Another really warm and sunny day in Rome. This morning I went to worship at the Ponte Sant'Angelo Methodist Church, just beside the Vatican.
The visiting preacher was someone I had known over thirty years ago at university, and had not seen since graduation. He is in Rome for a week with his wife, someone I also knew at university.
This led me to wonder about the passing of time - where have all the years gone? It seems like only yesterday that I was an undergraduate and the most important thing in the world was whether or not I would pass those final exams. It also reminded me that we seem to weave in and out of lives as we journey through life. We never sever the threads that bind us all together, and occasionally, long forgotten people reappear and awaken memories we had consigned to the depths of our minds.
It was lovely to reminisce and remember the times we had all spent together, when we were young.

Today is Friday, the end of a very long and tiring week. Alfie and I are now settled into the apartment in Rome and he is getting used to living in a flat and alongside the many feral cats in the neighbourhood. - Quite a challenge for an outdoors-loving, cat-hating lurcher!

Monday was a difficult day. We were flying to Rome from Heathrow and we set off from home at 1 am. The flight took off on time, with Alfie in the Hold. Two hours later, we should have been in Rome, but a fault on the plane meant we had to turn back to London. Several hours later, on a new plane, we took off again.

Arriving in Rome, it took us over three hours to locate Alfie! He had been sent to Cargo City, with general freight. Finding Cargo City was difficult enough,but we then had to see several different people (World Cargo, Customs etc)in several different locations. We had to complete various forms, in Italian and hand over various amounts of money. While I was straining to understand the Italians we met, I realised how important it is to actually listen with complete concentration if we are to understand the meaning behind the words. It is no good simply hearing a message if we don't understand it. I was reminded of the Transfiguration story in the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 17) and God's exasperated intervention when Peter seems to have missed the point,"Listen to him!"

May we all listen attentively!

As I get older, I notice that Time seems to be flying by at a tremendous speed. It seems hardly a minute since Christmas and the thick ice and snow that covered much of England, and here we are, trembling on the threshold of Spring, with the promise of fresh green shoots and crisp, blue skies and Easter on the horizon.
Life is very busy for me as I prepare to spend much more time in Rome with my husband. So many "essential" items to take with me, so many things to put in place before I travel on Monday - I have been quite breathless!
But, suddenly, we are in the season of Lent, and I am relieved to take a break from the business of every day life to stop, to reflect on my relationship with God, to journey through the wilderness with Jesus, then on to Jerusalem and the cross. A journey that doesn't end in a death, but in a Resurrection and hope for mankind.
So deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Jesus in his suffering. Be rejected, killed - and raised on the third day. Choose eternal life - love the LORD your God and live!

This morning I enjoyed a peaceful walk up to the Bellmount Tower, a "folly" in the park surrounding Belton House, a NT property near Grantham.
There was a touch of frost and it was not long before my hands and face were very cold, but the air was still, some deer were in evidence and there was an air of tranquillity.
It was very easy, in the quiet of the countryside, to connect with God. So much easier to listen for his voice there than in the busy town where the noise of the traffic blocks out the sound of the birds. It made me realise once again how important it is to make time and space to bask in God's presence and rest in him in prayer.

We are already into January of a new year - time seems to be galloping ahead at a furious rate!
I have begun the new year with a resolution - I know, very corny! So much time spent reading and studying over the last few months has left me stiff and very "unsupple" so I have determined to exercise three times a week with the aid of a fitness dvd (in addition to the normal dog walks)
The first couple of sessions have found me stiff, inflexible and ungainly, so I am hoping for gradual improvement.
I realise that it is not enough to exercise my "spiritual" muscles if I fail to keep my physical body in shape - we need to look after the whole person!

Had a very interesting weekend in Derbyshire, spending time at Willersley Castle at the MET Prayer Conference.
We were looking at Ephesians, with the excellent Tom Stuckey, and learnt much about blessing and grace. We also prayed for revival. Prayed fervently for the power of God to sweep throughout the country and to breathe new life into our churches. It was wonderful to spend time with such enthusiastic and committed people!
Enjoyed a walk by the river with a view of Arkwright's Mill and reflected on the power of the water that had inspired the building of the mill in that place. The force and noise of the rushing torrents at the weir made me think of the noise of the rushing wind at Pentecost. Lord, send the power and might of your Holy Spirit into the lives of your people today.

I cannot believe that it is October already! The summer has gone, even though it feels like I have only just returned from my holidays.
I spent most of September with my husband. That is something out of the ordinary, as we live in separate countries most of the time! Richard's job is based in Italy and involves a lot of travelling to the Middle East. So to spend more than a weekend in each others company was something of a novelty.
We enjoyed a relaxing cruise on the Mediterranean, a cruise that coincided with our 30th wedding anniversary. Our marriage has not always been plain sailing and sometimes the seas were particularly choppy, but we have managed to keep afloat. (Sorry, I know awful!!)
My Christian journey has not always been plain sailing either, but I have weathered the storms so far. Thank you God for the many blessings in my life. May I always be as faithful to you as you have been to me.

Yesterday, 26 August, saw the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa.
This one tiny lady answered the call of God to travel to a strange land and there founded the Missionaries of Charity of Kolkata.
At the time of her death, in 1997, the Missioaries of Charity were operating in 123 countries. Mother Teresa herself worked tirelessly for over 45 years, ministering to the poor, the sick, the orphaned and the dying.
Throughout her life she had her supporters and her critics, but she carried on working to the end, resolutely fulfiling her mission.
Looking at what was accomplished for the good of humanity and for the Glory of God, by the work of this one woman is very humbling. It also reminds me that God works through every one of us and can do great things if we are open and obedient to his Will in our lives.
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no-one ever come to you without leaving happier" Mother Teresa

It seems so long since I have posted anything here.
The Conference was very interesting. Portsmouth was very hot!
Much has happened since my return. A great deal of time was spent with Circuit and Church farewells to the Superintendent Minister, on his retirement.
Yesterday I was preaching at Harrowby Lane. My "Trial Service". Fortunately I had an excellent assessment and live to preach another day!
I was particularly aware of the extraordinarily diverse gifts of so many of the congregation at HL. From singing, acting, playing instruments to listening skills, hospitality and welcoming skills - the list goes on!
Thank God for the blessings God pours down on us!

I am making final preparations for the trip to Portsmouth tomorrow, where I will be a representative of the Nottingham and Derby District of the Methodist Church, at the Methodist Conference 2010.
Looking at the agenda, there will be several very important debates. It will be good to be involved.
Hoping to meet some old friends in Portsmouth - including someone I knew at university and who I have not seen for over 25 years.
I pray for guidance for all the representatives, that they will make decisions in line with God's will, for the future of the Methodist Church in the UK.

I have just returned from a few days in Rome. June 2 was the Italian national Day and a public holiday. The Festa della Repubblica was celebrated in Rome with a huge procession of military and state might, ending with a fly past of military jets, swooping above the Colisseum and towards the Victor Emmanuel Monument. I watched the procession live on TV as the crowds along the way are always too dense to see anything much - especially for a short person!
I also visited theBasilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva, with important Dominican links and site of the body of St Catherine of Siena. (the head being in Siena.) I was pleased to pray in the quiet of the Basilica and remember St Catherine's words "All the way to heaven, is heaven."

After a few days of uncertainty, the UK has a new Prime Minister in David Cameron. The Conservatives have formed a coalition with the Lib Dems.
A key word in David's first speech as PM was "difficult". There will be "difficult" days ahead and "difficult" decisions to make.
We are "fishing from the other side of the boat" and doing things differently, butweall must pull together to ensure success.
This may not be the government many of us wanted or expected, but we have a duty now to work to ensure some form of stability and economic growth in this country.

Election Day in the UK has finally arrived. I know we have a fairly short time of campaigning, but a much longer campaign would still not have helped my thinking and decision-making.
This has been the most difficult choice I can remember in my voting history! I don't think that any of the three main parties tick my boxes.
I just pray that, whoever wins, Christians in the UK become more involved in the government and leadership and realise how incredibly important it is to engage with the political.

Yesterday I went to hospital to have a couple of cysts removed. One, on my face was quite large and required 3 stitches after the cyst was removed.
I had been given local anaesthetic so it was not painful, but the surgeon asked the nurse to get me some painkillers to bring home with me.
After a ten minute wait the nurse re-appeared with a small foil pack of 6 paracetamol tablets and said "They were none in the pharmacy, so Ibrought you these from my handbag". A kind gesture on her part, but what sort of hospital has no painkillers?
My friend's teenage daughter is due to have her baby any day now. I hope the hospital can find her painkillers for the birth - a couple of paracetamol from the nurse in charge is not going to help much there!

Greetings on St George's day!
Over the last week there has been complete lockdown of all air travel in the UK and large parts of Northern Europe, due to fears about flying through clouds of volcanic ash that have emanated from an eruption in Iceland. Thankfully, things are getting back to normal and the many people, whose journeys were cancelled and who have found themselves stranded, are gradually able to resume their normal lives.
Mankind likes to think that it is all-powerful, that advances in technology have meant that we have tamed the world around us and we are in control. The events of this week have shown us that nature, once again, has the upper hand, and how easily our world comes to a standstill.

This has been another busy week and one in which I have struggled to keep up with everything that must be done.
Last weekend I was in Rome, and on Monday I enjoyed conversation (and ice cream!) with a Dominican friend.
This led me to think about the very different personal callings we have. In our encounters with the Risen Lord, he meets us where we are, he understands our capabilities better than we do and he invites each one of us to get involved with him, from our own unique starting point. All have different personal callings, but all are joined to community in Christ.
We all have our own song to sing, our own message to deliver. Let us all listen for the voice of the shepherd in our lives and follow,or come alongside, or be sent out before, the One who calls. And let us be confident in that calling, that sending. Let us have the Risen Lord at the centre of all we do in his name.

After early rain showers, now a beautiful Spring morning.
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
Bless His Holy Name, let all His Creation rejoice!
Death, where is thy sting? Grave, thy victory?
Alleluia, he is victor over all!

I seem to have several different projects "on the go" just now, all jostling for attention - trying to keep them all in my head is very tiring!
One of my tasks is to put together a service for 18 April for one of the rural churches and I find myself trying out sermon outlines in the shower, choosing hymns as I walkthe dog and meditating upon the readings as I drift off to sleep.
I am also writing a talk for a pastoral group meeting and trying to digest the Candidating Information on the Methodist Church website.
Just as well we women are used to multi-tasking!
But in the midst of this busy life I will be taking time to pray and contemplate over the Easter period.
God "broke in" to the world in an astonishing way. He emptied himself of everything but love and became man to die for us on the cross, to put an end to death and sin. And on the third day he rose again and lives today. Alleluia!

Yesterday I was leading worship at a little village called Skillington. The old chapel stands at the top of a hill, in the centre of the village and overlooking the village green. An idyllic picture.
Mothering Sunday is always a special time as we recognise and honour the mothers amongst us. Our worship was tuneful and joyous and blessed by the presence of two delightful children, in a chapel that is usually without children on Sundays. The two girls, sisters aged three and two , handed out flowers to the ladies present and the three year old (adorably cute) sang a song about Jonah and the Whale, using the microphone and with no trace of nerves.
Such a joy!

My first ever complete sermon seemed to be well-received this morning. Topic of perseverance, keeping on to the end, even when you can't see the final outcome.
Standing behind the pulpit meant my knocking knees were not on display!
When I first read the lectionary readings for today, I immediately thought of an old Harry Lauder song that my grandad used to sing.
"Keep right on to the end of the road" and I used this to weave the sermon together. The final lines of the chorus are:
"Tho' you're tired and weary, still journey on,
Till you come to your happy abode,
Where all the love you've been dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road."
The perfect description of our faith journey!