I'm Back!

So, I have internet back now. The charming people at 'Satsuma' finally sorted it out for me, although I had to call them to get a progress check. Which meant the conversation was basically this:

"Hi, can I have an update to my internet connection?"

"Yes Sir, you can"

*awkward silence for a few moments*

"So, can I have an update please?"

"Yes sir, you can. Its been done for you"

"OK thanks... I thought I was going to be notified"

*awkward silence and telephone tumbleweed moment*

"It was done for you yesterday sir"

"Ah, so if i hadn't have paid you guys by calling you, I wouldn't have found out?"

*awkward silence again*

"Its working now sir, thank you for calling Big Fat Evil Money Sucking Unaccountable Corporation!"

I've spent the last day or so ensuring I'm not bitter, but every cloud has a silver lining. I can now blog. I can read. Well, I could anyway, but I can find out what's happening in the world. I'm told that apparently something is happening in Iraq? I can also reply to Facebook messages and mock people once more. Yes, that means you Helen. And you Natalie.

In other news, I had my birthday. I am now officially ** years old. My lovely friend Becky conjured up this amazing Transformers cake. It was Optimus Prime, leader of the Heroic Autobots. But it was done in the style of Mr Potato Head. I am aware that this concept is lost of many of you. Mostly the girls, at least. But there is a link here for you. However, before I provide the link, a disclaimer is required. This link contains pictures of me. Me holding a knife. Me doing unspeakable things to the cake with a knife. So be warned.

The Best Cake In The World

In other news, whilst I am contemplating this life coach malarkey I have decided I need to top up my finance so have entered the job hunting world. So I am gearing myself up for various interviews and such like, whilst studying and finding out a bit more about what I want to do and how to go about it.

I have also been asked to lead the Sunday School children's work at my church. This means leading a team of about thirty people, split into two sub-teams of fifteen or so. Each sub-team will do a month of Sunday school work with around fifty or so kids each week. I'm leading these teams, writing the teaching material and generally organising and delegating stuff. We're gonna go panto story - to show you the level of what I am intending to do, I've asked a guy with a mullet in the 20s group I lead if we can shave his hair in front of the kids one week when we do a comedy teaching of the story of Samson, and he's agreed! Its a challenge to me, but I have a great and experienced team around me so I think my role will be more leadership, management and strategy to be honest.

I played football today for a local team, for the first time in six months. Seriously, I was bad. Well, not bad from a skill point of view. More from a fitness point of view. I'm too embarrassed to tell you we lost 5-2, but considering the last time I even kicked a ball would have been early August, the fact I am breathing without the aid of medical machinery is quite remarkable.

God's provided for me once again in a couple of great ways. Firstly, it seems my on loan house is now not going to be auctioned in February. This means that it won't be sold, but instead will have to be revalued and go through lots of legal stuff like that. With no alternative selling or auction date in place, it means staying here at least till Summer is a real possibility.

A knock on effect of that means that the £300 rent I had coming in from my housemate is now no longer needed for the monthly legal fees. No, I'm not letting him off for free. That will cover my share of all the bills, living costs etc! And this is before I've become an honest working man. So the financial pressure I was under has suddenly been alleviated, and my accommodation situation is now a bit longer than short term!

It just goes to show that God hears prayers. I'd had a major faith wobble over the Christmas period and had a venting session at God on the beach Boxing Day evening, and He's stepped in and changed things. Everything I've been reading recently has been about God as Sustainer - I read a chapter on it in Incomparable, and as I was praying through Psalm 119 the other day a number of verses stood out to me. Psalm 119:90-91 and 119:116-117 make a link between God's sustaining power, and His faithfulness and protection for his children. Great verses to springboard into prayer from! The God who made all keeps all by His power. And if He sustains the galaxies, then He can step in to hold and sustain me!

Currently listening to: Scouting for Girls - Elvis Ain't Dead