Rule of Three

(or... Bladder Workout)

Right. Where were we?

I had a fabulous Christmas at home (Rugby). 3 weeks that felt like 3 months, and I was glad of it. Didn’t do a whole lot...

Besides actually travelling to one place or another, I think the extent of activity was:
- dancing around the kitchen madly (to Jack Johnson – lovin it) with my brother;
- playing “Scene It!”, which I suck at, but quite enjoy anyway;
- walking with my sister and her dog;
- sitting in Frankie and Benny’s with a cocktail far too many times;
- sitting in Costas with a mochaccino far too many times;
- shopping with my Mum/Dad;
- stressing at my Mum/Dad about numerous things;
- receiving wisdom and courage from my Mum/Dad;
- walking along the Thames with my girlies;
- doing girly things in shops on Oxford Street, enough said;
- sitting in Wetherspoons with a Strongbow far too many times;
- oh, playing lots of Articulate, which by the way I’m not very good at after 2 pints of Strongbow. My stomach is female then. Good to know, I guess.

What else? Anyway the point was that although I didn’t achieve great things or make the Guinness book of records (one day I will, but it may have to be for time spent in beverage serving establishments), I had a great time. Muchly blessed. Praise God. Actually my Dad, my sister and I sat in a little teashop in Wem for a while too. I really do do too much of that!

I love my family. I love my friends. Somehow they find the strength and patience to love me!

I also revised a little for the “OSCEs” (only practices this time so not too stressed).
And… I spent quite a lot of time with God, processing last term, making some decisions, and setting some objectives for this one. Read some helpful books, drank a lot of tea (there’s a theme here) and prayed. I was praying before Christmas that I’d have time and motivation to do all the above, so praise God.

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With some reluctance I returned to Liverpool. There’s nothing wrong with Liverpool, and I praise God muchly that I’m here at all. There are many many things to be thankful for, as God has thought of everything, again. It’s just not home. Not yet at least. There are too many unknown trials, and not enough known safe havens.

But return I did, with much prayer and trusting. I took the first days easily, didn’t rush into anything at all, and at some point I’ll post about taking life one day at a time. Not an easy one for me, historically!

And God was with me. He helped me through the “exams”. Can’t vouch for the results, but I was pretty calm through them, and able to see them for what they were – helpful practice. And I do feel randomly more confident and motivated now. But better than that: He started to answer a prayer of mine. Never mind what the prayer was/is, because in explaining that I would ramble far deeper into my psyche than we need go.

But God started to answer it, with 3 lovely days and 3 lovely friends.
3 lovely days of catching up with my hall-mates, and feeling like I belonged. I guess exam time brings people together!
And 3 lovely friends, who I spent time with individually and clicked with again, or properly. One lovely friend confided in me when she felt she could not in anyone else. Another rambled harmoniously with me for hours about what God has been doing in our lives. Another was very patient with me, as I have been with her! Thankyou honeys. God’s been using you to answer some prayers - hope that’s ok! I do thank God for you.

How good is the God we adore
Our faithful unchangeable Friend!
His love is as great as His power
And knows neither measure nor end.
* * *
'Tis Jesus the First and the Last,
Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home,
We'll praise Him for all that is past
And trust Him for all that's to come.