cilla's journal

2010-05-12T01:54:00.000-07:00

I know that my next entry will be taken up with Steve and Lynsey’s wedding so I thought I ought to write a post in here before the big day. Arrangements are all going really well while Steve is taken up with major renovation changes to his house, in particular the kitchen, which we hope will be ready in time! I can’t believe how long it is taking me to find an outfit! I have had 3 trips down to London, made more fun due to being able to meet up with Ben who has been working for ‘Men’s Health’. We enjoyed a coffee and green tea in a tucked away café near Bond Street station and then last week a chat in a tiny park sitting on the grass by some pink bluebells!

I think the most major news since I last wrote in here is that Julian has accepted a permanent job 4 days a week in his old firm in Sandhurst. It’s extra worthwhile for him at the moment because he gets to spend more time with Ben! But our thoughts turned to investing in a property down that way and the house hunting saga started all over again! Our first visit was to a lovely little cottage in Church Crookham which is near Fleet but that wasn’t quite perfect enough although it did back onto the beautiful Basingstoke canal. We spent a lovely day in Tongham, near Farnham, and found another little cottage which backed onto farmland but that one hasn’t worked out and we are now pursuing a run down property in Ash! It has to be run down so that Julian can have a hay day doing it up and following family tradition! The area is so beautiful. I easily managed to get lost along the country lanes following a map, let alone attempting the public footpaths.

But visiting the extremes of the countryside and London aside I do need to mention the lovely family get together we had in March for my Uncle’s 90th birthday. All his nieces and their husbands were there together which has never happened before so it was lovely catching up and reminiscing over ‘old times’.

2010-02-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

Oh dear! Another catch up is long overdue! Those of you following this blog know not to hold your breath!

Possibly the next event of importance on my calendar was the carol service in the marquee on Charles and Tanya’s lawn. Everyone had worked hard, the marquee went up without any problems and Julian was looking forward to a nice rest on the day itself and enjoying the service in the evening. No chance!
The first snowfall of winter appeared during the night, to which the marquee roof took objection and part of it collapsed! Not easy to rectify. A hog roast on the menu sounded simple. Many things sound simple in theory. It duly arrived and Julian was asked to buy a car battery to enable it to be turned on the rotisserie. Said battery lasted 5 hours with 3 hours further cooking to go. So followed an attempt to remove the battery from Charles’ bus with no success but fortunately Penny’s car proved easier. All this time they were waiting for the generator for the heating which turned up 3 hours before the service started only to be found not to work! So another one had to be called from London. This one worked but only if someone stayed out in the freezing cold to kick start it every time it gave up…which was quite often! With one problem after another Julian and I eventually managed to make the service just in time to hear Charles; but the sound of Ben’s playing, along with Tanya on the cello, Simon on the flute and the girls with their violins accompanying the singing could be heard from the multi-storey car park and it was beautiful. In spite of the snow and many people sadly not being able to make it the marquee was mostly full and we are grateful to God for such a lovely atmosphere…and that the hog roast was perfectedly cooked. We are still eating it every church lunch and it still tastes delicious! Jimmy I don’t know if you are following this but if you are then thankyou for coming! It was great you and Kathy were there.

Christmas found us making our way down to spend a few days with Steve and for me to see his new house for the first time. That was due to the fact I was waiting for the heating to be installed! He assured me there was a bath, for us only to find that it was actually in a cardboard box in the breakfast room! Not exactly much use there! So Christmas Eve saw Julian and Steve using all their plumbing skills and by the end of Boxing Day (less than an hour before we were due to go out!) it was actually ready for use with running hot water! (They didn’t work on Christmas Day!) So we were all able to turn up sparkling clean to be with Lynsey’s family where we had a really enjoyable evening playing cluedo! We spent Sunday with the Rees family and Monday Lyn and Ben went shopping (a bad idea!) while I stayed behind to carry on with some much needed painting. We travelled home that evening with a huge mirror and wooden nest of tables and several rugs (bought in the sales) along with Christmas presents (including an antique gramophone found by Steve for Ben) and we tried to squeeze into the tiny spare places wherever we could.

It was a real joy to stop off at Ben’s both on the way down and on our return to break the journey and see all the improvements he has made. It is homely and cosy…except we know to wear most of the clothes from our wardrobes because of the cold. How come it has been the coldest winter for 30 years and he has survived in a house with no central heating or double glazing! Some mornings there has been ice on the inside windows and temperatures indoors noted as freezing!

Our news for January was the engagement of Steve and Lynsey with a wedding planned for June. We are hoping to get down to see them all next week to hear about all the arrangements so far!

And not to be outdone with excitement Ben managed to get himself arrested for breaking and entering his own house! In the end it was actually the police who forced entry but it is such a long and funny story you will need to ask Ben for details! The best thing of all is that the very next morning after breaking 2 panes of glass a firm had been booked to fit his double glazing. Perfect timing so well done Ben and thankyou for the laughs!

2009-11-17T01:02:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry for such a long gap. I have been writing a blog for our church website (you can link to it through my profile) and so I am determined to update in here too. So much has happened since I last wrote that this will only be a very brief summary.

Saturday club now has a completely new intake which is proving challenging but also rewarding. The majority of the children come from a non-Christian background and we are finding this very different from the last 3 years. God is so good in entrusting us with these young ones and we pray that lives will be thoroughly turned around as we see these children so in need of the Saviour.

Stephen has just returned from another stint in Azerbaijan to return to his own house in Bristol! We are soon to see it and also help to work on it as it needs a lot of updating...particularly putting in some kind of heating!

Ben’s house in Reading is a gem! We went to take a look at it back in the summer just as a last minute addition whilst viewing other properties and fell in love with it.! I shall never forget standing by the front gate after the estate agent had gone just knowing it was the right one. So came the testing time… plenty of other people wanted it as well! But after a roller coaster ride the keys were finally in our hands. It is a family home and has been in the same family for over a century. It has known love and laughter, births, weddings and funerals and has character which has to be felt to be appreciated! The pantry, the outside toilet, the coal bunker, the birds in the attic, the air raid shelter…well, you get the idea. The first visitors of course had to be the Bancroft family on their way home from Dartmouth. Harri had a scary time helping clear out the shelter and came away with a first class presentation for back-at-school. Next on the list is to light the fire and hope that soot doesn’t spread back into the rooms over the freshly plastered and painted walls! History already casts its charm throughout the house. Furniture from Daniel and Grandma; Mum and Steve. Items from Tanya, Joe and Bronny, people from Hurst and the church at Hertford. Even items from when our church was the gospel hall 100 years ago. And now that it is beginning to look more up to date by the day Ben has bought a one-way ticket to Australia. Never a dull moment!

So Julian has been up to his eyes in house work! After Dan’s house was completed and sold early this year he has worked on our house, knocking down a chimney breast single handed; then on Ben’s house; then on the church; then ‘Granma’s house’ as we still call it and soon on Steve’s. But it’s all been fun, well, most of it, and he’s still been using his computer skills at the same time.

A joyful event this year was Susie’s baptism on Daniel’s birthday. Very poignant as he was the one to lead her to Wormley free church where she has been so blessed and has been a blessing. It wasn’t exactly a very warm day but the outdoor swimming pool provided a wonderful baptistery and the service was truly beautiful. Another event which stands out in my mind is the meeting in London with Naomi and Rita, my childhood friends from primary school. We spent a lovely few hours catching up and intend not to leave it so long until another time. Then of course there was the snow which fell on Dan’s anniversary and our precious Amanda took the opportunity to build a snowman on his grave.

I have a note found in Daniel’s bible on my fridge…he wrote we “need to realise the whole point of being a super-hero is not to please yourself but to help others.” Dan you were one of the many unsung superheroes in my life. We look forward to seeing you and Andy again….

Thankyou to everyone who is following in here.
cilla.

2008-05-30T07:57:00.000-07:00

Daniel, I miss your soft brown eyes. I miss our talks. Our ‘mum and son’ chats when you told me to believe in myself and I told you to continue to aim high and to follow your dreams. Because if God was in your dream then it would materialise. Since you have gone I realise more and more how much you meant to me. How much you cheered me by your visits and lifted me if I was feeling low. How you told me what you had been doing and who you had met and what you talked about. How you looked for opportunities to reach people with the gospel. And how you always wanted to know what I had been doing too. You did such crazy things and seemed to live life on the edge, but although you were so impulsive with earthly decisions you possessed spiritual wisdom. Your desire was to grow closer to God and now you truly have.

I remember your loyalty. How without fail you faithfully set up on a Thursday night for the youth work, however tired or busy you were. How you were always there on time. How we prayed beforehand in the kitchen and how I always felt safe when you were around. Even when the kids were throwing chair leg rubbers and custard creams and were high on drugs. Somehow I always knew things would be alright when you were there because they loved you. I remember the time when you were so tired that you lay down across the chairs and nearly fell asleep and how good they were that evening. How sometimes it would be just you and me and that was when I felt the safest. I remember how you didn’t want a break all year even at Christmas. And I remember how you threw a BBQ in the car park on our last evening and around 80 people came. No one else would have done anything like that and yet you did it because you believed you could and your faith was strong. I saw Brad this week and he hadn’t heard. I will keep praying for them all. Maybe you are too.

I remember your loyalty to the Tuesday night prayer and bible studies round our house. How you could always be relied upon to come. And you would always have plenty to say and it was always helpful. And how you used to pray so beautifully.

Dad and I visited your grave today. The headstone stands out well with your special verse. ‘You are very precious to God’. Amanda’s pot of pansies gives soft and cheerful colour. Dad is working on your house right now. You made such a grand job of that and he will make sure it is finished. I miss you baby and wonder what you are doing right now.

Love you for always and right through eternity. Xxx

2007-11-15T02:10:00.000-08:00

It is so long since I wrote in here that I have no idea where to begin so I’ll work backwards and see just how far back I can remember.

The news hot off the press is that Ben is in Hong Kong! At least we hope so. His flight was scheduled to take off 23 hours ago. He has been given a job until the end of May teaching English to children, which should be a real experience. Especially as he is hoping to get in plenty of travelling during their school holidays!

Stephen came home from a 3 week stint in Pakistan just before Ben was due to leave so that was good timing. We were able to spend quality family time together. Steve was sent home early for safety reasons—fortunately we didn’t know anything of the trouble in Pakistan until he was safely on English soil. After 2 days at home he was off again, but this time on holiday, to Vienna and Budapest!

Daniel’s house is coming along beautifully, and Julian is still working for Charles and for Sandhurst.

And now for Saturday club! Maybe we should have a blog just for Saturday club! Last week we didn’t arrive home until 10 minutes past 11 as Hannah was determined to get the latest project up on the walls. Last term the girls had painted individual letters on A3 paper using every colour and pattern available. These were then cut out and mounted on card to give a 3D effect and finally stuck (we hope) all around the church building. The verse we have displayed is Psalm 136 v 1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.” I will link to our efforts as soon as the photos are on the church website but it really does make for a colourful display. Hannah never being content with just one project at a time had a couple more on the move! In another corner the girls were busy at work on our Good Shepherd poster which is nearly ready to go up. Becky hadn’t been well during the evening and I was worried we would have to take her home. But just as we needed her expert ‘sticking’ help she appeared looking very white and decided to begin work. Three hours later when finally the last letter was up on the wall and the worst of the litter tidied away I said to her what a good thing it was that she was able to help just when we desperately needed her. The reply came back ‘I asked Jesus to make me better’. Oh the beauty of childlike trust. Tanya reminded us of Peter’s mother-in-law, how ’she arose and served them.’

It was altogether a thoroughly fantastic evening. I have set them the task of memorising the whole of Psalm 23, a section at a time, so we firstly went through the Psalm talking about the meaning and then tried to enforce the first verse with the help of a bean bag! We played ‘bible bingo’ and Emily hit on the idea of calling out ‘Jesus’ instead of bingo! It was her third week with us and a real delight to see her so happily joining in and so ready to learn. Another success was a new singing DVD and once it was watched all the way through we had the singing on in the background as we worked on the craft. 4 ½ hours of Saturday club was great although a tad tiring! And Becky was a wonder kid in making it to Sunday School only 11 hours later!!

The week before was great fun too. Lydia brought some sparklers and a tub of water in line with fire regulations (her words!) and we had fun with them in the garden, followed by huge, yummy slices of chocolate cake for Joannie’s 10th birthday. This past term we have been working through some of the parables including the lost coin, the lost sheep, the Good Samaritan and the great feast. We will cover at least two more and that should take us back to the Christmas story. We have come such a long way and I know I am so blessed seeing these young girls week by week and watching them grow in their understanding of the Saviour Who loves them so dearly.

So to move away from church (although there is so much more to write!) I must mention the wonderful holiday we had at the end of August and into September. We spent just over a week with my dear cousin Marion while Bernard was away and again had such a good time. Julian enjoyed his walks, or runs, with Meg along the cuckoo trail and it was so refreshing just to make ourselves at home, enjoy seeing the family again and of course all the homemade fruit and veg from the garden. Talking of fruit reminds me that our freezer gave way after over 20 years service the very day before we were due to leave. We managed to salvage most of the contents and I took down all our home grown fruit to Marion’s. We made pound upon pound of jam with raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb and cherries all mixed up together and very delicious it is too! On the August bank holiday weekend Anne had a REALLY big family get together at the farm. A time when we caught up with folks from years back and noticed how all the children had grown so quickly. It was a lovely summers evening and we will certainly be down for next year!

After a thoroughly lovely time at Marion’s we went on to spend a few days at our beautiful Polzeath which seems to be more beautiful every time we go if that is possible! The weather was perfect and we spent a wonderful day with Nick and Mary who we haven’t seen for something like 29 years! We had plenty of news to catch up on and I will link to some photos as soon as I can.

Well, I think that is long enough for now or no one will read it!! Thankyou in particular to Naomi for encouraging me to try and keep this up!

2007-11-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Written on 9th August.

As I write up the next instalment to my blog I am feeling sadness mixed with joy as my Mum was called Home to be with her Saviour on July 16th. We were called to Bethany on the 13th at 6.30 a.m. and left straightaway to see her. The carers didn’t think we would arrive in time and had already kissed her goodbye. Ben was able to cut across country and reach her first and she rallied at the sound of his voice! We were able to spend a quality couple of hours with her and she talked of her dear sister and brother who had gone on before. At one point she calmly said ‘I’m waiting. Help me.’ To whom was she talking? Was it a coincidence that Ben noticed that the verse on the calendar for the following day read ‘I waited patiently for the Lord.’? We read to her from John 14 and Isaiah 45 and it was an experience I wouldn’t have missed. She was able to say goodbye and I know that the Lord graciously gave us those extra hours. He was ready to take her, she was ready to go, but the Lord gave treasured memories for those left behind. Ben got in to see her right up to the day she died. He read to her and held her hand and talked with her and I feel sure gave her much comfort in her final hours.

We were surprised to see so many at the funeral as so many of her friends and family are dispersed all over the country and the majority in heaven but people travelled long distances to come. The day went so well and just as she would have liked. Pink and white carnations were in abundance as a poignant reminder of her wedding bouquet, and the sun shone warmly as we sang around the graveside.

The following day Steve travelled out to the North Sea and is still there as I write. He came home from a holiday in Morocco to the news of his Grandma’s call to Glory.

Daniel has been hard at work in his new home. He has knocked down a dividing wall, made one big kitchen from three small rooms and moved the bathroom upstairs. Church continues to go well for him and they had a good turn out for the fun day last Sunday.

Ben had a wonderful time at the wedding in Tunisia and we enjoyed seeing all the photos.

Saturday club finished at the beginning of July and it is good to relax and spend time in the garden, but September will come round soon enough and the stories of Jesus studied again. Throughout June we were very encouraged to take Gemma along with Becky to Sunday School. Sophie enjoyed coming to morning and evening church to sit with Elsie and we hope the interest of these children will be just as strong when they return from their holidays.

2007-06-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

Well it is summertime at last and so I am able to sit outside with the laptop; a perfect time to catch up with the journal while enjoying the sound of the water fountain and children’s voices playing in the neighbours’ gardens. Although I say it myself our garden is at its best with a riot of colours and too many different flowers to count! The roses seem so huge this year. Maybe the rain has had something to do with it. Either that or Bio Multirose!

We are still struggling with uncertainties in our lives but the saddest news since I last wrote in here is that my Mum’s journey on this earth is nearly at an end. She was diagnosed with a tumour a couple of weeks ago, but Bethany Care Home have taken her back from hospital and we are going just one day at a time. She will be 85 this month and she has lived her life to the full for her Saviour. We can only be thrilled for her that very soon she will see His Face and be reunited with so many of her relatives and friends who have gone on before.

Julian is working the occasional day at Sandhurst and the rest of the time for Charles, while Daniel is now busy renovating his house in Waltham Abbey. We had a lovely family time last weekend with Ben and Stephen home. I made a chocolate cake to cover three birthdays which was quite a neat idea and by mistake added twice the amount of cocoa powder. The result was scrumptious! Steve has just returned from a few days’ holiday in Barcelona where he managed to lose his passport and find it again! Ben travelled to Tanzania on Monday to be best man at a friend’s wedding in Zanzibar. He is adding up all his annual leave and looking forward to another three weeks holiday, hopefully taking plenty of photos and writing up a worthwhile article for the Wokingham News!

Saturday Club is still going great with a nucleus of six regular young girls. Encouragement has really come about through Rucha over the last few weeks. She decided to take a bible home ‘for a secret reason’ she said and it turns out she has been studying it. She began in Genesis and then decided to read through the life of Moses and every week she checks that I have given the memory verse correctly! How we pray that her head knowledge will be turned over to heart knowledge as the Holy Spirit works in this young life. Just before half term she prayed during the evening that she would find a way to tell her granny who is over from India about Jesus. Then a few days later I found the DVD of the Jesus film which is broadcast in Hindi and it has gone into the home. Do please pray for Rucha that these tiny seeds will produce great fruit and that she will take the gospel back to India one day.

At the last session of Saturday Club before the break we finished the poster which was meant to be ready for Easter! Never mind. At least we are in good time for next year. Hannah outlined the background and we used torn up pieces of construction paper and crêpe paper to represent the stone rolled away from the tomb at sunrise, with the three crosses set to one side. Our genius Hannah spent hour upon hour cutting out tiny felt lettering to give the gospel verse which the children learned, and you can view the final stunning result here. Of course that photo was taken before the poster fell down. On the Saturday evening we were informed by Hannah that no one was going home until it was up on the wall. Julian stood on the steps while she balanced on a chair on top of a table and all was done by 10.15! The girls had a fine time watching all of Tanglewoods’ Secret instead of just the second instalment, but it gave us a chance to put in all the finishing touches. The next morning in church I was sitting at the piano and the sun was streaming through the window, lighting up the colours, and all the weeks of sticking and washing brushes seemed worthwhile. Unfortunately Julian and I were visiting my Mum and so we missed the next part! During the evening service a visiting preacher was closing in prayer when our double-sided carpet tape decided it would let us down and so the poster landed on his head! It must have been the next best thing after the death of the mouse and we missed it!

Church is still the most wonderful occupation of our lives. Bible study was good last night with Tanya’s strawberry and cream meringues to round off the evening. Ron and Claire still continue to come regularly on Sundays which is a real joy. Yet again he came all the way back from Clacton to get to church last Sunday. Please pray for Ron and all the family. He is such an encouragement to us.

I know I must have left out huge chunks of happenings which is inevitable when I leave things too long but at least those who I know are reading along can see we are still here. May you know much of the Lord’s Presence in your lives. And to Sophie now that you are connected to the Internet I hope you have found our website and seen your pics on the church website. A big thankyou to you and Becky for all your hard work on the poster at Saturday Club and………….see you in the garden!!

2007-03-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in such a short time that I don't know where to begin. Maybe with the mouse!! This shouldn't be common knowledge but we have a mouse at church. At least we did. Hopefully there are no more! A week yesterday we had a fellowship lunch which was scrummy. Curry, rice, salad, veg, chicken in sauce, quiche, pizza all on the same plate go down really well. Especially with Eileen's chicken broth along with Penny's apricot crumble and Tanya's choccy cake with cream. After we were quite stuffed we had a good singsong and then Hannah got to work giving the finishing touches to the kiddies footprints while Penny shot out and found some double sided carpet tape. We laid Hannah's beautiful pathway along the church floor and then arranged the footprints. Fixing it to the wall was a feat in itself but it is up and it looks stunning. 6 o'clock and I just had time to hoover round and then have a play on the old organ which dates back to the gospel hall era. I'm not sure whether I disturbed the mouse but soon after Simon saw it walking happily across the carpet obviously feeling quite at home. At evening church I cleverly gave Eileen a large hymnbook instead of a bible....duh..... and so partway into the service she had to get out and change it. Next thing we heard a crash and thought she must have fallen over, only to hear the words 'I got the mouse!' It had been walking over the floor eating some chocolate from the tuck shop, lol, but Eileen's bible put an end to that game! The funniest thing of all was that the preacher was 'bemused' instead of 'amused' let alone 'amoused' and the more Charles tried to restore some order for the sake of the preacher the funnier it was. The sight of Penny with her scarf halfway down her throat is once seen never forgotten. Of course Simon had to bring a clockwork mouse to church yesterday just to wind everyone up! :)

Saturday club has been going really well. Last week we studied all six trials of the Lord Jesus and the week before we thought about the Garden of Gethsemane. They were great girls sitting for so long and answering so well. It was good to see a new face, Jasmine, and hope she will continue. The Treasures of the Snow DVD is being enjoyed by all. It was also lovely to have the opportunity to take Sunday School for the last 2 weeks with Harry and Joel on their best behaviour! What an honour to talk to these dear children about Jesus and hear the simple truths they have to give. As Joel put it so nicely 'Jesus can see us in Sunday School' and we hope we bring much joy to Him. It was really lovely to have communion in the evening for the second time recently and also an honour to be able to play the piano.

Grandma continues to make good progress after her falls and subsequent hip operation. She has been walking a little and being a constant cheer with her sunny nature.
Julian is enjoying working for Charles whenever he can, clearing trees from drains and fixing washing machines! And he is nearly through with the cutting out of the 600+ Betty Lukens figures! Yesterday Ben and Steve had a good time at preachers corner in Hyde Park (as listeners) and Steve enjoyed hearing Rico Tice. Daniel is so busy we hardly see him. Apparently he left his house immaculate and we have the pics to prove it! It is good to have him here for a short time while the purchase of his house goes through. More later...

2007-02-17T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well February is half over so I'll try to write some more! I have been working out in the garden today for the second time this year. The clumps of snowdrops are such a lovely pure white, and the crocuses and early daffodils are giving a lot of lovely colour. There is a multitude of buds on the kerria although some of the bushes seem to have been flowering all year round. Now I need someone to give me a bright idea as to what to do with the remaining three railway sleepers, especially as one of them blew over in last month's strong winds! Some kind of garden feature would be nice...

Saturday club is going great. This half term we have covered the childhood of Jesus, His baptism, the call of His disciples, the miraculous catch of fish and the feeding of the 5000. The next part of the term I want to concentrate on the complete Easter story with 5 sessions and show the Jesus Quest DVD. It was great to have Rucha's Mum sitting in with us last week, and fantastic that Penny can help out so frequently now along with Hannah. We are planning on a huge banner of a pathway running around the entrance hall of the church with the words 'Jesus said Come follow Me'. Hence all the glittery footprints and the fun use of the tea trays last week filled with finger (foot!!) paints! At least Lydia chose blue to walk on the carpet so no one will notice!

Steve is still enjoying London and had a great time on the oil rig again where it seems his work is appreciated! Ben managed to break down in his company car this week. Lesson number one. Car keys can lose vital chips when dropped! Julian is wondering what to do for his next line of job. He has until April 25th at the office so watch this space. Although don't hold your breath! Grandma has her bright days and others not so bright. I wish we were closer just to give her plenty of reassurance as that is what she needs.

Daniel is loving his new church at Waltham Abbey as much as we are feeling at home at Hertford. It is a real joy to take along Claire and Kirsty, and yes Ron I guess we shall have to turn up at the quiz night! And a special publicity to say how well Laura performed in 'Annie' last week. My first Musical and well worth it! Vicki remind me to treat you to a night out!

2007-01-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

So much for posting that last update when it was written! A month ago!

We have just returned from a lovely holiday in beautiful Polzeath. Steve and Ben saw to the Christmas shopping so that Julian and I could stay for the carol service at church where the children came up trumps with their readings and memory verses and singing. It was a wonderful Christmas service with a wonderful message by Charles on 'the shepherds'. We were able to travel down to Cornwall with Daniel, while Steve and Ben were enjoying the usual scrumptious Sunday meals with Hazel and co. Christmas Day saw Steve and Dan surfing and swimming in the sea, and the week's holiday was spent alternating between long walks and runs along the cliff top and relaxing indoors. It was an added highlight to be able to spend an afternoon with Alan and Lilias in their cosy home. I will never forget the day when the postman brought the letter bearing the news that Alan had given his life to the Lord.

The marquee carols by candlelight service involved so much work! And still more work! Memories of Penny and Tanya making huge pans of chilli con carne over the aga, Simon slicing garlic, onions and stewing steak, Daniel wrapping bacon strips around prunes will linger for a long time. As will the heater not working causing us to have our December 17th church carol services in Charles and Tanya's lounge. 216 people accepted invitations into the tent and everyone seemed very appreciative of all the effort that had gone into the evening. Tanya had decorated her home so beautifully, and directed Julian in arranging all the lights in the tent. Do see our church website for the pics! The serving of the food went so smoothly and many remarked on the lovely atmosphere. The vast majority of the people there are still yet unsaved and so our prayers must not end there. We need to pray on and trust the Lord of the harvest to see the increase.

New Year's Eve saw us at Eileen and Dave's home for an entertaining evening, although we didn't mean to stay 5 hours after church!
To everyone who is reading along I wish you every blessing in 2007, and that you will know much of the Lord's Presence as we journey on towards Home.

2007-01-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

It is such a long time since I have written in here and so much has been happening so although I shall forget most of it those of you who are reading along will at least glean some idea. Long sentence over!

Saturday club at Hertford has taken over my life! I find that I am spending all week preparing. What with the story and quiz and memory verse and compiling a songbook there is more than enough to think about. Do please pray for this work. It was intended for the children at Hertford but the Lord is sending along kiddies from Cheshunt, several of whom are in Year 8 at School and approaching the teenage years. Oh that these young lives are given over to the Lord Jesus before the world with all its attractions lures them into its fold. Last week the 'bus' was full with an order of more seats needed. Some problems are encouraging problems!

The church at Hertford is very dear to our hearts; the people there so welcoming and full of love. It is seeing so much blessing, with lives given over to the Master and fruit being seen. The next major event is the carol service in Charles and Tanya's home with Rico Tice coming along as the speaker. Last year the number reached over 90, and this year we are hoping for greater numbers with the marquee to be erected (if the instruction manual can be followed!) on Saturday. Again we pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit will work upon the hearts of those under the powerful message of the gospel.

Daniel is loving his new church at Waltham Abbey and becoming more and more involved in the Youth work there. His evenings with the Council Youth club are also very encouraging, with greater numbers being attracted, and also greater potential trouble. Again we pray that the lives of these needy kids will be transformed through the saving Power of Jesus.

Stephen is living near Kings Cross while letting Grandma's house, and Ben is still loving his job in Wokingham.

Just a brief update but hopefully it brings you on a page!

2006-10-20T04:03:00.000-07:00

An update is way overdue so here goes! Life has taken some unexpected turns over the last few weeks but we are thankful that God is completely in control of where and how He is taking us. What an amazing wonder it is that He cares so much about every tiny detail of our lives.

One piece of excitement is that Ben begins his new job on Monday with the Wokingham News, enjoying the luxury of a company car after a series of old bangers! If you need more details of the work involved then get in touch with Ben, suffice to say that he still cannot believe he has landed this job!

Steve is still in Pakistan, due home on Monday after 2 weeks in the middle of the desert! He is working on a gas terminal that supplies all the gas to Karachi. Yesterday's temperature was 43 degrees! One day he went to look at a wellhead and hopefully took some pics. Next on the agenda is renting out his house so we have all had to attack the garden, while the laminate flooring and fresh paintwork really do make Grandma's former home look much more light and airy. She wouldn't recognise it.

Saturday club is going great! We had the privilege of having Evie and Lillie come along to teach us a lovely harvest song, and the girls managed the miracle of the month and learned the words, actions and tune overnight so they could perform to a packed church at our harvest service on the Sunday morning. They did so well that a Christmas play should be next on the agenda. To my utter delight my next door neighbour accepted the invitation to come along and enjoyed it so much that she suggested her sister-in-law come last Sunday morning! The sister-in-law actually attended the church 50 years ago when it was a gospel hall and has jumped on the bandwagon to find out as much as she can on the history of the building. More info will appear on the website, although thorough research may take some time!

Daniel is all set to travel down to Sussex tomorrow to help out at the holiday bible club at Horam Chapel. They are setting up the church as a desert island on Sunday, in readiness for the theme of 'pirates' throughout the week. Much prayer is needed as the youngsters file through the doors to hear about the Lord Jesus, that young lives will be receptive to the sound of the gospel, and that new contacts will be made from the village. We are thrilled that Daniel is settling so well into his new church, and the way opening up for him in differing spheres of service and learning.

Friday evenings with Susie continue to be a real source of blessing. Last week Lea was able to join us so there wasn't much bible study done as we had to catch up on several weeks worth of activities! Tonight we hope to begin a study on the book of Ruth as that is next on the programme for Saturday club. Last week we all enjoyed a lesson on the fruits of the Spirit, with the visual aids of two pumpkins! One was opened up to reveal the mess inside which Lydia scooped out into a bowl, the floor and her jeans, and in the other we placed a candle to show how our lights can shine for Jesus. Singing in the dark by candlelight was a delight! We should do it more often!

Well I don't want this to get too long so I think that covers a main chunk of what has been happening in our family.
May God bless each one who is reading along.

2006-10-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

What a day we had on Saturday! Julian and I arrived at the church to find Elsie, Joni and Lydia dragging trees down the road and into the car park! The skip was filling rapidly within the first 15 minutes! Julie was working wonders with a bow saw and I don't think I shall forget the sight of Jeanne manoeuvring a tree on a wheelbarrow through the gate and round the corner. I mean there was a whole fence to creosote. Why begin with the gate Simon???!!! The entrance hall was looking great until it started raining and a muddy tribe of Bancroft kids trailed in! And Kerry did a first class job of tidying all the crèche toys and the Sunday School room. The Saturday club kids were thrilled to see the room unearthed from layers of books and crayons. So now we have discovered we have an official craft room for our club and a video room too. How cool is that! Lydia and I have planned to have a preview and decide which video to show.

And so straight on to Saturday club. What a terrific time it was. The same seven girls, so it is a good indication that they are enjoying themselves! Another two have asked to come along and that is without the invites even prepared! We had the story of the fiery furnace, with a quiz and memory verse and singing. I looked at my watch and realised 50 minutes had gone in no time! What good kids they were to listen so well! And a huge thankyou to Susie for agreeing to study the passage together the evening before. That definitely helps. And what better person to help than Susie. What precious times we have on Friday evenings. The Lord's Presence is tangible. He is True to His Word and blesses us in ways unspeakable.

Thursday bible study at Carl and Penny's was very good. Charles gave a really helpful talk on 'Guidance' particularly with Miranda in mind, but applicable to us all. It was lovely that Daniel could take me, and wonderful that he is finding his niche in his new church. Our God is so Great. I am utterly amazed at how and where He has led us over the last few months. How He has answered our prayers and the prayers of other people previously unknown to us, and brought everything together as only He can.

2006-09-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

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.

2006-09-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-08-25T14:11:00.000-07:00

I have suddenly realised that if I don't hurry up and update my blog I will have forgotten a good part of what has been going on over the last few days, so here goes!

Steve has managed a holiday in Bristol, a few days back at work, yet another holiday this time in Edinburgh, and this morning he flew off again to the North Sea!! It was most pleasurable seeing him in the times when he was actually around! And that he came home in time to help chop up the tree branches! Yes, he did do the right thing in dragging a whole load of them out into the front garden because it meant three of the neighbours realised how much we needed all the wheelie bins we could lay hands on!

Daniel has been having a fine time with the Council Youth Project. On Wednesday he was asked to gather bored teenagers to join in a street dancing session alongside some professionals. He did so well in recruiting the youngsters that he had to go back for more yesterday. And the dance steps he showed us on the front room carpet looked amazing! He has been working on his house this week (in between amusing youngsters) and it is apparently looking quite something. I must make a point of popping in.

Yesterday saw me with my dear friend Susie, and joy of joys Lea had the day off too so we could all meet up for bible study and prayer. How wonderful it was for the three of us to get together again and all be such a help to each other. How I thank God for the gift of these two Christian friends who have the ability to so uplift me. I must pray on for Lea as she struggles with the long hours in her job, and for Don that he will be saved. Kristina has recovered well from her operation so we give God all the praise for that.

Hertford last Sunday was beautiful both morning and evening. Kerry showed me the photos of her baptism which got us thinking how we should have a members page on the website and put up her photos. Penny with all her good ideas suggested her wedding photos and testimony should be there too so exciting things are on the way! Actually it was our 29th wedding anniversary that day and the preacher chose the very hymn we had on our wedding day and the right tune! Jesus Thou Joy of loving hearts. In the evening one of the hymns was 'When peace like a river'. There were only 11 of us but during that hymn it sounded like 111 in the building. The singing was so harmonising and beautiful. I think our voices were joined by heavenly echoes that evening. I also think we all felt the same. A big point for prayer this week is that Hertford Town Church will see huge blessing.

Well, I hope that is most of it. Tomorrow looks to be another painting day inside the shed. Masonry painting is a new experience for me and nowhere near so much fun as creosoting but at least it is progression.......

2006-08-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Time to make an update after a busy week. Steve came back safely from the oil rig and Ben from Cheddar. He said there were no real highlights this year, but 2 kids got saved which was wonderful. Julian and I had a lovely time at Hertford yesterday both morning and evening, and what a joy to take along Susie and Kristina. They both had a lovely time too. In the evening Tanya and Kelly played the cello and flute, with piano accompaniment which sounded terrific. And there were 'leftover' homemade scones with strawberry jam, and real clotted cream; also terrific!
I turned the corner to Steve's this morning and had a very pleasant surprise! The bulk of the tree is down. Dan must have been enjoying himself to be able to chop down so much in one go. It's now a case of seeing how many of the neighbour's garden wheelie bins we can borrow.
Special prayer points this week:- Charles and Tanya and the kiddies away camping, Ben's job interview tomorrow and Kristina's op on Thursday.

2006-08-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening and another job completed. The shed has a concrete base! For anyone unaware of our shed it is the only one of its kind! It all began 11 years ago when Daniel had time on his hands while on study leave for his GCSEs. He would look longingly at our tumbledown shed and say how good it would be to knock it down completely and build a new one. We measured the space and decided that if we moved the wooden bike shed we would have a fair sized piece of land well able to house the table tennis table. And so the idea was born and Daniel began demolishing the shed. That was the easy part. I think all the family have had an important part to play in building our shed. Daniel had some double glazed windows left over from a job and so the front has been built around them! The sides contain bricks of every shape, size and colour. I spent days up a ladder last summer woodstaining the rafters in a beautiful pine finish only for Dan to have loft insulation left over and so Julian covered all my beautiful work. Maybe when his ceiling falls down my oak beams will have won the day but we won't talk about that just yet!!

My little family down the end of the garden came back from their hols today. It was lovely to see their happy smiling faces and hear of all they had done. And have a hug from Sophie. :)

Yesterday Susie and I delved into the churches of Smyrna and Pergamum. Lea was working and so unable to come. She must be missing Christian fellowship so badly. It was good that we could commit her and Don and little Ashly to God's safe keeping.

2006-08-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

Written Monday.....

Another lovely day today so I can sit out in the garden and work on the computer. Yesterday was just top class. Julian, Daniel and I went over to Hertford Town Church both morning and evening. Two great speakers, and more time to get to know Charles and Tanya better and their wonderful children, Lydia, Elsie, Harry and Joel. And thanks for the chat, Penny.You're unique; and a shining example of a truly keen Christian. How interesting to see the upstairs to the church and the children's Sunday School work on the walls. What potential there is here in this loving and welcoming church.

Stephen left early this morning to journey to the North Sea to work on an oil rig. I hope he remembers all the training he received in Norfolk last week, escaping from helicopters, swimming under water and extinguishing fires!

And my beautiful leather NASB study bible arrived today. More reading to look forward to.

2006-07-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Last evening was wonderful. My times with Susie always are, and I thank God for bringing her into my life. Lea didn't turn up. We are worried she is working too hard and I must make a point of calling her to see how she is. Susie and I have begun studying the letters to the seven churches which is a very relevant subject right now.

Today Julian has been chopping down more branches from Stephen's fir tree and clearing more rubbish from his garden. Why do parents work so hard for their children, even when their children are adults? My Mum and Dad were just the same, which reminds me to be grateful for what they did.

Ben left for Cheddar camp this morning so that is another point for prayer. I must pray this week that everyone will be kept safe and that children and teenagers will come to know the Saviour.

2006-07-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to this little space called my blogspot. This is my first post so I hope it turns out how it is meant to. I decided to create this journal to record some events of my life and those of my family (only don't let on you know! ) and to record how I hope to follow the Lord's leading as the future is so unclear at this point in time.

But I think all I will say for now is that it is a beautiful summer's evening, hence the URL! And Friday evenings are usually the best evenings of the week as I meet up in my friend Susie's home for prayer and bible study. Tonight we are reading through Revelation 2 and we are hoping Lea will join us.

So, laters.............