My life in 10 photos

I thought I’d try to represent my life in 10 photos. This isn’t really possible, as I only have photos from the past 6 years or so. But here’s an attempt.

Photo 1 was taken a couple of years ago in the Lake District. It is of me, my sister and my brother. They are both being very humorous. I don’t think I realised the photo was being taken. Photo 1 represents my family, immediate and extended, and how well we get on together.

Photo 2 was taken at a wedding last year. It is of (from bottom, clockwise) Joe, Jenny, Geri, Tom (the groom), me and Sam. We have all been good friends for well over a decade, through the youth group we used to attend. Photo 2 represents the Christian friends I had during my teens, both from home and from across the country.

Photo 3 was taken in 2006. It is of some of my Frisbee club from uni. I led the club for two years and invested a lot in it. Photo 3 represents GCUFC over the last 6 years, and the friends I had and have there.

Photo 4 was taken in 2005. It is of my housemates from 2nd year at uni: from left – Dave, Chris, Mike, Tom, Jik, Adam, Ian, me. Photo 4 represents some of my university friends, and the memories of the stupid stuff we did over the three years.

Photo 5 was taken in 2006 after one of the leavers formals. From left are Helen, Christina, Beth, Chris, Tom, Elliott, Cassie, Helen, me, Izzy. Photo 5 represents all the friends from my college Christian Union. We formed a really tight group for three great years.

Photo 6 is from 2006 and is of the 8 interns from my gap year working for my church. From left are Sarah, Kat, Catherine, Phil, Cassie (front), me (back), Gaz, Will. Although it’s not a great photo, it reminds me of the fun we had together. Photo 6 represents my internship year, and also the amazing group of friends I have in my church in Durham.

Photo 7 is from 2008’s ‘Red or Dead’ party – Phil, Chris, Ruth and Clare are all good friends from my church, who have all supported me and invested in me. Photo 7 represents King’s Church Durham as a whole.











Photo 8 doesn’t exist. It would have been taken between 1999 and 2001, and would have been of a group of friends from Hebron, the summer camp I attended. Photo 8 would have represented Hebron, and the impact the event and people have had on my life. Unfortunately, this photo was never taken, or if it was I don’t have it. But it’s there in my head.

Photo 9 was taken in 2005 at Hebron. It is my all-time favourite photo, because it is of some teenagers who I love, worshipping God. Photo 9 represents what I love about Christian youth work, and Hebron in particular. It also represents how cool I think it is that I can have real friendships with people half my age.

Photo 10 was taken in 2008 at the end of a week away with some year 8s from my school. Photo 10 represents my job and about 35 of the reasons why, most of the time, I enjoy it.


So there you have it – my life in 10 photos. I think I’ve represented all the really important things in my life. If anyone reading this owns photo 8, please can I have it?

A grateful blog

On the wall above my desk I have photos of nine people. These are nine people to whom I feel immensely in debt because of what they have done for me and given me, and just for their love, friendship and guidance.
There are my parents, my old youth leader, two people from my internship year, and four of my best friends.
I put these photos up a few months ago.

This morning I realise that, after thinking about this for literally about one minute:
I could have included three more people as well as my youth leader for the encouragement they have given me, the opportunities they have given me, and the amount they have invested in me.
In slightly different circumstances, there could have been eight more friends up there - friends who I know would have been just as good to me had I needed it at the time.
There are at least another four friends who I know would be there now if I needed them.

I am insanely lucky to have the friends I do. I'm not just talking about mates who I get on well with, even mates who I can go to for help when I need it - I'm talking about real, deep, hardcore friendships. Not transient friends who are around for a while, help you out once maybe, but then you realise they're not that important. But people who have proved themselves, and who can be trusted to do it again.

Some of these people will know who they are, some won't have a clue. But thankyou, to all of you. I don't deserve you.