Dissertation stress!!

I'm currently a bit of an emotional, stressed, all over the place kinda Hannah. I'm feeling the pressure of wedding jobs that need sorting, churchy stuff that needs doing, leaving Promiseland and university work which has ever nearing deadlines.

The main stressor at the moment is my dissertation... due to lack of input from university staff, despite my efforts, I am now not in the place I would have hoped to have been in. (Here isn't the place to go into details, and its not very interesting anyway!). I met with my tutor today to think of possible options to tackle the problem and there appears to be no right solution. So we've gone for second best. It will probably effect my marks a bit, but not enough to change my classification so that's a positive. But it's not ideal, it's frustrating that I didn't get the support I needed and our new solution makes me a little as though I've already failed before I've even finished!

I know this post is vague, but I just needed a little vent. Once again, prayer would still be hugely appreciated.

In other news, wedding stuff is well underway:

- We've met with the florist, and have chosen flowers

- Rings have been ordered

- We had a fun day at Legoland, where the little ushers and flower girl met each other

- I've got my shoes

- Hairdressers have been booked

- Guest list is finalised

- Invitations are designed (and nearly ordered)

- We started the Marriage Preparation Course on Tuesday. It was good, if not a little cheesy!

- On Saturday we're going to London to meet up with the vicar who will be marrying us

- We've got gifts for the bridesmaids and ushers

- We've bought material for bunting

So we are definitely on track,which means one less thing to worry about :)

Talking wedding things (nearly) always makes me happy again! :) 

Promiseland

It's currently Wednesday evening and I've just officially handed over Promiseland at our meeting this evening (I've waited a bit to post this so it's a little more common knowledge and all the Promiseland team know first).

Passing it on was hard.

Mikey, Harriet and Sam will do an amazing job I have no doubt whatsoever, I believe that God has placed each one of them here at this time to do it. But it's still hard to say goodbye. So, I am no longer the 'go to' person for Promiseland and I'm no longer going to be on the rota. Now is the right time for this to happen as dissertation stress is high, and I'm due to start placement in a month- with shift work it's very difficult to commit. I'll still go along as an extra helper when I can, but officially I'm done. 

It makes me very sad, and as pathetic as it sounds, I've already shed a few tears. It has been an honour and privilege to work with such a fantastic team ministering to some amazing children. God has taught me a lot through this experience and it's been a real blessing to see the children grow in confidence, in relationship with each other, and most importantly with God. Never could I get bored of  seeing them worship, hearing them pray or learning how God has spoken to them and used them. They encourage me weekly! 

I love Promiseland a lot and I love the children even more. Thankfully, I've still got a few months until I have to properly say goodbye to the children - that will be even more difficult!


Some of you might think I'm over reacting but it's a pretty big deal to me. I've put in a lot of time and effort to Promiseland over the last couple of years. I'm not perfect and there's still loads that can be improved and potential to be nurtured, but I've given in my best and so it's difficult to let it go. Especially, as I'm not yet sure what I'm moving on to, but I'm looking forward to the next steps God has planned for me as I move to Southampton, and what exciting things God has in store for Promiseland!

'For there is a time and a way for everything'Ecclesiastes 8:6