Back from Monkton

First blog post in a couple of weeks as i've been very busy!

First.. an update on the sleep / dream situation... While I was away on holiday, i slept fine.. when i got back.. i didn't.. so I've now put it all down to the stress of not liking my job and the 1hr 40min door to door it takes each morning to do on public transport what would take 20 mins in a car!

But.. more on that later! First... My Holiday!

Last week I was away at Monkton for the yearly Stewards Trust Houseparty. It's probably the one week of the year that I really look forward to as i get to do something I really love for a whole week. This year was a bit different though as it was the first year that i've taken full responsibility for planning the activities and putting together the team for the age group I was looking after. I had 19 kids from 5-8 in my group and our theme for the week was Joseph.

Now.. the planning was REALLY fun.. i decided on the musical as a base.. and used a song or two each day and then went back to The Bible to tell the story and have discussions, followed by a related craft activity. Took LOADS of craft stuff with me.. and most of it got used!

The most messy activity was probably the dreamcoat making where I prepared 2XL yellow t shirts by cutting and hemming them first and allowed the kids to use fabric paint to make them multicoloured. I think this was probably the most fun activity we did.. many of the kids spent the rest of the week wearing them. We also made WWJD door hangers out of foam.. did painting, sticking, glittering (which got everywhere) it was great! So, if anyone needs a weeks worth of Joseph activities.. I have my plan they could use!

I was a bit worried in the run up to the week... as it was my first time REALLY responsible.. and I wanted it to go well. But, i needn't have worried i don't think. as I didn't get any feedback saying the kids didn't enjoy it.. and tbh.. as long as they had fun, that's all I really worried about!

All the kids in my group were fantastic.. they always are! It's funny how i've watched a lot of these kids grow up, since many families return each year. It;s really great to see how they are becoming more and more confident in themselves (and in God) each year. The three oldest girls I had in my group who are all 8 now, were so different this year to last. They were much more brash and confident than before.. One of them was a little Diva, who insisted on singing along to the musical (or any other song playing) another one so cheeky and always had something to say.. and the third was always wanting to do everything! Much different from the 3 quiet(er) girls i remember from last year! It's always a shame to have to go home after a great week when your group have been a pleasure to look after!

The other thing that really stood out for me was that the Joseph theme was carried throughout the kids and adult groups. Each morning in Family Worship we had a drama telling a little but more of the story of Joseph.. I did a turn as the Prison guard!

Now.. I think only Duncan will appreciate this next bit.. but please keep reading... The speakers for the year, were once again Peter and Davina I-C.

They were fantastic in the Family worship - The drama was all their idea. Peter played this fantastically camp (and spoilt) Joseph with his multicoloured coat and trousers, while Davina mostly narrated... But.. she did her star turn as 'Mrs Potty' complete with flamboyant dress and cries of 'Come here Jo-Jo, you know you want me!'

Just a shame there is no video of this, as i'd have loved to have sent it to Duncan!

The week really got me thinking.. why do i put up with my day to day issues with work, when there is something like this that i love to do (and apparently i'm good at it!)

So.. i've started to make enquiries about going P/T and being able to use the other two days to get a job working with kids to enable me to get some relevant Early Years / playwork qualifications. My aim is eventually to work full time in a Church based setting with kids and families, but I need to start somewhere so getting some formal qualifications is a start. Then.. Once Kevin has started his degree and can tell me a bit more about it, I want to look at a Theology degree also, or at least some formal diploma. It's all very well having a passion for this type of work, and really enjoying it, but I do feel that there is a real need to back that up with the formal qualifications to help strengthen and develop the commitment further.

So.. back to the sleep issues.. well.. those, along with last week, kickstarted the above plan.. so now I just need to pray that I can make it all happen, and if that's what God wants, i'm sure it will!