Ali's blog

New Year's Resolutions

2005-12-31T08:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Wow 2006! Makes me sound old (and I am!) but the years are going in pretty quick! But, we are just about to begin a new one and theres lots of opportunities and challenges ahead!
Realised today that for a while now I've had kind of a longing in me, at least thats the best way I can describe it. I've tried to keep busy and ignore it and fill the gap with people, food (turkey& roast potatoes- mmm!), serving Church-style and Christmas activity but its still there. Now I think it might be the Lord looking for a bit more of me and my time. Ooh what a challenge. Its difficult making space each day for quiet time and learning new stuff. Maybe that will be a new years resolution for me...!

Hello is anyone there?

2005-11-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anyone bothers to check this blog any more as it has been so long since I last blogged. If anyone will my money's on Kara-Lyn! Things have been a bit busy lately and thats my excuse for the recent blog-lessness! I was surprised that it still worked! Shame really because I'm been learning lots at the moment...

Lessons
Have been challenged to be a witness in my workplace - but this is so hard and I've struggled with this for quite a while. But, each day is a new opportunity and I want to be bold! Eek!
"But as for me, it is good to be near God
I have made the soverign Lord my refuge
I will tell of all your deeds" (Ps 73:28)

Have also had a picture or two in my head recently and wondered if they were from God or just made up in my head! Last night pictured a long hurdles race kinda like a horse race and a person running along and jumping over (me?!) Strange I know! So how do I know if thats just totally randon?! Hmmm

Job changes

2005-10-01T04:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I got the job! Found out on yesterday afternoon! Strange how it took so long for them to tell me but it was also a time of... well testing I suppose. Turns out they offered 2 jobs and as far as I know there were only 2 candidates so it wasn't worth worrying about at all. Hilarious! I'll know for the next time!
So, don't know what happens now, whether I start straight away or what cos I finished in Thompson House on yesterday (sniff sniff!). Sad leaving people and patients that are so nice and I've got on well with.
Monday could be interesting...

Interview

2005-09-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Had my Senior II interview on Monday - scary stuff. It didn't go as (I) planned and the questions were pretty yuk! Decided by Monday night when I hadn't heard that I hadn't got it but it turns out that nobody had been told, and now (Tuesday night) I'm still none the wiser. Its great knowing that although I don't know, God knows, and even though I mightn't like His plans they're always what's best for me cos He's my dad! So, when I find out (hopefully soon!) I just pray that I have the grace to accept whatever the outcome is...

Lessons from Hannah, uniform and other stories!

2005-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Lessons from Hannah
Was at Ballynahinch Baptist on Sunday night and the pastor was speaking from 1 Samuel ch1 were Hannah cries out to God for a son. Basically she pours her heart out to God then has a chat with Eli the priest and goes away and feels better again! Amazin! She couldn't have known that God would answer her prayer but she gives it over to Him. Its fantastic the faith she has to leave her issue with God - have struggled with that recently, and am so glad that God promises to hear and answer prayer.

Job developments...
Have a job interview on Monday. Maybe this is like doing a driving test and I shouldn't tell anyone in case I don't get it! Oops! This job would be based in the same office as I'm moving to anyway but is a promotion. Its a bit scary really cos I'll be interviewed by people I now know, some of whom are... scary!
Also went for uniform fitting today. My current uniform is, well, not exactly the nicest lets say. White tunic and forest green trousers which are shaped like drainpipes! Fairly practical I suppose but who wants practical!! Today though we got measured for new uniforms so not only that my white tunic might actually be white again (not that washed too many times white) but we are also getting, wait for it, bootcut trousers. Oh yes!

African Children's Choir

2005-09-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

Was at the waterfront hall this evening to hear the African Children's Choir and New Irish Arts. It was an amazing night. The children were fantastic, so full of life and joy and enthusiasm, yet they were all orphans because their parents had died of AIDS. It was great to see that despite where they came from that this was how they responded. I think about how I respond to a bad day or the car not starting and compare that to their circumstances...! Puts me to shame sometimes.

Lord, help me to be content and even joyful in all circumstances too!

Monday Blues

2005-09-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Actually its not been a bad day as Mondays go! Had a good day in the Hospital, mainly due to the fact that one of my patients smiled today! Yes I know, doesn't take much to cheer me up but this guy doesn't smile a lot so it was great!
Have noticed (thanks Kara-Lyn) that I'm now also getting spam. When I went to the link it turns out it's a dating agency! Not sure why they visited my blog or whether I should take it suttley but anyway I left it there incase anyone wants to visit! You don't have to tell us who you are of course!
Its been great reading you other bloggers blogs! Its been so encouraging reading how God has been challenging you, especially when I'm kinda going thru a dry patch and don't think I've much to write. Feeling like I've just SOOO much to learn and change, that I hardly know where to start! Praise the Lord that He has patience for me!

Changes... part 2!

2005-09-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm going to be going to Downpatrick for my next rotation with a scheme called Hospital at Home. Im not overjoyed but I'm thinking it must be the next part of the plan so I'm gonna do my best to enjoy it. Gods plans aren't always the same as mine apparently!
Beware you Crossgar people - I'll be in your area again! Any chance of a cuppa?!

Changes!

2005-09-03T07:43:00.000-07:00

Big thanks to Justy, Callum, Lynn and David for a lovely evening last night! I think the social will be my exercise for the week!
Anyways found out yesterday that I will be moving job again. This has been the way of it for the last 2 years - rotation every 6 months! Good for experience apparently but the down side is going when I'm just starting to settle and enjoy Thompson House! Find out this week where I'll be going - eek! As a few of you have been saying isn't it great to know that God is in charge, and read that lovely bit from Jeremiah 29 ...
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord... plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Yeah! Will try and put that into practise too!
Have a great week everybody!

Blogtastic!

2005-08-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

So I've just figured out how to write another blog - yes and I did it on my own! Way hey! Anyway am reading this book at the minute by a lady called Elisabeth Elliot and today's challenge was not to complain for 14 days! Now I don't think I'm particularly a complainer, but then there is the frustration of traffic in the morning and the fact that it takes ages for the lift to come to get me upstairs in the hospital! So, I decided to give it a go! Now I forgot about it most of the day (good start) but when I did remember, the world seemed like a better place!

Actually, better go - have a youth meeting this evening and if I'm late they'll be complaining about ME!

I've arrived!

2005-08-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

OK so I've bowed to the pressure and finally set up a blog! Hopefully this will be a place for a few inspirational thoughts, encouragements and maybe a few jokes, though those of you who have ever heard me try to tell a joke know that it is not good! I hope that this can also be something that keeps me accountable as a Christian to you all as well.
So, I'm back from Malawi safely and refreshed and ready to go again! Fortunately I didn't get eaten by any hippos! I'm so glad that the rest of the Reach Out week went so well and looking forward to hearing all your stories about it!

Best wishes fellow-bloggers, or if you're not you should be!
Ali