Salut!

De retour a Tours

Stacey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:46:28 +0000

I head off bright and early tomorrow morning to Tours. I’m feeling quite stressed. It’s like the first time I went, 3 years ago. I’m starting again, right at the beginning. Almost.

I’ll be staying with a family from the church until I find my own flat. I hope to find it REALLY soon. I so want to open that storage box and get some of my clothes out!!

Stay tuned for news from Tours!

Waverley Abbey

Stacey — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:45:06 +0000

Hello again! I’m here in Farnham on a ‘Introduction to Biblical Counselling’ course. It’s super interesting and incredibly exhausting…but in a very different way to the rest of my home assignement. It’s quite funny how our bodies react! My HA has been physically exhausting: Travelling everywhere by train, differnt beds all the time, different meetings etc. But here at Waverley and physically it’s totally relaxing. But emotionally it’s tough!

But you know what they say, a change is as good as a rest! And I do feel like I needed this week because I was hitting zero energy point. It’s all coming flooding back!

I think maybe spending 2 days at Cath and Chris’s and watching films, eating pizza and generally just zoning out in front of the TV while they fought off the flu has had something to do with it. I was really really greatful for a very needed rest!

Back to Preston

Stacey — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:04:15 +0000

So my stay in Aber has come to an end. I had a wonderful 2 weeks catching up with old friends, making new ones, hearing about new ideas and projects and meeting little babies! Fun!

I arrived back in Preston on Thursday evening. On Saturday night my friends from Carey Baptist church here in the city organised a French evening with some very yummy coq au vin! The rest of the week I’ll be taking it easy and preparing for the final 3 weeks of travels.

It really is lovely to be meeting up with so many great people, but it’s quite tiring too! I really like routine and to be away from a home and a settled routine for the past 5 months has not been easy. I’m looking forward to getting back to France, finding a flat and getting back to work.

Aberystwyth - love it!

Stacey — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:41:37 +0000

I’m back in Aber and how wonderful it is! I love being back here, it is such a special place. The sun has been shining - most of the time - and the people have been smiley! I was interviewed in church and I said I wanted to catch up with as many people as possible while I was here, and I’ve got 19 coffee dates!!! It is so nice to catch up with old friends over a warm drink and a sea view! However, I’m doing so much talking that every night I go to bed with a very sore throat!

I’ve also drunk coffee with 4 phd students. I thought I was old when my friends started getting married and having babies. Now I know I’m old when they’re all doing phds! Scary!

Zebra Crossings

Stacey — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:18:02 +0000

In France there are Zebra crossings all over the place. They are used to mark places on the road where it is considered a good place to cross. You may stand for ages trying to get across the road, but nothing slows down for you. You may even be beeped to tell you to get out of the way if you cause a car to brake.

In the UK there are fewer zebra crossings. But when you want to cross you the cars just grind to a halt. You are the king!

I love the power of the Zebra Crossing in the UK!

Back to Redcliffe

Stacey — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:05:36 +0000

Today I went back to Redcliffe Mission Training college for the day. This is where I spent a year before I came out to France.

Such a good day!!

In the morning I learnt how the new European research centre works and they even gave me a croissant! nice. Then I went to the weekly devotions which was great. Dinner in the dining room was a blast from the past and great to see so many people I knew. Then coffee with a couple of ecm-ers. And then the best surprize of the day was a set of lectures on evangelism which I was able to attend which were super interesting! Then tea and chatting with a girl who’s going to be going to Spain with ECM and then a spot of babysitting to round the evening off!! (during which I changed my first nappy!!!)

Phew! A packed but very nice day!

Birthday Fun!

Stacey — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:28:43 +0000

I was 30 last weekend and I wasn’t looking forward to it! But I thought, rather than moping around I should just plan something fun to mark the occasion.

So a group of 22 family and friends got together for a meal, then we went over to Blackpool and went to the Tower Circus! It was really fun and a will create a great memory. The brave ones then followed up with fish and chips and a walk through the Illuminations. I’m so greatful for good friends and family.

This is me and my immediate family

Proof that we made it to the top of the tower to see the sunset!

Land of cider

Stacey — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:36:12 +0000

Hiya! I’ve spent a few days in Preston…photos of my very exciting 30th birthday to come!

I’m now back on the road again, hereford, Gorsley, Gloucester, Aberystwyth and maybe Haverfordwest.

those trains again…

Back up North

Stacey — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:16:39 +0000

I’ve had 3 weeks of sunshine and warmth in the south of England…and now it’s raining in Preston. Surprize!!

I’m exhausted. I’ve spent 3 weeks talking with people, listening, learning, sleeping in diferent beds, riding on trains, and telling people all about france.

I want to sleep for a year. (I slept for 10 lovely hours in my own bed last night - luxuary!)

Me in sunny London!

Polite People

Stacey — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:21:43 +0000

On the underground today, somebody brushed against my COAT which was on my knee. They stopped to apologize twice!!? Then on the esculator I banged somebody and THEY said sorry. On the way home a man was shaking a sheet on the pavement which meant I had to do a 50cm detour and he excused himself. This country is obsessivly polite!!!