Insane Ramblings

I did it

2007-01-14T10:40:00.000Z

I made the plunge

Diary of a youth worker

I don't like blogging here really...so there is my new one.

Did God allow...

2006-11-27T09:46:00.000Z

The topic of God allowing suffering is something that many people have thought of, including Christians, athiests, and people from other religions.

There has been many examples of suffering, both on a large scale, and on a small scale. The large scale includes things like 9/11, the tsunami, terrorism, etc. Examples of suffering on a smaller scale include things like death in a family, or being emotionally hurt by friends, family, etc.

So does God allow this suffering? Does He create this suffering? If He has the power to take suffering away, why doesn't He?

Answers on a postcard. Or a comment will do.

Today I became blind...

2006-10-13T20:47:00.000+01:00

Been feeling ill and ick, especially all last night, being sick and bleh. Fun. But my parents are here to offer me hugs and cups of tea. Love!!!

Today Dot had an evil glint in her eye this morning, which should be the first sign that something bad is going to happen. Fast forward, and we were each given labels with identities on them, and today, I became blind.

At first I was a bit scared. Lots of emotions flooded through me, and I found myself not being able to keep my eyes closed for long, thinking that others would be looking at me. I felt very vunerable, and heard every sound around me. The class watched clips of a film, and I found it hard to know what was going on, even though it is a film I love and almost know inside out (Save The Last Dance).

There were so many emotions that I felt, trying to remember them is hard. I didn't want to talk at all, because I felt invisible, and I often judge when to talk in class based on other people's body language. But I couldn't see, so just avoided having to raise any points. We were asked to get into groups, which I found hard to do, as I didn't know who to go with, etc. I was also unable to write anything down, and when it came to answering questions, because I couldn't read the answers Caz wrote down, it was weird!

During break time was the worst, as I went to get a cup of tea. Being guided around somewhere you know fairly well is hard, as well as learning to put your trust into other people. Thankfully someone made me a cup of tea, or else I would have gone to A&E for burning myself! But everyday tasks must be so difficult.

The whole thing made me want to cry. I felt so isolated and vunerable. It must be so hard for people who are not only blind, but who have any disability and are not like everyone else. Not conforming, but just being different because of a physical defect, or social class, etc.

Also, I kept missing jokes that were based upon someone's actions or facial expressions. Every sound I heard of a bag shuffling (Which gets done a lot!) made me scared people were leaving and I was missing something. There were so many sounds that I picked up on!

Overall it was a good experience! I think it lasted just under 2 hours, and I did peep a few times, because I found it so hard. And my eyes felt funny without opening them for awhile!

Books :) and questions

2006-10-06T14:27:00.000+01:00

Just a head's up for people still buying books for the course.

Find Book (Opens in a new window) is lovely to use! You just type in the name of the book you want, or the author, or other select information, and it searches websites and finds you the best deal! The links also sometimes take you directly to the page with the book on! So it's very simple to use!

We all know Amazon, and love it. Not only are books cheaper, but there is also the Market Place to buy new or used books, just that little bit cheaper. You can use the lovely box below to search Amazon.

Another useful tip, ah yes, I am full of them
Use HotUKdeals to search for online coupons to get extra money off what you are buying. Just choose where you are getting your books from, go to HotUKdeals, the vouchers page, press Ctrl + F, and type in the name of where you are buying anything from. E.g. "WH Smith" and press "Find Next". Then sometimes you will find a code for money off, ranging from 10% off to X amount off when you spend a certain amount, etc. It might not be much, but think of all those cups of tea you can buy me with your savings!

Alsoooooooo, if you are feeling very flash and into all these online savings, then you should join somewhere that offers cash back on money you spend at certain retailers, both online and offline. Say for example you want a DVD from Play.com, you go to a cash back site, and search for play.com, and they give you points or money back from going through their link. I don't understand all the ways it works, I just know they send me cheques a few times a year with money back from things I buy online. And you can use the coupon codes on HotUKdeals too! These cashback sites were even featured on Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio 2 program a few weeks ago. (Please note I do not listen to it, my Dad just had it on!)

2 big ones I use are:
Greasy Palm
Mutual Points

Wow, I am such a geek knowing these things!

*****************************

Now onto the questions for you all :)

How would you define a Christian?

Do you consider yourself to be a Christian?

What positive experiences have you had within the Church? (e.g. youth groups)

How were these positive?

What negative experiences have you had within the Church?

How were these negative?

Feel free to expand on answers, or leave any of them blank.

When God speaks

2006-10-05T19:47:00.000+01:00

I am going to use my second blog on here to not start talking about the academic side just yet, but more a "mini-miracle".

At college, my faith suffered. Because of circumstances and not enjoying my youth group, or my church services (I still maintain that the things said to me trying to be helpful should NOT have been said, and there are still broken relationships there) I tried to stay away from church as much as possible. I still maintained my belief in God, but never felt compelled to read my Bible, or worship. Once in awhile the Tim Hughes CD would come on, and I would spend a few minutes feeling Spiritual, but that was it.

Anyway, I digress. Last week was a very hard week for me. I had already been here for 2 weeks, getting the house ready, but all of a sudden I had housemates, and was a landlord! And I felt overwhelmed. I was also out of my comfort zone, and thrust into a world of "newness". I had nothing solid, no church, no friends here, no family up here. It was lonely.

Living with housemates was hard, especially when one of them told me she wanted to move out. I took it personally, even though it was because of the distance from the University, the area, etc. But it was a real struggle. The only place where I felt "right" was sitting in a lecture, and being with the other Youth Workers. (Yes, all give yourselves hugs) It was only then when I knew this was right, and the rest of the bad stuff was just...trying to put me off.

Anywhoo, I spent the weekend at home, and came back wanting to quit, if I could quit everything except the course. So commute from Cambridge? Insane I know...but there wasn't an idea in my head, I just knew what I didn't like, and that I wanted rid of it.

On Tuesday, Dot read out a meditation, and whilst listening to it, it just felt like God was giving me a big hug, and the assurance that everything will be okay. The rest of the day continued to be good, and I got home to find a letter from someone from my church back home. In it he has included a photocopy of Matthew 7 & 8 from the Message. I read it all, and just felt God speak to me so directly. Things that I had been worrying about, such as finances with a housemate moving out, just seemed so insignificant. I can't remember what the rest of the passage was about, but I know each word was for me! The rest of the night continued to be good, for various reasons. But feeling such assurance that things will be okay is great! I think the correct word is "PEACE".

I think that is all for tonight, sometime there will be an academic blog, but I just wanted to...well not so much share this, but more keep a record for myself, when things aren't looking so good!

Introduction

2006-10-03T16:28:00.000+01:00

-waves-

Hi, I am Emma, and studying Christian Youth Work at Chester University. I am 18, and origionally from Cambridgeshire, although I lived in South Africa for 12 years! It was really nice and warm there.

My youth work experience started in South Africa, where we were taught to lead the children a few years younger than us, so from the age of 10 I was working with children. I went on two mission trips to Lesotho, and worked with AIDs orphans, and helped with building the church there, fixing leaking roofs, etc. It was a fantastic experience. Since then I have worked with both children (5-11 years old) and teenagers.

I have seen a Friday night club grow from less than 10 children per week to a bigger number, and have really enjoyed working with them :) I also miss them a lot!

From this course I hope to gain valueable experience, and get a job as a youth worker when I am finished.

Random ramblings: I love making jewellery, I love blogging, I love reading and writing, and going for random walks with a camera. Cherry 7Up is the best drink ever, even though it is only available from Ely Train station! I love MAC make-up, and I don't like sea food, but I like Scampi, so please never tell me what exactly Scampi is, or else I will go off it!

I am quiet, and content to just listen to conversations around me. Although some people willcall me loud - just wait until I get to kno you. I form my own opinions, although hardly ever have anything to back them up with. I will often be ringing my parents for Scripture references so back some points up. I love debates with my friends after a few drinks of coke and some popcorn, or anything else that makes us go hyper.

Not much more to say, I am just trying to avoid washing my dishes now, but alas, they will not be put off forever