Why is it that when we arrive home from holiday we are immediately brought down to reality and back into the familiar grindstone just as soon as we step through the door?!! We came home on Tuesday evening after a wonderful 10 days with my cousin Marion in sunny Sussex, giving both Julian and me the time out that we so desperately needed. Warm summer days, breakfast on the patio, picking blackberries, visits to the sea and reading in the country garden were the delights given to us, interspersed with precious family time. And not forgetting Julian's runs with faithful Meg along the cuckoo trail each morning! We spent one lovely afternoon tracing the places where my Mum grew up, and took some photos for her in case she remembers. Ponts shop and the Barley Mow, the house where she was born, and her school and church. Sitting on the green at Hastings one afternoon while waiting for Caroline to come home I had a text message from Vicki. "Im in Patmos. Where r u?" Lol!! I won't forget that one in a hurry!

So back to normal. Julian spent the rest of his holiday at Steve's plumbing and fitting the new bathroom. It looks first class, and Andrew your home decorating is very tasteful! I couldn't believe how much work had been achieved. Tiles on the floor and wood stain on the landing. We won't talk about Ben's poor car, suffice to say it could have been worse and he wasn't hurt. How wonderful to have kind friends in the Hurst Assembly - complete with tow rope! While on the subject of kind friends I must give a special mention to Rita who, with remarkable ingenuity, gave Julian a pressie that he actually loves! I don't think I will tell exactly what was in the parcel (email me if your curiosity gets the better of you!) but I can't remember him ever being so delighted with a gift! Hugs and thankyou Rita!

Saturday club at Hertford is going brilliantly. We had 5 the first week, the same 5 the next week when Penny beautifully filled in, and then 7 last Saturday. Please pray for me as I undertake the bible teaching, that these young lives will be touched and they will all turn to the Saviour and continue to walk with Him.

Well time rushes on, and it seems true that the older we get the quicker it rushes! Life right now still has its mixture of joys and trials but how reassuring to know that God is working out His Purpose for our ultimate good and we need to leave all our troubles and fears in His Hands. In our home bible study Tuesday last week we were considering the verse 'Jesus Wept'. Two words of Scripture but what depth of meaning they convey. As we were considering the many reasons why He could have wept on that particular day we discussed how one reason must have been that He was weeping over the unbelief of the people. How many miracles had they either seen or heard of Him perform and yet there was still unbelief. And how many times do we still have so little faith, and we worry and care and burden ourselves even when we look back and see how in the past He has guided and led us and stilled our fears. Right now in time I need to cling on to the verse we were discussing in one of our previous Tuesday bible studies..... "casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you".

The work at Hertford is filling our hearts and minds with excitement and praise. On Saturday Charles is commencing a children's club for the ages 7-12. He is stepping out in faith with only his own 2 girls. He has asked me to go along too which is also very exciting, and is looking on having fun games along with bible teaching. A wonderful mix for the kiddies. That is a huge point for prayer this week. Then Sunday Kerry has been asked to give her testimony and what led up to her baptism. Again Kerry needs prayer too as she progresses along the Christian pathway. Some of the photos can be seen on the church website which I must soon link to this blog!

As for family news, Ben had a great time at the Y festival weekend in Chelmsford, working on security which was all good experience, and then it was lovely to have him home all of last week. He spent hours painting the walls of the shed, and we had great fun in Hertford County Hall on Friday researching the history of the church. After an hour of fruitless searching we hit on a brilliant lead. Again the history will all be posted on the website in due course. It was also lovely to meet his friend Charlie on Saturday, and we are grateful that he is getting married next June and giving Ben the wonderful opportunity of a visit to Tanzania!!! We are still waiting to see Steve back from the North Sea, while Daniel has been able to manage a few days in Bath. Julian and I had the golden opportunity of watering his new lawn and flowers and baby trees in the dark on Monday evening, but we were so impressed with the work he has done on the house. All the walls are immaculately painted in a lovely pale blue. Such a difference when we think back to the days of peeling off old wallpaper and plaster down to bare brickwork!

Grandma was very happy to see us the Sunday before last but understandably sad to see us leave. We know she is being a blessing in the Home where everyone comments on the fact that she is always smiling. What a shining testimony she is to the Goodness of God that at 84 years old she is always smiling!

Well I think that once again this is rather mixed up and not in any order of events but I hope that everyone reading along is finding it interesting! More later!