a day to remember........

yesterday was one of the most memorable and life changing days i have experienced in a long time......our WithoutWalls Cohort went into Belfast City centre armed with a couple of cameras...bags of sweets.....wearing Hi Vis vests that made us shine as bright as the sun.....our aim ...to take portraits of those who normally couldn't ...either afford one or think they are not worthy of being in front of the lens.....we were a little nervous not knowing how we would be received or if we would even get to take anyones portrait at all........but we had the most amazing moments with people most would never see or notice.......as they are mostly down the side streets or crouched in doorways...while people bustled shoulder to shoulder pushing in and out of shops to buy their Christmas gifts...some of which they don't need or can afford...we had the privilege of sitting with those who only have the clothes on their back............my saddest moments were those who didn't want their picture taken.....not cause they were shy or like some of the ladies ..never like their picture taken....it was because they didn't want to see what they now looked like...a far cry from the days before alcohol and drugs became their addiction..............to the most moving moments ....watching those walk away and take out their portrait and stand staring at it for long time.........to keep the pictures flat for them we popped them into a christmas card which we wrote their names on it and a personal message.......and maybe for some that was the most special thing......its a privilege to begin to understand what mother Theressa meant when she said 'We can do no great things; only small things with great love'.......it makes me uncomfortable for people to say...'thats a great thing you are doing'......as really it is a blessing to be allowed into someones life and even for a moment stand where they stand............this day was not a one day wonder ...but the beginning of a new journey of doing many small things with great love.............we put together a little clip so you can share in our day.............

never stop learning........

i think there must have been an embedded desire for knowledge that was set to go off when i turned 30......as much as i truly believe life is one big school with never ending opportunities to learn through all the things that arise on the journey... i have had a desire to learn and gain knowledge and equipping in a more education based way..... shortly after my 30th birthday.... there it was...the desire to learn....bubbling up under the surface until i can no longer ignore it....and instead of talking about it i have decided to do something about it....and am on the pursuit of some further training....i guess the older i get i see more and more the condition of the world i am living in and the great need to provide solutions to situations that effect peoples lives.....and in my life i want to be apart of the solution....not sit back hoping someone else puts in the hard work to sort it out.....there is also the possibility that the 'know it all' cloud that once hovered over me in my 20's has moved on and left a more humble 30 year old who sees the need to never stop learning.....

it is happening right here in the UK.....

read this

i cannot stay silent......

just wanted to share with you one of my favourtie portions of scripture.....one that has always moved my heart ...and very much how i want to live my life.......i think nothing stirs me more than injustice.....so much so i cannot stay silent and pray i will never do nothing..............

Psalm 82 (The Living Translation)

Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people.


thought you may want to read it in another translation..it gives it a new edge......

(The Message)

"Enough! You've corrupted justice long enough,
you've let the wicked get away with murder.
You're here to defend the defenseless,
to make sure that underdogs get a fair break;
Your job is to stand up for the powerless,
and prosecute all those who exploit them.

God makes everything sparkle.....

......this morning i woke up to our first heavy frost.....it is one of my favourtie things...God makes everything sparkle... winter trees look like they are wrapped in fairy lights and my once average street becomes a magical glistening wonderland....... i love that my Creator loves things to sparkle too :-)