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Lesley (04/05/2008)
the situation is as it is - and God's purpose is clear: This is a sacrifice that He needs me to make, even though I wish He didn't! Hi Lesley I think it's a decision that has been inevitable for quite sometime now, though that doesn't necessarily make it any easier. I can't help thinking also that it is, in some way, also a sacrifice that the Rector needs to make, although he may not realise it as such. Love, Light, Peace & Blessings
Linnz
English Blood, Irish Heart
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Dear Lesley,
I'm so sorry this is what it has come to, but at least everything is now in the open between yourself and the Rector. He has upset you so many times in the past, and if you believe that God wants you to go forward, He is putting you in a position where you can be true to your beliefs without the conflict you have suffered.
The friends you have in your present church will still be in touch with you I am sure, and I expect you will make many new ones. Your family - it's good to go to church as a family, but I guess you have brought them up to make their own decisions, and at least they still want to go to church.
This is a dark day, but I am sure there will be brighter ones ahead.
God bless you Lesley
Ann
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| Dear all, As word starts to seep out, it's easy to explain to folk that I'm leaving because I'm going forward for ordination. That is, after all, the truth. If I were not taking this path, I would not be leaving. The reaction has been interesting: "And about time too!" sums it up nicely. I heard yesterday that the vicar of a neighbouring Parish also would support my going forward (his mother is a patient of mine - and he commented to her that I would make a good vicar!). Not that either know anything, you understand. How strange is that!  Nevertheless, I still feel as if I'm being flayed alive. I'm finding the future hard to envisage in the misery of the present. However, I do not feel any bitterness or rancour and I am determined that I should lay things down gently and care-fully. Just because my journey is taking me away does not mean that the journey of the people I love should be disrupted unduly... Please keep praying. God bless, With love as ever, Lesley xx
Just for today, dear Lord, let me realise that there is nothing that we cannot handle together - and may I pray the same prayer tomorrow.....
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| Dear all, I've survived another Sunday - and it's been much easier than I expected. I have no doubt in my heart that the decision has been the right one. I wish it hadn't had to be, of course, but I'm clear about it, and there is nothing that can change it. I do honestly believe it is God's will. I'm at St. Deiniol's next weekend - and then it's my last Sunday... That one may be a bit tough! This afternoon I'm meeting up with the guy from the new place for the first time on the new footing - that'll be interesting. It feels odd not having prep. to do - as I'm always that bit ahead, everything has "dried up" now - and it's weird just sitting here thinking instead of berating myself because I have a pile of work I ought to be getting on with. I'm not preaching again until the end of June....and even I don't prepare that far ahead... I'm even through "clearing the wood" from my Ph.D. ready for the weekend - so I can have a good run at it then. Actually, it all feels a bit strange - sort of like waiting for I don't know quite what...just as well God does! God bless, With love as ever, Lesley xx (and Desmond)
Just for today, dear Lord, let me realise that there is nothing that we cannot handle together - and may I pray the same prayer tomorrow.....
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| Hi, youngest daughter home on holiday is messing aboutwith my camera. Wonder if anything`s come up. 
Sheila
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Forum Poster
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Last Login: Today @ 22:51
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| Obviously not. She`s got a photo onto my personal details and assumed it would show up on my posts. But nothing has happened. Need Tony or somebody! Jude goes back to Dublin tomorrow, so I`ll be absolutely stumped after that. Blessings,
Sheila
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You called? 
I suggest you go to Control Panel (link at upper right of your screen), then in the left-hand column go to Forum Settings, and tick the box about displaying images. If that doesn't work, contact Editor Andy, 'cos I can't think of anything else.
Just got back from an amazing visit to Estonia. I had 5 days in Pärnu, starting with an all-night youth event beginning as I arrived. I stayed until 0300, but since I was 2 hours ahead, it was more like 0100, which is more or less my normal bed-time. I preached 3 times over the weekend, twice on Saturday at a church family conference, and once on Sunday morning. They provided translators - my Estonian is about 5 words! I also got the job of playing guitar, because the guy who was going to hurt his hand. So I was trying to remember guitar chords, and lead singing in tunes I knew but words I didn't. Fun!
I then went to the Methodist Seminary in Tallinn, where I was set to deliver 7 lectures in one day, teaching through the Book of Revelation. Prayers that morning was led by the Russian students - I was very glad for my interpreter! However, she couldn't help me when we started singing - the words were projected: 1st verse Estonian, which I was getting used to singing, last verse English, which was a relief, but middle verse in Russian! I did teach myself to read Russian many years ago, but I've forgotten many of the letters, so it really was a case of singing in the Spirit! I was there for a couple of days, and it was amazing - a small but very vigorous church, part of the United Methodist Church. It was such a privilege to spend time with them, hear their stories, and share fellowship. I've taken dozens of photos, which will take ages to sort.
Now I'm back home, trying to recover and get into the routine of working on my dissertaion, but a large part of my heart is still with my friends over there. I expect another sabbatical in 7 years from now, so I expect I'll be back!
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