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Last Login: 21 January 2010 12:08
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I'm pleased to hear from you again Lesley. Thankyou for sharing everything.
It must be difficult to come to terms with what you were told, but your faith and determination not to be discouraged must be a real inspiration to lots of people who know you, or read your posts.
Bless you. May God be with you especially on the frustrating days.
Ann
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Forum Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear all,
Life moves on - in interesting fits and starts!
Last week was "flu week" - so 400 injections. You know those lovely "lucky cats" in Chinese restaurants? The smiley ones where just one arm goes up and down?
And only the "Swine flu" to look forward to - ah yes...
Did you know that there is Swine flu and Pig fever?
With Swine flu, you are really ill, temperature, vomiting, can't get out of bed, lasts about two weeks....nasty stuff
With Pig fever, you feel a bit off colour and fancy a few days off work....i.e. you feel as sick as a pig.
Trouble is, once you've had Pig fever, you're not allowed to catch Swine flu!
I got to preach on marriage and divorce last week - and folk are still talking about the sermon - for all the right reasons.
I was absolutely terrified because I was very open and honest about my own past and how the gospel passage (from Mark) had tormented me over the years. I was very anxious that the congregation would not accept what I had to say and would think less of me when I had told them the truth.
Actually the total reverse was what happened! Folk "got" the idea that we fail but God doesn't - and that our failure can be turned into his success.
My Licence gets transferred officially next week in a big ceremony at the Cathedral. It's my last link with the old place gone. I was teasing Frank (the vicar) today and said that I still had up till Friday to decide if I was going to stay (I've been there since June 2008). He said I better had do, or the building may fall down!
Saw the GP on Thursday (I really must stop going) - it looks as if I'm going to have to go into hospital for surgery in the not too distant future. It's one of those things I knew would need to be done, but had been putting off talking about until I felt able to cope with it. There are some advantages to my profession. Every time I go and see her, there is something else!!
Meanwhile, I'm planning a trip to St. Ds. In fact, while I was thinking of it, I've sent off an enquiry form. It will do me good to get away. I can work better there often.
I'm there in December anyway for the Urban Theology Collective.
Things at home are blessedly quiet at the moment. Michael has his mortgage and (autism aside) hopefully the flat will shortly be his.
I'm starting to doze and I have a ton of work to do tomorrow - a case study for Cumbria and a sermon of hypocrisy for Emmanuel (that should be a belter).
Then I've got a hospital appointment tomorrow afternoon (just for a change) and a pastoral visit tomorrow evening...
God bless
With love as ever,
Lesley (and Desmond, who has started packing for St. D's because he heard me mention it!)
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 Member
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Last Login: 26 June 2010 00:05
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Ah, St D's - haven't been for ages! Margi and I will be there in about 3 weeks: 28th - 30th. Looking forward to it...
Glad you're getting such positive feedback. Sometimes exposing our vulnerability as preachers helps people to identify with us, and makes it easier for them to take on board what we say. They can see we're walking the same path as them, not some exalted and protected elevated walkway far above the crap and clarts of everyday life.
A college friend of mine died a good few years ago of cancer. He knew it was terminal, but he shared the journey with his congregations - he brought it into his sermons, called it "MUG" for "My Unwanted Guest". He had quite an impact.
May you still have a long and "interesting" journey to share with us, Lesley! 
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Forum Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear Tony,
Could you manage a coffee while you are at St. D's??
I've just got back from the Licence thing...well and then prepared service, intercessins etc. for tomorrow and looked at Cumbria stuff, in between looking at who got kicked off "Strictly" (and missing Casualty like crazy)....
I've no idea what's on my diary for those dates because I've lost it -for the moment - I'll have to find it again or my life wil stop. But I'm sure I can pop over for a couple of hours at some point. I've booked a weekend in November (can't remember when).
Nodding off now.
I can hear Desmond shouting.
Must go.
God bless
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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Forum Member
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Last Login: 26 June 2010 00:05
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Sounds good to me. See how it works.
Cheers,
Tony
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Last Login: 29 April 2010 14:13
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Desmond's fan club are off to Brittany tomorrow ... for granddaughter, Sarah, 's baptism on Sunday ... behave yourselves while we are gone... especially YOU, you hear, Bear!
Quatenus in hebdomades quattuor et dies duos ire possumus?
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Last Login: 30 October 2009 15:26
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Keep forgetting my login details but managed to get on today!!! Leslie - so delighted the Ph. D is complete!!! Excellent work  Sheila - Owen is back at school and doing very well but still tiring easily. He has managed to make it along to Boys' Brigade a few nights too which is great for his peers. Thanks for the prayers!
Teddy - another baptism? How fabulous!!! Enjoy the wee trip away!
I really have missed so much here! Will try to visit more regularly
"...because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord" 2Chron 34:27
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Forum Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear all,
I'm writing from St. D's - where I'm enjoying a weekend away in the peace and quiet and the opportunity to catch up on some writing (alas, it's medicine and not theology).
The news from here is very much in fits and starts.
Michael finally lost the flat he was planning to buy after endless "hold ups" with the mortgage. We're not sorry to be honest, but he's a bit fed up. I'm pleased he's seen the light and is now planning to finish his degree and get a job before committing himself to a house. I think the mortgage will probably be easier to get as well...
Rachael may have problems similar to Matthew's in staying on at College next year. Her College has merged with another one - and it doesn't seem as if Deeside are quite as keen on youngsters with learning disabilities....Still acheiving an NVQI or its equivalent is the entry criteria for NVQII regardless of anything else including disability - so here we go again...
Graham has got to go for an endscopy because he is anaemic. A fun day for the entire family. Sort of knocks man flu into a cocked hat. Actually, knowing a bit more than he does (and his medical and social history) I'm fretting a fair amount about it (more than he is).
My latest blood test results were not good - more or less the same as when the tumour started - and I'm starting to gain weight again. These are memorable symptoms. While the headaches are not back in their fullness, I've had the odd one. So, I'm not a happy bunny right now. I've only got three months respite from the Consultant and the brain scan and the blood tests instead of twelve - so they aren't happy either.
Meanwhile, life goes on. The Ph.D heads for submission early in the New Year. The external reader was John Vincent and I'm hoping Stephen Pattinson will agree to be the external examiner.
The PGDip in Advanced Nursing Practice is actually quite fun at the moment - which is more than can be said for work itself: at the same time as the Swine Flu vaccines are out we also decide to change computer systems. My joy knows no bounds!!
As an aside - I'm going to Manchester on Thursday to talk to a bunch of drug reps for an hour about management of asthma in primary care. I can't quite beleive I was asked (I still think it could be a wind up) - and they are paying me a monumental amount of money to do it!! I'd have to work for a week to earn that amount!!!
Church is good. We're into something called "Growth Action Planning" which is a lot less dire than it sounds. Well, somewhat, for a diocesan initiative. The process is stimulating and involve everyone in the whole church - which questionnaires, meetings, away days (here at St. D's - I'm so blessed to live near here  ) and much prayer....There are some good things coming out of it. It's really encouraging to be part of a real Ministry Team at last - and to feel that I belong. At church today here, the Reader said that church was about grace and muck. Too right. I liked that.
II must stop avoiding work.....
God bless
With love as ever,
Lesley xx (and Desmond, who has been watching the birds ona cloudless day today)
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 Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
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Dear All,
Stepping aside from PG.Dip and Ph.D. work and (endless) sermons and Swine flu clinics......
To wish you all
A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!!!
Graham had an oesophageal ulcer, which has now healed with treatment.
I am still symptomatic - but determined to not worry. Today has enough problems....
Church is still wonderful - I took the Christingle service on Christmas Eve (300 present) and you could hear a pin drop! God was so present.
Midnight rang the rafters.
Michael's girlfriend's Mum (Carol) has cancer (malignant melanoma with spread) so please pray for her. Rachel is staying with us right now. Remember they are both autistic. Carol will start radiotherapy shortly.
Sorry to have been away so long, but have been writing like something gone daft - assignments for Cumbria, Ph.D for Sheffield and I forgot about preaching at Christmas (did 7 sermons between Advent 3 & Epiphany).
Just got one assignment left to finish now. 1500 words to write before deadline of Monday - but will get there!
God bless
With love as ever,
Lesley xx (and Desmond - who has callouses on his pawses from the keyboard)
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 Member
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Last Login: 17 April 2010 14:03
Posts: 135,
Visits: 870
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Dear all,
Maybe it's just the January blues - but things are not so good. I'm trying to ignore the symptoms that tell me the tumour is back...but, in no particular order, my blood results suggest it, the headaches are recurring, I'm gaining weight, and the tiredness is back (with a vengeance).
Meanwhile - life goes on. My Ph.D supervisor has just come up with the "brilliant" idea that a complete rewrite of Chapter Six is in order before I submit (not that he hasn't read it before - several times[i][/i]:w00t I have managed to fail an assignment for Cumbria - probably because I didn't have enough time to write it in in the first place - and the preaching rota continues as normal.
Swine flu continues to blight my life - only this time it is injections for children (which is SOOOOOO much more taxing).
I have decided that I need a holiday - but I have no time to take one - although there will be an enforced break coming up when I go into hospital for surgery in a few weeks time for a quite unrelated problem. Three days in hospital and six weeks off work (so I am told).
Luckily (or not) it isn't something that will stop me writing - so I may have a bit more time to catch up....
Michael and Rachel (his fiancee) have put in an offer on a house - and are planning to get married in October. Her mum is about to start Radiotherapy - but it all seems to be going very slowly compared to what I remember. I have a feeling that she is putting it off. I did mention this to Rachel, who told me that her mum put off seeing the doctor about the original "mole" for 12 months, which allowed the cancer to spread. I'm really worried about her and would appreciate your prayers for the whole family.
On the positive side, I'm now out and about every now and again teaching nurses and pharmaceutical reps about asthma management. I really enjoy doing it - and they seem to enjoy hearing me. Pays well too!!
The new Ministry Team seems to be bonding well - and there are very positive developments coming out of both that and out of both churches. We have a real sense of God's presence and it is an exciting time to be in New Brighton at the moment. It is great too how the churches in the area are working together for the first time.
I pray for you all regularly.
With love as ever,
Lesley xx and Desmond 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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