The Pursuit of Wisdom

I’ve always loved words. The tools with which we build relationships. Collections of letters with power to harm or heal. Holy weapons of love in the Scriptures and on our lips if we so choose. I hoping the words that jumble together in these musings will somehow pave my way closer to God, and maybe help your journey too.

In case it helps you decided whether my word craft is worth your time here is a little about me; Sonya.

I was born in Loughborough, England in 1972. Two years and one house move later my brother was born in Knaphill. In 1977 we moved to Aylesbury and I stayed school at Bedgrove Primary, staying in Aylesbury for Aylesbury High school.

My parents followed the traditions of their families’ faith and got us baptised as babies. It was conversations with their vicar around the baptisms that brought them to faith. So I grew up going to Church, finding a faith of my own in 1994. All the decisions in my adult life have been shaped by my faith and following Jesus, even though I often struggle to keep up.

My journey has not been a glossy magazine version of the Christian good life.

I was rendered infertile by rape but have 4 children by adoption, Nick, Harry, Robert and Abbi. Abbi was stillborn in 2013, I never got to hold her. Harry died by suicide aged 23 in December 2021, I didn’t get to say goodbye. My husband, Phil, of 29 years and I are separated. I am no stranger to grief.

I always wanted to be a mum and am proud to call Nick and Robert my friends as well as my sons. I fell head over heels in love with Phil, and remain grateful for his sense of fun and our shared adventures. I am no stranger to joy.

I have lived in 24 homes in Loughborough, Knaphill, Aylesbury, Oxford, La Rochelle, Oxford (again), Guatemala City, San Jose, Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Liverpool, St Helens and Liverpool. I love Liverpool! I am no stranger to liminality and change.

I have worked as a papergirl, a sales assistant in a sports shop, a cleaner, an insurance administrator, a student (BA European Business Studies with French), a paper quality inspector (briefly), a barmaid (even briefer, I chatted too much and sold too few drinks), a car dealership admin assistant, a missionary, a youth worker, a foster carer, a teaching assistant, an urban outreach worker, a Diocesan life long learning administrator, a student (MA Theolgy) a vicar and now a full time mum to Robert whilst his chronic illness means he cannot attend school. I am no stranger to new challenges.

Don’t read this paragraph is you are squeamish… I have a rare condition called tortuous bowel. I had polycystic ovaries, fybroids, endometriosis and deformed fallopian tubes. In 2014 I broke and dislocated my ankle. There were multiple breaks, one of which remains as the surfaces didn’t bond. There’s some clever metal work keeping me mobile. I had a frightening episode of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in 2017 leading to a hysterectomy and oopherectomy in 2018. Following a series of very frightening anaphylactic episodes we discovered I’ve developed an allergy to ibuprofen and all the non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. I’ve had several episodes of gall stones. I am no stranger to pain.

Since I had to leave parish ministry in 2025 I’ve not had sermons and parish magazine to keep my words flowing. I’m hoping this blog will serve to replace the deadlines and congregation in order to motivate me to keep writing. I hope you enjoy it.