A Curious Girl: How I love volunteering

Mum texted me this morning to tell me that J.K. Rowling is pregnant.

You know, I'm actually very happy for her :) Someone who managed to bring that much fun (reading the books and writing the fanfiction) into my life deserves to be happy :) I'm going to write to her and say I'll babysit for her if she wants, providing she'll pay my fares from York to Edinburgh :) (I won't charge for babysitting... c'mon, adorables babies, and J.K. Rowling? How could I? Plus it'll give her more time to write Harry Potter and the Much Awaited Book).

But 'tis funny, like I say, I'm really glad for her. I mean, this woman used to be a single mum suffering from depression and unemployed... now she's married and with another baby on the way. Aaaw. And when you think how much fun/education/HarryPotterness she has brought into so many people's lives, it's nice :)

I worked today... nothing remarkable to say about that. Although afterwards I talked to Abi for ages, which was nice because we haven't talked for so long. Ooh, I've got an application form for Marks and Spencer (Chris's idea). Hopefully I can do Christmas work there. Not in the diner. I hate working with food... *Sigh*. Although the free food is nice :) Actually when I worked at the hospital (as a volunteer) I got lots of free food. Working there was fun, actually, and the work with food was easier. The worst bit was collecting all the leftovers... ew, some of the old ladies only ate a few mouthfuls.

I'd go back to the hospital anyday, actually :) I mean, sometimes it got tiring being referred to as 'the volunteer', also a bit irritating when patients called me 'nurse', but generally it was fun and very rewarding. Hehe, I remember them saying how quiet I was, a few months after I started, Ashley said, 'Remember when you came here? You wouldn't say a word!' See, shyness strikes again :) But somehow, when volunteering, it doesn't matter. It's like you've got nothing to prove, you're just going to give your best and grow with the experience, not live up to whatever someone else's standards are.

I love volunteering :) I'm so sad to leave Faith and Light. Mark (Rachel's husband - Rachel's in charge) tells me practically every time how it means a lot to Rachel to have me helping out! It's been about a year now, and although it's only a been a fraction of the time of that year, they've taught me and blessed me so much, and it's a wonderful gift to know that with my talents I can help and bless them too. One of the first things I do at uni will have to be find something I can volunteer for.

Ooh... Did you know that September 30th is National Forgiveness Day, as sponsored by Premier Radio? What an excellent idea :)

Anyways, I thought, seeing as I got on to prattling about Faith and Light, I would type up the song I got from the Aylesford Priory day.

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rocks of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak and words are strong and true,
where all God's children dare to seek to dream God's reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol to God's grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat,
a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God through Jesus is revealed in time and space,
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone,
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach and live the Word they've known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God's face,
let us bring and end to fear and danger.
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard,
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed, as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place

Good song, huh? It really challenged me, I think I started crying during the last verse. Because it's so easy to say, 'You've got a learning disability, you're no use to us' (subconciously!), but people with learning difficulties can also teach us important things. For one thing, I've learned that most of the guys at Faith and Light with learning disabilities are totally unafraid when it comes to comforting an upset friend. They're totally upfront about their feelings - and if they care, they show it straight away. I remember how touched I was watching the rehearsal of the Good Friday Play.

Random word for today: Triskadecaphobia

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