Not the Summer I'd Planned

"Life's detours means

God wants you to run right into His arms

so He can reconstruct your heart"

Ann Voskamp

Well, let's just say that it's not been the summer I thought I was going to have!!!
I'm so grateful we had our relaxing holiday in the sunshine
I'm so grateful it's summer time, and therefore not so many work commitments
I'm so grateful for my family being around
I'm so grateful for a wonderful and kind church family

If I was going to have an accident ...to slip over on the back door mat....in my wedges...feeding the dogs.. and dislocate and fracture my ankle...then I'm so glad I was at home with family around and with access to swift expert medical help.

The accident was so sudden and it was immediately obvious that I couldn't sort it on my own! I'm pretty squeamish so I'll save you the details, but the angle of my foot prompted me to say out loud "I've just done something really bad".

Funny isn't it, when you know you need help - when you know you can't sort it yourself?

All year the Lord's been gently reminding me to trust Him; through our REAL theme of Believe "The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent" and through this Bible verse "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency" Phil 4:13

Throughout, I've known God's loving-kindness - through people that know me well, and those that I know less well; through meals and jigsaws; chocolate and treats; trips out and cups of tea and company. I'm pretty positive naturally, but prone to some anxiety if I feel I'm letting people down or not meeting my responsibilities; I've realised I like to be in control(!) I like being independent and speedy :)
Prayers have definitely been answered for my physical healing, and also for generally "coping" with this "detour": the resting, and slowing down - I couldn't do this on my own! God is good. So I'm resting and healing and running into His arms (metaphorically of course!) for the internal work He's doing in my heart as well as in my ankle.

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 can

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