A couple of Saturdays ago we had a late night phone call asking us to be "in charge" of kids work the following morning. Feeling too tired to panic or stress i got a suprisingly good night's sleep and awoke feeling vaguely confident. The set-up and team organisation went well - it felt like second nature after doing it every week for nearly 5 years! My confidence started to wane, however, as the team meeting started and i felt like i wanted to be somewhere else. Everyone around the table looked to me to start it off and i didn't really know what to say. Thankfully, Sarah took charge and led the meeting brilliantly (probably having sensed my awkwardness) and the rest of the morning went swimmingly. I was really suprised at my reactions - usually i would blag it, but it felt far more comfortable letting someone else step forward.

Then Becca asked me to lead the women's bible study so that Angela could have a break. Again, i felt quite confident having led small groups before and i knew my material well having mulled it over for the past few months - creative personal worship with a practical session. The evening didn't start off so well, Megan was breaking her heart at me leaving the house so as a result i forgot a load of equipment and when i arrived there had been an admin mix-up which meant no hand-outs for anyone......which would normally have driven my stress levels sky high to not have things just right. But none of that mattered because the rest of the evening went well and God showed up and during the ministry time i got so totally blasted by the Holy Spirit that i couldn't speak (not so great when you're meant to be leading it!).

I have often wondered what God has been doing in me over the past 18 months. Sometimes it has felt like nothing at all, other times i feel like i have taken backward steps. These two things that i have done recently shows me just how much i have mellowed out and how much my heart has changed. On reflection i think God has been quietly beavering away, slowly re-aligning my priorities. I used to think that presentation and organisation was everything, even at the cost of listening to God (and my husband!) and being led by the Spirit.

It is so much nicer being chilled.

I thought i'd better write something so i don't get told off for not blogging for ages.....

So summer has arrived then. I've succumbed to the natural instinct of getting into action as soon as the sun comes out - itching to sort out the garden, wanting so paint some walls, being less tolerant of mess and clutter. I'm sure it's too early to be nesting, i'm only 25 weeks in to this pregnancy (which does not sound that long.....until i think that it's only 15 weeks to go) although i can't wait to get the nursery sorted before i get too big to do anything.

We're pretty sure it's a boy, although we are open to suprises of course. I know Steve is secretly planning his footie training already, and can't wait to teach him how to play action man properly. We think Megs is understanding it all a bit more and i'm sure she'll be a great big sister, although the way she handles her doll is cause for concern as to how she may handle the new baby.

Megs had her first cinema experience yesturday. We took her to see Ice Age 2 for my birthday treat and she loved it! She even gave a running commentry for the rest of the audience which i hope wasn't too annoying for anyone.