So it was an afternoon when it rained on and off in Glasgow.

There were not many students on the streets, and most of those we saw were with parents (even at the end of freshers' week) and not wanting to be fed.

But for all that a small number came through the doors and enjoyed hospitality, scrummy homemade food and good chat.  Among them Malawian who arrived yesterday and has come on a scholarship to study drug and alcohol aspects of public health, two oriental students doing business courses, and a few Scots girls.  We had some good conversations, enjoyed our time together as young and old shared.

It was a lot of work - many thanks to the team who put it together - but I enjoyed it and think the quality of conversations counted for far more than any measure of quantity.  Tomorrow we may have more students arriving to worhsip with us, and I hope they will find the welcome we long to offer them.

So, on the menu this afternoon, as my contribution will be...

• Vegan organic tomato and basil sandwiches on homemade sundried tomato bread
• Vegetarian free rnage egg mayo sandwiches on homemade wholemeal bread
• Possibly, if I run out of egg filling and have bread left, breaded Wiltshire ham on homemade wholemeal bread.

Just so you know if you're around the West End and feleing peckish!

I found this in HymnQuest, and I rather like it, even if I'm not using it on Sunday:

There was a God I used to know when I was only four.
He lived inside the big stone church behind the big carved door.
But then I learned he's everywhere and cannot be confined.
I had to grow. I had to go and leave that God behind.

There was a God I thought I knew when I was growing tall.
I felt him watching, judging me if I should fail or fall.
But then I found he loved me too, was merciful and kind.
I had to grow. I had to go and leave that God behind.

There was a God I worshipped then when I was more mature,
remote and unapproachable because he was so pure.
Then Jesus showed me God in him, with human heart and mind.
I had to grow. I had to go and leave that God behind.

And every time I find a truth and think I know it all,
he takes me one more step and shows I've made him far too small.
By now I should not be surprised, but joyfully resigned:
I have to grow. I have to go and leave that God behind.

And when my life on earth is done, and I must leave this place,
what happens when I go to God and see him face to face?
I'm sure I'll recognise the one who opens heaven's door,
the God I've known, in whom I've grown since I was only four.

Sue Gilmurray (born 1950) © Sue Gilmurray

Edit:

J it won't let me comment today!

The answer is: any that is 86 86D or DCM (same thing in effect)

Two well known DCM tunes are:

Kingsfold (I heard the voice of Jesus say)
Forest Green (O little town of bethlehem)

I rather liked this post so am linking it for your delectation and delight

Yesterday I was diagnosed with De Quervain's tenosynovitis - a rather grand name for a sprain affecting the thumb and wrist of my left hand.  I have a rather nifty splint on my wrist and have to see the physio again next week to see how it's progressing.  This 'washerwoman sprain' as it's also known arose from my attempts to protect my 'at risk of lymphoedema' right arm which meant I over exerted my left arm... now I have two 'substandard' arms for a while, which is certainly an interesting experience.

I also have acute viral rhinopharyngitis aka the common cold, which is a bind as the sniffling, sneezing and shivering don't mix too well with the hot flushes and modifications to parts of my anatomy, but at least in a day or seven it'll be gone.

Today feels a bit odd, actually this week has felt a bit odd, remembering what the equivalent week last year held for me.  Having nothing more to disturb me than a soft tissue injury and cattarh in my ears is a remarkably pleasant place to be.