Today has been a semi day off .. semi because I have so much to do I was going in to panic mode , semi because there’s a lot going on and I felt I needed to begin the day in prayer with my colleagues and semi because I still have several hampers I needed to deliver oh yes and semi because months ago I booked tickets to see Tutankhamun in London .. Ancient Egypt being one of Daniel and Marcs “things”!!!!
Whilst in London we passed many churches and each time Daniel stopped to look at the service boards . After the 4th or 5th he remarked ... why on earth do we have services on Christmas Day ? ... I was gobsmacked ... has nothing from the last 9 years gone in ... this from not only a vicars son , grandson, nephew but also with several clergy Godparents we’ve all failed him !!
So I said Daniel I’m shocked you surely know what Christmas is all about ?
Yes he replied Jesus’ birthday ! And what would Jesus want us to do it’s time to spend with friends and family not in church ! That can be done on Christmas Eve (which is what they tend to do !)
And it’s got me thinking .. most will have seen marc s rants over the last week or so .. I’ve worked my socks off for many reasons hours have been more than normal not just because of Christmas but other circumstance... and family time has been lacking ... what would Jesus do? What would Jesus want on his birthday ? A party , a celebration, love shared ....
This week in the difficult moments even tonight , without prompting I’ve had 3 really special conversations with friends and family looking out for me giving me help and guidance .
This Christmas whatever you do take a moment to show those you love how much you do actually love them ! Share the good news in whatever way you need to or believe . Jesus was born a baby but grew up into a radical world changer bringing heaven to earth ... let’s celebrate that !!
Thursday 19 December 2019
Saturday 30 November 2019
Advent
I’m tired !!!
Last night we began our festivities with a night out .. in celebrating Christmas with our Upnor cafe family ! It was so good to relax, eat drink and get to know each other a bit better ... some a bit too well 🤣🤣🤣
It’s been a busy old time as we head into the period of Advent ... a time to prepare ... as much as I absolutely love this time of year but right now it feels a little bit like entering the eye of the storm ! There feels like so much that needs to be done it’s almost too overwhelming ; yet I’m sure it’s not just me that feels it... even without the busyness in work there’s so much to do secularly to try and ensure Christmas happens ... but at what cost ?
Marc and I have been trying to re think how we approach or rather what we can put in place to ensure Daniel at least gets the most out of Christmas this year without becoming overwhelmed and overloaded ... all the busyness, the presents, the stuff that “needs to be done however can become a proper distraction from what the season is all about . And now with the political state of the country we’ve got another terrible distraction eating away at a growingly hostile country in a general election .
These next few weeks my prayer to myself as much to anyone else is to take some time to stop , take stock , think and prioritise what’s important , to not be distracted by the unnecessary but embrace the important things in life !
These last few days amidst the busyness it’s been great to spend time with friends and special times with family , to see Les Mis with my Aunty , to take time out to take the kids to Frozen , to spend time Being with friends.
Advent .... a time to prepare ... a time to get ready, a time to Be .
Last night we began our festivities with a night out .. in celebrating Christmas with our Upnor cafe family ! It was so good to relax, eat drink and get to know each other a bit better ... some a bit too well 🤣🤣🤣
It’s been a busy old time as we head into the period of Advent ... a time to prepare ... as much as I absolutely love this time of year but right now it feels a little bit like entering the eye of the storm ! There feels like so much that needs to be done it’s almost too overwhelming ; yet I’m sure it’s not just me that feels it... even without the busyness in work there’s so much to do secularly to try and ensure Christmas happens ... but at what cost ?
Marc and I have been trying to re think how we approach or rather what we can put in place to ensure Daniel at least gets the most out of Christmas this year without becoming overwhelmed and overloaded ... all the busyness, the presents, the stuff that “needs to be done however can become a proper distraction from what the season is all about . And now with the political state of the country we’ve got another terrible distraction eating away at a growingly hostile country in a general election .
These next few weeks my prayer to myself as much to anyone else is to take some time to stop , take stock , think and prioritise what’s important , to not be distracted by the unnecessary but embrace the important things in life !
These last few days amidst the busyness it’s been great to spend time with friends and special times with family , to see Les Mis with my Aunty , to take time out to take the kids to Frozen , to spend time Being with friends.
Advent .... a time to prepare ... a time to get ready, a time to Be .
Sunday 13 October 2019
News Alert !
I’ve been very quiet in my blog over recent times and even on social media . Most of you know that I love it but as a family we’ve been working some stuff out which we’ve had to do just as a family.
My job obviously isn’t just a job , it’s not even a vocation but rather it’s a calling ... over the years it’s got us into Alsorts of weird and wonderful places including Bosnia , Indonesia and Strood !!!!!!
All I’ve ever wanted to do was to follow that call ... if you’re not a believer and reading this you’ll think this is crazy and I can’t fully explain it but ultimately it’s about going to serve (work) where God feels we are best used with our skills and talents.
I can’t deny the last few months have been difficult as we worked this all out.
My job was contracted for 5 years and being 3 years in thinking about the next step was inevitable... we especially wanted to think about moving for secondary school for Dan as Kent has a grammar system which I’m not a fan of !
To cut a long story short after 4 months of reflections , rejecting ideas , coming back to them and praying ... a whole lot of praying .. who family , with priests and even with a nun !!! We came to the decision to apply for a job and I was offered it ... in Lancaster .
Some of you may know Lancaster is Marc’s home town and where I went to Uni. It’s a long way from Kent and that part breaks my heart .. literally in two infact in many pieces , my parents are here , my sister brother in law and most beautiful
Little niece are here , my best friend and his family are here along with other very close friends and people I now see more like family than just friends ... hope you know who you are ! But we still feel Gods call on us to make the sacrifice and start a new challenge ... being a “proper vicar “ in a church in fact two churches but pioneering out of them !
The timings are sketchy it won’t be until next summer as For Dan we felt he needed to finish the academic year ... so plenty of time for au revoirs !!
If you’ve got this far thanks for reading and happy to share the extended story over coffee , gin etc any time xxx
My job obviously isn’t just a job , it’s not even a vocation but rather it’s a calling ... over the years it’s got us into Alsorts of weird and wonderful places including Bosnia , Indonesia and Strood !!!!!!
All I’ve ever wanted to do was to follow that call ... if you’re not a believer and reading this you’ll think this is crazy and I can’t fully explain it but ultimately it’s about going to serve (work) where God feels we are best used with our skills and talents.
I can’t deny the last few months have been difficult as we worked this all out.
My job was contracted for 5 years and being 3 years in thinking about the next step was inevitable... we especially wanted to think about moving for secondary school for Dan as Kent has a grammar system which I’m not a fan of !
To cut a long story short after 4 months of reflections , rejecting ideas , coming back to them and praying ... a whole lot of praying .. who family , with priests and even with a nun !!! We came to the decision to apply for a job and I was offered it ... in Lancaster .
Some of you may know Lancaster is Marc’s home town and where I went to Uni. It’s a long way from Kent and that part breaks my heart .. literally in two infact in many pieces , my parents are here , my sister brother in law and most beautiful
Little niece are here , my best friend and his family are here along with other very close friends and people I now see more like family than just friends ... hope you know who you are ! But we still feel Gods call on us to make the sacrifice and start a new challenge ... being a “proper vicar “ in a church in fact two churches but pioneering out of them !
The timings are sketchy it won’t be until next summer as For Dan we felt he needed to finish the academic year ... so plenty of time for au revoirs !!
If you’ve got this far thanks for reading and happy to share the extended story over coffee , gin etc any time xxx
Friday 13 September 2019
Vague
Apologise for being vague on many fronts here but it’s out of necessity for now !
This week, the last 5 days have been horrific difficult and emotional on many fronts.
Last Sunday we had (in my humble opinion!) a really powerful service at Abbey court school bringing the school community and the church community together for the first time! We invested their brand new scout pack, our scouts presented them woth a new standard, we heard from the Bishop and great worship was had . I also conducted the most beautiful thanksgiving blessing of a little girl in the afternoon with over 140 guests and the. Celebrated a colleague being vicar in his parish for 20 years!.... it was a very busy but blessed day!
And when lots of energy and effort has been put in to such things there can often be a back lash .. these week we have taken it on all fronts ... I actually feel like I’ve been through the eye of the storm and have not quite exited yet!
As always I’m always grateful to dear friends and family who have shown their support in the various different situations and the support we have had has been lovely . I’ve again learnt the very important lesson of talking and sharing how you feel with others it really does help !
I am heading into a new working week thoroughly exhausted (it’s now 12.44 I’ve been in bed 2 1/2 hours and gotten up several times unable to sleep!! The joy of an ADHD Brain!)
There really is no point to this except to say thank you to those who are walking with us .. we have a great faith that God is bigger than humanity and has our family in the palm of his hand guiding us forward .. but the journey is a struggle sometimes and hopefully writing it down will enable sleep to come !
As well as Abbey court being my weekly highlight I also discovered a local cafe selling dairy free Ben and Jerry’s ... all can’t be bad !!!
This week, the last 5 days have been horrific difficult and emotional on many fronts.
Last Sunday we had (in my humble opinion!) a really powerful service at Abbey court school bringing the school community and the church community together for the first time! We invested their brand new scout pack, our scouts presented them woth a new standard, we heard from the Bishop and great worship was had . I also conducted the most beautiful thanksgiving blessing of a little girl in the afternoon with over 140 guests and the. Celebrated a colleague being vicar in his parish for 20 years!.... it was a very busy but blessed day!
And when lots of energy and effort has been put in to such things there can often be a back lash .. these week we have taken it on all fronts ... I actually feel like I’ve been through the eye of the storm and have not quite exited yet!
As always I’m always grateful to dear friends and family who have shown their support in the various different situations and the support we have had has been lovely . I’ve again learnt the very important lesson of talking and sharing how you feel with others it really does help !
I am heading into a new working week thoroughly exhausted (it’s now 12.44 I’ve been in bed 2 1/2 hours and gotten up several times unable to sleep!! The joy of an ADHD Brain!)
There really is no point to this except to say thank you to those who are walking with us .. we have a great faith that God is bigger than humanity and has our family in the palm of his hand guiding us forward .. but the journey is a struggle sometimes and hopefully writing it down will enable sleep to come !
As well as Abbey court being my weekly highlight I also discovered a local cafe selling dairy free Ben and Jerry’s ... all can’t be bad !!!
Saturday 7 September 2019
New start
It’s that time of year ... routine returns , meetings back up in earnest .. and the thoughts of days out and ice cream are but a distant memory !! Although we didn’t go away away we had 14 days split across the 6 weeks visiting family and friends and having a really lovely time . The boys were very chilled and got on amazingly well together !
And then back to earth with a bang as Elijah began full time school for the first time this week !!! We didn’t think it would be a big deal as he’s been in the nursery already but boy were we wrong !! He certainly made his feelings known at home but thankfully he was very good once at school each day and went into class without so. I hope as a protest and has come out smiling each day . His highlight the first day was the deputy head having to help him see what was for lunch as he was too little to see over the counter! His staple has been jacket potato and beans and fruit but hey if he’s eating something that’s a win in my book!
Dan has struggled more but held it together in school as is his style. And we’ve had lots of cave time and decompression at home !
I’ve always hated September .. I’m not sure why because I really enjoyed school up until I was 16 but think it’s the thought of getting back to normality and routine rather than the free form the holidays can take plus the extra time with the boys Has been truly wonderful !
The next few weeks are pretty crazy and pressurised too but I’m sure we will get used to autumn and it’s boy long really until The joy and wonder of Christmas is it 😉
And then back to earth with a bang as Elijah began full time school for the first time this week !!! We didn’t think it would be a big deal as he’s been in the nursery already but boy were we wrong !! He certainly made his feelings known at home but thankfully he was very good once at school each day and went into class without so. I hope as a protest and has come out smiling each day . His highlight the first day was the deputy head having to help him see what was for lunch as he was too little to see over the counter! His staple has been jacket potato and beans and fruit but hey if he’s eating something that’s a win in my book!
Dan has struggled more but held it together in school as is his style. And we’ve had lots of cave time and decompression at home !
I’ve always hated September .. I’m not sure why because I really enjoyed school up until I was 16 but think it’s the thought of getting back to normality and routine rather than the free form the holidays can take plus the extra time with the boys Has been truly wonderful !
The next few weeks are pretty crazy and pressurised too but I’m sure we will get used to autumn and it’s boy long really until The joy and wonder of Christmas is it 😉
Sunday 21 July 2019
The boys are back!!!
When the opportunity for Marc and Elijah to go to Marc’s cousins farm for a week arose it was a no brainer... the last chance to take Elijah before the big move to start school full time in September,... what I didn’t contemplate was just how hard it would be for me .. Dan and I have had a lovely time spending quality 1:1 time together but we really missed Elijah and Marc .. Dan so much he even slept in Elijahs bed !!
It’s also been tough as I’ve had to work full time sort Dan and cook (those who know me know how much I struggle with that one!!) however we have survived , we’ve not been ill and the food has been edible , we’ve survived .. exhausted but survived !
What I have realised is I really need to develop some hobbies , when dan went to bed I’d juat go back to doing work , on my day off , all alone for a whole day I had no idea what to do with myself .. I even popped into the office for a cup of tea !!! From September I need to re think my time off !
But for now the boys are back chaos has returned and I am in my happy place !!!!
It’s also been tough as I’ve had to work full time sort Dan and cook (those who know me know how much I struggle with that one!!) however we have survived , we’ve not been ill and the food has been edible , we’ve survived .. exhausted but survived !
What I have realised is I really need to develop some hobbies , when dan went to bed I’d juat go back to doing work , on my day off , all alone for a whole day I had no idea what to do with myself .. I even popped into the office for a cup of tea !!! From September I need to re think my time off !
But for now the boys are back chaos has returned and I am in my happy place !!!!
Monday 8 July 2019
Joseph
It won’t have gone un noticed that Daniel and I went with The Monty’s to see Joseph at the weekend .... it will also not have passed you by to realise just how long I’ve been waiting to see this show. Now we live in Kent it seems crazy to many that I never got to the West end to see it previously especially considering my deep appreciation for a certainty ant Donovan 🙈...however at the time we lived in Bolton, money wasn’t free flowing and a trip down to the big smoke (train, tickets, somewhere to stay) was just way out of any comprehension so instead I was given a programme a colleague of my dad bought on their visit , I got the tape then the cd for Christmas and I learnt the words off by heart!
Saturday was so specially because after 28 years I finally got to the London palladium a nd I got to share it with daniel seeing it through his 9 year old eyes of awe and wonder and yes the icing on a very beautiful cake was Mr Jason Donovan returning this time as the Pharaoh! My expectations were high and even those were exceeded, it was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more .. and yes I apologise there was singing and some cheering (ok a lot of LOUD cheering from a group of us very exciters to see Jason !) and when my niece asked if we could go to the stage door who was I to refuse
I would love love love to see it again before it finishes its short run ... if you get the chance and don’t mind like us being in the gods go go go go 🎵😜
Saturday was so specially because after 28 years I finally got to the London palladium a nd I got to share it with daniel seeing it through his 9 year old eyes of awe and wonder and yes the icing on a very beautiful cake was Mr Jason Donovan returning this time as the Pharaoh! My expectations were high and even those were exceeded, it was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more .. and yes I apologise there was singing and some cheering (ok a lot of LOUD cheering from a group of us very exciters to see Jason !) and when my niece asked if we could go to the stage door who was I to refuse
I would love love love to see it again before it finishes its short run ... if you get the chance and don’t mind like us being in the gods go go go go 🎵😜
Tuesday 4 June 2019
Holiday !
It may have crossed your path that we had a holiday last week ... 3 nights and 4 days of totally exhausting magic !
You see some 7 years ago my mum promised Daniel she would take him to disneyland ... 7 years later we went to Disneyland Paris !
We are very blessed as my parents paid for the whole family to go together in the easiest possible way .. we got the Eurostar from ebbsfleet some 10 minutes from our house which took us straight to Disney , our bags taken to the hotel so we could head straight in to the park . Some of you also know that Daniel is blessed with “spider” powers his name for his ADHD and ASD tendencies , this along with my sisters epilepsy enabled them to receive a green card meaning we could queue in the disabled entrance away from the crowds with a reduced time to wait . This was a real game changer for us it took out some of the stress for Dan and enabled us to really be able to relax .. and when things got too much we managed to escape to the hotel pool. (Where we bumped into someone from church !)
There’re were so many highlights ...meeting Disney characters , seeing amazing shows and the parade, the illumination show and fireworks... the wide range of rides even Grandma was brave !! But what I really loved was quality time just the 9 of us , life has been pretty stressful of late all round so the chance to chill out, having fun and just being in the magical bubble called Disney was a little piece of wonderful escapism. !
You see some 7 years ago my mum promised Daniel she would take him to disneyland ... 7 years later we went to Disneyland Paris !
We are very blessed as my parents paid for the whole family to go together in the easiest possible way .. we got the Eurostar from ebbsfleet some 10 minutes from our house which took us straight to Disney , our bags taken to the hotel so we could head straight in to the park . Some of you also know that Daniel is blessed with “spider” powers his name for his ADHD and ASD tendencies , this along with my sisters epilepsy enabled them to receive a green card meaning we could queue in the disabled entrance away from the crowds with a reduced time to wait . This was a real game changer for us it took out some of the stress for Dan and enabled us to really be able to relax .. and when things got too much we managed to escape to the hotel pool. (Where we bumped into someone from church !)
There’re were so many highlights ...meeting Disney characters , seeing amazing shows and the parade, the illumination show and fireworks... the wide range of rides even Grandma was brave !! But what I really loved was quality time just the 9 of us , life has been pretty stressful of late all round so the chance to chill out, having fun and just being in the magical bubble called Disney was a little piece of wonderful escapism. !
Saturday 25 May 2019
Family time
Many apologise to anyone who does actually read my ramblings !!! It’s been a while ... mainly because my head hasn’t been in the right place to reflect .. when I blog I try (I hope) to put a positive stint on things but things have been difficult for many reasons ....
however I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s imporrant to share in the good times and in the tricky times .. no one lives a perfect life .. even those we think do struggle ... so here I am!
The last few weeks have been quite enlightening as again I’ve been truly blessed by lovely friends supporting us.
This next week we have been extra blessed with the gift of a trip to Disney land Paris ... my folks promised Dan when he was 2 and so we are finally going as a family as a prequel to celebrate mum and dads golden wedding !! This trip can’t come soon enough ... although the more I read Facebook pages about Disney the more anxious I’m getting baoutnwhat we should and shouldn’t be doing !! And although I’m way too excited about who we will ge too see from the Disney hall of fame I’m more looking forward to being away from everything as a family unit .. something we haven’t down for a few years . Disney T-shirt’s hats and accessories are packed and just the small subject of Sunday services for us to complete and then we are off ... if anyone has some top tips then feel free to send them over !!
Life is precious , time even more so .. use it wisely with those you care about !
however I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s imporrant to share in the good times and in the tricky times .. no one lives a perfect life .. even those we think do struggle ... so here I am!
The last few weeks have been quite enlightening as again I’ve been truly blessed by lovely friends supporting us.
This next week we have been extra blessed with the gift of a trip to Disney land Paris ... my folks promised Dan when he was 2 and so we are finally going as a family as a prequel to celebrate mum and dads golden wedding !! This trip can’t come soon enough ... although the more I read Facebook pages about Disney the more anxious I’m getting baoutnwhat we should and shouldn’t be doing !! And although I’m way too excited about who we will ge too see from the Disney hall of fame I’m more looking forward to being away from everything as a family unit .. something we haven’t down for a few years . Disney T-shirt’s hats and accessories are packed and just the small subject of Sunday services for us to complete and then we are off ... if anyone has some top tips then feel free to send them over !!
Life is precious , time even more so .. use it wisely with those you care about !
Sunday 21 April 2019
EASTER 🐣
Well what a week!!!!
It’s been a massive rollercoaster of emotions this week .. from the chilled out state of holidaying in Spain to a poorly Elijah to car park traumas to football excitements and of course to The highs and lows of Holy Week!!
Each year I get to spend the festival season with one of the three churches to fully engage in the whole experience with the parish and we’ve certainly done that in All Saints Frindsbury Upnor and Chattenden!!
It has been a real joy to engage in the lent course and then The journey of Holy Week together . It’s an age old story I’ve heard hundreds of times and lived through 41 years but something different happened this year, maybe it’s age maybe it’s life experiences recently but I found the whole experience really moving and emotional . On Friday after having lots of fun with families making Eastery crafts we had our hour at the cross remembering when Jesus died and I stood leading the service and felt tears fall down my cheeks really hit by the emotion of the moment . This morning as I arrived in darkness at 5am I too was blown away by the awesomeness of Jesus coming back to life and the effect that’s had on my life and for those who’s life has come to an end recently but now are safely in resurrection glory themselves .
Thank you so much to those amazing folk who’ve walked this week with me and supported me you don’t know how special you are !!!
Those of you who don’t do God and have got this far 👍🏻 well done !!!
Today is an awesome day chocolate chicks bunnies lambs family and friends and bank holidays but most of all that’s all only possible because of the big JC I for one am grateful and feel blessed (there’s nothing else I’d get up at 4.30am for!!)
Have an epic Easter and may God bless you xx
It’s been a massive rollercoaster of emotions this week .. from the chilled out state of holidaying in Spain to a poorly Elijah to car park traumas to football excitements and of course to The highs and lows of Holy Week!!
Each year I get to spend the festival season with one of the three churches to fully engage in the whole experience with the parish and we’ve certainly done that in All Saints Frindsbury Upnor and Chattenden!!
It has been a real joy to engage in the lent course and then The journey of Holy Week together . It’s an age old story I’ve heard hundreds of times and lived through 41 years but something different happened this year, maybe it’s age maybe it’s life experiences recently but I found the whole experience really moving and emotional . On Friday after having lots of fun with families making Eastery crafts we had our hour at the cross remembering when Jesus died and I stood leading the service and felt tears fall down my cheeks really hit by the emotion of the moment . This morning as I arrived in darkness at 5am I too was blown away by the awesomeness of Jesus coming back to life and the effect that’s had on my life and for those who’s life has come to an end recently but now are safely in resurrection glory themselves .
Thank you so much to those amazing folk who’ve walked this week with me and supported me you don’t know how special you are !!!
Those of you who don’t do God and have got this far 👍🏻 well done !!!
Today is an awesome day chocolate chicks bunnies lambs family and friends and bank holidays but most of all that’s all only possible because of the big JC I for one am grateful and feel blessed (there’s nothing else I’d get up at 4.30am for!!)
Have an epic Easter and may God bless you xx
Saturday 6 April 2019
Friends
Sometimes in life things seem to flood at you from all directions ! These last few weeks have been really really difficult not just for one reason but for many different t reasons. I’m usually quite a positive person but after a while it does get to you .
Despite this though I’ve been blessed with some really wonderful friends , in real life and in the virtual world . In the busyness of life it has been Really important to stay connected , to catch up, go for a drink , talk just hang out .. being friends with a vicar isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I’m thankful to those who see me beyond the collar !!
Friends are a special blessing ..maybe take the time over the next few days to connect with a friend .. send a text , Facebook message whatever works best for you !
Despite this though I’ve been blessed with some really wonderful friends , in real life and in the virtual world . In the busyness of life it has been Really important to stay connected , to catch up, go for a drink , talk just hang out .. being friends with a vicar isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I’m thankful to those who see me beyond the collar !!
Friends are a special blessing ..maybe take the time over the next few days to connect with a friend .. send a text , Facebook message whatever works best for you !
Sunday 10 March 2019
R and R
It won't have passed you by to notice that Marc and I were blessed with a couple of days respite this last week thanks to my parents..it's been a long and emotional few weeks and having a child with such complex needs as Dan ..as much as we love him it is exhausting never getting. A full nights sleep or being able to switch off together.
We didn't go far but house swapped heading to Deal to read, sleep, reflect on our future and spend time together uninterrupted. We also had the real blessing of being invited out for a posh dinner with good friends and those few hours were like gold dust..something that I will treasure and will keep me going when things get tough ! Friendship is really important and quality time even more so.
It's so hard to get perspective when you are "in the thick of it" and we came back into the busiest weekend ever; but even that has been amazing. Today my third service was the joyous occasion of baptising a 9 year old....a girl who used to come to our toddler group in Upnor . When she was a couple of years old we were invited to her naming ceremony at the house. Whilst there I distinctly rememebr thinking this is just like a baptism without Jesus....7 years later I got to put the Jesus into the celebration.....
Despite still feeling tired there is always lots to be thankful for .
We didn't go far but house swapped heading to Deal to read, sleep, reflect on our future and spend time together uninterrupted. We also had the real blessing of being invited out for a posh dinner with good friends and those few hours were like gold dust..something that I will treasure and will keep me going when things get tough ! Friendship is really important and quality time even more so.
It's so hard to get perspective when you are "in the thick of it" and we came back into the busiest weekend ever; but even that has been amazing. Today my third service was the joyous occasion of baptising a 9 year old....a girl who used to come to our toddler group in Upnor . When she was a couple of years old we were invited to her naming ceremony at the house. Whilst there I distinctly rememebr thinking this is just like a baptism without Jesus....7 years later I got to put the Jesus into the celebration.....
Despite still feeling tired there is always lots to be thankful for .
Monday 4 March 2019
Emotionally spent
Ronan Keating wrote a song Life is a Rollercoaster....never was a truer word sung!
These past few weeks have been a real rollercoaster for our family..most ofmyou will be aware that we sadly had a bereavement on Marc's side of the family..the beautiful Mum of Philip our brother in law ..Joyce. Joyce was such a wonderful,lady, she suffered (quietly) with a debilitating disability but always smiled her way through life, was resilient and always thought about others. The first time I met Joyce was when I was just 19 and she'd offered to put us up after seeing Bon Jovi in Stoke... her and John stayed up late and even collected us from the stadium ...always so selfless.
I was given the real privilege of being asked to do Joyce's funeral along side the local Catholic Priest. This in itself is pretty amazing....a truly ecumenical, breaking down barriers event, I have to confess I was so anxious...how would Father Phil and I work together , would I do Joyce (and our family) justice and would I hold it together ! Well the service was so amazingly moving, Yes there were tears , but also laughter, amazing sung worship and a real sense of love. The really great thing to see was our tough men really feeling able to show their emotions and the support given from friends.
Amidst this difficult time my awesome niece gave birth to William Issac just 7 days ago..... this was obviously amazing and also brought back a glimmer of hope to the rest of the family during the sad time. William is practically perfect in every way...Emily and Ant are doing a fab job and Emily not only led the worship with Marc at the funeral just 3 days after giving birth but did a smashing eulogy for her gran.
7 days of happy tears, sad tears, laughter, anxiety and gin!
Today amidst the rollercoaster of emotions I sit here still with the hope and knowledge that Joyce is now with her Heavenly Father in a safe place without any of that pain...and the joy that baby William is growing up in a family that will truly love and care for him....family ....a rollercoaster but one of the best things we've been blessed with .
These past few weeks have been a real rollercoaster for our family..most ofmyou will be aware that we sadly had a bereavement on Marc's side of the family..the beautiful Mum of Philip our brother in law ..Joyce. Joyce was such a wonderful,lady, she suffered (quietly) with a debilitating disability but always smiled her way through life, was resilient and always thought about others. The first time I met Joyce was when I was just 19 and she'd offered to put us up after seeing Bon Jovi in Stoke... her and John stayed up late and even collected us from the stadium ...always so selfless.
I was given the real privilege of being asked to do Joyce's funeral along side the local Catholic Priest. This in itself is pretty amazing....a truly ecumenical, breaking down barriers event, I have to confess I was so anxious...how would Father Phil and I work together , would I do Joyce (and our family) justice and would I hold it together ! Well the service was so amazingly moving, Yes there were tears , but also laughter, amazing sung worship and a real sense of love. The really great thing to see was our tough men really feeling able to show their emotions and the support given from friends.
Amidst this difficult time my awesome niece gave birth to William Issac just 7 days ago..... this was obviously amazing and also brought back a glimmer of hope to the rest of the family during the sad time. William is practically perfect in every way...Emily and Ant are doing a fab job and Emily not only led the worship with Marc at the funeral just 3 days after giving birth but did a smashing eulogy for her gran.
7 days of happy tears, sad tears, laughter, anxiety and gin!
Today amidst the rollercoaster of emotions I sit here still with the hope and knowledge that Joyce is now with her Heavenly Father in a safe place without any of that pain...and the joy that baby William is growing up in a family that will truly love and care for him....family ....a rollercoaster but one of the best things we've been blessed with .
Sunday 10 February 2019
SORRY
I'm not sure who I am apologising to..maybe myself....maybe the folks I hope read this and it helps in some small way...but anyway this is the first blog in 2019 and we are nearly half way through February already!!!
It has been a year of ups and downs already this year...lots of close friends have faced difficult situations in life and health, but what has been amazing to see is how those folk have coped in adversity, of course there has been frustration and annoyance , but there has also been acceptance, determination and friendship!
This has got me thinking about how I cope when the chips are down, I'm very much a heart on my sleeve kind of girl ( I wouldn't write a blog otherwise !!) I find it hard to hide my feelings but that I do try . I've discovered though some amazing people around who I can turn to either virtually, by what's app or text or who I can grab a coffee with an share my woes!
People are a funny breed....though I'm in some ways an introvert, a real reflector I am also a massive extrovert , I need people around me to keep me going ! It's really important to find those special people in your lives and cherish them whilst you can .
To my treasured folk....thank you !!!
It has been a year of ups and downs already this year...lots of close friends have faced difficult situations in life and health, but what has been amazing to see is how those folk have coped in adversity, of course there has been frustration and annoyance , but there has also been acceptance, determination and friendship!
This has got me thinking about how I cope when the chips are down, I'm very much a heart on my sleeve kind of girl ( I wouldn't write a blog otherwise !!) I find it hard to hide my feelings but that I do try . I've discovered though some amazing people around who I can turn to either virtually, by what's app or text or who I can grab a coffee with an share my woes!
People are a funny breed....though I'm in some ways an introvert, a real reflector I am also a massive extrovert , I need people around me to keep me going ! It's really important to find those special people in your lives and cherish them whilst you can .
To my treasured folk....thank you !!!
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