I work in the wonderful world of construction and it isn't too bad. It's not an industry I would necessarily like to remain in til my retirement however, it has elements which make it somewhat interesting. Seeing a building develop from conception to completion is pretty exciting and being the one who is involved at the first stages of the tender process is also really rewarding.
My role is in Marketing, which means I manage the branding, communication, design (through a third party), PR, events, pre - qualification process and networking (some would say, 'sucking up to clients/architects/etc).
Anyways (there is a reasoning behind my little job spec introduction!)...
In construction there is a methodology of building which is known as "offsite construction". It generally is the construction of temporary structures (but can be used for permanent structures too). Today I was at a conference and the main Health and Safety Manager from London 2012 Olympics was giving a presentation and talking about how alot of the structures for the Olympics in London are going to be temporary and will be dismantled a few years later.
So... what is my point?
Well... these last few months I have been contemplating the idea of buying a house (scary!!) and actually getting a mortgage. I went through the process of speaking with a Mortgage Advisor, scanning the internet for houses... thinking about the area I would move to, etc. Now, this is something which to me, is the scariest thing as it is so permanent. However, I spoke with my MA and he seemed rather positive (without going into too much detail -- my financial situation isn't particularly gleaming so I was rather suprised!)....
That was until today when I received a letter in the post.
See, this last week I have been praying about the whole thing as I know, in my heart, I will spend more time in the USA. I know I will... I don't necessarily how that's going to look but I know it's a part of what God has called me to. So, buying a house would mean I would have to stay here for quite a few years yet... I usually ask God for direction or for Him to speak very audibly and He usually doesn't say a lot (or maybe I'm just not listening)! But, today a letter spoke very clearly and told me that I can't get a mortgage.
Admittedly, I was disappointed. I began to have visions of being 40 and still living with my parents with lots of cats or something. But, then I remembered what I had asked of God... for Him to clearly speak. And, He did.
So... I don't know why I used the construction example. I just know that even though I am here, in Birmingham right now, this is a temporary place. But, for so long I have wrestled with settling here and I have got to a place of being totally ok about being here -- If God would have me permanently set up residence here then that is ok. However, I just believe that in the future.. maybe in a few years.. things are going to change...
which brings me back to my other stupid connection to my job!
Tonight I was talking with my mom about all of this and how things are turning out completely different to how I originally had thought. And, she started talking about connections and networking .. that God brings us these connections and will use them. Like, even my random meetings that I talked about in my last blog! God is building up connections around this nation/world (hey, maybe me and JT!!) and I am just SO excited by it! And, I think about my job and how part of it is about networking and building up connections and I just feel this is part of the equipping for the future... not necessarily the fact I'm building connections up with architects... but just learning how to...
I just believe God is calling like-minded people together across our world.... that He is building a network of people who aren't phased by doing things differently, who want to love passionately for Jesus. And, I want to be a part of that network... with all my flaws, issues and whatever... I just want to be available to whatever and wherever God would have me.
Temporarily or permanently.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Sunday, 6 May 2007
through the valley
I am so tired today -- I have been away in Staines this past weekend, and amongst rubbing shoulders with Brian May and Anita Dobson, I got to spend some time with some good University friends.
As I keep referring to the past four months having been extremely challenging, I will keep the theme going just a little longer..
I really feel as if I'm reaching the end of a very long valley - which in all honesty, I've kept myself in. I probably could have emerged from it a lot earlier than now, but I decided to dawdle a little bit. I've been honest with some great friends, friends who have accepted me despite my flaws and mistakes. Friends who will be friends for life. There has been such a release this past fortnight and there's a light I can see!
I have also really felt challenged this past couple of weeks to practise the act of reconciliation. There has been situations over the past months wherein friends have been lost, and it's not necessarily that I want to clamber to get those friendships back because they will never be what they once were. However, I think there has to be reconciliation and a process which involves an acceptance of mistakes made - I am trying to do that...
I think God is shaking everything that needs to be shaken. And, He is definately taking me through a purification process. And, you know what? What I have been through the past couple of months has opened my eyes up to a LOT. It's so easy to say "that's how you should deal with it.. or *this* is how you should deal with it.. how you're dealing with it is wrong" and I know I have done that in the past. But, you know what? People deal with things in very different ways and that is totally ok.
I have taken my time dealing with the stuff that I've needed to, and sure - I could have dealt with my mistake in better ways.. but through it all I have been held in the hands of a Wonderful Maker who is shaping and changing and growing me. It's a sometimes painful process, but I trust and Love Him.
As I keep referring to the past four months having been extremely challenging, I will keep the theme going just a little longer..
I really feel as if I'm reaching the end of a very long valley - which in all honesty, I've kept myself in. I probably could have emerged from it a lot earlier than now, but I decided to dawdle a little bit. I've been honest with some great friends, friends who have accepted me despite my flaws and mistakes. Friends who will be friends for life. There has been such a release this past fortnight and there's a light I can see!
I have also really felt challenged this past couple of weeks to practise the act of reconciliation. There has been situations over the past months wherein friends have been lost, and it's not necessarily that I want to clamber to get those friendships back because they will never be what they once were. However, I think there has to be reconciliation and a process which involves an acceptance of mistakes made - I am trying to do that...
I think God is shaking everything that needs to be shaken. And, He is definately taking me through a purification process. And, you know what? What I have been through the past couple of months has opened my eyes up to a LOT. It's so easy to say "that's how you should deal with it.. or *this* is how you should deal with it.. how you're dealing with it is wrong" and I know I have done that in the past. But, you know what? People deal with things in very different ways and that is totally ok.
I have taken my time dealing with the stuff that I've needed to, and sure - I could have dealt with my mistake in better ways.. but through it all I have been held in the hands of a Wonderful Maker who is shaping and changing and growing me. It's a sometimes painful process, but I trust and Love Him.
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
Writing History
I came into work early today in order to get a presentation together. However, the individual who has all the information I require, is not here yet. Do you know how frustrating that is? It is enormously frustrating.
It does, however, give me some time to write a blog. Something I would actually rather do - it beats writing about optimum programming and defects liability period within a construction project. I know you're all jealous of what I get to write about, admit it.. come on!
Last night I watched the movie, 'Stranger than Fiction' with Will Ferrell and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's one of those movies layered with so many ideas, which caused me to really contemplate its message.
The film is centered around Harold Crick, a thirty-something American who's life is so methodic and sedate, often controlled by time and habit. He begins to hear the narration of his life - not in advance, but as it occurs (Emma Thompson is the narrator / author - she is such a great actress). I'm not going to say any more about the story because you should all go and watch it :)
But, the main thing I got from this film was the whole question of 'can we play a part in the path our life takes?' Do we have the ability to direct our path, particularly if we're Christians? I don't mean the whole thing of pre-destination because I believe that subject has been preached to death in the Church. But, how much of a responsibility do we have in our ending? Do we want it to be a tragedy or a comedy? With it being a tragedy, surely that would make our life a masterpiece? (as in the movie) We have lived and died for something.
However, in the film, the narrator told the story as it happened so it was already known by Harold Crick. It was as if it were a confirmation of where he was at rather than a prediction.. is that how our story is? Then, I guess we're getting into the whole pre -destination topic after all! If our life is mapped out, the story being told is one which is already confirmed. Can we change the ending? Yeah, I think we can. Hmm..
Anyway, on a lighter note the ending of the movie last night disappointed me. That was the only disappointing thing about that movie... they should have kept it a tragedy.
It does, however, give me some time to write a blog. Something I would actually rather do - it beats writing about optimum programming and defects liability period within a construction project. I know you're all jealous of what I get to write about, admit it.. come on!
Last night I watched the movie, 'Stranger than Fiction' with Will Ferrell and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's one of those movies layered with so many ideas, which caused me to really contemplate its message.
The film is centered around Harold Crick, a thirty-something American who's life is so methodic and sedate, often controlled by time and habit. He begins to hear the narration of his life - not in advance, but as it occurs (Emma Thompson is the narrator / author - she is such a great actress). I'm not going to say any more about the story because you should all go and watch it :)
But, the main thing I got from this film was the whole question of 'can we play a part in the path our life takes?' Do we have the ability to direct our path, particularly if we're Christians? I don't mean the whole thing of pre-destination because I believe that subject has been preached to death in the Church. But, how much of a responsibility do we have in our ending? Do we want it to be a tragedy or a comedy? With it being a tragedy, surely that would make our life a masterpiece? (as in the movie) We have lived and died for something.
However, in the film, the narrator told the story as it happened so it was already known by Harold Crick. It was as if it were a confirmation of where he was at rather than a prediction.. is that how our story is? Then, I guess we're getting into the whole pre -destination topic after all! If our life is mapped out, the story being told is one which is already confirmed. Can we change the ending? Yeah, I think we can. Hmm..
Anyway, on a lighter note the ending of the movie last night disappointed me. That was the only disappointing thing about that movie... they should have kept it a tragedy.
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