1. shopping
2. gifts

Much like the second film of a trilogy,
regular readers will notice that the key plot
points were signalled in the previous
instalment. Like all middle films, my 2014
suffers from no satisfactory beginning, no
satisfactory ending, and has no Empire
Strikes Back moment to seize the
audience’s attention. I sat and passed my
final examinations with a very solid 2-1. Despite the stress of the
actual exams, they rounded off four of the most fulfilling years of my
life: the learning, the lifestyle, the friendships were so different to
anything else I have ever experienced. I wasn’t ready to leave Oxford
– and I wonder if I ever will be. It’s very difficult to put into words
everything I want to say about what living and studying there meant
to me. It was like discovering a lost father. In extra-curricular activity,
I bowed out of the college rugby club with a man-of-the-match
performance in a successful cup final, and took the newly-formed
college chess club to a close-fought but unsuccessful cup final. I
managed the campaign of a Conservative candidate for the area
where I lived, securing the best result in the ward in stand-alone
local elections. I have been broadening the range of music and
reading that I take in during my spare time – partly to compensate
for the loss of excellent variety at Oxford. Despite reaching the final
round of a number of job application processes, I hadn’t been able
to secure a job upon leaving university. I spent the summer working
hard for one job I really wanted, and despite interviewing really well
– and being conditionally offered the job – it turned out I didn’t have
the skills they wanted. After that disappointment, more final rounds
keep coming, but it seems that with jobs there are prizes only for
doing: not for trying. I’ve been able to find part-time work at a local
second-hand book shop, and have worked various temporary jobs
to keep learning and keep busy. A current clutch of applications –
again to management consultancies, public sector bodies and
political jobs – are still going well, so I’m confident of finding a role
that I can really thrive in soon.
Year 20. Log entry 1. Christmas. Well it is
here again. The wonderful Christmas
letter. This year has probably been one of
the busiest, most eventful years of my life.
With periods of refinement; now as I come
to the end and reflect over all that has
been, I am excited for what is to come in
2015. University has been my life and the
wonderful Hull is still standing strong. Involved with Hull Vineyard
still helping on Alpha courses and within the student ministry it is
amazing to see how the church is involved with the student
population of the area. My studies are going from strength to
strength as I am becoming more specialised in my studies. My
dissertation is based on soup kitchens and how the Church engages
in relationship with the homeless populous in Hull. This is proving an
interesting piece of research but needs quite a bit more attention
than I am maybe giving it (surprise, surprise...). Otherwise I left last
year with a solid 2:1 and department happy even after being heavily
involved with Christian union, drama society and the student radio
station. I have continued working at Hull City Football stadium and
have started work within the Students’ Union. I make sandwiches
and serve many merry students!! It is enjoyable and good to be
earning some money; but I have also learnt which energy will give
you that final push at 3 in the morning when washing over 3000
glasses. Most notably I have taken office in our students’ union as
the Chair of RAG (Raising and Giving). From refereeing football
matches to being slapped by a fish we are tirelessly working to
change the world one slap at a time. Supporting 'Stop the Traffik' a
charity close to my heart, it has been a fulfilling time and will be sad
to see it go in 2015 after all of our endeavours. Looking forward to
the final year of study it is going to be hectic with all else going on
but I am excited to see what happens. Applying for jobs is tedious
but necessary. I hope that by this time next year I will have
successfully graduated, have a job and be fashioning stylish
Christmas jumpers. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Transition, or specifically that of others, is definitely the theme of
my year. The first transition was moving Adrian into part time living
in Derby. This all went very smoothly with the exception that I am
now left at home with the cat. The second was supporting Eileen as
she made the decision to move out of her flat into the adjoining care
home. She is now happily settled and secure and everyone's peace
of mind is greatly increased. The third is helping David to transition
from the life he loved at Oxford and cope with the daily uncertainties
of no permanent job yet. Simon's turn next year. Throughout the
year Adrian and I have been transitioning into HCC as opportunities
to help out have arisen. In January I was a joint table leader for the
Alpha Course. We went on to start a new style house group
although at the time of writing this may merge with another. The big
change though was to commit to leading the Urban Saints youth
group on Friday evenings. We both thought such days were over
but we find ourselves on scavenger hunts, playing silly games and
having the age old debates all over again. It has been a good time
to reflect on God's longer term plans. One of our co-leaders was in
Adrian's first youth group and three of the youth are children of
someone who was in my first group. Otherwise I am never far from
a pile of marking or the challenge to make percentages interesting
when there are so many more fascinating areas of maths
we could be exploring instead. I have been given a
second year of teaching Geography to Year 7s and enjoy
their awe for volcanos and earthquakes. I was delighted
last year with my pupils' attempts to model a volcano in
cake and then sell these to raise money for Andrew and
Jane's work in Nicaragua. A highlight at school this year
was to be the junior under seamstress in the costume
team for the production of Les Miserables. I hope that
you all have a peaceful Christmas and a fulfilling New
Year.
As I write, I am 9 months into my new role at MHA and enjoying it
very much. In so many ways, it could be the sole focus of the year,
but, as Alison has said in her reflections, there have been other
things to consume time too. We have become more involved at
Hitchin Christian Centre, helping out for a while with the youth work,
which I am enjoying. Getting Mum sorted and into Elmside (an MHA
care home!) has been such a good thing to have done for her – we
are so thankful to God for a good transition and speedy sale of her
flat. Simply moving 100 yards has brought such a new lease of life
to her and she is once again her chatty, happy self and enjoying life
in spite of the aches and pains that age brings. Living in Derby for a
few nights each week has worked out well; the office, the town
centre and the swimming pool are all within a few minutes’ walk. I
have never lived in a city centre before, and I am enjoying it very
much indeed. Preaching in a wide variety of churches remains very
much part of my life, as does walking with friends either starting
from Pentlands or The Folly and helping The Children’s Society as a
Trustee. Alison and I spent our holiday times at Word Alive, The Folly
and Derby (using the flat as a base to walk and explore that area). I
do need to use a very large number of outstanding air miles before
too long, but my passion to be abroad rather than in the UK wanes
each year. My sons are both very much young men –
seeing David struggle to find satisfying work is
frustrating, although I am proud that he has got himself
temporary jobs whilst he is seeking a long-term career.
It’s also good to see Simon enjoy university life so much
whilst balancing doing enough work to get a good
degree takes me back 30 years! Next Sunday we will
sing ‘Come thou long-expected Jesus’ at the church at
which I will be preaching. I pray that he comes in one
way or another for you this Christmas too and stays
with you through 2015.