Obedience

Obedience is not something that we like to talk about. If we think of traditional marriage vows it was not uncommon to love, cherish and obey.
Today I even found myself talking about obeying when one of my children tried to negotiate extra time to play with friends.
Sometimes obedience means submission and that can also be a foreign concept to some.
Not many people like being told what they have to do. The concept of being servant hearted can be somewhat lost.
It can be easy to say that "I have a right" or this is not fair.
Obedience is sometimes committing to something, even when it does not make rational sense.
Moravians sold themselves into slavery for the sake of the Gospel.
Why would I give up 13 years of a professional salary to serve the community I love.
It would be so easy to have ignored the call that I felt in my Spirit and have a nice wage, a bigger house, foreign holidays and more.
As I browse job vacancies, you just know what seems right and what seems wrong. Its instinct, its in your spirit, DNA... it's the call of God in your life.

Why are you being kind to me?

What's the catch?

The concept of a sacrificial act with no underlying motive is also a foreign concept.

As Christians we are called to love. Not cast judgement. Not add conditions.
Not control. Just love.

Open handed. You might get rejected, you might get falsely accused, it most definitely won't be the smoothest path...

But are you willing to follow the rough path...

Are you willing to be battered in the the winds

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life?

Who do you put your trust in? Who is your rock and salvation?
Who never leaves you or forsakes you?

Are you willing to go against the tide, if asked?

Following a call of God in my life is an act of obedience. You take the rough with the smooth.

The Joy of School Sports Day

As the summer term fast comes to an end, I wonder how many mums are seeing their days just slip through their fingers.

As a child I hated sports days. It may surprise you but not everyone is good at athletics. (Now if sports day had included playing tabletennis for your house, I would have enjoyed them better.)

Not only did you have to spend weeks building up to the big day in PE and your teacher would decide what you were doing in secondary, you also had the day itself.

Now I thought my days of torture were over but now I have kids the nightmare of sports day is once again here.

Now before I have legions of you complaining at what a bad mum I am and what a spoiler, let me just explain.

I live in Scotland. Sports day is an outdoor event, so in Scotland our school has 3 proposed dates for sports day as it is weather dependant. Now I am fortunate I do not have to ask for time off, I work round my week and catch up where necessary. If I was not so fortunate taking time off to support you star is not quite so easy. You are lucky to get a days notice.

This year I think it will be fine, the weather is grand and the first date will be the day that it is on... mind you the fact that we had 2 dates this week I was kind of stressing about how to plan work this week.

Sports day used to be an hour and a half in the afternoon, recently it has been 3 hours in the morning.

Last year was the first time they tried this and to be frank it was awful. I had 2 kids at primary last year and I spent most of my time walking round a field trying to show support. The had multiple stations that the kids rotated round and due to age difference my kids were at opposite ends most of the time. (This year I only have 1 child at that school, so it will be a bit easier.)

The kids did their tasks, then the bell went and the kids were all taken across the field back to the play ground to have play time (leaving some rather bewildered mum and dads in the field wondering what was happening.) After the play time the kids came back in order to continue their challenges.

Now last year communication was not the best, so most parents were not prepared for the 3 hours sports day. I must confess I had sun lotion but no water and I could feel my head slowly burn.

Now my son has hyper mobility too so by the end of the day he was crying in pain, the school had not pre warned me the length of the programme so I could suggest a way for him to have coping strategies. So needless to say I was not best pleased he was in so much pain for the next 2 days.

So the question is how prepared will I be tomorrow? If it is as sunny as today water, a hat and sun screen will be required....maybe a book for the times we have to wait and something to sit on.

One last thing GO NEBIT GO!

The Jottings continue

So much as happened since my last blog, so much one wonders where to start.... Or do we skip the rollercoaster of events in this journey , not that I want to miss them out.. just that is quite so much.
Let's just say there has been lots of dark, hard moments. Grief, loss and heartbreak both professional and personal.

Maybe it's an age thing but I think I am beginning to stress less about what others think.

I had teased for years that I should just open a dog walking business. One day I felt God say, just get on with it!

Where I once cared for people on the autistic spectrum in order to have money for ministry, I now walk dogs.

There were lots of reason why I gave up care, largely the changes in the care system that meant after 10 years of doing the job and doing all the in house training, I was then going to have to have to get an SQA. The large amount of work required and a family bereavement that took my breath away so much I felt like I could hardly function.....well I had to change.

So the business idea became a reality. People thought I was daft, you don't need more stuff in your life right now. Then came a chance for a loveable dog!

Animals are so therapeutic. I spend a fair proportion of my time with dogs. They make me laugh, they clam me down (mostly) they de-stress, they provide space.... I have time  with the dog or dogs to chat and pray.

So out went the care job and in came walking with dogs. Ministry continues.
It is a bit of a leap in the dark as I did not have much behind me to start it up but after a year and a half we are getting there.

So where is my thinking for ministry? Well one of the books I have been reading is about the Art of neighbouring. Coming with no agenda or no lets get you to this programme... just sharing life.

When I was grieving I was amazed at who rallied round and who demonstrated love. Of course you get an overwhelming amount of cards and flowers - I even had to buy more vases.... a lovely problem to have....

One moment that really impacted me were my friends the childminders. We had a roman as one moment where they encircled me so that my child's ex childminder and I could have a private moment in public.... so much so my hubby was out of the circle.

I knew my community - that is for sure.

You see relationships matter....

God created us to be relational people. I hope people know that relationships matter to me. That is why we will drive 1000 miles in a weekend to be at a family event. (Whenever we can)

You are obviously not going to have deep connections with everyone and sometimes your connections are for a season. Some last for a lifetime and it does not matter how long you are apart, you can pick up where you left off.

There is no doubt that I have had life changing events that have meant I have entered a new season of life. Family matters. I have seen people where ministry is so important that family is affected.

I am now balancing family commitments and ministry and a business to help support that ministry.... that takes some juggling..

But the journey continues....

Saving the pool - JOUNEYS END or new BEGINNNING?

Many of you may know that I embarked on saving a sports facility 2 years ago. The council was closing it and that was that.

Or so many thought...

In my heart though I felt there were issues of integrity with this decision and so I quickly joined with some local mums to petition against the closure.

I had more than enough on at the time but as a community worker my professional values were at stake as far as I am concerned. I could not stand by and see a facility be demolished because I knew it would have a detrimental effect on the long term health and well being of the community.

It soon became apparent that the decision would not be reversed and the last option was a community buy out of the facility.

Fighting demolition is massive, but thanks to a great team within the community that evolved we have done it - it is the community worker's dream. I am so proud do be a part of this.
What started as my off time,  soon became part of ministry. For where does it start and finish?

So Ochil Leisure Centre is once again open to the public, thanks to a handful of determined parents and local people.

  

It has been a slog at times and I wonder why would you do this as it has impacted family life.... but the satisfaction I got at having my kids back in there doing swimming lessons ( a very important life skill) and hearing kids enjoy themselves is hard to describe.

We have opened the doors in March and have a good staff team but we still need to make it sustainable.
I now have a choice to make too. Have I done my bit or do I become a voluntary Director of the company? (If they will have me)

To be honest I have poured so much of my life into this in the past 2 years  that it has my heart now.... its still early days.

This was no where in my grand scheme of life but its where God seems to have led me.  I have some thinking to do...

What an honour

Wow, this week is only part way through and I have come through highs and lows.

I have a friend who had to choose to lose a limb through an illness. I have prayed with  those that are facing terrible things that you think "  Where is God " and yet at the same time you feel God upholding them. Awestruck at such a big God we have yet humanly exhausted by Wednesday.

The pool that I have spent  my last 2 years saving  now is changing and if I want to continue in decisions I will have to become a director of thecompany ( voluntary)

This as well as running and developing a ministry and working to fund the ministry is huge

Please pray as I consider what God is asking of me

Blessings

Tricia  x

Where does the time go?

Hi folks

Apologies for not taking the time to blog. I realised it is about a year since I did this almost.

Where does the time go?

In that time my wee boy has started school, I have become Acting Team leader of YWAM Stirling and I have been active in Ochil Leisure Enterprises. This Friday is opening day and I am getting so excited. This has been 2 full years of hard work to get to this stage .... and yet in another sense this is only the beginning.

From a YWAM point of view we are at a point where people are applying to join us long term which is always exciting. In terms of vision and strategy for the future we are starting to build up again. We are partnering with Stirling House of Prayer
with weekly  prayer for Stirling and a monthly Prophetic Art group.

I hope my next post is a bit sooner.

Tricia  

Hubpages

Hi folks

I know that some of you are aware of this due to the wonders of facebook but my most recent writing and poetry can be found on http://triciaward.hubpages.com/

Tricia

Where does the time go?

2012 is certainly going to be a significant year for me. Within the last month my sister, who has led YWAM Stirling for the past 6 and a bit years, stepped away from the team to move into a new ministry with Fatherheart focus.

Today was another significant day with Douglas my youngest turning 5.

There is something about that milestone isn't there. Turning 5 seems like a big one - he is moving from a pre schooler to a big boy.

He was so excited last night that he thanked God in advance for the party that mum had arranged. Bless him.

For me however, it is that time of transition when I realise within a few short months both my kids will be away all day at school.

It is a time that I have at times longed for, as much as I adore my kids over the past few years with preschool it is 2.5 hours a day and I seem to have to snatch that time to do the shopping in peace or madly get back for the pick up.

Having said that, although I work, I will miss having small people in the house all day. Things like making time for baking and craft with them will have to be re scheduled.

It seems absolutely no time since Douglas came into the world....

Today we had twelve 4 to 5 year olds at the local ceramic place painting and playing. The noise level at times was extreme but happy face told the story at the end of the 1.5 hours.

Painting, soft play and snack food. What more could you possibly want?

Focussing on strengths

I don't like to think about Christmas too early. Infact I tend to get my daughters birthday out the way first. That is in early December.
Earlier this week however I went into a blind panic. I got so stressed as I suddenly realised I should have at least done the parcels that need posting.

Christmas cards too were not complete.
That is where I see hubby and I work well together. I like doing a family letter, since I enjoy that, I managed to write that even with the children interrupting within an hour.

Hubby is a geek and has a spreadsheet of all the cards and addresses. When I was out at meetings this week hubby did the admin.

My hubby hates Christmas shopping and has a big family and panics at the thought of what to get people. I love doing the shop and normally has things in mind for all ages.
Phil took a day off work to look after my son for me to shop and get it all done. Blitzed the list within 2 days.
I get all the pressies and hubby packages it up ready for me to post.

Great team work and it all gets done and with time to spare. Sorted.

Changes in YWAM Stirling

I feel like this could be an almost constant title for our team. In September we had new team members come and join us Gary and Vanessa Irvine with their daughter Dara and my sister has come back from sabbatical.
In November, my sister announced her intention to leave the YWAM Stirling team and therefore the Team Leadership position in April 2012.

So what does that mean for us? Several things.

1)That means I will soon be the only original team member left.

2) We will have to agree who will take over the team leadership with the national leadership team of YWAM Scotland.

3)We will need to find a new office, as our current office is associated to my sister's home.

So as ever we are in a state of change. Over the next few weeks and months we will be trying to seek the best way forward.

On the up side though, it is an exciting time to be in ministry in Stirling.
Just last week saw the introduction of a Bible in the chapel at the castle. Ministry like light and life is developing. There are obviously the Stirling Street Pastors.
New ministry is also being explored such as a Stirling House of Prayer and there is also the potential that Teen challenge may set up in Stirling which would complement the work of Street Pastors.

Prophetic Art Workshop
I am currently in the process of organising a one day prophetic workshop. The date and venue of this is still to be finalised but if you are at all interested in this please get in touch as it would help me to know the demand for it.

Getting an Office
This is a big commitment, so we are currently putting the feelers out. Ideas vary from working from home ( which I have done for a while but it is not easy with no designated room), virtual office or mail address to an office or building.
I think our preference is a building /office where we can go to work or have meetings.
It is a big vision and big commitment. My question would be is anyone else excited about such a vision, comments would be appreciated.

So there is a lot of change in the coming year and lots of potential, looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.

Summer Holidays

Well the summer holidays are nearly over...just under a week until the school goes back. I must say at the start of them, I thought 8 weeks was going to be long. In actual fact it has flown by. We have had a week away at CLAN Gathering, a week doing the kids club at church ( 60 kids a morning), and a week of swimming lessons.
As well as that we have taken in the Medival jousting and various sport and craft days.
We did have quieter weeks too however, Jen had her second ear operation and Douglas had chickenpox (so we were out of circulation for a bit) Never a dull moment.
Study has been few and far between with the kids off but I am hoping to get some done next week.
I have continued to help try and save our local pool complex and we are now a constituted group called Ochil Leisure Enterprises. We hope to develop a business plan to convince the council to asset transfer the facility to us by mid Sept. So it feels like its been busy...not sure if it will get busier once next week comes along and brownies, tennis and swimming restarts or whether it will be more of the same only different..

People who know me well don't expect me to take it easy and so you are proably used to my madness by now.

I will try to update soon about YWAM Stirling, the new members are due to join us in October so we will know more soon.

Human Nature

Tomorrow I have an interview.
I am a bit out of practice as far as interviews go I have only had one in the last 5 years. I am quite happy with my ministry but at sometimes see jobs that are like "tent making ministries". Things that fit along side my work but also go a way towards helping fund my ministry.

We have just finished Christmas, and part of the story of Christmas is the fact that Mary and Joseph have to travel to Bethlehem to register in the Census.

That is the Job I am going for...to assist in the Census due this year.

I have also seen a few other posts that might mean a few changes.
The other jobs are more in line with my degree, but it could be argued that I am over qualified for them.

With this in mind, over the last few days I have found myself switching viewpoints.
I am going from Knowing God to be in control and trusting that He will lead knowing that He knows the situation and how I feel .

Then I think...

I haven't heard anything - Did I do anything wrong? Did I undersell myself? Are they thinking I am over qualified and therefore I won't stick around long?.... Oh I hope they like me!

Then there is the whole question of what to wear....how to dress to impress!

The nerves begin to rise ... then I catch myself thinking... STOP!

Within the space of a few minutes I have gone from having confidence in God to worrying about what people think of me.

Now I am not saying that I should not make an effort and prepare, of course I should but at the end of the day God is in control and I have confidence He will guide my path.
If these jobs go passed me, then I am confident He is guiding my steps and will lead me on to the next new thing.

Matthew 6 :25 -26
25 "So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothes?
26 "Look at the birds. They don't plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?

Taken from God's Word translation

New Year and lots of potential

Well Happy New Year to anyone reading this. I have not written here for a few months which I apologise for but boy this New year has brought lots of potential and its only Day 9 of the New year.
The period between Christmas and New Year, Phil and I set about re decorating what used to be our office for our little boy's new room (I have lost the office sob!)
The tail end of 2010 saw us have a cold spell that has lasted for a while. The snow first came the at the end of November and it was almost away on Thursday...but then we had another 3 inches on Friday Night. So that is 5 or 6 weeks with snow.....I can't remember the last time we had snow for that long.
During that time our car died but thankfully we have managed to get it back on the road. (Having no car with two small children and bad weather is not a nice combination)

On a slightly different note, for some time I have wanted to do a Certificate in Christian studies with International Christian College. I can now thankfully say, I can now start this....which I am really excited about ( and the cost is paid in full, which is astounding). So as of this week I will be spending some of my time doing the first Module - Introduction to the Old Testament.

The kids have been great stuck in while we decorated. So the picture incase you are wondering is one I took on a day out to Edinburgh Zoo
Blessings

Wow what a weekend. I have just come back from our Annual staff weekend together....and I am wiped!
For a woman who likes structure, I kinda liked the agenda for the weekend, very relaxed and informal....but nevertheless there is still lots to process.

I really enjoyed it and had a real sense of corporate/family togetherness ....and a sense of a new adventure....

Just to say on the family front Jen is having a grommet op this week, so we would ask that you pray all goes well with that

Blessings

New beginnings, new routines

Within the last few weeks we have had a lot of things going on... So what else is new I hear you ask?
But on the 18th/ 19th of August we had a few changes.
In Scotland the 18th was back to school day...Jen went into P3. However that was not the only significant event ....cos my dad turned 75.
So what about the 19th .... that was Douglas' first afternoon at playgroup.

Yes it is all change now...for the first time in over 6 years I have time in the afternoon without kids (when it is not a work day.)

Douglas is taking to his new routine just fine loving playing with cars and making new friends. I am also adjusting to having some kid free time. I am trying to incorporate a brisk walk into my day after I drop Douglas off....it is surprising how nice it is to walk at my pace more often.

Having said that however, it does help to pass the time :)

Holiday Club

Well its the last week of the summer holidays (didn't those 7 weeks go fast) and we are involved in the church Holiday club. This is our 3rd year in a row that we have done this as a family and if I am honest I dreaded it this year.

With all that has happened (plus last year we had said we would take a break from it) this year loomed..

However, once I got back into the swing of an early start and all the bouncing beats ....I am really quite enjoying it....

My role is kinda one that I created for myself a few years ago. I like photography and I quite enjoy writing and playing about with DTP stuff...so I do a daily news sheet with pictures of what has happened.

Now the kids also see a video of the previous days events at the club, so why bother with the news sheet some may ask?

Well its simple, the kids can take home a sheet that informs the parents of what the club gets up to and of course they also receive the story or passage of scripture. It may seem surprising but in this age there are so many households that don't have a Bible it is good that the kids can take home an extract....
I must admit that in days gone by (pre family) I used to spend more time on the comments and writing. In previous years, I have been known to write my own version of the story. There were two main reasons for this - the first being that it is hard to get a Bible version suitable for 5 to 11 year olds and secondly if I write a paraphrase version then there is less to worry about copyrights.

These days I tend to use Bible versions that allow you to put sections in without having to approach for permissions.

I realise I have not posted here for some time. The last few months have been quite difficult. After my fall I have had problems with my head which has resulted in frequent headaches.
This has made blogging hard to do.

Ministry wise I have been unable to do very much - due to the headaches....although I did have a very good day training the Kirkcaldy street Pastors in April. I am therefore taking some time to reflect on things at the moment.
Meanwhile my wee boy has turned 3 and before I know it he will be at Play group in August ...time flies doesn't it?

Lots of stuff getting in the way.

Once again it has been a couple of months since my last post - In the early part of the year I slipped on ice and suffered concussion. That took a lot out of me.... Then there was more illness in the family and on top of all that we have had almost daily problems with the local youngsters...
The result of all this is that I have either too tired or had headaches which has put me off composing blogs.
I had looked at doing a Masters degree at the tail end of last year but I have come to the conclusion that the timing is wrong. I would love to do something, so its just a matter of what to do and when.

My church is doing a bible in a year challenge which I am finding very interesting. I have finding that because there are loads of folk doing it, it is easier to keep focussed and keep going.

I feel because of all the illness it has been a bit of a slow start to the year. I have got less done than I thought. Perhaps that is no bad thing as I was forced to slow down.

When asked how bad things were - my response was simple, "I am in bed watching High School Musical 2" It says it all really...

I am slowly getting back to things but I do feel worn down.

I was about to say, I can't believe it was October when I last wrote on here......but then again I can.
November and December were very busy. I tend not to think about Christmas until after Jen's birthday - since I tend to have to think what party needs there are.
My short course was at ICC was a taster for me.....it has left me thinking what is next and when?

Post Christmas is often a time of reflection and for me that is no different. It is now 4 years in a ministry role and if I am honest - I feel like a professional juggler half the time. The term "Full throttle" would pretty much how I would describe how we as a family feel things are.

Further study - whilst exciting makes me wonder how on earth?

But the thought of it does make me ask "What am I passionate about" "What are the desires of my heart?

This next year is a year of change for my team - so where does God want to move? What passions have taken a back step in the last few years - is this the time to move on up?

Is there something new?

Am I seeking out God's heart? Are things just tumbling over nicely or am I reaching out on my tip toes for more of God?
In many ways I don't fit nice and neatly into a little box. Perhaps I am more like a Jack in a box that cannot be contained in a box.

Just like the little girl on this picture, I want to be reaching out for the fruit. God has blessings for us and I want to reach for more of him.

Seeking the cities foundations

If you know me, you know I have a love for Stirling. It was the town (now city) of my birth. There is a certain amount of heritage that I associate with the city. It is also a beautiful part of the world.
It has a mix of urban and rural and is not as big as more cosmopolitan cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow.
I know more about Stirling, therefore I it has a deeper connection in my heart.
I am currently beginning a short evening class on Seeking a city with foundations - an exploration into Urban theology at International Christian College.
What is your vision for your city, town, village or hamlet?
Is it good health, good facilities and amenities or is your vision more about ethics, its people and their spiritual and emotional health?