We're coming up on 1 week in our new house! I managed to get internet access today through G's work, at like 10pm. :) Anyway the move went well, but we haven't cleaned up our old place yet. This weekend we'll take care of the last of it and be officially totally out by Monday. Nelly is adjusting well, and loves the house and the garden. She's been tearing around the house and climbing trees in the garden, and pretending to stalk all sorts of stuff while we're out hacking back overgrown shrubs and things. :) The garden is looking better already for my pruning etc which is nice, and I'm about to plant some summer bulbs so we'll have some nice color in August or so.
G's office will be moving next Friday, which means then I'll really be without internet! We have no idea how long the broadband will take to set up, but hopefully a week or 2.
So far we really enjoy the new house and being so much closer to everything. It's been great- makes it very easy for me to get to my photography jobs and to BAR and iBASE. Next week is the last week of the Lent term, and there is a 2 week break from schools and studies at StAG so it's like a 2 week vacation for us. Most English people are going away on holiday, so Cambridge will be quiet except for the European tourists visiting on their holiday. :)
Pr for us as we continue to get adjusted, and I have a women's conference Saturday. Also for iBASE and iLadies as we wrap up for the term. Thanks for all your kind messages during our moving- I'm sorry I haven't been able to get back to you all very quickly, but we feel loved and blessed!
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
March 17, 2009
We have had the most beautiful weather here this week- wonderful warm sun, warm breezes, beautiful daffodils everywhere...it's just been amazing. It feels almost like summer! I hear the weather back there in MI has been lovely too.
So it's official- I am now an actual bona fide member of BNI (Business Networking International). I was "sworn in" today, and I already have 2 BNI related jobs as a result of BNI. Even before I got involved with BNI I saw a 1 to 1 correlation between the business that I got and the networking events that I attended. I look forward especially to the first week of every month when I have 2 additional networking events. But I expect that BNI will be the main source of business for me. I now have a very businessy looking business card holder for my BNI friends' cards, and a fancy looking BNI pin. I can hardly believe that I'm an official business person now! :)
Also officially we've booked some movers to come along and relocate all our stuff. I had thought we'd be able to get them for Friday, so I have been packing like mad and have everything but our clothes packed already! There is a lot of "did you pack that?" going around our house right now. :) But we'll get the keys Friday, and then it will be official indeed. We have already generated a lot of excitement with the internationals at StAG because we'll be so much closer to them all, and I expect to keep random extra food around so that we can feed the random people who will likely drop in on their way to or from Aldi which isn't far off.
We have a friend who we know through Focus coming to visit this week- he'll be in London and then Paris, and on Tuesday back to the UK. We're looking forward to hanging out and doing a bit of sight seeing as well. I think we'll try to get things as settled as possible Sunday and Monday, and maybe go into London Tuesday. So the next 2 weeks will be a bit busier than usual.
In true English style, let me say thank you all for your very kind enquiries after Nelly in the midst of our packing up. That's very English. :) Anyway Nelly is doing ok so far- she's starting to wonder what's going on, and she is definitely wanting more attention including lap sitting and being carried around while we do other stuff than usual. And she is wanting to eat more and have more treats. She is also noisier than usual all day and sometimes wants us to pet her at like 3am. Knowing her as well as we do we're used to her usual signs of stress so we know that she's not just being a bad cat. For the most part the separation is what really causes her stress. I think we'll take her over to the new house Sunday before the movers start to move things. Maybe Saturday since we need to have our bed taken apart before they come. We have our sleeping bags all set and we might stay Saturday night in the new place. Anyway Nelly will feel better and adjust faster if we're with her as much as possible the first few days after the move, and with our friend coming in Tuesday and possibly us going into London Tuesday we need to maximize our time.
So it's official- I am now an actual bona fide member of BNI (Business Networking International). I was "sworn in" today, and I already have 2 BNI related jobs as a result of BNI. Even before I got involved with BNI I saw a 1 to 1 correlation between the business that I got and the networking events that I attended. I look forward especially to the first week of every month when I have 2 additional networking events. But I expect that BNI will be the main source of business for me. I now have a very businessy looking business card holder for my BNI friends' cards, and a fancy looking BNI pin. I can hardly believe that I'm an official business person now! :)
Also officially we've booked some movers to come along and relocate all our stuff. I had thought we'd be able to get them for Friday, so I have been packing like mad and have everything but our clothes packed already! There is a lot of "did you pack that?" going around our house right now. :) But we'll get the keys Friday, and then it will be official indeed. We have already generated a lot of excitement with the internationals at StAG because we'll be so much closer to them all, and I expect to keep random extra food around so that we can feed the random people who will likely drop in on their way to or from Aldi which isn't far off.
We have a friend who we know through Focus coming to visit this week- he'll be in London and then Paris, and on Tuesday back to the UK. We're looking forward to hanging out and doing a bit of sight seeing as well. I think we'll try to get things as settled as possible Sunday and Monday, and maybe go into London Tuesday. So the next 2 weeks will be a bit busier than usual.
In true English style, let me say thank you all for your very kind enquiries after Nelly in the midst of our packing up. That's very English. :) Anyway Nelly is doing ok so far- she's starting to wonder what's going on, and she is definitely wanting more attention including lap sitting and being carried around while we do other stuff than usual. And she is wanting to eat more and have more treats. She is also noisier than usual all day and sometimes wants us to pet her at like 3am. Knowing her as well as we do we're used to her usual signs of stress so we know that she's not just being a bad cat. For the most part the separation is what really causes her stress. I think we'll take her over to the new house Sunday before the movers start to move things. Maybe Saturday since we need to have our bed taken apart before they come. We have our sleeping bags all set and we might stay Saturday night in the new place. Anyway Nelly will feel better and adjust faster if we're with her as much as possible the first few days after the move, and with our friend coming in Tuesday and possibly us going into London Tuesday we need to maximize our time.
Monday, 16 March 2009
March 16, 2009
I try to follow the news via the internet to keep an idea what is going on in the world. But these days I find I'm doing less reading and more pring between articles, asking our father to forgive our society, our generation, the generation before us, for the mess that we have either instigated, caused, or indirectly caused. One of our roles in creation is to be good stewards of what we are given- our money, time, resources, and environment. And it's pretty clear that we in the west have not been good stewards at all. Sin, ours and that of those before us, the attitude that "I'll be in charge of my own life, and I don't need you Gd thank you very much" is a fact of living on this earth.
Am I an environmentalist? Absolutely. Do I argue with people about it? No. Arguing never results in anything positive, and it's not my job to convince people to agree or disagree. But in the environmentalist camp there's a very strong tendency to point the fingers outward and blame everyone else. Really the responsibility lies with humanity period.
I just read an article about one of the many island nations that will be completely underwater by 2015. Whether you believe that the cause of the climate change is people or not, the evidence is clear that the climate is changing, it is growing warmer, and the polar ice caps are melting, and island nations are going underwater. Those are facts- opinions on how much mankind has to do with it vary depending on your location. In the US many people don't think mankind had anything to do with it, while in Europe they are 100% convinced it's our fault and we should do something about it. Whatever the cause though, scientists who measure the ice caps can attest to the evidence that they are melting, and island nations all over the globe can attest to their islands going under water. This article about one of these nations was asking the question- what do we do about these nations? Many of them are just simple people, islanders, from some tribe or other, without electricity or fancy gadgets, who are as a whole need to be relocated.
In a lot of ways our world is a mess, and there is only one person who can set it right- the one who created it, who in fact hold everything together, and from whom all things have life. In his perfect timing he will return to judge the entire world, to ask us what we have done with our lives and whether we made him the King of our lives. There won't be time for excuses then- he can see everything we've done, and will rightly find us guilty. Our only hope is in JC who came because of our rebellion and messed up lives, to trade his perfect life for ours on the cross. I'm so grateful for that exchange!
Living Proof friends we're thinking of you today- I know that some of you must be worried about money these days with the markets being so bad and knowing that many of you are relying on pensions and retirement and things. Or worrying about your children and grandchildren in all this. We're asking the father to bless you and provide for you in the same way that he got you through the Depression, and WWII. We have so much respect for you all and your patient endurance of trials. I see the fruit of the spirit, that comes as the bbl says from patiently enduring, in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control that has grown in your lives, and I know that those fruits are more valuable than anything material we could possibly have. We know that you are in your own words just walking with JC day by day, but you are such an encouragement to us and by your example you remind us to keep our eyes fixed on JC during times of plenty as well as during trials, and to remember that persevering in following him will produce the good fruits of the spirit in our lives as well. We're so thankful to be part of your class. :)
Am I an environmentalist? Absolutely. Do I argue with people about it? No. Arguing never results in anything positive, and it's not my job to convince people to agree or disagree. But in the environmentalist camp there's a very strong tendency to point the fingers outward and blame everyone else. Really the responsibility lies with humanity period.
I just read an article about one of the many island nations that will be completely underwater by 2015. Whether you believe that the cause of the climate change is people or not, the evidence is clear that the climate is changing, it is growing warmer, and the polar ice caps are melting, and island nations are going underwater. Those are facts- opinions on how much mankind has to do with it vary depending on your location. In the US many people don't think mankind had anything to do with it, while in Europe they are 100% convinced it's our fault and we should do something about it. Whatever the cause though, scientists who measure the ice caps can attest to the evidence that they are melting, and island nations all over the globe can attest to their islands going under water. This article about one of these nations was asking the question- what do we do about these nations? Many of them are just simple people, islanders, from some tribe or other, without electricity or fancy gadgets, who are as a whole need to be relocated.
In a lot of ways our world is a mess, and there is only one person who can set it right- the one who created it, who in fact hold everything together, and from whom all things have life. In his perfect timing he will return to judge the entire world, to ask us what we have done with our lives and whether we made him the King of our lives. There won't be time for excuses then- he can see everything we've done, and will rightly find us guilty. Our only hope is in JC who came because of our rebellion and messed up lives, to trade his perfect life for ours on the cross. I'm so grateful for that exchange!
Living Proof friends we're thinking of you today- I know that some of you must be worried about money these days with the markets being so bad and knowing that many of you are relying on pensions and retirement and things. Or worrying about your children and grandchildren in all this. We're asking the father to bless you and provide for you in the same way that he got you through the Depression, and WWII. We have so much respect for you all and your patient endurance of trials. I see the fruit of the spirit, that comes as the bbl says from patiently enduring, in the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control that has grown in your lives, and I know that those fruits are more valuable than anything material we could possibly have. We know that you are in your own words just walking with JC day by day, but you are such an encouragement to us and by your example you remind us to keep our eyes fixed on JC during times of plenty as well as during trials, and to remember that persevering in following him will produce the good fruits of the spirit in our lives as well. We're so thankful to be part of your class. :)
Saturday, 14 March 2009
March 14, 2009
T minus 6 days and counting until we get the keys to our new place. Nothing in our house is packed yet (those of you who know me may not find that at all surprising) and actually we just received the official "contract" to sign yesterday. Today and tomorrow I will be doing a lot of packing. :) I'm checking into a service they have here where movers will come and pick up all your stuff and take it to your new house. You have to have everything packed already, which is fine. They could move everything much faster and more easily than we can, so I guess we'll see what the quote is for that.
G is working on another talk for tomorrow- he's giving the talk for the International group here that meets twice a month. Last time his talk went very well, and we're excited for him to have opportunities to grow in doing that. But since he works full time it's a challenge to find the time to write these talks, which are about 20 minutes in length. We've grown a new appreciation for pstors who have to do this every week!
I heard the official word from BNI that I have been accepted, and I will have this little induction ceremony thingie Tuesday morning. I've already been getting business from them, which is awesome, and I hope to meet my business goals for the year. I'll have to go to a training thing in due course. Anyway now that I've been accepted I can also attend other BNI meetings, and whenever we move I can transfer membership if there's a BNI where we go. They seem to be everywhere, so there's a good chance of it. :)
Today and tomorrow for me pretty much look like packing days. It's a good thing that I like packing- in fact I love packing. Packing is one of those activities that uses the spacial relations part of my brain, and enjoy making things fit. Good thing I like unpacking too. :)
G is working on another talk for tomorrow- he's giving the talk for the International group here that meets twice a month. Last time his talk went very well, and we're excited for him to have opportunities to grow in doing that. But since he works full time it's a challenge to find the time to write these talks, which are about 20 minutes in length. We've grown a new appreciation for pstors who have to do this every week!
I heard the official word from BNI that I have been accepted, and I will have this little induction ceremony thingie Tuesday morning. I've already been getting business from them, which is awesome, and I hope to meet my business goals for the year. I'll have to go to a training thing in due course. Anyway now that I've been accepted I can also attend other BNI meetings, and whenever we move I can transfer membership if there's a BNI where we go. They seem to be everywhere, so there's a good chance of it. :)
Today and tomorrow for me pretty much look like packing days. It's a good thing that I like packing- in fact I love packing. Packing is one of those activities that uses the spacial relations part of my brain, and enjoy making things fit. Good thing I like unpacking too. :)
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
March 11, 2009
Now that Jen has gone home, I've lost my travel photo buddy! It was such a blessing to have a photog friend who was interesting in photographing things too, and didn't have to work all day. I've been looking for such a person since we moved here but no success. Anyway I have loads of photos to process now, and some potential big business projects on the horizon, so I'm trying to stay busy. Not to mention moving in 9 days.
Monday night was our last Arena for the term. The last meeting always ends with the opportunity for people who want to hear more about how to follow JC themselves being invited to stay after for 10 minutes. They also invite those who are curious to hear what being a follower of JC looks like to stay. We had quite a large crowd stay after, and although I don't know if any of them decided to follow JC, plenty of seeds were planted and we know that it's Gd who gives the growth, not us.
For those who are pring, here is a short list of things you could be lifting up for us:
-Zz from the Arena course. Zz's long term boyfriend just died tragically in a car accident, and she's struggling to accept his death. Pr that she'd rely on Gd for peace and comfort.
-S from the Arena course. Pr that he would keep studying the bbl
-The international ladies study has a few new ladies- pr that they would settle in well
-Bounce A Round relationships are going well for me, but ask specifically for me to be able to grow in relationship with D, a mslm woman from Egypt who is very lonely here in the UK. She returns to Egypt for a 6 week holiday next week
-That my photography business would continue to grow, so that G can cut back to 4 days a week at work. He is writing talks and things now, and needs more time for that and for relationships in the international community.
- Our move is coming up, and we want to involve internationals in helping us move, but none of them have cars. :) Pr for the logistics of our moving, and that it would build community.
Monday night was our last Arena for the term. The last meeting always ends with the opportunity for people who want to hear more about how to follow JC themselves being invited to stay after for 10 minutes. They also invite those who are curious to hear what being a follower of JC looks like to stay. We had quite a large crowd stay after, and although I don't know if any of them decided to follow JC, plenty of seeds were planted and we know that it's Gd who gives the growth, not us.
For those who are pring, here is a short list of things you could be lifting up for us:
-Zz from the Arena course. Zz's long term boyfriend just died tragically in a car accident, and she's struggling to accept his death. Pr that she'd rely on Gd for peace and comfort.
-S from the Arena course. Pr that he would keep studying the bbl
-The international ladies study has a few new ladies- pr that they would settle in well
-Bounce A Round relationships are going well for me, but ask specifically for me to be able to grow in relationship with D, a mslm woman from Egypt who is very lonely here in the UK. She returns to Egypt for a 6 week holiday next week
-That my photography business would continue to grow, so that G can cut back to 4 days a week at work. He is writing talks and things now, and needs more time for that and for relationships in the international community.
- Our move is coming up, and we want to involve internationals in helping us move, but none of them have cars. :) Pr for the logistics of our moving, and that it would build community.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
March 7, 2009
It's been radio silent on my end this week with Jen being here- we have been tearing up the roads all over England checking out awesome places to photograph and having an awesome time doing it. We've each taken about 1500 images this week. :) It's been great fun and just wonderful having a close friend visiting. I'm going to miss her- she's heading back tomorrow morning early, and then it'll be back to the normal routine for me. As normal as it gets I suppose with an impending household move on March 20th. I suppose I should be more worried about that, but honestly I haven't had the time to think about it! I'm toying with finding out how much it would cost to get movers to come in and take care of it. That sort of service is relatively cheap here, and it might just be worth it....well, we'll see. :)
Jen and I drove all over this week- besides spending a day in London we drove to Hatfield Forest to see the 1000 year old hunting forest, and we drove all the way up to the North Sea coast to see the seal colony there, and we drove east to Dedham Vale, which is where the famous English painter John Constable lived and painted, and along the way encountered interesting trees, animals, and people everywhere. :) This week I'll be processing some images to put up.
I'm still waiting to hear from BNI because they had the email address for one of my references totally wrong. However they are all acting as though I'm already in, and I think my reference came back so I'm looking forward to possibly being formally initiated Tuesday...if they get it all sorted. :) I'm very excited about the group, and already people are making a real effort to get to know me and my business.
Speaking of business- my images were in the Cambridge News!!!! They did a big write up on Claire from Breckland Orchard and used my photos, which was very exciting! I'm in the process of getting copies of the paper to use for PR for myself. It turns out that Claire used to work for Mars Candy, where she was quite a famous salesperson (her accounts were over 20 million pounds) and so her liking my photos means quite a lot. I got new business cards printed and had some done with a photo from her shoot on the back, so they look great. I've been getting new ideas for approaching other small businesses with the suggestion to let me do their photos as well. I found out that so long as I don't make over 6000 pounds in a year I don't have to pay any tax. At the current exchange rate that is $8400. I'm setting a modest goal for my little business this year, which is to approach the 6000 pound limit. So I'm looking out for new ways to generate business and make useful contacts, particularly in product photography and weddings.
Well that's about it from Swavesey for this week. I hear there's been a warm spell in Michigan- I hope you're enjoying it!
Jen and I drove all over this week- besides spending a day in London we drove to Hatfield Forest to see the 1000 year old hunting forest, and we drove all the way up to the North Sea coast to see the seal colony there, and we drove east to Dedham Vale, which is where the famous English painter John Constable lived and painted, and along the way encountered interesting trees, animals, and people everywhere. :) This week I'll be processing some images to put up.
I'm still waiting to hear from BNI because they had the email address for one of my references totally wrong. However they are all acting as though I'm already in, and I think my reference came back so I'm looking forward to possibly being formally initiated Tuesday...if they get it all sorted. :) I'm very excited about the group, and already people are making a real effort to get to know me and my business.
Speaking of business- my images were in the Cambridge News!!!! They did a big write up on Claire from Breckland Orchard and used my photos, which was very exciting! I'm in the process of getting copies of the paper to use for PR for myself. It turns out that Claire used to work for Mars Candy, where she was quite a famous salesperson (her accounts were over 20 million pounds) and so her liking my photos means quite a lot. I got new business cards printed and had some done with a photo from her shoot on the back, so they look great. I've been getting new ideas for approaching other small businesses with the suggestion to let me do their photos as well. I found out that so long as I don't make over 6000 pounds in a year I don't have to pay any tax. At the current exchange rate that is $8400. I'm setting a modest goal for my little business this year, which is to approach the 6000 pound limit. So I'm looking out for new ways to generate business and make useful contacts, particularly in product photography and weddings.
Well that's about it from Swavesey for this week. I hear there's been a warm spell in Michigan- I hope you're enjoying it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)