Wet Wales

It seems like the hot spell is over, or is it just Wales??? I left the hot sunny midlands and now I'm staying with my sister and its all rainy. My sister has assured me it was hot and sunny here, but I don't know, everyone knows it rains all the time in Wales!!! I'd better be careful what I say or I'll be getting abusive comments from welsh readers (and my sister might send me home!). Sorry, I love Wales really! :)

Happy Birthday Abi - 4 today!

Personality tests

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

50 Things About Me

1. NAME: Sarah
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? no, my parents just wanted a Sarah Jane
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Last episode of Doctor Who!
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Its a bit boring, but its clear and easy to read on the board so good for a teacher
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? chicken or turkey
6. KIDS? none
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? no, I'm too boring!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yes but not too good at keeping it up to date so giving the blogging a go
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? yes, too much
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, never!
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Crunchy nut cornflakes
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? yes
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? not bad for a girl!
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? vanilla
16. SHOE SIZE? 6 (UK sizes)
17. RED OR PINK? Pink
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? body - need to lose the tummy. character - too self conscious
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My sister (see you in a few days!)
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I'm not sending this to anyone!
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? presumably means trousers - I'm wearing a green patchwork skirt and no shoes
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? channel 4 - 50 greatest comedy sketches
23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? lilac
24. FAVORITE SMELL? bacon!
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my sister phoned to wish me happy birthday
26. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? smile?
27. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? it was my sister - she's ok!!!!
28. FAVORITE DRINK? tea
29. FAVORITE SPORT? don't do sport but like to watch athletics
30. EYE COLOR? Blue
31. HAT SIZE? don't know
32. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
33. FAVORITE FOOD? I love roast pork or lasagne or school chicken pie
34. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? definitely happy endings, don't do scary movies
35. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIES? Wedding Crashers
36. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? cream
37. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer - I'm a teacher so I have holidays!
38. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs (unless its kisses from my niece or nephew!)
39. FAVORITE DESSERT? cheesecake
40. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? not sure anyone will (prove me wrong!)
41. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? everyone
42. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Handbags and Halos by Bernadette Strachan
43. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? its plain grey with a green wrist rest (its mum's)
44. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? I saw McCloud and some CSI and Law and Order which the parents were watching
45. FAVORITE SOUNDS? seaside sounds
46. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
47. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Italy
48. WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATION? Maths Teacher
49. BOXERS OR BRIEFS? briefs
50. I TAG… anyone who happens to be reading this!

Another Year Older

Well, it doesn't feel much different to be another year older. I remember when birthdays were so exciting, you were looking forward to them for months. My niece is very excited about her birthday next week, she will be 4! Now I tend to be thinking about what I've actually achieved in the past year, not a lot! Still I had a good day, I went to the theatre in the afternoon with Mum and saw "Anything Goes". It was great fun and I really enjoyed it, I didn't realise how many of the songs I knew and I was singing "I get a kick out of you" all evening.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!

Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

~~Horatio Gates Spafford [1873]

We sang this hymn at the Baptist Assembly in May and were told the story about when it was written, I found singing it very moving. This is the story:

In 1871, tragedy struck Chicago as fire ravaged the city. When it was all over, 300 people were dead and 100,000 were homeless. Horatio Gates Spafford was one of those who tried to help the people of the city get back on their feet. A lawyer who had invested much of his money into the downtown Chicago real estate, he'd lost a great deal to the fire. And his one son (he had four daughters) had died about the same time. Still, for two years Spafford--who was a friend of evangelist Dwight Moody--assisted the homeless, impoverished, and grief-stricken ruined by the fire.

After about two years of such work, Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation. They were to go to England to join Moody and Ira Sankey on one of their evangelistic crusades, then travel in Europe. Horatio Spafford was delayed by some business, but sent his family on ahead. He would catch up to them on the other side of the Atlantic.

Their ship, the Ville de Havre, never made it. Off Newfoundland, it collided with an English sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and sank within 20 minutes. Though Horatio's wife, Anna, was able to cling to a piece of floating wreckage (one of only 47 survivors among hundreds), their four daughters--Maggie, Tanetta, Annie, and Bessie--were killed. Horatio received a horrible telegram from his wife, only two words long: "saved alone."

Spafford boarded the next available ship to be near his grieving wife, and the two finally met up with Dwight Moody. "It is well," Spafford told him quietly. "The will of God be done."

Though reports vary as to when he did so, Spafford was led during those days of surely overwhelming grief to pen the words to one of the most beautiful hymns we know, beloved by Christians lowly and great. It has long been a favorite of Baptists (and other evangelicals) including Martin Luther King.

Don't Worry

Philippians 4 v5,6 (NLT)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

This just reminds me that I shouldn't be fretting about what to do next, but praying for God's peace in my life and decisions.

Colossians 3 v11 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

This is the verse we were considering at church this morning, I'm not sure I am a holy person - holy means separate, not of the world. I am reading a good book called "Get more like Jesus while watching TV" which has made me think. They don't say that all TV is bad but you need to think about how you watch TV and what you get out of it. I know I watch some things which really aren't a good idea but I don't think all TV is inherently bad. Anyway, the book's well worth a read.

God's Plan

During this past year I've been struggling with some decisions in my life - Is it time to find a new job? Should I be moving to a new place? Should I be looking at a new career? I've been praying about it but somehow I've not been sure what God is asking me to do. I've tried a few things but they came to nothing leaving me more confused than ever. I know that God has a plan for my life.

Psalm 139 v16 “Your eyes saw me when I was only a foetus. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place.”

Romans 8 v28 “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God - those whom he has called according to his plan.”

These verses give me reassurance but I'm finding it hard to know exactly what the plan is. I guess most people struggle with this at times, but some people seem to have a clear calling. I've had advice to try a few doors and if they close that will give me some guidance but I'm finding it tough. Its hard to apply for jobs, get yourself all prepared for moving on and then find its not to be and I have to get used to the idea that I'm here for a while longer. Its not that I particularly dislike my life right now but I'm feeling its time to move on, I'm just not sure what to.

Proverbs 16 v9 “A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.”

Maybe I'm just not too good at listening to God, I'm trying but I can't help feeling it would be a whole lot easier if he just used a big neon sign!!

Saturday Night without Doctor Who

I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms, at this time on a Saturday night I should be watching Doctor Who, I'm sorry but a night of Sport Relief just isn't the same. Maybe I should get out the dvds of the first series to help me get through the evening or should I just go cold turkey?!?! :>

Meet the Blogging Granny

My mum has started blogging (with a little encouragement!) Go and take a look!

Copying my sister

You Are a White Flower

A white flower tends to represent purity, simple beauty, and modesty.At times, you are dignified like a magnolia.And at other times, you represent great ecstasy, like a white orchid.And more than you wish, you're a little boastful, like a white hydrangea.

What Colour Flower Are You?

They've arrived!

No more looking forward to the holidays they are here! Yes, I know its early, one of the joys of working in an independent school. I'm not sure what I will be doing with my time today, but I'm thinking watch a dvd, play on the playstation, catch up on some things I have on sky+. All in all it will be a very busy day! :> I would like to point out that I am dressed already which is a big achievement for me on the first day of the holidays!!!

Doctor Who

Wow! Isn't Doctor Who brilliant? Just finished watching the season finale and then Doctor Who Confidential on BBC3. I won't say too much about tonight's episode as I know some people won't have seen it yet - if not watch it quick! I loved it and I confess I cried at the end, it won't be the same without Rose but at least David Tennant is staying for another series. I have loved this series, I thought season 1 was good but I think David is such a superb doctor. I think the scene of the series was the doctor on a horse riding through the mirror into the ballroom, wonderful moment! I'm sure other people have there only opinions but there is something about David Tennant on a horse! The only bad thing is what do I do with my Saturdays now?

Well, as you have gathered I am back from the activity holiday and thankfully everything went smoothly. We didn't have any problems with sunstroke, mainly because we had quite a bit of rain and thick sea fog! We did have sun when we needed it, on the beach and for surfing and canoeing, but at other times it wasn't so nice, still it didn't interfere with any activities but I think all the girls ran out of dry clothes by the end of the week (partly because some of the activities involve them crawling through the mud and the instructors love to pour water over them too). The only problem we had was homesickness, quite a few tears to mop up. They are the first group we have taken who had lots of post from home and I don't think its a coincidence that we haven't had so much homesickness before.

I can hardly believe it but I only have one more day of school and then we have prizegiving on Tuesday, after that it is the summer holiday so I suppose then I should change the name of this blog!

Too hot!

I know we British are never satisfied with the weather, but I have to say I'm not coping well with the heat at the moment. Its been over 30 this weekend and likely to stay that way for a while, I'm melting! I know some people thrive on the heat but I'm just feeling completely without energy and as I am pale skinned I have to be really careful in the sun or I turn a delightful shade of pink. This next week I am away on an activity holiday so I will be outside most of the time, so if I make it to next weekend without being burnt I will be very proud of myself. Actually its not me being burnt that worries me, but I will be responsible for the children not getting burnt or dehydrated. Thankfully we will be near the coast so it should be a little cooler than here (if you don't know where I am, lets just say I am almost as far as you can get from the sea), I will have to nag them constantly I think; a few years ago one of the girls got sunstroke and the mother went mad at us even though we had continually told her to wear sunscreen, hat and drink water (apart from forcing her, I'm not sure what else we could have done). I think I am just about packed, I am the sort of packer who needs to cover every eventuality so my bag is very full and heavy. I know I will bring back a pile of stuff unworn, but I need them just in case it rains, turns cold, gets hotter, I rip something, I get muddy, I fall in the river, ... Who knows what could happen? Best to be prepared!