Hello from the end of another long week of ministry, fun and a splash of frustration.

This week has involved… meetings with colleagues, a midwife appointment, spiritual  direction, standing committee, a coffee with my successor at The Good Shepherd, picking up a new highchair, quiet communion service, nursing home communion, a sick Sophia (second week running), Tappy Toes, time in the Hub, a trustee meeting and hot chocolate and toast.

Highlights were a visit to the zoo yesterday (it was very quiet!), reintroducing The Peace at church after a month, a nice meal out at our favourite chinese with Nathan and Sophia today and, of course, the election!

The biggest challenge has been a whole load of little things piling up, which mean I am feeling a bit worn out. Some differences of opinion, an unexplained graze on Sophia’s leg after nursery, feeling like I need a Gaviscon after every time I eat the tiniest amount of food, etc.

Ta-Dah moment has been working out what to do about, and how to preach on, The Peace in church.

Another, and completely different, Ta-Dah Moment was sorting out a second high chair for when baby comes.

God moment: waking up on the morning of the election and completely changing my mind about who I was voting for. I was up at about 5.30 with Soph and woke Nathan up so he could go and open the church for the polling station people. I used the next couple of hours to really mull it all through, and I felt empowered, if not spiritually the certainly democratically, to change my mind.

Mum moment: I hate to say it, but we might have a three-nager fast approaching. They say that if the twos aren’t terrible for you, you’ll probably have a moody three year old (three-nager). Or, is she just sensing that a big change is coming? Or is something else not right? I’ve no answers this week, just lots of questions and the usual dollop of guilt that it must, at least in part, be my fault somehow.

What Sophia said: as always, many things! When I went to wake Nathan up at half 5 on election day, she asked where I was going.

I said ‘to wake Daddy up’

‘Why?’

‘So he can help set up church for the voters’

‘Why?

‘Because it’s an important day for our country… I’ll explain it all when you’re older or when I’m more awake’.

Anyway, by the time Nathan got back just after 6, this had turned into ‘Daddy, you’re helping the country!’ (Pronounced crunchy) which I thought was very cute.

Next week: I’m looking forward to some more admin time and a busy Sunday. It’ll be exhausting, but I’ve got the Pet Service, the Confirmation and Open Table. Sweaty Mama is also having a fun afternoon that I’d like to support, but knowing what my energy levels are like nowadays, that’s looking less and less likely…