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Forum Member
 
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear all,
Yes, it was great to see Tony and his lovely wife Margi on Monday..Good food, good company, good conversation - my idea of a perfect evening! I'm so blessed to live only 30 minutes from St. D's.
I'm only sorry I missed catching up with JJ....
I'm in the lull before the storm of next week. To be honest, I'll be glad when it's over.
Monday I'm off to Sheffield and Ph.D. supervision. There and back on chemo day is simply tiring.
Tuesday is Walton Hospital about the "lump". I never like those appointments.
Then on Wednesday I'm off to Bradford (!) till Friday evening for exams in Respiratory Management for work. I haven't say a fromal examination in more years than I care to remember and I have to say I'm nervous about it. I've got to stay in a B&B in a part of the country I've never been to and I'm not looking forward to it at all, especially as I won't know anyone there.
Please get in touch by PM if you're around the Bradford (Idle) area Wednesday or Thursday evening next week - it would be good to have a friend to talk to...
Sunday next week, I have four services to do in some form or other....so I'll probably spend Saturday asleep 
Apart from the looming clouds of next week, I'm actually quite contented with life, I find. Being back preaching is wonderful and I'm sure it's part of God's plan for me - even if the prep seems daunting sometimes. The twin churches are fascinating and challenging and I'm slowing working out with God where I should be heading there.( I'm not sure it will be quite as folk expect - but there you go.) I'm loving singing with the choir at the "Mother" Church - and have a fine time at practices now (although it feels more like "me" time than "worship").
Work is enormously busy, which suits me. I've got some more Clinic time, which means that even if my other job goes everything will be OK. But I've never really worried about that kind of thing anyway.
Having my little car is a joy - look, I went to St. D's on my own on Monday  - but I can't drive as far as I used to, because I can't concentrate for so long, but that's OK too, I find.
Considering what could have been, I'm grateful for what is.
I'm happy to hear Sheila has moved into her bungalow - I hope it is snug and cosy in this cold weather...
I have another little joy since Christmas: Graham bought me an electric overblanket - and since the Radiotherapy, I do rather feel the cold...It's been wonderful.
Must go to bed now 
God bless
Thank you for your prayers for next week
With love as ever,
Lesley xx (and a toasty 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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Forum Poster
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Last Login: 23 November 2009 22:48
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| Dear Lesley, After the move I was without a computer for a while but when I looked in on you I thought how very quiet and slow the thread had become. I was thinking only this morning, I simply must ask Lesley how her health is now. Longing to find out. And hey presto you mention it at last. Be assured of prayers for all that heavy load next week. St. D`s is a real blessing to you, isn`t it! But I was amazed to find there were 33 you wished to catch up with.  Then saw it was not 33 but JJ I`m really looking forward to Ministers` Retreat at Treloyhan Manor in St. Ives from 3rd to 5th February, a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues from all over Cornwall. Our theme is Theology and Film. Yes, we are lovely and snug in our bungalow, thanks, although it was cold for the first few days. That was the first week in December. Major problem has been the kitchen which came from MFI  We`ve been five cupboard doors and two plinths missing since the kitchen was installed and walls and floor tiled. However, the family were gathered in once more for Christmas. Thirteen of us on Christmas Day. Under fives to over eighty. We were reunited with our youngest daughter after her long months of travel which included getting herself a young Burmese boyfriend in Thailand. She goes back to visit him in April and plans for him to come across to Ireland where she lives. Another daughter (from Cardiff) is back in Africa for a month, overseeing the charity she has set up to educate fifteen children at Secondary level (whom she taught at primary school). Her boyfriend has joined her for her final fortnight and I gather they are basking in the sun at Hotel Marangu in Kilimanjaro. New Year`s Day saw 3 yr old twin Grandson Josh admitted to hospital with huge tonsils, one of which had infected his lymph gland. He was on drips for about five days, head stuck on one side and his Mummy with him all night which meant we looked after his twin brother and 5 yr old sister most of that time. Fortunately their Daddy had some time off work but of course spent most of it at the hospital. The diagnosis was not made for the first couple of days and it was a worrying time. The two boys started Nursery School yesterday and loved it. How are the rest of your family? Love and blessings dear old bean, x
Sheila
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Forum Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear All,
I've been trying to consider what to write about the last week....
So, I'd better do it in a vaguely chronological fashion:
Monday in Sheffield, it was told that the Ph.D. is definately aporoaching the end of the road and it was time to consider it being sent to an "external reader" (the last stage before submission). This is a big issue for me, as it has been the glue that has held my life together over the past difficult years - and it does raise the difficult question of "What now?" - which is one I have not really got an answer to. It represents something I do for the sheer joy and love of it. It has challenged me at a spiritual and emotional level (as well as the more obvious ones) and I know how much I have appreciated that. I have loved the discipline and encouragement of my tutors - and know how much I need that (and that feels pretty irreplacable). Yes, it's about more, much more, than simple academia. Actually, the qualification is by far the least of it.
Tuesday, I went to Walton Hospital about the lump. I've been referred by to the Oncologist. I don't think there is much more that I can say about that - except to ask again for prayer. My "lapses" are getting more frequent, enough to worry me, and it is getting harder to laugh them off.
Wednesday, I went to Bradford to sit exams. I'd like to say I revised - I would, honestly - but truth to tell, I didn't do a great deal. There's been too much going on. The B&B was last decorated in about 1973, but the people were lovely and friendly and the other students were great. We don't get our results until the end of April. I keep telling myself reassuringly that I only need 40% to pass...
I got back into the house at 7.30pm Friday night, exhaused. Why the journey across country takes six hours (when I can be in London from Liverpool in just over 2) is beyond me...
Sunday I took in four services - with something to "do" in each - preaching, leading or intercessing. The last one marked the start of our new Youth Alpha. It's really exciting having 12 11-14 year olds. Great bunch of youngsters - who are really keen and funny. They's got me leading the talk next week (so that'll put them off )
This week has been the "Week of the Social Worker" with transition planning for Matthew and Rachael. Apparently it is something they are obliged to do for young people with Special Needs. It takes hours. Then they put the assessments "in a locked room" (I quote them) tell you that they "do not qualify for a service under Fair Access to Care" but they will "Review the situation if your health deteriorates or you die."
I cannot add anything to this and remain a member of the forum. Please bear in mind what happened last Tuesday.
Clearly, I have a lot of praying to do at this point around repentence and anger.
God bless.
With love as ever,
Lesley xx (and Desmond, who has done a lot of travelling and listening this week).
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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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 27 January 2009 23:16
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| Hi Lesley, I haven't posted in here for ages, but just thought I should let you know that I have been, and will continue praying for you and your family. With love Cathy
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Last Login: 26 June 2010 00:05
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Just to say to everyone - rejoice with me! I've just been awarded the degree of M Th cum laude, with distinction, for my dissertation on the historicity of Jesus' resurrection. It took 9 years, juggling part-time research with running two Methodist circuits, but that is ample reward for all the work.
So, now, we can all hope and pray that Lesley's thesis is as well received as mine was! Go for it, Lesley! 
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Last Login: 11 July 2010 09:34
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Oh no! An intellectual!  Many congratulations on your work Tony and here's an encouraging hug for Lesley's magnum opus.
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Forum Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear all,
Many, many congratulations to Tony M.Th.
I remember how I felt when I was told that, not only had I passed mine, but with distinction...well, I knew it was either that or I'd fail, because of the content and nature of my dissertation.
I couldn't believe people would make the kind of comments they had about someone like me and my writing...I still can't, to be fair.
To be honest, I completed my M.Th in only 18 months (part time and while nursing) and it was this that ignited my passion for theology. I suddenly found that the Bible spoke to me! I love it. Sometimes it's like playing and splashing in the shallows at other times I'm swept away it, and moved to tears - amazing. I just keep learning. I only hope it never, ever ends...
I'm not convinced that what Tony or I do is that special. Theology is simply thinking about God - just that we happen to do it in a particularly disciplined way (or at least Tony does - you should hear what my Supervisors say to me!). I argue that I have to know how to do it 'properly', in order to depart from it with authority and conviction - and the results of that form a thesis by the way: another way of "doing theology".
But anyone who considers their lives, or their experience in the light of Scripture is "doing theology" - anyone who prays and reflects upon their lives in the light of Christ is "doing theology" - it's not rocket science, it's God! Rachael (my daughter with learning disabilities) does wonderful theology....
I'm sure God is as delighted with her thinking about Him as He is with mine.
BUT, I do agree wholeheartedly with Tony that Biblical scholarship is vital especially for those of us who preach. Preaching is the most humbling part of ministry as it is the most responsible thing that we do in many ways. Jesus Himself said that it was what He came to do - and it is therefore so important that we take this part of our ministry with the utmost seriousness and application.
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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Last Login: 29 April 2010 14:13
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Congratulations ... I am still conjuring with the idea that the resurrection took NINE YEARS, though!
Quatenus in hebdomades quattuor et dies duos ire possumus?
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Last Login: 26 June 2010 00:05
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Ah, well, you could say that although the actual event was very quick, the preparation took a lifetime!
Thanks for your congratulations, and it's very good to see you back in the lists. We thought you'd gone away, and we'd lost your wisdom and bears.
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Last Login: 26 June 2010 00:05
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Off to St D's on Monday! Can't wait - I have from Monday to Thursday, some reading, some writing, time away from the emails and phone calls. Bliss. Much as I enjoy being in touch with everyone, sometimes, it's nice NOT to be in touch with everyone.
Anyone in the vicinity might find a coffee waiting for them...
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