Jude Smith

Have spent most of today in bed: catching up on sleep after ECG. Hard to describe all I was up to, but I think photos will help (unless you want to hear the singleness seminar in which case, its in CD... I can upload it somewhere I'm sure!)

Hello! Quick post from ECG. Whilst I would never want to compare with other conferences I would like to say that this place has the following lovely features! A four star hotel (with chandeliers, room service, free wireless, lovely staff and those doors that Josh Lyman can't make work!) A very new conference centre, with staff who set up rooms EXACTLY as you asked! Shops (like all the ones you need for creating prayer rooms) within two minutes walk. We're still getting in the swing of things, but so far so good! (although do pray that my back makes it! Its pretty bad!) More soon.

I smell a little bit smokey still: not bad smoke but proper outdoor bonfire smoke! I spent this afternoon and evening in Egham with the Boiler Room community there: in the afternoon I wittered on about Paul's missionary journeys (talked a lot about conflict, people of peace and the big 14 year gap that Acts covers in a sentence!). This evening I ate lovely food and did some drawing with Lily (she is small: err.. three maybe?), and then led an Easter reflection on fire! Much fun: it included a flaming torch! (thats what the piccie is of: am thinking Colin will have better ones which I might steal and put up). It also included a normal fire in a makeshift brazier and a barbecue: any guesses on why? And now I'm back: ECG prep here I come!

I got a very exciting email yesterday pointing me to an article that appeared in yesterday's Guardian! Yep: its the Marsh Farm folk I was working with a few years back. Have read of the article here . I am so chuffed that its getting so news now. The community centre plan is finally getting going. Fruit at last? I hope so!

So, Barack Obama has said he wouldn't be running mate on a Clinton campaign. Good call sir (if a little reminiscent of one Matthew Santos). I'm still to be convinced that the USA would vote for a woman over a war vet. But McCain is your George Bush Senior.. he's a one termer (very likely he will preside over a nasty little economic downturn: maybe even a bagel!). That leaves the field for Obama to take it in 2012 (wow is the London Olympics only 4 years off, craziness). That said he'll probably win it.. Mississippi votes tonight. It will go all the way to the convention barring some scandal! As for the Reps.. think Mitt Romney is positioning for V-P.. hmm..

Big weekend: Women's day (big yey.. much fun).. followed by mum and dad's ruby wedding celebrations.. followed by gran's birthday.. and some hanging out. Lovely lovely.. but now really tired and feeling the pressure: the next three weeks are insanely busy! All prayers greatly welcomed!