Alice and other things...

I am extremely relieved today; I have managed to do 2 jobs at work which were really bugging me... you know the sort that you remember when you wake up at 2am?!

Hurrah the jobs are out of the way... I'm sure another 2 will replace them equally as quickly, but for the moment I'm enjoying the respite it's bringing!

I'm going to see Alice in Wonderland tomorrow...! In 3D! I am slightly excited about that I have to say - especially as there will be friendship, chat and munchies involved!!

On another note; Jon and I went to a different church on Sunday; and we were so blessed. The fellowship there were warm and friendly, and we felt at home straight away. The pastor preached with challenge, rebuke and encouragement - to himself as well as his congregation.We'll be back there next Sunday; and then away for Easter.

In the morning he preached from the end of Matthew 9, where the 2 blind men cry out to Jesus the son of David to have mercy on them and heal them; and then the Pharisees acuse Him of performing His miracles by the power of the Devil. The pastor asked us, who do we see Jesus as - because we either see Him as the son of David, the phrophisied Messiah, or we see Him as the son of the devil.

In the evening he preached again from the same passage, but a little later on; 5 points for Church growth, 1) Preach the gospel 2) from a compassionate heart 3) seeing the need around you 4) Praying 5) recognising that it's God's church.
Again a real reminder that everyone in the church is a labourer, not just the pastor; and that the work is the Lord's - a real encouragement and a real challenge!

Bestest job ever...

I thought I'd share this really cute photo with whoever is "watching" this blog.....

My blessings!

One of the things that I like to do when I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself is count my blessings... I mean; I have thousands!!! Yet, I like to remind myself of the ones in the very near future, and the ones that are here all the time... so I thought I’d share some top ones with you!!

I have a wonderful husband! He chips in and cooks and cleans and walks the dog!
I have the BEST mum in the world... who else can you text at 7 in the morning and ask her to do French plaits in your hair?!!
I have 3 gorgeous sisters who all have their own wonderful qualities
I have great friends! Friends who put up with me whatever mood I’m in; text me when I’m down, and drag me out for meals and walks!
I am going to the cinema tomorrow with my ‘other’ mother who is lovely, and can empathise with many of my struggles
I am going out next week with a friend I can be honest with! What a blessing! And we’re going to see a silly 3D film and wear silly 3D glasses and have a wonderful time!
I have the world’s craziest dog, who also happens to enjoy cuddles at the moment!
I am going out for a meal to a P.O.S.H restaurant soon, with a friend who I can talk honestly too and who excepts me for the way I am. Nothing better than that right?!
I have a boss who appreciates me and what I do; will defend me when I make a mistake, support me in whatever career moves I wish to make and is also a friend.
I work with people I can talk to and have a laugh with
I have a lovely flat which is nicely decorated and people feel at home their

Ooooh, my list could go on and on....

“Count your blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!”

I've come to the conclusion that if you're the sort of person who really cares about stuff, you'll get stressed whatever job you're in, and always want things to be right and perfect....

Sometimes when the job is stressful and tiring; I think about why it is so, and it is usually down to other people not doing their jobs with the same godly healthy attitude that I strive to have. People call me a perfectionist... well that’s true! And I’m not ashamed of it! Because I try and do all to the glory of God, everything I do, I know He is watching.

When I despair, when I am down, everything I do is in His strength. When I am lifted up, when I am happy, everything I do is because of His grace and kindness.

Humanly speaking the only job I can be truly happy in is one where everything is perfect... or I have control over everything that happens so nothing can take me by surprise... well that’s just not going to happen is it?! I mean, even if I was a hermit, I wouldn't be able to control the weather – I could want it to be sunny and it would rain!!

Trust and contentment is the only way forward. Faith as small as a mustard seed which trusts that God has a plan for me; for you too! That all that is happening is under HIS control – what peace that brings to a troubled soul! So when things are going ‘wrong’, when people around you are sighing, stressed, upset and arguing – this is how I can still smile – because GOD is MY refuge and strength, and my ever present help in time of trouble!

Sometimes I feel I am headed towards a deep black hole; of depression, doubt and fear... a good friend told me I have to build a rope to pull myself out of it; a rope which consists of all the good things in life; other purposes, other reasons for living.

I realised – that while I am headed towards this big hole, looking down and scared of what is to come; struggling frantically to make my own rope out of pathetic rags which will only tear, even when I do succeed in making it... if only I looked up – there is Christ standing in all His human frailty and all His radiant glory – pointing out that I have a rope around my waist that He is holding onto!

That ‘rope’ is faith – and it’s so frail and so thin that sometimes I forget to notice it. Sometimes I step so far backwards I start heading towards that hole. And God is so gracious that He reminds me I have this rope around my waist, that even when I let go of it He has me so tight He will only let me slip so far into fear before He will pull me out. And that frail thin rope of Faith turns out to be SO STRONG, it not only pulls me out of the hole, but away from the edge and sets my feet upon a rock!

This journey I’m on, this pilgrimage, it isn’t easy, and there will always be black holes along the way. And I will slip, I will fall... it takes strength to stay alert, to read, to pray to be ever watchful – this is a race which needs to be run with ENDURANCE.

The JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH!

And that’s my waxing lyrical for today.....!!

Another lovely weekend

So, this weekend was Mothers Day (in the UK anyway). We had a lovely day yesterday, where I cooked a meal for everyone, and we gave mum her mothers day present, which was a photoshoot we all had in February.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so this time I'm just going to upload some pictures of the Photoshoot!

Poor Lurch!

So, after my blog the other day about Jo getting her new car, and Mum's comment about waiting to see if it would get her home on time... well it didn't.... poor Lurch gave up at Garretts Green, and just decided to ... well... stop.

Breakdown were called out and couldn't find anything wrong, Mechanic has been round twice - it starts for him and then not for Jo. Starts for Jo and then not for Mum....

all in all it seems Jo has a car with PMS... perhaps it's rebelling at being called Lurch?!

It is so hard when things like this happen, it's her first car and she spent her savings on it so she could drive to work, and now she's still bussing it while her car sits on the driveway, costing insurance and tax money...

The Sunday school children at church are learning this verse "For My ways are not your ways, nor are your thoughts My thoughts, says the Lord. For as high as the heaven's are above the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts"

Please pray for Lurch.... and Jo!

Days gone by...

Well, it's been a little while since I managed to get onto Blogger. Probably more because everytime I wanted to Blog, I couldn't think of anything to blog about! There have been no major issues recently which have caught my attention; nothing I have really wanted to wax lyrical about!

Last week my boss wasn't in work all week, so it was a very quiet week (AKA boring week!) at work. Even though she's now back in the office, it's still very quiet. I have a couple of projects on; but they are not pressing or urgent so things just tick along nicely.

Jon got a new car on Friday last week - as his other had just given up the ghost. We now own a blue Vauxhall Vectra, which is a nice car, and we just pray our guardian angel will continue to push the car around!! It is truly by God's grace that things happen or don't happen - the head gaskett went on the other car; and there's no telling by anyone when that would or could have happened, but God knew and clearly it was the end of the other car's time!

Friday evening after buying the car, we had a lovely time with my Grandparents - we took over a curry to eat with them, which was fun! We introduced Grandma to Pappadoms and Mango Chutney (My alltime favourite snack!) and she enjoyed it!

We had a busy day on Saturday; in the morning we went over to see friends who have just had a baby boy. 3 week old little Alex is gorgeous - spent all of our time there sleeping, however I did still get a long cuddle and to give him a little bit of a bottle; his mummy is very generous! They are amazing parents already and we had a lovely time with them in the morning.

On Saturday afternoon it was our church anniversary service; which started at 3pm. We had a good afternoon, and got to speak to people we don't see all the time.

On Saturday evening I went to see my cousin Cat, who very kindly cut my hair for me (she's a hairdresser!!) and got to catch up with her :o)

Sunday we had Mr VDR back for lunch in the afternoon. It was a strange Sunday, as it was our last at Chelmsley Wood; and that's another blog for another day!

I am looking forward to this week, as we are at friends for tea tonight and tomorrow night, and then on Sunday we have the girls and Mum at our house as it is mother's day. I am going to cook Roast Pork, Roast Chicken, Stuffing, Roast Parsnips, Roast Potatoes, Boiled New Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli and Gravy. Yum! Jon and I went to Asda with Jo and Nicole last night, and while we were there we picked out pudding for Sunday lunch. Asda have a great offer on! £3 for 4 puddings! So as there were 4 of us, we picked 1 out each, Lemon Tart, Rhubarb Crumble, Cherry Pie and Chocolate Brownie Pudding.... needless to say I am looking forward to Sunday lunch!

The joys of Wii!!

So, tonight we've been at Mum's house - still here now! We had a lovely stir fry; and that's saying something from me as I don't usually like Stir Fry! Hunger is the best sauce - and Mum the best cook :D

We also had great fun with the Nintendo Wii. Mum bought the Nintendo Wii a few weeks ago for the girls, and Nicole's being the first birthday along - she got 3 Wii games! The one I've seen tonight is Super Mario at the Winter Olympics - Great fun!!

We had Irene round tonight, she is 85 years old. First we created her a Mii, which was a hilarious feat in itself...! Imagine it!! A lovely little white haired lady... then we set her Mii onto ice-skates!! She greatly enjoyed speed skating around the Wii arena and especially the part where she jumped and somersaulted for joy at the end!

Jo and Nicole are now currently playing Super Mario Carts, with Jon watching on in anticipation. Shonnie is sitting impatiently at my side, watching from behind the tv screen at the girls faces (which is the best view - as their faces are a picture) however, I have kind of hijacked the laptop from him - so I suppose I'd better give it back really...

I had to take Jon to the train station at 6.20 this morning so I am ready for sleep anyway!

Good news is that Jo got her car taxed today! She is finally on the road! Her new car is a 16yr old Ford Fiesta which she has called Lurch :D