Summer Productivity.

I had thought with having so much time free over summer that it would be super productive; I would have revised stastics by the end of July, got out my violin, maybe did some art, finished well in advance my discipleship audio CD for this month and have gone to the gym every day, becomming super fit by September. Instead the most I've done revision wise is get a couple of books out from the library (always makes me feel like I have achieved something), I have no idea where my violin is, haven't thought about doing art once, as usual I am cramming my discipleship audio's last minute, joined the gym (step one) and have become addicted to "How I met your Mother".

However there have been a few summer highlights. I loved being at Summer Madness, was great to just hang out with the young people from my church which included some card playing, lots of singing, occasionally some dancing and lots of laughter. It was fantastic to see Rend Collective live, they so quickly lead me to a place of intimate worship and the presence of God was just so powerful. Brian Heasley's seminar on prayer and mission was a timely reminder of how we need to breathe in but if we don't breathe out- we'll die and how following Jesus can lead you to being kissed on the cheek by a prostitute. It made me think about Queens and my role as prayer secretary and the necessity of the combination of Breathing in and Breathing out. I'm really excited to see what God has planned and just hope I don't miss anything! I read in Romans 1 today "Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus." I find it hard to know how to pass it on in my day to day life and often forget about the urgency. Most people seem so disinterested or else bitter against the church thats its easy to leave them alone and not try to force Jesus on people who don't care. And yet again in Romans 1 I read "It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else".

I am heading to Castlewellan at the weekend for our Methodist Family Holiday week which I have been going to since I was 12. I love getting to be part of it, seeing young and old fall more in love with Jesus. It'll be great to catch up with old friends, walk round the lake, catch up with young people I have discipled in the past, worship lots, and drink lots of tea. On my things to do list for Castlewellan are the following; find a gazebo, make malteaser buns, make a tree and buy a Princess Leia wig! I better get started :)