The Circus- that is life

I don’t know what to look at first,
The juggling, the clowns or the high wire.
Everything seems to happen at once,
Engulfed in the smoke from the ring of fire.

The juggling balls go up and down,
The clowns run past with their smiling frowns,
The high wire shakes as she looks to the ground,
While laughing and screaming goes on all around.

A juggling ball slips from the hand,
A clown trips over and lands in the sand,
She slips from the wire, in a net she lands,
A loud gasp resounds from throughout the stands.

The world stops but the colours still surge,
Fear instils and chaos unfurls,
Inside everything crashes and burns,
On the surface she’s a composed girl.

Ow, my head hurts!

This is going to be quick update!

Saturday actually went well. I was really nervous and my Aunt Lilian made me change most of the keys so they were lower. Lucky I studied music for so long! One of the keys was way too low though, and they all sang at different speeds. Was kinda funny, but still really annoying cause they weren't keeping with me. Really wish I'd had a microphone!

Yesterday I was singing in church. Haven't sang in ages. Not sure I enjoyed the morning service too much cause Simon was totally disorganised. The evening was amazing though. At one stage we had a 4part harmony cause Nicki, Brian and I were doing harmony while Glenn and Elaine sang the main melody. Was so cool to be a part of it. Then Jill was so sweet and came over and told me she loved my harmony- she does that every single time I sing! I love her!

Today I went to Lady Dixon's to play ultimate frisbee with my CSSM friends. So dangerous. Our team was winning 5 to 3. Surprising cause the other team really was better, but I think they were showing off. Either that or we were just lucky! We decided to have a break and most of us just sat and chatted. A few went to the ice cream van. When they came back, Natasha and I were talking and I made a passing comment that it would be funny to pour water down Gareth's back. Natasha took my water bottle and did just that. So then Gareth gets up and grabs me bottle of water. I grabbed his arm so he wouldn't be able to soak me without getting soaked too. I think he was impressed with my grip! Then I tried to take the bottle of him but it was open and he had it directed right at me so we both got soaked. I kicked him and he let go though.

So then we started playing again- everyone very into the game. Gareth had the frisbee and I was going to intercept, and I did manage it. Not exactly how I planned. I got hit on the forehead, from less than a meter away. I actually have a bump! I think it's going to bruise! I've never been so glad to have a fringe!

After that Naomi and I ran for the same frisbee. I went over on my ankle and she hurt her toe! I'm a disaster. Don't think I should be allowed to play any more!

I'm feeling a whole lot better about everything at the moment. I felt like there was a part of me missing, and I thought that was America. Obviously I miss it like crazy, but I thought the only way I could survive was there. I'm so glad when you land in the safety net after you take a risk!

Oh, I was told I should post some poetry, so the next post will be a random entry of my choice of poem...which to pick?

Simply summer

It's been forever since I've last updated. I've had the feeling that this is simply a blog for my time in America but I guess now that I'm home the experience isn't over...

So it's summer! Yay. Except I had to get a job. Yuck. Only worked two days and then was off a week for cssm though.

I remember going into CSSM and thinking "What am I doing?" I had thought after last year that I would not be doing it this year. I figured that after spending an entire 10 months in America doing somewhat of an extended CSSM, that I wouldn't need to do it this year, but I couldn't help but be sucked back in. Helped by the fact that I had Natasha, Gareth, Neil and Jayne talking me into it. I got my mum to send off my forms and figured that if they went through then I was meant to be on the team this year.

Well it was an experience! We started up on Saturday 30th July with a day of team building. Craziness more like. We did some sensible stuff, like talk about how to lead a small group and child protection info, and then of course had to make a toy or an item for the home with junk. Not only did we have to come up with the product, we also had to have an advertisement and jingle! It was hilarious.

Our team decided to make a jet pack. It could take you into space and underwater. It looked like noo-noo from the tellytubbies! Our song was based on the oompa- loompas! It was so funny. We also had a "science bit" with Dr. Dave telling us all the necessary babble that no one understood but still found highly amusing. So our team won!

Then we finally got into what we were really meant to be doing. I was signed up for worship and really it wasn't as bad I was expecting. I still suck at guitar, but they are 4-7 year olds so they're like "ooooh, guitar...."

I had the best small group ever though. Thirteen 4 year olds. Not only did they listen to the story once, they also listened to me read it from the NIV bible again to them. They knew most of the answers to the questions and then they prayed with me! They rock. Bethany drew a picture of me and told me it was because she loved me! How cute is that?

Anyway, the week went well. Weird that it was only a week. I think I got a whole lot out of it. Even though I didn't feel I was meant to be there, God showed up. I also made new friends, one in particular is Laura. She's amazing. It's odd how well we connect. I think I'd be lost without her. It was also good to see my old friends. Of course I missed my best CSSM friend Jenny. It's weird how we're only friends at CSSM really- but we are inseparable at CSSM!! And also Gingus, who is now know as Crunch but I'm going to call him Gareth. It was cool to have him doing the same section cause even though we were friends before, we never really had time to get to know each other before.

So I've been sick the past two weeks. Not fun. I went out for lunch on Tuesday, then to the doctors, then out to dinner and then to Jayne's house for a video night. Yesterday I felt like I was going to die. I really did over do it!

So I'm not finished being stretched. I've already done a bit through CSSM and this Saturday I've been asked to play guitar at the women's morning. Apparently there's a lack of musical women in my church- which I don't believe is true. I think they all just don't want to let on they are musically talented. Ah well. I won't be playing for them or me, so as long as I try my best and worship rather than pay attention to all the people, then I'm sure God will be pleased!

Hope you are all well. I need to go lie down now!! xo.