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One blog to rule them all

It's been a while...

20/1/2015

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PictureThe Tintin box!
The time has come to blog again! However, blogging isn’t exactly my ‘forté’ so I've been putting off writing this by getting crafty... (not in the sneaky way, in the creative way!) Now I have successfully transformed a body shop gift box into a Tintin themed box to hold letters I've received - exciting! So now I'm in the right place to write the blog; here goes!


Ok - so we’re back after our Christmas break - which was nicely timed as just before Christmas nearly the whole Youth team got the flu really badly - so recovery time was definitely needed! Anyhoooo... I was thinking of ways I could mix up the blog and make it more exciting, So instead of talking you through some of the experiences of the foundation year i’m gonna show you! This has also helped cut down 4 months worth of material as I don’t take many photos....! 

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Marshmallows roasting on an open fire.
Ok so this first one is from November time when we were channeling our inner englishness and having a bonfire (albeit not on bonfire night but we tried....) It was extra special as we used the fire to burn half a years worth of prayers and intention from various missions and events. So, after beginning with a prayer, we cast the paper onto the fire and watched the smoke of the prayers rising up to Jesus!! :) We even had marshmallows which we roasted on the fire. Apart from our eyes stinging from the paper fumes it was awesome! Our clothes did stink of bonfire for a while... but it was so worth it!
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Frodo!
Ah yes, the gingerbread days. So, one key thing about life in the formation year is that in our house, the ark of the Covenant, there are a lot of keen bakers! They are all highly gifted in this area and it means that we are often graced with delicious treats! Before Christmas, Esther made some rather yummy gingerbread men, which we all decorated. This here is my one, as the keen eyed of you have probably already guess, this is Frodobread Man, or Gingio Baggins, take your pick. Complete with the one ring, piercing blue eyes, hairy feet, Sting, elven broach and coat. POM (proud of myself).

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What Pros!
PictureJesus' chair!
I must admit, this last photo wasn’t actually taken by me...(i’m on the right!)  All credit goes to Kathleen Swift, what a babe. Well, this is from our last mission in John Henry Newman Catholic College, my third ever mission. I realise that I haven’t actually blogged about mission at all! So basically mission is awesome! Over the last three I have been challenged, done things I didn't think I'd ever do, and I've loved it! One of the jobs I have on mission is sorting out the cardboard testimonies for the Friday liturgy. This is where students share how they have experienced God in mission week, simply by writing how they felt before on one side of cardboard, and where they are with God now on the other: SOOOO MOVING! And if it's moving for us as team, imagine the effect it has on their fellow students. It is a privilege to organise this and to hear from the students how, for example,  one didn't believe in God, and now he doesn't only believe in him, he believes that God loves him. EPIC!
What's more, Jesus was present this mission in a way he'd never been before, and I caught it on camera! :P


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And so we reach the end of whats been quite a journey of a blog. Hopefully it won't be a year until I post again :) As a bonus for all you who've got this far here is a picture of my notes from one time in formation. Just to confirm, I do actually take notes, I'm just one of those who doodle to concentrate. Also our formation is AMAAAAZING - uber top notch! - and we are so blessed to get such in-depth teaching from some incredible peeps!


Hanz

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'Let's start at the very BEGINNING, a very good place to start'

15/9/2014

4 Comments

 
ATTENTION SION COMMUNITY! *To be read in a rich Dublin accent*. To those wondering why I am beginning my blog with this, it is a reference to my wonderful brother Joseph, who started every intercom announcement with this very phrase, in a ‘Big Brother-esque’ style! It is now an iconic feature of my first few weeks here, and no first blog would be complete without it. 

Anyway, back to business: 'Day 27 in the Sion Youth house' (I couldn’t resist!). So far so good! It started with a lovely few days in our house ‘The Ark Of The Covenant’ in Coventry. We had the opportunity to get to know each other, and a bit more about what we were all signing up to for a year. We even got a chance to see the sights of Coventry! ‘What sights?’ I hear you cry! Well, I’ve established that the highlight of Coventry is the Ikea (which we have already visited twice!).

We then spent two weeks in Brentwood in the community house, S.E.N.T.  I was the only member of the foundation group to have not visited this house before, and I loved it, though I did get lost a couple of times! First we had convention, where we got thrust in at the deep end and met all the community members (as well as associate members!) Everyone was amazing; I was overwhelmed by the love they had for everyone and how welcomed I felt. While we were in Brentwood, we made the most of our close proximity to London and had a few day trips there which featured dressing up as peasants, experiencing an earthquake and riding at the very back of the DLR. Brentwood was also home to the amazing intercom system - one of its many highlights! 

After this we’ve been experiencing some incredible teaching. Derek Williams presented the ‘Life in the Spirit’ seminars to us in two days (!?) which was fantastic! We then had separate brothers and sisters retreats. We had a great time learning about the gift of womanhood and played some rather hilarious games involving ducks! Now we're back on the teaching and I’m loving it all. From fasting to tithing; the spirituality of communion to the office; it is sound and I can’t wait for more! We’ve also started mission prep (which i’m loving!) I’m now practicing mimes in the shower! 

Overall, its been a crazy few weeks - I can’t believe its not even been a month! In such a small amount of time I have got to know and love people i’d never met before - I feel so blessed with my new brothers and sisters! Now I’m just waiting in anticipation for what the rest of the year holds. The only thing that could improve it would be our very own intercom system here in Coventry! 

Hanz 
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    HaNNAH IN A FEW SENTENCES.

    Hiya folks! I’m Hannah, I’m 21 and I’m from Southampton. You’ll find me most happy if I’m travelling, listening to epic film music, or walking by the sea – though to be honest, I’m pretty excitable most of the time! My favourite Bible verse is Romans 8: 35-37.
     

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  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • The Team
  • Mission
    • Themes >
      • Monday
      • Tuesday
      • Wednesday
      • Thursday
      • Friday
    • Workshops
    • Mission Showcase
    • Teachers and Chaplains >
      • Mission Downloads
      • Resources
    • POD Resources
    • Mission Evaluation
  • Events
    • D Weekend >
      • D Weekend Group Booking
    • The Ascent
  • Foundation Year
    • What's it about?
    • Who's it for?
    • The details
    • Formation
    • Mission
    • Apply
  • Contact us
    • Suggested Topics