Monday 29 December 2014

Christmas 2014

Our Christmas letter 2014:

Turning, in this time of Advent, to the Greatest Story of All. And thinking of our own year filled with stories...a good selection of biographies, comedy, romance, travel  and action/adventure.

Life stories, as we have met up with old friends, shared memories and caught up on what has been happening in our lives. Thank you to all those who have journeyed across the water to visit us: a warm, not watery, welcome awaits the rest of you!

School stories: as Jonny ploughed his way successfully through his PGCE year and got his first teaching job, Angie moved to Year 6 and enjoyed teaching girls again.

Romantic stories: a year dominated by an extraordinarily happy wedding. We shared in the preparations over the months and weeks beforehand: #dryinglavender #rosepetals #organisingelectricity  #orderingelectricals  #fairylights .  Then we spent the penultimate week in a Norfolk cottage with Phil and Judy, #dearfriends #Adelesparents.  Putting the marquee together in a field next to a Tudor mansion was full of fun.

Family stories, as Cat visited from New Zealand, most of the cousins met up for the first time ever and the adults were together for a family occasion which was, happily, NOT a funeral. Someone celebrated a VERY big birthday and also, with Someone Else whose turn it is NEXT year, achieved 30 years of "ecstatically-happy-never-a-cross-word" married life.

Holiday stories...In January, trapped for several days on a remote island with no access to the mainland; Lihou, half a mile of the south coast of Guernsey, accessible only at low tide. Visiting friends in sunny Cyprus during a cold February half term; #blissfulwarmth. Exploring the beauty of Norwich and Norfolk; #officiallyinlovewithEastAnglia. Camping, recharging spiritual batteries at Spring Harvest in France; wonderful cycling as well.

We talk, often, of what our future story may be. Life is changing, as Richard retires officially in May next year.

When I think of all our stories, I remember something I read recently: "The best stories are centered on the hope and gratitude we live out in the midst of our imperfect stories."

Whatever happens, we are grateful to God for His care of us and ours this past year and look forward to whatever is store in the future.

Sunday 28 December 2014

Crazy in love

The Boy and Dear Daughter-in-Love have just left after a week. Their first Christmas together, and they chose to spend it with us.

#feelingloved #veryhonoured.

A wonderful time. Relaxed, chilled and a deep sense of peace.
Celebrating Christ's birth in song and services and shared meals.
Giving, laughing, living.

(With just a little grieving over Dear Daughter's absence in New Zealand. We thank God for Skype and for dear friends there who substitute family for family and give her love and laughter too.)

And now they are gone. The house feels actively calm, as if rooms are springing back into their own emptier shapes now that there are only two of us here. I sense the carpets breathing again, the furniture settling back to normal living. I can hear the dishwasher working in the silence.

The dog gazes out of the window, hoping for their return.

The Swedish tomte on the window sill know better. My heart echoes their woodenness.

And the Father?
The Father, after we have said our goodbyes at airport departures, suggests we have a coffee in the airport runway viewing lounge.
The Father leaps to his feet as they walk out towards the aeroplane, waving a last goodbye.
The Father drives us home for one last look for waves to tell the Boy, the Surfer, about.
The Father goes online to track their flight. He tells me the time they have taken off. He tells me that they haven't yet landed at their intermediate destination. (The Other Channel Island, the name of which cannot be mentioned here.) He shows me where they are as they fly across the English Channel. He wonders why they have to circle the airport before they land.

He is crazy over them.

And as we reenter normal existence, where we live our lives, they live theirs and sometimes we are able to share through emails and Skype calls and occasional texts, I am reminded of how our Father in Heaven, too, is crazy over us. So crazy in love that he knows what we are doing every moment of the day.

He has looked deep into our hearts, and he knows all about us.
He knows when we are resting and when we are working.
Even from a distance, he knows what we are thinking.

He notices everything we do and everywhere we go.
Before we even speak, he knows what we will say.
He protects us on every side.

There is absolutely no escaping from Him and His love.
Nothing about us is hidden from Him!
Even before we were born, he knew everything we would do.


Our Father in Heaven doesn't need flightradar.com to track us. But He is crazy in love, too. And he loves The Boy and Dear Daughter-in-Love and Dear Daughter even more than we - and the dog - do.


Friday 26 December 2014

Christmas

This would normally be a post over at my reflective blog... but Christmas posts usually appear here.

I have subscribed to a blog by a Christian writer, Bonnie Gray, called Faith Barista, for some years. I always enjoy her writing and view on life and am fortunate to have a copy of her book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace. In the run up to Christmas Day, there was time to look at her blog. Christmas Eve was entitled Come. Rest Your Heart. It's Christmas Eve.

Brilliant invitation. And as I read of her visit to her son's kindergarten to tell of how her family celebrates Christmas, her words touched those deep places in my heart.
As she shared her little nativity set and the candles which represented the hope of the star, the peace of the angels, the joy of the shepherds and the love of the magi, she commented: "If we always have Jesus in our hearts, we will always have Christmas."

And of course I agree with that, just as I am encouraged by Nanette Elkins to make room for Jesus in my heart so that I could keep him at the centre this Christmas.

So, on Boxing Day, as I reflect on all the busyness of Christmas, I realised that these wonderful women have sown seeds which did indeed help me do that.

I wasn't consciously focusing on the person of Jesus as I wrapped presents and prepared meals, but the fruits of his presence were evident. Cooking a large roast dinner is something I only do once a year: at Christmas. A challenge to coordinate and have everything ready on time. Would the turkey be overcooked and dry? Could I manage to get the vegetables all ready at the same time? Would I remember to do everything?

With Richard's help in organising the kitchen, laying the table and serving drinks, and the visit of dear family and friends, stress was absent.

Yes, I was slightly anxious: but not stressed.
Yes, I was busy: but not rushed.
Yes, I was abstracted: but there was always time and energy to talk.

All calm and bright, indeed.


Adele and Jonny - dearest daughter-in-law and son
Karyn and Garth - dearest friends for many years

Sunday 30 November 2014

Book review: Love Letter, a Babe's Bible novel

There was a health warning on the back of this book: 'Not for the faint hearted...once you begin you won't want to stop, but be prepared for an emotional journey.'

Love Letter is the third - and, I guess, sadly the last - in the Babe's Bible trilogy. Karen Jones has created a compelling character in Grace, a vicar, who deals with many of life's challenges and problems.  Grace's encounters with her husband and son, her friends, her colleagues and the women she encounters at the women's refuge she has helped set up, are interwoven with the book of Ephesians. Meanwhile, Grace is writing a story of her own: begun in the first book (Gorgeous Grace), it is the story of Mary and Lila, first century women who are disciples of Jesus.

There are many parallels and reflections between what happens in Grace's world, and what happens in the world she has recreated in her book. Yet the stories are not too similar. In Grace's world, sinful characters find redemption and grace; in the first century, there is much evil as the Jews suffer under Roman rule until, in 70 AD, the temple in Jerusalem is torn down. Yet throughout both stories there is a powerful sense of God at work in people's lives.

So yes, it WAS true. I read the book very quickly indeed. It was truly a superbly crafted page turner. Having finished the last in the trilogy, it is probably time to start at the beginning again: because these are books well worth a second read.

Advent/Christmas

Such beautiful words and harmonies...

The story of how a new verse for 'Silent Night' has been written by Ben Cantelon and Nick Herbert.

Sunday 23 November 2014

Advent. Christmas. Jesse tree...

Today is Stir Up Sunday.  So next Sunday is the beginning of Advent.

I've been asked to present a Christmas craft/tradition at our church Christmas craft fair. I'll be showing folk the little layered gingerbread Christmas trees I make, but also salt dough ornaments. (recipe: a quarter of a cup of salt, one cup of flour and enough hot water - maybe up to one third of a cup - to make a firm dough, cooked for up to three minutes in the microwave on medium heat, carefully) My daughter and I made these a dozen years ago, representing Jesus's story. Ornaments for a Jesse tree. There is a saying: “The Old Testament conceals what the New Testament reveals.”  The Jesse tree does this beautifully.

This site has a good summary of the Bible verse, a suggested symbol and a child friendly explanation; there are also suggestions for making the tree and ornaments. Ann Voskamp has a Christmas devotional book, with a free set of the ornaments. There is a detailed explanation here.

I came across a beautiful post about making the ornaments with a group of friends and then exchanging them. Ideally with a group of 25 women (24 days in Advent, plus Christmas), each one makes 24 ornaments and 1 for themselves, then all exchange so that each one has a set of 25 different ornaments. I started off a Jesse tree using the children's toy animals and other bits and pieces I had to hand, but this is a lovely idea. I've also, in the past, done it using old Christmas cards, cut up and hung with ribbon, putting the relevant Bible verse on the back of each; we've even made our own Advent calendars in this way.

There is also a simple way of doing it with printed images or even building up a Nativity scene with the relevant Bible verses.

FlameCreativeKids have the best ideas for Advent activities.

Here are the verses, (from a Catholic website) with some suggestions:
JESSE TREE SCRIPTURES (The symbols are only suggestions)
December 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31; 2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
December 2 Adam and Eve: Gen. 2:7-9, 18-24 Symbols: tree, man, woman
December 3 Fall of Man: Gen. 3:1-7 and 23-24 Symbols: tree, serpent, apple with bite
December 4 Noah: Gen. 6:5-8, 13-22; 7:17, 23, 24; 8:1, 6-22 Symbols: ark, animals, dove, rainbow
December 5 Abraham: Gen. 12:1-3 Symbols: torch, sword, mountain
December 6 Isaac: Gen. 22:1-14 Symbols: bundle of wood, altar, ram in bush
December 7 Jacob: Gen. 25:1-34; 28:10-15 Symbols: kettle, ladder
December 8 Joseph: Gen. 37:23-28; 45:3-15 Symbols: bucket, well, silver coins, tunic
December 9 Moses: Ex. 2:1-10 Symbols: baby in basket, river and rushes
December 10 Samuel: 1 Sam. 3:1-18 Symbols: lamp, temple
December 11 Jesse: 1 Sam. 16:1-13 Symbols: crimson robe, shepherd's staff
December 12 David: 1 Sam. 17:12-51 Symbols: slingshot, 6-pointed star
December 13 Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-14, 16-28 Symbols: scales of justice, temple, two babies and sword
December 14 Joseph: Matt. 1:18-25 Symbols: hammer, saw, chisel, angle
December 15 Mary: Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 Symbols: lily, crown of stars, pierced heart
December 16 John the Baptist: Mark 1:1-8 Symbols: shell with water, river
On December 17, the Church begins to intensify the preparation for Christmas with the use of the "O" Antiphons during the Liturgy of the Hours. The symbols for the Jesse Tree from December 17 to 23 are based on the "O" Antiphons.
December 17 Jesus is Wisdom: Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus in old Bibles) 24:2; Wisdom 8:1 Symbols:oil lamp, open book
December 18 Jesus is Lord: Ex. 3:2; 20:1 Symbols: burning bush, stone tablets
December 19 Jesus is Flower of Jesse: Isaiah 11:1-3 Symbols: flower, plant with flower
December 20 Jesus is Key of David: Isaiah 22:22 Symbols: key, broken chains
December 21 Jesus is the Radiant Dawn: Psalm 19:6-7 (in older Bibles this will be Psalm 18)Symbols: sun rising or high in sky
December 22 Jesus is King of the Gentiles: Psalm 2:7-8; Ephesians 2:14-20 Symbols: crown, scepter
December 23 Jesus is Emmanuel: Isaiah 7:14; 33:22 Symbols: tablets of stone, chalice and host
December 24 Jesus is Light of the World: John 1:1-14 Symbols: candle, flame, sun
Activity SourceJesse Tree Kit, A by Betsy Walter, Pauline Books and Media, Boston, MA, 1983
Also:
Day 1: Earth
Day 2: Apple & Snake
Day 3: Ark & Rainbow
Day 4: Camel & Tent
Day 5: Lamb
Day 6: Ladder
Day 7: Colourful Coat
Day 8: 10 Commandments
Day 9: Grapes
Day 10: Wheat
Day 11: Slingshot
Day 12: Scroll/Bible
Day 13: Stump w/ Leaf
Day 14: Lion & Lamb
Day 15: Dove Crown
Day 16: Lamb & Shepherd. Staff
Day 17: Cross Day 
Day 18: Heart 
Day 19: Bethlehem Silhouette
Day 20: Fiery Furnace
Day 21: Brick Wall
Day 22: Star
Day 23: Candle
Day 24: Angel
Day 25: Baby in Manger/Nativity

And the most straightforward by far, thanks to Confessions of a Homeschooler

December 1 Genesis 1:1 - 2:4 Creation - Sun The Jesse Tree
December 2 Genesis 2:7-24;3:1-24 The Garden, The Fall Paradise Garden
December 3 Genesis 6:5-22 The Arc A Boat Full of Animals
December 4 Genesis 12:1-3 Abraham Strange Visitors
December 5 Genesis 22:1-14 Isaac A Test of Love
December 6 Genesis 25:1-34 Jacob Stairway to Heaven
December 7 Genesis 37:23-28 Joseph The Dreamer
December 8 Genesis 41 & 45 Pharaoh Famine & Plenty
December 9 Exodus 2:1-10;14:1-31 Moses Let My People Go!
December 10 Ruth 4:1-17 Ruth The Foreigner
December 11 1 Samuel 3:1-18 Samuel “Speak, Lord, For Your Servant is Listening”
December 12 1 Samuel 16:1-13 David The Shepherd King
December 13 1 Samuel 17:12-51 Jesse Dancing
December 14 1 Kings 3:5-28 Solomon The Wisdom of Solomon
December 15 1 Kings 18:19-39 Elijah The Idol & The Still Small Voice
December 16 Daniel 6:2-29 Daniel
December 17 Isaiah 9:1-7, 11:1-5 Isaiah War and Peace
December 18 Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah Dumbstruck!
December 19 Luke 1:26-55,   Matthew 1:18-25 Mary & Joseph Mary
December 20 Mark 1:1-8 John the Baptist Jumping for Joy
December 21 Luke 2:1-5 Journey to Bethlehem The Worst of all Possible Times
December 22 Luke 2:1-15 Birth of Jesus Wonderful News
December 23 Matthew 2:1-12 Magi Visit the Messiah The Cunning and the Wise, Angels
December 24 John 1:1-18 The Brightest Star The Brightest Star

And these were just adorable:
25 handmade Christmas ornaments1.  a globe or picture of the Earth
2.  an apple and a snake wrapped around it
3.  an ark with a rainbow
4.  a camel and a tent
5.  a lamb
6.  a ladder
7.  a colorful coat
8.  a tablet with ten numbers
9.  a cluster of grapes
10. a sheaf of wheat
11. a slingshot
12. a scroll or Bible
13. a stump with fresh shoot or green leaf
14. a lion and a lamb
15. a dove and a crown
16. a lamb and a shepherd’s staff
17. a cross
18. a heart with writing on it
19. a Bethlehem town silhouette with star
20. a fiery furnace
21. a brick wall
22. a star
23. a candle or light
24. an angel
25. a baby in a manger or a nativity scene

And another nice Advent calendar idea, writing verses and activities into red and green envelopes or pockets and creating a tree shape.

Sunday 2 November 2014

A bit of a waffle about happiness...

Listening to a TED talk on happiness, I was reminded of my educational thesis (many many years ago) which explored the development of self as linked to the other - Martin Buber  who suggested that we truly exist when we encounter others (the 'Ich - Du' relationship).  "... the modes of consciousness, interaction, and being through which an individual engages with other individuals, inanimate objects, and all reality in general...expressing the interpersonal nature of human existence....Common English words used to describe the Ich‑Du relationship include encounter, meeting, dialogue, mutuality, and exchange." (Wikipedia)

So as Nancy Etcoff talks about our innate desire for and pursuit of happiness, I found myself thinking about the PSHE syllabus, for which I am responsible at school. And of how, though we encourage giving and generosity and sharing, there are few educational objectives for this. Most of the syllabus is on improving oneself.

Of course, there are myriads of anthropological studies out there on the different ways in which societies function. But, perhaps, happiness really just boils down to one thing: interacting successfully with others, putting others' needs first, being generous and being loving.

Jesus, anyone?

Wednesday 29 October 2014

A September Bride

This was another fun read in the Year of Weddings novella series.
Annie Price has recently moved to Red Leaf to take up a job she loves: manager of a second hand bookshop, whose elderly owner, Lorna Kent, she had met online. Unfortunately, barely days into her new job, the police officer who pulls her over for for a fault on her car turns out to be Lorna's son Jesse, who is very suspicious of Annie.

The scene is set for romance, and Kathryn Springer does not disappoint. Neat characterisation and descriptive settings make the reader smile as attraction between Annie and Jesse deepens. Then the local historical society, with which Annie is involved, decides to reenact the wedding of a couple who were instrumental in founding Red Leaf. A relative lends the original wedding dress for the event, and Annie is the only one who can fit into it. Meanwhile, Jesse is then inveigled into taking the part of the groom...

A light bit of escapism in a sweet series: probably one of the best so far. I really enjoyed Springer's writing style and will look for more by this author.

I received this book at no charge from www.booklookbloggers.com in exchange for an honest review.

An August Bride by Debra Clopton

Review no 2. I read An August Bride in August, some light relief in the middle of hectic preparations for our own lovely August Wedding.

Right in the opening of the book Kelsey Wilcox, who has escaped a jilting fiance and her ranching background, is rescued from drowning by Brent Corbin. The sparks of attraction fly between them, but the path of love is not at all smooth.

Kelsey has made a new life for herself, surviving the disappointment of losing her cowboy fiance when he jilted her at the altar AND her father's loss of the family ranch when lack of finances made it impossible to continue.

She has vowed never to have anything to do with cowboys again, having built up her own bakery and cafe business on the beach, but Brent farms a cattle ranch nearby and she finds herself going out there to visit.

As the love story unfolds, with the help of Kelsey's aunt and her two friends who are known as the Matchmakin' Posse of Mule Hollow, we walk with Kelsey as she is faced with her own bitterness. She realises that her dislike of weddings and prejudice against cowboys stem from her own sense of betrayal but that she CAN dare to trust again.  And haven't most women felt like this at some time or another? Walking Kelsey's journey with her, as she gets to know a man who loves and respects her, encourages women with the hope of finding love again.

This was an easy-read little romance, which I read through the Booklook Bloggers program, which provides review copies free of charge.
I review for BookLook Bloggers

Tuesday 28 October 2014

A July Bride: book review

When I signed up for The Year of Weddings novella series, I hadn't quite appreciated that the year would run away with me, despite Booklook Bloggers providing me with free copies at regular monthly intervals.  I'm enjoying the series and am grateful to them for this lovely, light reading. So, here I am, at the end of October, catching up on book reviews.

A July Bride by Beth Wiseman opens with a wedding and finishes with a wedding. Same bride, different bridegrooms. It is a sweet story of Alyssa, jilted AT THE ALTAR by her high school sweetheart, Brendan. Of course, he regrets it straight away but it is too late: Alyssa, understandably, doesn't want any more to do with him.
On to the scene steps the handsome, well-off Dalton, a nice guy who also happens to be a friend of Alyssa's brother Alex.
Everyone lives, happily and not so happily, in the same small town.

Beth Wiseman weaves an interesting story. Dalton has recently broken up with his girlfriend and, while he wants to date Alyssa, is under no illusions that she will get over Brendan quickly. He's ready to be patient. Brendan, meanwhile, is doing everything he can to get Alyssa back. But she just can't trust him any more...

As Brendan and Alyssa untangle their feelings, dodge their way clumsily through misunderstandings and try to get on with their lives, Alyssa and Dalton get engaged.

There are some charming insights woven into the story. Alyssa tells Brendan: "You don't hurt the people you love," Brendan replies: "Of course you do. When the love is real and deep, you have the capacity to hurt someone more than you ever thought. People who love that deeply hurt each other, even though they don't mean to."

"You can forgive," says Alyssa's friend Sherry, "or you can let the hurt wrap around you until it sucks the life out of you."

Not just a little light reading. Wise advice for marriage, for relationships, for life. A light read: we guess the ending, but it still comes as a slight surprise. And on the way, some personal reflection, too. What's not to love about A July Bride?

Sunday 28 September 2014

The God of Second Chances

The weekend has been perfect for some gentle surfing. The sea is seasonably warm, the sunshine unseasonably strong and constant and the waves clean and gentle: just enough for a little run in towards the beach on a longboard or bodyboard.

It has felt good: the sun on my face, the salt water silky on my skin, turquoise depths rolling gently around my body.

I catch the first wave, leaping up as it approaches just in time. The wave rushes me into shore as I shift my balance to make the most of the water's energy.

The wave spits me onto the sand. Like Jonah, I tumble breathless onto the shore, scrambling to my feet. Like Jonah, I head back again to ride the waves a second time. He heads off to Nineveh, carrying God's message, obedient at last. I head back towards the waves, missing the first good one as I am too far in to shore; then there is another: I still miss it. And another, which I catch.

There is always another wave. There is always another chance. Just like God's grace: always, always another chance when we turn back, head out to sea again, looking for opportunities to be obedient. I think of all those in the Bible who had a second chance, who God did not write off: Moses, murderer, coward; David, adulterer; Peter, deserter...

The wave carries me in again. It is like God's love carrying me: the wave urges me forwards, bringing me to the safety of the sand beneath my feet in shallow water. The tide, just off its peak height, is surging out, but I am safe. It will not sweep me out to sea. Our tides here are vast, the range reaching ten metres on the full moon, among the largest in the world.

The sweep of life is vast: joy and sorrow, gain and loss, life and death...God's grace carries us through. We are not overwhelmed.

I go back out, again and again. I  catch a wave, again and again. Sometimes I miss the chance; sometimes what looks promising, is not; sometimes what looks unpromising, is, carrying me further and faster than I anticipate.

I have more than a second chance. I have many. I just need to keep my eyes open, my heart ready and my ears listening for the roar of the surf.

Postscript: I shared this, and then some more - see below:

Second chances

I've been thinking of second chances recently. Jonah: given a second chance to obey God.  Jacob: reconciled with Esau, after tricking Esau out of his inheritance (Genesis 32 - 34). Jacob sent Esau gifts before their meetings, afraid Esau would destroy his family, but was given a second chance at a relationship. Moses: a murderer and an exile whose countrymen turned against him, given a chance as leader. Samson - got revenge on the Philistines, given another chance to defeat the enemies of Israel. Naomi - given another chance, through Ruth, to be a grandmother. Peter - given another chance to be restored in his relationship with Jesus.

Given another chance. Over and over again.
Notice what happened in these lives before God gave them their second chance:

Jonah “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble,
and he answered me.
called to you from the land of the dead,
and Lord, you heard me!
You threw me into the ocean depths,
and I sank down to the heart of the sea.
The mighty waters engulfed me;
I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.
Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.
Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.


“I sank beneath the waves,
and the waters closed over me.
Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.
I was imprisoned in the earth,
whose gates lock shut forever.
But you, O Lord my God,
snatched me from the jaws of death!
As my life was slipping away,
I remembered the Lord.
And my earnest prayer went out to you

in your holy Temple.
Those who worship false gods
turn their backs on all God’s mercies.
But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,
and I will fulfill all my vows.
For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

Then God saved Jonah from PHYSICAL death when he 'ordered the fish to spit Jonah up onto dry land.'

Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”  (Jonah 3:1 - 2)

And Jonah did. God gave him a second chance.

Moses, too. In more than one way. A murderer, he had fled from Egypt, fearing for his life, but God took him back there again. The fugitive had become a leader who would confront the very man who had power over life and death.  Not only that, even when carrying the stone tablets, "the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets", he lost his temper so badly that he threw the work of God on the ground. The tablets broke. Nevertheless, after the Israelites suffered various punishments and consequences, God gave Moses and the people a second chance. God gave the rules all over again.  "...he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Then Moses, at God's direction, wrote down God's commandments. (Genesis 34:1, 28)

God gave Moses - and the people - a second chance. He gives us second chances, too.

These people experienced: all hope gone - desolation; desperation; restoration.

So what do we do, when we regret something we have done, or something we should have done, but didn't?

It's never too late. We have a God who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, loving, forgiving...

We can, like Jonah:
Remember that we have a loving and gracious God and cry out to him, as needily and humbly as small children.
Ask God, like Jacob did, to save us from the consequences of our actions, doing our best to put things right.
Be obedient, as Moses was, listening to God and doing what God tells us to, not knowing where this will take us.

With God, it's never too late. God says in the book of Joel: "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm —
my great army that I sent among you.
You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
"

Saturday 20 September 2014

People are fragile

We live in a fragile world. A world of deteriorating environmental quality, a world of natural disasters and man-made tragedies. And in it, we all struggle to live our lives. Daily.

Some of us struggle less than others. Some of us have been born into Western world material comfort, though many have less 'comforts' than the wealthy few. Yet many more of those who live on the planet lack even the most essential of needs: adequate shelter; food - of some description, not necessarily, even, good food; clean water.

Many have lost fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours.  Many have suffered great personal tragedy.

Overwhelming.

Yet beauty can come out of ashes. Friends can be family. Kindness can overcome cruelty.

So I need to remember - we ALL need to remember, but I am responsible only for my own actions - how to behave kindly.

To praise and encourage and say kind words to gladden other people's hearts.
To give the benefit of the doubt.
To be gentle with pointing out errors. And that, only if absolutely necessary.
To forgive.
To apologize.
To say 'Thank you. I'm so glad you did that.'

And, also, to be all that to myself as well. Because we are ALL fragile.

I was inspired for this post by Deidra:

"I have three passages of scripture I use as my marching orders. They rest soundly and squarely atop John 3:16, because where would I be without For God so loved the world?

... The first passage of scripture is in the letter we call Ephesians:

The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.

...Jesus is in the business of tearing down the walls we build to keep us separated from each other. We build the walls. Not Christ.

...The second passage of scripture is Matthew 18:15, which says, “If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend.”

...I believe Jesus knew we’d get on each other’s nerves, even in the Body of Christ. I believe he knew we’d see things differently and step on each others’ toes, and that we’d be tempted to let that cause a rift between us. I even believe Jesus knew how we’d tend to take to Facebook and Twitter before we’d walk a mile or so to stand in front of the person who ticked us off and try to work it out between us. Jesus knows the way we think and so He said to us, “Hey, when you get on each others’ nerves, go to that person—face-to-face—and try to figure things out.”

The third passage of scripture is this: “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:35, MSG)

Church (as my pastor used to say), the world is watching us. Like it or not, it’s the truth. The world is watching us. And when we get it right, it’s our love for one another that the world finds attractive. It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard or read, but it’s not programs or numbers or followers or shares that make the world sit up and take notice about the things that matter for eternity. It’s not even miracles and signs and wonders. Jesus didn’t say they’d know we’re His disciples because of how much money we raise or how many books we’ve published. He said the world will know we’re His disciples because of our love for each other.

That’s something, isn’t it?

I have this crazy idea that if the Church—the Body of Christ—could figure this out and stop building walls and holding grudges and let the world see a new kind of extravagant love, we might actually be able to speak truth to power and let God set a table of grace, even in the presence of those who see things differently than we do.

...where is God inviting you to join him? It may not be as far as you think. What’s keeping you from saying yes to Him? What if God wants to grow that seed He’s planted in your heart and all you need to do is let Him do it?

Saturday 6 September 2014

30 years...a brief (very brief) summary

Yesterday was our thirtieth wedding anniversary. (I think. I get muddled up with these ordinal numbers, but I think that is right. In any case, we have been married for thirty years.)

THIRTY years!  How did that happen?!

Thirty years of adventure. Not in a very great sense, in some ways, but perhaps we have seen more adventure and change than many of our peers who have spent all their lives in the UK.

In the last thirty years married to Richard, I have:
  1. Given birth to twins. A boy and a girl. Now grown up. Wonderful people.
  2. Moved house several times. ( See footnote )
  3. Laughed. A lot. Cried some. Shared my heart.
  4. Moved continent and culture. Only one major adjustment; several minor ones. 
  5. Travelled backwards and forwards between Africa and Europe, and across the globe.
  6. Lived in a tent. Twice. For several weeks at a time.
  7. Learned to study the Bible, joined Bible study groups and led Bible studies.
  8. Lived in a tin hut. Nine months, that one.
  9. Cooked over open fires, on antique wood-burning stoves and on a very elderly, running-off-a- gas-cylinder cooker.
  10. Lived in a wooden house - built from cedar from Mount Kenya.
  11. Made good friends from many different countries, most of whom are now, also, scattered across the globe.
  12. Lived in a bungalow, a large Victorian terrace, a modern house and several converted barns...
  13. Run a gliding club. Challenging.
  14. Run a golf club. Even more challenging.
  15. Flown, often, in aeroplanes, from huge jets to tiny two-seaters.
  16. Camped in remote parts of the African bush - and even, not so remotely, in Europe, too.
  17. Been chased by elephants.
  18. Listened to leopards and hyenas.
  19. Tracked animal footprints. Yes, even lions.
  20. Encountered snakes. Too many times.
  21. Bathed in hot water springs.
  22. Learned to drive on murram roads, in mud, and past corrupt policemen.
  23. Been robbed at home, at knife point.
  24. Written stories and, occasionally, published articles.
  25. Sailed, canoed and travelled by boat and barge on lakes, rivers and canals. 
  26. Swum in the warm Indian ocean and the cold Atlantic.
  27. Enjoyed crafting and making cards.
  28. Taught many children.
  29. Become adept at using computer technology.
  30. Written a blog!
Each one tells a story of its own.  And in the previous thirty years? That's another story altogether...

So, we celebrated. With friends. Afternoon tea, tapas lunch. Cake for my colleagues, chocolate for my pupils. And a special meal out...

Overwhelmed with blessing, kind thoughts, touching cards, gifts and beautiful flowers. #feelingloved

2.A list of some of the places we have lived in:


                                                                              Lanet.


                                                                 Njoro Country Club.


                                                                 Mweiga Airfield
                                     


                                                           Aberdare Country Club.


Kiganjo



Nairobi


Rugby.


Bailloterie.


4 Cabot.


Barnsfield.

Friday 22 August 2014

Thursday 21 August 2014

Camping. Glamping?

I have been camping - both on holiday and, occasionally, as a lifestyle: but that's another story - most of my life. I started when I was eleven, when my parents decided that hotel holidays with four children were becoming too expensive, so they bought the largest frame tent they could find and the rest was history.

We are still using some of the equipment from those epic trips around Europe: the 40 year old plastic water carrier (French); the hanging wardrobes, superb for storing all kinds of items, although then we used them for clothes; the stacking saucepans, all fitting in neatly one inside the other; we even have one of the canvas campbeds and a couple of thick sleeping bags which zip together neatly.

My father developed the art of packing the car to an extreme. In days before seatbelts, he took out the back seat and replaced it with tightly bundled sleeping bags tied down with string onto bamboo struts. Add an overstuffed boot, stuff in the rear footwell and a crammed-to-capacity roofrack and we were good to go.

And, of course, we drove for hours and hours and hours. Which is partly why I am more than a little envious of these good friends who camp in France with their tandem. Tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and clothes all fit neatly into the panniers or the little trailer. There is room for a good-sized umbrella strapped to the main frame, while laundry is efficiently air-dried from its position draped over the handlebars.


The lure of cycle camping is still there, but I can't complain. Since those childhood trips, camping for me has mostly consisted of a heavy canvas safari tent, complete with wooden poles, in the middle of the bush. When we were first married, we could decide to go camping and be off on safari within half an hour. We had a camping box stocked with enamel cups and plates, simple cutlery, matches and washing up liquid, a gas lamp and stove for emergencies.

Our favourite site was in a remote part of a Lake Bogoria game reserve, populated by flamingoes, greater kudu and the resident leopard, all of which we have seen strolling a few yards from our tent. Throw in scorpions and snakes for excitement and some to spare. A freshwater spring trickled down from the hillside above us and fig trees provided gentle shade. It was a truly magical place.

We took our children camping when they were only a few months old. On our first trip, our daughter screamed while we drove on tarmac, only calming when we bumped and lurched along a murram road, hugely potholed and rutted after heavy rains had wrought their havoc. She has been enthusiastic about trail and bush expeditions ever since.

Our tent rarely saw another in all those years. Remote and isolated, save for wildlife, was our dream. Hyenas  and lions kept us awake at night, occasionally nosing round the outside of our tent and, once, removing laundry from a hanging branch nearby. Superb starlings flocked within touching distance. Elephants walked curiously through the campsite as we watched cautiously from a safe - or so we hoped - distance. And striking camp was ALWAYS exciting - we never knew what we might find hiding beneath the groundsheet.

Then we moved to England, exchanging our faithful wooden camping box for plastic crates, our canvas tent for a lightweight dome. Shocked by the unwelcoming climate, we camped only in Portugal (by air: tent and box came with us, the ground was our seating and our bed tiny self-inflating mattresses). Until New Wine.

Camping within touching distance of the next tent was a new experience - not to mention being with over 10,000 others on the Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet. We discovered a new kind of camping, living in community with others from the church for a week. The weather had to be accepted as it was and, generally, was reasonably kind although we were also 'treated' to torrential rain and thunderstorms at times. This was July in England, after all.

Now, our camping has ventured into new territories.  Here at Le Pas Opton, France, we have an idyllic spot by a river, enclosed by hedges. Not only do we have running water, flush toilets and hot showers but, for the first time, we camp With Electricity. Overhead and table lights; a kettle; and a slow cooker.  Beach chairs and an inflatable sofa; rugs on the floor; a tablecloth on the coffee table. No sleeping bags and mattresses, but an airbed complete with sheets, pillows and cosy duvet. No lengthy cooking chores: instead, we prepare a meal in the morning and it is ready for us when we return after an afternoon out. Add to that, a huge tent with living room space and picture windows.

As I wander up to the loos (yes, a walk to the toilets is still a feature of everyday life) in my satin pyjamas (elegant daughter's cast-offs), I wonder: is this, perhaps, glamping?
Evening ambience

Glamping

Friday 15 August 2014

Wonderful photos...

Sitting here, smiling until my face aches as I look at Matt Ethan's wonderful photos.  Here they are on his blog...

Friday 8 August 2014

Wedding: celebration

The marriage itself was an incredibly rich celebration. Words are so important, so I loved their choice of lyrics in the songs they chose: both the songs we listened to and the songs we all sang together.

Adele came in to Van McCoy's 'Baby I'm Yours' played by Tom Hartley-Booth, with Amy, Josh and Joel Fiddy.

Baby, I'm yours
(baby, I'm yours)
And I'll be yours (yours)
until the stars fall from the sky.
Yours (yours) until the rivers all run dry
In other words, until I die.
Baby, I'm yours
(baby, I'm yours)
And I'll be yours (yours)
until the sun no longer shines,
Yours (yours) until the poets run out of rhyme.
In other words, until the end of time.
I'm gonna stay right here by your side.
Do my best to keep you satisfied
Nothing in the world could drive me away.
Everyday, you'll hear me say
"Baby, I'm yours"
(baby, I'm yours)
And I'll be yours (yours)
until two and two is three.
Yours (yours) until the mountains crumble to the sea
In other words, until eternity...

Drawings by Adele...?

...and drawings by Jonny. What a perfect Scripture to begin married life with.





These songs spoke of how their marriage is so rooted in Jesus: the Word who is Love. Hearts sang with voices.
like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3


Those English Literature studies have their uses...

Jenny, Adam and Josh: absolute singing legends...
Jenny and Adam: sister-in-law, soon-to-be-brother-in-law!


Josh, housemate who 'survived' Jonny for two years...and still loves him!


Mr and Mrs Pollard! Out they went...almost dancing...

Wedding fun!





Thanks to Jonny's cousin, Henry Wolff (aged 10), we have an amazing video of some of the wedding highlights: the day flew by so quickly, too quickly...

Thursday 7 August 2014

A glimpse of the celebrations

And now, after SO much preparation, the day rolled gently off. When the heart is so full of joy, words become superfluous. Words fail me here, as my heart reflects on a day so full of joy that my mind is incapable of comprehending it. This is just a brief glimpse of the happiest, most wonderful wedding ever.
Snippets:

Guests did not need a sign at the church door saying: "Today, two families become one - sit where you like" because strangers, friends and family all mingled naturally, chatting happily.

We sang with worshipping and immensely thankful hearts: no organ for this crowd, but beautiful voices with guitars and drums in harmony. Many many friends contributed to this celebration of Jonny and Adele's wedding: a match made in heaven.


Tom Hartley-Booth leading our worship

The groom wept, just a little, with emotion, as he made his vows.
The bride beamed with gentle joy and danced, just a little, as she left the church with her husband.


Mr and Mrs J H Pollard
Favours of ice cream waited for the guests outside. "What flavour favour?"

Ice cream cart!


Happiness surrounded the pair as they led their guests down the lane from the church, through the extensive grounds of The Old Hall to the reception.


Joy


Phil, Adele's father, with our hosts (Adrianne and Hartley Booth) and other dear friends...nearly 140 of us!
The Old Hall
Both best men choked up during their speeches, unable to carry on speaking, as they told us wonderful stories of this fun-loving, caring, compassionate, highly creative and adventurous young man who we love and are so proud of.  Outstanding in every way. Below is audio of Toms speech.







A gentle rain shower bestowed an African blessing as we ate wedding cake. Double rainbows promised much happiness.


Having found a pot of gold in each other...

Planes traced a heart trail in the sky:




 later, in the dark, sparklers did the same. (Thanks for this brilliant photo, Gemma Neill!)



And everywhere there was rejoicing and laughter and a huge sense of peace and rightness.