Unexpected support...

Well you know I withdraw from the world and lose myself on the computer...right?
I was on one of my worldwide blog crawls and was flicking from blog to blog... and then I arrived here and perspective came back and I'm back on track praying for help, letting Him hold me when my legs give way and refocusing on my priority right now :looking after the children!
Thank you Elysa!

So cross with myself!

I hardly have the most taxing daily schedule do I? So why when I think I'm starting to be more organised and plan in advance... I fall short everytime?
Today I enjoyed a lovely telephone chat with my mummy, finished the call feeling all nice and warm (as you do when you chat to your mum) to get that feeling dashed with the next phonecall from the surgery.... I missed my pre-booked appt (yet again), I failed them and can only book on the day from now on.
I understand their frustration at missed appt, but I've been sobbing here at my uselessness at remembering a simple thing such as an appt. I don't even want to ring up to make an on the day appt in the next few days... I'm so ashamed.... If anything was wrong with the blood tests... surely they'll contact me?!

Matthew's not been 100% and has had yet a couple more days at home... this afternoon he also had his follow up appt. All clear! We are still awaiting the dermatologist referral but his bloods came back AOK. So the general tiredness and lowered immunity,is just "him" a growing boy who's body is finding it tough keeping up with the growth spurts and changes. A relief that nothing is wrong but frustrating as there is no quick fix solution to get him back to his "old" self.

Stargazing

Monday nights sees us "Stargazing"...
Imagining new beginnings, new possibilities of outreach for the Church in Billinghay. Watching a short DVD from fresh expressions initiated discussion on the needs in the village and how can we break down the preconceptions of those fearful of commiting themselves to a church community? The Church is more than any four walls, more than any specific denomination... it is the people living their faith openly, enthusing others by their passion for Christ.... but how can we find new, fresh ways of of bringing a community together and in turn show them the unconditional love God has for us all...
Do YOU have any thoughts, ideas? Come along and tell us how the church can best satisfy YOUR needs....
The meetings are independent of each other so come to any one or all!

Venue: The Methodist Chapel (meeting room through church)
Time: 7pm - 8pm or thereabouts
Dates:Monday 26th November, Monday 3rd December, Monday 10th December

A hectic weekend...

An early start on Saturday morning saw us collecting David and heading off to Milton Keynes to vist Aunty Anne and Uncle Dick. We brought lunch... lovely brisket and spanish tomato beans (courtesy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks!)Gladly Anne had put some baked potatoes in as my mash went "weird". Ann also came up trumps with a decadent pear and chocolate pudding with rich sauce as well as an array of fairy cakes and a gorgeous lemon drizzle... We caught up with Phillip and Vicky and Tom who's as tall as his dad!(scary he's only 13!!!)
A lovely day was had,it's always so nice to meet up... but a long day for all especially David. A picnic tea in the car and everyone was home by 1900.
No rest for the wicked though! Chris and Asha came over to babysit whilst Su kindly was taxi and companion joining us for a "sing mission praise" evening at the Ruskington methodist chapel. Beautiful, songs, inspiring evening...
Sunday, David was too tired to come out again and the day was heavy on the schedule, family service followed by a quick lunch and then a practise session at Walcott church to prepare for next week's Christingle sevice. The children sang beautifully and are all looking forward to the service. No photos! Too busy!Apologies for the drone of text...

The first flurry....

Brief though it was, we did have snow!!! And the children were squealing with delight! Then they watched it turn to sleet and then rain before the sun came out for a brisk, bright , sunny Friday!

And at the end of the school day up we went to the Special Assembly as Joseph was receiving his silver badge on completion of his siver award certificate. (stars earned by exemplary behaviour and/or work)

12yrs happy....

Not a birthday in the household... but our wedding anniversary. Silk? well it hasn't been all smooth! but we persevere and continue to learn about each other, learn together and pray that our love and God's strength will help us through the many years to come...

A commitment promise, based on 1 Corinthians 13...

Because I love you,
And with God's help:

I will be patient and kind.
I will not be envious or try to "outdo"you.
I will consider you as better than myself.
I will not be arrogant or haughty towards you.
I will be respectful and considerate of you.
I will look out for your best interests.
I will not get easily offended.
I will always think the best about you.
I will be glad of your successes.
I will speak honestly and openly to you.
I will help you in your difficulties.
I will believe in you.
I will be encouragement and support to you.

Because that's what God's love is like.
And I want to be a channel for His love so that it can pour into your life, and fill every corner of your heart with His love and peace and joy and hope.
Now and always.

Amen.

A lovely family day, and to celebrate? After a quiet night in with a special meal by the open fire last night, this afternoon we took all the children to the cinema to watch "Ratatouille"! What a treat!!!

A friend for tea...

Third time lucky? Becky joined us from school for an afternoon of fun, den building with sofa cushions and playing monsters in the dark with Tom...introduced to the delights of eating BBQ spare ribs and fruit strudel she survived the ordeal unscathed ... A FIRST!!!!!
Tracey, here's a photo to prove she was OK before she went to YPF! ;)
look at those mucky BBQ sauce covered faces!!!!

Dressing up for Pudsey...

A day early as two of the classes will out on a trip tomorrow, the children had the option of dressing up as their heroes.... with alittle stretch of the imagination here we have... an unimpressed Jesus, an enthusiastic Olympian athlete, an eager Batman and a little Postman Pat (whose hat blew away in the story, so I didn't have to make one!!!!)

Going...

Going...

Going...

Going...

GONE!