Charpentier's Te Deum, restoration of relationships ( again) and much to celebrate!

Hi you gems

I know I have not written the blog since February and this is because my lap top has given up and I have had to borrow one. Someone from church is trying to hack into the lap top (!!) as he is a real computer wiz to see if I can save my photos which are Burma, friends etc.

Do any of you know that wonderfully uplifting Te Deum by Charpentier?It is awesome and I heard it in London one day and decided it was great. I have gone on about it loads at school. I also told a year 8 class that their lives would be transformed by it. There are 3 amazing tracks.

As some of you know I had a ticket for Burma in April for May for 3 days. However I felt such a "lack of peace" about going that I let it go back into the system and then spent the next 2 weeks perplexed and annoyed that He had closed the door. Of course on May 3rd I knew why!When will I ever learn that I am not omniscient!! THESE dear people have suffered far more than they should ever have done. I have heard from nearly everyone there accept World Vision about my sponsored child in Rangoon.

Recently I heard an inspiring talk by Ellie Munford ( see South West Vineyard or even the Soul Survivor website) for information on her. It was called "Ordinary Women in the hands of an Extraordinary God" and I am going to listen to it again now, when I have finished being annoyed by the blog as it will not publish or enable me to change the pictures.

Last month I celebrated my 49th birthday. No I am sure you cannot believe it either! Of course I celebrated in different ways with many dear people even though others could not be there. You know who you are, so thank you so much for your amazing generosity and kindness. It was fantastic to see all you wonderful ladies again and I hope you will forgive me for giving you all a photo of me because I love it!! What a nerve but amusing. It is the one below with the cross, the wine and the candles. How insufferable, but I was the birthday girl so tough!!

My wonderful sister came down one Saturday and we went to the Ritz with those fabulous friends Ali, John, Val and Ian. It is now 30 years this year since we started going to the above and here we are now at 48/49 etc!! Amazing. Where have the years gone. We also enjoyed another remarkable meal and great ambience at the Meridian in Piccadily and received 50% off the food bill with www.toptable.co.uk which I would definately recommend. Thank you again you very generous friends.

I am still teaching at the school and I continue to enjoy most aspects of it. The girls and staff are both great and I have, of course, recieved massive grace from so many staff who put up with their purple and green colleague! Three of them might kill me on Monday about something, so this could be my last posting!!I have been there about 16 months and even though it has been a difficult few weeks, all will be well. Last Tuesday I was on Coombe Hill enjoying a fabulous view and recieved what I can only say was an extremely clear revelation about my situation. Suffice to say much has happened this week to which I rejoice- restoration, clarity, joy and peace have returned and I have enjoyed quality moments and steps made.

Who has read Miss Garnet's Angel and Mr Goolightly's Holiday? They were recomended by the school colleague who definately got this right and frankly only one other person ever has in terms of novels. I suppose I am an open book! Is that a pun?Not sure but think so!!

I have seen at least 2 former students recently. Lizzy and I went to a remarkable Bach concert at the wonderful St John's Smith Square where they played the Easter and Ascension oratorios. The music was completely out of this world and after that her parents very kindly treated us to the above place so I went there twice in a very short time!! How kind of them. What stars!

I have also seen Beth who was gracious enough to do lunch with me in Cambridge following her first paper of her final exams. How kind. Brilliant to see them both!What great ambassadors for the next generation as is Niki another former student. You know you are all gems. It was also great to stay overnight at Claire and David's followed by leisurely breakfast, worship CD and then Claire playing Bach and Handel in the sun drenched dining room. Fabulous and one of life's many gifts.

This week has seen me attend a funeral, followed by a talk to the parents on Burma which went badly due to the lap top programme being unfamiliar, then back to school, followed by a church meeting in the evening. WHAT a day!!

However amidst the tranquility and turmoil ( title of an art exhibition at Greenwich) of this week there has been much to rejoice about. Apart from reconciliation, laughter and amazing grace I have been to tea,coffee or lunch with 3 brilliant people on consecutive days who I love to bits. I even went to Salisbury for lunch ( goat's cheese on toast )on Friday with 6 hours travelling so yes I obviously think the person is worth it!! Sitting outside Salisbury Cathedral having coffee with my previous Head's secretary Jan was amazing. I also enjoyed a cuppa and a glass of wine etc at Sopwell with a wonderful colleague from school who I love to bits and makes me laugh so much and had cake yesterday with a very dear friend Janette whose friendship was definately worth waiting 6 or was it 8 years for!How fortunate I am to have such great people in my life who have blessed my life more than I can ever say. Lunch with Anita on Tuesday afternoon made it a brilliant few days in terms of dear people. Enough praise of you all!!!

This comes with much love and thanks for all your brilliant people. I have got fed up with this as I lost the first posting and have letters to write etc, as well as that inspiring talk to listen to.

Much love now and always

Flissxxx