A day in the life of...

Happy New Year

2012-01-17T15:31:00.003Z

Can't believe I haven't been on here since November. Life seems to be getting busier if that was ever possible and I just don't seem to find the time to write on here. We enjoyed a family Christmas and New Year with friends with a short trip to the mountains in between.

No resolutions for 2012 but I intend to do the following this year:

Grow closer to God by spending more time in the word and in prayer. I started a new Bible reading plan this year after following UCB's Bible in a year plan for the last decade or more. This one is a Historical approach which looks at the entirety of the Bible as it happened. Still in Genesis, but it is good and has made me appreciate how much actually happened in Genesis: Creation, the Fall, Noah, Lot, Abraham etc etc.

By walking closer with the Lord everything else will fall into place this year! That is what I'm expecting. If Jesus is by my side in everything that I do I will have a great year!

My draft thesis is being read by an academic within the Faculty at the moment so I am waiting for the feedback so I can progress. Another deadline for Friday which I haven't started yet. I really want to finish now and was disappointed that the jobs that I applied for before Christmas were non-existent! In the meantime I am working voluntarily one morning a week at the local Foodbank which I am really enjoying.

Graham and the children are well. Well, Graham will need a knee operation in a few weeks but hopefully it will sort out his cartilage/ligament damage. Charlie is waiting to hear from two more universities and is busy revising at the moment as he has his Maths A'Level this week. Harry is playing even more music and is practising for Rock night at school. He got a distinction in his Grade 8 guitar and now started some Jazz grades. Rosie is growing into a beautiful young lady and is busy with her friends and socialising. Quick update over and I must get to school to collect Rosie.

November

2011-11-23T15:46:00.002Z

Charlie's 18th birthday came and went very quickly. He went to Letton Hall with church on the Friday and then came back on Saturday to party and go clubbing with his school friends. We had a dramatic end to the week end due to Charlie developing an allergic reaction to something he ate and we ended up in A & E ! We were told it was due to something he had ingested within the hour so reckon it was the colouring in the BBQ sauce on his ribs! Very scary at the time but thankfully he was ok after Piriton.

Still amending my thesis and looking for part-time work. I have applied for a couple of part-time lecturing posts to start in January but haven't heard anything yet. Sure God has got something planned for me so I need to be patient.

Autumn half -term

2011-10-20T08:12:00.002+01:00

Half-term is here again. The children have two weeks off school. Rosie is in Germany this week on a hockey tour and is back tomorrow. I took Harry to visit my mum yesterday. An almost 400 miles round trip to spend 3 hours with her but it was worth it. It was a beautiful day and we went to Rivington and drove over Belmont. We saw for miles and could see Blackpool tower, the sea at Lytham from the top of Belmont, close to Winter Hill. The Autumnal colours looked stunning as a result of the sunshine-which is rare in that part of the country. My mum enjoyed her drive and we stopped off at Ikea in Birmingham on the way home and bought a few bits of tat. Much to our surprise Ikea have stopped selling Dime chocolate which was the sole purpose of the visit to the shop.

Back home a friend came round for the evening and we drove into town to drop Charlie off to go clubbing! I am in a whole new phase of parenting with Charlie as he has discovered clubs. He came in at 4am with a friend and they are both still asleep. He will be 18 in 3 weeks time and I am hoping that his new found freedom won't deter him from other more important things in his life right now.

We're all off to Interlaken for a few days at the week-end. Looking forward to spending precious family time together as I am very much aware that the children are growing up and Charlie will be at university this time next year.

Other highlights during the last couple of weeks include, Graham's parents coming over last Sunday for tea, two trips to Cambridge and a meal with friends at Browns and Harry playing in Evan Roger's band at church. We had a great multicultural celebration at church at the weekend with a huge party and dancing and singing . Apparently there are people from 28 different nations who are part of our church, which is amazing and worthy of celebration. Church is a reflection of our town's diverse population which it ought to be. The two services are going well with 191 people at the 9am service and 192 at the second on the first Sunday.

Working hard to fit my writing in with the family at the moment. A deadline approaches but I am extending it by a few days. My supervisors are fantastic and have been very supportive and encouraging. Not sure whether I'll finish in December now and just need to take it one day at a time.

Knuckling down

2011-10-04T16:15:00.002+01:00

I am determined to finish my PhD and am aiming to submit on 31st December this year. So in an attempt to be less distracted by the Internet whilst I am working I have de-activated my Facebook account. However I am now on Twitter and am hoping that this won't distract me either. We have had a heatwave here in the UK during the last few days which has been a lovely start to Autumn and makes the prospect of the predicted Arctic Winter more bearable. We headed over to Cambridge on Saturday ( just the two of us) which was great-we're still thinking about moving back once Rosie has finished her GCSEs, which will be in two year's time.

We are all well and enjoying some of the challenges in our lives at the moment!

New season

2011-09-14T11:23:00.003+01:00

The last month has flown by! The highlights include:
A fantastic holiday-the weather was stunning and we visited Italy and enjoyed 3 days on Lake Garda.

Children back at school. Rosie is settling well at her new school and has been picked for the hockey team which she is pleased about.

Two conference presentations for me. One at the University of Geneva and the other here at The O.U. Geneva is such a beautiful city and I managed to visit the reformation museum and learnt about Calvin's life and saw the house where he lived and the chapel where both himself and John Knox preached.

The new season is almost upon us with a distinct drop in the temperature and the nights are drawing in.

Lots happening at church and I am thankful to God for so many things, particularly that He never ever lets me down and is with me all the time in everything that I do.

2011-08-06T08:23:00.002+01:00

My boy is home! Thanking God for the safe return of Charlie and how He has protected him during his month travelling and doing community work throughout China and Hong Kong. He has so many stories to tell us and we stayed up late last night so he could show us his photos. What an amazing time he has had.

The other two are at Newday and are also having a fantastic time with over 7000 12-19 year olds. One of Harry's friends who he took with him became a Christian-praise God. They are back tomorrow lunchtime and then all my chicks will have returned to the nest for a short time anyway!

Graham and I went to Interlaken on our own for 3 days this week. We had a great time and did the big walk- I didn't ache as much afterwards this time probably as I had climbed Helvellyn 10 days earlier. Prior to that my mum came down for 5 days which went well. She can't communicate properly but she had a good time and managed the train journey well. We took her over to see Graham's parents too.

I had supervision yesterday to discuss my thesis and for the first time I was told that I could possibly submit it at the end of the year! I have so much to do though but will do my best to finish it asap.

Our family holiday approaches which may be our last one for a while as Charlie won't want to come away with us next year. Looking forward to being together before the new season for all of us- Charlie's final school year, Harry's GCSE year and Rosie starting a new school. Exciting times ahead though.

Mountains

2011-07-27T08:32:00.002+01:00

I've had a productive couple of weeks which has helped to take my mind off missing Charlie. 10 days to go until his return and I can't wait to see him. We are all really missing him.

I've completed a complete draft thesis which is a milestone for me even though it made me realise how much work I still have to do.

We are thinking of taking in a German boy for a year starting from next September and the family came to dinner last week as they were in the UK for a holiday. The boy is exactly the same age as Harry and everybody is keen that he comes to live with us for the year. We will just wait and see what Charlie's plans are before we decide.

I am aching so much after a climb up Helvellyn (the third highest mountain in England) on Saturday. I had a great time though. The weather and views were superb and spending time with three friends was lovely. It was the break I needed after the hard work of the previous couple of weeks. We were only away one night but it felt longer as we did such a lot during the time we were away.

The summit of my metaphorical PhD mountain is getting closer with another steep climb ahead before I reach the top! My funding runs out at the end of next month so I have applied for a very part-time lecturing post (6 hours per week) to start in October.

Looking forward to our holiday next month and a couple of days away on our own next week whilst the children are away at Newday.

Celebrating

2011-07-04T09:54:00.003+01:00

So much has been happening recently. Two birthdays, 20th wedding anniversary, Charlie preparing for his month's trip to China on Wednesday, big presentation to the faculty, Graham's mum in hospital but now home and children's last week at school with musical evenings and prize giving.

We enjoyed our wedding anniversary and went to Cambridge for the evening. We had dinner at the hotel where we had our wedding reception. It was so lovely to go back and we are still thinking we will return to live in Cambridge one day, if that's where God is leading us.

I'm feeling very churned up inside about Charlie going to China. Whilst it will be a once in a lifetime experience for him I will miss him so much. A full month without any contact. The longest time away from home has been 6 days so it will be hard. Just praying for God's protection.

It is Rosie's last week at her school and she will join the boy's school in September. More change ahead.

Harry did D of E last week and returned a bit worse for wear after doing about 15 mile hikes for two days.

Facebook

2011-06-10T07:08:00.000+01:00

Facebook

Tuesday, 8th June 2011

2011-06-08T17:46:00.002+01:00

A great couple of weeks have been had by all. Highlights include:

Short trip to Interlaken-bad weather but went swimming and walking and it was a time of relaxation. I read Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa, an amazing powerful novel about the life of a Palestinian woman and her family. The novel spans four generations and gives a profound insight into life in a Palestinian refugee camp and the atrocities of the Israeli-Palestinian war. It was written from a Palestinian perspective which I hadn't really considered before, when thinking about the Jews return to the promised land. It just made me want to read about the experiences of Palestinian Christians, so I am waiting for This Side of Peace by Hanan Ashrawi to arrive from Amazon.

Amazing times at church-a day drip to the beach with the twenties group, powerful and life-changing talks about how God worked through Nehemiah and God ministering to people during the Alpha Holy Spirit evening.

Rosie will be 13 on the 14th! My baby will be a teenager. Her party is on Saturday. 17 girls will be having a manicure here. It is also Graham's mum's 80th and we will be having a small party for her here the day before.

Next week-end three friends and myself will be going to Interlaken for the weekend to do part of the Alpine Way, from Schynige Platte to First. The walk will take 6 hours. Really looking forward to it. Last year we climbed Helvellyn and decided to go continental this year. However, next week will be busy as I have my next draft chapter deadline on Thursday. The following week I will be presenting at the HSC conference which I'm not looking forward to.

Charlie's exams have finished and he has been busy doing jobs for us around the house as he needs to earn some money to help fund his trip to China next month. Harry is in the middle of exams and is off school timetable this week. Rosie is winding down now until the end of term and end of an era on the 8th July.

It will be our 20th wedding anniversary on the 22nd!

Working from home

2011-05-25T13:33:00.002+01:00

I'm trying to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons of working from home. Whilst it is great that I can spend time in my own home and can combine work with the children and housework, I do miss my student colleagues. My home environment is more conducive to writing than the one at work but it is also one which leads to distraction. I also tend to accept too many coffee/lunch invitations. I recognise that I need to be more disciplined but putting it into practice is another matter. The cat getting stuck up a tree (again) whilst chasing a bird this morning didn't help! Thankfully Charlie is at home and so scaled the tree with a basket which the cat jumped into and then passed it down to me. Working on another draft findings chapter at the moment which is due in on Monday.

Charlie only has 3 more AS exams left, Harry has had a few end of year and an early gcse exam with more to follow after half term and Rosie's end of year exams are taking place all this week.

The weather is lovely but at the back of my mind I am concerned that we haven't had any rain for weeks now and the garden is looking very dry. The North of the country are having more than average rainfall whilst in the South there is talk of a drought!

A Monday in May

2011-05-16T12:44:00.002+01:00

When God pours out His blessing upon you, you'll begin to see three things. First, that your problems are just an opportunity for Him to '...show Himself strong on [your] behalf...' (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV). Second, that His '"...strength is made perfect in [your] weakness"...' (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV). Third, that you can reach a place where you actually begin to thank God for your enemies, because God 'prepares a table', and vindicates you right there in front of them (Psalm 23:5 NKJV).

Part of my Bible notes for today. So true.

Really struggling with bad Hay Fever. Don't think I've ever had it so bad but it feels like I've got a permanent cold. I have been taking cetrizine or loperamide but both make me drowsy ( even the non-drowsy ) and don't make much difference in terms of symptom relief. Now taking Beconase. I heard on the radio this morning that the Milton Keynes area was the worst in the country for Hay Fever sufferers at the moment as we haven't had any rain for weeks plus it is so windy at the moment. Anyway, little rant over with. Supervision tomorrow then back to writing another draft chapter. I won't finish at the end of September but hopefully by the end of the year. My funding runs out in September so will need to find a part time job then. Just have to think that God is in control and knows what is best for me.

Our new assistant leader preached for the first time yesterday. Wow-what a challenge for us individually and as a Church. We need to break-out of our comfort zones and stand up for what we believe in more. Not rocket science but basic principles which we should adhere to and stop being wishy-washy Christians in our environments.

Charlie is off school now for exam leave and Harry breaks up soon. Half-term in a couple of weeks and we are off to Interlaken for a few days.

2011-05-08T09:19:00.002+01:00

Loving the day already. Just about to go and get ready for church. The sun is shining and I'm enjoying the peace and quiet. Graham is away golfing in the Lakes with three friends, Charlie is in bed, Harry is camping in a field somewhere for a practice D of E and Rosie left early this morning to go to London for a friend's birthday party.

I drove 400 miles yesterday- a 350 round trip with Rosie to visit my mum and then we drove to Horwich and then to see my dad's tree and then to Frankie and Benny's for tea. We got back at 9pm. I'm glad I did it and whilst it's difficult trying to communicate with my mum I feel less guilty that I live so far away from her. She seemed well physically though.

Next week will be very busy. Two draft chapters in for Friday, Twenties on Tuesday, Prayer meeting on Wednesday and lots of the usual children's taxiing around. My car needs a major overhaul so will be in the garage all day on Tuesday.

We start prayer and fasting for a week, so Facebook and lunch will be replaced with prayer! That is my plan and with God's help I will do it. I know when we have prayed and fasted previously God has moved in our family and within the church!

Thankful Thursday

2011-05-05T12:07:00.004+01:00

I am thankful to God for many things at the moment:

Family-Graham and children and our health
Friends-I'm thankful that God always provides supportive friends especially at times when I need them.
The privilege of helping lead the Twenties group at church with Graham. We had 17 young adults in our growth group on Tuesday night and it was great. I'm so excited to see how God is going to help us all to grow and how He will transform us over the next few weeks. We're still running our Saturday group for the time being.
The opportunity to work from home and I'm praying that I won't get so easily distracted when I'm trying to write.

Another deadline approaches and I need to get my act together and start working hard. It has been difficult to write anything half decent during the last few weeks with the children being off school. Normally I can work when the children are here, with fights, arguments and laughter surrounding me alongside the general background noise that three children plus their friends make but since Harry has upped his band practices the noise from electric guitars has caused my brain to cease functioning I think!

I took my car to the garage this morning to sort out the air conditioning (which they couldn't fix and I have to return it next week)and as I was walking to collect my car I took the above picture of the lovely countryside.

Good Friday 2011

2011-04-22T07:50:00.002+01:00

I was up early this morning. I love this early morning solitude whilst everybody sleeps. I relish this short amount of peaceful time on my own when I read my bible and listen to the sounds from outside which are birds chirping away at the moment. The sun is peeking through the trees and it looks like it's going to be another beautiful day.

Good Friday today- what's good about a day that commemorates the brutal murder of God's son?

''He is broken, beaten, bloody. Pilate's soldiers are hitting him, making fun of him. They give him a crown of sharp, twisted thorns.''

I thank you Jesus for that brutal death on a cross because it has changed my eternal destiny! That is what is 'good' about today.

We have a busy weekend ahead. Church service this morning then an Easter witness service in the town centre at lunchtime. We are then driving to Cambridge to see some friends for a BBQ. Tomorrow we are having two families round for dinner and then on Sunday Graham's parents are coming over for lunch.

I've had a great few days this week and in between working a friend who was visiting from Australia came to stay and we went to Cambridge for the day which was really enjoyable. The weather has been stunning-it's like the middle of summer here.

Our new church leader has arrived from South Africa and will be preaching on Easter Sunday for the first time- really looking forward to that.

Easter holidays

2011-04-15T09:20:00.003+01:00

We had a few days in sunny Interlaken over the week-end. It was so hot and the weather was like how it is during August. We were going to go sledging but went walking and swimming instead. The snowline was retreating higher up the mountains so we decided to give it a miss. We climbed Harder Kulm which took two hours and then two hours down again. Rosie brought a friend with us and I was worried as she had never climbed a mountain before, but she was fine. The short break did me good and I started back working straight away and finished my second draft chapter yesterday.

I'm so enjoying the lazy mornings when I can stay in my pjs without school runs to contend with. Looking forward to seeing an old friend next week who I lived with in Switzerland. She is over here from Australia for a holiday and I spoke to her the other day. We are planning to meet in Cambridge next week as she will be staying with her sister who lives in Norfolk.

30th March 2011

2011-03-30T10:31:00.002+01:00

Another month which has whizzed by. It has been a challenging last few days:

Leaking bathroom- if we stood in the kitchen we could shower due to the leak from the bathroom above which is coming through the light sockets! So I managed to find a great handyman via a friend who has re-grouted and re-tiled most of the bathroom. He has also re-sealed and whitened the grout in our bathroom.

Broken laptop- I knocked my cup-a-soup over my laptop on Monday! It immediately stopped working. Thankfully I had just backed up my work. I have also managed to install NVivo on Harry's laptop and have copied my project onto that. So I can still work whilst a friend is going to try and retrieve the data from my old laptop. A lesson learnt.

Crisis with my mother- My mum's mental health is deteriorating and she allowed some dodgy guys to do some work on her roof. However, when they were demanding £600 from her a lady who was driving by recognised the roofers ( who had done the same to her ) and she dialled 999. The police arrived within minutes and did a great job. Apparently these guys were well known to them. My poor mum is obviously very shaken up about this. So I drove an almost 400 mile round trip on Sunday to go and see her. We had a nice day and I took her to my dad's tree and then we went out for something to eat. She is so confused though and can't remember much at all. It is a worry and she won't move in with us.

Working on a second draft chapter this week and just about to have a brief interlude to meet a friend who is coming over from Cambridge. I'm planning on taking her to the John Bunyan museum and then out for lunch.

Looking forward to a night in tonight. Monday we had book group and last night was Alpha which was excellent.

Everything/Love Came Down

2011-03-23T20:15:00.000Z

Spring is here

2011-03-23T19:52:00.002Z

What a fab sunny day it has been. Recovering from a chest infection so haven't done much work at all this week. I'm feeling much better now that the antibiotics have kicked in so back to it tomorrow. The cold virus thing that both Graham and I had over a month ago unfortunately got the better of me despite prayer, echinacea, acai powder and vit c and zinc supplements every day! However, I'm sure I would have been a lot worse without the above as I feel ok really.

We had a busy week last week and ate out several times. Alpha is being held at an Indian restaurant which is great. I am accompanying someone who I used to work with who started coming to church a few weeks ago. It was a friend's birthday so the four of us enjoyed a lovely steak meal at Box End. Friday night we had friend's round and Saturday night we out to friends' dinner. Sunday, after church was spent watching Harry and band busk.

On Saturday several of us visited the Charles Rennie Mackintosh museum in Northampton which was a real treat. The museum is a reconstructed house which he had designed during the 1st World War. Mackintosh started the Art Nouveau Arts and Crafts movement which is evident throughout the house he designed for his friends.It was fascinating to see how each room had been designed and I was very surprised to see how the decor would not look out of place today.

Decision time in our house as Rosie needs to decide by Friday which school to go to. She may join her brothers or opt to stay with her friends and go to the newly-merged school from September. She has got friends at the other school. We continue to pray for wisdom in this.

Can't stop singing the Tim Hughes song Everything at the moment which is a constant reminder that God is in the everything of my life. Whether it is writing my thesis, doing the washing, spending time together as a family, eating and sleeping, He is there with me. I briefly sat outside today and for the first time this year I felt warm sun on my face. I am so thankful for the seasons.

Indoors but wanting to be outdoors!

2011-03-07T14:31:00.002Z

I have been sat at the table working all day today. I haven't even been to the gym and came straight home after the school run, did a spot of tidying up and then started work. However I wish my writing had progressed as quickly as the day has! I've written a chapter plan and the introduction but that is all and it is 2.30pm and the children will be back home in less than two hours. So I thought I would have a quick break ( another one) and write a few words on here in the attempt to inspire my writing skills.

It has been a beautiful day all day. I'm looking out onto my garden and watching the birds who are watching the cat! There isn't a cloud in the sky and I so long to be outside walking across the fields and getting some fresh air. Never mind.

We've had a relatively quiet weekend although spent most of it ferrying the children to various parties and sleepovers. It was Harry's birthday on Thursday and we enjoyed a Chinese take away. He went to a party on Saturday. Charlie went to two parties on Saturday. I didn't sleep much as I was anxious about his whereabouts as he was staying at a friend's overnight and hadn't texted to say he arrived there after the second party. I know he is 17 and hopefully knows the boundaries where alcohol is involved and I know I should trust God but I woke up at 4am and didn't get back to sleep until 5.30am and most of the time praying for him! At church yesterday a friend whose son was with him at the same two parties said she also awoke at 4am feeling anxious and prayed. Anyway they both arrived at church, looking very tired nevertheless, but they were there.

Well my short break is over. Back to work

Spring is around the corner

2011-03-01T10:44:00.003Z

Despite the cold weather we are having at the moment Spring is around the corner. The mornings are most definitely lighter as are the evenings and shrubs and flowers are growing and budding in the garden.

We had a good break although Graham and I were both ill with coughs an colds. We just couldn't rest as we had to be up early to sledge and ski every day. We walked miles every day. I'm sure the mountain air benefited us though.

The flat is looking more homely now with the addition of another sofa and a coffee table. The views from the lounge of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau are magnificent and we feel really blessed to not only have a place to stay but one with an amazing outlook. It is beyond my wildest dreams that we would ever have a home in the Bernese Oberland after spending the last twenty odd years in a tent on a campsite!

Back home and back to another chapter deadline for next Friday. If I can write 1000 words a day until then I will manage it, although I'm finding it difficult to motivate myself at the moment. Charlie has been on exam leave for the last two days as he has has mock AS levels so I am trying to motivate him to do some revision. It is Harry's birthday on Thursday and we'll go out for a family meal in the evening. He has a party to go to at the week-end and his recording studio session is at the end of the month where the band are going to cut their first disc! Rosie is busy planning her week-end as usual with friends and a sleepover will be involved no doubt.

Looking forward to my Freedom in Christ course tonight.

Almost half-term

2011-02-17T11:39:00.002Z

I'm full of cold as is Graham who unlike him, spent most of the day in bed yesterday. Hoping that the Swiss air will blow away our germs next week.

Trying to write two abstracts, one a short one then the other 2,500 words, both for conferences in September. I'm also thinking about another chapter which I will write when I get back from holiday. This one is about how the caregivers in my project coped with their multiple care-giving roles.

About to stop for a break- a friend is coming round and we are going to go for a walk across the fields. The weather is brightening up a bit which is good.

I have had a strange week though. On Monday I received an email from somebody who I lived in Switzerland with 25 years ago. I haven't seen her since 1988 and she now lives in Australia. We established contact recently via Facebook. Well she emailed to say she wants to meet up in April when she comes back to the UK for a couple of weeks and also to impart some sad news which I have thought of little else this week. A mutual friend who also went to nurse in Switzerland at the time died from oesophageal cancer several years ago and she had only just found out. Of course, whenever I hear good or bad news about people from my past who I haven't been in touch with for years I start to ponder about the past and perhaps think too much about it. Whilst Facebook is a positive medium for reconnecting with people, I do think that God places people in our lives for seasons only and when we move on from various situations we also move on from certain people, leaving the relationship behind. What a tragedy that a forty year old mother died from cancer and it is so clear in my mind, memories of her vivacious and zest for life personality and of the fun times we had together as young nurses in a foreign country. Those memories are etched in my mind, and yet, we lost touch when I moved back to the UK and I didn't know of her suffering, firstly from rheumatoid arthritis and then cancer which ultimately claimed her life.

As a result of this I emailed her husband and received a lovely response from him. He wants to meet up and I have suggested that when the friend from Australia visits we will meet then. Although it is far too late to reclaim the lost years and friendships I think that meeting up with both of them will help me to make more sense of my friends' lives during the last 20 years. Whether we will keep in touch after that, only God knows.

Glimpses of Spring

2011-02-09T10:01:00.002Z

Longer days are on their way-yippee! Not that I'm wishing the seasons away but the more noticeable they are to me the older I become. The daffodils are appearing through the earth as are other Spring flowers.

Started Freedom in Christ last night- a 9 week course. The first one was fab and what an affirmation to read out God's promises aloud:

I Am Significant
I am no longer worthless, inadequate, helpless or hopeless. In Christ I am
deeply significant and special. God says:

Matthew 5:13,14 I am the salt of the earth and the light
of the world.

John 15:1,5 I am a branch of the true vine, Jesus,
a channel of His life.

John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed by
God to bear fruit.

Acts 1:8 I am a personal, Spirit-empowered
witness of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:16 I am a temple of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.

2 Corinthians 6:1 I am God’s fellow worker.

Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly
realms.

Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship, created for
good works.

Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and
confidence.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me!
I Am Secure

I am no longer guilty, unprotected, alone or abandoned. In Christ I am
totally secure. God says:

Romans 8:1,2 I am free forever from condemnation.

Romans 8:28 I am assured that all things work
together for good.

Romans 8:31-34 I am free from any condemning
charges against me.

Romans 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from the love of God.

2 Corinthians 1:21,22 I have been established, anointed and
sealed by God.

Philippians 1:6 I am confident that the good work God
has begun in me will be perfected.

Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.

Colossians 3:3 I am hidden with Christ in God.

2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear,
but of power, love and a sound mind.

Hebrews 4:16 I can find grace and mercy to help in
time of need.

1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one
cannot touch me.
I Am Accepted
I am no longer rejected, unloved or dirty. In Christ I am completely
accepted. God says:

John 1:12 I am God’s child.

John 15:15 I am Christ’s friend.

Romans 5:1 I have been justified.

1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord and I am one
spirit with Him.

1 Corinthians 6:19,20 I have been bought with a price.
I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s Body.

Ephesians 1:1 I am a saint, a holy one.

Ephesians 1:5 I have been adopted as God’s child.

Ephesians 2:18 I have direct access to God through
the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:14 I have been redeemed and forgiven for
all my sins.

Colossians 2:10 I am complete in Christ.

These are now pinned on my noticeboard.

At home today being productive. Doing some work but trying to have a short break as I have had a few late nights writing a draft chapter. So today I have done lots of housework including cleaning out the fridge freezer, mopping the floor and tidying up. Anyway, I met my deadline and am now thinking about the next one. I have two conference abstracts to prepare before next week.

Organising Harry's birthday party. Taking the band to a recording studio so they can cut their first disc! Very exciting. The band have a gig this Friday which we are looking forward to. Lots happening on Friday- Rosie finds out if she has got a place at the boys' school and also has a school disco to attend with her 'boyfriend.' Charlie has had 2 driving lessons and is already commenting on my driving habits- trying not to let it wind me up!

A quiet week-end ahead for us planned after Graham was away last week-end. Starting to think about half-term.

2nd February 2011

2011-02-02T14:10:00.003Z

Feeling tired but refreshed after a girly week-end away. The weather was stunning and it was good to get lots of fresh air and exercise walking and sledging in the mountains. Now back to work. I envisage a long few days ahead- deadline 6 days

Knuckling down

2011-01-25T10:04:00.003Z

I feel I am rewarding myself this week-end with a week-end away with a friend. We are going to Interlaken and plan on hitting the slopes on our sledges!! Looking forward to the break but apprehensive about being away from the family for 3 nights.

I'm writing bits each day and am still analysing my data. It is a slow process with slow progress and I can't do it in my own strength, only with God's help.

My dad died four years ago today. Not sure where the time has gone.

Happy New Year

2011-01-08T08:25:00.002Z

Another year begins and it is exciting to wonder what God has in store for us as a family. No new year resolutions but my goals for the year include getting fit and healthy, to stop wasting my time on facebook and the internet when I should be working, to be focused and try to complete my PhD by the end of the year.

New Year was spent in Interlaken and we sledged along the lower slopes of the Eiger on New Year's Eve. The weather was stunning and watching the sun disappear over the Wetterhorn and the lights slowly appear in the Grindelwald valley as it turned into dusk was amazing. We arrived back at the flat about 6pm and after tea we headed into the town centre. Not convinced about the local New Year's Eve customs where lines of men carry large cow bells and march through the town centre ringing them. It was scary. We went back to the flat and saw New Year in as a family listening to World Service on the radio!

We have now been back at work and school for a few days and routine has been quickly established which is good. I took the tree and decorations down on the 2nd Jan and cleaned the house which I found very cathartic. Think I'm turning into a grumpy old woman as I dislike more and more each year the commercialisation and marketing which is associated with Christmas- and not the the true meaning. Christmas is not about giving presents. It is about Jesus Christ, end of!

Almost Christmas

2010-12-22T09:55:00.002Z

Another year has whizzed by. I thank God for 2010 which has been an amazing year for our famiy. Highlights include:
Growth of our Saturday morning group
Growing in God, individually and as a family and the church
Charlie's Baptism
Good health
Friendships
Holidays
Graham's job and opportunities
My continuation with PhD
Charlie's gcse results
Harry's music and band
Rosie!
Our 'heaven on earth' bolthole in Interlaken

Psalm 7:17
I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 107:1

107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Happy Christmas everybody.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon [1] his shoulder,
and his name shall be called [2]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Cold snap

2010-12-06T09:37:00.002Z

The temperature hasn't been much above freezing for the last week. We've had lots of snow which seems to disrupt the transport system in the UK. I had to go to London for two days last week which was an endurance test in itself before I even started to tackle the NVivo 9 training course.

Graham and I are being challenged at the moment by our forgetful children. All three seem to be losing and forgetting things most days. Here are some of the things which have been lost this last week:
Charlie's testimony just before we set out to church!
One of Rosie's brand new school shoes which fell out of her bag on a games field
£10 worth of guitar picks which were left in an envelope
Harry's busking money was left on a cafe table yesterday in Cambridge. Happy ending though as somebody had handed it in and a friend of mine will collect it this week for him
Two school coats- both found
Harry's mobile phone- not found
Games kit left at home twice last week and once today ( Rosie)
Usual stuff like house keys, phones, school books which happen most days anyway!

We are thankful though for what God is doing in our lives at the moment. Charlie's baptism was amazing.. Harry and another person prayed for someone who had injured his arm and God took the swelling away! God has been teaching me about perseverance and remaining faithful to Him despite circumstances.

We've had a great week-end visiting friends on Friday night, rugby for Graham and Charlie on Sat, Romeo and Juliet theatre trip for Harry and friends round for Rosie and a bit of peace and quiet for me. Yesterday after church we went to Cambridge and Harry and two friends played Christmas carols and we met up with some friends.

19th November 2010

2010-11-19T12:09:00.002Z

My eldest baby is 17 years old today!!! Really can't believe it. We are buying him driving lessons for his birthday. Driving is another hurdle I'll have to overcome as a mother. The challenges of parenting are changing all the time with each child and I pray for wisdom and guidance for both Graham and myself with all our decisions we have to make.

Anyway, Charlie and Harry are off to Norfolk with church for the week-end. It will seem strange not spending the evening with Charlie on his birthday but we will celebrate on Sunday when he gets back. Rosie is going to a friend's for a sleepover on Saturday, so we will be childless for the evening! We are to going to Cambridge for a meal and then are meeting up with friends later on.

Charlie is getting baptised next Sunday! Praise God. Both Graham's mum and dad and my mum are coming to the service, and possibly my brother and family. We are so proud of him making this decision.

12th November 2010

2010-11-12T07:18:00.002Z

Can't believe that I haven't blogged for a whole month. We've had a break in Interlaken for four days which was a great opportunity to recharge our batteries and spend some time together as a family.

Life continues to be busy but fulfilling. Church is amazing and God is moving in our lives. Charlie is getting baptised in a couple of weeks, a week after after his 17th birthday.

My work continues steadily. I have finished data collection and am swimming in a sea of data.

Our flat will be ours on the 17th December- just got to pay for it! Cut backs in force big time to cope with the second mortgage. Looking forward to going out there during the Christmas holidays. Graham will fly out on the 17th for the handover.

Christmas is just around the corner. Winter too. Very windy here. We had winds up to 70mph last night.

15th October 2010

2010-10-15T10:08:00.002+01:00

Half term already. The children break-up today for two weeks which is great. My mum is coming down on Sunday for a couple of days which will be nice as we haven't seen her for sometime.

Feeling challenged in several areas of my life at the moment and also excited about the prospect of a new leader joining the church. God is definitely in control. So pleased to read about the faith of some of the Chilean miners. God was evident throughout the whole process of their release and I just pray that the whole world will see what He has done and that He will get the glory.

Off to Interlaken for 4 days next week which will be a good time for us all to re-charge our batteries and to view the flat.

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-30T09:31:00.003+01:00

Can't believe that three quarters of 2010 has passed. Time flies by. Tomorrow will be the first day of my (hopefully) final year as a PhD student.

It is a beautiful day today and I'm sat in my usual position, in the conservatory overlooking the garden. The sun is shining and I want to sit outside. But I can't. I have so much work to do and the deadline approaches. I will be working for a lot of the week end too. Apart from work we are going to Cambridge on Saturday to see some friends which I'm looking forward to.

Today I'm thankful that God never leaves me and is by my side in everything that I do. I'm thankful for my church and for the ladies event tonight. I'm thankful for Graham and the children of course and my health and for my many interests. I'm thankful for the apartment opportunity in Interlaken and pray we can use it for God's glory. I'm thankful and appreciative that life is good, very good and it is only by God's grace that it is.

Autumn

2010-09-22T11:10:00.002+01:00

I'm sat writing this in the garden. It is lovely and sunny and hearing the birds singing in the trees the weather is almost Spring-like instead of Autumnal. It was the first day of Autumn yesterday and I'm noticing the shorter days already. As I spend so much time in the car from 4pm onwards transporting the children to various activities the darker evenings are very apparent. A new season is definitely here in more ways than one in my life.

Almost finished interviewing my participants and am preparing for 3 months of intensive data analysis which will take me up until the end of December.

Our Saturday morning church group has started back with the possibility of 4 more people joining us. Praise God.

We are almost the owners of a Swiss apartment and Graham flew out there on Monday to sign the contract. We plan to visit Interlaken for a few days during half-term so we can decide what furniture we need before we take ownership of it on the 1st Jan. Interlaken is our piece of heaven on earth and has been for over the last 20 years. We plan on sharing this piece of heaven with family and friends once it is furnished.

The children are busy with their new seasons too. Charlie is enjoying the sixth form and is working so hard. Harry has started his GCSE coursework and continues to songwrite and play his guitar. Rosie is back in the routine of hockey, swimming, lacrosse, badminton, church groups and being full-on with everything she does. There seems to be party after party and friends here there and everywhere. We had to make some decisions during the week about the HPV vaccine which I'd gaily signed the consent form about without putting much thought in it. However, the day before she was due to have it I just kept thinking she was too young at the age of twelve to have it and after researching the incidence and risk factors of cervical cancer and taking into consideration that I would hope Rosie will have regular smear tests and won't be sexually active for a long time yet we decided to postpone it. I sometimes feel that financial health service targets coupled with the invested interest of drug companies pressurise us parents to subject our children's immune systems to drugs that have not been around for long enough to guarantee their safety 100%.

Well, we were in the minority with our thinking as the majority of her year had the immunisation. However there were a few girls who didn't. As it turned out Rosie was unwell with a cold and cough that day and although she didn't have a temperature I wouldn't have felt happy with her having an immunisation that day. She is still unwell but has gone to school.

God and church continue to be my raison d'etre and on Sunday 5 people were baptised and a couple of healings were also witnessed! The Alpha course was launched last night with an Alpha Grill where we ate a bbq followed by a questions and answer session where 4 Christians were 'grilled'. It was an excellent and innovative way to launch the course.

Looking forward to the week-end already and a quiet one is planned after a hectic one last week where we had a dinner party followed by attending Rosie's friend's baptismal lunch after church which was really lovely and such an honour for us to be invited. Family XFactor night on Saturday followed by roast dinner on Sunday are the only things that are planned.

Prayer and fasting

2010-09-10T16:54:00.004+01:00

Almost at the end of a week of prayer and fasting. As a church we are doing this in anticipation that God will become closer to us, change us as we seek to get closer to Him. It hasn't been easy and most of the time I've found it difficult to remember to pray, read my bible etc in place of the things I'm fasting from. For example, I haven't been on Facebook at all and I'm not eating junk food. I know I have lost weight which is a good thing and I know that too much Facebook is not good for me, and perhaps God is telling me not to go on it all, as it is just wasting time.

There have been extra praise and worship times at church during the week, including a 6am prayer meeting which Graham went to before work. We will go to the 8am service in the morning. All this is making me think that this is how we should be living our lives at all times.

Looking forward to the week end with the village show on Sunday. Harry and his band are playing which is great. Rosie has a hockey match tomorrow at Graham's old school and Charlie is starting to help out at youth club tonight. But most of all I'm looking forward to a Saturday night in as we haven't one for absolutely ages. Staying in is definitely the new going out for me! Perhaps I'm just getting old.

I've had a busy week work wise and will have interviewed 6 people by the end of tonight! I now have 19 participants which means I'm running to schedule. If I write about 500 words a day for the next couple of weeks I'll be on target to finish a piece of work before the end of the month.

Our flat in Interlaken looks set to go ahead which is so exciting. We have paid the deposit and have secured the mortgage at a very low rate of interest. Graham flies out next week to meet the notary and a completion date has been set for the 4th Jan. Ikea here I come, but won't be able to rent it out for a while.

Shuttleworth 10

2010-08-31T07:37:00.002+01:00

We returned from a camping trip to Shuttleworth yesterday. 2000 people from the Eastern region of New Frontiers churches gathered together to worship God and listen to David Stroud and Steve Tibbert preach about where we are in God's story of time and how to live out our faith courageously. The worship was wonderful with all songs being my favourites! What I have brought away from the week end will be hopefully character building and changing. God met with me in a deep way this week-end and I just so loved spending time in His presence.

The camping experience was one of endurance due to the weather conditions. It was so cold and rainy. However, spending time with my church family made up for it and we managed to have two bring and share teas where about 50 of us congregated in a marquee in the middle of our allocated pitch. The children thought it was wonderful and all said it was the best one they had been to out of the last three years.

Typically that we are back home and the weather is glorious today with bright sunshine and a blue sky. Definitely got that end of summer feel to it though with dew on the grass and a slight chill. Today is Charlie's last day of the summer holidays before he starts sixth form tomorrow. My baby looks so smart in his business suit! We are immensely proud of him achieving mostly a stars in his gcses. It is such an achievement for him and he wouldn't have reached his potential without God and with all his growth group and leader praying for him, as they did for all the boys in the group everyday during the exam period.

Rosie has lacrosse training for two days and then back to school. I need to take Harry to town today to buy him school shoes. I know I have left it a bit late in buying school shoes so hope we find some for him. He also wants to read The Hobbit and I plan on a trip to Waterstones as we can't find our copy.

I have a busy week ahead of me work wise with 3 or 4 interviews lined up plus I need to start thinking about a piece of work I need to send off to my supervisors before the end of September.

The apartment in Switzerland looks set to go ahead. We have paid a deposit and Graham needs to fly out to Interlaken the week after next to sign the contract. Not sure when it will be ours, but hope we can visit it in October half term to decide what furniture it will need. Don't think we will be able to rent it out for awhile but plan on letting family and friends use it.

Anyway must go and start the day

Back in Bloggyland!

2010-08-17T07:39:00.002+01:00

So much has happened during my month away from Bloggyland that I don't know where to start. So, in summary, I am thanking God for the following during Summer 2010:

1. Our wonderful two week holiday in Switzerland. It is like returning home each time we go. We have been to the same place for the last 22 years. We are thinking of buying a very small apartment in Interlaken as we know we will continue to visit this beautiful area to walk in the glorious mountains twice or more a year. The first few days were strange without Charlie- I felt bereft at times! He had an amazing time in Rome and did so much during the 5 days he was there. Graham and Harry went to meet him, but his flight was delayed by 51/2 hours so they missed the last train back to Interlaken and had to stay in Basel overnight! Highlights of the first week's holiday included a boat trip on Lake Thun, Trotti-biking down the Niederhorn and walking up Harder Kulm. A family from church were staying on the same campsite for a few days so we had several enjoyable evenings with them, playing games, bbq-ing marshmallows, and eating chocolate fondues. The second week was spent in Grindelwald at Hotel Bodmi, in an apartment at the very top of the hotel. The weather wasn't brilliant, but we still had a good time and did the usual walks, including the 6 hour hike from Kleine Sheidegg to First which was amazing. We swam most days and played several games of tension-filled Monopoly with Rosie reigning as our new family champion. So, Graham is flying out on Saturday to meet the estate agent and view the property. We are praying for wisdom and guidance in making the right decision here as we will have to borrow the money. Hopefully, we'll be able to rent it out during the skiing season and times when we know we won't use it. We would be able to go for week-ends as flights are inexpensive, and we will drive for longer trips.

2. All the children have been with 7,000 other 12-18 year olds at Newday for the last 5 days. It is the first time ever that Graham and I have been without all the children for a period of time. It has been so strange and I have missed them so much. They return today at 1pm and I can't wait to see them. Both Rosie and Harry took friends from school and we have been praying that God will have met with them in a life-changing and tangible way. So, during this time away from my taxi-driving job, I have a relatively clean house, I have blitzed the boys' rooms and have taken 4 bin bags of clothes to charity, I have worked on my project, Graham and I have been out for a couple of nice meals. On Saturday evening we drove to Cambridge and went to Browns and had such a nice meal. We were going to go away walking in the Dales for the week-end which leads me on to the next point.

3. A lesson learned from God about trusting Him, and not avoiding his promptings, which thankfully we didn't. We kept putting off booking our week-end away and in the end I just ran out of time as we were too busy organising Charlie's trip with his friend and our own holiday. On holiday we had a text message from Graham's mum to say that she had a date for her hip replacement op which was last week-end. So we knew that was the reason why we hadn't booked anywhere. We have been able to take Beryl to the hospital, visit everyday and take Graham's dad to see her and look after him too. He is 86, walks unsteadily with a stick and we have been able to discourage him from driving so far. I will set off after I've written this to bring her home. The operation has been successful and she is recovering well. I feel I am really living my project at the moment and will have to see how they get on during the next few weeks as it will be difficult for me to drive over every day when we are back at school and the routine of a new term. They live 30 minutes away, and I'm just praying that Beryl will be ready to go home when I get to the hospital so I will be back in time to collect the children!

3. I am so thankful for changes, the new season which is ahead of us, a new term for the children, a new stage in Charlie's life with sixth form. I had supervision yesterday and in order for me to complete this PhD in three years, I am going to have major deadlines each month and will be extremely busy during the next year. Less coffee and lunch time with friends I think. But with God's help, I will do it. We did talk about me having some time off ( suspension) if Graham's parents need more help, so we will see.

4. I am thankful that we have a new baby nephew and cousin for the children in the family. Baby Henry was born 2 days ago to my sister-in-law and brother and is doing well.

Summertime

2010-07-19T07:20:00.002+01:00

Counting down the days now until our holidays. So looking forward to it! Feeling quite excited as we've decided to drive across Europe through the night which we haven't done since before the children were born.

Feeling apprehensive about Charlie having five days in Rome with a friend and his family and then flying on his own to Basle where we will meet him. I'm just praying that God will protect him. I know this is a sign of things to come the older he gets and it won't be too long before he flies the nest.

I have three interviews to do this week as well as fitting in a busking trip to Cambridge with Harry and his band.

Rosie went to Dorset with a friend this weekend and I drove to meet her in Newbury yesterday. I was so pleased to see her. She had a great time and had been swimming in the sea and out on a pedalo.

My car has been repaired after it rolled down the drive and crashed into the wall as I hadn't put the handbrake on properly! We walked to the garage in Kempston to collect it on Saturday morning. The walk was lovely through the village and along the river. In the afternoon we met some of our home group at the river festival. We found a lovely 'afternoon tea' tent and stayed there for the afternoon drinking tea and eating scones away from the hustle and bustle of the festival- think I'm getting old but there were thousands of people there and we couldn't move and had to queue to cross the bridges!

Holidays

2010-07-13T08:13:00.002+01:00

I've had such a busy week work wise, but have achieved a lot and am now thinking about our holiday in a couple of weeks, whoop, whoop!

I presented a poster at the BSG last week and presented a paper at the International Carers Conference at the week end. I was so nervous beforehand, but God took my fear away! Lots of people were praying for me and I could sense that God was with me throughout the weekend.

So, my second year as PhD student is almost over and I am ready for a holiday before I start my final year. The children have broken up from school. As I write this I'm looking out onto our garden with four children asleep in two tents. Both Harry and Rosie had friends over yesterday and they decided to camp out. Tonight Harry has his first gig with his band Sel Zout at a local nightclub. It is a school competition. Charlie is half-way through his work experience which he is enjoying.

I have two people coming to house/Lily sit when we're away which is great. I really didn't want to put her in a cattery for two weeks.

So, life is very good. I have so much to thank God for, including the much needed holiday where we can re-charge our batteries and have some quality family time together.

Hot hot hot!

2010-06-30T18:24:00.002+01:00

This weather is amazing! It has been wall-to-wall sunshine for almost a week now. It was my birthday on Sunday and I felt really blessed by my family and friends. We were going to go out but stayed in and chilled in the garden. Both Graham and I felt a bit out of sorts during the week end so took the time to re-charge our batteries.

Busy couple of weeks ahead with a poster presentation a week today and a paper one a week on Sunday. I'm trying to work but it's too hot to concentrate.

Rosie's party

2010-06-22T08:45:00.003+01:00

Rosie had a great party. God answered two specific prayers that evening-one that the rain would keep away and it did and that our electricity would come back on in time for the party. We had been without electricity during the afternoon, but thankfully I had made the brownie cake in the morning. We invited our neighbours to the party who came with their cute two-year old son who was a hit with 20 12 year old girls!

Church on Sunday was amazing! We saw the father heart of God manifested amongst us in such a way that people were crying, there were tears of joy and people were just overwhelmed by His love for us. Graham whispered to me when we were singing 'Here is love, vast as the ocean 'that this old hymn reminded him of our old church in Cambridge as we used to sing it a lot. The same memory came flooding back to me and I found it hard not to cry as I remembered old times and also the meaning of this powerful old hymn. I can't escape the fact that my heart yearns to be back in Cambridge. I'm not just looking back at the past but can see a future for us there. God did speak to me last October during a women's conference about moving back one day. But it is all His timing and not mine.

Was fortunate to have had four lunches out last week with friends! It was great to catch up with old friends and a new friend, a lady who has recently moved to the area and has joined our church. We had such a good conversation about how we should not live in the past or future but thank God for each day and that He gives us everything we need just for the day. There are so many references in the bible to this and just thinking of 'This is the day that the Lord has made, be glad and rejoice in it' is one. It is so important to live in the present and to deal with things in our past so they don't become our present.

Still recruiting participants for my study, and I have about half now. I have had a couple of good networking meetings at local day care centres which I'm hoping will lead to carers showing an interest in the project.

It is our 19th Wedding Anniversary today and my birthday on Sunday so we have a lot to celebrate. We are going out for a nice meal over the week-end.

Charlie has his last exam today. It has been great having him home everyday during the last few weeks. He is now off school until September.

June 13th 2010

2010-06-13T15:08:00.002+01:00

Haven't written for a while- so much has been happening. Exams, Rosie away with school, birthdays. Graham's mum had a birthday last Thursday and Rosie will be 12 years old tomorrow. My baby is growing up too quickly. She is having the party of the year next Saturday. Harry's band will be playing and 20 girls will be wearing pretty summer dresses and enjoying a chocolate fountain and mocktails- hopefully if the weather is good.

I'm so busy with my work and have got a couple of conference presentations coming up, one a poster and one a paper. Not looking forward to the paper one and will only be able to do it with God's help.

Half-Term

2010-06-02T16:11:00.006+01:00

Thankfully the weather has improved since the above photos were taken two days ago. Summer is here again The children are off school this week and we are spending it at home. Both boys are revising and Rosie is meeting up with friends. We did enjoy a family trip to the seaside on Monday despite the cold weather. Tonight we're going out with another family for a Chinese buffet which should be nice.

Work is going ok. I now have 7 participants and am very busy interviewing, transcribing the interviews and analysing the data. I am so enjoying it though.

Lake District

2010-05-19T14:12:00.005+01:00

I've had a great few days. Last Friday I went to a health spa with 4 friends for the day and the following day, with four other friends I went to the Lake District for a climb. We set off at 5.45am and arrived at Glenriddin at 10.30am. We started the climb/walk up Helvellyn which is the third highest peak in the Lakes at 10.45am and arrived at the summit at 3pm after an arduous walk. The weather was brilliant and the views absolutely stunning. The climb over the top of Striding Edge was exhilarating. At the bottom we drove to Cockermouth, about forty minutes away where my friend's parents have a cottage. We all showered and then walked to the town centre to a pub for a lovely meal. We walked back and were all tucked up in bed by 11pm! We were shattered. The next day some of us struggled to walk, but nevertheless we were up at 8am and after breakfast we drove to Buttermere and walked around the lake. After the walk we had lunch and set off home. Graham and the children were pleased to see me.

Charlie has now officially left the senior school and is on exam leave. It seems very strange, but he is busy working and really wants to do well. Harry and Rosie are looking forward to half-term which is only the week after next. I can't believe how fast time goes. The weather has really picked up and it is lovely and hot. The birds are singing and all the trees and shrubs are in flower. I so love this time of year. The horse chestnut trees on Manton Lane are resplendent with their white 'candlesticks'.

Supervision tomorrow where we'll discuss the 8,000 word draft methodology chapter. Thankfully it is my first draft. I have been extremely busy with my work and have managed to recruit five participants for the study. So I am trying to focus myself so I can transcribe interviews, which is really dull.

Looking forward to growth group and church this week. I so missed Sunday.

Wednesday 5th May

2010-05-05T14:49:00.002+01:00

Another month goes by. I've had a great week so far, despite a day spent in bed with a virus temperature buggy thingy. Thought it was hayfever symptoms at first. Feeling better now though and trying to get fit for my walk up Helvelyn via Striding Edge next week-end.

The Bank Holiday week-end was good. We didn't do much apart from a barbeque one day and another we went to see Graham's parents. Charlie has his first proper gcse tomorrow so we need to tread softly around him for the next few weeks. Harry got a distinction in his grade five guitar exam and is very pleased with himself. Rosie is also getting ready for exams.

Just about to start my 10,000 word draft methodology chapter and I will be very happy once I have finished it as I'm so busy with recruiting participants at the moment. I went to an Age Concern meeting this morning which was a good networking event.

Sunday 25th April 2010

2010-04-25T19:47:00.004+01:00

Church today was completely amazing; as Acts 1-8 was preached on I felt so stirred by God's word I literally felt my heartbeat quicken. Richard spoke prophetically and what moved me the most was when we prayed for people whose origin wasn't the UK. About a third of the congregation walked to the front and we prayed that God would bless them. Bedford is a multi-cultural town and many nations are represented within our church. Praise God!

The week-end has been restful with glorious weather. We even managed to get the barbecue out. We felt encouraged by the addition of a wonderful family at home group on Saturday and spent the rest of the day chilling in the garden after painting the garden furniture in an attempt to rejuvenate it as it is falling apart a bit.

Harry had his grade 5 guitar exam first thing this morning. Hopefully he did ok and at least it's out of the way. Charlie is preparing for the start of his gcses with a Spanish oral exam on Friday. He also had his last rugby game of the season this morning and scored two tries- his only ones this season. He was really made up about it. Rosie had a friend over yesterday and met up with some more friends today. She has been complaining of a sore ankle for a few days now. It doesn't look swollen but I may have to get it checked out this coming week. Graham has had a very busy week driving to a different town every day. Thankfully next week won't be as bad.

I had supervision last week which was really productive. Despite the criticism ( constructive ) about my interview technique it was a really good two hour session about the thesis. My supervisors all gave me great help and advice and will really try and help me finish by the end of the third year. So, that is 18 months to go which means I really need to start writing! I have a whole chapter to produce by next month ( 10,000 ) words, a conference abstract to write, a Website piece to write, a poster to produce for a presentation and continue with the fieldwork and literature. So, less facebook, less Internet browsing, less coffee and lunchtime chats with friends ( well, a little less) and more focus required. But with God's help I will do it.

France, mum's 80th and end of holidays

2010-04-18T09:27:00.002+01:00

We have had a lovely break in France. We went to Center Parcs in the Loire valley with some friends and had a relaxing time. Charlie also brought a friend with us and the 7 children got on really well together. The journey home was not so good, probably due to the airport closure as a result of the volcano eruption in Iceland causing a cloud of volcanic ash above most of Europe. The sheer volume of traffic was horrendous throughout northern France. We eventually arrived home at 2.30am and then had to be up bright and early for a three hour journey to Stalybridge, where my brother lives. He had organised a party for my mum's 80th. The weather was superb and the journey and views across the peak district and moors was stunning. It was good to see everybody and catch up with all their family news, some good, and some not so good. But that is life.

Have just taken Harry to church for band practice before the service. Graham has taken Charlie to Aylesbury for hopefully his last rugby match of the season. Looking forward to worshipping God this morning and listening to His word.

The children are back at school on Tuesday. It has been a good break for all of us, even though I have managed to do a lot of work during the last three weeks.

Holidays

2010-03-29T08:18:00.003+01:00

The children have broken up from school and I'm particularly looking forward to a break from sitting in traffic for long periods several times a day. I have got lots of work to do but I have got a few days holiday to look forward to in a couple of weeks.

Still continuing with the weight battle and it is slowly coming off. If I could maintain my focus for more than two or three days a week I would lose more than 1.5 pounds a week.

Enjoying the book of Proverbs at the moment. What wise truths God has given us to put into practice.

Week-end

2010-03-27T08:43:00.002Z

Spring is well and truly here and whilst it has taken a long time to get here I am so appreciative of the changing seasons that God has given us and am enjoying so much the lighter, warmer days, the birdsong and the flowers. There are daffodils everywhere. My poinsettia plant which I bought at Christmas finally died so I have replaced it with a large vase of daffodils on the window bottom.

The children broke up from school yesterday and have three weeks holiday, which is great. The week has gone well and I had supervision on Wednesday which was ok. I'm conscious of the amount of work I have to do and also the groundwork I need to cover in order to recruit further participants. I will need to go to Luton to visit carers groups next week sometime and revisit my contacts here so not to lose the momentum.

A quiet week-end is planned. Charlie has his last rugby match tomorrow. Graham has sold his car and we are getting a company one next week. We have bought a little mini-convertible which will be fun to drive for me, as I'm so used to driving a bus! We pick it up today.

Remembering dad

2010-03-22T18:35:00.002Z

It would have been my Dad's 89th birthday on Saturday. I had been thinking about him during the week and my ancestors. This prompted me to look at the family tree again which I had previously traced to 1798. My maiden name is pretty uncommon so it was relatively easy to do. Anyway, I found a Website from my ancestors' area in Lancashire. On this Website somebody had posted a family tree of a man with the same surname dating back to 1580. Imagine my surprise when I saw my grandparents names on it! I contacted the Website and they are interested in my old photos from both World wars as they contain people from that area. So I scanned 23 photos of my dad and his family plus war photos and emailed them to the Website. The Website is amazing and I was moved and delighted to see photographs that someone had placed on there of about 15 gravestones with details about my ancestors. Not only that but they are in a Baptist Chapel graveyard. My Christian heritage. My grandad was a lovely humble Methodist who worshipped at a Wesleyan Chapel so it is news that ancestors from 100 years before were Baptists.

We went to the leaving party of one of our church leaders on Saturday. Whilst we are really excited about his future we will really miss him, his teaching and preaches. He preached for the last time yesterday and what an amazing sermon it was too. He preached on Joseph and how God has been working for our good before we are born, is working for our good whilst we are alive and also in the future.

Yesterday afternoon was glorious so we went for a long walk across the golf course. Spring has definitely sprung.

The children break up from school on Friday which I'm looking forward to. Worked hard today transcribing interviews and writing field notes and memos.

Monday 15th March 2010

2010-03-15T11:39:00.002Z

Another lovely bright sunny day. It's amazing as people seem so much more cheerful when the sun is shining. Weight loss of 1lb which is ok- was expecting more but the curry on Saturday night and chocolate yesterday probably didn't help. Well it was Mother's Day after all.

I did a 30 min programme on the jogging machine today which felt easier. Looking forward to the week ahead.

Spring signs

2010-03-13T07:32:00.003Z

We have had such a cold winter for England. I have spent the last two months feeling chilled. At last I can see that Spring is almost here. I'm sat in my conservatory overlooking the garden and I can see budding flowers and growing daffodils. Despite living on the edge of a large town, albeit in a village, God's wonderful creation is everywhere. Think we have a birds nest in the Laurel tree as there are a lot of birds toing and froing, or they might just be escaping the cat who is on the prowl. A squirrel is scurrying up the willow tree and the sound of birdsong is lovely. The sun is shining and the sky is blue. It's going to be a lovely day.

The week has gone well. I have worked hard this week and conducted my first interview which went well. I've installed NVivo and after I've transcribed the interview I will be ready to go. I have a second participant lined up for next week and I'm really hoping that I manage to recruit participants weekly for the next further 13 weeks, because after a second interview that will take me up to July/August time. I really aim to complete after 3 years.

We had good news about Charlie's GCSE module results. Don't know how he managed to do so well really, considering the amount of work he did. I just hope he doesn't become complacent. However, he is delighted and it is lovely to see him so encouraged by his results. We are continuing to pray about his A level choice, and that he makes the right decision. He has no idea what he wants to do, which is absolutely fine. There is so much pressure on young people today and I just want him to take one step at a time, seeking God in every major decision he makes about his future. The other two are fine. Harry is playing in the band all day today for Let's Go Kids an event for children from 4 to 10. Rosie is playing in a lacrosse tournament and Charlie has a DT gcse session followed by a home football match. So it looks like I will be on my own for some time today. Graham is away at a university reunion and rugby match in Scotland this week-end. Bad planning as we booked the trip last year, not realising it is Mother's Day tomorrow! So, I will be without Graham tomorrow for the first time ever on this day. Never mind. We have a special Mothering Sunday service tomorrow which will be good. I have sent my mum some flowers and will take Graham's mum some flowers today.

I'm going out tonight with a group of friends for a friend's birthday which should be good fun.

Anyway must go and get ready for our home group, which will be a bit thin on the ground today. But it says in the bible that 'If two or more people are gathered in His name, Jesus is with us' which is good enough for me.

Forgiveness

2010-03-08T14:34:00.002Z

The sermon yesterday was about forgiveness. It sounds easy. God forgives us therefore we must forgive others. How hard that can be to put into practice? We say, 'I've forgiven that person, but I haven't forgotten.' That is not true forgiveness. The service was conducted in such a sensitive manner with an opportunity for people to make things right before God and other people before we took communion.

After church we went for a long walk around the village and golf course. it was a beautiful day but extremely cold. Today I went to the gym for the first time in ages, and feel so much better for doing so.

I am preparing myself for my first interview with my first participant on Wednesday. I'm so excited about it and am determined to do it well. I do need more though participants pretty quickly and am still contacting carers' groups and mothers' websites in an attempt to recruit some.

My diet is back on track and whilst I haven't lost any weight, I also haven't gained any- one way of looking at it, I suppose.

I've just come back from cheering Rosie on at her cross country match. She did very well and came about 50th out of 200 girls.

Harry's birthday

2010-03-04T07:13:00.003Z

Harry celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday. We bought him a laptop which he needs for school work and also it will stop him from using mine! We all went out to Frankie and Benny's in the evening and the lights were dimmed and the whole restaurant sung 'Happy Birthday' to him when the waitress brought his dessert. He is going to have his party in a couple of weeks which will involve 6 or 7 noisy boys, a band and no sleep.

Graham is off to a men's conference on Saturday with a large group of guys from church which he is looking forward to.

The weather remains cold but sunny and bright. Off to a coffee morning with friends shortly and then a birthday lunch with a friend. Seem to be socialising a lot this week, but have been working hard too. Attended a visual methods seminar yesterday which was very interesting and am recruiting participants. Still haven't got my first one yet but I am so close to a couple. I just don't want to pressurise people.

Signs of Spring

2010-03-01T18:52:00.003Z

I thought the first day of Spring was the 21st March. However I heard on the radio today that it is officially March 1st. The weather has been beautiful today, very warm and sunny. There are signs of daffodils and tulips in the garden as they start to grow.

We've had a good week-end. Yesterday's service was amazing. It was a special service to recognise our lead elder in his new role of leading the church. We are so very privileged to be part of our church.

Back from holiday

2010-02-22T09:58:00.004Z

We had an amazing week in Wengen and it was good to spend time with my brother and his boys. The children loved skiing which has really improved this year after 3days of lessons. They even went down a black run. Harry ( middle name danger ) was fearless and sledged down some of the ski runs. I did worry when he was on some of the runs and during a snowstorm he went ahead of us and managed to get lost. His phone was out of charge so we couldn't contact him. We learnt some lessons that day.

The snow followed us back through Europe and as I write this it is snowing heavily. Yesterday was spent recovering from the 15 hour drive home. We got home at 2am. I washed and mended school uniform for the boys including blazers and trousers and Rosie's sweater had a hole around the neck. The children went back to school today but I am waiting for a phone call from the school to say it is closed due to the snow!

Must be more disciplined when on holiday as I have let my bible readings slip by one week. I will catch up over this coming week, but I am easily distracted when not in my usual routine. I must endeavour to make more of an effort next time we are away.

Looking forward to the coming week. I plan to follow-up the children's centre letters with a visit or phone call and have a two day training course on NVivo which help me with my data analysis. We are going to a quiz on Friday to fund raise for Charlie's World Challenge trip and both Rosie and Harry have parties. Our home group resumes on Saturday morning after a break for half-term which should be good.

Holiday

2010-02-12T10:21:00.002Z

So looking forward to going to Wengen today. A full week in the snow! The children will be skiing and we will be sledging. We are going with my brother and his two children which is good for the children to spend time with their cousins. A friend is coming to house/Lily sit for the week and I'm spending the day packing. We aim to leave when the children get home from school.

I've had a good week with a positive supervision session and a seminar in London yesterday. More snow here this week but the days are getting longer now. the flowers are budding in the garden and it won't be long before the daffs will be out, a sign that Spring is round the corner.

Week-end

2010-02-06T08:49:00.002Z

I've had a much better week and feel fully recovered. Haven't heard from the GP about my blood results so hoping they're ok. I even went to the gym once this week. So, I thank God for my health this week.

Much of the week has been taken up with the children and school. Both Rosie and Charlie had parents evenings and Harry had a music competition last night. I also went to a ladies event at church which was good.

Work is slowly progressing. I have written to over 40 children's centres in an attempt to recruit participants and have analysed the data from the pilot study. Supervision next week and then we are off on holiday on Friday to Switzerland for a week. So looking forward to it.

Graham has gone to a men's breakfast this morning and later on today we are going out with another family for a meal.

2010-02-01T14:38:00.002Z

Have felt tired and sluggish all week-end. After looking up my symptoms online I realised that I have all the hypothyroidism symptoms so made an appointment to see my GP today. I then went to the local hospital to have some blood taken and I'll find out the results at the end of the week. I then went to Carers Bedfordshire and spoke to someone about my project who will advertise it for me.

Trying to do a bit of work interspersed with housework before going to collect Rosie from School

Fatigue

2010-01-29T09:52:00.003Z

Don't know why but I am so tired today, which is unlike me. I need an energy boost. I went to the gym this morning but came home after seeing my pale reflection in a mirror in the changing rooms. I also have a headache, and again that is unusual. The weather is grey and overcast which appears to suit my mood today. Perhaps the planned lunch today with two friends will help.

Isaiah 40

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

My bible readings are always so apt.

Wednesday 27th Jan

2010-01-27T14:50:00.002Z

Was reminded yesterday twice, in fact, once from my bible notes and once on the radio that as Christians we have been chosen! How amazing is that, and why would God choose little old me, I don't know.

I've had an interesting week so far with a trip to London on Monday where I incorporated a visit to the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh exhibition with a gerontology seminar at King's college. I had a great day but unfortunately it left me shattered. I didn't get home until 8.30pm and then I felt unwell yesterday and stayed in bed until lunchtime- haven't done that for over a year. Still, I'm feeling better today and am thankful that I haven't come down with any viruses as I thought I might be doing yesterday. Today I have been to work and spent the morning writing letters to children's centres.

Tomorrow I'm attending a Word expert course which I so badly need. Hopefully this will help to improve my IT skills.

Lost another 1.5lb last week. It's slowly coming off, although haven't been to the gym this week.

Thursday 21st January 2010

2010-01-21T12:47:00.003Z

Having a long week. Feels like Friday today. I had supervision this week and we talked about my pilot study. I still need to do some more analysis on it but otherwise ok. Plans are to actively start recruiting my participants which means trips to Age Concern, Carers Bedfordshire and Children's Centres in Bedfordshire and emails sent to many support groups and caring agencies.

Charlie has finished his exams and is tired after games and rugby training yesterday. Harry said he prayed aloud yesterday in his Christian Union meeting at school. I am so proud! Rosie has been selected to run in an inter-school cross country event today, which she really doesn't want to do. I'm hoping that she will enjoy it.

It is a beautiful day today, almost Spring-like. I can see a bed of crocuses in the garden which are starting to shoot already. Amazing, considering the bad weather we've had recently.

My thoughts have been dominated by Haiti this week and we just continue to pray into that situation and particularly that aid will get to where it's required.

Looking forward to the quiz on Saturday night at church and a trip into London on Monday. I'm hoping to visit the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh exhibition which starts this week-end before attending a seminar.

Healthy eating plan going well, although thought I would have lost more than 1.5lb when I weighed myself on Monday. I am also back at the gym and gave been twice so far this week.

Work, Weight loss and WeightWatchers

2010-01-15T16:13:00.003Z

I've had a great week, one where I've achieved a couple of things, namely a weight loss of 3.5lb and a completed pilot study which I submitted last night. I have worked hard this week and today was spent having lunch with a friend after seeing another friend to pray with. My WeightWatchers online is going well, much better than attending the meetings.

Quiet weekend ahead. Cell group in the morning then viewing a house in the afternoon then a family night in. Think we'll play Monopoly. Charlie is half way through his exams so trying to give him some space.

Week-end

2010-01-09T08:34:00.002Z

Looking forward to the, hopefully, quiet and peaceful week-end ahead after such a busy few weeks. It will kick-off with our home group this morning. A new person is joining which I'm excited about.

It is a beautiful snowy day so we will go for a long walk after lunch and then I will need to work this afternoon and some of the evening. I have to write -up my pilot study before Wednesday and I haven't even analysed the data yet. We will watch a DVD tonight.

Tomorrow after church, another walk is planned and I am sooo looking forward to the return of Lark Rise to Candleford in the evening.

Charlie's mock GCSEs start on Monday so he should be busy revising this week-end. Harry has a party today and Rosie will want to meet up with a friend no doubt.

I am enjoying my current knitting projects and have posted photos of their progress. I am about a third of the way through the red scarf and plan to finish it for our trip to Switzerland next month. The cardigan is such a joy to knit. The wool is Rowan Colourscape Chunky and the colour is delightful. I finished the back last night.

More snow scenes

2010-01-08T17:49:00.004Z

The cold weather is set to continue for at least a week. The country is struggling! Looking on a satellite map on the news yesterday, the whole of Great Britain was covered in a blanket of snow.

I've had a great week at home. Graham and I went for another long walk yesterday around the village which was good exercise.

Behind with my work, so I must catch up this week end

More snow

2010-01-06T10:20:00.003Z

Apparently this country has seen the largest snowfall in 30 years over the last few days. It does look so beautiful. I am at home again and haven't been to work at all this week. Graham is also at home and I am looking forward to a long walk in the snow with him at lunchtime and then home made leek, ham and potato soup when we return. It is day three of WeightWatchers and I am doing well so far.

God is good and His love and faithfulness endure forever! A new year of bible readings. This is my third year of reading the bible in a year which I so enjoy. I pray that God will reveal new truths to me from His word and that I apply them to my life.

New Year, new diet.

2010-01-04T18:30:00.002Z

Got a shock this morning! I bought some WeightWatcher scales which were half-price as we don't own any. I jumped on them and I am a stone more than what I had estimated, meaning that I have over two stones to lose! So, I joined WeightWatchers on line for three months and am back to point counting. I refuse the humiliation of attendance at WeightWatcher meetings so will have a go on my own. Day one has gone well. Graham was working at home so we went on a long walk around the village with Harry. Charlie went to school for a revision session and Rosie was playing hockey all day.

Tried to do some work and managed a few hours but now feel behind. The weather here is soooo cold ( - 3 degrees ) and snow is expected again tomorrow. If the weather is bad I will work at home tomorrow.

The children are back at school tomorrow.

New Year's Eve

2009-12-31T09:44:00.002Z

Looking forward to celebrating the New Year with friends who are coming over from Cambridge today and are staying until tomorrow.

Listening to UCB radio and have been challenged by being asked to think about words to describe God, and to write them down, and to remember them when praying to our father in heaven. We too often get caught up with 'asking for' prayers and focusing on the gift and not the giver. God wants to give us good gifts but desires our worship and time with Him. No resolutions this year but my aim is to spend more time just being still in His presence and I am thankful that through Jesus Christ we can know Him.

Happy New Year to everybody and I pray that God will give you the desires of your heart during 2010.

End of the year

2009-12-28T16:35:00.003Z

We've had a lovely Christmas and we took my mum back to the station to catch the train home yesterday afternoon. Church was great on Christmas Day, and my mum enjoyed the service. I spent most of the day in the kitchen preparing the meal. Graham's parents arrived just after we returned from outdoor mulled wine and mince pies at a neighbour's ( the one who lost her partner on Dec 27th last year). Two young friends from church came round early evening and it was nice to see them and exchange presents. I finally sat down in the evening to watch the Christmas special of Gavin and Stacey ( which I hadn't seen before, but enjoyed as I love Rob Brydon ) . I concluded that it is hard work being a woman on Christmas Day, but worth it to see all my family enjoy their presents and the Christmas dinner. I was given an ipod touch this year which is really cool. However, despite the lovely day I did feel that materialism is getting in the way and next year will be different. The children were really grateful for their presents though.

On Boxing Day we took my mum for a walk around the park which was good exercise for all of us and today Graham, Harry and I did three laps of the park which was invigorating.

Can't believe we are approaching the end of 2009 and the second year of my blog! I still haven't worked out how to print it out.

Happy Christmas

2009-12-24T19:16:00.002Z

Back from the outdoor village carol service. Drinking mulled wine. Cakes iced and most of the presents wrapped. Happy Christmas to everyone. May God bless you all as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Waiting for the electrician and the A.A.

2009-12-21T20:33:00.002Z

My car wouldn't start this morning so I phoned the AA at 11.30am and they arrived at 6.30pm! Due to the awful weather conditions I wasn't a priority. Whilst Rosie was in the shower all the upstairs lighting went and as the fuse box is a bit old and dodgy I phoned an electrician and also had to wait for him to arrive. So, I managed to wrap all the presents I have bought so far without the children being remotely interested in what I was doing as they were outside in the snow. Harry tied two sledges to his bike and gave Rosie and her friend rides up and down the road. Charlie started his revision today so was busy studying or not in his room.

The car battery was flat so I had to take a trip in the snow to Halfords to buy a new battery. Why do these things happen when Graham is away? Anyway, I'm back home, relaxing in front of the T.V and watching Outnumbered series one.

Almost Christmas- cakes to be marzipanned and iced tomorrow.

2009-12-20T20:48:00.000Z

Saturday 19th December 2009

2009-12-19T09:09:00.002Z

Week-end. We're off to Cambridge this afternoon and are staying overnight. We are meeting up with friends for a meal in the evening and then tomorrow morning we are going to their church to hear J John preach. We are then going to see other friends for lunch after the service.

The snow is still here and it is very cold, but the sun is shining. I am feeling virtuous after writing most of my Christmas cards and posting them yesterday. The overseas friends won't get theirs until next month now, but never mind. I had a change of heart after planning not to send cards for the first time ever this year, as I feel slightly anxious about the environmental issues concerned with using all that paper and transport, not to mention the expense. However, as they've steadily dropped through the letter box throughout the last few weeks, I changed my mind and gave in to Christmas pressure!

Still can't add photos! Oh how I wish I was more computer literate

2009-12-18T09:59:00.002Z

John 20: 30-31

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may[a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Feeling Christmassy

2009-12-17T18:29:00.005Z

I wanted to add a photo of my Christmas tree but the link does not appear to be working. Not sure why as the video one seems ok. Had my last supervision today before Christmas which went ok. I'm now winding down from work and have started to think about Christmas a bit more. We went to see Graham's parents today for lunch and I was pleased to see that they seem well and are looking forward to Christmas Day.

We've had a good week so far. It snowed lightly today and much more is expected overnight which the children are delighted about.

Weekend again

2009-12-11T20:16:00.002Z

It is Friday, and I've had a good week so far with many things to be thankful for including:

Family- Graham has been unwell with a cold and actually spent most of yesterday in bed. He is better today and went to London today for a meeting. He told me it was much worse than man flu! Not convinced though. Rosie was also ill, but was desperate to go to school for the end of term parties and fun stuff so I let her. She was fine. The boys have gone away with church for the week-end. They almost missed the coach though as we thought we had to be at church for 5pm. We set off about ten to five and then I received a call from a friend to find out where we were as the coach was leaving! Apparently the coach was leaving at 5pm. Thankfully it waited for us. So the boys are away until Sunday. Rosie has been to a bowling party and to watch her friend in a play this evening.

Good health. I'm taking echinacea, vit c and zinc and acai berry in an attempt to boost my immune system.

Harry's musical gift. He played in a concert on Wednesday evening and did a solo in front of over 500 people!

My work- I enjoyed a Christmas lunch this week, and am also enjoying my fieldwork.

We have a lovely week-end ahead. The children broke up from school today and are off for over three weeks. Tomorrow we're going to a Christmas party, and on Sunday we have two services to look forward to. the morning service is the Christmas giving service where we donate our hampers to be distributed to the needy families in the area. In the afternoon we have an outdoor Carol service in Bedford Park. We have invited several friends to it and then we are going back to the golf club for a drink.

Tomorrow morning we have our group. Last week was so good!

Bought the Christmas tree today. The guy who sold it to me said I should win the prize for being the quickest person ever to decide on which tree to buy! I laughed and told him that life was too short to be spent on decisions involving Christmas trees!!

Wonderful week-end

2009-12-05T08:47:00.002Z

It is early on Saturday and I've just dropped Rosie off at school as she is playing in a Lacrosse match in Berkhamstead. Feeling a slight disappointment though, as I wanted to go and watch her and we can't as we have our church group this morning.

The boys are still in bed and Graham is playing an early round of golf and will be back at 9.30am for our group.

I've had a busy week, and I'm so delighted that I've got the whole week-end at home and an evening in. Plans include Christmas cake baking and starting my new knitting project ( cardigan in a beautiful sage Rowan Tweed wool ).

Charlie has a rugby match at Stowe school this afternoon and Rosie a party later.

Yesterday was a good day despite feeling nervous about giving my presentation. I really do need to update my PowerPoint skills though as they let me down towards the end of the presentation when the slide show reverted back to the notes page and the audience could see what I had written! Never mind. It's good experience and just before I stood up to present I recalled the scripture ' I will never leave you or forsake you' and my nervousness vanished. A friend came with me to Oxford and went off to meet her friend for lunch whilst I went to the conference. Afterwards, we went to Bicester Village and did some Christmas shopping which was a nice end to the day.

The weather is milder today and the sun is shining. I'm hoping to get outside in the fresh air this afternoon.

Ist day of advent

2009-12-01T17:23:00.002Z

Now I must start to think about Christmas, but I can't as I have so much on at the moment. The week-end was memorable with a lovely meal at L'Escargot and then jazz at Ronnie Scotts.
I felt so tired on Sunday as we didn't get back until 4am. I can't remember when I had such a late night.

I am busy thinking about my presentation on Friday, and really can't focus on much else at the moment. I've had my hair cut today into a bob- very short for me. Got to dash to take Rosie swimming. Back later.

Monday 23rd November 2009

2009-11-23T18:48:00.002Z

What a hectic few days we've had. It was Charlie's birthday on the 19th and we took him to Pizza Hut after school. The next day I took Rosie with a friend and her daughter to see The Jonas Brothers at Wembley Arena. I realised I am getting old as I was far too tired the next day. Charlie had his party on Saturday night. He went out to a restaurant and then the cinema with friends before coming home with four of them for a sleepover. Think they played on the playstation for most of the night, but I was good and didn't get too involved and allowed them to have fun! I was so tired yesterday though. The weather was awful so didn't go out after church. Church was amazing as usual, probably because God is!

Today I have been to the gym- ran/walked for 50mins today, and felt good afterwards. Worked, transcribing my interviews for a lot of the day, broken up by a lunch out with a friend which was nice.

Just about to start my taxi driver role. Charlie has cell group and Harry band practice. Several challenges ahead during the next two weeks including supervision on Wednesday, data analysis and then I am presenting at Oxford University next week. I will look forward to next week-end. Although we have a lovely week-end planned this coming one with, a Delirious? concert on Friday and then a party in London ( L'Escargot and then Ronnie Scott's).

Faith building week-end. Sunday 15th November 2009

2009-11-15T08:56:00.003Z

Galatians 5

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

My bible notes for today include the above. Having just heard someone on the radio say they couldn't be a Christian because of all the rules I thought it was apt. How wrong they are! We do not live under law.

Had an amazing day yesterday at church. Julian Adams, a guy with a prophetic teaching gift is here for the week-end and God has been ministering to us through him. What a morning! I can't take it in yet what was spoken over Graham and myself. Sooo looking forward to church this morning. I felt so blessed yesterday and full of the Holy Spirit. I also feel I learnt more about prophecy and how God uses ordinary people to prophesy.

Other stuff which is happening right now include: Charlie's 16th birthday next week and Rosie's school merging with the other girls' school in town- lot's of decisions to be made, particularly as the school is the other side of town and will add another half hour onto the journey.

I have started my pilot study and realise I'm a rubbish interviewer as I became too emotionally involved in what I was being told and ended up in tears with the participant!! Other work is due in tomorrow and I am still only a third of the way through.

We've had storms and gales here but they appear to have subsided today and the sun is shining. i must get out and get some fresh air. Graham wants me to walk around the golf course with his buddies this afternoon, but I'd rather not.

Wednesday 11th November 2009

2009-11-11T16:38:00.002Z

Forgot about the 11th hour on the 11th day ! At least we remembered in church on Sunday.

Having a good week. The decorator is here painting the hall, landing and stairs which haven't been painted since just after we moved here!! Work is going well and I have my first interview for my pilot study set up for tomorrow. Still researching caregiving and UK policy which needs to be submitted on Monday. Why am I always so last minute?! If I didn't have deadlines I wouldn't get anything done.

Looking forward to the week-end and visiting speaker Julian Adams at church both Saturday and Sunday. Praying God will use him to edify the church.

Friday 6th November 2009

2009-11-06T12:13:00.002Z

Have had a good week. Work has gone well. I've now contacted 2 people for my pilot study and plan to visit them next week. Busy writing about policy and care giving as well.

We went to a local fireworks display on Wednesday which was great, particularly as it was free. Charlie and Rosie are going to another one tonight with friends and then we're all going to a party tomorrow night following a school concert Harry is playing his guitar in.

The nights are really drawing in now and it's getting cold as well. Still mustn't grumble!

End of half-term

2009-11-01T08:49:00.002Z

Proverbs 4:18

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

I'm sat in the conservatory looking out on a rainy day. Have to wake Harry to take him to church for practice before the service starts. Charlie has a rugby match this morning and I'm hoping it will be cancelled!

Back to the routine tomorrow.

Thursday 29th October 2009

2009-10-29T09:06:00.002Z

Still half-term and the children are having a great time. My mum came to stay last week and went home on Thursday . We went to Center Parcs on Friday and enjoyed it. We did so much ( well the kids did- I managed to sit around a lot, drinking coffee ). They swam at least three times a day, played badminton and laser quest a couple of times. I went to the gym twice which was my total amount of exercise for the week-end.

We came home on Monday and I am trying to catch up with over a week's washing due to a broken washing machine. The engineer came yesterday and mended it so it has been on constantly since.

Yesterday we went to London. I went to a workshop on Ageing at the Institute of Physics and then met up with Graham and the children in Regents Park when it had finished. We then walked to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and found a Pizza Express. We had a lovely meal there and I used my £50 voucher . We then walked to the Palladium and went to see Sister Act. It was OK, not brilliant. The music, visual effects and choreography were amazing, but the storyline lacked something and we just kept comparing the show to others which we have seen over the last few years which were far superior. Never mind. It was a good thing to do as a family. We had an awful train journey home and didn't get back until 12.30pm.

Plans for the rest of the week include housework- lots of it, as so behind and final adjustments to participant information sheets. Looking forward to not doing much this week-end.

Wednesday 21st October 2009

2009-10-21T08:19:00.002+01:00

2 Samuel 22

1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said:
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn [g] of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
from violent men you save me.

4 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

5 "The waves of death swirled about me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

6 The cords of the grave [h] coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

7 In my distress I called to the LORD;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.

8 "The earth trembled and quaked,
the foundations of the heavens [i] shook;
they trembled because he was angry.

9 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.

10 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.

11 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared [j] on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark [k] rain clouds of the sky.

13 Out of the brightness of his presence
bolts of lightning blazed forth.

14 The LORD thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.

15 He shot arrows and scattered the enemies ,
bolts of lightning and routed them.

16 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at the rebuke of the LORD,
at the blast of breath from his nostrils.

17 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.

18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.

20 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

21 "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.

23 All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.

24 I have been blameless before him
and have kept myself from sin.

25 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to my cleanness [l] in his sight.

26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

27 to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

28 You save the humble,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.

29 You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.

30 With your help I can advance against a troop [m] ;
with my God I can scale a wall.

What amazing words these are.

Having a good week after a brilliant time at the Breathe ladies conference. Felt also that God spoke to me about the future- all very exciting and we are praying into it.

I drove to Bolton to collect my mum on Monday. Thankfully it was a really good journey despite driving almost a 400 miles round trip in a day. She is going home on the train tomorrow as my brother is able to collect her from the station in the evening. Haven't done much with her though as we seem to have spent most of the time ferrying the children around. Graham's parents are coming today for lunch which will be nice. We are going to Center Parcs on Friday with friends for the week-end which we are looking forward to.

Week-end ahead

2009-10-15T23:37:00.002+01:00

Haven't blogged for awhile- no particular reason. Highlights of the last couple of weeks include:

My friend's baptism- what an amazing testimony.

Great cell group meetings- learning about Paul's letter to the Galatians-and I really have learnt a lot.

Family photoshoot- haven't seen the proofs yet.

Getting into my project- starting a new literature review- the effects of policy on caregiving. Have to give a paper at Oxford University in December- nervous already. Awaiting feedback from the ethics committee.

Feeling proud of my children for nothing in particular- just because they are my children! Charlie is working hard and enjoying his free time. He is turning into a mature young man. Harry did well with his recent tracking grades and is making us laugh. He got Charlie to write a note to his teacher today to try and get him out of games. He wrote that Harry was unable to do games as his leg was injured from being in a car accident ! Rosie's parents evening this week- all good apart from maths-takes after her mother I think. She is over the moon as I bought her a Jack Wills hoody ( not cheap) which was meant for Christmas, but I couldn't resist giving it to her today.

Graham is stressed ( work) but trusting God. Our bible notes were so apt for today ( Don't fear, don't be anxious etc).

Soooooooo looking forward to the week-end. I'm off to Cambridge for a ladies conference. This will be my 5th one and I always come back feeling so refreshed and rejuvenated in the Lord. Margaret Stunt is one of the speakers and she is so funny. She is like a stand-up comedian preacher. My friend who recently became a Christian is coming with us and I know she will enjoy it.

Our new cat Lily is adorable. She is a 4 year -old persian rescue cat. She is so pretty but quite docile and hasn't quite got the hang of using the litter tray yet. Apparently she was bullied in her last home which might explain her toileting mishaps. She is going out for a couple of hours during the day but we are not letting her out of the garden which we have Lily-proofed.

The children break up tomorrow for two weeks. Can't wait for relaxing mornings with no school run. We are going to Center Parcs for the week-end and have a trip to London planned including a theatre trip- Sister Act. My mum is also coming down at some point and Graham's parents are coming over to see her.

Monday 28th September 2009

2009-09-28T11:04:00.009+01:00

A great week-end. Visited Cambridge twice and toured some of the colleges. The first photo is of Magdalene College Chapel where we got married in 1991. The safari supper was good fun- everybody had made an effort with their fancy dress. Off to look at a persian rescue cat in a minute. Hoping she's the right one for us.

Friday 25th September 2009

2009-09-25T08:54:00.002+01:00

Having a good week. The sun has been shining and I actually sat outside and sunbathed yesterday afternoon. I am full of a cold though and two of the children I take to school have been ill and off school this week.

I have been working from home for most of the week and just need to finalise my ethics form, work plan, consent forms and other appendices today before my supervisors see it and then hopefully I can submit it on the 1st Oct.

We have a busy week-end ahead. I am going to Cambridge to attend a seminar on ageing tomorrow. It is Cambridge University's 800 year anniversary and we were all supposed to be going but due to a lack of interest from all of the family, I will nip over there for a couple of hours on my own! Graham and the others are going to see MK Dons play Leeds United and Rosie has a hockey match first thing.

Tonight we have been invited to friends' for a barbecue whilst the children are all at church. Our Friday evenings have taken on a whole new dimension. For the first time ever since before the children were born we have a 11/2 hour slot all to ourselves! So we have started to make the most of it by spending the time together before we start the taxi service at 8pm!

Tomorrow evening it is our annual 'safari supper' in the village. The fancy dress theme is 'emergency services' which would have been great if I could have fitted into my old nurse's uniform- which I couldn't! So, I have bought some disposable scrub gowns, gloves, masks and hats off eBay and just hope they arrive in time. Otherwise we will have to wear fluorescent jackets and go as the AA!

On Sunday Graham is welcoming at church, so I will have to take Charlie to rugby and drop him off. We are now realising how difficult it is to take part in sport on Sundays without our 4pm service.

We are thinking about getting another cat and there is a possibility of one arriving at the local Persian rescue this week-end. Apparently she is a 4 year old Persian tortie, so will look like Lulu. I don't know whether that is a good idea though, so am waiting for a photograph before we make our minds up.

Autumn

2009-09-21T17:11:00.003+01:00

First day of Autumn today and there was a significant nip in the air this morning when I took the children to school.

Had an enjoyable week-end which went far too quickly. We went out with friends for a curry on Saturday night which was good fun. The children were busy with friends and sport. Charlie played rugby twice and all had friends over.

In an attempt to be better organised I arranged for a Sainsbury's home delivery today to free up some time. It did work, but the free time was spent having coffee with a friend this afternoon instead of working. Never mind. I went to the gym first thing and didn't find the 25min on the treadmill as arduous as I did last week.

Read some of 'Family Practices in Later Life' ( my new book on ageing )this afternoon and hoped for some inspiration for another literature review I need to write. I think I will either focus on gender or grandparents, both themes which I have touched on before but need to be further elaborated upon.

Must go and make tea before I start my taxi service which include 2 trips to church.

Back to work

2009-09-16T22:40:00.002+01:00

I attended my second funeral this year yesterday. Both had similarities. Both the deceased were neighbours ( who were good friends ), both took place in the same village church, both services were conducted by the same minister, some of the congregation attended both funeral services and both friends, as far as I know, had no faith. Life is harsh, and I don't know whether it is because of my age, but there is a lot of sadness in many friends' lives at the moment in terms of ill-health, marital break-down and job redundancy. God said ' I will never leave you or forsake you' (Joshua 1:5)and I pray that these people will know God's peace and strength in their lives.

I had a slight wake-up call today during a supervision session when discussing my timetable for the next three months. I have so much work to do and need to be better organised. I must start to focus on my project. I feel quite excited about it however, and am looking forward to getting out into the field.

Looking forward to the week-end.

Change ahead

2009-09-14T11:15:00.002+01:00

Change ahead for our church. Whilst the news that our lead elder and his wife are leaving to lead a church in Middlesbrough is sad it is also extremely exciting and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us all. I will particularly miss Paul's teaching and the way he manages to make truths of the bible very real. Through Paul, God has opened my eyes to parts of the bible which I'd heard sermons about many times previously but hadn't really grasped the true meaning on a personal level. God has changed me through Paul's preaches and I pray that God will use him in this way in Middlesbrough.

We've had a great, relaxing week-end. I think staying in is the new going out for us! Graham took Charlie and a friend to Wembley to see Saracens v Northampton with the rugby club on Saturday. Rosie played hockey against Kimbolton school ( they won and she scored a hat-trick). So, Harry and I went to the pub for lunch and played Perudo in the garden. It was a lovely hot day and it was nice to spend quality time with Harry. We all then watched the X Factor. I know it is a terrible programme and each year I say I won't watch it but parts of it are hugely entertaining, and it is something that the whole family can sit and watch.

Yesterday, after church we went to the golf club for Rosie's lesson and had lunch there. We then spent the afternoon doing jobs- Graham finally mended the lounge light and built the shoe cabinet which I'm grateful for of course! The evening was spent ironing.

I have been to the gym this morning and am feeling energetic after a 50 min workout. I have so much work to do but keep procrastinating. I must finalise my ethics form this week before supervision. We have a meeting tonight at Rosie's school re: the merger, Carol's funeral tomorrow and a ladies 'frock swap' at church tomorrow night to start the week with.

Back in bloggyland!

2009-09-10T09:36:00.003+01:00

Can't believe I haven't blogged in a whole month. So much has happened. I will post the following holiday blog and continue afterwards:

Monday 10th August 2009
We arrived yesterday evening after a good drive through lovely scenery. The weather was also hot and sunny but soon changed as we arrived in the Bernese Oberland to rain! Think we brought the bad weather with us. We drove through four countries in one day – England, France, Germany and then Switzerland.
We only ended up delaying our holiday by one day in the end which was good. Harry is fine and my thinking now is that he had a mild bug and not swine flu as he would have been a lot worse than he actually was. Also the rest of us haven’t been affected.
Our mobile home is very spacious and seems to be better designed than the Canvas ones. After a good night’s sleep we had breakfast before walking to the lake. We saw Richard and Margaret an elderly couple who we seem to meet most years on the campsite. They are also staying until the end of the week after being here for 4 weeks.
We then drove to Interlaken and stocked up on provisions from Migros. We then went swimming. I am determined to get fit this holiday. I swam a mile and Graham swam for one hour. The children then went to the outdoor pool and enjoyed jumping off the diving boards. Back at the campsite, it started to rain again. We ate our evening meal of pasta carbonara, salad with gruyere cheese and a few pieces of chocolate. Harry then went back to the lake for an evening swim. The rest of us stayed at the mobile home. Finished reading ‘Compelled by Love’ by Heidi Baker and started ‘Israel’s new disciples’ by Julia Fisher. Have to go as I’m being called to play cards.

Thursday 13th August
We’ve had a great couple of days. On Tuesday we walked up Harder Kulm which was hard work! Graham, Charlie and Rosie had been at the top for 45 minutes before Harry and I arrived. It took us just over 2 hours to reach the summit, but the fantastic views were worth it. I walked down and the others caught the funicular. I met them at the outdoor pool. What a hot day. We all caught the sun and have a healthy glow. I made sausages, noodles and salad for tea. We then took our chairs to the lakeside and watched a glorious sunset.
On Wednesday we drove to Heimwehfluh which is a twenty minute steep climb to the top. Don’t think I could have managed more. I have a blister and have done something to my knee! It was so hot and we stayed in the restaurant for ages reading our books and looking out over Interlaken and both lakes. The children enjoyed the zip wire and rodelbahn to the bottom and funicular back up to the top a couple of time. I finished my second book ‘Israel’s new disciples’ which was so thought provoking. I hadn’t realised how few messianic Jews there are in Israel, but the number is really on the increase and they will be a ‘light to the nations’ before Jesus returns.
We then went to the outdoor pool and I swam a mile. We then walked to Pizzeria Mercato and had pizzas and salad for our evening meal finished off by McFlurry ice creams from McDonalds. Back at the campsite we had early nights- think we caught too much sun.

Again, today is a really hot day. The others are all in the lake for an early morning swim (except myself and Charlie who is still in bed) We plan to catch the cable car up to the Neiderhorn , do about an hour’s walk down to Vorsass where we will hire trotti bikes( scooters) down to the bottom of the mountain. It is such good fun and I love whizzing along at speed feeling the breeze and smelling the cut grass whilst taking in the beautiful scenery.

Saturday 15th August 2009
Writing this sat on our balcony overlooking the Wetterhorn and First. The weather has continued to be gorgeous and hot. We had a great couple of days in Interlaken and spent most of the time at the lake and the pool. I swam a mile yesterday after having the most horrendous migraine though. I haven’t had a migraine for over a year now and had a mini one in the cable car going up to the Neiderhorn on Thursday. I had two consecutive ones yesterday morning in bed and stayed in bed all morning. Graham took the children out on pedalos whilst I slept. I think a combination of cheese, chocolate and wine the night before contributed to them plus the extreme brightness from the sun. We walked to the Metropole hotel and had ice creams after swimming. Then we walked to the lake to watch the sunset. Today after packing up we drove to Oberhofen and spent most of the day by the lake and pool. I swam a mile and then sunbathed and rested for the rest of the time. I am now on book 5- The Crimson Rooms, by Katherine McMahon after finishing ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ by Bengt Wedemalm and Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. We then drove to Hotel Bodmi in Grindelwad where we stayed in February. Kurt and Elizabeth the hotel proprietors warmly greeted us.

Wednesday August 19th 2009
We’ve had a fantastic few days with amazing weather. I can’t ever remember it being so hot. We only had rain on the day we arrived and sine then it has been gloriously hot and sunny ever since. On Sunday we caught the gondola up to First. The boys and I did the First Flyer which is the longest and highest zip wire ride in Europe. It was amazing but was over too quickly. Graham and Rosie may do it tomorrow but need convincing as they think it looks too scary. We then went to the pool and I swam a mile. On Monday I finished the Crimson Rooms. What a good book. We took the gondola to Mannlichen and did our usual walk to Kleine Sheidegg and then caught the train down. We then went to the outdoor pool but I was too wimpish to swim in it. The others however had a great time in the water whilst I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows- an ok book about German occupation of Guernsey during the Second World War. Yesterday I had a lot of contact with people at home due to a bit of confusion about who was house/cat sitting. The person who had been staying in our house left yesterday and another friend moved in until our return. Apparently the cat has been seen and is ok. I can’t believe I am so anxious about her and wonder whether she would be better off in a cattery next time. Graham and Harry did a huge walk getting up really early and walking from First to Schynige Platte, taking them most of the day. I really wanted to do it again but Rosie and Charlie were adamant they didn’t wnt to do it with Charlie saying he would phone Childline if we made him!! So we went to Pfingsteg and went on the rodelbahns and walked back down to Grindelwald. We then drove to Interlaken and went to the pool. I swam a mile then read and sunbathed until it was time to collect Graham and Harry from the station. We drove back to Bodmi then walked back down into Grindelwald and went out for pizza and then had an amazing coupe danemark. Harry wasn’t feeling 100% and had had too much sun. He is ok today.
We had a great day today as we went to the top of the Schilthorn, catching trains, gondolas and cable cars. The weather was amazing and I took lots of photographs. We didn’t get back until late and after a meal of spaghetti carbonara are just about to start a game of cards. Now reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.

The last couple of days were great and the hot weather continued. We arrived home on the Saturday night to be warmly greeted by the cat!

The week was spent unpacking and washing and doing housework and thinking about the church week-end away to Shuttleworth during the bank holiday week-end.

We then had some terrible news. A friend and neighbour of ours died and one and a half hour later I received another phone call to say that our lovely sweet cat Lulu had been found dead - run over on a busy road at the back of our house. I didn't even know she had been on that road before. So I really didn't want to go away and I couldn't think properly and didn't pack any suitable clothes or buy any food. A friend came round and took the boys to the campsite and set up a tent for us. We arrived later and felt in a daze for a while. The first service on the following day I just spent in tears. I cried so much for friend and family, for the loss from our cat and for the grief of the children. God really met with both Graham and I and I did feel His peace and healing through His presence. Ironically the cat was found almost outside my friend's house. There has been so much sadness in our neighbourhood recently with a huge increase in crime, car vandalism, homes being broken into and job loss and illness- all in our quiet close!

So the camping trip was a time of spiritual growth and also a time to spend with other members of the church family which we all really enjoyed. The children enjoyed it particularly. We celebrated Graham's birthday last week and I took him away to a hotel for the night which was great. We went to the gym and swum in the pool and had a lovely meal together. As it was Graham's birthday the hotel upgraded our room which was a lovely surprise.

So now, another time of change. The children are back at school in different classes with different friends, I'm back as a second year PhD student, and Graham is back at work. The nights are drawing in, and the weather is getting slightly cooler- a sign that another season is approaching. However, God doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and our hope is in Him.

Answered prayer!

2009-08-07T16:42:00.002+01:00

God is amazing! Harry seems fine. He doesn't have a temperature and hasn't had paracetamol since 9.30am this morning. The boys have had a great time. Charlie spoke in tongues for the first time!

Feeling much calmer and more at peace. All being well we will go away tomorrow night. A friend is staying in the house whilst we are away and will look after Lulu for us.

Camping, holidays and sickness

2009-08-07T09:30:00.002+01:00

Just a short post as time is limited. I feel opposed by all sides at the moment and am trying to push through with composure. The beginning of the week was great. Faith Camp was amazing and the boys were having an awesome time at Newday.

However, I received a phone call on Wednesday afternoon to say that Harry was really ill with a high temp. A boy in the same tent had gone home the day before with ? swine flu and is on Tamiflu. So, I drove a 2 hour journey to collect him. When I arrived he was fine and didn't have a temperature. So I drove for another 2 hours and took him home. He had a huge meal, hot bath and an early night and seemed fine. In the morning he had a slight temp but not major so I gave him some paracetamol and he appeared his usual happy self and wanting to go back. Meanwhile Rosie was still at Faith Camp being looked after by my friend. I made the decision to take him back as thought he had a 24 hour bug which a friend of his had early on during the week who also left the camp and then went back the day after.

So, I took him back and then drove to Faith Camp. Then the rain started and didn't stop! The tent was gradually becoming more and more waterlogged, so after Rosie and her friend returned from their group at 9pm we loaded up the car and drove home. Just as were approaching the town centre I received a phone call at 10.30pm to say that Harry was really unwell again with a temperature of 40.2 degrees! He had been given some paracetamol and was asleep. Graham was all set to drive and collect him but we decided to leave him there once we knew his temperature had started to come down. So after a sleepless night I have heard that he is on his way back in a car and not in the coach with the others and again, he is much better. We are supposed to be going on holiday tomorrow morning but won't now. Not sure whether Harry should have Tamiflu so am praying about that decision as if it is swine flu he has had it for 48 hours and therefore the drug is less effective. Also the side effects are horrendous. We can only trust God in all this and I continue to pray for wisdom to make the right decisions. I really prayed about taking him back yesterday and I felt it was right to do so, and yet I clearly should have kept him at home which I'm feeling really bad about.

Saturday 1st August 2009

2009-08-01T08:13:00.002+01:00

There's much excitement in the household. The boys are packed and ready to go to Newday. I'm praying that it won't be too wet for them ( and for us also under canvas at Faith Camp). I'm excited to see what God is going to do in their lives this year. Harry decided to get baptised after last year's camp. How awesome to be with 7,000 12-19 year olds for a week of preaching, worshipping and music and fun.

Thursday 30th July 2009

2009-07-30T11:45:00.002+01:00

The weeks are flying by. We've had a good week so far. We went wakeboarding yesterday and I even had a go at kneeboarding. It was good fun and we went with friends from church.

The boys are sooooo excited about Newday and are counting the days and hours off- less than 2 days to go now. I'm also looking forward to Faith Camp and the rest in God's presence which it always brings. We will only have a few hours turn around before we go to Switzerland early in the morning after we return from our respective camps.

Still haven't submitted my final amendments. I emailed my work to my supervisors and am awaiting their comments. I do hope I haven't got much work to do as I'm hoping to submit it tomorrow.

2009-07-24T09:26:00.002+01:00

Psalm 42

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and

Proverbs 16:16

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!

Strange week-hectic and friendship difficulties for Rosie ( including major one with daughter of my friend who became a Christian a few weeks ago ). Girls are so different to boys. I haven't had any problems with the boys at all in the friendship department. I'm praying that things will blow over soon as I'm losing sleep about it and trying not to get too involved. Rosie doesn't appear to be bothered and has spent some time with different friends this week. However she is going to the birthday party of one of the girls involved this afternoon, so praying that she will be OK and not excluded. I am so looking forward to Faith Camp a week on Saturday when it will be just Rosie and myself and a friend and her eleven year old where we can refresh ourselves in God's presence ( the boys are away for the week at NEWDAY . We then have our family holiday to look forward to after that.

Charlie has a friend here for 3 nights as his parents are away in Belgium for the weekend. We found out yesterday that Harry passed his grade 4 guitar exam with a distinction! He is so pleased as he didn't think he did very well.

I'm still writing my amendments with great difficulty, as I've had NO time at all this week as I've been taking the children here there and everywhere. I need to work on it today. The weather is lovely again-very hot and sunny. Our friends from Cambridge are coming over tomorrow and we intend to have a BBQ.

Week-end in Lyme Regis

2009-07-20T09:33:00.006+01:00

We have had a great relaxing week- end away in Lyme Regis. The weather wasn't brilliant but we did have a bit of sunshine and we were thankful we didn't have the rainstorms that Bedford did this week-end. We spent two days on the beach. The children went in the sea and played in the sand. We had fish and chips the first night and then ate out the second night.

The traffic was a nightmare though, taking over 5 hours to get there and over 4 to get home.

I'm now trying to get my head round the work I need to submit to complete my probation assessment. So looking forward to a mental break from it now. Two weeks to go before Faith Camp and the boys' trip to Newday in Norfolk.

2009-07-15T08:11:00.001+01:00

Psalm 118:19-29

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you. [a]

27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up [b] to the horns of the altar.

28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Probation passed!

2009-07-14T21:31:00.002+01:00

Yeaah I'm through! By God's grace though. I don't know how people manage to live their lives without Jesus. My viva was very intense- a full hour of questioning. The panel were really kind though and tried to put me at ease. I have to make some ammendments within the next two weeks but only 1-2 sides of A4.

Celebrating with some wine and chocolate cornflakes!

Tomorrow I'm taking Rosie and a friend to MK to look around the shopping centre. Not sure what the boys want to do.

Day of the viva

2009-07-14T08:20:00.002+01:00

What a glorious day! I'm so loving these hot, sunny days and sitting in the conservatory eating my breakfast, looking out on the garden and reading my daily bible notes. I have got in such a routine which I will miss in Autumn. Anyway my bible notes are apt for me today:

Proverbs 15:31-32

31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise.

32 He who ignores discipline despises himself,
but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

I must remember this later on today when my work is being criticised. Yesterday I read through what I had submitted, and found a paragraph which I hadn't checked properly! I must be more careful in future. I had cut and pasted so many sentences and clearly hadn't saved the correct words, so as well as a chunk of text missing it doesn't read at all. Graham tried to reassure me by saying that they might not notice- but I'm sure they will. I need to re- read everything this morning and make sure I understand what I have written. I am experiencing such a memory block at the moment that I'm not sure whether I can get through OK.

I should know by the end of the day if I go through to the second year and have passed my probation assessment.