Burns'night: photos and a video!

Steven and Alan

Last night, we went to Weston village hall for a night of fellowship and fun. 
The entertainment was fab, Doreen introduced the whole evening. 
Steven read the "Address to a Haggis", an ode that Robert Burns wrote to the Scottish dish before slicing it aptly. 
Angela and Hazel who is a Scottish lass presented a hilarious sketch based on a poem that Burns wrote, Hazel was using the Scottish parlance while Angela translated it in English. 
Viv and Ian entertained us by their witty repartees. Basically, shouldn't men follow the wise advice of their wives for if they did, they wouldn't be in trouble! 
Then we had a tasty haggis and potatoes and carrot mash!  

Liz and John

Alan and Pat

More photos to come...watch this place! :)

10 reasons to go biking

These are 1) it helps you sleep more deeply, 2) it gives you a younger look, 3) boost your bowels, 4) increase your brain power 5) avoid pollution 6) it means guilt- free snacks 7) get fit without trying too hard 8) burn more fat 9) spend quality time with your spouse/kid/friend  10) feeling tired, go for a ride. I will add another bonus: admiring the beauty of nature. I saw a hawk by the road outside Hixon, when I arrived on the bridge, a magnificent heron flew over my head, and there were many ducks and swans, without counting sheep and horses.
This afternoon, I decided to go for a ride up to Great Haywood. My reasons were mainly 5, 7 and 10 I came back riding on the canal bank and this added another mile. However it was rather bumpy and muddy in places. I' m so glad I was able to do it since there was no snow (the weather forecast was not quite accurate - for once)
Did you do any sport today?
Have a blessed evening. N.

Poetry!

Just to let you know I have updated my poetry page! Why don't you have a look!
Good night :)

More humour!

As a trucker stops at a red light, a blonde catches up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says “Hi, my name is Heather and you’re losing some of your load.” 

The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street. When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again. She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if they've never spoken, the blonde says brightly, “Hi my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!” 

Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street. At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the blonde gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker lowers the window. Again she says “Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!” 

When the light turns green the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the blonde’s car. He knocks on her window, and as she lowers it, he says “Hi, my name is Kevin, it’s Winter in Michigan and I’m driving the SALT TRUCK!”

There are many more on my friend's blog, click here!

Have a blessed evening! N.

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God

My beautiful sister-in-law Pauline bought me a book called Holyfire from RT Kendall and I started reading last night. It's informative, clear and edifying. I also  discovered this  beautiful and powerful song by Stuart Townend. Here are the lyrics.

Holy Spirit, living Breath of God,
Breathe new life into my willing soul.
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole.
Cause Your Word to come alive in me;
Give me faith for what I cannot see;
Give me passion for Your purity.
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me.

Holy Spirit, come abide within;
May Your joy be seen in all I do—
Love enough to cover ev'ry sin
In each thought and deed and attitude,
Kindness to the greatest and the least,
Gentleness that sows the path of peace.
Turn my striving into works of grace.
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do.

Holy Spirit, from creation's birth,
Giving life to all that God has made,
Show your power once again on earth;
Cause Your church to hunger for Your ways.
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise.
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see.

Have a blessed evening!

Questions about life?

Just a notice to let you know that there will be an Alpha course starting in Salt village hall on Tuesday 20 January.

The aim is simple: to explore the meaning of life. Each week a different aspect of the Christian faith is introduced and explained in clear, simple language. After a meal, participants watch a presentation and have the opportunity to discuss and challenge what they have heard, express their opinions, and listen to the experiences of others in their group.
During the course, many people find faith in Jesus for the first time. Others have their existing faith deepened and refreshed. Some just finish the course with a clearer understanding of what Christians believe and why.
The course is open to anyone, regardless of current beliefs or affiliations to other Churches. Alpha is for everyone who wants to explore life’s big questions. Feel free to come along and bring a friend!

Have a blessed week. N.

Ghost boy by Martin Pistorius, a true story

In January 1988 Martin Pistorius, aged twelve, fell inexplicably sick, he lost his voice and stopped eating. Then he slept constantly and avoided human contact. Doctors didn't have a clue why!  Within eighteen months he was mute and wheelchair-bound. Martin's parents were told an unknown degenerative disease left him with the mind of a baby and less than two years to live.

Martin was moved to care centers for severely disabled children. The stress and heartache shook his parents’ marriage and their family to the core. Their boy was gone. Or so they thought.

Ghost Boy is the heart-wrenching story of one boy’s return to life through the power of love and faith. In these pages, readers see a parent’s resilience, the consequences of misdiagnosis, abuse at the hands of cruel caretakers, and the unthinkable duration of Martin’s mental alertness betrayed by his lifeless body.

We also see a life reclaimed—a business created, a new love kindled—all from a wheelchair. Martin's emergence from his own darkness invites us to celebrate our own lives and fight for a better life for others. I'd love to read this book so I add it in my retirement reading list or my holiday list!

You can read a preview  here.