
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....!
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....!
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!
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).

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
What's more, Jesus was present this mission in a way he'd never been before, and I caught it on camera! :P

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
Hanz