so how are you all out in the blog world? (I know I haven't blogged in agessss, again, rubbish I know, i am very sorry about that! There is no excuse!!)
I have, unfortunately, been ill for the past two weeks, a really bad cold, but something that refused to get better. My supervisor told me to take the time off, so I haven't worked on my project for two weeks, and term ends next week...ah!! But I'm confident that everything will work out. I just need to get better!!
God has been very good to me over the last month. First, I received a message from one of my old school friends, reminding me of a conversation that we once had about Christian rock music. He had found a song, All the Words, by Kutless that he loved, but was very surprised to find out, on more research, that the band were in fact Christian. For some reason, and I'm really not complaining, he decided to share this story with me, which was awesome! The song is a song that I've found really inspiring, so I'm grateful to him for that as well. It's strange how God works isn't it!
We had a really good God time at cell a few weeks ago, talking about the gift of the profetic. The session ended with a prayer time asking for words for the other group members, which was awesome. Every member got at least one word. The words for me were very true, and helpful. I love how God works.
In another random event, I went to a church in Swindon a few weeks ago with a friend, to support them at their first visit to this church, in fact any church in a long time. It was a privalage to be able to go with them and provide the support. They were crazy enough to drive and pick me up so that I could go, as well as drive me back at the end of the day. Absolutely mental!! I had a fun time, and enjoyed the church. I was impressed with how welcoming they were, but was slightly surprised by the 2 minute break beween the worship and the talk, that was new on me!
Also, last Thursday, instead of cell, a group of us took mince-pies into halls to wish people a merry Christmas (yes, because it is nearly Christmass, somehow...not sure where November went, I think I blinked and missed it!!). We were also offering to do students washing up. People were either surprising clean and had already done it(!) or didn't want us to see the mess, and let us do it for them. Rachael did pray for one girl with a cold, and we had a couple of good chats, steming from the "why on earth would you want to do someone elses washing up?" question. I really pray that some seeds were planted in people, and that they remember us and think more about out motives.
I now have all of my coursework back, and was amazed by one piece in which I got 82%, I'm not sure how it happened, but I was overjoyed!! The rest of my work was good, but not quite as stunning.
I'm now looking at what next, after graduation, and that is a massive maze to get through, with so many options, and requirements, deadlines, etc to fight through. I am really praying into where I should go, but it's still going to be a lot of work. I know I will end up where God wants me if I listen to Him.
I really feel like I have missed something, this is why I should blog more regularly!! Woopsie!
I shall wrap up there, I really don't feel like I have done God justice in this post, but I hope and pray that His awesomness will still come through this post, and my blog, and my life!
God bless
Bristol xxx
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Busy Week
Hello again,
I've just completed my first week of project research, which was really good if a little tedious. There are two of us try to use the same piece of equipment so we can be a little limited as to what can be achieved in a day. I am working on the BIACORE machine, using SPR (surface plasmon resonance) to detect binding of small molecules to a protein. There is a lot of set up that has to be done first, such as checking the right pH levels (pH scouting, which I have completed for the RNase E E. Coli molecule, but still have to do for the RNase E TB molecule) and finding the correct buffers, so as not to make the protein too unhappy. Toni, I will be working with HPLC in a few weeks I think, so I am not fully sure of the methods used yet, as I still need to be trained on the machine. Just in case you're wondering, (most of you probably aren't!) I have also been studying the turning on and off of genes, and embryo development, including a practical in a few weeks cutting up a chick embryo.
In other news, I've had a really good God week. I asked if Adam (Blade) could find me someone to mentor me through this year, as I feel that it is something I really wanted to do, and would be good to have that extra support. I met her on Sunday, and she is lovely. We had our first "proper" chat on Monday evening over coffee, and it was really good! I found it incredibly helpful, and I had space to think and hear God. Things had got a little...foggy, over the past few weeks, and after letting some stuff go, it was really good to feel God's presence everywhere in my life.
I'm settling into the house well, and getting back into the swing of fending for myself, kind of. My clothes are mostly clean and I haven't starved yet!!
Last weekend I paid a trip up to see Ben, Dan and Nikita in Reading. It was great to arrive on the Friday evening, and feel like old times again. I miss it, but realise that the friendships I've made may be sightly different, they are still as strong as the were. The one problem I've found with going to Reading was that I always end up bringing back more than I went with, and that usually means I've been shopping :S but it's still fun!! Ben and I met up with some of the King's guys who had gone up for a conference, and came back with them on the Saturday night, so Ben could see Portsmouth people. And annoyingly they are renovating the lock near Ben's house on the Kennet and Avon canal, so I could go sit on the balance beam as I wanted...so I'm going to have to pay another trip to see them just to do that :P.
Finally, if anyone can help me make sense of miRNAs that would be appreciated! I have a paper analysis to write by next Friday, and I am totally lost in my subject!!
God bless,
Clare xxx (Or Bristol, as I seem to now be in the house!!!)
I've just completed my first week of project research, which was really good if a little tedious. There are two of us try to use the same piece of equipment so we can be a little limited as to what can be achieved in a day. I am working on the BIACORE machine, using SPR (surface plasmon resonance) to detect binding of small molecules to a protein. There is a lot of set up that has to be done first, such as checking the right pH levels (pH scouting, which I have completed for the RNase E E. Coli molecule, but still have to do for the RNase E TB molecule) and finding the correct buffers, so as not to make the protein too unhappy. Toni, I will be working with HPLC in a few weeks I think, so I am not fully sure of the methods used yet, as I still need to be trained on the machine. Just in case you're wondering, (most of you probably aren't!) I have also been studying the turning on and off of genes, and embryo development, including a practical in a few weeks cutting up a chick embryo.
In other news, I've had a really good God week. I asked if Adam (Blade) could find me someone to mentor me through this year, as I feel that it is something I really wanted to do, and would be good to have that extra support. I met her on Sunday, and she is lovely. We had our first "proper" chat on Monday evening over coffee, and it was really good! I found it incredibly helpful, and I had space to think and hear God. Things had got a little...foggy, over the past few weeks, and after letting some stuff go, it was really good to feel God's presence everywhere in my life.
I'm settling into the house well, and getting back into the swing of fending for myself, kind of. My clothes are mostly clean and I haven't starved yet!!
Last weekend I paid a trip up to see Ben, Dan and Nikita in Reading. It was great to arrive on the Friday evening, and feel like old times again. I miss it, but realise that the friendships I've made may be sightly different, they are still as strong as the were. The one problem I've found with going to Reading was that I always end up bringing back more than I went with, and that usually means I've been shopping :S but it's still fun!! Ben and I met up with some of the King's guys who had gone up for a conference, and came back with them on the Saturday night, so Ben could see Portsmouth people. And annoyingly they are renovating the lock near Ben's house on the Kennet and Avon canal, so I could go sit on the balance beam as I wanted...so I'm going to have to pay another trip to see them just to do that :P.
Finally, if anyone can help me make sense of miRNAs that would be appreciated! I have a paper analysis to write by next Friday, and I am totally lost in my subject!!
God bless,
Clare xxx (Or Bristol, as I seem to now be in the house!!!)
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Major woops!
I seriously hadn't realised how long it had been since my last post, but the answer is quite a while, my bad!
I've officially started year 3 (argh!! How did that happen?), moved out of Stansted Road ( :( ), moved into my new house, with 4 other girls (3 from church, one on my course), turned 22 (!) and been on holiday (on the canals in and around Birmingham! Great fun, but stupidly early starts for a holiday!).
It's been an emotional time. I found moving back here much harder than I expected. I've become close to two of my friends from back home, so I think that played a factor in my homesickness. But I think the biggest factor was that I was really scared about starting year 3, my final year, the big one! I felt, (and still does a little) like I was standing on the edge of a huge dark abyss. I couldn't see the bottom, or the other side, and there in front of me was a tiny white line, or tightrope that I had to walk across, with the knowledge that one wrong step and I would fall and fail. But I've started walking. My big fears are all turning out to be stupid. Yes, it is going to be a very hard year, but as long as I am sensible, do my work, not sit around blogging all the time (!), and most importantly, trust God, I will succeed. I won't just get through, I'll do well.
I am also realising how blessed I am by all the amazing people I have around me, who I am proud to call friends. There are some who I don't get to see all the time any more, but who are still supporting me. But there are others who are here, at church, in my house and on my course, who are all so amazing. I hope that I can be as great a friend back as they are to me.
This is a very serious blog today, but in a good way. And just think, it could be worse, and I was writing about telomers or HPLC.
On a random side note, I now have a deviantart account, where I have posted some of the pictures I have drawn over the past few years, some really reacent, some much older. The address is: http://roofster86.deviantart.com/
So I'm back! And I will attempt to update this at least once a week.
Clare xxx
I've officially started year 3 (argh!! How did that happen?), moved out of Stansted Road ( :( ), moved into my new house, with 4 other girls (3 from church, one on my course), turned 22 (!) and been on holiday (on the canals in and around Birmingham! Great fun, but stupidly early starts for a holiday!).
It's been an emotional time. I found moving back here much harder than I expected. I've become close to two of my friends from back home, so I think that played a factor in my homesickness. But I think the biggest factor was that I was really scared about starting year 3, my final year, the big one! I felt, (and still does a little) like I was standing on the edge of a huge dark abyss. I couldn't see the bottom, or the other side, and there in front of me was a tiny white line, or tightrope that I had to walk across, with the knowledge that one wrong step and I would fall and fail. But I've started walking. My big fears are all turning out to be stupid. Yes, it is going to be a very hard year, but as long as I am sensible, do my work, not sit around blogging all the time (!), and most importantly, trust God, I will succeed. I won't just get through, I'll do well.
I am also realising how blessed I am by all the amazing people I have around me, who I am proud to call friends. There are some who I don't get to see all the time any more, but who are still supporting me. But there are others who are here, at church, in my house and on my course, who are all so amazing. I hope that I can be as great a friend back as they are to me.
This is a very serious blog today, but in a good way. And just think, it could be worse, and I was writing about telomers or HPLC.
On a random side note, I now have a deviantart account, where I have posted some of the pictures I have drawn over the past few years, some really reacent, some much older. The address is: http://roofster86.deviantart.com/
So I'm back! And I will attempt to update this at least once a week.
Clare xxx
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
It's like buses...
you wait for ages for one, then two come along at once. Yes, that's right folks, I'm back!
Second post in one night!!
Well, I'm back in Portsmouth, came back yesterday, having been in Bristol for nearly a month, but had a change to catch up with a few friends. I was a little concerned about moving back to the house on my own, but it's been ok as there's another girl living here called Emily. I've only met her briefly but she seems nice. I'm going into the lab with my project supervisor tomorrow morning which I'm very excited about!
So what else has been going on? Erm, not a lot to be honest. I gave my testimony at church, which went well; I went to my grandma's with my parents, including a trip to the huge Borders in Oxford; I've seen two of my friends new flats and stayed up all night and watched the sun rise on Clifton Suspension Bridge, in a moment of madness with a friend, but life's been fairly quiet. Ooo, and I got a new bed, and my room is really tidy, which is astonishing, which those who know how messy I am, know how amazing that is!
I hope that I will be updating more regularly. Because more stuff has happened, it just doesn't seem as important any more.
If anyone wants to read my testimony from the last two years, I can put it on my blog, as I typed it before hand.
I'll wrap this up now, and appoligise for blogging twice in once night!!
Clare xxx
Second post in one night!!
Well, I'm back in Portsmouth, came back yesterday, having been in Bristol for nearly a month, but had a change to catch up with a few friends. I was a little concerned about moving back to the house on my own, but it's been ok as there's another girl living here called Emily. I've only met her briefly but she seems nice. I'm going into the lab with my project supervisor tomorrow morning which I'm very excited about!
So what else has been going on? Erm, not a lot to be honest. I gave my testimony at church, which went well; I went to my grandma's with my parents, including a trip to the huge Borders in Oxford; I've seen two of my friends new flats and stayed up all night and watched the sun rise on Clifton Suspension Bridge, in a moment of madness with a friend, but life's been fairly quiet. Ooo, and I got a new bed, and my room is really tidy, which is astonishing, which those who know how messy I am, know how amazing that is!
I hope that I will be updating more regularly. Because more stuff has happened, it just doesn't seem as important any more.
If anyone wants to read my testimony from the last two years, I can put it on my blog, as I typed it before hand.
I'll wrap this up now, and appoligise for blogging twice in once night!!
Clare xxx
Praise You In This Storm
There have been a few songs that have really struck a chord with me at this moment in time. In this blog I want to focus on one in particular: Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns. If you haven't heard this song, below is the video, sorry the videos not that great, but you can at least hear the song.
I also wanted to put the lyrics down as well:
Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus
There are lines that are so relevent to me right now. There have been changes in my life. Two of my housemates have secured placements in Reading, and are living together next year. I've found myself a house with 4 other girls for next year. Another of my friends has got engaged, and one of my friends is two months away from getting married. There have been some major complications with financing the summer, and whilst a vague plan has been formed, as I write this its still not fixed. And with all these things, come all these different emotions. Since having a major chat with one of my friends, things have been more settled, but there have still been a few tears and wibbles.
When things get tough, we do sit and question why all of this is happening, why does life sometimes hurt so much. But as that first verse says, even when we go through the storms of our lives, no matter the cause, God is right there, whispering to us. We are not alone, whether we feel it or not doesn't change the truth.
"Every tear I've cried, you hold in your hands" God cares, our tears don't just fall for no reason, nor do they fall into oblivion, but our caring, loving Father catches each one. In the chorus, they sing of one of the hardest things to do, worship God when life feels impossible. God is unchanging, and is still worthy of our praise. And the best thing we can do when we feel down, caught in the middle of the storms of this life, is to turn our eyes back to God, to worship Him, give everything to Him, and to let go (which is also hard, really hard, I know, I keep struggling with it). The last bit of the song is taken from psalm 121:
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
Clare xxx
I also wanted to put the lyrics down as well:
Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Chorus
There are lines that are so relevent to me right now. There have been changes in my life. Two of my housemates have secured placements in Reading, and are living together next year. I've found myself a house with 4 other girls for next year. Another of my friends has got engaged, and one of my friends is two months away from getting married. There have been some major complications with financing the summer, and whilst a vague plan has been formed, as I write this its still not fixed. And with all these things, come all these different emotions. Since having a major chat with one of my friends, things have been more settled, but there have still been a few tears and wibbles.
When things get tough, we do sit and question why all of this is happening, why does life sometimes hurt so much. But as that first verse says, even when we go through the storms of our lives, no matter the cause, God is right there, whispering to us. We are not alone, whether we feel it or not doesn't change the truth.
"Every tear I've cried, you hold in your hands" God cares, our tears don't just fall for no reason, nor do they fall into oblivion, but our caring, loving Father catches each one. In the chorus, they sing of one of the hardest things to do, worship God when life feels impossible. God is unchanging, and is still worthy of our praise. And the best thing we can do when we feel down, caught in the middle of the storms of this life, is to turn our eyes back to God, to worship Him, give everything to Him, and to let go (which is also hard, really hard, I know, I keep struggling with it). The last bit of the song is taken from psalm 121:
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The maker of Heaven and earth, the Creator, is willing to help, not only willing but wanting to help us. He doesn't expect us to do things on our own, and we can't do things on our own, no matter how hard we try.
This seems to have turned more into a preach than a blog, woops, but hopefully it'll spark something.
Clare xxx
Friday, May 30, 2008
For those you that are wondering...
I am still here, even though I haven't blogged in over a month!!
So whats new?
Well, I am nearly at the end of my second year at uni (how did that happen??) and I've completed one exam in macromolecues (proteins and all that jazz), that went much better than expected.
I have a house (nearly) secure for next year, with 3 other girls from church, just need to find a 4th housemate.
I am actually loosing the weight thanks to the new diet, even if it has been hard for me and those around me, (thanks for putting up with me!!). At the first weigh in I'd lose 3kg in just over 3 weeks :).
I'm starting to get more involved in the youth work at King's, the 11-15's age group, where I feel my heart lies more.
We didn't get the grant that we applied for, for the summer project, but there are plans being made that will hopefully still make it possible, and prayers are appreciated.
On a more serious note, God has been showing himself so much to me, both through events in my life, placing people, and things like Bible verses in my life at the time when I need, as well as showing the power of pray etc, in other peoples lives. It's been a great month, and whilst I know that there is still a lot of room for growth and improvement (as there always is) its going to be an exciting, challenging, tough at times, worthwhile thing.
This has been a bit of a random, all over the place, post, kind of how my head is at the moment. Things are changing, my housemates are moving to do years in industry, I'm going into my final year of uni, and have no idea what comes next, its a bit of a muddled, mixed up time, but new things are just around the corner.
I'll try to be back with a more in depth, proper post soon.
Until then
Clare xxx
So whats new?
Well, I am nearly at the end of my second year at uni (how did that happen??) and I've completed one exam in macromolecues (proteins and all that jazz), that went much better than expected.
I have a house (nearly) secure for next year, with 3 other girls from church, just need to find a 4th housemate.
I am actually loosing the weight thanks to the new diet, even if it has been hard for me and those around me, (thanks for putting up with me!!). At the first weigh in I'd lose 3kg in just over 3 weeks :).
I'm starting to get more involved in the youth work at King's, the 11-15's age group, where I feel my heart lies more.
We didn't get the grant that we applied for, for the summer project, but there are plans being made that will hopefully still make it possible, and prayers are appreciated.
On a more serious note, God has been showing himself so much to me, both through events in my life, placing people, and things like Bible verses in my life at the time when I need, as well as showing the power of pray etc, in other peoples lives. It's been a great month, and whilst I know that there is still a lot of room for growth and improvement (as there always is) its going to be an exciting, challenging, tough at times, worthwhile thing.
This has been a bit of a random, all over the place, post, kind of how my head is at the moment. Things are changing, my housemates are moving to do years in industry, I'm going into my final year of uni, and have no idea what comes next, its a bit of a muddled, mixed up time, but new things are just around the corner.
I'll try to be back with a more in depth, proper post soon.
Until then
Clare xxx
Saturday, April 19, 2008
One week on
So I've been doing this healthy eating thing for a week now and it has been hard, really hard. I think anyone who's been near me over this week will have realised that I was struggling. There are so many temptations around, it's easy to get caught up in it.
I have also found myself being more emotional and getting more teary than usual. But I've managed to keep going because of the awesome people around me. I have my friends praying and supporting me. I am also getting support from my tutor and one of the chaplains here.
I have had so much to think about and it's easy to lose focus. I have a week of 9-5's next week in the lab doing recombinant DNA techniques, that I have to read about this weekend :S. And I could list the problems that I can forsee because of all of this, but I won't because it will work out, I have great friends, housemates, family around me that will help.
Last Friday night, Ben, Dan and I gathered in the kitchen for a prayer session, which whilst being the tiniest bit random, was awesome. Tonight we did it again, and after the bumpy day today has been, it was really good to spend time with God and my friends, and have a chat as well as praying.
Whilst I still acknowledge that there will be bumpy times ahead, when I just want to attack a bar of chocolate or whatever, I know now that I can turn to my friends for that extra support to get me through. I know that there are many people praying for me and that ultimately God is right there by my side, never leaving me and never letting go!
This has been a bit of a random post, so I may re-read it tomorrow and wonder what on earth I've written, but I hope that it has made sense. And thanks once again to all those that are supporting me, in whatever way, it all helps!
Until next time...!
Clare xxx
I have also found myself being more emotional and getting more teary than usual. But I've managed to keep going because of the awesome people around me. I have my friends praying and supporting me. I am also getting support from my tutor and one of the chaplains here.
I have had so much to think about and it's easy to lose focus. I have a week of 9-5's next week in the lab doing recombinant DNA techniques, that I have to read about this weekend :S. And I could list the problems that I can forsee because of all of this, but I won't because it will work out, I have great friends, housemates, family around me that will help.
Last Friday night, Ben, Dan and I gathered in the kitchen for a prayer session, which whilst being the tiniest bit random, was awesome. Tonight we did it again, and after the bumpy day today has been, it was really good to spend time with God and my friends, and have a chat as well as praying.
Whilst I still acknowledge that there will be bumpy times ahead, when I just want to attack a bar of chocolate or whatever, I know now that I can turn to my friends for that extra support to get me through. I know that there are many people praying for me and that ultimately God is right there by my side, never leaving me and never letting go!
This has been a bit of a random post, so I may re-read it tomorrow and wonder what on earth I've written, but I hope that it has made sense. And thanks once again to all those that are supporting me, in whatever way, it all helps!
Until next time...!
Clare xxx
Friday, April 11, 2008
Hold On
It is fair to say that things haven't be going brilliantly well for me at the moment. I've have a series of doctors appointments and a blood test to confirm a diagnosis. It has been playing on my mind a bit, and today, the final diagnosis came through as being the same as what was suspected. Please forgive me for being vauge, but I really don't want to write what it is. It's not life threatening but is life altering. I have been told by the doctors to lose weight...ah. But as I will waffle on about later, I have an amazing group of people surrounding me who are supporting and helping in various ways.
I have friends who are supporting and praying for me even thought some of them are unsure of the difference they are making. Believe me, it is making a difference, a huge difference, whether you can see it or not. I have been so blessed by the people placed in my life, who are being so amazing!
All the troubles and hardships will make us stronger when we get through them. They can show us our friends, and can remind us to let others help, and where our help comes from. Yes there are times when we have to fight the world and ourselves to continue, when we have those massive struggles but have to keep going, and follow the light at the end of that tunnel. There are times when it feels like everything is dark, but then you realise that there are glimmers of light breaking through the darkness, the light coming from our friends, those that love and care
about us, that walk with us, supporting, guiding, helping and sometimes being very honest with us and telling us when we are being stupid. Our brightest light comes from God, who sent Jesus into the world, to be light, and chase the darkness away, how amazing is that.
I know that there are always going to be times in my life that are going to be hard, that's part of life, but I also know that I have a God who loves me, friends who love me and that things will get better.
I hope that this makes sence. Thank you to all those who have supported me, I won't name you, but you know who you are!!
Clare xxx
I have friends who are supporting and praying for me even thought some of them are unsure of the difference they are making. Believe me, it is making a difference, a huge difference, whether you can see it or not. I have been so blessed by the people placed in my life, who are being so amazing!
All the troubles and hardships will make us stronger when we get through them. They can show us our friends, and can remind us to let others help, and where our help comes from. Yes there are times when we have to fight the world and ourselves to continue, when we have those massive struggles but have to keep going, and follow the light at the end of that tunnel. There are times when it feels like everything is dark, but then you realise that there are glimmers of light breaking through the darkness, the light coming from our friends, those that love and care
about us, that walk with us, supporting, guiding, helping and sometimes being very honest with us and telling us when we are being stupid. Our brightest light comes from God, who sent Jesus into the world, to be light, and chase the darkness away, how amazing is that.
I know that there are always going to be times in my life that are going to be hard, that's part of life, but I also know that I have a God who loves me, friends who love me and that things will get better.
I hope that this makes sence. Thank you to all those who have supported me, I won't name you, but you know who you are!!
Clare xxx
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Space
Not the cold vacuum, but stopping, having a break. By the end of term, life can get a bit frantic, life can get on top of you, and a break is greatly required.
I was looking forward to coming home, especially as I haven't been back since Christmas. My first day back home, I went to a retreat day in preparation for Holy Week. One of the most useful things about the day was not the teaching, but just the quiet, the stillness, the time to "stop". It was raining, but that didn't bother me, and I spend time in the garden, just walking around, thinking, sorting out my thoughts and listening to "The Stand" and "Awesome God". It was good to give God some space.
Life seems to be constantly busy now, for everyone. People are working, then house keeping, with less and less time left for socialising, resting etc. There are times when I feel that we need to take a breather. One of my friends facebook statuses was ...is taking a deep breath ready for a busy week. It does often feel like we are diving into busyness and sometimes even trying to swim against the tide.
The creation story, as most people know has 7 days, the 7th being a rest day. I believe this is for a reason. Whether you believe in God or not, we need that 7th day to collect our thoughts and catch our breath. But in this world, when we work everyday of the week, we are removing that rest day. And we are suffering, the world is suffering.
I'm not sure where all this has come from, but I feel it's important. In a society where more and more people are suffering from stress, depression, other illnesses like that, we should be noticing this trend that working too much is bad for our health. So as we head towards Easter, maybe we should take this opportunity to slow down and take a breather.
And on a totally unrelated note, fish.
Ok, hope I haven't offended anyone, said anything too factually incorrect, or talked a load of jibberish!!
Take care, God bless,
Clare xxx
I was looking forward to coming home, especially as I haven't been back since Christmas. My first day back home, I went to a retreat day in preparation for Holy Week. One of the most useful things about the day was not the teaching, but just the quiet, the stillness, the time to "stop". It was raining, but that didn't bother me, and I spend time in the garden, just walking around, thinking, sorting out my thoughts and listening to "The Stand" and "Awesome God". It was good to give God some space.
Life seems to be constantly busy now, for everyone. People are working, then house keeping, with less and less time left for socialising, resting etc. There are times when I feel that we need to take a breather. One of my friends facebook statuses was ...is taking a deep breath ready for a busy week. It does often feel like we are diving into busyness and sometimes even trying to swim against the tide.
The creation story, as most people know has 7 days, the 7th being a rest day. I believe this is for a reason. Whether you believe in God or not, we need that 7th day to collect our thoughts and catch our breath. But in this world, when we work everyday of the week, we are removing that rest day. And we are suffering, the world is suffering.
I'm not sure where all this has come from, but I feel it's important. In a society where more and more people are suffering from stress, depression, other illnesses like that, we should be noticing this trend that working too much is bad for our health. So as we head towards Easter, maybe we should take this opportunity to slow down and take a breather.
And on a totally unrelated note, fish.
Ok, hope I haven't offended anyone, said anything too factually incorrect, or talked a load of jibberish!!
Take care, God bless,
Clare xxx
Monday, February 25, 2008
Our God is Amazing!
I make no apologise for the highly God filled nature of this post!
When I was younger, I went through the whole girly teen magazine phase. One of the features every fortnight or month or whatever was the horoscopes. If I squinted, they could probably apply to me, but there were days when, not only was the horoscope wrong, it was very improbable that the future as told by this horoscope could happen! However yesterday, there were two separate instances when the sermon at church and my daily bible reading hit right where I was, were exactly what I needed to hear at that time, even though both the sermon and the bible verse would have been thought about and written without any knowledge of what I'm going through and weeks if not months before this moment in time.
If I'm honest, things have been a little bleak over the past 4 or so days. But I have been provided with some fantastic friends who have helped me to keep going. My faith was not at it's strongest, lets be honest, it was hard to pray and the words from the Bible weren't really sinking in. The sermon last night was on worship, and turning our focus back to God. It was a good sermon anyway, but as I said earlier, met me where I am.
I know that having been a Christian for as long as I have, I should expect the unexpected, but there are still times when God surprises me.
And just to finish, Philippians 4:12-13 says: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
God Bless
Ruth xx
When I was younger, I went through the whole girly teen magazine phase. One of the features every fortnight or month or whatever was the horoscopes. If I squinted, they could probably apply to me, but there were days when, not only was the horoscope wrong, it was very improbable that the future as told by this horoscope could happen! However yesterday, there were two separate instances when the sermon at church and my daily bible reading hit right where I was, were exactly what I needed to hear at that time, even though both the sermon and the bible verse would have been thought about and written without any knowledge of what I'm going through and weeks if not months before this moment in time.
If I'm honest, things have been a little bleak over the past 4 or so days. But I have been provided with some fantastic friends who have helped me to keep going. My faith was not at it's strongest, lets be honest, it was hard to pray and the words from the Bible weren't really sinking in. The sermon last night was on worship, and turning our focus back to God. It was a good sermon anyway, but as I said earlier, met me where I am.
I know that having been a Christian for as long as I have, I should expect the unexpected, but there are still times when God surprises me.
And just to finish, Philippians 4:12-13 says: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
God Bless
Ruth xx
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The Next Instalment...
As quite a few of my friends have blogged, I kind of feel like I should.
So what's been happening?
Well, lectures have restarted, and seem interesting, if a little hard in place. For example, we had a whole lecture on opening cells and separating the contents, including using a centrifuge. Included in all of that was the physics and equations behind it... oh dear!! But we are looking at things that are more relevant to my course and chosen career path.
The application grant for my summer project was completed and sent off over a week ago, which is good. It is to do an 8 week summer project working with RNase E, found in E. Coli, for which the crystal structure of it was found by my project supervisor. If we get the grant it should be a good experience, as well as working in an interesting field of research.
Ok, non-sciencey people can start reading again. It's been quite a socially active week, with people coming round, or us going out nearly every day this week, including seeing the UPBB playing and going to a kid's party, thrown by Paul. Although, I get the feeling that most children wouldn't be playing monopoly!!
Tonight, I am going to the launch of Student Alpha at King's which is very exciting. There's not much planned for the next few weeks, just hopefully trying to keep on top of work, and understand it all!!
TTFN
Clare xxx
So what's been happening?
Well, lectures have restarted, and seem interesting, if a little hard in place. For example, we had a whole lecture on opening cells and separating the contents, including using a centrifuge. Included in all of that was the physics and equations behind it... oh dear!! But we are looking at things that are more relevant to my course and chosen career path.
The application grant for my summer project was completed and sent off over a week ago, which is good. It is to do an 8 week summer project working with RNase E, found in E. Coli, for which the crystal structure of it was found by my project supervisor. If we get the grant it should be a good experience, as well as working in an interesting field of research.
Ok, non-sciencey people can start reading again. It's been quite a socially active week, with people coming round, or us going out nearly every day this week, including seeing the UPBB playing and going to a kid's party, thrown by Paul. Although, I get the feeling that most children wouldn't be playing monopoly!!
Tonight, I am going to the launch of Student Alpha at King's which is very exciting. There's not much planned for the next few weeks, just hopefully trying to keep on top of work, and understand it all!!
TTFN
Clare xxx
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Two hours sleep...
does not set you up for a productive day!! I can be very silly sometimes. But there is reason, not just seeing how long it takes for my body to give up, although it is trying, very hard.
I was having a conversation with one of my friends, and we were talking about some of the things we wanted to do, one of which, for me, was watch a sunrise. It is one of those targets that is achievable with just a small amount of effort. So I decided to do it, I have a week off from uni, nothing to get up for, take the opportunity whilst I can, and go watch the sunrise...on my own...ok not such a great plan. So I ask Ben and Sarah if they were interested, and surprisingly they were :). A plan was formed!! SO this morning, at 5:30, having gone to bed at 3:30...woops, I got up. We left at around 6:30 to head to the sea front, being the best place to watch. And it was worth it, even if I'm now very tired, and will probably sleep for a week. It was nice to spend some time with friends, even if it was a little chilly, and watch the sun as it climed up the sky, spreading light and warmth to the world!
Lent started today, and instead of giving up something, it was chocolate last year, remember? That was hard! I've decided to take something up, reading the Bible everyday, because, I will admit, that isn't my strong point. I have three different sources so hopefully I can keep it up. I also hope that putting it on here will alert people to it, and that you will help encourage me, guide me etc, into something that I hope to continue for more that the 40 days of lent. Because last year, after lent I started eating chocolate again, this year I want to keep it up.
I think I've rambled on for long enough. Just to warn you I haven't re-read this so who knows what I've put!!
And thanks to the grammar police. :P
Clare xxx
I was having a conversation with one of my friends, and we were talking about some of the things we wanted to do, one of which, for me, was watch a sunrise. It is one of those targets that is achievable with just a small amount of effort. So I decided to do it, I have a week off from uni, nothing to get up for, take the opportunity whilst I can, and go watch the sunrise...on my own...ok not such a great plan. So I ask Ben and Sarah if they were interested, and surprisingly they were :). A plan was formed!! SO this morning, at 5:30, having gone to bed at 3:30...woops, I got up. We left at around 6:30 to head to the sea front, being the best place to watch. And it was worth it, even if I'm now very tired, and will probably sleep for a week. It was nice to spend some time with friends, even if it was a little chilly, and watch the sun as it climed up the sky, spreading light and warmth to the world!
Lent started today, and instead of giving up something, it was chocolate last year, remember? That was hard! I've decided to take something up, reading the Bible everyday, because, I will admit, that isn't my strong point. I have three different sources so hopefully I can keep it up. I also hope that putting it on here will alert people to it, and that you will help encourage me, guide me etc, into something that I hope to continue for more that the 40 days of lent. Because last year, after lent I started eating chocolate again, this year I want to keep it up.
I think I've rambled on for long enough. Just to warn you I haven't re-read this so who knows what I've put!!
And thanks to the grammar police. :P
Clare xxx
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Truth Time
Ok, I need to be honest about this, as hard as it is. I am struggling quite a bit at the moment, with "keeping my chin up" and "staying positive", when revision is nasty. It's a stupid thing, but it's when I'm tired, looking at exam papers and despairing, that old thoughts and feeling come back. And I really hope that good thoughts will come and over come them. I've got some great friends, but I ask if you are reading this and are Christian, can you please pray for me and my exams, that I will get thought them in one piece.
Now to make it sound like a news report!! :P (can you tell that I really don't want to learn about PCR??)
Firstly, the sky is pink. This is nothing to worry about, and will pass in about an hour, by which point it will be dark.
Secondly, I can confirm that the light house on the seafront has always been black and white, but Third, I'm sure that if you want it in red and white you could photoshop it!!
Fourth, My Japanese is done, finished, over!! I just really hope I passed, I think there's a good chance I have!
Fifth, there has been a spieght of grammar police checks happening, victims of which have included "The Whom" and "Doctor Whom". And this report will probably be stopped, checked, corrected and found guilty against crimes against punctuation.
Six, and most exciting, I have a possible placement for summer research here at the University! It will be looking at inhibiting RNase-E in E. coli. (does anyone know what I'm on about??)
And finally, this reporter is convinced that she has forgotten to add something, but she's sure it doesn't matter.
For all those that are revising, and have exams, all the best.
See told you it was dark!!
And Dan, great lamb last night!!
Clare signing off now,
good night, well evening, ish...what, its only 5:25???
Clare xx
Now to make it sound like a news report!! :P (can you tell that I really don't want to learn about PCR??)
Firstly, the sky is pink. This is nothing to worry about, and will pass in about an hour, by which point it will be dark.
Secondly, I can confirm that the light house on the seafront has always been black and white, but Third, I'm sure that if you want it in red and white you could photoshop it!!
Fourth, My Japanese is done, finished, over!! I just really hope I passed, I think there's a good chance I have!
Fifth, there has been a spieght of grammar police checks happening, victims of which have included "The Whom" and "Doctor Whom". And this report will probably be stopped, checked, corrected and found guilty against crimes against punctuation.
Six, and most exciting, I have a possible placement for summer research here at the University! It will be looking at inhibiting RNase-E in E. coli. (does anyone know what I'm on about??)
And finally, this reporter is convinced that she has forgotten to add something, but she's sure it doesn't matter.
For all those that are revising, and have exams, all the best.
See told you it was dark!!
And Dan, great lamb last night!!
Clare signing off now,
good night, well evening, ish...what, its only 5:25???
Clare xx
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sorry
...I haven't blogged recently and that I've been a bit grouchy. My stress levels have been through the roof, mainly caused by a poster group project that we had to do, that virtually consumed my life some days. We seemed to have issue after issue, weren't entirely sure what we had to do, and still had to put it together by the due date yesterday morning. But remarkably everything seemed to come together and we all got over 90% for it, which was nice, made it more worth it. Today I had my Japanese Reading and Listening exams, and was convinced they weren't going to go very well, and had just about upgraded myself from a fail to a scraped pass when I entered the exam. Even doing a review at the beginning of the exam scared me, but it went well, my brain co-operated and the answers were mostly there. Thank you to those that knew about the exam and were praying, with out a doubt it helped!!
Life is generally pottering along, having to fight the dark days more than usual, and remember the good in life. My raised stress levels mean that everything gets to me that little bit more. I become that bit more clingy, cuddling teddies more often... :P but it helps, and the love and support that I have around me, makes life easier.
I still have more exams to come, but I'm hoping that things will ease of a bit, and the I'll have a chance to catch up with myself at the end of the exams before starting the next slog. Also that I will stop feeling so drained and tired all the time. I wanted to go to church on Sunday but didn't cos I felt so tired.
Hope that the positives have come through ok, because are are many, but I felt I had to voice the negatives so that I'm no longer carrying them on my own.
Ok, that's enough for now,
Until next time...
Clare xxx
Life is generally pottering along, having to fight the dark days more than usual, and remember the good in life. My raised stress levels mean that everything gets to me that little bit more. I become that bit more clingy, cuddling teddies more often... :P but it helps, and the love and support that I have around me, makes life easier.
I still have more exams to come, but I'm hoping that things will ease of a bit, and the I'll have a chance to catch up with myself at the end of the exams before starting the next slog. Also that I will stop feeling so drained and tired all the time. I wanted to go to church on Sunday but didn't cos I felt so tired.
Hope that the positives have come through ok, because are are many, but I felt I had to voice the negatives so that I'm no longer carrying them on my own.
Ok, that's enough for now,
Until next time...
Clare xxx
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