Smug marrieds vs singletons

There is something I have noticed in churches up and down the country and it really bugs me and I think it is wrong. It is something that I have only picked up on after reading about it in a book called "God's design for Women" by Sharon James. In it she mentions the fact that churches are really great when people get engaged or married or have a baby or something like that, it goes in the weekly notices and announcements are made etc, but if a women (or man come to that)comes to a decision that for them the best way to serve the Lord is to stay single, then nothing happens at all, and it goes completely by the wayside. Surely it is equally as valid as getting married etc? How can these people feel as valued as those "smug marrieds" if nothing is said about it?
It makes it seem as if being single is not as valid as being married, which as I keep being told at practically every women's day I go to, is not the case. In his letters, Paul gives good reasons why its equally as valid, if not more so. 1 Corthinthains 7 says this " An unmarried woman is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and sprit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world." Singleness is also often talked about as a "gift" amoungst Christians.
This means that the churches should be equally as engouraging, I however have not noticed this at all in all the services I have been to - and believe me there have many. It is still the "smug marrieds" that get all the attention. I think it is time to move over and let us "singletons" get some of the lime light!

Stupidity

For some unknown reason I got thinking about all the stupid/bizarre things I have done "for the sake of the gospel" in other words at some sort of Christian event. The various things include

· Wearing various truly heinous wigs (hunt the spy at camp)
· Having an egg cracked over my face (camp)
· Having fruit pastilles stuck on my face (praise party last week)
· Eating a cold McDonalds (Kidz Klub)
· Watching the Pink Panther conduct a Salvation Army band (Jo at camp last summer – whilst playing hunt the spy)
· Having shaving foam put on my face and then having freezing cold water splashed on it to wash it off (camp)
· Getting as many children as wet as possible – very fun – unfortunately getting soaked myself – thanks Dave Bennett and Olly Noble(camp).
· Having shaving foam on my face and then having wotsits thrown at me (ice breaker for small group – thanks a lot for that suggestion Pete!)
· Being dunked in a freezing cold river- thanks Benjamin David Green. (Pilgrimage)

You may want to ask how much I was being paid to do all this – the answer is – nothing! In fact for most of them I actually paid for the privilege of doing all these bizarre and strange things. What makes me do them? A love for showing kids a great time while trying to show them more of Christ’s love for them, and for everyone.

Spirit of Discovery

This last week saw a Christian conference in Plymouth called Spirit of Discovery taking place with 30 churches in Plymouth all getting together and putting an a whole load of events. On Monday evening Jonathan Aitken (the former MP, the one who went to prison for perjury) spoke to an audience of about 500 people, which was really really great. He spoke really well. We also had the Ykids team - a team of youth workers from Liverpool at school, doing the assembly and also taking JAM club as well as being in some lessons with the juniors.
While Argyle were busy losing 5-1 to Sunderland on Tuesday night, I was helping at a kids event, again with the Ykids team, which was well fun, even though it did involve having fruit pastels stuck onto my face. We met two puppets called Ratty and Stinky, who we will meet again tomorrow.
On Wednesday night and last night there were some small events, which I didn’t go to as I was doing a whole load of other stuff (including stuffing my face full of Chinese at a gorgeous Chinese restaurant with some of the guys from my school).
Tonight there was a Christians in Sports event at our local rugby club which was really fun. It was a Question of Sport style quiz, and me and Fi – the monkey I call my housemate- joined up with some guys from church and made a team, and we didn’t do that badly, which was good. We also had a lot of fun in the process which was kind of the point.
All in all, I would say that it has been a very good week, and am looking forward to the final events tomorrow and Sunday, with the final celebration at St Andrew’s on Sunday night.

Not dreaming any more

Well, I have definitely been woken up after dreaming on Saturday. Argyle lost 5-1 against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last night. Taylor apparently scored a great goal. Next up for us is Millwall away on Sunday.
Liverpool only mananaged a 0-0 draw against Blackburn at home. This means that our chances of getting 4th spot are rapidly diminishing. We really needed to win tonight and then beat Everton on Sunday, and that would mean we were still 2 points behind them, but that is just about managable. However, even if we beat them at Anfield on Sunday then we would be 5 points behind which is very difficult to overcome.
Celtic however did manage a win against Inverness which means that we are only 1 point behind Rangers, with a game in hand!

Was I dreaming?

Well, I must have been dreaming, because I thought I saw Argyle score 5 goals at Home Park against Brighton yesterday. Actually, no I wasn’t dreaming – it says so in the paper. Our skipper (Paul Wotton – aka Wottsie) scored twice, with Chadwick (one of our new signings from Everton, who scored against us in the FA cup earlier this season) scoring his first for us and now therefore has a goal tally of 0, Norris and Taylor adding the other goals. Next for us is Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, with a ref who really dislikes us. Last time we had him we lost 4-1 and Wottsie got sent off for taking a free kick to early. Talking of Wottsie, I just have to say this: He is single handedly keeping us in the Championship with his gutsy performances over the last few games. Having won our last 3 home games, we have 44 points, and most people seem think that 50 points will be enough to stay up, we only need 2 more wins, but obviously the more points we get the better.
Celtic also won quite convincingly, beating Dunfermline 6-0, with 2 goals from Hartson and Petrov, and one goal each from McGready and Beattie. This puts pressure on Rangers who are playing today. Next up for us is Dundee United away next Saturday.
This weekends match stats are: played 2, won 2, goals for 11, goals against 1, not really that bad I suppose!

Footprints

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned the poem Footprints. Those of you who know it, here it is again, and those that don't here it is:

One night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with God, and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonged to me and the other to God. When the last scene in my life flashed before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at times along the path of life there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and addest times of my life. This really bothered me and I questioned God about it.
"God, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, in times when I needed you most, you would leave me."
God replied, "My precious precious child, I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trials and suffering.
When you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Charity begins at home or does it?

Having been at school today and seen all the children in red noses and various clown costumes, and knowing that the head was going to have various things done to her hair depending on the amount of money raised, it got me thinking - what is it that makes the normally sane people do the craziest things - all in the name of charity? Even me - who has no shame whatsoever has been sporting red splangly hair clips all day, and a red nose attached to a neck tie. Walking through town earlier I saw a whole load of people with died red hair etc. Tonight we will witness celebrities doing - who knows what - in a effort to get our money. Already this week we have been able to see for ourselves the singing talent (or lack of it) of the students of the fame acadmey. And I love it! I have no incentive to wear my nose or clips - no one is paying for me to - but what makes me do it? The answer is - I really don't know, but as long as there are people willing to do stupid things for charity, there will be people willing to donate money, and that is what it is all about.

Swimming, swimming, in a swimming pool

Got dragged to the swimming pool by the monkey I call my housemate last night. I really didn't feel like it, but I did tell her to make me go swimming, and accept no excuses from me. I only managed a few lengths, which will have to be bettered next week or I will cry. Its all part of our drive to be fit and healthy.

When I get a proper job........

I have come up with another list of things to get when I get a proper job, and when I can afford them.

To start with I will get my own place - here in the best city of them all (that would be Plymouth).

When I have my own place - the first thing to be done is get Sky, especially Sky Sports. I propably spend as much money going to the pub to watch the games as I would on the monthly subscription.

After I have got my own place and got Sky, the next thing to do is get a new car - a Honda Jazz to be exact - they look sooo cool, and I have sat in the driving seat of one and they are really nice. Just dont tell Mary (my current bright green little Corsa - naming it was a girls school thing) that though!

Having done all that I will then invest in a nice new computer - that hopefully will work properly.

I have just realised how materialistic I seem. There are probably more things that I will do when I get a proper job and can afford these things, but can't thing of them just yet.

Excellence

Went over to Kev's house last night and watched Liverpool take on Bayer Leverkusen. It's great going over there as one of his house mates Chris is also a Liverpool fan, so I never feel guilty about making them watch a Liverpool game. Anyway, Liverpool won 3-1 on the night, 6-2 on agg, so we're through to the quater finals! YEAH!!!!!!!!! Opps, sorry to any Arsenal fans, you were unlucky. After Liverpool went 3-0 up we changed over to watch the Arsenal game, and they were unlucky not to score the 2nd goal which would have taken them through.
It is great to still have 2 English clubs in the Champions League, shame Arsenal couldn't join us. Bring on the quarter finals!

Thank you

I just want to say a great big THANK YOU to all my friends who have been supporting me and praying for me for the past few months. You know who you are, so THANK YOU and I couldn't have done it with out you. Also, please could you all keep reminding me of the poem Footprints when you see me, as I keep forgetting that it is God that carries me through the tough times.

Grounds visited so far

Having just said that I want to visit all 92 league grounds, and have already been to 9 of them – I thought I give you a guide to ones I have visited, so here goes.

· Ashton Gate – home of Bristol City: No backs on the seats in the away end, which makes for a rather uncomfortable game (not that the Green Army sat during the game!) As Argyle lost a rather crucial game here, and as we nearly got beaten up coming away from it, and it was the first time I saw Argyle lose away I am naturally not going to like this ground so I give it a 4/10
· Elland Road – home of Leeds Utd: It was freezing cold and really wet when I visited this ground. The pitch was also in a right state, but then it had been raining for several days before hand, so we’ll excuse that. Having said that, I probably expected something grander than what I saw, due to the history, but had to laugh when the Argyle fans were singing “where’s your money gone?” at the home fans. Argyle also lost here, undeservedly so. However, it is a nice ground so I give it a 7/10.
· Walkers Stadium – home of Leicester City: A very nice stadium indeed, but then you would expect it, as it was very new. I also liked the electronic scoreboard at the other end, which during the first half said – Leicester City 0: Plymouth Argyle 1. Again Argyle lost, and again undeservedly so, and parking round the ground is a bit tricky, but I will give it an 8/10.
· Sixfields Stadium – home of Northampton Town: My first away experience was at the Sixfields, and ended in a 2-2 after Argyle throw away a 2 goal lead. It is a nice enough stadium, for the league that they are in, and can not really find anything to complain about, so we will give it a 6/10 – as it was not as nice as Elland Road, but then you wouldn’t expect it to be.
· London Road – home of Peterbrough Utd: Were not going to let me be a student – as I went in September and had not renewed my NUS card, but then the year hadn’t started so I was unable to renew it. Again, this was a 2-2 draw. It wasn’t an elaborate stadium, but did the job, can’t find anything to hold against it. I give it a 5/10, as it wasn’t as nice as the Sixfields.
· Home Park – home of PLYMOUTH ARGYLE: I am naturally going to love this ground! My first experience was a 3-2 victory over Whitby Town in the FA Cup first round in a replay! Having said that I am going to love this ground, I have been to better (just don’t tell it that!) However, it is a very nice stadium, and particularly when its been finished it will be very nice indeed. I give it a 7/10.
· Madejski Stadium – home of Reading: A very impressive stadium indeed, but then it does have a hotel, mega store, bar etc in it. The only thing it lacked was atmosphere, particularly in the away end. It is also in the middle of nowhere; so to get into town you need to pay £2.30 on the park and ride, once you have already paid £5 to park there! I will give it a 9/10, as it was so impressive.
· County Ground - home of Swindon Town: Long to be remembered by Argyle fans for Marino Keith’s last minute winner after Argyle threw away a 2 goal lead – and the Argyle fans singing “2 all and you screwed it up”, having had the Swindon fans singing “2-0 and you screwed it up”. Again, nice stadium, nothing to complain about, so I’ll give it a 6/10.
· Molineux – home of Wolverhampton Wonderers: A nice stadium, but then they are a good side, and have been for sometime so its only natural that they have a good stadium. It’s the only stadium that I’ve been to so far that the away fans have been housed in the lower tier of a side, rather than an end, which does mean that the away fans are spread out, so it does make it more difficult to build up an atmosphere. I give it an 8/10.

This will be added to when I go to more grounds!

10 things to do before I die

I have for ages been thinking about all sorts of stuff that I have to do before I die – and I’ve finally got round to making a list. So, in no particular order, here are the 10 things I have to do before I die.

1. Go to a match in all 92 league football grounds in England – so far 9 down, 83 to go!
2. Go to watch Celtic at home
3. Go to an England rugby match
4. Go to an England football match
5. Go to Grand Prix in other countries – Australia would be cool
6. Go to a basketball game
7. Go back to Israel
8. Go to America
9. Go to Australia
10. Learn to play the guitar

As you can see from this- I have so much ambition in my life. If any of these are achieved I will replace them with other equally ambitious things.

You win some, you lose some

Well there was partial success for my teams this weekend. On Saturday Argyle lost 1-0 away to Derby. Wotton (our skipper) missed a penalty – which he doesn’t do that often. We were apparently unlucky not to equalise, the Derby keeper making some good saves and Blackstock hitting the post (not literally!) Next up for the Green Army is Brighton at Home Park (our home ground) on Saturday. Lets hope that there is no repeat of Paul Connolly’s (an Argyle defender) spectacular own goal, which happened last time Brighton played us down here.
Liverpool also lost 1-0 away to Newcastle. Didn’t get to watch Match of the Day so can’t really comment on it, except to say that my mates are taking the rip as always. Fortunately for us Everton also lost so the points gap between us remains the same. Next up for the mighty Reds is Bayer Leverkusen away on Wednesday and then Blackburn at Anfield next Wednesday.
Celtic did manage to beat Hibs 3-1 away, which is really great! Again, fortunately for us Rangers only managed a draw so we closed the points gap between us, and we also have games in hand on Rangers. Next up is Dunfermline (with the former Argyle midfield Lee Makel) at home.
That makes this weekend’s stats – played 3, won 1, lost 2, goals for 3, goals against 3, not too bad.

Self-inflicted insomnia

Having just 4 hours sleep is just plain wrong. Ok, so the fact that I didn't get to bed till 5 is partly my fault. Well actually it isn't - I blame it on Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya. They forced me to stay up and watch the Austrailian Grand Prix with KT at gun point, not that me and KT didn't enjoy watching the race - particularly when Michael Bootmaker collided with Heidfeld and had to retire. Now that was his fault!
Being woken up at 9 am wasn't my fault at all though. I can definatley blame that on the fact that I live opposite a church and the bells ring at 9. Once I'm awake at that sort of time my body decides it is time to get up. I will therefore spend most of today wondering round like a zombie.

Superstitions

When it comes to being superstitious I have to admit that come match day I have my little routines that have to be followed.
It starts right from the moment I wake up in the morning - and carries on even after the match. On Saturdays I have to do the same things week in week out. A Tuesday match day is slighly more tricky, but again I try to do the same things every week.
I have to wear my newest Argyle away shirt over another top I have, jeans, the same colour socks and everything like that - incuding underwear. For days when Liverpool and Celtic are playing - but Argyle aren't then I just wear the correct team shirt - for all others - its the Argyle shirt.
I then have to go to Tesco's and buy the same things every week - this season its chicken salad sandwich and diet coke, and for a day with an evening kick off I have to get a chicken korma and pilau rice to have before the game. Last season it was something different. This is starting to cost a fortune as any day one of my teams is playing I have to buy the food. If I end up going to the pub instead with some mates for lunch I have to have the same food - usually Lasagne and a diet coke.
On home matches I have to leave at the same time and go the same route, which due to Argyle losing most of their home matches I've changed for the last 2 games. I seem to have found a lucky route, though having said that Argyle will proably lose next time I use it. I even have to walk back the same route after the game - just in case.
When I go to away games - well I try and stick to the pattern as much as I can - such as eating the same pub food and wearing the same clothes.
I know there is no logical explaination for all of this, and that if one week I didn't follow the routine, eat the right food it would not affect the result of the game - but I daren't change or do something different as it just might. Having said that just recently I went to Pizza Hut with some mates for lunch on match day - and Arygle lost 5-0 to West Ham.
I have no idea how all this came about, but I just can't seem to break the cycle.

Who am I?

Well, thought I ought to start off this blog with the boring facts and figures about me.
I am 22, living in Plymouth. I have been a Christian since I was about 16/17.
I am a huge footie nut and am an member of Green and White barmy army (ie I support Plymouth Argyle). I also support Liverpool and Celtic - oh and of course England. I know I support 3 teams, and according to my mates I can't, but yes I can. One of the guys I go to football with did say that coz I'm a girl that I know nothing about football which I thought was really rude. Ok, so I didn't know that you couldn't be offside from a throw in for ages - but I do now! I have been up to reserve games where none of the other guys were there - which is kinda wired for a girl, but hey.
I also love rugby - mainly England, but have also been to see Plymouth Albion play - and bumped into Mickey Evans (Argyle striker) up there, which was random. I have to admit to not knowing any of the rugby rules, but its still a great game to watch, and I did like rugby before we won the world cup.
F1 is also a huge passion of mine - will be staying up to watch the Australian GP with KTvS this Sunday. Mclaren are my fav team - I know they haven't done that well recently but they still rock.
So, other info about me, I graduated from Uni of Plymouth last June with a degree in Politics, but am now working in a school in Plymouth, which is cool. Apart from that I mainly help out at various kids clubs and spend most of my time sorting out what I have to do for the next one.
Having been introduced to this by KT I thought I ought to actually do something about it, so here I am.
So - there you go - that's me in a nutshell.