I went together with my aunt and cousin on a walk today along the Saone river, just on the outskirts of Lyon. It was beautiful as it was a crispy clear autumn day. But Im thinking that winter in Newcastle was only a little bit colder than autumn is here. I'm dreading what it will be like in only a few weeks time. I might have to start implementing the 'layers is the way forward' method that one of my friends keeps advising me to use.

I rang my parents for a chat afterwards, which was lovely, and then headed out to meet some friends before going to church. Together with Heidi I led worship for the prayer and worship service today. One guitar, no microphones or speakers, but everyone singing with passion. So simple, yet so powerful.

After a jam and talking to some people at the end of the service, I made my way home. On the train I was thinking and was reminded of what I had been told repetitively over the summer; to smile, just smile. I think often we forget to do just that. We worry too much about things not worth worrying about or get caught up over things that seem worse to us than they actually are. It doesn't matter. Just smile, and it makes everything seem so much better. So remembering this, with Matt Redman's new album playing through my earphones, I walked home.