rrrrow

I don’t know when we became the type of people that take photos of cats, but whenever I look at these I think of Wildcat by Ratatat and it makes me smile.

The power of the whiteboard

If we learnt anything during our track placement, it was the simple power of a good diagram. Usually drawn on a whiteboard. Complex and abstract ideas became concrete shapes with definite colours, pointing to other shapes in a meaningful way. 

Those hours spent with Aled and Ben and the Whiteboard were thought provoking and therefore brilliant, setting us up for the next couple of weeks to engage in some pretty robust discussions around upside kingdoms, changing cultures, big vs. small, grass roots vs. ivory towers.

Come on.

Upbeat Communities

Our next location for our track placement was Derby. Which has also recently been referred to as The New Jerusalem or just simply Zion by one Ally Kay. It’s incredible to think that we will be moving there next week and it will change from being a destination we visit, talk about, think about moving to, and become our place. Woah.

It helps to know there are wonderful people already there, like these lovely ladies - Heili and Hannah who work with Upbeat Communities. During our stay, Kim and I got to help with a Community Fun Day, making boxes with kids, and I even got to try my hand at some face painting with proper nice paints and brushes. FUN! They are looking for volunteers in August and I’m so there.

the big three zero

This is Sarah.

Sarah is awesome (and will probably hate the above photo, even though she is gorgeous - ha).

Recently she had the privilege of joining Kim in Club Thirty and we had a little party to celebrate.

At this party there was cake, peggle, and barbies. Just your average turning thirty shindig! Sarah also celebrated with a girls weekend trip to Spain but I’m sure the majority of the fun was had right here…

Steve-O

Another important member of the Colechestor house was Steve!! What a guy. And if I’m not mistaken, recently married to Tina who he was waiting to arrive from the US when we stayed.

This particular photo, taken at their Sunday gathering really captures something of the man, and we enjoyed the meeting - so relaxed and fun, and such a diverse group of people. It was our last meal in the house and all our community lunch cooking skills paid off as we served one mean thai curry and chocolate brownie for dessert.

Mr Moses

Okay, so this little man was also a highlight of our time in C. Town. Just look at those cheeky eyes, rosebud lips and dungarees! Such a cutie.

Spending time with Richard, Katy and Moses gave me so insight into the joys of parenting. What do you do when your little boy decides to let out what at the time feels like a never ending piercing scream in the middle of the coffee shop, or to throw all the kitchen utensils (all the sharp ones safely on the bench top out of reach) around the room just for fun. Katy demonstrated so much patience and again and again the willingness to give up her own comfort or convenience so Moses could discover the fun of jumping in a puddle, or learn not to do something through repeated encouragement in a different direction, rather than a harsh word or raised tone.

When that time comes for us (hopefully it does one day!), I hope I can remember those little lessons from our short time with this beautiful family.

Turkish Coffee

Delicious.

New Wheels

Recommence road-trip! In-style and comfort no less. This 2011 Ford Mondeo courtesy of Hayley’s dad meant that all our travel plans were back on….

We were a little excited.

Prayer

One of the highlights of our time in Colchester was helping them set up a twelve hour prayer room. The boys spent the day converting the room, while us girls headed out with Katy to a silent retreat for the morning (amazing!). 

We all crashed out for the afternoon before regrouping and our team took the last slot of the night.

Our time in Colchester totally inspired me again about prayer being the fuel for life.

Thanks guys x

Scrapped.

The last time we saw Hayley’s car… three days into our track placement road-trip.

Oh no.

Mersea Island

While staying in Colchester with the 24-7 community, we headed out to Mersea Island for dinner. Although Hayley’s car broke down on the way, we still managed to visit this crazy little tidal island and enjoy the sweet smell of the sea, and the feeling of sand beneath our feet.

Impossible is the Opposite of Possible

The idea of back posting is rocking my socks off right now. The last few months have sped past and I’m writing this post college - pre Derby, in that crazy transition time.

We came across this playground on our first day in Colchester - our first placement location during our track month in June. An outside gym with working treadmill, rowing thing and pull-up equipment.

I don’t know how many people Kim and I have shown the ‘Impossible is Nothing’ video to, and then the Michael Cera re-take. Still kills me every time.

So long Sycamore

The Sycamore household went out to dinner at Prezzo tonight, to celebrate our time living together this year. Stories and memories bubbled up over meaty calzones, Fiorentina pizza and smoked salmon salad. The warm house in winter, super-fast turbo fan oven, Modern Family on our big screen plasma TV, organised morning shower times, a leaking bath dripping water over the kitchen, communal assignment writing time at the dining table, the washing machine that needs encouragement, the bread bin where we keep clothes pegs, the unplayed guitar in the corner… It’s been a great year together. Thank you Kay, Lizzie and Chantelle for making our house a home.