Bonjour de Paris!

I'm actually sitting in an internet cafe in Paris writing this blog entry! How cool is that? It's quite wierd, though, because the computer keyboard is just ever so slightly different and I'm used to not looking at the keyboard when I type! So if there are odd mistakes, you now know why!

We've had an ace time so far ... we've climbed to the very top of the Eiffel Tower; visited the Louvre; visited the intensely dull Musée d'Orsay; the Sacré Coeur; Notre Dame; and eaten in some fab restaurants (Snails! How exotic am I??!!) But the whole point of the holiday was to chill out and, in the main, I've been able to do that. Ken and Julie insist on breakfast at 8.00am, so we can "make the most of the day". I (and Laura, too, I think) would rather make the most of the day with a long lie-in, but since Ken and Julie are paying for this whole trip, I guess I'll have to bow to their wishes; besides, early starts aside, it's been EXACTLY what I needed.

Tonight we're all going out for a meal with the family that Laura spent her year-out in France with, which should be very cool. Mike is a Baptist minister, so I'm rather hoping to be able to talk theology with him! Two concerns: Laura might not let me, and Mike might make me do it in French (he made Laura speak French for her whole year here!) Mind you, that said my French is actually much better than I thought!

We travel home tomorrow and I start back to work on Wednesday, facing a to-do list as long as my arm! Funny thing is, I'm actually looking forward to it (good sign!). I guess my ministry is so much more than a job ... it's who I am.

A vendredi, then. Bisoux!

Two days until Paris!

Well, I managed to sort-of have Monday and Tuesday off. I didn't do much, but I haven't seen my wallet since the Parish Weekend, which is a bit of a worry. I thought I must have left it in the hired van, but they've said they can't find it. It's not too much of a problem, because I've cancelled all my cards and stuff, but it is a bit annoying! And Laura's just a little cross about it, too! I guess she's every right to be...

I'm still tired, but I am feeling a little better. I think I've got an ear infection, so I'm hoping that clears in time for Paris on Friday. It's been nice to have a couple of days off, and, with Paris on the horizon too, I'm starting to feel a little bit more refreshed.

Yesterday was my best mate Mark's birthday, so Laura and I spent the day with him (another Pizza Hut buffet!) and I went over to his party in the evening. I didn't know anyone there, so I didn't stay too long, but it was cool and I enjoyed the ride there and back in the new car. I'm starting to get used to it ... power-steering and all!

Today's been fairly full, but fun, too! I planned to get a load of work done in the coffee shop this morning, but I got gatecrashed by Kelly, Jo, Rosie, Jenny, Sarah, Kyle and Alistair. Not that I mind, because it was cool to hang out with them for an hour. I just didn't get everything done! Then I had coffee with Naomi, and we had a good chat about all sorts (including getting on top of the child sponsorship scheme ... something else important for the to-do list!), and then lunch with Lucy, which was cool because I took her to my favourite cafe, Woodes, in Bristol. I love it there, it's got such a good atmosphere, and we had a good chat.

Nothing in the diary for tonight ... yay! I had hoped we would go and do the pub-quiz, but I think Laura would maybe rather stay in. Ah well ... another week! And a night-in won't do me any harm either. Working tomorrow (mountains of paperwork and a couple of one-to-ones) ... and then up early on Friday for Paris!

The Parish Weekend ... finally off my "to-do list"!

It's over! The Parish Weekend no longer features on my still-quite-lengthy to-do list!

Being able to say that brings mixed emotions. I am glad I no longer have to worry about getting everything ready, making sure everything is done, doing the room allocation, ringing Sidholme Hotel every other day... that's all done, which is a relief and a joy. But at the same time, I now have to wait another two years for the joys that a Parish Weekend always brings. And that is sad!

I say it always brings joy, and this one was no exception. So much great stuff happened. Yes, there was the usual list of problems, but they were relatively minor. That didn't stop me stressing about them, of course, but then that's what I do when I'm in charge of something. I stress. It really is only because I have high standards and want everything to be perfect, but it must be really hard to be around me sometimes when I've got something like that on my mind.

But they were minor, the problems, and I managed to not stress TOO much, because they were so heavily outweighed by really positive stuff. John McGinley, the speaker, and his team of people from Leicestershire (of all places!) was an inspired choice. His message was just what we needed and I'm so glad David Widdows suggested John before he left. Actually, I think I could get on very well with John. I think we probably have quite a lot in common and I'd love the opportunity to get to know him better. Maybe I'll look him up next time I'm up at Mum and Dad's ... he only lives about half-an-hour away.

Successes from the weekend don't stop there, but I'm not going to mention them all today because this would be an even longer entry than it already is! But I will say this: Clare's voice recovered well enough to allow her to help me lead the Saturday evening epilogue, and she did so much more than I expected her to do. She did a long and difficult reading, but even better than that, she led a room full of about 50 adults in a structured response that she thought up herself. And then we led worship together too! I was SO proud of her, and I really think she's something of an emerging leader. She has an air of quiet confidence, and is growing so much! It's great to watch it happening, and I can't wait to see how God's going to use her ... I'm certain he has great plans!

Not just Clare, either, but also a mention for Naomi, Emily and Ruth. All four of them were a joy to be around all weekend and played a large part in keeping me sane! James worked really hard in setting up and dropping down, and loads of teenagers were involved in other ways. When I look at how some of them are growing in their relationship with God, I get so excited! Clare, Naomi and Ruth had a late evening at a "Bethany" musical practice tonight, too. I don't know where they found the energy, but it says a lot about their sacrificial servant-heartedness! Added to that, back in Stoke Gifford, Kelly and her friends looked after our house beautifully, and the dog looks well-nourished. What a star!

I got about six hours sleep in total over the Parish Weekend, so I've had today off and used it to catch up a bit. I did finally get my new car today. It's a Ford Mondeo and is a gift from Laura's parents, as they've had a new car themselves. It's ace ... so much better than my beaten-up Corsa. It's such a privilege to have in-laws who want to bless you like they so often do.

Laura and I spent most of this evening watching "Signs". I loved it. Laura hated it. Thought that might happen!

I'm off tomorrow, too, as I didn't have a day off last week. I'm really hoping that these two days, along with our Paris holiday at the weekend, will be enough to recharge my batteries. I've already got a lot more energy. Just praying that God will refresh me for another push up until Christmas!

Eyes closing. Must sleep!

So much for a quiet day...

To be fair, I did have a late start, but I found so much work today that I didn't even know needed doing! Plenty of admin stuff for the weekend and for the clothing, and a lunch with Lucy, which is always fun. We went to the Mall and had an all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut because Filton High School had a half day. I dread to think how much pizza and salad we got through between us. An impressive effort on both our parts - if you're paying the money, you have to make the most of it!

I'm a bit cross with myself, because I've just realised that TWO people have the number 26 on their t-shirts/hoodies. Both Jeni and Becky have the same number! I know what happened ... I told them there was a clash, and Becky agreed to change to 33. The problem was, her stupid Youth Minister forgot to change it on the order-form. I was so determined that we'd all had different numbers, and now I've spoiled it. What makes it worse is that they're both going to Spring Harvest, so they're going to notice. I'm going to have to apologise to them, and to the people who I didn't let have the numbers they wanted because of a clash. So annoyed with myself!

Tonight is a Rock Solid/RS2 social, and we're off ten-pin bowling and then for a Burger King with more than 50 11-14 years olds. Yeah, my diet today will have helped me to lose weight!!! Could do without it the day before the Parish Weekend, but there you go. Socials are always fun because it's nice to be able to hang out with the young people without the pressure of having to DO anything. It'll be fun, but still in a fairly "dead-on-my-feet" place. Even the lie-in this morning hasn't beaten it. I'm just praying I'll find some energy from somewhere.

I'm a little worried about the Parish Weekend. Still haven't finished (or started, really!) my epilogue for Saturday evening. Apart from that, I think I'm ready, but I just can't help feeling that there's something I've forgotten, and that I'm going to get there and remember what I haven't brought/done/organised. Also, Clare's voice is poorly and I really wanted to ask her to help lead the epilogue. Hope she'll be able to do it.

So another late night ahead, I think, and then off to Sidholme Hotel in the morning! Looking forward to it, but again, worried about my complete lack of energy. Bring on the school holidays!

Mettle Group A rocks!

Just finished our Mettle session for the evening, and I'm exhausted, so it's going to be brief! But it was even better than I expected! There were 11 of us in total, and every single person made a great contribution. We got through nearly all the material (for once!), and it will be interesting to see who responds to the "Challenge 2 Go" from tonight - to pray for all their non-Christian friends for the next week.

And it was also fun. Kelly is the life-and-soul of any party, and such a key member of the group. And she's not the only one ... Kate always makes us laugh too! Also Clare brought her amusing crocky voice, which certainly brightened up my day! I'm not mentioning the marshmallows...

Mettle Group A truly does rock! When it's good like tonight, it doesn't feel like work.

Busy day ...

There's so much going on at the moment, I really don't know how I'm staying on top of it all. I feel so tired, I could just sleep anywhere, any time!

I arrived in the office at about 9.30am this morning, and worked solidly through until about 5pm. On the plus side, I think almost everything is almost ready for the weekend, apart from my epilogue for Saturday night, which I can do tomorrow (and want to ask Clare to help me with anyway!). So I spent a good bit of time on the weekend, as well as a lunch club, prep for this evening, and stuff for the hoodies and t-shirts. And loads more bits and pieces that need doing.

Mettle Group A is about to start, and it sounds as though we'll have a good turn-out tonight (mostly wearing hoodies or t-shirts, which will look quite cool!). I'm quite excited about tonight's session, actually ... it's all about recognising the value of our friends and their stories, and how to show them that Jesus loves them. Should be cool.

And then ... SLEEP! Or possibly a pint. Then sleep.

Late Night Blogging!

I'm sure I won't usually be blogging this late at night, but hey, it's new and exciting!

Laura's birthday drinks were fun ... looking around the table made me so proud! There are some people I've known for a long time, and some I've not known for very long at all, but they are all such quality young people. Being part of their lives, even a small part in some cases, is such a pleasure and a privilege. They are on the right track and I'm sure will grow into fine adults.

Over the last few weeks, we've been getting to know J. a bit better. She's great fun, has a FANTASTIC singing voice and is always smiling - I don't know much about her past, but I do know she's not had an easy run over her 17 or so years. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better. She's got so much going for her, she really has. I just wish SHE'D realise it!

So anyway, top young people, top night! Busy day tomorrow, loads to do including a lunchtime club for Year 7 (called PBF and one of the hardest half-hours of the week!) and Mettle Group A, which my wife Laura and I run at our home. Still a bit underprepared. Only 24-hours in the day tomorrow. Oh, for a couple more!

Happy Birthday Nigel!

So today is the 18th birthday of Miss Laura Ann Cooke, a member of the youth group. It's scary that she's so old, because it only seems like yesterday that she was the quiet little 13-year old in the corner on a Sunday morning. She barely used to say a word. How times change (for the better, I might add!).

But all this set me thinking about how many young people have come and gone in the five years that I've been at St Michaels. There must, quite literally, be hundreds. I just pray that somewhere along the line, I've done some good in their lives, whether I've known them for five years, five months, five weeks or five minutes. That's all I want, really ... for God to use me.

It's been quite a busy day today. I've had a stack of work to do for the Parish Weekend, which is this weekend and I somehow managed to talk myself into organising. I'm looking forward to it, but quite honestly I'll be glad when it's all over! Also, the "St Mikes Youth" hoodies and t-shirts arrived today, amid much excitement, especially from Kelly, Jo and Jenny (not to mention Trev and Liz!). Actually, I will mention them ... both complete stars today! They did a Year 10 Assembly, were prepared to run silly little errands, and really made my life a lot easier than it might have been otherwise! I'm so glad they're here!

Anyway, birthday drinks in an hour or so, and still plenty of work to do! Always odd buying an alcoholic drink for a person who's been in the youth group for so long.

Cheers, Nige! Happy birthday!

Day One

Hello, and welcome to my blog! As yet, I have no idea how often I will be blogging, and what on earth I'm going to blog about! But I think my life and, in particular, my job, is interesting ... so maybe you will too!