New Generation art exhibition

Well, the art exhibition has been taken down.  The silk paintings have been rolled up and packed away in their plastic sleeves and the frames dismantled and loaded ready to transport back to Anne's studio. 

If you've been reading my blog this week you'll know what an amazing fabulous time we've had. But like all amazing fabulous times this one couldn't last indefinitely.  The realities of life, the everyday sometimes hum drum routine has to be resumed at some point (certainly for the majority of us).

But life as the saying goes is what we make it. I was not looking forward to going back to work yesterday.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very fortunate.  I have some lovely work colleagues, some I consider have become friends. I work in a nice open plan office, at a comfortable desk with all the modern technological bits and pieces necessary for communication in this emailing, scanning, bespoke software programme world we  live in.  But, like a lot of people the thing which occupies me , 8-10 hours out of every day, 5 days out of 7, roughly 46 weeks a year is not what I'm passionate about.  It doesn't 'float my boat'.  It doesn't make me want to leap out of bed in the morning and shout 'Great - off to work I go!'

But that's OK.  Because I know it won't be forever. Nothing ever is in this world which is why I love this journey we call life.  You never know what is round the corner.  Sure, sometimes you run straight into  a whole load of hassle, heartache, worry and upset.  But then at other times, often at the most unexpected times life throws up a golden moment, a precious new friend, the answer to a prayer, or the long awaited answer to many.  This week has given many of us all of those things.  Thrilling, exciting and exhausting all at the same time!

And for me that is what Jesus meant when he said 'I have come to give them Life, and Life abundantly' (John 10v10).  I know a lot of people consider they have an abundant life without the need for God, without the need of spiritual input, with no reason to think they are missing out on anything.  But oh, how much richer life is when we share it with the one who created us.

The things I write here aren't out of theoretical, theological based, bible bashing knowledge.  They're born out of experiencing life - at times insisting on 'going it alone', thinking I have all the answers, being stubborn, proud, self seeking, greedy and at times cruel.  Thank God despite me giving up on him a few times he's never given up on me.  Now I'm finally in a place where I know whatever happens for the rest of my life here on this earth I won't be walking my path alone.  He will be with me all the way, as he always has been, but from now on I won't be compromising the promises he's given me, won't settle for less than an abundant life, whatever my circumstances.  

As I've said the things which have happened this week, the people I've met, the stories I've heard and the images of those pictures will all stay with me for a very long time.  I pray it will be the same for the 500+ people who also saw the pictures this week, who stopped for a coffee and chatted, or quietly slipped away without speaking to anyone. I pray this week will be a significant one for them all.

If you get the chance at any time to see any of Anne's work I would urge you to check out her website (see link on the right of this page) for details of any future exhibitions.  Or it may be you're feeling the call to think about staging an exhibition of your own.  It doesn't have to be in a church.  I know Anne has taken the paintings into all sorts of venues including schools, shopping centres, community centres. You can either contact Anne direct via her web page or send me an email and I'll pass on your details.

Anyway, I started off talking about the day job, which I'm going to be late for, again, if I don't get this finished! 
OK, the prospect of heading off to the office doesn't exactly fill me with the joys of spring but I am grateful to have a job.  I know for many it isn't the case at the moment so I do count my blessings. 

But a I said, this is what I love about life's journey.
It's a brand new day, stretching out before me and I may not know what is going to happen today but I do know I'm not heading off into it alone....................How exciting!

Whatever day you have my hope and prayer is it will be an abundant one.
God bless
Jules xx

Food .... for thought

Well, I have to say this a much more reasonable time of day to be writing this. I could have been doing this at 04.30 again this morning but decided to try and get my body clock into a more reasonable pattern. At the moment I’m waking up so much during the night the alarm clock has very little effect on me and I keep over sleeping! Not conducive to
getting in to work on time.


I know these aren't daffs and tulips
but don't they make you think of spring?



Glancing out of the window there’s a tantalising promise of

a nice day with possibly even some sunshine. I’ve recently been bought tulips and daffodils which are so cheerful and make us think of spring. They’re certainly brightening up my living room and spurring me on to seriously consider starting the annual ‘sort out’. Not that I ever really complete it. My daughter would be the first to confirm her Mum and ‘spring cleaning’ are not phrases she’s ever associated together in the same sentence! Whenever I start clearing out cupboards, boxes, drawers and the ‘treasures’ in my study I always seem to get waylaid by things I thought I’d lost, or forgotten I had. Or I end up sitting on the floor going through old cards and letters I’ve found remembering people, instances, and times gone by.


Invariably I then get side tracked by the skirt I hadn’t got round to finishing altering, or the cross stitch picture I know would be a great present for someone or even emailing an old friend I’ve not been in touch with for ages when I’ve found a letter or card from them.
Then there’s the inevitable ‘changing around of the room’. I can almost guarantee if I start sorting out cupboards I become convinced whichever room I am in would benefit from a complete overhaul. I remember getting up one Saturday morning and deciding the living room in my old house would look much better with all the furniture moved round. It was a really big lounge/dining room with quite a bit of furniture in it. By the time my husband came down for breakfast everything was in a different place. He thought he’d woken up in the wrong house! He was used to my bursts of spontaneity by then having come home from work on a number of occasions to find me standing paint brush in hand and a wall or even a room a completely different colour to what it was when he left in the morning. But as I point out to my family at least they can’t complain I’m boring and predictable. Manic, disorganised and very annoying at times yes, but not boring!

Anyway, enough of this frivolity as there was a more serious reason for writing this morning.

I was at a church meeting last night where we had an update on the costs of a school the church has helped build for Dalit children who come from some of the poorest families in India. I haven’t been one of the key people involved so am not going to try and go into huge detail here as if you’d like to know more just click on the Bromham Baptist Church link on this blog and you’ll be able to read about the project for yourself on the overseas tab.

We had a discussion last night about the money which would need to be raised to continue to support the pupils and staff at the school over the next 5 years which we’d agreed to do at previous meetings. The support includes running costs, wages, school uniforms, teaching materials and lunch. Again, I’m not going to go into all the ins and outs but a significant proportion of the rising cost is to enable the children to have 1 meal a day at school.

The school is built, currently has 60 pupils and is on track to grow that number to 150 over the next 4 years. There was some discussion about can we afford it? Like everyone else in this country many of us are feeling the effects of the economic recession we are going through. Some people are facing very uncertain futures and have genuine concerns.
But as we talked and looked at the photo of a group of smartly dressed, smiling, keen to learn children and various people spoke it became apparent that whatever hardships we are facing here we knew we had to continue to show these beautiful children God’s love in this practical way.


One comment in particular from last night sticks in my mind –
‘Children don’t learn if they have empty tummies and isn’t this why we’ve helped build the school, to give them an education?’

So can I encourage anyone reading this blog to think about how they can support and help others who cannot help themselves. We have the big celebrity driven events such as Children in Need and Comic Relief (imminent as I’m sure you know) but there are also thousands of ongoing projects by churches, organisations and individuals which any one of us can get involved in.

I don’t very often quote scripture but I’m always struck with how much sensible, practical, thought provoking, conscious pricking words were spoken by Jesus. I think these words sum up everything we talked about last night and should make us all think........

‘This is my (Jesus) command: Love each other’ John 15:17

I’m sure it comes as no surprise we agreed to continue to support this project and I for one will be looking to see how I can encourage the fantastic fund raising team.


Did I hear someone say how about a sponsored silence!??........................................


God Bless
Jules xx

I knew there had to be a positive, practical reason for hot flushes in the middle of the night.....it’s the ideal time to write! I’ve been woken up at least twice tonight feeling hot, throwing the duvet off and then lying awake as my brain starts to kick in and all sorts of random thoughts start marching through my mind.

Must get the car washed – it’s beginning to look grey instead of metallic green.
Mustn’t forget I need to get into work early Monday morning
Hope the weather forecast is right for today as I really want to go for a walk in the park
And what is it with these flippin’ hot flushes!!!

My daughter told me to keep a pen and paper the side of the bed so if I woke up in the night I could write my thoughts down and then I’d be able to get back to sleep. So this is my version of the pen and paper technique for a good night’s sleep.

I had made a new years resolution to post at least two entries a month on my blog but like most people only managed that in January. February whizzed by and before I knew it March was laughing at me going ‘what, only one post in February – useless!’ So, have to make up for it this month. Mind you, between the hot flushes and my cranky left knee keeping me awake I’ll have plenty of spare time!

It’s now 04.45 and it amazes me how quiet it is in the early hours. Admittedly I live in a market town so not exactly a thriving metropolis but I do live in an apartment building (it’s an old converted shoe factory so I like to say I live in an apartment – so much more interesting than ‘flat’ don’t you think?). I’m on the top floor and it’s on one of the main roads through the town but even so I can’t hear anything. Even the birds have got more sense than to be awake this time of the morning! It’s a different story in the summer. By now they’d be twittering away and the sun would soon be streaming through the big Georgian window in my bedroom which still hasn’t got any curtains to it. I love the natural light so now I don’t have any curtains up anywhere in the whole place. So come the summer there’ll be something else waking me up in the early hours......probably won’t be worth even going to bed at this rate.

Anyway, I’d better see if this exercise has worked and try and get a few more hours sleep. I’m playing in the worship group in the morning and rarely manage to get to rehearsal on time even after a good night’s sleep. The combination of a late night due to watching the James Bond film (it was Piers Brosnan so you can’t blame me...), being awake half the night and the fact I must wash my hair in the morning does not bode well..............

So night, night for now and I really hope no-one gets to read this until a sensible time of day. Otherwise it means you too have been denied a satisfactory visit to the land of nod!
God bless and sweet dreams.
Luv Jules x

Valentines day

This truly is a ‘musing from under the duvet’. It’s 6.30 in the morning, still dark outside (I know because the strip above my cafe curtain in my bedroom is inky blue!) and I’ve got my cuppa the side of me. But as I sit here writing I can see how the dawn is slowly pushing back the night and there’s the promise of light, the promise of a new day, another day to enjoy or in some cases endure depending on our circumstances. But whatever they are yesterday has gone, tomorrow is still to be written, this is the day the Lord has made and I am determined to rejoice in it.


For many this is an exciting, thrilling day full of expectant hope, for some a day when despite their optimism they know their partner too well to expect anything and for some of us it’s a reminder of similar days already past.

It’s Valentines Day. Oh I know, it’s too commercial now, just a money spinner and who needs a special day to say ‘I love you’. But let’s be honest girls – most of us dream of a little romance, an uncharacteristic spontaneous act of affection. To be swept off our feet aka Richard Gere in ‘An officer and a gentleman’ – although in my case metaphorically as I’m likely to give any man who tries to carry me a slipped disc!


But there will be a lot of us this Valentines Day who won’t be getting flowers, chocolates, cards or any other tokens of someone’s affection. Yesterday a friend of mine asked me if I was OK and I said I hated this time of year because it reminded me I was single. But that’s not really true. I don’t hate it; I suppose I’m just a little envious of those who at least have the opportunity to shower affection and gifts on that special person, even if they don’t take it.
But then as the day went on and I was with friends I found myself thinking ‘so what?’ I’ve had some wonderful Valentines in the past and I’m hopeful I will again. Maybe not this year but there’s always the future. And it’s true, I have many wonderful family and friends who love me and remind of that 365 days a year so why stress over just one? And on top of that I know in my heart and soul that God loves me constantly and is always there for me.


Love is essential to the human soul and as I sit here, and see the light has crept up on me as I’ve been writing I’m smiling. I’m grateful that my life whether lived as a single person, a couple, in a family with my daughter, and at this precise moment in time, as a (slightly) older single woman has been filled with love. And I know in my heart as long as I have faith, as long as I continue to love that love will come back to me 10 fold.


So, whatever your circumstances, today, tomorrow, next week – spread a little love and the world will be a better place.


Happy Valentines xx

Phew - time for bed already. I can't believe how quickly the days and weeks are going. It only seems like yesterday I was asking people if they had a nice Christmas and here we are just a few days away from the beginning of February! Which means I only have a few days to get my tax return done. Every year I swear I'm going to be organised, get it done well in time so I'm not under pressure at the last minute but here we are again - because it's one of my least favourite admin tasks I've just been putting it off.

I really admire those people who are so disciplined they get on and do all the jobs they hate doing so they can then relax. I've never managed to be that self disciplined but I live in hope. One year I might even manage to get my tax return in before Christmas!


07:30 Thursday morning:
As you can see I started writing this entry last night but I ran out of steam! I'm definitely more creative in the mornings hence the title. I'm in my favourite writing spot, under the duvet with my laptp propped up on my knees and my cuppa the side of me. This is when I'd love to have 'an independent income' (or a rich husband!) so I could stay here all morning writing, reading and generally 'musing'. But like most people I have to keep one eye on the clock because as those 7 vertically challenged little cartoon characters sang it's 'Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go.........' in about an hour.
Actually I don't mind going to work as I do love people and being with people. I'm very fortunate really, I enjoy my own company and can happily spend a day without seeing or speaking to anyone but at the same time I'm very much a 'people person' - so I enjoy the best of both worlds.

And in the present economic climate I do try and be thankful every day I have a job to go to. Having spent 8 months not being able to work I know how demoralising it can get, how you can drift from one day to the next without really acheiving anything. Like most people though I can have a good moan about workloads, not being appreciated, not being paid enough and not getting promoted. But I never get away with it for long! - God always finds a way of reminding me as a Christian he expects me to act and react differently. I've said before how as I've grown older I really enjoy reading my bible. I particularly love the gospels - the four books which record the life of Jesus, especially his adult life. Most of us probably know some of his more well known teaching - love your neighbour, don't lie, feed the poor - those sorts of things. They form the basis of most peoples moral code and how they live their lives but the more I read, pray and try and listen each day to what God is telling me I realise there is so much more he wants me to do and be -and it's exciting and scary all at the same time!

Like a lot of people my natural personality doesn't always come out in positive ways. I can be over confident at times (confidence is not a bad thing as such but we all easily become quite obnoxious and boastful). I can be critical of others (constructive, helpful feedback can be good but it can also easily turn into viscious gossip). And I know I can be very assertive (again, getting the balance right is important - it's so easy to become arrogant!). So each morning I ask God to bring out all the good traits and remind me when the bad ones are starting to rear their heads! - and believe me He has to do the latter more than I'd like to admit! But I'm trusting as time goes on I will being making progress towards being the person God always intended I should be because I have no doubt in my mind that is the greatest, most fulfilling ambition I could have.
Anyway, time has flown (as I knew it would), I need to jump out of bed (well, sort of fall out slowly really) and start getting ready for work and to enjoy what this new day brings...............
May your day be filled with good things and you experience God's blessing
Jules x

New Year, New Start

Well, having decided to get back to writing my blog it's taken me ages to work out how to log back in! But with a bit of perseverance and random button pressing I've managed it. I love all the technology available to us nowadays but must admit it sometimes takes me a long time to work out how to use it. But that's what I've always enjoyed - trying something new, getting out of the usual routine, having a go! I think it must be in the genes - my Mum & Dad, both long standing members of the University of the Third Age have just 'gone live' on the Net. They were googling and emailing like pros in no time at all.

So I'm very proud that it only took me 2 attempts to post a Tweet this morning on my smart phone. That's why I thought I'd write this tonight - while I'm on a roll!

As I've already said in my profile update this is the year to get serious about my writing, performing, speaking and generally encouraging others in this exciting journey we call life. That's why I've decided to start writing this blog again. I'm not famous, rich, highly educated or exceptionally smart. I don't have the perfect figure (well I would if I was another 8 inches tall!), am a 'celebrity' or can speak 5 languages. I don't live in a big house,take several holidays a year and have a wardrobe full of designer clothes. Yep, I'm like the majority of people reading this - making the best of my life. And I love it. I love life, new experiences. meeting people and learning about them, their hopes and dreams, fears, aspirations, disappointments. And the best decision I ever made was when I became a Christian even though it's taken most of my life until now for me to really embrace what that means.

I've decided to leave the title of this blog as 'Musings' as, even though I work full time again now I still start my day with a cuppa, my bible and notes and my journal so the mornings are when I get most of my thoughts and ideas. I also love the handle 'Jules Barnabas' so have changed my Tweet name to that as well.

Last year I performed a 'one woman' show to a small select audience which I absolutely loved. It was an evening of music, some reflections on life and plenty of laughter. I had fantastic support from friends and family and everyone said they enjoyed themselves so I'm hoping to do something similar this year. Watch this space!

There are a few earlier posts on here I've uploaded from time to time which will start to give an idea of some of my experiences. I hope to share more of my experiences and life as time goes on - I'm a great believer that everyone has value and we all have something to offer one another. Feel free to comment on my 'Musings' I'd be very interested in your thoughts.
Bye for now and God bless
Jules x PS - the photo is a Country Park near me which is another favourite place of mine to walk, think and then stop for a coffee and do some writing (or just have a chat!).

Back again....................

I knew it was a long time since I'd visited my blog but was shocked to see it was last July! It's true what they say- time goes quicker the older we get. So much has happened in the last 8 months it should give me plenty to write about but now is not the time. It's 8.35am and I'm already runing late getting ready for work (yep, no more lie in's for me - I'm not even still in bed writing this! Will have to change the title to 'Musings from the dining room table whilst gulping a cuppa'!)
Definitley must start this up again. Will be back soon........................................................................