I recently answered a post on a group of female clergy, where somebody was asking whether ministry and family life are actually compatible. This is what I said:

‘What I’m realising is that there are days, weeks, when it’s bloody hard and feels impossible. There are days, weeks, when the juggle is thrilling and fulfilling. There are days, weeks when you’re just about surviving. I think it ebbs and flows.’

I’ve experienced all of these things this week!

With pastoral meetings, committee meetings, building project meetings, party prepping, cake decorating, party bag making, pass the parcel wrapping, den making, last days of school and nursery, a haircut, party day, lovely morning worship, a hospital visit, Nathan needing to have a tooth out, finally jarring my back when picking up Aidan, an assembly songs picnic and a funeral today, plus all the office admin, it’s been a wonderful, dynamic, emotional blur.

Mad moment of the week: At one point I was wearing a dog collar made out of a discarded happy meal box.

Still, the honour of leading people as they say goodbye to a loved one, seeing somebody at their most vulnerable in hospital, watching Sophia show her friends around her party as they arrived, welcoming new people into our church community… it has been one wonderful week.

I’m doing Sophia and Aidan‘s segment together this time. This is what I overheard as they were in the bath.

Sophia: what do you want to be when you grown up Aidan?

Aidan: AWW-AT!

Sophia: Astronaut?

Aidan: yeah!

Sophia: you’d like to be an astronaut when you grow up?

Aidan: yeah yeah!

Sophia: you’ll need to buy a rocket!

I am especially grateful that the office printer is talking to the office computer and my laptop. Thank you Paul!

Coming up: Nathan and my sister both have a birthday.

Thanks for reading, more next time x