Oh Yeah!

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Wednesday 5th August 2009
Citygroup was at Oh Yeah Centre, the venue we will be using from September and will be using when we launch. It was great to get to see it. It felt like home. Already we seem to be outgrowing Pizza Express which is great as we are unable to use that from September. I'm wondering how long until our Sunday service outgrows this venue.We discussed what would be happening from September onwards. There are few developments. I'm really excited to find out how this will impact the church.
We are starting to have Small Groups – not in the sense of a home/cell group but as an evangelistic tool. Activity based groups meeting fortnightly gathering like-minded people. An opportunity to find out what we are like – building relationships outside of the church. I'm having difficulty deciding which one I want to go to. There will be (at the moment) family based group, book club, film club, pool ladder and periodically a food/drink activity. I'd love to spend time learning to play pool as the last games I had I was so much better than I have been and beat the boys as well (I'm sure they were playing properly!). I'd like to do the book one but not if I have to read books over fortnight – not good at pressured reading! Film club – are the films going to be varied? I like films but don't get to see many so it'd be good to catch up on them. I'm going to have to ask the people running the group to get some answers to these questions. Hopefully that'll make it a bit easier to make a decision!
We were also told about the development of three-person-discipleship-groups. This is a great idea. I have got to the point where I need to get back into discipleship and this is a great idea. The groups can evolve as the church grows. I'm not sure this is set in stone but I'm happy with the provisional choice of group members I'm with. Trish, Charis and myself are one group. I had come to the peaceful realisation before coming to live here that Trish won't be discipling me as she'll have lots of other things to do. So to learn that we may be in a group together is great – must find out when I'll know this is a group.
I love the way the church is looking towards the bigger picture. It must be an easier route to only look at the immediate situation but if you start doing that it's difficult to change things. By having systems in place early on when we hit the growth these systems are established and will help develop and strengthen the church instead of isolating members.

Clearer Head

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Sunday 26th July 2009


On the way to meet up with the Dublin Church plant I had to write down some words which were crowding my head. I've had a sense of something developing over the last couple of days but haven't had the chance to put pen to paper. In the back of the car I started scribbling – not the best I've written, it's been over a year.

The Creator, our God, has call you to be His child
Nothing you can do to earn His love
Nothing you can do to stop Him loving you
Your hope is in Him alone because of His sacrifice,
giving His life so you can live.

It was good to meet up with people from the church plant. Some of them are from Chelmsford, Essex – my old stomping ground. I'm looking forward to see how our friendships develop.

Frankie Says ...

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Thursday 16th July 2009

Citygroup was last night (Redeemer Central weekly meeting) It's odd – I don't feel like the new person. I know I don't really know these people but that really doesn't matter. It was such a good meeting – great worship and a great time together.
I arranged to meet Kelly and Jules in the city today. My first adventure out – yay can get to the city by bus. Not that it's difficult but still an achievement!
I feel we were really blessed – on the way to the coffee shop we were offered a free frappé then we filled out a form which enabled us to have a free coffee. Great. It was good being able to spend time with the girls.
After Kelly left Jules and I headed off to Oxfam Vintage shop as we have an 80's party to go to tomorrow. It was great fun looking through what they had and trying on some things. I didn't want to spend too much. It was so strange looking at the clothes in Primark – 80's is definitely back in. Great clothes, still as colourful! (yes, I'm admitting I was there the first time round). I'm looking forward to seeing what the others have found.
One thing I'm enjoying is being able to spend time studying and as much time as I need/want to in prayer. I thought I'd make the most of the spare time I have while I can as I know when I'm at work I'll be tired again and a lot less time.
I love the way I start praying for things and then go off on a tangent – something I hadn't even thought about. That's why it's good keeping a journal to see where the Holy Spirit leads the prayers.

It's My Party And I'll ...

Sunday 12th July 2009

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My last week in Norfolk has been manic with a big “M”. I really don't know how it managed to come together, but it has. Late nights and early mornings have helped as well as people from Small Group. I know a few of you have felt you should have done more but the help you gave has been an amazing help. Thank you for taking things to charity shops, to the tip, feeding me, helping me clean and being a huge emotional support.

I want to say a special thank you to Sarah – I couldn't have got through my birthday without your help. I would have crumbled under the last day of pressure. You kept lifting me each time I dropped. I was exhausted – physically and mentally and still had a hill to climb. I kept praying for more strength and it kept being given.
I was late to my leaving party.

I had been joking in the week that I may not be able to make it. I didn't realise how near that was. I was pleasantly surprised how many people came. It was great to see them. When clearing my kitchen I found a half-bottle of Port and thought I'd take it with me to have. I had only had a sandwich and the drink went straight to my head. Ooops. The evening went really quick. I had invited lots of people and some didn't come which was a shame. It would have been good to spend some quality time with people as I felt I haven't done that since I've been back (well, I have with some of you but not all).

It was difficult to spend time with people at my party. I was exhausted and once I sat down people were chatting. I didn't manage to eat much. There was plenty left over which was taken to a barbeque tonight (glad it was put to good use).

I was going to go to my party and continue to tidy up then be picked up to go to the airport. Thankfully Sarah offered more help to finish off the last few bits after I'd gone. Phew. I'm never going to repeat that again – having my leaving do on the last day before moving. Not the best idea I've had but it was also my birthday and always like to have people around.

Up early this morning – was it 5am? I think so. I had arranged to meet my brother at Stansted to see him before I leave. We both were there later than planned and only had about 5/10 minutes to chat. I felt bad it wasn't longer as they'd been at the Casino the night before but it was great to see him before I went. I know it's only a short flight away but why not meet up while we still had the chance.
I cannot believe I've brought 2 suitcases and posted 2 boxes of paperwork and some clothes. I cannot believe I only have one more suitcase of clothes to bring over – and alot of that space is shoes/boots and coats. Wow, talk about cutting down on my clothes. 3 wardrobes into 2 suitcases.

It feels great to be in Belfast although at the moment it feels like I'm on holiday which is great for now after the busy few weeks I had.

I had a lovely birthday meal with a cake and candles – when was the last time someone had done that for me? Some of the church plant had come over which was good to see them. Such a laugh.

The church plant aren't meeting on a Sunday yet in an official capacity but we meet up and at the moment are going to different churches and have lunch together. The church we went to today I felt very restricted and restrained – very odd feeling not being able to worship freely.

Lunch was great – good opportunity to spend a bit more time with people. They are such a great group. I'm going to enjoy getting to know them and spend more time with them.

Step By Step

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Friday 26th June 2009
What an amazing couple of days I've had. I've been blown away.

I have been blessed again. I needed to buy some paint to start decorating earlier in the week and was trying to find the cheapest shop as I didn't have much money. I looked on the mat at the front door – there was an envelope with money in (enough money to get paint and to buy some decent food). Thank You Lord Jesus for your provision and perfect timing. I ask You to bless the mystery giver(s).
I rang Steggles-Larner, a letting agency a couple of my friends are using, earlier in the week and had Chris Larner come round yesterday lunchtime. I explained I had more cleaning, tidying and decorating to do but wanted to know what else I'd need to do to let ou the house. I explained I was going on 11^th July and understand it may take a while to find someone. I instructed him to act as agents – I've made a commitment to get things done by then – was that a good idea? Only time will tell.

I slept well that night – having painted most of the living room. I got up the next morning and continued. I figured out that if I could finish downstairs on the Friday upstairs would have to be done over the weekend and I can start packing things up then. It's going to be tight and may mean not much sleep but I've got to do it.
At lunchtime on Friday Steggles-Larner called to say the family really liked the house and want to rent it. Wow, I'm amazed. It gets better. They realised I had lots of decorating to do and wondered if I would reduce the rent for 2 months to enable them to buy paint and decorate to their colours. I think I said Yes before she had even finished speaking. Such a blessing. Such a weight off my mind. The next thing on the list was working out how to get cheap carpets as the one's down are quite dirty. Do I try to get someone to clean or buy new to start with? Not sure I have the money to get new ones but will have to find it somewhere. I'm running out of time. I could feel myself starting to get stressed so turned to prayer again – just a quick one.
Then the phone rang – it was Steggles-Larner again saying they'd arrange to get the carpets cleaned and check the house is clean prior to them moving in. Of course, not doing it free of charge but at least it's something less for me. Not that I'm going to leave it dirty but if I run out of time it's not a problem.
Hallelujah – my expectation for prayers being answered is rising again. It's making me want to stop all work and just pray and pray and pray.
At around 2pm Thursday after I had a phone call requesting a viewing that evening. I said yes as long as they can see past the work I'm in the middle of. They came round about 6pm. I was a little stressed but had the feeling this was a God-incidence – God was working in this viewing. I was trying hard not to get too excited about this because they may not make a decision for a couple of weeks.

Flying Out The House

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Thursday 18th June 2009
What a lot of bargains on ebay lately. I've put quite a few larger items of furniture on ebay for bargain prices. Some items went at the ridiculously low prices I entered them on while others were having a battle with a few other members. I got more than I thought for them. The items are slowly being collected. My biggest worry about the prices being so low was that a shop would buy them and sell on and make lots of money, which of course they're quite entitled to do. But thankfully, I think the purchasers have been blessed.
It's feeling as if I've gone full circle – I had a few months when I moved in here without a cooker and now the cookers gone. A couple of weeks of limited eating ahead. It's strange, I'm really wanting to cook lots but know I cannot. I'll have to sort out my kitchen cupboards as I have lots of pulses which I won't be able to microwave! I should have planned ahead and made lots of soup and put in the freezer – never mind, hindsights great.

Another Answer

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Saturday 13th June 2009

As I was collecting some information I needed to take with me to Kathryn's I came across a savings statement I had forgotton about. I had started it a few years ago and had to stop paying into a while back. I wanted to keep it for an emergency. Do you know what, I think this is classed as an emergency. After talking a few things through with Kathryn I can see some light at the end of the tunnel. It is not as desperate as I first thought. Kathryn has given me some good advice.
We also chatted about what my plans are. Over the last week or so looking at my finances I realise that if no job is forthcoming soon I will get to a stage where I won't be able to afford to go over to Belfast as I won't have any money left. I've been going round in circles trying to work out what to do. My first thought was to shut up the house and leave it, get a job in Belfast then come back later on to get ready to let. Or to work hard and get the house done soon ready to let. The funny thing is I've booked my ticket – I fly on 11^th July early morning. Oooo, that's under a month away. I don't think I can get the house done in that time without lots of help – there is soooo much to do. Kathryn suggested I get an agent round this week to find out how much it could be let for and see what the way forward is for that. Watch this space.