Tuesday 28th April 2009

Finished my work last night- huge relief. Just waiting to discuss it during supervision this week. I went to work this morning but came home just after lunch to go to the hairdressers.

I found out today that my probation period might be extended another month along with the other students. I really don't know how I feel about it as I have planned my time until the 26th May and want to get it over and done with. I was praying about it and my bible notes for today were really apt:

The Scripture, 'God planned good to come out of it,' means that no disaster, disease or delay can keep Him from turning it into something worthwhile. Understanding that God forgives your past, knows your present and has planned your future, lets you walk in the confidence that nothing can ever happen to you that is beyond the scope of His grace and redemption!


Harry had his first two exams today which he thinks he did ok in. Charlie seems tired today and Rosie full of energy after a day of sport.

Anyway must go and collect Rosie from her swimming lesson

Sunday 26th April 2009

The beautiful weather continues which I'm so enjoying. I have been spending a lot of time relaxing in my garden, perhaps too much to the detriment of my essay. Never mind. I have tomorrow to work hard.

The children are all fine and have had a good weekend with friends. We met up with friends for lunch today at the golf club which was very nice. We had a quiet night in last night whilst I worked on my essay.

Went swimming on Friday morning and managed a mile- was the first time I had been to the gym for ages. I felt great afterwards. Hopefully after next week's deadline I will be able to get back into it again.

Church today was amazing as usual- and very challenging. The worship was brilliant, and the sermon excellent. Paul talked about the changes again and also about faith and our finances. When we give our money to the church we are investing in God and not the bank and material worthless things which don't last. We are also to be cheerful givers, and also not to pretend to people that we give more than we do. Remember what happened to Ananias and Sapphira( Acts 5-11). All challenging stufff and extremely relevant in today's financial climate.

Well- I am sooo excited! I am going to a gospel concert next Monday with a friend from church who likes the same music as myself. I will be boogieing in the aisles and I know she will be too!


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Can't believe I'm actually going to see and hear Ce ce Winans, Kirk Franklin, Martha Munizzi, MaryMary and others.

So, I have something to really look forward to

Sunny Spring days continue

I am so thankful for this beautiful time of year. We have just had the most lovely weather over the last four days. I had forgotten how nice it is to feel the warm sun on my body. On Monday and Tuesday I set up my computer outside and worked in the garden surrounded by all my papers. Consequently my nose caught the sun quite badly where I had been looking at the computer screen.

The trees and flowers are beginning to wake up after the winter and it is great to see so much colour in my garden.

The children have had a good couple of days back at school with lots of sport and homework. I have started my 10,000 word essay and have done 1,500 so far! Not much, considering the first draft is due in on Monday. I am going to be busy over the next few days. I desperately need to go to the gym but not sure when I can as I have to take my car back to the garage tomorrow as the brakes are making an awful sound. Might be able to go on Friday morning after I have taken the children to school.

Faith, courage and wisdom

Faith, courage and wisdom is what I am hoping and praying for these coming weeks in everything I do, whether at home or at work. I have a demanding few weeks ahead of me in terms of supporting Graham with his work, the children with their exams and lots of school trips away, and my work which will culminate in the probation assessment.

I need more faith in God that change is good for me and that I can adapt to it with His help. I need more courage to show He is working in my life by the power of the Holy Spirit and to be 'different' by worldly standards. For example, not to have an extra glass of wine, not to join in with gossip and not to waste my time on facebook. I need more wisdom when making decisions that will affect how I spend my time and with whom I spend it with.

Church yesterday was excellent. Paul preached about the changes ahead of us as a church and that we are 'together on a mission.' I think it is going to be an exciting time ahead.

Graham returned after his golf trip looking very sunburned and like a panda where his sunglasses had been. We all thought it was very funny.

The children go back to school tomorrow- so today is the last day at home. Whilst I need to work I am trying to think of something fun to do with them. Rosie is going to play tennis in the village with a friend and Harry is happy to stay here as he had friend over on Saturday and then spent the day at another friend's yesterday. Charlie is still in bed- I'm letting him have his last lie in. He still needs to do some last minute homework today.

Change ahead

I'm struggling at the moment with the prospect of change and really do not want the devil to get a foothold in the situation. I am also aware that my walk with the Lord has been a little half hearted over the last couple of weeks. I am still praying and reading the bible daily but not with much enthusiasm.

The other day we received an email from church to say that as from the 28th June the afternoon service at our church will no longer be. The leaders feel that God is telling them to concentrate on one large Holy Spirit filled service in the morning. Whilst I fully support our leaders in all their decisions this has huge implications for us. The afternoon service started 4 or 5 years ago due to the growth of the morning service. We saw it as an opportunity for the children to pursue sporting activities that are held on Sundays such as football and rugby, as did about 15 other families. However, the afternoon service hasn't really grown with about 50-70 people attending each week with a core of 15 families including ourselves.

So, we are faced with several options. Either Charlie gives up rugby and Rosie her golf lesson ( the latter I'm not too bothered about)then we can all attend the morning service or for the rugby to continue and Harry, Rosie and myself attend church in the morning without Graham and Charlie for the duration of the rugby season.

There is another church locally which offers three services with one in the evening which Graham and Charlie could attend. However we really do not want to leave our church as we are very happy there. Harry is very settled playing his guitar in the band every week and he feels he is serving God this way which is great for a 13 year old boy. All the children love church and have lots of friends there. However we all need to attend as a family. Much prayer is needed and I pray that God will help us make the right decision.

Easter 2009

We've had a great Easter and a good break.

Firsty, my supervision went well which has spurred me on. I'm now quite looking forward to starting the actual research in a few months time.

Good Friday was spent at the open air service in town before driving to Center Parcs. We met up with our friends and had a good time. We spent our time eating and drinking and eating and drinking. I am totally Starbucked out and never want to see a skinny mocha with cream again!

I did have such a relaxing time though and it was good to spend time with our friends. The children enjoyed the pool the most with its chutes and slides. I managed to avoid it this year. We played badminton a couple of times and that was the most strenuous activity I did, apart from a spot of shopping.

So, back to reality and washing and ironing and cleaning. Have just returned from the garage. My car has failed its MOT badly and needs new lights, brake pads and other stuff. So I have to take it back tomorrow when the parts will be in stock. Never mind.

Started WW again today. Things are going well so far, although it is only 2pm. I really don't want to be a fatty during the summer months ahead.

Anyway, now off to the garden centre and then garage to look at a menopause mini!

Sunny Springtime

We've had some lovely weather just recently. The children have been outside for most of the time and have camped in the back garden for the last few nights. Harry had two friends over last night and I had to go outside at 12.30am to ask them to be quiet! Graham apparently slept through! We enjoyed a lovely walk through the village to the golf club on Friday evening and met up with some friends.

Yesterday Rosie came home after her sleepover party and we went into town. Graham took Charlie and a friend to the rugby match. We stayed in last night and Graham and I worked. I managed to write the introduction to my proposal and am now feeling slightly behind as I just have tomorrow to put it all together before I need to email it to my supervisors.

Church was brilliant this morning. My friend's 81 year old mother was baptised! What a brave lady. Praise God!

Camping in the garden

We've had a good few days. The children have been at home for much of the time. The weather has been great so they have been outdoors for most of it. Rosie and Harry have been playing tennis on the village tennis court. They put the tent up and have had friends round. Charlie did a good job in looking after the other two whilst I went to work for a couple of hours.

Three friends who I used to work with came round on Wednesday evening. It was so nice to see them and we had such a laugh. I concluded that I really don't miss health visiting but really do miss the fun and laughter I used to share with my colleagues.

Yesterday Charlie had a mate round and some younger friends from church came round who were home from university. It was great to spend time with them and both of them exude such energy and enthusiasm that I felt refreshed and energised myself after they had left!

I took Rosie and a friend and Harry to the cinema to see 'Marley and Me'yesterday evening. It is a great soppy film which made me shed a tear! However Harry was less impressed and kept saying ' He's only a dog!' The film is meant for the younger generation which is why Rosie has now seen it twice.

Back home after collecting pizzas from Pizza Hut Rosie and Harry camped out overnight! I thought they might be too cold but they wrapped up warm and had a great time.

Looking forward to the day ahead. Charlie is going into town to meet some friends, Harry is going to a friend's house and Rosie is going to a sleepover party with a photoshoot! She can't decide what to wear. Her friends are dressing up and are wearing dresses and skirts. As she is a tomboy and doesn't possess a dress she is finding it difficult. She intends to straighten her hair- shame as I love her beautiful curls.

It looks like I may have a few hours today to crack on with some work. I have so much to do over the next few days in preparation for next week's supervision. I really want to produce something worthwhile which my supervisors will be pleased with and intend to work hard over the next few days.

Graham is back today after a two day conference in Germany. He hasn't been away for ages and it has felt strange without him.