10 things to be thankful for and prayer birds.

This is a prayer tree.  At church today, we were asked to decorate cut out birds in different ways and then write the name of someone we particularly want to pray for.

You then put yours in one of two places- one where you wanted their name read out and one where you wanted to pray for them yourself and have the bird put straight onto the tree.  It was a simple but powerful idea. I avoided the PVA glue and stuck to sticky-backed foam.

Hearing their names read out was a comfort and also quite emotional.

I chose to pray for two people

1 whom is very dear to me and who is very unwell.  Their health has gone downhill over the last couple of years and someone I don't see that often due to proximity but I love them dearly. I pray for their health, mobility, appetite and happiness.

The other is someone I have worked with. I have mentioned them before as being extremely prickly and difficult to work with. I have extreme sympathy for this person and their life but have often felt extremely exasperated with for various reasons, I really like them but they don't make it easy to be friends (to that end I have often discussed them with the odd colleague or two which I don't think is fair). , although generally, in recent times, they have been very nice to me in meetings for example-  I know I will be encountering this person more this year so I really want to pray for them, their situation and our relationship.

It was good to be back at church today after a hiatus of several weeks- well, over a month. Having that community is very important. I look at the faces of these people I have come to know and have a great affection for them.

Tomorrow, I am back at school and, of course, am dreading it like nobody's business. No matter how much I like my job, colleagues and situation, I don't think the 'end of holiday' dread ever goes away.  The reality is always fine though!

Here are things I have been grateful for this holiday.

1.  For MUCH relaxed time spent with CBC- we have had a lovely time together, been close to each other & enjoyed each other's company without school anxiety hanging over us.

2. For some much needed sun in Greece- although it was TOO hot, it was a much needed boost!

3.  For a lovely week spent in Northumberland- time with J, my mother in law- she is so kind and accommodating and will always give up time and resources for us & she is a great, wise person.  I loved seeing WOMOTM- even if it wasn't as much as I wished!

4. For music- music camp was a great experience- some fantastic highlights. Although my Flute Concertino performance wasn't as good as I wished (I didn't get to perform it until 11pm at night, after performing a long symphony, sitting through Enigma Variations, a Mass, other compositions and a long day), I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to have performed it with strings.

5.  For many delicious meals eaten- very little that have been cooked by me, given that we were away for 25 days of the holiday!

6.  For the chance to get things in the house straight, sorted a bit and put away.

7.  For time spent seeing friends, old and new.

8.  For many good books!

9.  For fresh air and walks.

10.  For rest and sleep.

Well...back to it then!

xx