Living, not Waiting

I was going to apologise for being lazy in not doing my blog for two weeks now...but then I realised that I've actually been busy, too busy living to blog, so that's ok isn't it?!
Busy enjoying watching my ripening tomatoes; and the sunflowers that a kind friend bought me when I was feeling poorly. Busy enjoying quite a few coffees in quite a few coffee houses. Busy going on summer picnics with the children, their cousins and friends. Busy helping A to prepare for the year 6 leaving disco, by sewing straps to a pretty skirt to make it into a unique dress for her, whilst also chopping and stabbing fruit to make kebabs to take. I've attended meetings and have spent two lovely evenings laughing with good friends and enjoying good food together. S and Z have been away in Poland this week - and I've cooked meals and tidied house; administered medicine to children with headaches and I've visited friends. I've taken part in an evening of filming for the Church information and notices Sunday slot - way out of my comfort zone! I've not slept brilliantly -in fact S came home just in time as I'd been waking an hour earlier each morning and it was looking like I might soon be waking up even before I went to bed!?! In other words it's been 2 weeks of "normal life".

You know that I love Shauna Niequist's book Cold Tangerines. Especially this quote, which seems to put the last 2 weeks into context for me:
"The life you've been waiting for is happening all around you...This is it. This is life in all its glory, swirling and unfolding around us, disguised as pedantic, pedestrian non-events. But pull off the mask and you will find your life, waiting to be made, chosen, woven, crafted."

Guest Blog: Esther in Indonesia

I'm delighted to welcome Esther Ross-Watson to my Blog today! She is a dearly loved member of our Kerith family. She and her late husband Michael served as missionaries for many years. Esther bravely made the decision to travel again, and she has recently returned from Indonesia. Here's her story: Whilst Michael was on his last days on earth in August 2017 he received a request from the Island of Madura, Indonesia asking us to return to the town of Pamekasen, Madura, Indonesia where we had begun our Missions work in July 1973 exactly one year after we were married. They were keen to have us see what God had been doing in the years since we’d moved on and we excitedly said ‘Yes’ we will come! Obviously that had to go on hold for a while because I didn’t feel I could, or even wanted to go alone! Anyway around March/April time 2018, I begun to feel a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit urging me to think some more about it! It was like a feeling of wanting to know...

Our Living Hope

Not sure what happens with my blog...or me writing my blog! Can't believe I've been away from it for almost two months. Oh well, no condemnation! Let's pick it up and start again :) Yesterday was a great day in Church! I was so challenged and encouraged - I love Sundays and all the different ways God shows His love and who he is to us. Natalie Jones preached at both our morning meetings in Bracknell , she gave such a good message on generosity, be sure to catch it when the podcast comes on our website, but for now, watch a summary of Natalie's preach At the 6pm meeting, we had Paul Manwaring sharing about culture : the 4 Gamechangers - again, a really challenging message to check out if you didn't get to hear it live. I wore my HOPE earrings yesterday - sometimes I deliberately choose to wear them as a practical symbol that I am choosing HOPE - that I choose Jesus, I choose trust, I choose hope. I'm so glad I did, as throughout the day I felt God speak ...

3 Little Bottles

Thought I'd mix it up today and do something lighthearted here. I popped into town this morning (as an aside, anyone else still incredulous that "new Bracknell / The Lexicon is so great and that it's really here to stay?!) Anyhow, I popped into town for a quick wander and bought 3 "essentials" I'd run out of, so I thought I'd share them with you - and of course I'd love to hear about your 3 recent essential purchases. 1 Contact lense solution I've worn glasses since Secondary school, and contact lenses since I left Uni. Gas permeables - great for me - slightly perilous in swimming pools / the sea / other people's sinks (£80 to replace). They work for me - and so a couple of bottles of solution each month keep me going.I ran out a couple of days ago, so it was £4.70 well spent for clean lenses and clear eyesight. 2. "Buffet" by The Ordinary This was a new one for me, a present I received last Christmas. I LOVE it and ca...

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