Week 2

I am writting this in the second week of college.

Over the last week and a bit a group of individuals left home and came down to a strange place in the heart of Dublin. This blog hopefully chart my way through the rigours, ups and down of college life as well as simply trying to reflect on what is happening down here

Now that we've got wireless internet in the study rooms in college, updates might be more regular than previous experience has shown!

Okey Dokey - so last week...
It all started on Saturday with the packing of the car - squashing mum into the back seat and bringing all the essentials and much more besides and navigating our way through the dublin streets eventually arriving at our destination of CITC in Braemor Park.

After unpacking and generally moving in- it was up for lunch and the icebreakers which caused a bit of amusement for all, a chat with the other students.

Mum and dad stayed overnight as in the morning we were off for sunday worship in RTE Studios with CMSI where I was reading various parts of the service and Simon was being interviewed.

Monday saw the whole class sitting down around a table for the first few sessions, running around trying to open banks without much sucess to be honest and an "interesting" table quiz which our team won - i think!

Tuesday Alan came down to lead sessions entitled "Spirituality for ministry" which was extremely thought provoking which included - Struggle with call, spirituality, ministry adn mission - all of which I really need to sit down and look again at the handouts.

Wedensday was another quite amazing day when I think most of us would say we were challenged by actually taking time out just to be with God and to think about our own thoughts and how we could keep close to God - again a lot of stuff to take in!

Thursday looked at various ways ministry was played out in real life - the challenges and reality in parishes looking particularly at a team ministry situation

The first week proved to be very challenging, it definately had its ups and downs! but it was a time when we saw prayers answered soooo quickly and effectively. For me it has really confirmed the call and the idea that I am where I feel called to!

Week 2 started with a change of emphasis - now looking at "pastoral care and the human person" lots of points never thought about before but extremely useful when thinking about ministry.

Managed to get into the city for the afternoon - but not fully registered yet! - might do soon!

At the mo, in the dark, Colin and Jonny are carrying out DIY repairs on their room - doors are being removed and sanded down to alow carpet to go in! :-)

And we have managed to timetable in a prayer time as a class and a bible study which will hopefully give us some food during the year as well as mutual accountability within the class!


Apart from that ...
the craic is good, the coffee is strong and God is good!

.. That's you up to speed whats happening at the mo down in Dublin!!

I Know I said that my last blog was my last here, but I have made an executive decision taht it wont be as the CMSI I could use as a sensible thing and this one as an every day thing. It has been quite a wee while since last updated this board

Cranfield has happened and various other things

But today various things have raised their head issues so different with various people

Kaballah- A total heresey for the church which is being proclaimed by various celebrities throughout the world but I have agreed with a friend to look into it to find out a bit more. more about that later.

Dreams - A wee sub thing in Geofrey's sermon tonight but praying protection over our sleep which is something that I suppose I never really thought about before.

Social Action - In Banbridge the churches have got together to serve coffee to the coach, with no other agenda than to Share God's Love - A scary place to be - standing on a street for Jesus

God's Plan for us - The fact that God has a plan for us, even if we are confused by it all, when we get to a junction place - he can guide us. By our passions, gifts and wise counsel

So its been an interesting day

The Last Blog

ITs not as bad as it seems!

I have been asked to blog for CMSI on their new youth site -

www.cmsireland.org/youth so as a result I have decided to move all traffic to that site for the time being!

And its from the old things to the new ...

Just an hour and a half ago I walked out of my last lecture in qub and soon to be a qualified teacher .... mmm

Last friday was my last time in a classroom taking a class ...mmm

Strange biccies

September sees me down in Dublin

Its been great up here at queens with the other 11
Seamaus, Moe, Paul, Fiona, Louise *4, Edel, Dominica &

Untill Later

RF

Big Goals small steps

'DOES ANYONE DARE DESPISE THIS DAY OF SMALL BEGINNINGS?' ZECHARIAH 4:10
Do you feel like there's a huge gap between what you are doing now and what you'd love to do? 'Yes, I'd like to be a teacher, but that means I'd have to do resits to get into uni', 'I'd love to start a CU in school but there are no Christian teachers to run it' 'I want to be a full time Christian worker but if I go to Bible college it will take years!' The excuses pile up like dirty dishes in a sink; it feels like it would take too long, cost too much, require too many sacrifices to get from point A to point B. Whether it's going back to school, starting something up or entering the ministry, the temptation is to always put it off until another time. 'Maybe when I've earned a bit of money first, maybe when God gives me a sign, maybe when I'm older'. Maybe, maybe, maybe!
How do you overcome the fear of starting? You reach big goals by taking small steps! While it's tempting to think that the amount of time it takes is too long, those days and years will pass - whether you're pursuing your goal or not! God wants you to take on His call, to show up for duty and leave the provisions - including the time, money, open doors, favourable relationships and material resources - to Him. If you do your part, He'll do His. The Psalmist writes: '...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly' (Ps 84:11 KJV). Just trust God and take the first small step!

A long long time since last Post

Lots of things have been happening since last blog - Sometime hopefully in the not so distant future i may have time to blog more often but untill then here are the highlights since Christmas

- Finished in DHS - was very sad to leave there - lots of good friends - Ian, Heather and the other students were great

- Started in PC - Great place - Hectic work!

- Went through interviews down in dublin and have come out the other end having survived and I suppose you could say with life turned upside down - just as friends are starting upon careers which are going to earn lots and lots - I now know that the next three years I am starting a new degree, in a new subject, in a new university - Someone famous (i think) said I dont know what the future holds but I know who holds my future which is amazing,

Praise God that I am exactly where he wants me to be - People in church have been absolutely amazing with their support and prayers over the past wee while - Enid, Laura, Adrienne, John, Geoffery and Ken have been soild rocks helping me.

So yeah - things are going good - just need to get these next months over me - roll on the summer!

Regards