This'll be a prayer for El. Our holiday is in ten days time. El would like to start packing a week before we leave, which means in two days time, since she has to come to Glasgow on the 8th. However, Ja had taken the large suitcase away to Portugal until the 5th, so El has either the medium-sized suitcase which is 3/4 of her legs height, or a smaller one.

She reckons she can fit everything into the medium suitcase, and that she'll need seven days to pack, just like for EDGAS. I need to find a way to persuade her to bring the large suitcase to Toronto so she doesn't need to force everything into her medium suitcase and not have space for anything else. After all, going to Toronto is a lifetime opportunity - we shuold enjoy it to the max.

I will have to ask God to help say to El she should bring the larger suitcase, even if it means packing into the smaller one and transferring to large one.

Please help me God... =)

(Update from 9th May 2005)

I think it was a few days later, Saturday 14th May that El told me her mum told her Honda was working the Saturday I was coming up. That meant I didn't have to work! =)

When El told me through text the first thing I replied was "Hallelujah!" and later I hinted to El that I had been praying about this.

Praise God!

We go on holiday from Thursday 9th June. I was rota'd off duty on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th, then 10:30am-6:30pm on Monday 6th June, before another two days off duty which started my holiday break off. It would be pointless in just coming in the Monday to do to 10:30am shift after two days off, then go on holiday.

Two weeks ago I emailed Paul and INF Duty Manager to ask if they could swap my Sat 4th June off duty and put it down for Monday 6th June instead so my holiday started on Sunday 5th June.

Today, Paul sent me an email to confirm it was sorted. I've been given a 9-5 shift for Saturday 4th June, which means I get a whole 22 days off work.

Amazing! Praise God!

Bit of a dilemma just now. Not sure what to do. When El's mum heard I was going up to Aberdeen on Saturday 16th April (our 1st year anniversary) she suggested I helped work in Golden City's counter. I kind of got trained by El on Friday night and worked the Saturday. Uncled tried to pay me but I declined because I felt since it's a one-off it's fine because I eat theirs and stay in their house all the time it just wouldn't feel right. Uncle gave the money to El and I then took £10.

I plan to go up again on Saturday 22nd May. El said she wonders if auntie would once again suggest I work in the takeaway on Saturday night. To be honest, given the chance I'd prefer not to. I'd prefer to go up and hang and relax. My main aim is to see El to be honest, not to work. If I wanted to work I'd stay and do overtime in Glasgow. I am meant to be off duty you see. If I work, then Honda loses his pay which is a shame really. He might prefer to go out to hang, but he'd still lose money.

If I work on Sat I would look happy on the outside but inside I'd wish I didn't have the pressure. I would only do it to keep El happy and her parents happy, so they'd like me. If I don't do it, would I look like a lazy bug? Would they think less of me? If I don't do it, will auntie allow El to come stay over one night in July before we visit the youth summer camp? Hiy!! Very hard here!

I can only pray that auntie does not suggest I work in the takeaway that night - please!! It's in God's control. This I can only pray for God's help.

I really don't mind taking a few orders now and again and help them out when both El and Honda are busy, but to take Honda's place I'd rather not.

I'm not going to mention this prayer to anyone - just between my Father and myself.

Will will happen? Only time will tell...

Angela Fallone took me by surprise today. She came up to me quietly to tell me that I have won the Incentive Scheme for April. Out of the phoneroom, Willie, Paul and I got the best call stats - yet I had the shortest call time. Angela told me I currently have the best call time in teh phone room. She even asked if I knew that I was in the running for the prize. I told her that I didn't know and that I just do my best. =) So I should be getting an extra £66 in my next wage, at end of May.

I praise God that He helps give me the patience and kind heart to deal with the callers, especially the difficult ones.

This winning the prize should help encourage me to keep my time slow and my stats in shape. Praise God! I hope to continue to shine in my office and show I am different from others.