So, since last Sunday, to my relief the fly problem in my house has subsided a great deal. However the odd fly does keep appearing every now and then. Sometimes just one, sometimes they're in pairs...I think that slowly they are trying to overtake me but I can stick it out. I'm only here for another 2 and a half weeks. I do think that they are grouping together though and what happened yesterday supports my suspicion a great deal!
Right here's is what happened:
17:00 I pulled up to my house after work via a lift home from Mike. (That was very nice of him)
note* He was then taking Lisa to the garage where she was going to pick up her car
17:02 I was at my back door opening it with my key and waving good bye to Mike and Lisa
17:03 I walked in put my bags of groceries, my purse (which contained my mobile phone), and
my diary on the table.
17:04 A fly flew past my head into the coat room I then followed to open the outside door and
let it outside, and the handle of the kitchen door came off in my hand. (No! I did not break
it, it was like that long before I moved in to live with Steve and Heather)
17:05 I put the handle back in the door and went into the coat room to trap the fly. The kitchen
door swung shut behind me.
17:06 I open the outside door, let the fly out and turn around to go back into the kitchen....to
find that the handle on the other side wasn't put back in properly and I can't get back
into the kitchen. I realize that I am locked out, into my coat room and I do not have a
front door key to get in the other side of the house...or my phone to call Ben or Lisa who
each have a spare key to the house. I also do not have my diary which contains the
numbers of any other helpful people!! I'd left my purse containing these items on the
table!
17:08 I walk to Ben's house to see if he's home. This proves negative.
17:13 I walk back home and see Bob, my neighbor, and ask if I may borrow his phone.
17:16 I am at trying desperately to get a hold of either Mike or Lisa who as we noted above were not home yet because Mike took Lisa to the garage to get her car.
17:30 I get through to Lisa and arrange for her to come and rescue me
17:37 Lisa arrives with a front door key and I make it back safely into my house.
These are the events that lead me to believe that there is a conspiracy against me. I did also notice that some of the fruit in my kitchen has started to go rather ripe and I'm thinking that this may be what is attracting flies. I am now also reminded that it is the night to put the garbage bins outside and I best go and do that before it gets too late. I believe that upon this revelation I will have to end my blog here. Until next time...unless I am turned out of my house again.....
*note I would just like to let you know that the circumstances above may have been slightly over dramatized but I have a theory and that is that if you're going to tell people about your life you might as well make the stories interesting and worth telling. It's all part of leaving a legacy. That and making life interesting whilst living on your own.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Reflection
I think that it's fair to say I've had a pretty adventurous life so far. I've managed to do a lot of things that I hadn't even imagined for myself since I left high school and I've experienced quite a lot of variety and change. I always like to say that I'm someone who craves variety in their routine. When I was working regular 9-5 jobs I used to try and find different routes to drive home when the regular ones got too regular. When I go jogging I can only jog the same route for so long before I crave a change of scenery. I think I've arranged the furniture in my room at least five times in the past year. I like things active, moving, happening but I think that I like it all to happen within my control. I like change that I produce and that I want to happen. It's a lot harder when life begins to step up the pace that you've been dictating. That's when I realize that I'm not really in control at all. God is. And it's a lesson that I find I keep having to learn no matter where I am.
I remember about a year and a half ago when I was leading Team Canada and we had just finished our week in Mexico. We went down to volunteer at a mission called Foundation For His Ministries and we were there for one week. This was the first major trip of the year that I had been leading and boy...did I fight for control. Everything had to be perfect, to the point where I think I became overbearing and stressed when I didn't need to be at all. That whole year was a lesson in learning to let God be the one to call the shots. As we were driving from Mexico back into the States our van (who I'd named Ruban) began to chug and jerk up a the hill we were driving. Ruban was not in the best state for traveling the distance that he had and I think that it was a miracle that he lasted as long as he did. He chugged, sputtered and eventually died and I burst into tears. Here we were two hours or so from the border and it was probably getting on late into the afternoon and I had absolutely no idea what to do. The control of the trip had been ripped out my hands with this situation and it was a hard concept to get my head around. But God is so faithful! Not one minute after we'd pulled to the side of the road a car coming the opposite direction pulled off and two Mexican men jumped out and ran across to us to see what was the matter. They didn't speak very much English at all but they proceeded to take a look under the hood and asses what Ruban needed. They realized we needed a new something or other and jumped into their car, drove to the nearest town, bought the part and came back and put it in for us! The whole time I sat on the side of the road crying. Partially because of stress and from being overtired. When a situation like this happens when you're on a short string to begin with it's easy to snap. And God gently spoke to me and said "Jenny, this is not your team, it's Mine. I'm the one in charge and I will take care of you, trust me!"
Throughout the year God proved to me in so many ways that He was in control and He was taking care of us. It was so humbling and awesome.
I bring this up now because at this moment in my life so many things are changing. Steve and Heather are gone to Canada, Lisa is moving in, I'm moving out and living out of a suitcase again throughout this summer and then moving to live with another family. Angie is coming over to work with the charity (which is awesome!) and through everything I'm asking "what's my purpose?" But I need to remember that God is the one in control. He is the one who has had all my days ordained for me before one of them came to be. He is the one that saw me before I was formed in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139) And I need to remember to trust Him. Not only to simply remember it but to act on what I'm remembering. That God is good and faithful and will lead me through storms, deserts and everything else that comes my way and to submit to His will and plan; not my own agenda. I once heard a pastor say something that I've always remembered and it was this: "The older we get, and the longer we've been Christians we should become more and more sure of God's faithfulness in our lives" I think that's very true. We should be able to look back and be so sure of our futures because of how God has proved himself in our pasts. I think that's why God told the Israelites to make sure that their children remembered the stories of all the miracles God had done for them. So they would remember how faithful God had been to their parents and they could be sure of that in their own lives.
"I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me." Psalms 57 v2
I remember about a year and a half ago when I was leading Team Canada and we had just finished our week in Mexico. We went down to volunteer at a mission called Foundation For His Ministries and we were there for one week. This was the first major trip of the year that I had been leading and boy...did I fight for control. Everything had to be perfect, to the point where I think I became overbearing and stressed when I didn't need to be at all. That whole year was a lesson in learning to let God be the one to call the shots. As we were driving from Mexico back into the States our van (who I'd named Ruban) began to chug and jerk up a the hill we were driving. Ruban was not in the best state for traveling the distance that he had and I think that it was a miracle that he lasted as long as he did. He chugged, sputtered and eventually died and I burst into tears. Here we were two hours or so from the border and it was probably getting on late into the afternoon and I had absolutely no idea what to do. The control of the trip had been ripped out my hands with this situation and it was a hard concept to get my head around. But God is so faithful! Not one minute after we'd pulled to the side of the road a car coming the opposite direction pulled off and two Mexican men jumped out and ran across to us to see what was the matter. They didn't speak very much English at all but they proceeded to take a look under the hood and asses what Ruban needed. They realized we needed a new something or other and jumped into their car, drove to the nearest town, bought the part and came back and put it in for us! The whole time I sat on the side of the road crying. Partially because of stress and from being overtired. When a situation like this happens when you're on a short string to begin with it's easy to snap. And God gently spoke to me and said "Jenny, this is not your team, it's Mine. I'm the one in charge and I will take care of you, trust me!"
Throughout the year God proved to me in so many ways that He was in control and He was taking care of us. It was so humbling and awesome.
I bring this up now because at this moment in my life so many things are changing. Steve and Heather are gone to Canada, Lisa is moving in, I'm moving out and living out of a suitcase again throughout this summer and then moving to live with another family. Angie is coming over to work with the charity (which is awesome!) and through everything I'm asking "what's my purpose?" But I need to remember that God is the one in control. He is the one who has had all my days ordained for me before one of them came to be. He is the one that saw me before I was formed in my mother's womb. (Psalm 139) And I need to remember to trust Him. Not only to simply remember it but to act on what I'm remembering. That God is good and faithful and will lead me through storms, deserts and everything else that comes my way and to submit to His will and plan; not my own agenda. I once heard a pastor say something that I've always remembered and it was this: "The older we get, and the longer we've been Christians we should become more and more sure of God's faithfulness in our lives" I think that's very true. We should be able to look back and be so sure of our futures because of how God has proved himself in our pasts. I think that's why God told the Israelites to make sure that their children remembered the stories of all the miracles God had done for them. So they would remember how faithful God had been to their parents and they could be sure of that in their own lives.
"I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me." Psalms 57 v2
Sunday, June 26, 2005
All by myself...except for the flies!
Well, the wonderful people, whom I had the privelege of getting to know this past year, have finally left for Canada today! Steve and Heather Bellegulle have been such a blessing in my life over the past year. They invited me into their home and made me a part of their family. They also managed to put up with me throwing pasta and other various food items at them as well as me breaking the lock on their freezer. They were also great at listening and giving Godly advice throughout my adventure here in Enlgand this year. I think they should be highly commended. As highly commended as a couple can be! I'm going to miss them a lot.
This morning we drove them to the airport in Glasgow, Scotland and said our farewells. This was visit number three to the Glasgow airport in the space of one month! Although it was sad I at least had the knowledge that I will see them again in three weeks when I go to Lloydminster. That is a major comfort. I also didn't really have time to dwell too much on their departure since as soon as we waved them off I was wisked to IKEA with Rachel, Vikki and Beth. IKEA is an easily distracting place as there are so many things to see and admire. After a turbo visit we managed to hit the road and tackle the three hour drive back to Morpeth.
On returning home I was expecting to find my house empty but I was sadly mistaken. To my utter horror it had been invaded by an army of flies! I'm not kidding! There had to be at least 25 flies flying around in the house. In the living room, the bathroom upstairs and in Steve and Heather's room! GROSS! GROSS! GROSS! I can handle the one odd fly. I really don't mind them on their own, but 25! In an English row house (that's pretty small). Those who know me, know that I have pretty good aim when it comes to insects. Krystal Mercer, and Shawna Seitz have experienced my wrath against moths and Lisa knows about flies. She had the experience of sharing a room with me while we were in Kendal. Two flies managed to invade our room and within 10 minutes they were dead with me standing over them. Lisa was also a key witness to a fly that was scrounging food at one of our youth services. He paid for his crime with his life. His death was an ugly one. He was slammed by a shoe and then dropped into the dish-water by my accomplice Sheena. Lisa wasn't too pleased as she was the one washing the dishes and this fly was a particularly ugly and fat one!
So back to the flies in my house - I took off one of my sandals and one by one I got them all. It wasn't too hard as most of them had gathered at the windows. After they fell I got out the vacume and went over the carpets. Killing them is one thing...picking them up afterwards is another. I decided that since the carpets needed a good vacuming that it was an opportune time to do some cleaning. Afterwards I found one lone fly in the kitchen but I didn't kill it, I opened the window and directed him to it. I figured that after seeing the masacre I'd let one go to tell the others not to bother coming in as they were not welcome.
So now, after all that, I truely am alone in the house. That is of course until Lisa moves in this week. She came by tonight and dropped off some of her things and should be bringing more stuff as the week comes along.
Anyway, it's getting late and I have to go do some RE lessons in the morning!
Bye for now
Jenny*
This morning we drove them to the airport in Glasgow, Scotland and said our farewells. This was visit number three to the Glasgow airport in the space of one month! Although it was sad I at least had the knowledge that I will see them again in three weeks when I go to Lloydminster. That is a major comfort. I also didn't really have time to dwell too much on their departure since as soon as we waved them off I was wisked to IKEA with Rachel, Vikki and Beth. IKEA is an easily distracting place as there are so many things to see and admire. After a turbo visit we managed to hit the road and tackle the three hour drive back to Morpeth.
On returning home I was expecting to find my house empty but I was sadly mistaken. To my utter horror it had been invaded by an army of flies! I'm not kidding! There had to be at least 25 flies flying around in the house. In the living room, the bathroom upstairs and in Steve and Heather's room! GROSS! GROSS! GROSS! I can handle the one odd fly. I really don't mind them on their own, but 25! In an English row house (that's pretty small). Those who know me, know that I have pretty good aim when it comes to insects. Krystal Mercer, and Shawna Seitz have experienced my wrath against moths and Lisa knows about flies. She had the experience of sharing a room with me while we were in Kendal. Two flies managed to invade our room and within 10 minutes they were dead with me standing over them. Lisa was also a key witness to a fly that was scrounging food at one of our youth services. He paid for his crime with his life. His death was an ugly one. He was slammed by a shoe and then dropped into the dish-water by my accomplice Sheena. Lisa wasn't too pleased as she was the one washing the dishes and this fly was a particularly ugly and fat one!
So back to the flies in my house - I took off one of my sandals and one by one I got them all. It wasn't too hard as most of them had gathered at the windows. After they fell I got out the vacume and went over the carpets. Killing them is one thing...picking them up afterwards is another. I decided that since the carpets needed a good vacuming that it was an opportune time to do some cleaning. Afterwards I found one lone fly in the kitchen but I didn't kill it, I opened the window and directed him to it. I figured that after seeing the masacre I'd let one go to tell the others not to bother coming in as they were not welcome.
So now, after all that, I truely am alone in the house. That is of course until Lisa moves in this week. She came by tonight and dropped off some of her things and should be bringing more stuff as the week comes along.
Anyway, it's getting late and I have to go do some RE lessons in the morning!
Bye for now
Jenny*
Friday, June 24, 2005
Let's Try This Again
Alright, after a pretty weak attempt at blogging, I am going to try this again. I've found it a bit hard because really I have no idea who reads anything I write. And when I don't know who's reading, I'm not sure who I'm writing for and I really don't know what to write.
Life in England is going well. Things have been very busy! In fact I would have to say that the last 3 years of my life have been busy. I've been on the go for 3 years! Two years with Team Canada, which is not exactly a vacation, and a year in England doing youth work. I'm very much looking forward to coming back to Canada for the summer. I was trying to arrange it so that I could reapply for my visa while I was still over here but unfortunately you have to be in your own country to do that. At first I was a bit bummed because it meant that I couldn't go to my wonderful friend Fiona's wedding, but then I decided that it will be a really good thing to visit my friends and family who I haven't seen for a whole year! I haven't been able to make it to so many people's weddings this year! It's a bit annoying being so far away when everyone's getting married. I'm still sad that I won't make it to Fi's wedding but there's some good coming out of the situation.
I arrive in Canada on the 16th of July. In Calgary to be exact and then I'm driving to Lloydminster. I am not coming alone, I am bringing English people with me! This year one of the things I've been working on is getting a team of youth together to do a mission in Canada. We're in Lloyd for one week and then Southend for another doing VBS (Vacation Bible Schools). After that we have a week or so to do some traveling and then they all go back and I stay. I'm looking forward to being on my own turf where they'll be the one's who have the accent not me! Although...some people from Canada say that I have picked up a slight English lilt to the way I speak. I'm sure that will be removed once I'm back on Canadian soil!
Anyway I suppose I should head off. This has seemed like a very general blog to me. Maybe I'll get more specific the more I do it. I just thought that maybe I should give some background information about what I'm doing...I also have a blog and some pictures at
http://spaces.msn.com/members/jmostar/
for anyone who wants to check things out there.
Until next time, and hopefully that's sooner than later
Jenny-Beth*
Life in England is going well. Things have been very busy! In fact I would have to say that the last 3 years of my life have been busy. I've been on the go for 3 years! Two years with Team Canada, which is not exactly a vacation, and a year in England doing youth work. I'm very much looking forward to coming back to Canada for the summer. I was trying to arrange it so that I could reapply for my visa while I was still over here but unfortunately you have to be in your own country to do that. At first I was a bit bummed because it meant that I couldn't go to my wonderful friend Fiona's wedding, but then I decided that it will be a really good thing to visit my friends and family who I haven't seen for a whole year! I haven't been able to make it to so many people's weddings this year! It's a bit annoying being so far away when everyone's getting married. I'm still sad that I won't make it to Fi's wedding but there's some good coming out of the situation.
I arrive in Canada on the 16th of July. In Calgary to be exact and then I'm driving to Lloydminster. I am not coming alone, I am bringing English people with me! This year one of the things I've been working on is getting a team of youth together to do a mission in Canada. We're in Lloyd for one week and then Southend for another doing VBS (Vacation Bible Schools). After that we have a week or so to do some traveling and then they all go back and I stay. I'm looking forward to being on my own turf where they'll be the one's who have the accent not me! Although...some people from Canada say that I have picked up a slight English lilt to the way I speak. I'm sure that will be removed once I'm back on Canadian soil!
Anyway I suppose I should head off. This has seemed like a very general blog to me. Maybe I'll get more specific the more I do it. I just thought that maybe I should give some background information about what I'm doing...I also have a blog and some pictures at
http://spaces.msn.com/members/jmostar/
for anyone who wants to check things out there.
Until next time, and hopefully that's sooner than later
Jenny-Beth*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
