Advent word - simplify

We over complicate Christmas; rush, make, buy, clean, give, consume. How much of it is to do with expectations and what actually makes us happy? Sometimes it's the most simple of things that brings us and those we love the most joy.

A simpler lifestyle can be a way to share with those who have less and a way of returning to them what is usurped by unjust social and economic structures. Assuming a stance of under-consumption can be a provocative invitation to others into a conversation about affluence, poverty and social justice.

-Br. Robert L'Esperance

Enjoy Our World

The end of the first week has arrived really quickly. Today's task was to plant seeds- not really achievable from my hotel room! The kids planted their seeds with their dad, sent me photos and Skyped me so I could share their experiences.
My hotel is in the middle of a golf course and quite an artificial environment. I have tried in my own way to enjoy the world around me.
I ate breakfast overlooking the golf course and it was lovely to look at the early morning sky. I also took time to go outside and breathe the fresh air between the teaching sessions. There was a beautiful sunset on our way to evening prayer which unfortunately I didn't get chance to photograph.
There's beauty all around if you look for it.

I'm pretty exhausted from my week but a delightful highlight this evening was being flash-mobbed by the shortly to be ordained 3rd years during our evening meal to a bit of Footloose.

Genesis 1.31: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.