Being away for the week at Staff Conference, and then being home briefly before joining my SEITE friends on a silent retreat, leaves me with loads of thoughts and musings and I don’t know where to start – for a change!

Over the next few days, weeks, maybe months or even years I think the stuff will filter out slowly .

There are, though, some interesting highlights. I am drawn back yet again to a realisation that I am a person that values friendships and relationships. I like to think that I am not, and that I am task orientated, and take or leave friends, but as I look back at the past week I realise that I am simply trying to fool myself.

Another thought is that maybe I am trying to protect myself as friendships inevitable incorporate a vulnerability – working on tasks do not – you either reach the target or you don’t.

I look back on the past week and I remember people. My highlights this year were:
the joy of seeing old friends from my decade with YFC
the fun and laughter with so many different people after sessions at the bar
a great game where I fooled Jemima by being an evil spirit come back from the dead to give her wrong information (I guess you had to be there!)
the privilege of praying with people
the humbling of being prayed for by others
the joy of seeing Roy and Flossie celebrating their 25 years in YFC
chatting about deep issues in the sauna and the jacuzzi
visiting Rhyl with friends
meeting new people like Leon – top guy
Drinking beer with lots of friends
spending time with established friends – too many to mention but you all know who you are

we had loads of great activities and speakers too – but the people are what make YFC such a fantastic, dynamic and beautiful movement to work with!

Even when I arrived at the SEITE retreat I was surprised at how I valued relationships here – it was very frustrating not to be able to chat with people and ask how they were – it seemed very alien! Next time I’ll have to turn up on time!