The Big Change

Well it’s been a couple of weeks of change in the lives of the Bradbury family.

Last week I moved to London to the training college to start my 2 years diploma in Salvation Army Officer Training. I have a nice little flat although it is on the third floor so I have to climb many steps to get to it. I don’t mind – I have a uniform skirt to fit into and ultimately a wedding dress so the exercise will do me good! Thankfully, when I arrived at the college the other Monday most people had moved in and some helped carry my stuff up the stairs so Adrian, mum and I didn’t have to do it on our own (I was dreading the thought of that). I’ve managed to unpack most things and it’s weird but nice to see all my familiar things around the place. Every time Adrian comes to see me he either brings something I have forgotten or takes away something I don’t need.

Here are some pictures of my flat.




Life here at the college is ok. We have had a week and a bit of inductions and study skills classes; plus we have been given our first essay, which has to be handed in today. It was only an 800 word practice assignment to get us into the habit of writing essays but the essay title was mammoth and it was really difficult to fit it all into 800 words. I experienced something in writing this essay I don’t think I have ever experience when writing an essay – having too many words! I had to spend a good hour editing it to get the word count down! Classes start in earnest on Monday after the welcome weekend. Today we have Marching practice and our final chance to practice our sessional song (which I’m liking a lot) for Saturday night’s welcome. It’s all a bit surreal really. The Witnesses for Christ are a nice bunch of people – I think we’re going to have a nice time together.

And secondly…. Please say a warm welcome to my beautiful new nephew: Luke Jonathan!!!!! (da daa! – that’s a fanfare by the way!)



Isn’t he just so beautiful? He was born last Thursday (20 September 2007) at 20:50 in Chikankata hospital (for a fuller account of the birth see my big bro’s blog on the link list). It was a bit traumatic last Thursday because we received word from Rich that the baby’s heartbeat had weakened and so they decided to do a C-section. When they did the section they found the cord wrapped tightly around Luke’s neck and he had stopped breathing so they had to resuscitate him. The placenta was also in a bad state and bleeding. They told Richard that had they waited for Luke to be born naturally he would have most likely died and Heidie would have had permanent damage so I say thank you to a great big mahoosive God who I believe worked in that whole situation and produced this miracle. Thank you also to a brilliant load of friends who I texted to pray that night.

I got a chance to speak to Luke that night on the phone – I told him that it was he Auntie Clare speaking and he cried! He better not be giving me that cheek when he’s older!

And finally, I say congratulations to my friend Jane who married Ross last weekend. It was a lovely day and nice to see some familiar faces.


Adrian and I travelled up to Scotland by car on the Friday afternoon; went to the wedding on Saturday afternoon; stayed for the meal and the speeches (which were some of the best I have heard at a wedding) and then drove back down to London just as the evening reception was starting so that I could be back for the Spiritual Day at the college the next day! I arrived back home at 3am! When saying goodbye to Jane she told me to text her when I got home. I looked at Adrian and commented that I did not think my welfare would be utmost on her mind that night and I didn’t want to be part of that night - even in text - at all. So I feel it’s safe now to say to Jane that I got home!

Laters
cx