My worst fear?

Ever since I became a teacher, my worst fear has always been that some nutter might burst into the classroom one day weilding a knife or gun and do serious damage (I know that sounds weird, but whenever I've heard about it happening elsewhere I've always wondered how I would cope with it. Well today it has happened about 500 metres from my classroom. The police are (as I speak) in a seige with some guy with two samorai (spelling?) swords who's in one of the houses nearby. My classroom is at the front of the school, so you can see it all from our window. To be honest it'd had been going on for a few hours before we even realised(!), and they obviously didn't think it was enough of a problem to evacuate, but it is still scary seeing all the police vans, dogs and riot gear. Home time was fun as no one could get down the road to pick up their kids, they had to go the long way. It's all quite scary!

Life, the universe, and sunsets......

Last night I went out to help with one of the youth groups from church. They were having a BBQ at a place called Crickley Hill which is a park on a hill that looks over the valley that Gloucester, Cheltenham and Churchdown (and a few other places) are all in. I had never been there before and it was absolutely STUNNING! I mean as far as hills go it was nothing - it takes a lot for a hill to impress me as a PROPER hill, but it was just lots of glorious English countryside - absolutely fantastic. At the end of the BBQ (can you tell I'm in a lazy mood - can't be bothered to write out the full word!), we were all waiting in the car park for parents to come, and the sunset was AMAZING. I was so gutted my camera wasn't there - I took pics on my mobile, but I can't figure out how to e-mail them to me. It was one of those blood red suns that was glowing beautifully. The sky was a rainbow of colours, wisps of clouds seemed like they were on fire. Absolutely amazing. God is an artist far above all the other artists to create something like that.

It was a lovely end to a lovely day really - we had a football day at school (of course - what else would you do on the day the world cup started!). The children came in dressed in red and white, or as a footballer, and paid 20p to have an England flag painted on their face (although some assistants in the school thought we shouldn't do that for fear of offending all the children who are from a different culture - which admittedly there are quite a few - but to be honest, I think us turning round and telling them they weren't part of the English culture would have probably offended more......). Anyway, we did it, no offence caused to anyone! It was so cool! In assembly, looking around at everyone in red and white - I must admit I felt ever so slightly patriotic (probably something to do with a little football game happening today!). The children were so excited (as only children in my class could be - I've told them that their homework is to watch the game and find out the result!!!), and it was GORGEOUSLY sunny (and a little too hot - the head has brought us all fans for the classrooms!). What more could you ask for?

So, going back to the youth group thing - the question that remains is.......should I take them up on their offer to help out in September? Do I really want to get involved with youth work again? Answers on a postcard please................

Light

Jesus said: "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life". John 8:12


Last night I was burning candles (I made a random trip to Ikea the other day, JUST to buy candles that would be cheap and nice!), and as I was lying on the couch, I was so struck by how beautiful they were, especially as it was getting dark outside. They looked incredible, so once agian, I sat there for about 20 minutes with my camera taking lots of different photos of them!!! thank goodness for digital cameras, I delete LOADS on mine!