I went to church on Sunday

To be honest it wasn’t of my own accord, I was at a Christening. I didn’t realise that whilst you attended the ceremony you also had to attend the full Sunday service. I initially woke up tired and grumpy, wanting to support my friends and their little boy but an hour and a half of listening to the Bible wasn’t appealing.

Once I’d had my porridge and coffee (diets still going well) I was more equipped to match the mood of the morning.  I was pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the church and its grounds were. I love history and found the church itself a treasure box of history and mystery. There was a stairwell that led to nowhere and a plaque on the wall listing the priests who have lead the congregations there. The first vicar being John (no surname) who began proceedings in the year 1200! If only my family tree research went back that far!

We were seated and the Christening went very well with the baby in question being a happy soul and found the whole thing more amusing than upsetting, you see so many children screaming their tiny lungs out during the event.

As I mentioned the usual Sunday service commenced and the regulars went up for the bread and wine, I was approached by the vicar who asked if I was Christened/Christian and I said no but he gave me a blessing never the less. A sweet gesture but I either have the face of a sinner or he saw the wheelchair and thought I needed as much help as I could get.

Being in church made me contemplate religion as a whole, lately I’ve had lengthy conversations with people of different faiths.  I love the community feel of belonging to something and the faith that that religion stands for giving its followers advice/guidelines on how they should live and a readymade support network in times of need.

I went to a predominantly Christian primary school and never questioned the hymns or daily recital of the Lord ’s Prayer, I suppose back then I did believe in God. But with the years of personal and family problems I questioned how a higher power could let all the bad things happen – the greater good didn’t make sense any more. 

These days I don’t believe in any one religion, I can only be a good person, do good deeds and if there is a God at least there isn’t anything I could be kept out of Heaven for.  Living with a scientist who works in the field of Geology means that the closest thing to religion I get is the theory of Evolution and Darwin as our ruler.

In high sight this is probably a good thing since on my way out of the church using very questionable wooden ramps (I can’t really complain, they have 800year old building to contend with and at least they’re trying!) my friend lost his footing almost dropping me, and with the fright I kicked a church goer up the bottom – I may go to hell! But I was just thankful that the vicar had moved from that church goers spot seconds before, otherwise I could have listed “kicking a man of the church” to my list of sins – never good I feel!

L x

11lb Loss!

Hello!

I’m writing from Sussex this week. Mike got home after 5 weeks away in Australia and Papua New Guinea (as you do!) and we didn’t tell most people as his sister, Emma, and I forged a plan to pick Mike up from Heathrow and surprise Mike’s parents on Mothers day (UK). The plan went down well although Mike’s Dad had an idea we were up to something as none of us had updated our Facebook or Twitter accounts – just typical I’m always getting in trouble for updating it and yet here I was  - being caught out for being quiet!

So I have a week in Sussex, always a nice distraction – staying amongst country pubs, green valleys and no transport links – the latter helps with my finances – (still no better!) – no shopping to tempt me.

I’ve had a wonderful response to the mailing list I started in my last post (if you would like to go on the list e-mail me at lynseyellard@gmail.com) and a lot of interest as to whether the work out DVD has been a success. Alongside the Leanne Grose, DVD I’ve cut down my food portions and tried to cut out “naughty” foods. I’ve not been depriving myself though - as all I do on a diet is obsess about the forbidden.

Weight loss since Australia – 11lb – neigh bad! I’m at 11st 1lb now – still have a good stone to lose but I’m getting there. The work out DVD has taught me that I can work out whilst not injuring myself – I even hesitate to mention I have teeny weeny bicep muscles forming – eat your heart out Schwarzenegger.

I have to mention that on the Leanne Grose DVD, the tedious chatting and “jokes” are beyond dull and annoying after the 3^rd+ times, so my suggestion is to put the DVD into your computer or DVD player and mute it, still following the actions but playing your own music in its place!

I hope I’m not jumping the gun, but I see an end in sight to this RSDS relapse. For those not in know, this means I can lower my medication, gain some mental power back and sleep an extra luxurious hour or two a night. I’ve been having some good days, although after almost 20 years with RSD I have not learnt that I should be careful and cautious on them days so not to tire myself out. After a busy mother’s day weekend three days later I’m still recovering! Any fellow chronic pain/illness sufferers will know the temptation to live it up on the good days!

I will keep you all posted on the light at the end of my little tunnel!

L x