Happy Sunday night from a frazzled but happy Poppy!

It’s been a long but brilliant week, so let’s check-in.

Highlights included: a few days at Mum and Dad’s, catching up with family and a couple of friends. I also had a brilliant day today and a fab Start Course session at the beginning of the week.

Also this week: a meeting about Christmas, lunch with Nathan, clergy study day, a funeral, deanery synod, Christmas publicity prep, sermon writing and service editing.

Ta-Dah Moment: I can now say that I’ve done all the big services in the church calendar at ASSF once!

I took a big risk today and, instead of preaching a sermon, invited the congregation to spend the time praying for peace. 86 adults and 38 children prayed for 13 minutes. I felt God saying ‘hold your nerve, it will work’ about 2 minutes in when I was doubting myself. But in all that time, there was barely a murmur, and lots of people said they appreciated it. I was astounded that it worked!

The main challenge this week has been Sophia starting to look a little peaky and wondering if we’re in for 3 months of sickness again like last winter.

Mum Moment: going to a play place in Newark with a little florist, hair dressers, cafe, shop, doctors and vets. It was brilliant! Soph played with loads of stuff but my favourite moment was when she found a dolly, a little highchair and a Soph size chair, and pretended to give the dolly food like we do her.

Sophia said: ‘no Mama!’ Several times in my sermon at Open Table tonight. Enough with the heckling, kid!

I’m most grateful for a really refreshing few days at Mum and Dad’s. Although I was mostly working, I had a great time, and I think I’m about half a stone heavier than I was last week! The picture at the top is of our mugs, which are only used when all of us, Mum, Dad, Isabelle and I, are together.

Next week I’m looking forward to seeing our best friends at our Goddaughter’s birthday.