Waiting for the Summer Weather...

A sunny day visit to Škofja Loka

I know that in the UK over the past couple of weeks you've had great weather and yet have all been stuck inside. Here it feels like we've had the opposite problem. We're allowed out and about and yet the weather is just not co-operating. Today we were supposed to have our last youth group of the year - an outside pool party with barbeque and a Masterchef competition. Instead we've had to postpone due to the stormy weather. One day will be nice and then the next it's tipping it down. I'm still longing for and looking forward to the long summer days that are due to be coming.

To me this seems like a snapshot of my life at the moment - in transition and waiting for things to come. My whole life feels very strange at the moment. I'm saying goodbye to people and usual activities, waiting for my move back to the UK, but I still have 2 months to go and I need to focus on things here. To be honest I'm not sure that I'll even feel 100% settled back in the UK. With plans to return to Slovenia in September 2021, I expect to feel in transition for the next year or so. My mum very helpfully pointed out that this is how we, as Christians, are supposed to feel in this world. This world is only transitory, fleeting and nothing compared to what is to come. Of course this doesn't mean that we don't interact with and live in the world but we are always to remember that this is not our true home, that there is something much, much better to come.

It's with these thoughts that I am facing the summer and the work I need to do. The next big thing to focus on is our youth camp which is due to happen in about a month. I'm really looking forward to it but am also aware of the work that needs to be done before then. After that we're due to have our church family camp. Unfortunately we will not be able to use the same venue that we normally do and we have not yet found a solution. It may be that the camp happens after I've left for the UK. I would be very sad if this were to happen but I know that all possibilities need to be looked into.

In the meantime I'm left staring out of the window trying to look for bits of blue sky...

Enjoying a Normal Week...

It seems a bit weird to admit, but I am so thankful for having my first "normal" week in a long time! Here in Slovenia we are definitely feeling like we're on the other side of the pandemic. Of course there are still certain measures in place but overall life feels almost back to where it was a few months ago. To be honest, I'm not sure what changes, if any, have been made to the society and culture here. Yes people still wear masks but it is no longer compulsory by law to wear them in public places (although places like buses and hairdressers etc still require you to wear them). I think the biggest change I have seen has been towards the attitude of using online video services. It is now more acceptable to meet up on Zoom or Skype (other services are available) if it is difficult to meet in person. For example, I had my first language lesson in person on Tuesday in the main park in Ljubljana, Tivoli. Today, however, the weather was not cooperative and so we just had the lesson on Skype again. I feel like it gives more flexibility to life.

From this week onwards all of the church meetings have been happening in person. This includes our first service together on Sunday. It has been great actually being able to meet people again and spend time with them without a screen! That being said, we are now approaching the end of the school year and so many meetings will stop for the summer break. This is starting to feel very strange for me! I only have 1 more ministry training session and 3 more youth groups. The time has gone by so quickly! I know that there will be many summer activities to prepare for but I'm having to start saying goodbye to meetings and programmes I have been involved with for the past two years! Moving back to the UK is feeling closer and a lot more real! (I know I'm using a lot of exclamation marks, forgive me, I'm a millennial and I need to express my feelings somehow!)

With the end of the school year comes the exam season for some of our teenagers. Please be praying for those who are facing this stressful time, especially those in the middle of their Matura exams (equivalent of A Levels) and those preparing to change schools next year.

If anyone doesn't yet know about my plans for when I return to the UK at the end of August (and wants to)/ would like to know how they can support me in prayer and/or financially please let me know by emailing me at s.re.deacon@gmail.com.