Northbreak

 Our first Northbreak holiday! 

Northbreak? We had no idea what we were letting ourselves in for...but in our new roles we were greatly encouraged to go along. 

It seemed we had packed everything except the kitchen sink (and a kettle)! We synchronised watches and arranged a stop off point for lunch, car full of petrol and off we went - back South of the border.

This was our first experience of 'holidaying' together with the wider Nazarene church family. Yes, just over 300 people from the British Isles North District of Nazarene churches all descended into Ampleforth Abbey and College in beautiful North Yorkshire.

So what was this week all about?

The theme for the week this year:

"Hearing what the voice of the Spirit is saying to the church"

As a complete novice to the Northbreak holiday experience - I opened the programme with eager anticipation...

In my naivity I imagined that being in the stunning surroundings of the Abbey, this week would be a time of quiet reflection, peace, tranquility...

however, it was more like ...

 Hi-de-Hi Campers! Laughter (lots of!). Prayer. Sleepless nights. Early mornings. More Laughter. Full programme. Coach Trips. Seminars. Worship. Late nights. More and More Laughter. Listening. Fun. Missing my kettle. Caring. Steep hills and too many steps. New friends. Eating too much. Hugs. Ceilidh. Testimonies. Tears. Exploring. Healing. Ridiculously More Laughter - (you know the sort). Sharing........and a whole lot more!

'Holiday' may not be the appropriate word to describe our Northbreak experience, nevertheless we definitely plan to return next year!

We had not long arrived at Northbreak and two people asked if I was going to be writing a blog about the 'holiday' - I hadn't planned to write any blogs about this week, and looking at the programme, I couldn't see how I would find the time.

I left the question unanswered. 

I didn't want to write a blogpost about a 'church holiday'.  
Staged photos of everyone posing and having fun. 
Pretty pictures of beautiful scenery likened to a 'Wish you were here' postcard. 

What value would that have?

What purpose would it serve?

In my heart I felt it would have little meaning or value to the majority of people who didn't attend.

And really...
 I was here for a different purpose...
I was here to
"Hear what the voice of the Spirit is saying to the church" (and to me!) 

I didn't want to be distracted by thinking about what photos to take and what to write about.

So there I left it.

No blog.....

.......and then something happened....

I took a few photos with my phone over the week -  as I was snapping away I thought "these are a bit random", and wasn't entirely sure why I was taking so many 'random' photos. 
It was then that I began to hear words in my head...maybe it was the sun - (yes the sun did shine Yorkshire!)...or maybe not...

Sometimes single words, sometimes a sentence. Sometimes the same words but in a different context.

Short.

Poetic.

Reflective.

Prayerful.

I began to make a note of them - stored them on my phone.

I didn't know what to do with them.

By Wednesday,  I felt I needed to step out of my comfort zone and really try and find out what this whole "Hear what the voice of the Spirit is saying to the church" really means for me in the here and now. 

I needed to listen more.

I needed to ask God for space to listen.

I needed to be open, to hear, not just listen.

"How could I possibly do this Lord?

It is so busy.

I am beyond tired.

I cannot see where I will find a quiet space"

It was at that moment that I began to think about the words and pictures that had been gathering on my phone. 

"Use them"

"But I don't want to write another blog just yet"

"Use them"

"But I don't know what to write about them..."

"Use them"

"But they're all a bit random"

 "Be thankful"

"Ok you win Lord!"

I hold my hands up - I have no idea what this means.

 I have no idea whether these words and pictures will speak to you. 

 I don't have any answers, but am posting them anyway trusting that you as my readers will be gracious towards me and "the voice of the Spirit" will be revealed to me and maybe to you?

And so here my blog takes a different pathway from the norm. 
Here goes..

Sunshine. Shadow. Stillness. 

Here with you. Together.

Peace. 

You will always find a quiet place for me.

Look. No. Look closely.
Gifts are given. Receive. Say thank you.

Thankfulness preceeds the Miracle.

Seeing. Looking. What a gift.

All made pefect. 

Provider. Pollinator. Fragile. Life Giver

Sunshine. Shadows. Stillness. Alone. That quiet place. Peace.

Bread. Food. Sustainance. Expanse. Harvest. Time. Waiting.

Sunshine. Shadows. Sustainance.

Seasons. 

 Ripe. Fruit. Provision.

The waiting is nearly over.

Get picking. Watch for thorns.

 Time out. Pray. Found that quiet place. Believe.

 Pray like you've never prayed before.

Dare.

Eyes drawn upwards. 

Perfectly made.

Step out of that comfort zone.

 Dare. Believe.

Pray like you've never prayed before.

Receive. Use. Be thankful. 

Thankfulness preceeds the Miracle.

Protection. 

Is it locked? Try it. 
You have to open the door. It has stood the test of time. Come in. Welcome.

Time. Measured. 

 Space. There. Take it.

 Anywhere. Space for me. Space for Me.

...and there you have it...

pictures and words shared of my different kind of 'Northbreak'.

As I began to write this blog I stepped out of my comfort zone. 
What will people think? 
They may think I have completely lost the plot! 

I looked carefully at the eclectic mix of photographs I had accumulated and realised that in all the busy-ness of the week - I had found plenty of quiet spaces
 to listen
to read
to pray

I was thankful.

 Admittedly, I had no desire to write a 'blog' about my experience at Northbreak, and yet now, I find myself in the process of writing two! 

My next blog will be back to the usual musings and much less poetic (and hopefully no random photos); however I am excited to be able to include some beautiful art work from out middle daughter, Naomi.
Watch this space!

If in some way any of the pictures or words reveal anything to you, I would love to hear about it.