Now, I've just got back in from cycling an epic ten miles. That might not seem epic, in terms of actual distance, but for me (who only ever cycles the two miles to campus and back every so often, weather dependant) it was a rather ace milestone to have smashed. As part of my university course, I have to take part in external, voluntary projects, tailored towards my Education degree. As a result of my imminent term abroad, I had to organise my volunteering to begin this term and be a short placement. I'm working as a research assistant on the Nuffield Early Language programme, testing nursery children on language acquisition, namely expressive language and sentence structure. I had been placed in a school in Acomb, which is five miles from my student house in York, and the route looked ambitious as I planned it out last night.Would I walk for 1hr 20mins to get there because of the snow? Heck no, that meant leaving at 6.30am. Nope. Cycling was the only other option, since buses didn't run from my neck of the woods until after 8.30am, when I needed to be at the school. Challenge accepted.
There were lots of things standing in my way as I decided to embark on my journey this morning:
- I had to get up. At 6.20am. BLEUGH!
-This meant it was dark, my radiator wasn't on and getting out of the shower made me do the "warm up quickly before getting dressed" dance. It isn't endearing in the slightest, it's just silly. Anyway, getting up wasn't ideal, but having chocolate weetabix, bran flakes and an extremely sweet and strong coffee made me feel ready to face the rest of my challenges. - Getting suited and booted.
- This required careful thought and planning indeed. Since I was going to be in a school, I had to wear: sensible shoes (Wellies, obviously, they're metallic NAVY), a sensible top and no jeans. I opted for many layers, ending in a navy jumper, but paired with leggings and tights so that I could cycle, and popped a full length, peacock-pattern skirt in my bag to change into after the journey, so that I looked smart. Also, I have no rear mudguard on my bike, so waterproofing was essential (I still ended up with a muddy bum, but only when I got home, so...). - The weather
- Snow. Everywhere. Icy paths, unclear signs on the road and it was dark. Enough said. - The journey
- I had no idea where I was going. Acomb was five miles away, why would I ever need to venture out there, as a student at the University of York, residing in Heworth (the opposite side of town)? Because I'm adventurer. Google maps told me to go a very convoluted way, into Heworth, but not through it, skidding around corners and down housing estates, past lots of other primary schools, across the river... but I made it. Thank God for Google maps and Smart Phones!!
I spent a fantastic morning talking to ten, lovely nursery pupils, all of which were born in 2009/09, which felt VERY odd, being as that's when I was sitting my GCSE's and they were being born. Weird.
Being in a school instantly made me happy. For one, primary schools are colourful, and my brain is instantly awakened and excited by that. On top of that, the children were just exuberantly joyful because they were allowed to play in the snow and with the toys and ah! Seeing them just enjoying being themselves around each other made my heart so glad. Testing them was fun too because their responses were ever so creative and adorable and interesting, especially in terms of the assessment and interventions we were investigating.
It also reaffirmed that I would be ever so happy working in a school in general.
So, I mentioned that there'd be a second list. It's coming up. As I was cycling back, I was impressed that I hadn't faltered. I wasn't tired, cold, complaining, or even hungry. I'd prayed a lot about this adventure yesterday because I was honestly and genuinely apprehensive. Since I wasn't confident as to where I was going, how the tests were going to go, if the children would be compliant and if I would be able to cycle safely, I was worried to say the least. I had an early night to prepare and woke up feeling expectant. I tried to see where Jesus had been in my thoughts actions and how I'd been guided safely as soon as I travelled home. It blew me away a little bit as I cycled through Clifton, and my face was a beaming smile from ear to ear until I got home.
1. I got up and faced the day. God was with me in that because my heart felt happy to be awake. Usually, I'm a bit groggy, or even resentful that I've woken up. But I got up and thanked God for most this amazing day. I was able to feed myself, clothe myself, walk, talk and cycle. I, myself, know that I don't thank God often enough for these essentials, but I've been blessed by an amazing, privileged life, and so praise is most certainly due. I reflected on how Jesus didn't want to what God had commanded for him to do and shoved my wellies on without grumbling.
2. As I got dressed, it felt like I was layering up to face a battle. In an exterior sense, I was battling the elements. But it's just as important to know that you wear your spiritual armour every day, it's just a matter of noticing it.
3. I felt like completely not bothering when I went to bed last night; the weather was too bad. But then I would have really let myself and my colleagues down by making excuses. You can't make excuses with God. He knows you, inside and out. He presents challenges to you so that you can take them on. This doesn't mean He'll let you conquer them every time, but they're certainly there to be tackled. I almost gave up as I braked on the exit of our road this morning, but I took a deep breath and carried on. I knew the destination was in sight, and I wasn't giving up for any reason. Faith like fire will keep burning as long as you fan the flame.
4. Whilst I reached my destination, to the school and back home, I still have no idea where I will end up at the end of my life, and how the heck I will end up there. My journey with Jesus is an absolute rollercoaster; it hasn't always been smooth, not always uphill, not always following the safest path, not always the most conventional, but I am on a journey, and that in itself is exhilarating. There are points when I feel lost, but at the end of the day, I have to remind myself that it's okay to feel lost; it's all an adventure.
Sorry, blog, for neglecting you.
Tatty bye,
Haze
