Let's chill!

That's it, I am officially on holiday. However when I woke up this morning, it took me a few seconds to realise that I didn't have to get ready for work..even though I don't work on Saturday of course! At work, last week, most people (including I) were counting the number of get up! And after our visit to Alton Towers, a complete success, smiles were on every faces!
We've just had a really nice bbq in good company, Verity and David came to see us for a chat and a lunch all the way from Bolton. Verity and I managed to get a bit of tan until one o'clock, after that it went overcast! So this was even better as we could enjoy the heat without burning..that is if we forget to put some more sun cream lotion! For desert, no chocolate cake, instead, Verity and David very kindly picked up our home-grown raspberries (that is, off our temporary accommodation) and with vanilla ice-cream (the last tab available at the local shop) we had a delicioso desert!
Imogen can't wait to go to her auntie Jacqueline's wedding in Missouri! and we need to load more stuff in the caravane..What are your plans for the summer?
Hope you are having a relaxing week-end! Yours in Christ. N.

Grilling!

Can I really expect God to protect me?

http://www.nancyguthrie.com/articles/articles_ct05.php

 "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:17).

A great day, parade in Stafford...

Saturday, we had a few bits to sort out in town and we forgot there was a parade. Well, we caught the end of it! It was a glorious day, the sun was out and it seemed everybody was out, happy and content. Teenagers were everywhere, socializing outside the cafes. on the way to the park! What a great day!

Fradswell village fête

Last Saturday, Steven and I went to Fradswell fête not in a village hall but in a field not far from Milwich. It was wonderful to see so many people there just gather and having a social. Families, couples, teens and babies all mingling and chilling. To start with, it was sunny then cloudy. Later on it rained a bit and it was windy. In my opinion, the best was the dog competition. Here are a few photos!

Have a very enjoyable week-end!

In the book of Ephesians..

Humour, the blonde and the alligator

 

The Blonde & The Alligator

A young blonde was on vacation and driving through the Everglades.

She wanted to take home a pair of genuine alligator shoes in the worst way, but was very reluctant to pay the high prices the local vendors were asking.

After becoming very frustrated with the "no haggle on prices" attitude of one of the shopkeepers, the blonde shouted, "Well then, maybe I'll just go out and catch my own alligator, so I can get a pair of shoes for free!"

The shopkeeper said with a sly, knowing smile, "Little lady, just go and give it a try!"

So the blonde headed out toward the swamps, determined to catch an alligator!

Later in the day, as the shopkeeper is driving home, he pulls over to the side of the levee, where he spots that same young woman standing waist-deep in the murky bayou water, shotgun in hand.

Just then, he spots a huge 9-foot 'gator swimming rapidly toward her. With lightning speed, she takes aim, kills the creature and hauls it onto the slimy bank of the swamp. Lying nearby were seven more of the dead creatures, all lying on their backs. The shopkeeper stood on the bank, watching in silent amazement.

The blonde struggled and flipped the 'gator onto its back. Rolling her eyes heaven-ward and screaming in great frustration, she shouts out, "S&^%T ... THIS ONE'S BAREFOOT TOO!"

After 6 year of marriage...

Life goes on differently when you are married!
her.... I feel weird
him....you are weird
her...don't say that..
him...err
her...my brain is different from yours
him..no, you haven't got a brain
her don't be mean!
later on
her.. I feel weird today
him..you are weird everyday..

my brain is wired differently than yours...(she's got her brain back)..
I am trying to get on while you are faffing around (he's getting ratty now, he says)

Time to go. Have a blessed Sunday. N.

Keep your eyes on Jesus!

For the last two weeks, my time has been hijacked by various issues. It seems there is no end to it. I can't even explain what's going on. All I know is that I have to bite my lips, praise the Lord for He is in charge and knows what is happening and wait. This is easy to think when you are calm! When the tempest is raging, it becomes harder to feel the peace. So, if you are feeling out of sort, if you are struggling with lots of burdens, emotional, at work, in your relationships, if you feel worried, angry, if you despair, do not give up, the Lord is there by your side, give your hand to Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit comforting you and strengthening you.
When we found out about the tornado that wrecked the town of Moore on Tuesday evening, we were utterly devastated. Join us in our prayers for all the victims' families, may they find solace in the Lord and may He comfort them in those dark hours, may He pour his healing hands on them. In the name of Jesus our saviour and redeemer. Your sister. N.

I can do everything through Christ.

Another Spanish reunion

 Because of the poor weather conditions, it has been difficult to meet regularly. However I managed to make this reunion and I had a lovely time as usual. Our hosts prepared some sumptuous food, including paella, and beef hot pot Spanish way. Not only it is an opportunity for all the participants to practise their Spanish but also to exchange our views on life in general; social and political concerns were on the ad-hoc agenda along with comments on the Queen's fantastic appearance in the James Bond scenario for the opening ceremony of the Olympic games !
If you are tempted to come along, do get in touch.
Have a blessed evening! N.

Time is like a river!

Time is like a river!
        
You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has
passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs.
Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a
graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends,
so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia
back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost
and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
    
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had
evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.
I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went
to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was
already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to
play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around.
I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and
friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless
man. And as I played Amazing Grace, the workers began to weep.
    
They wept, I wept, we all wept together.
        
When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my
car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
    
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say,
"I never seen nothing like that before, and I've been putting in
septic tanks for twenty years."
    
Apparently I'm still lost …. it's a man thing.

E-mailed to SJAbram from S.Hodson, photo, courtesy of SJAbram

Our children..

Do you have any children? Do you like to know that they are safe home! 
The other day, I was talking to a colleague who is the same age as me more or less but whose children are in their thirties and she told me: 'you never stop worrying about them'!
My mum used to worry a lot about me and I understand why, I was a rebel and I went wild. At the time, I could not see it so in my view she shouldn't have worried at all. In those days, I did not read the bible so I was a lost sheep!
Not any more! It's no surprise that my favorite verses are the following:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 
Phil 4:4-7, 19.

Have a blessed evening. Yours in Christ. N.

Interesting films to watch?

These days, I find it difficult to have time to watch TV and when I do, I want to watch quality entertainment! Am I too fussy?  I thought that I should take action. Now and again I go to HMV where they have a fair selection but I am so busy that I can't be bother. So I looked on Amazon and I found two films that seem interesting, Courageous and The Grace Card! If you have watched them and enjoyed them, let me know!

Amazing news in the Middle-East!

First let me tell you some amazing news from the Middle-East! Our Middle-East correspondent John based on the Mount of Olives, in Israel, is all excited about what he has just seen, somebody called Jesus managed to save an adulterous woman from being stoned. The governors, respectable names in the area,  brought her in the square and got their mates ready to stone her. This 32 young old man responding to the name of Jesus was there too. Our reporter John says that Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not. The woman was petrified as her accusers were still going on saying that they caught her in the very act of having an affair. Somehow Jesus got up and told them straight: 
- He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her!
Well, they all shut up and one by one being convicted by their own conscience turn round and left. Our journalist stood back but kept listening, Jesus asked the woman where were her accusers, did any of them accuse her?
She said No man, Lord!
Then Jesus said to her: Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more.

We have asked our journalist John to let us know if there is any more development on this case!

Easter in Southport

At Easter, Steven booked us in a new CL as the one we used to go had shut. So we arrived at Marshbank farm at about 2 p.m. and were impressed straight away by the site! From a practical point of view, the grass was well cut and dry, the owner welcoming. He insisted that we should park our car outside the grassed area which was fair enough!
I just loved to look at the small family of lambs, ewes and rams. Further on the bank before the marsh, dozens of shell ducks were gathered minding their own business...at time being pretty noisy :)

 

On the Wednesday we met up with auntie Wendy and uncle Peter, cousin June and cousin Franck and had lunch. It was an emotional reunion as we spoke of Dad and remembered the good times when he was around.

These are a few photos I took as we went to the center of Southport. Steven went to visit his old school, Christ Church Higher grade School. It has been partially converted in a sport shop The rest of the week went fast. We also visited Churchtown botanical gardens and were appalled at the state of a few birds looking pretty sad and bored!

 We enjoyed meeting up with our friends  Cuan and Jeff at the Christian bookshop . I found enough books to keep me busy until half-term and I will review them later. On Sunday, we attended a lively service St Simon and St Jude with All Souls Church is situated on Old Park Lane

 How was your Easter break? I went back to work yesterday for 2 inset days and it feels surreal to think that last Friday we were admiring a beautiful sunset over the Banks!
Have a peaceful or exciting week-end! Yours in Christ. N.