Ok, well for some reason my hotmail account is "temporarily unavailable" and I can't seem to send anyone any emails so could those of you who read this blog please pass onto everyone else that I've arrived safely and I'm having a great time so far? Thanks very much.
Yeah so about that great time I'm having. I arrived on Saturday thanks to Tim and Francesca. The drive over here was absolutely beautiful! I love the North! Upon arrival I was a bit overwhelmed. For those of you who don't know Capernwray was built in the 1800's for a family and since then has been turned into a school/hall. The building is pretty much like an old castle and there are fields and farm land around. There are also sheep just outside my dorm room who aren't really that shy about letting us know they're there....especially at night.
I share a room with 4 other girls. Two are from Germany, one is American and the other is from Korea. They're all lovely and I'm getting along with them great. I've also met loads of other awesome people here. The majority of the students are from North America and predominantly American so it's almost like being back in Canada...except for the Castle.
The schedule is pretty full with 4 lectures in the morning and 2 in the evening but they're great. So far we've started looking at Kings and primarily the life of Solomon. I feel like I'm learning so much already and it's only been two days! The other lectures we had today were on forgiveness and they were awesome as well.
Breakfast is at 7:30 every morning so that's a bit of a change since I'm not used to starting work until about 10 and after breakfast there's morning duties. Mine is to clean the bathrooms for my dorm which isn't too bad. After breakfast lectures start. Then lunch and then we have the afternoon free until tea.
Everyone is also put into a family group with about 10 students and two "mentors" and we meet regularly to share and pray together and sometimes we'll have social nights on Fridays. This week I'm going bowling with my family group so that should be fun.
I've also managed to meet a running friend!! Yay! Her name is Rachel and she's from California and she's just finished a marathon in Rome about a month ago. She's really great and it's been fun getting to know her.
Yesterday for the afternoon we decided to walk into the nearest town of Carnforth which turned into an hour and 15 minute walk each way!! It was crazy but a great time of getting to know some people a bit better. My feet weren't very appreciative though as I wore some new shoes and had some nasty blisters when we got back. Also, we were late for tea which isn't very good. You're required at all meals and to be on time at them at that. Oops...it was still a fun afternoon though.
Hmmmm I'm not sure what else. I'm sorry if I'm a little all over the place I only have 20 minutes on the internet so I'm trying to get it all in at once.
Overall I would have to say I'm loving it here and I'm so glad that I came. Part of me wishes it could have been for a full year but 2 months is still good. I'm just happy to make the most of this opportunity.
Anyway I should run, I'll try an attempt my email account again.
Best wishes to everyone and perhaps I'll get a chance to write some more on Thursday!
Love Jenny*
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Friday, April 14, 2006
Team Lego
I had a really fun time in Tamworth this past weekend and first part of this week. It was great to see Fiona again, she's so much fun and it was also awesome to see Angie!!
Quick story to explain the lego t-shirts. Fi, Angie and I went into Birmingham on Tuesday to shop and while we were in the Bullring Fiona wanted to take a look in the Lego store to see if she could find a birthday present for John. While she was looking Angie and I were wandering around and Angie all of a sudden said she really liked the staff work shirts and then asked if she could buy one. The manager came back and said she could have one for £10. She wasn't sure if she should buy it for that price or not so I jumped in and asked if we could have 2 for £15. Unfortunately he said 2 for £20 which wasn't a deal but we ended up buying the shirts anyway and then wore them bowling that evening for a youth thingy that Angie was involved with. It was a blast and we had so much fun!
We also went and saw the Ringer that evening. Hilarious! I would definitely recommend it!
Anyway I need to run, I'm procrastinating from packing at the moment. Tomorrow I'm off to Capernwray and I'm really excited!!! I'm not sure how often I'll get a chance to blog while I'm there but I'll do my best!
Love and blessings,
Jenny*
Thursday, April 06, 2006
4:26....So Tired!
I think that if you asked me the question "if you could go anywhere in the world and do anything you wanted today, what would you do?" I would have to respond that I would probably go to a cottage in Canada on one of the lakes and I would ask that the bed I slept in at the Hilton on the way home from Christmas be placed in one of the rooms and I would sleep for a solid 24 hours! And not just dozing, I mean real, deep, no dreams, no waking up to use the bathroom sleep!
This week although it hasn't been insanely hectic has still managed to wipe me out. I think part of the wiping out has to do with the fact I've come down with a nasty cold. I sound like a deep throated frog and I'm continuously coughing and blowing my nose. Last night I was up until 2 coughing :( (boo urns!!!) At least I don't feel sick and I'm not bedridden! Just tired.
I was at my housegroup last night and I was particularly inspired. We've been doing a series on prayer that seems to be lasting forever but it's been cause for some challenging and inspiring discussion. As we were talking about intercession I was reminded of some of the ways I used to pray a couple years ago. I wasn't thinking "what's happened to me? I used to be way more active in prayer!" or "man those were good days....I wish I could go back to those days" but I was thinking "wow...I remember what a difference those times made, perhaps I should start stepping out like that again"
I think it's easy to remember a particular point in time where you felt very spiritually alive and either kick yourself for not being like that at present or to want to camp there and live in the memory. I suppose in a way Peter gives us examples of both. Imagine how he felt looking back at denying Jesus. And then there's the time Jesus took James, John and Peter up the mountain and was transfigured and then Elijah and Moses showed up. Peter was like "Lets get the tents and stay here and camp on the mountain!! This is awesome!" Neither are helpful. I do however think that it's important to let your memories be a blessing to you and be something that helps shape the journey forward.
One particular memory that I shared last night was of the days of 4:26 prayer. I'll tell the story for those of you who have no idea what that means.
I was walking home from school one day with a couple of my guy friends, Ryan and Joel, and I'd just bought a new watch. I was trying to figure out how to use the settings and set the alarm and asked what time I should set it for. The guys told me I should set it for 4:26 and then burst out laughing. Thinking that they were slightly weird, as usual, I set my alarm for 4:26 and it stayed at that time for ages. It became this inside joke and I think I was told later that the number 426 had something to do with an engine would make sense considering the guys!
Anyway one day my friends, Ladonna, Leanne and myself were at the church for prayer and we were talking about how we should start praying at the same time every week, that way even though we weren't together we could know we were still praying at the same time. We were trying to figure out what time to make it when one of them said we should pray at 4:26 in the morning! What developed from there was that we would get up every Monday morning at 4:26 and pray until 5. I remember being pretty stoked about it and Ladonna later came and told us that Genesis 4:26 said "and this is the time man began to call upon the Lord" which was very cool! Eventually we got more ladies on bored and friends who were away at university and it was really awesome. I know I didn't get up every week, sometimes I went back to sleep, but the times I did get up to pray I remember feeling a sense that this time of prayer really was making a difference. Somehow the sacrifice of something as dear to me as sleep to spend time in prayer seemed so effective.
So that's the 4:26 story.
Like I said...I don't know if I'm going to start praying at 4:26 weekly again but I really do feel stirred up inside to get off my butt and do something. I have a real sense of anticipation and excitement for what God is doing at this moment and where my future is going to head. I'm so excited to go to Capernwray. I really feel that God is going to specifically speak to me while I'm there about the coming years. I just hope I'm ready to listen!
"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.
1 Samuel 3:10,11
This week although it hasn't been insanely hectic has still managed to wipe me out. I think part of the wiping out has to do with the fact I've come down with a nasty cold. I sound like a deep throated frog and I'm continuously coughing and blowing my nose. Last night I was up until 2 coughing :( (boo urns!!!) At least I don't feel sick and I'm not bedridden! Just tired.
I was at my housegroup last night and I was particularly inspired. We've been doing a series on prayer that seems to be lasting forever but it's been cause for some challenging and inspiring discussion. As we were talking about intercession I was reminded of some of the ways I used to pray a couple years ago. I wasn't thinking "what's happened to me? I used to be way more active in prayer!" or "man those were good days....I wish I could go back to those days" but I was thinking "wow...I remember what a difference those times made, perhaps I should start stepping out like that again"
I think it's easy to remember a particular point in time where you felt very spiritually alive and either kick yourself for not being like that at present or to want to camp there and live in the memory. I suppose in a way Peter gives us examples of both. Imagine how he felt looking back at denying Jesus. And then there's the time Jesus took James, John and Peter up the mountain and was transfigured and then Elijah and Moses showed up. Peter was like "Lets get the tents and stay here and camp on the mountain!! This is awesome!" Neither are helpful. I do however think that it's important to let your memories be a blessing to you and be something that helps shape the journey forward.
One particular memory that I shared last night was of the days of 4:26 prayer. I'll tell the story for those of you who have no idea what that means.
I was walking home from school one day with a couple of my guy friends, Ryan and Joel, and I'd just bought a new watch. I was trying to figure out how to use the settings and set the alarm and asked what time I should set it for. The guys told me I should set it for 4:26 and then burst out laughing. Thinking that they were slightly weird, as usual, I set my alarm for 4:26 and it stayed at that time for ages. It became this inside joke and I think I was told later that the number 426 had something to do with an engine would make sense considering the guys!
Anyway one day my friends, Ladonna, Leanne and myself were at the church for prayer and we were talking about how we should start praying at the same time every week, that way even though we weren't together we could know we were still praying at the same time. We were trying to figure out what time to make it when one of them said we should pray at 4:26 in the morning! What developed from there was that we would get up every Monday morning at 4:26 and pray until 5. I remember being pretty stoked about it and Ladonna later came and told us that Genesis 4:26 said "and this is the time man began to call upon the Lord" which was very cool! Eventually we got more ladies on bored and friends who were away at university and it was really awesome. I know I didn't get up every week, sometimes I went back to sleep, but the times I did get up to pray I remember feeling a sense that this time of prayer really was making a difference. Somehow the sacrifice of something as dear to me as sleep to spend time in prayer seemed so effective.
So that's the 4:26 story.
Like I said...I don't know if I'm going to start praying at 4:26 weekly again but I really do feel stirred up inside to get off my butt and do something. I have a real sense of anticipation and excitement for what God is doing at this moment and where my future is going to head. I'm so excited to go to Capernwray. I really feel that God is going to specifically speak to me while I'm there about the coming years. I just hope I'm ready to listen!
"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.
1 Samuel 3:10,11
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Canada Ceilidh
(Some of the team going to Canada working hard)
As I mentioned last week we had a Ceilidh this past weekend to raise money for the team going to Canada this summer. It was a great success as well as great fun! It's was very similar to a square/barn dance but the music was different. I don't think we'd have "The Flying Scotsman" as a tune at any of our dances!
Some friends I've met that are away at university during the year were up so I was able to hang with them and was shown how to "properly" dance. Basically that meant spinning as hard as you can until you get bruises on your arms! And Mike says I'm violent!! My shoulders were so sore the next morning! Anyway here are some more pictures for you all to look at!
(Sophie and Ellie)
(dancing with Murphy)
(Murphy, Richard, Lisa and I)
Spa Pics
(This is the "before" picture where we all look alive!)
(Kirsten and Deb drinking wine and eating chocolates)
(Deb, Kirsten and I looking slightly rough around the edges but feeling WAY relaxed!)
(The "after" picture, four very tired, but very relaxed women)
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
An Evening of Leisure
That's Lee-sure for Canadians and Leh-sure for the English.
Yesterday afternoon I was in the office on my own while Mike was off doing whatever he does and Lisa was getting herself a chocolate back massage. "ooooh! A chocolate back massage! What's that??" you ask. Well it's a back massage where they pour pure cocoa onto your back and rub it in! How awesomely amazing does it sound? So while she was getting her massage I was thinking to myself how I could really use something like that after the stressful weekend we just had and how I haven't had a back massage in almost 2 years...that's much too long! Suddenly the phone rang and it was Anne Moore - one of the ladies in my church. She was looking for someone else but when she couldn't get a hold of them she suddenly asked "Well Jenny, are you free this evening?"
"Free for what excatly?" I was thinking. Mondays are usually my evening off during the week and I didn't really want to sign up for anything that involved work.
"Free for an evening of pampering at a spa! My treat!" She said! It did not take much convincing to accept her offer!
It was so wonderful. I went with Anne and her daughter Deb and another girl Kirsten from Australia who's recently come to Morpeth to work with International China Concern. We went to a spa in Longframlington called Dene House Farm Cottages and when we arrived we were told to change into our bathing suits and were then brought to a private room with lounging chairs and given robes to wear. We were then brought glasses of whatever we wanted to drink and we chose our free treatment for the evening. We had a choice of a manicure, pedicure, facial, or back massage. Our choices were written down and we were told we'd be called throughout the evening to receive them. Until then we had free use of the pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub or we could sit and read magazines. We were also brought a tray of chocolates and served supper later on which was a selection of quiches, crisps and dip, cheeses and crackers, salad, and other tray like foods. For Dessert we were brought a toffee pavlova (mmmmmmmmmmm) and hagan daas ice cream!!!
It was such a relaxing evening! I was so blessed to have been treated to it. We didn't end up leaving until 11 and when Anne went to pay they wouldn't accept payment for Kirsten and I!
What an absolute blessing!
(pictures to be added to this post soon)
Yesterday afternoon I was in the office on my own while Mike was off doing whatever he does and Lisa was getting herself a chocolate back massage. "ooooh! A chocolate back massage! What's that??" you ask. Well it's a back massage where they pour pure cocoa onto your back and rub it in! How awesomely amazing does it sound? So while she was getting her massage I was thinking to myself how I could really use something like that after the stressful weekend we just had and how I haven't had a back massage in almost 2 years...that's much too long! Suddenly the phone rang and it was Anne Moore - one of the ladies in my church. She was looking for someone else but when she couldn't get a hold of them she suddenly asked "Well Jenny, are you free this evening?"
"Free for what excatly?" I was thinking. Mondays are usually my evening off during the week and I didn't really want to sign up for anything that involved work.
"Free for an evening of pampering at a spa! My treat!" She said! It did not take much convincing to accept her offer!
It was so wonderful. I went with Anne and her daughter Deb and another girl Kirsten from Australia who's recently come to Morpeth to work with International China Concern. We went to a spa in Longframlington called Dene House Farm Cottages and when we arrived we were told to change into our bathing suits and were then brought to a private room with lounging chairs and given robes to wear. We were then brought glasses of whatever we wanted to drink and we chose our free treatment for the evening. We had a choice of a manicure, pedicure, facial, or back massage. Our choices were written down and we were told we'd be called throughout the evening to receive them. Until then we had free use of the pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub or we could sit and read magazines. We were also brought a tray of chocolates and served supper later on which was a selection of quiches, crisps and dip, cheeses and crackers, salad, and other tray like foods. For Dessert we were brought a toffee pavlova (mmmmmmmmmmm) and hagan daas ice cream!!!
It was such a relaxing evening! I was so blessed to have been treated to it. We didn't end up leaving until 11 and when Anne went to pay they wouldn't accept payment for Kirsten and I!
What an absolute blessing!
(pictures to be added to this post soon)
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