tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114433142024-03-14T10:43:26.776+00:00God's GeekReflections and random thoughts of a geeky youth worker in North London...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-48348673338172047452011-01-22T00:46:00.002+00:002011-01-22T01:18:03.181+00:00The Gas ManSO, I was thinking about killing this blog, as we now mostly blog as a family <a href="http://theropersinperu.blogspot.com/">here.</a> But, although I am keeping a journal, I thought that it would be beneficial to me to think through some of the new things that I am experiencing. Let's take a step back... 2 weeks ago, me and my family moved to Peru. We are working with a church plant in Cusco, involved with youth and children's work. I have never done overseas mission before, yet here I am, a long way away from home with my hubby and 2 small children. Y hablo un poquito Espanol. Even thus far, I feel challenged and closer to God, but I want to use this space to be real about the highs and the lows of this adventure that God has called us to. Check out the other blog for photos, this is full of my ramblings without pictures!<br /><br />In Peru, there aren't gas mains and instead there are gas bottles. When they are empty, someone delivers new ones. The other day, Neil popped out with the mission worker who has been settling us in and I was left at home with the kids, waiting for the delivery - all I had to do was let him in and pay him - simple enough. The bell went and I realised (so I thought) that Neil had the key for the gate - which I thought was locked. I know very little Spanish and could think of even less, as I ran out shouting 'espere uno minuto, por favor, perdon, perdon.' I scrambled around for a spare key, which I couldn't find, and I tried to call Margaret but the battery was dead on the phone. Daniel, bless him, was shouting at the gate, 'wait a minute, Mummy is coming!' And all the time, I was getting more frustrated and cross, with Neil for taking the key, and with myself for not charging the phone. Most of all, I felt so frustrated that I couldn't do anything - I couldn't communicate on the most basic level and complete a very simple household task. How can I be any use here? Whay has God called me here when I feel so useless? I then realised that the gate wasn't even locked and I felt even more stupid. He came back a few minutes later and everything was sorted, but it was just so hard.<br /><br />I was disappointed that I had got so panicky and cross. But, this whole experience is the best lesson in humility that I have ever had. It is helping me to rely on others and accept their help, with out (much)pride. In training, we were told that at first we would feel like babies, and it is so true. There is a beauty to this; I feel like I am seeing the world in such a fresh way, a simple trip to the shops is full of adventure and new sights and sounds. I saw a humming bird the other day land on the garden fence, and I could have cried as it was so beautiful and so far from my normal experience. But it is hard to be so dependent on others, on fellow mission workers, shop workers and most other people that I encounter! It is also wonderful to be blessed as they shower us with time, patience and understanding.<br /><br />I hope it is helping me to empathise more with others. I hope that God is showing me how to love poeple on the outside, where there are cultural and language barriers. Don't worry, I know that my ethnicity, class and nationality mean that I will never encounter the barriers that many people face. It just feels right now that part of this whole process is an extreme way of God showing me a glimpse of waht it is like for many people in this world. Maybe it had to be extreme for God to really show me. <br /><br />Jesus comes as the servant king, choosing to be stripped of power. In some small way, I feel that coming here has stripped me of power. I am blown away once again that the Son of God came to Earth as a baby, weak, defenceless and utterly dependent on others. Washing his disiples feet was only a part of it. I just pray that as God forms my character through this, that I allow him to use it to bless others - to point them to the servant king.<br /><br />As I write this, it sounds all sewn up and like a good conclusion. But I am a work in progress. I know that I will lose my cool again, will get frustrated again, but I hope I come out more humble at the other end...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-56773252102050381162010-07-04T20:24:00.004+01:002010-07-04T20:38:11.252+01:00The Magical Mystery Tour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ulKUxKIv6PyWdgbhdCKHM08w7fmG3zIleVwpPT25xEzjXnfGXD9wWukdLPh2cUVaaO2hHp7niiVGhRlz6gMfU8DYUSMqJviFpn9bpKuElmk2g9l_zs3BzWxflCbpqCDVMSvg/s1600/juke.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ulKUxKIv6PyWdgbhdCKHM08w7fmG3zIleVwpPT25xEzjXnfGXD9wWukdLPh2cUVaaO2hHp7niiVGhRlz6gMfU8DYUSMqJviFpn9bpKuElmk2g9l_zs3BzWxflCbpqCDVMSvg/s320/juke.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490136966964829362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ5xFaKe9KQI8ffvNVmJ-Ny31mcqDUF4kz62-kOXn6H8Zo_lxivEasgy9pSWLOoLZL5hVgFLKpimCLNnkt4stn0-UBIQ4_ZRgreefp3iKMkb5rR8GW5e-XAbAy6BM5S77L88h/s1600/coram.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490135503003722834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ5xFaKe9KQI8ffvNVmJ-Ny31mcqDUF4kz62-kOXn6H8Zo_lxivEasgy9pSWLOoLZL5hVgFLKpimCLNnkt4stn0-UBIQ4_ZRgreefp3iKMkb5rR8GW5e-XAbAy6BM5S77L88h/s320/coram.jpg" /></a><br />I have just come back from a great day out in London. I am trying to do some special stuff with the young people before I leave, and today I took a group out in London for a mystery tour and it was just lovely. We travelled up and down the Picadilly Line and first went to <a href="http://www.coramsfields.org/visit.php">Coram's Fields</a>. Here I am meeting an escapee goat. We then went to Covent Garden, and took stroll to Trafalgar Square, despite there being no water in the fountains and the lions being fenced off. We then went to <a href="http://www.edseasydiner.co.uk/">Ed's Easy Diner</a> for milkshakes near the Trocadero. After a lot of fun on the dodgems, we took the tube to Holborn to <a href="http://www.myolddutch.com/">My Old Dutch</a>. It is a gorgeous pancake house and I had a huge apple, bacon and maple syrup pancake. It was a great day full of memories and one of those times when I rememer why I do what I do.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-49721679920493829822010-04-01T22:11:00.001+01:002010-04-01T22:13:44.281+01:00Mary Magdalene - the wrong womanI have just had an article posted on the Sophia Network about Mary Magdalene, a subject close to my heart. If you are interested, click <a href="http://blog.sophianetwork.org.uk/2010/04/article-mary-magdalene-the-wrong-woman-by-amanda-roper.html">here</a>!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-24922379145658377492010-03-19T10:54:00.004+00:002010-03-19T10:58:06.259+00:00The Ropers in PeruI have just set up a new blog <a href="http://theropersinperu.blogspot.com/">the Ropers in Peru</a> detailing our big Peru adventure!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-34174999606893508752010-03-08T20:36:00.003+00:002010-03-08T21:31:46.375+00:00Moving on...The blog has been quiet for a while, and that is probably for similar reasons as <a href="http://weirdhippy.wordpress.com/">Lewis</a>. We too, are moving on and it has been quite difficult to write about things while it was uncertain. We found out a couple of weeks ago that we have been accepted by BMS to be mid-term missionaries in Peru! The plan is for us to move to Birmingham in September and fly to Cusco, Peru in January 2011. We should hopefully be joining the <a href="http://www.williamsonsinperu.blogspot.com/">Williamsons</a> and are so excited about how God will equip and use us. This whole thing is so far out of my comfort zone and I can't wait for the adventure of relying on God for our provision, safety and Spanish skills! <br /><br />The goodbyes will be very hard; this is the place where both of my children have been born and the only home that they have known so far. We have lots of family and friends here, and it will be painful to go. But we have felt some gentle tugs for a while that he was moving us on, and despite the fact that I had felt since I was about 16 that God wouldn't 'call me abroad' God in his infinite wisdom and with his own particular sense of humour, decided he knew things a bit better than I did. In a recent Passion[fruit} service, we considered how Mary would have felt after she discovered that she was pregnant. We thought that she would feel a mixture of excited, scared and a bit freaked out. I said that this was often how I felt when God was on the move. I then realised that is how I feel about the whole prospect of moving to Peru. God is good and I look forward to seeing how this next part of the adventure turns out.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-47252037727980665012009-12-22T20:04:00.009+00:002009-12-22T21:29:41.054+00:00The Roper Review of the Year<A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3sr4aJbF892tVSEmWP9ecvbDCuIsbEyntItIQwTbRKMZ7BsQlAMZG_SXl_N11VCS6kIC9W4GVRbWb37XYaAHWxucFoNAQWGloIGY78Mp6mM8GQuFJOcKfPJGPgt_E9TsA-g7/s1600-h/DSCF1147.JPG"><IMG style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418156071405963730 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3sr4aJbF892tVSEmWP9ecvbDCuIsbEyntItIQwTbRKMZ7BsQlAMZG_SXl_N11VCS6kIC9W4GVRbWb37XYaAHWxucFoNAQWGloIGY78Mp6mM8GQuFJOcKfPJGPgt_E9TsA-g7/s320/DSCF1147.JPG"></A> Well, it is that time of year again. Once again, we are saving paper and posting an update online and wishing you a very merry Christmas at the same time. So, for those that are interested, here are some of the highlights of our year and I will try not to make it one of those smug 'my family are perfect and I am writing this to make you feel like the parents from Outnumbered' ones... <br /><br /><STRONG></STRONG>A big hello to Sophia Amy<STRONG></STRONG> <br /><br />The most exciting part of our year was definitely meeting our lovely daughter Sophia. She made us wait, though, as she was 8 days overdue. And I tested out the theory of relativity, as I swear they were the longest 8 days of my life! She was well worth the wait though, as she is an absolute delight. Sophia has a lively and determined nature. She is crawling and very keen to walk, launching herelf off furniture and people whenever she has the opportunity. Sophia and Amy mean wisdom and beloved, so we are praying that she will grow to be a much loved and wise woman. We trust that she will know the love and wisdom of God: 'Don't be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It wil be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.' Proverbs 3:7,8 <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufwb2ffu-c5gJvU8WHzazIpVhyphenhyphenT_iEKOarCySnxDrf_k8Q7wsEyp1rXTY9-5iBgNNGozAD-7rnT6QZAQpKKtyE5x5ENgHZYbFquhvAu_dbA2UTR68_5uDSl_PEyIffS_KXNo7/s1600-h/DSCF0087.JPG"><IMG style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418159573526168274 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufwb2ffu-c5gJvU8WHzazIpVhyphenhyphenT_iEKOarCySnxDrf_k8Q7wsEyp1rXTY9-5iBgNNGozAD-7rnT6QZAQpKKtyE5x5ENgHZYbFquhvAu_dbA2UTR68_5uDSl_PEyIffS_KXNo7/s320/DSCF0087.JPG"></A> Here is an early picture of brother and sister sharing a tender moment, and below is a photo from a couple of months back. Okay, I said I wouldn't boast, but she is very cute... <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yNGs9kYUgmQEA2B4aGvBZXEKMeevyQeCk4zATyXZnJvhyphenhyphen7Ijj0cNcdMIlPHtKBy0W87PO3Zz6ZegYjuYtyqTMYvJyxG153h0fBT48vKaPih5KRm4S9HLRTvqXvb-rXweG56q/s1600-h/DSCF0826.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418161210319438018 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yNGs9kYUgmQEA2B4aGvBZXEKMeevyQeCk4zATyXZnJvhyphenhyphen7Ijj0cNcdMIlPHtKBy0W87PO3Zz6ZegYjuYtyqTMYvJyxG153h0fBT48vKaPih5KRm4S9HLRTvqXvb-rXweG56q/s320/DSCF0826.JPG"></A><br /><br /> <STRONG></STRONG>Our Drummer Daniel<STRONG></STRONG> <br /><br />Daniel has had quite a year. He is 3, going on 13, what with his love of drums and loud music - I didn't think we would be having the music volume argument for a few years yet. He started play group and swimming lessons in September, as well as being a page boy for his Auntie and Uncle's wedding. Although he remains laid back and chilled, he also has a determined streak and knows his own mind. I love our games of make believe and pretend, and am looking forward to Christmas as he is so excited! Here he is in the nativity at play group.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNK5GoYtktASdr-0WTFs_cbcNaViyVWpR_w5lFchrh1_Uhcno87B6n0A2dQfeYuc4fXwA3gg6OBFmqbNOlwfbCBhNeFqtNTZdTlLiL3x9deUx3l0BNkwYmZR1ogw462hxztE8/s1600-h/DSCF1177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNK5GoYtktASdr-0WTFs_cbcNaViyVWpR_w5lFchrh1_Uhcno87B6n0A2dQfeYuc4fXwA3gg6OBFmqbNOlwfbCBhNeFqtNTZdTlLiL3x9deUx3l0BNkwYmZR1ogw462hxztE8/s320/DSCF1177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418175586791922146" /></a><br /><br /><STRONG></STRONG>Me and Neil<STRONG></STRONG> <br /><br />Aside from having children, Neil found the time to finish a Degree in Children's and Youth Ministry and come top of the class. Alright, that is out and out boasting,but I am his wife and entitled to, right? Seriously, I am very proud of him. Somewhat ironically, just as he found out he had passed the degree, he also found out that Enfield Baptist Church were not extending his contract as Children and Families Worker. In God's perfect timing, Neil was offered work for a few hours a week looking after a little boy, which works really well around my job. It means that I can continue to work part-time at Enfield Baptist as Youth Worker, which I love. I came back to work after 7 months maternity leave, and still see it as a privilege to work alongside young people. Although Daniel thinks my work consists of eating biscuits and drinking coffee. As if. I also turned 30 this year and had a great time at my party. <br /><br />There have also been lovely holidays, weddings and celebrations, which have been great. However, there are lots of normal, 'average' days, and these are often just as special with 2 young children that are changing all of the time. In all of it, as a family we try to walk humbly, act justly and love mercy, knowing that God loves us! Hope that all wasn't too smug.<br /><br />Merry Christmas and a happy new year xx<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO2oc7KC73ViEqB6azt1zUQn-_CmWg8zde9zT-kSzORWhUrQ1yP6BL4PKDdBDj0CDrAlaCGlIhU2ImTgz913U4Vtn0SL-VKVuaOA-sqU_xZGOFBT7-9thizxGf2zsHrv-eUCb/s1600-h/DSCF0557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnO2oc7KC73ViEqB6azt1zUQn-_CmWg8zde9zT-kSzORWhUrQ1yP6BL4PKDdBDj0CDrAlaCGlIhU2ImTgz913U4Vtn0SL-VKVuaOA-sqU_xZGOFBT7-9thizxGf2zsHrv-eUCb/s320/DSCF0557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418173968881036946" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-24097571127075590722009-12-15T22:53:00.003+00:002009-12-15T22:55:06.577+00:00WaitingI am only just reading Complex Christ by Kester Brewin and love it so far. In the opening chapter, it talks about the importance of waiting and how it may be frustrating, but that is how God works. He says it much more petically than this, but in this time of advent, it is a timely reminder that to wait is not a waste of time and it is often a time of learning.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-50872408770651234402009-12-15T22:51:00.000+00:002009-12-15T22:52:58.306+00:00Thoroughly modern mothersSome thoughtful and thought provoking takes on the nativity scene <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2009/dec/14/artists-christmas-nativity-scenes?picture=356878541">here</a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-21065868434213566922009-11-03T20:42:00.001+00:002009-11-03T20:44:22.685+00:00Pink StinksIn honour of <a href="http://www.pinkstinks.co.uk/">this wonderful website</a>, the pink has gone from my blog template. Eugh.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-63098473833960401412009-11-03T20:28:00.003+00:002009-11-03T20:37:27.958+00:00The future beckonsI have been taking some sixth form lessons in a local school recently and it has been one of those times when I feel that I have learnt more than they did! It was a new lesson looking at how to live the whole of life well for ourselves and others... quite an undertaking in an hour. We have been talking about what people want to do in life and how they want to be remembered. It has been largely positive, although slightly depressing when one group could think of very little that they felt passionate about, but couldn't stop taling about X factor. Delving deeper, I discovered people with a love of politics, a fair few wanting to be teachers, lawyers, doctors, journalists and people wanting to fight climate change. Lots of people wanted to travel but very few were planning on taking a gap year before uni. It was also great to hear that a number wanted to raise a family, and saw it as very important that their children were raised in a secure environment. As I told them in hopefully a not too cheesy way, I get so excited in youth work about the potential in every young person and I encouraged them to follow their dreams. It was a genuine privilege to hear them talking about their hopes and I pray that they are fulfilled.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-76642568043887349942009-10-23T21:45:00.002+01:002009-10-23T21:49:52.080+01:00De-sensitised?This is a conversation that I recently had with a young person. He was talking about the console game Call of Duty.<br /><br />Me: What certificate is that?<br /><br />YP: A 15<br /><br />Me: Is it violent?<br /><br />YP: No not really<br /><br />Me: What happens in it? ISn't it about war?<br /><br />YP: Yeah, but it isn't violent.<br /><br />Me: What happens then?<br /><br />YP: You shoot people, but you don't see much. There's no guts splurging out or anything.<br /><br />Me; But they die?<br /><br />YP: YeahAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-63032926023840018952009-09-05T20:17:00.004+01:002009-09-05T20:36:34.317+01:00New BeginningsWell, it has been a while since I posted here - longer than I thought, actually. My return to work is imminent- Monday!- and Daniel starts playgroup on the same day. It feels like another milestone in his life and a step towards his independence, which is wonderful, but tinged with a tiny drop of sadness. Sophia is 6 months old on Monday as well, and is embracing the world of solid food with great vigour. Neil's post as part-time children's worker came to an end on 31 August. I was looking back at our review of the year and I had written about this, and said that we weren't worried about it as we knew God had everything in hand. My mind has been whirring during the maternity leave, and I have been thinking about many, many things, and I have been wondering about the future. I haven't been worried at all, but just pondering I suppose. Anyway, it has been wonderful to see that God's hand is very much on our family, as I said at the start of the year. Although I work part-time, I work strange, youth worker type hours and it would be very hard for Neil to find a job that fits around my work, as well as fitting in with the care of our lovely children. But it has all worked out perfectly as a wonderful arrangement has fallen into his lap, where he works for a few hours a week looking after a little boy. The whole thing fits perfectly with our situation at the moment and Neil's gift of working with children. It is a timely reminder that God hems us in behind and before, and in gentle ways is guiding us a family. I will carry this with me as I return to work and as a family we face a number of new beginnigs.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-40917048098979009832009-07-09T20:56:00.002+01:002009-07-09T21:00:26.174+01:00Praying to baby JesusNeil led a youth group session the other day on Jesus' childgood, and as a response asked the young people to write a prayer to the 12 year old Jesus. IO thought this was fantastic.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-62977828080944655182009-07-08T20:43:00.002+01:002009-07-08T21:13:05.888+01:00We want to be togetherI saw an advert for some Christian tshirts the other day and one of the slogans related to only needing God. This perspective is something that I grew up with - don't worry about what your mates say about being a Christian - God is your strength and refuge and he is all you need. I have been thinking about where this thinking comes from, and wondering whether it is a bit of cop out. Is this focus more to do with the individualistic nature of our society than what God intends for us. I increasingly think that it is harder and more authentic to not just 'rely on God' but also accept that the Christian life requires us to rely and trust each other as well. Just a thought - I may add to this later...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-32249735258294529842009-04-15T21:36:00.006+01:002009-04-15T21:53:22.627+01:00We are family<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUm33RBpE6r0h5fP0VOajI_fKNE6dHVNbXsH-tij2SveL_he76ZFCs1dSfYtskimmA1pa0u3zHg6JhdNzCujiBms-vNzxaQPjBk3f1oDfCvNjaV47L36dOGQQhF0PnRblAO_9/s1600-h/DSCF0179.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUm33RBpE6r0h5fP0VOajI_fKNE6dHVNbXsH-tij2SveL_he76ZFCs1dSfYtskimmA1pa0u3zHg6JhdNzCujiBms-vNzxaQPjBk3f1oDfCvNjaV47L36dOGQQhF0PnRblAO_9/s320/DSCF0179.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325024030225722962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMcZ0mTFW_HMIQdnGo-YiyNicOgCuvDqfTmq2jLtG-olR6yTHJNuIvrrIUMMD9vr2yjqDqwYdBII_jBHaAmeMPnpaarkJpJGWY77vHCYGaTND2G7UbwNqYyF2Ey-Uq93mFFxg/s1600-h/DSCF0120.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMcZ0mTFW_HMIQdnGo-YiyNicOgCuvDqfTmq2jLtG-olR6yTHJNuIvrrIUMMD9vr2yjqDqwYdBII_jBHaAmeMPnpaarkJpJGWY77vHCYGaTND2G7UbwNqYyF2Ey-Uq93mFFxg/s320/DSCF0120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325023522059498002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0mO89L5Dg4H1gv2C7NuTIbyXsW7RxAf5qpd7xAOk81MiwSY6v0HSUwhEc5CcUoP3_8NdA868bSjIeb20QQ_J-oBMtXaKiyD1xUbgwdqPY5cYFcxKQP4uTqBbb4YuR_RKFVxd/s1600-h/DSCF0183.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0mO89L5Dg4H1gv2C7NuTIbyXsW7RxAf5qpd7xAOk81MiwSY6v0HSUwhEc5CcUoP3_8NdA868bSjIeb20QQ_J-oBMtXaKiyD1xUbgwdqPY5cYFcxKQP4uTqBbb4YuR_RKFVxd/s320/DSCF0183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325023147478051874" /></a><br />Sophia is now over a month and we are all getting to know each other. These are such special but tiring times. Daniel decided today that he wanted to wear pants and is doing really well - this is a massive step for all of us, especially as we use reusables and saving the planet one nappy at a time can get a little icky at times.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-9494785612676796532009-04-15T21:26:00.003+01:002009-04-15T21:54:41.061+01:00Youth Ministry 3.0Feeding Sophia at all times of the day and night is giving me lots of time to think and pray. I keep considering the way we do church and youth ministry in particular. My head is buzzing eith loads of things, partly fuelled by SPring Harvest. In lots and lots of ways, I love it and think it has tackled some relevant and much needed subjects in the last few years. This year focussed on 'The APprentice' the way Jesus taught and we learn. One of the things it highlights to me is the importance of learningin smaller groups and that more often than not, God challenges and shapes us through the act of living and making us vulnerable to those in our community, in places where we have the opportunity to hear and also be heard. It is somewhat ironic when people discuss the need for this kind of set up when leading huge seminars that are basically proven to not be effective places of learning! <br /><br />In my jumbled head, it links with an excellent article in this month's Youthwork, called Youth Ministry 3.0, which basically asserts that a lot of youth ministry is inefective and needs to change. It verbalised a lot of what I have been thinking. I am just praying that God will show me the way to go and give me the courage to look to Him and move forwards...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-57213111822338199982009-03-09T21:41:00.003+00:002009-03-09T21:48:03.579+00:00Introducing Sophia Amy Roper<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjqMhNM2SQF7hhYg1XM-PwmqjgRfgChZLfFyDTXEx04hf7f5UqLXmelu6xZcgc4_duw0fduQFhE_MWF_3X0SMi4q5U_VVu9fDDHIHSZOQHyh20QJwa4eTv-muohjMLDM8euGW/s1600-h/DSCF0087.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjqMhNM2SQF7hhYg1XM-PwmqjgRfgChZLfFyDTXEx04hf7f5UqLXmelu6xZcgc4_duw0fduQFhE_MWF_3X0SMi4q5U_VVu9fDDHIHSZOQHyh20QJwa4eTv-muohjMLDM8euGW/s320/DSCF0087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311307595808594530" /></a><br />Sophia was born on Saturday 7 March at 3.13pm, weighing 7 lb 13.5 oz. It was a water birth and I think I did really well with great support from my wonderful husband and fantastic midwives. Isn't she lovely, Isn't she beautiful?...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-18630758323452511792009-03-01T20:14:00.002+00:002009-03-01T20:35:37.695+00:00Walk This WayThe last few weeks have flown by as we have been getting ready for the baby and trying to sort out a new laptop. I am still working things out, but there has not been much opportunity to post on here. The baby is now 2 days overdue and it is testing my patience - come one little one, we can't wait to meet you! To take my mind off things, I thought I would share some words of Thomas a Kempis. The quotation is an extract from 'Walk this Way 40 days on the road with Jesus', which is the new book from Paternoster/Spring HArvest/Thinking Allowed:<br /><br />'What use is it to argue cleverly about the Trinity, if you lack humility and so grieve the Trinity? Get this: clever words don't make a saint or even a Christian! No, God is pleased with people who live well. I'd rather feel my sin and shame, not understand it. You might know every word of the Bible, and have degrees and doctorates, but all that gains you precisely nothing without the love and grace of God.'<br /><br />The book was launched at a training day that I went to a few weeks, also called Walk This Way. It was a good day, looking at the way that Jesus taught and we learn. There was a focus on deep learning, and how this is lacking in our schools and churches. The general consensus was that we all learn best in small groups or 1-1, rather than large conference settings. Ironically we were in a large conference setting... Will post more on this when I find my notes and remember some more details - my pregnancy head means that my brain is a bit of a jumble! I was initially disappointed that the tie-in book doesn't unpack the training content, but is instead 40 days worth of readings. As I have begun reading it, though, it has turned out to be rather good and a great resource for Lent.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-47020890515027270122009-01-14T22:23:00.003+00:002009-01-14T22:36:09.867+00:00Beaches in JanuaryOnce more, I shall bore you with tales of my son. Soemtimes I would love to get into the mind of a 2 year old. For a while now, every time he sees a picture of the Fat Controller, he says 'Daddy'. It makes me giggle every time. I, on the other hand, am Peter Pan, apparently. <br /><br />Also, Daniel is just getting into imaginary play. He needs a bit of encouragement but then there is no stopping him. Last night, we were looking through his photo albums and saw pictures of the beach from holiday. So, at 6.30pm in JAnuary, he declared that he wanted to go to the beach. I tried to explain the impracticalities of this, so he said 'beach later' as if we would be going in the next 10 minutes. Which was when I had a genius mummy moment.<br /><br />Using 2 blankets, I created a 'beach' in his bedroom. We used sticks and his plastic snooker cue for spades and we were soon having a whale of a time on the beach. He pretended to splash in the water and kept saying 'cold.' This morning, he went on a boat to see some ducks with his grandad, apparently. We even had ice cream (a wooden whistle) which he kept licking and saying chocolate ice cream! He does get quite bossy and demanded that I 'dig castle, mummy.' Every time I stopped I was ordered back to work.<br /><br />The funniest moment came last night when we put him to bed. A couple of minutes after putting him to bed, he poked his head around the door, made a dash for the snooker cue and ran back in his room. Neil went to put him back to bed and he just said, 'more digging!'<br /><br />It is wonderful to see his imagination and creativity awakening. It is something I want to encourage throughout his childhood and into adulthood as it is such a precious gift. Sometimes God feels very close in these moments. I am pretty sure he likes our beach as much as Daniel.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-86927015951726011232009-01-14T22:16:00.002+00:002009-01-14T22:23:37.975+00:00Love is...I am still recovering from an excellent but exhausting weekend away at Halls Green. We took away 8 11 and 12 year olds, which I know is <a href="http://weirdhippy.wordpress.com/">some youth worker's</a> worst nightmare, but they are a lovely group. They are really funny with bags of potential and loads of fun to be around. It was VERY cold though. I did ok considering that the baby is due in 6 and a half weeks!<br /><br />The theme of the weekend was love, focusing on Mt 22:37-40. They got to do their own take on things by putting together a short video on the freak banana man finding love and being accepted, surreal in that special way that 11 and 12 year olds manage. But for me, a really special moment came when we were praying at the end of the weeknd and an 11 year old said something along the lines of 'I know how great your love is God, becasue we have had an ace weekend without any arguments or anything and it shows how special your love is!' A brilliant bit of applied theology and lovely to see God's love having an impact. I love those small, but significant youth work moments.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-33059729838188751872008-12-14T19:36:00.009+00:002008-12-14T20:24:06.461+00:00Merry Christmas... and the Roper Review of the YearMerry Christmas! I thought that I would save paper again this year by adding our family newsletter as a blog post, so hello if you are reading this as a result of a festive email and hi to those that read the blog anyway (all 3 of you).<br /><br />So what has been happening for the Ropers in 2008?<br /><br /><strong>Holidays</strong><br /><br />We have had some great times away as a family this year. Due to Daniel's love of the outdoors, I managed to get Neil camping twice! We were at Spree, a youth camp in July and Greenbelt, a Christian arts festival in August and we had a lovely time at both, despite soem rain and mud. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgayfMHIx2To1PbmBL_-5JEWui-ixM4vWInwd3qLbce7d3AyVvKxAcCS5G5z5M4bGlr24VrZFumyvK8y9ahjX_Okox9m8uSjZtcRSFFarmOvgvvs1MWCRrSZplAbX5CN0RO6D/s1600-h/PICT0935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgayfMHIx2To1PbmBL_-5JEWui-ixM4vWInwd3qLbce7d3AyVvKxAcCS5G5z5M4bGlr24VrZFumyvK8y9ahjX_Okox9m8uSjZtcRSFFarmOvgvvs1MWCRrSZplAbX5CN0RO6D/s320/PICT0935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279735050452901042" /></a><br /><br />We also had a lovely time on the Isles of Scilly with Neil's parents. The Scilly Isles were really beautiful and we were really blessed to have the opportunity to go. It was especially exciting for Daniel, as we got to fly in a helicopter there and back! Quite a lot of children cry because of the noise, but Daniel only cried when he realised that he wasn't going back on the 'dopter.'<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT5dsvZfahCPM_y25wIahwcWVVN50wMliVwXE034yVDgnNuB7BzkwssMf-sviEcmAkUIKqkIElt9BlQV2IsTAIC7iOXdevd76c_mYaQk7B55diLNJmQ4aVwq6LutEJiR3Zdkd/s1600-h/PICT0919.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzT5dsvZfahCPM_y25wIahwcWVVN50wMliVwXE034yVDgnNuB7BzkwssMf-sviEcmAkUIKqkIElt9BlQV2IsTAIC7iOXdevd76c_mYaQk7B55diLNJmQ4aVwq6LutEJiR3Zdkd/s320/PICT0919.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279737066277163954" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Normal Life Stuff</strong><br /><br />Can you believe that we will soon have been in Enfield for 5 years? I am still working at as Youth Worker at Enfield Baptist Church and still enjoy it loads. However, I also missed spending time with Daniel, so I reduced my hours in September and it was wonderful to have the support of the church to allow this to happen. Neil began working part-time at the church as Children's and Families Worker and enjoys this nearly as much as being the primary carer! It's been good for Neil to get to know a number of other dads that are involved in childcare, and for the second year running, his and his friend's presence at a Christmas meal meant that it had to carefully be referred to as the PARENT and toddler meal, rather than mums and tots! Also, for the second year running, Neil and his friend were the only ones to go to the pub after the meal. Neil is also studying part-time for a Degree in Children's and Youth Ministry. He has been working very hard and doing very well, and I am very proud of him. <br /><br /><strong>Daniel!</strong><br /><br />It is hard to believe that our little boy was 2 at the end of October. At the start of year, he wasn't walking, but now he is running, bouncing and dancing. He is an absolute joy and now he has started talking, it is hard to get him to stop. Like mother, like son. He is also very much into books (I take the credit for that as well) and music (that one is more down to Neil probably.) But we blame his love for drums on church. He just adores them and has got fairly good rhythm. We may be crazy but we brought him a drumkit for his birthday and he loves it. Come to think of it, our neighbours haven't spoken to us for a while, though.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrTxwKmVL2MmXWTDCYx7bG7ZNcN4zXtUv4xfHZ_92ZBHkPj_M2ydhhBPHffBs3MT9f40wCsLRgydJ5WNa_-kLqdTOHjrwgCh5zmM1lmQE6Rh7n-6-V4xfoeNYuEcH8izdc7fk/s1600-h/PICT1003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrTxwKmVL2MmXWTDCYx7bG7ZNcN4zXtUv4xfHZ_92ZBHkPj_M2ydhhBPHffBs3MT9f40wCsLRgydJ5WNa_-kLqdTOHjrwgCh5zmM1lmQE6Rh7n-6-V4xfoeNYuEcH8izdc7fk/s320/PICT1003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279742499948298834" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Looking Forward to 2009!</strong><br /><br />We are very excited about 2009. There is already lots in store, most importantly the arrival of our little girl. The baby is due at the end of February and we are all over the moon. Please pray for a safe delivery and that Neil is around, as he is due to be at college the week before the due date... Photos and news will be on here and Facebook. It will also be exciting to see what is in store for us, as Neil is on a fixed-term contract of one year, so we will have to wait and see what happens with his job. We're not worried though, as we know that God has his hand on our family in the big and little things of life, through good times and bad. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, it is so wonderful to know the truth of Emmanuel - God being with us. <br /><br />We look forward to being in touch with you soon, whether we see you often or not and hope that 2009 brings you much joy!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-23350713950724118862008-12-10T20:51:00.003+00:002008-12-10T21:12:24.175+00:00MP3 Magic!It was my birthday last week and I have finally got an MP3 player. After a false start, it arrived yesterday and I am very excited at owning my Creative Zen. I buy lots less music than I used to, mainly because I have less disposable income and I am trying nto to own so many possessions. However, as I pile through the CDs to add them to my player, I realise that I do have a fair few.<br /><br />For one reason or another, I have got some new(ish) music recently, as well as getting hold of a couple of classics. We picked up Nevermind - Nirvana on a beautiful picture disc vinyl in Canterbury the other week, along with the Stone Roses' first album on orange vinyl. It matches my copy of Fools Gold on gold vinyl, which is one of my favourite songs.<br /><br />I also picked up Arcade Fire's Neon Bible and The Last Shadow Puppets' the Age of the Understatement at a record fair. I am really enjoying both of these, and keep meaning to look into some of Arcade Fire's lyrics, which I am finding quite intriguing. <br /><br />Then, someone bought me The Cream of the Beautiful South and Condensed House Martins for my birthday, which I am lovign as well, although was slightly shocked as I had never heard the album version of DOn't Marry Her before...<br /><br />Finally, I am going to order the new Spiritualized album with some birthday money, so looking forward to listening to that. Anyone else got any recommendations from the past year, or re-discovered a classic album recently?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-72269429436031686132008-11-25T20:19:00.003+00:002008-11-25T21:00:55.214+00:00Passing on advice - a dilemmaFollowing on from a bit of a false start caused by a lovely sickness bug, I ended up getting to Youthwork the conference a day late. I had a great time though, and despite my endeavours to take it easy as I was both recovering from illness and I am now 6 months pregnant, I seemed to fit in quite a lot. One of the sessions I went to was on reflective listening. It was excellent, with great content and presentation. However, something was mentioned that keeps cropping up and I am not sure what I think. It was the idea that our role as youth workers is not to give advice. In fact, with regards to relfective listening, it is a big no-no.<br /><br />I went to the session as I know that I do not always listen well enough and I am too quick to offer my opinion, whether in relation to youth work or chatting with friends. And I am well aware of the dangers of youth workers having an undue, unhealthy influence on the young people that they work, albeit intentionally or not. It is also very dodgy when people feel the need to tell others what to do when they do not really know them, or the other person doesn't trust them. It is absolutely right that young people are given the space and time to make up their own minds about things and do not feel pressured into certain ideologies or decisions as a result of the youth peer group or youth leader. And vulnerable young people are at risk of becoming co-dependent, which youth workers need to be aware of.<br /><br />However, at the same time I think there is space to offer and accept advice in all areas of life, including when working with young people. I am worried that to shy away from offering advice puts too much pressure on the individual. Do we really have all of the answers within? This may be an unfair representation of reflective listening, but the idea is that by listening and reflecting back to a young person, they can think through their own situation and come up with their own way forward. But in my own life, I am not sure that this is always the case. I need other people, not just to listen to me, but I want to learn from their experience and hear their perspective. I certainly don't act upon every bit of advice I am given, but there are some people that I really trust and I want - need their input.<br /><br />I think it goes deeper than this. I think God calls for us to be together, to learn together, to support one another, to be in community and need each other. This is part of why Christians are called to be church; true church is about vulnerability, honesty and a move away from self-reliance and reliance not just on God but each other. In Proverbs 27:17, it says, 'as iron sharpens iron, one man [sic] sharpens another.' Sometimes when we are in a relationship that is based on mutual trust and respect, we need to say and hear challenging things. We need to think of things from a new angle. We need to admit we don't have all of the answers and talk things through with someone else that doesn't have all of them either, but can help us see things differently. We need to hear things we don't like.<br /><br />And this is risky and at times dangerous. The things we say can be taken the worng way. We may mis-read a situation. But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't do it, adn I think that this applies to youth work as well.<br /><br />I am still thinking through this, but this is where my thoughts are at the moment. I would really value any thoughts or feedback.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-79573298482186195112008-11-23T20:15:00.004+00:002008-11-23T20:26:35.034+00:00Daniel is 2!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9HIQW04tOEzvppy1jcfshNTv2ALmUshffam6nLp12ReaQ7Nd3ZAS9gLscKDkjmHfmdWOHUqOgU5TdxJVaGV5FK07MCmE0QaP7S380RhXpOVaXD9ZzIhwV7swjbhl0IOwHpWJ/s1600-h/tent.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9HIQW04tOEzvppy1jcfshNTv2ALmUshffam6nLp12ReaQ7Nd3ZAS9gLscKDkjmHfmdWOHUqOgU5TdxJVaGV5FK07MCmE0QaP7S380RhXpOVaXD9ZzIhwV7swjbhl0IOwHpWJ/s320/tent.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271952026433422466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNoSX7mOoKRDLkTkKPSsyD0Q8jHLBSSWrP1UTeko7y0UROzot7Hg2CLtsmFQSO71USh9XNQjjlCvDf2yiuSF0wwXSLJh7cbbTuDaGYDKg6DzatIVU-8iENOrTKWAFJd1nqvHC/s1600-h/cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNoSX7mOoKRDLkTkKPSsyD0Q8jHLBSSWrP1UTeko7y0UROzot7Hg2CLtsmFQSO71USh9XNQjjlCvDf2yiuSF0wwXSLJh7cbbTuDaGYDKg6DzatIVU-8iENOrTKWAFJd1nqvHC/s320/cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271951909824570946" /></a><br />Hallelujah, I have finished some things that I have been working on in my spare time, meaning that I can blog some more now! And I have a new found desire to actually do it as well. Once again, lots has been going on since I was regularly posting, including me working part-time and Neil starting work at church as part-time children's worker. I really should reflect a bit more on that, as we're still something of an oddity in the church world. <br /><br />Daniel has also turned 2 and is such a sweety. I am both aware that I talk too much about my precious boy, but also find it hard to stop! I do see people's eyes glazing over, yet still have to report some funny anecdote that appears to be lost on them. It's just so lovely getting to know him more and so exciting that he is saying new words every day. One constant that still remains is his love for drums, hence we bought him a drum kit for his birthday, which needless to say, he adores. He makes us play along with his guitar and keyboard. As we are not musical, and not encouraging this, I blame church...<br /><br />We had a great party for him and Neil made an amazing tractor cake, which was greatly appreciated by all. Toddlers birthday parties are shattering, though! Enough boring toddler talk that no one really cares about.. the pictures are cute though, right??Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11443314.post-16342609929751574592008-10-06T16:38:00.003+01:002008-10-06T16:40:13.449+01:00Time Well SpentI felt a blog post was well overdue, but as I also have some other deadlines looming, I thought I would cheat a little by including an article that I wrote recently for the church newsletter. I quite like it though, so here goes...<br /><br />Can you guess what these statistics from studies in the last year are referring to?<br /><br />• 233 million working hours are lost doing this every month.<br />• It costs an estimated £6.5 billion each year in lost productivity.<br /><br />They are referring to social networking internet sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo. Many workplaces have now banned them as they are causing such a distraction, but with millions worldwide using Facebook alone, they are also cutting into people’s social lives. I personally can testify that it is easy to log on and let half an hour slip by checking people’s status updates and writing on their walls… obviously, this is done in my spare time! Although some think the sites are in decline, there is sure to be something else to take its place, as we humans seem to be very good at procrastinating. <br /><br />If the opening paragraph has left you completely confused, and you can’t tell your MSN Messenger from blogger.com, then perhaps there are other things that you find yourself whiling away your time with. Maybe you are a telly addict, or always do the crossword when the washing up is waiting. This trait is often easier to spot in others! Sometimes we need to ask ourselves whether our time is well spent.<br /><br />As fairly new parents, a lot of time is spent with our toddler, which I think is a great way to spend time! He recently spent the night at his grandparents and we were amazed at the amount of time that stretched in front of us before we had to leave the house. We found ourselves asking what we did with our time before we had Daniel. I’m sure we’ll ask the same question when we have another child! Sadly, I decided to spend the time emailing and working at 7.30 am rather than relaxing. I’m now not sure this was a great use of time either. I was showing hints of what I call the Martha Syndrome (Lk 10:38-42).<br /><br />Instead of ‘wasting time’, the other extreme is the Martha Syndrome, where people are committed to so many good things and become so busy that they find it hard to relax, prioritise the wrong things, or become less effective at the many things they are doing. We twist the meaning of Ecclesiastes 3:1, thinking that ‘there is a time for everything…’ means that we must fit everything in!<br /><br />It seems that we are often stuck between these 2 extremes, either avoiding doing the things that really matter, or doing so much that we have no time to stop and breathe in God’s grace. Is there another way?<br /><br />A few months back, I took a day trip to London to listen to God. I did nothing dramatic, simply walking around taking the time to stop, look and listen. It had a profound impact on me and God spoke in so many ways. It helped me to rethink, reprioritise and refocus. It was time well spent and helped me to balance out the 2 extremes.<br /><br />As Mark Yaconelli says in Contemplative Youth Ministry, ‘in this culture, we often feel guilty for taking time to rest. Downtime seems inefficient, unproductive and useless… If we are to minister… then like Jesus we must set aside regular times to stop, let go of our hold on life and let God love us. This is Jesus’ desire for us.’ It is time well spent – could you benefit from it?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15073772030264084430noreply@blogger.com0