Heart and health being restored and quality moments in life!

Hi you complete gems

For those of you that didn't see my post about my trip to Burma last year it is here

Much love of course and do continue to keep me posted at how you all are as I am interested. Guess what !! Following the churches across Watford service outside Watford Library I have just been to a pub opposite it, which is "not my scene" and total contrast to 2 places below!!!! and heard an amazing jazz group of guys in their 50's and 60's. I had gone with some youngsters from church and even had to borrow some money for a bitter lemon after the service so thanks Andy G!!


So how is dear old Fliss? Well it has been a good month with a real variation of things, much restored energy ( at last!!!)wonderful people, opportunities but STILL no clarity and round and round on mentoring in schools, universities, Burma, lay chaplaincy, Christian organisations, 2 R.S. posts locally etc. Despite the frustration of not knowing I still feel a peace.

Last Sunday I attended Christ Church in Oxford one of my favourite cities, as Gordon Hickson, my old pastor from Garston, was being ordained as a deacon at St Aldates. I heard Rachel his wife speak at a breakfast the previous Saturday and, as ever, her talk was wonderful and spoke so much to my heart. You gem Rachel. Their marriage is one of the strongest and best I know, where each has flourished so much. I long for the day when they write a book on marriage, as it will be such a blessing to loads of people. Whilst day dreaming slightly I thought Lord please do not call me to ordination (as there were 3 ladies being ordained as deacons!!) and the hymn containing the words “all vain things which charm me most …”. Immediately I thought of the trip to the Grove the following day, wine bars, concerts, tea shops, art galleries etc. All for our enjoyment, enrichment and yes they do charm me and I THINK they are a gift from you know WHO, who knows what I need!!!

So, the following day saw me at the Grove with Niki the amazing former head of school who left her old and crabby R.S teacher waiting in the cold and rain for 25 minutes!! What a nerve and, even though I had my amazing chocolate umbrella, I now have pneumonia and am sitting in bed writing the blog!!! The fact that you left part of your chocolate cake (which was guaranteed to give anyone a heart attack but a better choice than mine!) so I could try it, DOES NOT let you off the hook dear Niki. Oh no! You were obviously confident that I would wait and know I think you are gem ( but do not push it!!) which is definitely a step of faith as you know exactly what I am like from school days.Intolerant!! Anyway I had a great time even walking round in the rain after tea with the chocolate umbrella !!! You remain a wonderful ambassador for the next generation with brilliant qualities and such maturity in the face of your old R.S. teacher going off on one for the first 3 minutes. What is new! FAR too gracious and only 19! I am humbled for the moment!!! Hope it didn’t smack of the Spanish Inquisition too much! You star!!!! ( sorry did I REALLY go to the Grove with my hair a real mess!)

I attended the Chinese Embassy along with about 150 others to demonstrate about the situation in North Korea where people are being sent back to Korea and they are not being treated as refugees. What awaits them? You can guess - torture, imprisonment and even death. A letter was presented to the Embassy so we will see what happens. Who is kidding who(m?) about change in a country which is having a profound affect on the rest of the world but have human rights changed there!! I get stuff all the time from different organisations so although after the controversial and brilliant documentary "the dying rooms" maybe they have in some areas!!

I also went to the Berkhamsted tea shop/antique shop and a walk down the canal with the person I am mentoring. I even saw a BRILLIANT PURPLE WATERING CAN TOO!!It is so exciting as she is hearing God so much through the Bible, prayer, dreams, is praying with other people too, has a great circle of friends and is learning loads from Him and life as she sees His purposes unfold in her life. The only blot on the horizon was that cool( or sad ) Fliss with music on her phone at 47(!!!) was trying to send 4 tracks from my phone to hers to educate her on taste, BUT we did not quite manage that yet as the younger generation have not quite mastered the phone!! Really!!!!You have great qualities and your heart for people is cool dear Jemma. Long may it last you gem.

One track I was trying to send was that amazing piece I mentioned last time from Gladiator called “ Now we are Free”. Awesome. Definately for a number of countries I could mention!

Also this week the neighbour situation has been intolerable – more abuse, motor bikes up and down for 2-3 hours at a time, music, football games etc. I asked the prayer group to pray on Thursday as it stretches the nerves to the extreme. I KNOW in the light of any of the above in Korea, it is nothing. I sincerely hope when I go to heaven that, after putting up with this for 12 years God has a really wonderful house for me or should I say mansion with no kids and yobbish youths giving me a hard time!!!!!

It was great to see Wendy yesterday and sit on the terrace with a cuppa and 6 biscuits for £4 at wonderful St Michael’s Manor and then walk round the gardens. Awesome and so peaceful. Thank you so much for your time. I cannot believe we went to Israel together over 20 years ago and I have taught both her children. How time flies. I do not think we look much different and you are still amazingly classy dear Wendy. Above is me in the lounge (and IF Lord you are listening I wouldn’t mind a house on earth like this!!!!) at St Michael’s which has David Roberts pictures of Israel, lovely blue and white chairs, jazz music and it is so relaxing. I plan to take others there in time.

I then saw the wonderful Lisa who I love to bits and lives in Harpenden but we met in St Albans. I had a starter and rocket salad at Zizzi’s which was fabulous and very tasty. So two great people in the same day. I am truly privileged. God gives us what we need ( challenge) and what we want and need ( enriching relationships that bless beyond ones wildest dreams). I know you will be slightly cross when you see this Lisa but I think it demonstrates your amazing compassion and you are one of the most compassionate people I know!!Sorry!!!

Last Friday I heard a moving account by Nick Clarke from the BBC on Radio 4 at 9 am called “Fighting to be Normal”. He had a leg amputated and was speaking about his experiences along with his wife and 2 little boys. It left me in tears and I suspect many others. It can be downloaded I think from the web site although I did record it if anyone wants to borrow it. Such courage, honesty and guaranteed to challenge us all. I rang the BBC to say thank you that as brilliant and easily the best thing on the radio for ages.

I WONDER how the wonderful ladies from Angela’s Bible study are getting on. If any of you are reading this I hope the moves go well for the three of you and your families. I know you will be a real blessing wherever you go even though your loss will be felt by all those who know you in London. You gems as well as those who are not moving.

Tomorrow I am off to Nottingham to see Claire who worked with me for 4 years and is a fantastic asset to the teaching profession. She is also incredibly gracious( a saint I think!!) and we would never have accomplished what we did as a Department if she had not been willing to take enormous risks with me as we stepped out in God and totally relied on Him to get us through!!! Lots of scary moments!! I know it will be wonderful to see you dear Claire, have a glass of wine or two. Wine, great company( my own!!Sorry Claire no more new jokes) and probably much to laugh about. What more could one ask for !!!! ( Now I have been and even took at photo of a purple and green bus but Claire ran off in embarrassment!!

I attended a session on dream interpretation with about 30 in the church. Actually I have lost faith that God will speak to me in dreams as I have been praying for 12 years about it and only had one ( I think!!). I feel I need to step out in faith and start believing again and have a pen and paper by my bed. One well known guy James Ryle asked God why he spoke in dreams when He could easily give though prayer, prophecy etc. Can you guess what the answer was? He felt God say “because you CAN’T INTERRUPT!!” I do find that amusing. So we will see!!

Any wisdom on the house move or anything you feel God might be saying to me please pass on. Today I clearly felt Him say “keep your mouth shut” and do not say anything just when I was about to say something this morning. Amazingly as you will all find it, He does not say “shut up” to me very often even though many of you cannot understand why!!

I think a glass of chilled wine calls, but I DO NOT BELIEVE the reductions at the supermarkets are genuine as they say an average wine was originally £6.99 and now £4.40 and you know full well that is complete hogwash !! Bach's B Minor too - divine!
Must get my beauty sleep as off to Notts tomorrow for the day so......!!!! No, I know I do not need beauty sleep but ......!!!!

You will be pleased to know a tin of purple paint fell in the shed and is on everywhere including the lawn!!!! Green lawn and purple paint!!

So, you gems, much love as always. ( If the 3 of you have issues with photos on blog even though I asked 2 of you let me know and for a small fee £3,000 I might remove them!!)

Fliss xxx