Have you ever been in that situation where you can't decide what to eat so you don't eat anything at all? No? Well, it's a first for me, I must admit. While I'm deciding, being all the while aware of the millions of people who don't have the luxury of choice, I'll scribble down a few lines and fill you in on the goings-on of the last week.

To be honest nothing much is new, but the old isn't really so bad. I'm reading Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis which is one of those classics I've never got around to reading before. I found it kicking around in my stock cupboard and thought it was about time I found out what all the fuss is about. After all, it's one of the most quoted Christian books after the Bible and I'm eagerly awaiting the premiere of TLTWATW in December. I must say it's an interesting read. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says, but he has a very down-to-earth, unspiritual way of expressing great spiritual truths, which is both refreshing and engaging. I shall be pressing on with my reading tomorrow on the train.

I spent the weekend at Jules' house in Gernsheim and Heidelberg. I did a great job of convincing her Dad that I'm the ideal future son-in-law by lending a hand renovating Jules' new house. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a complete duffer when it comes to anything related to DIY, but I think he noted and appreciated my willingness, even if the workmanship was somewhat shoddy.

Other than that I was once again confronted and shamed by my own weakness. What do I do when I feel embarrassed, hurt or confused? Do I vent my anger verbally, do I make an attempt at reconciliation, do I communicate my emotions in any helpful and constructive way? Of couse not! I shut up shop, withdraw and allow my soul to become a seething mass of bitterness, confusion and self-pity. This resulted in a misunderstanding which should never have happened. I have a lot to learn...

Off we jolly well go. The second installment and more random ramblings from this rabid, roving reporter. Alliteration? Yes, please. At the end of last week's premiere I left you all on tenterhooks. What was that Flensburg thing all about? Should I stay or should I go? That could be the question I'll be asking myself in the very near future.

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I have glad tidings to declare. God wants some glory and I'm gonna give it to him. It all began two weeks ago when I had the unexpected pleasure of welcoming the bailiffs into my humble abode. Good afternoon, Herr Einsiedler, they said. How was I thinking of paying back my 7,500 Euro health insurance debt? And just out of interest, how much was my car worth?

7,500 Euro debt? The value of my car? This was all news to me. I felt my face turn all colours of the rainbow and finally settle for a pallid off-white. I managed to summon up just enough vocabulary to tell them how much I was worth and add that I thought there had been some terrible mistake. Their tone of voice told me they had heard it all before and weren't going to be sweet-talked by a trembling Englishman with a rather effeminate hair-do.

Quick-wittedness and resolute calmness in the face of impending disaster would have been nice. Unfortunately I had neither and plumped instead for wimpering petitions for mercy and understanding. Incredibly they must have struck a chord and I was offered a chance to explain myself. Lots of prayer and one visit to the insurance company later and I was left waiting for the moment of truth. The letter that would either make or break me. Three days later it came. The result: I had to pay. 126€ to be exact. Hallelujah, you say? I think you might be right there. A triumph of God's grace over German bureaucracy. What would I ever do without Him?

The weekend was rather a highlight too. After considering my background and bemoaning the spiritual deadness of Stratford-on-Avon, I went off on a camp and met a Christian not only from Stratford, but also an Old Warwickian of all people. Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice. God is a card, ya know? What an amazing experience to be wildly worshipping God somewhere in Germany alongside an equally wild man of God from the same town and school. I must say it cheered me up no end. Is anything to hard for Him? Is any ground too firm? God pours out His Spirit where He wills and His Kingdom advances. If God wants to use two Stratfordians to bless a bunch of Germans, then He'll blimmin' well do it and He'll do it well.

Well, I got home from a fun-filled time of British humour and experiencing the presence of God, to find a letter with a Kiel postmark. We're talking Kiel, that place not far from Flensburg. That town in the far north of Germany. Was I prepared for the news in the letter? Not really. I was expecting a yes or a no. What I got was a maybe. This is all I've been getting for six months. So, am I staying? Am I going? The answer is as it has always been up to now - wait and see. What do I do in the meantime? Very good question. Be prepared, but not too much. Commit, but don't plan. Agree, but don't promise. It's all a bit of a mess.

Things are good with Jules. She is a sweetheart. Me: Could you envisage wedlock whilst still at university? Her: Are you crazy? Of course! Me: Would you consider getting married next year? Her: Yeah, ok. Far too uncomplicated, if you ask me. There's nothing to argue about. Just wait till she finds my toenail clippings though...

Well, this is it. Episode 1 of a journey I hope many will join me on. As one who claims to be a keen creative writer, it's rather a poor show that I should wait until now to christen this all-singing, all-dancing blog space.

But, you know what? I sense a change in the wind, a rumble in the jungle, the natives getting restless. Something new is coming, so I might as well document it from the outset. I believe these entries could be testimony to God's ever-present faithfulness. On the train this afternoon I wondered if I might dare trust in God's perfect plan. Could it be that the next year will be one of change, transformation, development, completion, happiness and fulfillment? Could it be that things will supernaturally fall into place as I trust in God and fall on Him as my ultimate Provider, Comforter, Friend, Healer and Counsellor.

Whatever happens, I might as well jot it all down, as much for my benefit as anyone else's.

Just over a year ago I received a prophetic word about change coming as a result of a cock-up on my part. A couple of months later, the cock-up came, followed swiftly by the change. God is VERY quick these days...

Still, there is more to come...hopefully this time as a result of positive decisions on my part, rather than almighty misdemeanors. What makes me believe that? Well, there's a new woman in my life for a start, and do you know what? She could be the one...

You should be able to see a nice little piccy of Jules. We've been together for coming up to 3 weeks...and just to think we've only known each other for 4. If that ain't God, I don't know what is. We're talking musical, worshipping, prophetess here. Now that's something to be chuffed about. What's more, even her Dad likes me. A turn-up for the plus-fours, that's for certain.

Apart from that I'm still waiting to hear from the powers that be in Flensburg. There shall be more as the drama unfolds...