rather a lot of luggage to say the least! Luckily one of my relatives was in London so brought 1 suitcase back! Thanks to David who helped us over to the station to load the luggage on! Then back to Cambridge by 5pm. Unfortunately then the task of unpacking began :(. Trying to find homes for everything is fun and am still finishing off now!

So am now home for the summer, this week I am having the week off. I saw Hazel and Hollie on Monday and will see them again on Friday. I also am hoping to get some summer work, next week, all being well. The weekend looks busy, am off to Sheringham with my home Church family on Saturday and we are having an extended family day on Sunday!
So its quite busy, but nice to be able to relax! As I've unpacked I have looked at all my books I want to read! So am hoping I might do some reading!

Last few days in London

Well, I am 3 1/2 days away from finishing my year in London. This week there have been several goodbyes already and people have been generous to me. I have some lovely flowers among other bits and pieces at present!
I have the Haven tomorrow and then just my farewell service on Sunday- after which we are going out for lunch.

The last week has been manic, I visited Queens last week which was great. It was great to see where I am going to be, everyone was really friendly and they seem to have really good resources as well! I am going to do an MA in Applied Theological Studies- which is exciting and scary. I have really missed study this year! Which has surprised me! So I will be moving to Birmingham in early September.

At the weekend I had my final Guy Chester weekend, which I was only there for on the Friday. Last week my Grandma (Dad's Mum) was 80 and there was a big family party on Saturday night. It also conincided with Dad's Birthday. It was a great night and to me really important to celebrate life! It was great to be able to be with family again! I will put a picture up at some point! The last song of the night was "You'll never walk alone." It seems to have become our family theme tune, it was played at my cousins wedding (An avid Liverpool fan!) just after Dad had finished his radiotherapy and Grandma said that those words were for him. So it gets a bit emotional now.

Then back to London on Sunday, yesterday it was nice to see Steve (my university chaplain) who was in London and then last night I had my final women's group. Today I finished my time at the Hospital. I plan on reflecting next week on some of the inspirations of the last year, so will write them here!

Steve asked me yesterday what are the two things I am going to take away from this year?! A good question- i've learn't so much but haven't processed it all yet! I do know that part of me this year has been learning to live with tensions. Whether it be the tension of living and working in the same place! The tensions between social work and Church, between Hospital chaplaincy and circuit ministry! The tension of also not always being able to do much, especially in hospital chaplaincy! I can pray, but physically I cannot relieve the pain, I cannot stop the person from dying. Its hard and there isn't much you can sometimes do apart from be alongisde. Which I guess is part of the incarnation. The tensions also of the Criminal justice system.

I am already starting to realise just how much I have gained- now I need some time to process!

Any way, need to get some rest! So will write again shortly!