GRANNYS GAP YEAR (4)

I can hardly believe it is now a month since I started The Academy ...and its been a month of ups and downs...highs and lows ..but also of great fun...huge challenges and I seem to have completely lost sight of my "comfort zone"...

Physically... its been unbelievably hard....my cracked ribs and bruised lung tissue has meant I have been struggling to move and drive and that had a knock on effect with my work life and meant I couldn't have the childminded boy....and Chris had to step in to help as much as possible with Elisha. It also was a weird two weeks as the dosage of Tramadol was wrong and I had several episodes of almost fainting and weird dreams and night terrors....not to be repeated....so fearful.

Financially ....because I wasn't able to care for the childminded child I lost a months earnings and sadly the mummy decided also to terminate my contract. I was in two minds about this...Ofsted have steadily increased the paperwork to the stage where childminders were being buried in totally jobsworth record -keeping and also because the mummy was looking to increase my days and I knew I couldn't commit to more than I was already doing. It also raised the question that she hadn't given me a months notice as per contract and NCMA have all sorts of advice etc re this kind of legality....personally I wasn't really interested in what the legal situation ...after praying and talking to others I knew that God was saying to "do what was right" If this meant I lost some money then that was okay...the "right" thing was to keep in good relationship with the mummy and to finish well. Over a couple of emails both the mummy and I agreed on a mutual severance and we have both been able to leave the door open for future times and maybe the child coming for visit to say hello again to Eli and Matt both of whom he has a good relationship with. I was able to say to the mummy that caring for her son for 18 months was such a blessing and may God bless them in their future.

Comfort Zone is disappearing fast...Mixing with a gang of young folk...Ha...its been a riot....yes I feel like the mummy of the group...(that's my thinking..no-one has said this )...yes I watch them doing some very weird and silly things....you just need to check out their FBook vids and pics...but they bring a smile to my heart and a lift to my spirit....I just have to look at Dan B...and Ben W and get a huggle of RV....or watch Siim and Marlen have a wee cuddle when they think no-one is looking...or watch the way the girls look out for each other if the tears start to drip.....and loads more....

Comfort Zone...has also been moved..I now am the proud and slightly smug owner of a Galaxy S2...and I can do some pretty fab stuff on it....don't get too excited...I am way behind most of you..but being able to take a photo and post it via email or onto Fbook is such a thrill....I have a Bible Gateway App..but no idea how to use it as yet...I am taking baby steps...don't rush me...but I have to tell you ..

I am so proud of myself..!!

Finally.....I get to hang out with Yvonne Scott the Childrens Pastor...I have never really wanted to be involved with childrens work at church...I always have the thought that I work with children and young adults all week so Sundays I wouldnt get involved BUT I am amazed at how much I am seeing God do in our 5-11s age group...Yvonne and the team are STARS.....and I just know this year that Yvonne will challenge me in so many different ways.

And Finally ...Finally....The teaching we are privileged to get on Academy days is outstanding...truly outstanding...from speakers who have decades of knowledge right through to young men and women who are young enough to be my children but their experiences and gifting shine through....