We arrived back late on Monday after having a fantastic holiday. I managed to blog several times on holiday and just need to transfer it , along with some photos when I have time. I haven't had any time at all this week as we have a family staying with us until tonight. Tomorrow we go to Faith Camp in Peterborough for the week so we are extremely busy trying to unpack, wash, sort out camping equipment in the garage and re pack.
The weather is hot and sunny at the moment and we're hoping it will continue until next week.
Our main bit of excitement is that we are getting a kitten! Rosie is over the moon. One of her friend's cat has just had six kittens so we have been deciding which one to have this week. Lulu is only five weeks old and is so cute! We think she is the one for us but have to wait a few more weeks before she can leave her mum. We are having a lot of work done to the house at the moment including a new kitchen, utility room and doors. So it is good timing as the builder will put a cat flap in the door.
Anyway must go and do some more chores.
Friday, 25 July 2008
Monday, 7 July 2008
Monday 7th July 2008
Yesterday we went to church and then came home and ate the remainder of the Domino's pizza from the night before. I spent most of the day washing and ironing and Graham and Charlie put the roof box on the car. Graham packed his bags and got things ready for our holiday as he has got a busy three days ahead with meeting his new work colleagues and handing over his old job. He officially starts when we return from holiday.
Last night I took Harry and Rosie to the cinema to see Prince Caspian. It was very good but I didn't think as magical as the first film. Graham kept texting me the tennis results as the match resumed after stopping play for rain in the afternoon. I was disappointed that Federer lost but he had obviously met his match yesterday.
Today has been spent packing for our holiday. The builder came round this morning. We have a leak coming from our en suite so he located the problem and we are now without a bathroom. He will repair it whilst we are away. The house is like Beirut at the moment with unfinished doors in the lounge and a hole in the floor in the kitchen/conservatory where it needs to be tiled. It is so dusty as well from the plaster. I'm glad the cleaners are coming on Thursday before our friends move in.
I then went back to the garage where they replaced our tyres and put heavy load ones on ( I hope. )
Rosie has a friend here for the day and then tomorrow she is going to her house whilst I'm at work. Tomorrow I need to let my boss know of my intention to leave and see whether I can go on the bank as I will be allowed to work up to 6 hours a week when I start my PhD.
The weather is very changeable at the moment and one minute it is hot and the sunny and the next it is raining. The weather in Interlaken looks like it will be sunny for a few days after our arrival but rain is forecasted there afterwards.
Last night I took Harry and Rosie to the cinema to see Prince Caspian. It was very good but I didn't think as magical as the first film. Graham kept texting me the tennis results as the match resumed after stopping play for rain in the afternoon. I was disappointed that Federer lost but he had obviously met his match yesterday.
Today has been spent packing for our holiday. The builder came round this morning. We have a leak coming from our en suite so he located the problem and we are now without a bathroom. He will repair it whilst we are away. The house is like Beirut at the moment with unfinished doors in the lounge and a hole in the floor in the kitchen/conservatory where it needs to be tiled. It is so dusty as well from the plaster. I'm glad the cleaners are coming on Thursday before our friends move in.
I then went back to the garage where they replaced our tyres and put heavy load ones on ( I hope. )
Rosie has a friend here for the day and then tomorrow she is going to her house whilst I'm at work. Tomorrow I need to let my boss know of my intention to leave and see whether I can go on the bank as I will be allowed to work up to 6 hours a week when I start my PhD.
The weather is very changeable at the moment and one minute it is hot and the sunny and the next it is raining. The weather in Interlaken looks like it will be sunny for a few days after our arrival but rain is forecasted there afterwards.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Remembering Alison, July 5th 2008
Bedford Park
Graham went over to Cambridge this morning and met up with his parents and Chris. He feels very sad today and hasn't really talked about anything yet. His Dad was wearing a purple tie ( Alison's favourite colour)and Graham placed a purple violet on her grave.
Meanwhile I went to Kwik Fit to get the tyres on the car checked before our long drive to Switzerland. I took Harry and Rosie with me whilst Charlie had a lie in. Apparently the wrong tyres had been fitted on the front wheels. I was advised to go back to the garage where they were fitted. I felt I couldn't make the children wait for so long again ( we had just been through the car wash and had had a car valet)so went into town and bought Rosie some new trainers and a new Monopoly to take on holiday with us. We then went home and Graham returned from Cambridge. He then went to the garage who told him that the correct tyres had been fitted and the other garage were only trying to sell us some new tyres! As he was unsure what to believe he then went to a third garage who confirmed that they were indeed the wrong tyres!
I then took all the children plus Rosie's friend to the church fun day in Bedford Park. The weather was lovely and warm but quite windy. Rain had been forecasted for today so we were pleased it didn't rain. Graham met us there after returning to the garage with proof that they had fitted the wrong tyres. They still insist that the tyres they put on are legal but will order the correct tyres for Monday afternoon. What a pain, but I am glad we checked them nevertheless.
We met up with the friend whose party we went to last Saturday and her daughter. The children had a great time although Harry was a bit bored as there was no one around his age to play with. Charlie met up with his friend and played football.
We then went home and ordered pizza and watched the Dr Who finale which was fantastic. Harry and I played Monopoly which we have left set up to continue play tomorrow. I finished reading Leota's garden last night and started Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers.
Graham went over to Cambridge this morning and met up with his parents and Chris. He feels very sad today and hasn't really talked about anything yet. His Dad was wearing a purple tie ( Alison's favourite colour)and Graham placed a purple violet on her grave.
Meanwhile I went to Kwik Fit to get the tyres on the car checked before our long drive to Switzerland. I took Harry and Rosie with me whilst Charlie had a lie in. Apparently the wrong tyres had been fitted on the front wheels. I was advised to go back to the garage where they were fitted. I felt I couldn't make the children wait for so long again ( we had just been through the car wash and had had a car valet)so went into town and bought Rosie some new trainers and a new Monopoly to take on holiday with us. We then went home and Graham returned from Cambridge. He then went to the garage who told him that the correct tyres had been fitted and the other garage were only trying to sell us some new tyres! As he was unsure what to believe he then went to a third garage who confirmed that they were indeed the wrong tyres!
I then took all the children plus Rosie's friend to the church fun day in Bedford Park. The weather was lovely and warm but quite windy. Rain had been forecasted for today so we were pleased it didn't rain. Graham met us there after returning to the garage with proof that they had fitted the wrong tyres. They still insist that the tyres they put on are legal but will order the correct tyres for Monday afternoon. What a pain, but I am glad we checked them nevertheless.
We met up with the friend whose party we went to last Saturday and her daughter. The children had a great time although Harry was a bit bored as there was no one around his age to play with. Charlie met up with his friend and played football.
We then went home and ordered pizza and watched the Dr Who finale which was fantastic. Harry and I played Monopoly which we have left set up to continue play tomorrow. I finished reading Leota's garden last night and started Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Thankful Thursday 3rd July 2008
I've had a very good but busy few days. I'm thankful for so much in my life today:
The girl who became a Christian on Sunday was at Cornerstone today. She looked fantastic and what struck me the most was that she seemed so at peace with herself. It never ceases to amaze me how God can transform lives; lives that some would just write off as being worthless. We just pray that she is supported well and that God will surround her with Christian people and that He will protect her.
I'm thankful for my husband and family. Rosie had her prize giving today at school and has now broken up for seven weeks. The boys break up tomorrow. We have our holiday to look forward to next week and I can't believe that this time next week we will be in the marvellous mountains and lakes of the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. I have so much to get ready for it beforehand though, including sorting out the house as friends will be staying here in our absence. They have to move out of their house for eight weeks for some structural repairs to take place so they are staying with various families from church. They will be here when we return for a few days and am hoping our builder will have finished his work before then as it might be a bit cosy!
I'm thankful for work ( even though I am leaving). I will miss my friends and colleagues and the families I work with. I do know it is time to move on and I'm so grateful for the fantastic opportunity that lies ahead for me.
I'm thankful for God's continual guidance and gentle rebuking and prodding in areas of my life where I need to change. I continue to pray for wisdom to do His will.
Just returned from fat club. I lost 1/2lb this week and 1lb last week so the weight is slowly coming off. I thank God for my health.
I'm thankful for my garden. The colours are looking more vibrant than ever at the moment- must be from all the rain we have had today.
It is the first anniversary of Alison's death this Saturday so haven't really made any plans as we don't know how we will feel. Graham intends to go to Cambridge with his parents on Saturday morning to meet Chris and put some flowers on her grave.
I'm thankful for Francine Rivers ( Christian author) and my recent discovery of her books. I really can't put them down and have almost finished Leota's Garden which is almost as good as Redeeming Love. I have another two to read of her's which I intend to take on holiday. I love her writing style, particurlary as it is from a Christian perspective. Her characters are such real people, flawed in every way and then they meet Jesus. I didn't ever think I would enjoy books such as these.
The girl who became a Christian on Sunday was at Cornerstone today. She looked fantastic and what struck me the most was that she seemed so at peace with herself. It never ceases to amaze me how God can transform lives; lives that some would just write off as being worthless. We just pray that she is supported well and that God will surround her with Christian people and that He will protect her.
I'm thankful for my husband and family. Rosie had her prize giving today at school and has now broken up for seven weeks. The boys break up tomorrow. We have our holiday to look forward to next week and I can't believe that this time next week we will be in the marvellous mountains and lakes of the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. I have so much to get ready for it beforehand though, including sorting out the house as friends will be staying here in our absence. They have to move out of their house for eight weeks for some structural repairs to take place so they are staying with various families from church. They will be here when we return for a few days and am hoping our builder will have finished his work before then as it might be a bit cosy!
I'm thankful for work ( even though I am leaving). I will miss my friends and colleagues and the families I work with. I do know it is time to move on and I'm so grateful for the fantastic opportunity that lies ahead for me.
I'm thankful for God's continual guidance and gentle rebuking and prodding in areas of my life where I need to change. I continue to pray for wisdom to do His will.
Just returned from fat club. I lost 1/2lb this week and 1lb last week so the weight is slowly coming off. I thank God for my health.
I'm thankful for my garden. The colours are looking more vibrant than ever at the moment- must be from all the rain we have had today.
It is the first anniversary of Alison's death this Saturday so haven't really made any plans as we don't know how we will feel. Graham intends to go to Cambridge with his parents on Saturday morning to meet Chris and put some flowers on her grave.
I'm thankful for Francine Rivers ( Christian author) and my recent discovery of her books. I really can't put them down and have almost finished Leota's Garden which is almost as good as Redeeming Love. I have another two to read of her's which I intend to take on holiday. I love her writing style, particurlary as it is from a Christian perspective. Her characters are such real people, flawed in every way and then they meet Jesus. I didn't ever think I would enjoy books such as these.
Monday, 30 June 2008
Monday 30th June 2008
The winner of my book is gretchen. Just got to work out how to send it to her!
Had a good day. Went to the gym then came home and did a spot of housework. I then went to the kitchen showroom and picked up a brochure before meeting a friend for lunch at La Dolce Vita. She bought me a beautiful silver bookmark for my birthday. I then went home and another friend popped round for a drink.
After collecting Harry from school we went to Tesco and then went to collect Rosie from her rounders match. They won which was great. We then went to the Athletic Stadium to collect Charlie from sports day. He won his 60m race which he was pleased about and received a medal from the headmaster and had to stand on a podium which he was more impressed about.
Graham came home after I took Charlie and his friend to cell group and then he took Harry to band practice which wasn't on!
We have just watched Andy Murray win his match against Gasquet. What a match! He is up against tough opposition in the next round though.
Work tomorrow and I will let people know my intention to leave in September. I'm hoping by doing so that my colleague's three month contract which is due to end in August will be extended.
Had a good day. Went to the gym then came home and did a spot of housework. I then went to the kitchen showroom and picked up a brochure before meeting a friend for lunch at La Dolce Vita. She bought me a beautiful silver bookmark for my birthday. I then went home and another friend popped round for a drink.
After collecting Harry from school we went to Tesco and then went to collect Rosie from her rounders match. They won which was great. We then went to the Athletic Stadium to collect Charlie from sports day. He won his 60m race which he was pleased about and received a medal from the headmaster and had to stand on a podium which he was more impressed about.
Graham came home after I took Charlie and his friend to cell group and then he took Harry to band practice which wasn't on!
We have just watched Andy Murray win his match against Gasquet. What a match! He is up against tough opposition in the next round though.
Work tomorrow and I will let people know my intention to leave in September. I'm hoping by doing so that my colleague's three month contract which is due to end in August will be extended.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Sunday 29th June
Think the above is a great idea and I am posting the following book if anyone is interested. I'm willing to post to USA or Canada.
This is the true story of Johanna-Ruth Dobschiner, a young Jewish girl who lived in Holland during the brutal persecution of the Jews during the Second World War. When the Nazis came to her home, they took away her family but miraculously she was left behind. All of her family members were cruelly murdered. Confused, devastated and frightened she went underground, moving secretly from one sympathetic home to another until the end of the war. It was during this lonely and difficult time that she found a Bible. Reading it, she discovered that not only had she been selected to live physically but also spiritually. Just as God had saved her from among the thousands of condemned Jews, so he could save her from among the millions of condemned sinners on the road to hell.
I thought this book was wonderful. It is gripping, moving and I would recommend it to anyone.
Not really sure how the above comp works but hey ho I'll give it a go.
We've had a couple of great sunny summer days and attended a friend's party yesterday afternoon. She used to be a neighbour but moved with her daughter several years ago into town. We then went to a barbeque at a friend of Harry's from school who lives in the middle of nowhere. There were three other families there including one from our village. We had a great time. We played rounders and pictionary until very late. We arrived home at 11pm and Harry still wanted to sleep outside in the tent we had erected during the day. So muggins here agreed to sleep outside with him as Charlie wanted to sleep in his own bed and he wanted me with him instead of Graham! I read for awhile and actually quite enjoyed lying there in the stillness of the night listening to the sounds of birds and other night time sounds. However I didn't sleep very well as I was just lying on a camping mat and not an inflatable mattress. I woke up very early and came in doors and managed to do some ironing and bible reading before the others got up. I took Harry early to church as he was in the band and I was welcoming. The service was brilliant with two baptisms and one dedication. Luke preached and was amazing as usual. At least two people gave their lives at the end which was fantastic.
After church we went home and had a quick lunch. I sat down for a few minutes which was a mistake as I suddenly became sleepy and before I knew it Graham said he would take everybody to the cafe in the park so I could rest. I must have slept for an hour and then woke up and set off to meet the others. Graham was talking to a friend from the village whose husband was playing in a cricket match and then we walked over to the cafe. I had a pot of earl grey and some ginger cake and then Graham left to play golf. Charlie had met up with a friend from church and then went back to somebody's house for a youth club barbeque. He still isn't back and I guess they are watching football.
The cafe is such a good idea. It is an outreach from church and we make cakes to be sold cheaply during the weekends of July and August and it is manned by volunteers. We spent a lot of last summer there and weather permitting we will do the same again.
We came home and watched Dr. Who which we had recorded last night. What a fantastic episode. I think next week will be the last one of the series.
Ironed and got the school uniform ready for tomorrow. Yesterday we received a letter from Rosie's school to say she has been awarded a cup for being the best achiever in her first year at the school. She will be awarded it at prizegiving this week. We are very proud although Rosie doesn't appear to understand why she has been awarded it!
A friend from the drop in centre phoned me tonight to tell me that one of the clients who came to the discussion group on Thursday came to her church this morning and gave her life to Jesus at the end of the service! Praise God! I pray that God will continue to work in her life and help her with her addictions.
It will be my last week at the gym this coming week until the beginning of September. I will miss it and may be able to fit in a few trips inbetween our trips.
I'm meeting a friend for lunch tomorrow ( a belated birthday get together) which I'm looking forward to.
Friday, 27 June 2008
My birthday
Graham and I outside Paris House, Woburn and photos of the lovely Lavetera bush in our front garden which is fully in bloom now.
I've had a great couple of days. Rosie was singing in a concert at school two evenings this week and had a very small solo part. We all went to watch her much to Charlie's discontent!
Rosie had her sports day on Wednesday and as I took time off work to watch her I had to work yesterday afternoon. Something really strange happened. I had to visit a family who had registered with my surgery and when I arrived at her house it turned out they were asylum seekers from Eritrea. I couldn't believe it. If I had not received the email last week I would not have known about the hardships the country is currently enduring.
Yesterday morning was brilliant at Cornerstone. An ex addict gave his testimony to about 60 people and then we invited people to stay for lunch followed by the start of a 'Lifeshapers' course. We had 7 clients who stayed. God really moved in their lives as people talked about themselves. There were lots of tears but it was so positive as people really do want to change and realise that they can't do it in their own strength. I couldn't stay to the end as I had to go to work but it is so moving to see God working in people's lives.
At about 6pm last night I received a phone call from the Director who was one of my interviewers, to offer me the sponsorship!!! I was totally in shock and am absolutely delighted. God does indeed give us the desires of our hearts and again 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me '( Phil 4:13 )is demonstrated.
The timing is fantastic too as I finish work for the summer in 2 weeks time and go back on the 26th August when I will hand in my month's notice to enable me to start on 30th September.
Anyway, back to today, my birthday. What a good day so far. Graham and the children gave me lots of lovely presents this morning including books and a voucher for more books! Graham's mum bought me a lovely linen top which I plan to wear shortly for lunch.
Graham and I then did the spin class at the gym after dropping the children off at school. Anyway I must go and get ready. I plan to get someone to take a photo of us which I will add to this later.
I've had a great couple of days. Rosie was singing in a concert at school two evenings this week and had a very small solo part. We all went to watch her much to Charlie's discontent!
Rosie had her sports day on Wednesday and as I took time off work to watch her I had to work yesterday afternoon. Something really strange happened. I had to visit a family who had registered with my surgery and when I arrived at her house it turned out they were asylum seekers from Eritrea. I couldn't believe it. If I had not received the email last week I would not have known about the hardships the country is currently enduring.
Yesterday morning was brilliant at Cornerstone. An ex addict gave his testimony to about 60 people and then we invited people to stay for lunch followed by the start of a 'Lifeshapers' course. We had 7 clients who stayed. God really moved in their lives as people talked about themselves. There were lots of tears but it was so positive as people really do want to change and realise that they can't do it in their own strength. I couldn't stay to the end as I had to go to work but it is so moving to see God working in people's lives.
At about 6pm last night I received a phone call from the Director who was one of my interviewers, to offer me the sponsorship!!! I was totally in shock and am absolutely delighted. God does indeed give us the desires of our hearts and again 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me '( Phil 4:13 )is demonstrated.
The timing is fantastic too as I finish work for the summer in 2 weeks time and go back on the 26th August when I will hand in my month's notice to enable me to start on 30th September.
Anyway, back to today, my birthday. What a good day so far. Graham and the children gave me lots of lovely presents this morning including books and a voucher for more books! Graham's mum bought me a lovely linen top which I plan to wear shortly for lunch.
Graham and I then did the spin class at the gym after dropping the children off at school. Anyway I must go and get ready. I plan to get someone to take a photo of us which I will add to this later.
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