It was with sadness I heard that a friend, Pauline Spencer, who had been battling with cancer had died on Monday. She was a wonderful God fearing lady, mother and wife and friend to many. She will be missed. What is our loss is the Lords gain.
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Thursday, 2 August 2007
The Purpose Driven Life
What a good book. Anyway, previously I mentioned I would be setting up a blog to write my journey through this book. This is now at planning stage and although a start time hasn't been set, it will be soon. It will also be longer than the 40 days recommended because I intend to do a summary after the 6 main sections Rick Warren mentions.
Monday, 30 July 2007
This weekend
What a lovely weekend. Started with the Saturday morning prayer meeting. How wonderful to be in Gods presence with others and to see and hear of his faithfulness and grace and love abounding. He really is a truly wonderful awesome God. After some shopping, the rest of the day was spent with Jules, just being together, watching some Battlestar Galactica series one, chatting and eating together. Quality time. So good. I feel really blessed.
Sunday was similar. Church in the morning, and what a wonderful time that was. After some inspiring worship, we welcome some twenty odd into membership, which we consider be welcoming into our family, Gods family, the church. The rest of Sunday was spent with Jules. We went over to the sports centre to see if we could find someone to talk to about a diving course, but alas, no-one was available.
Sunday was similar. Church in the morning, and what a wonderful time that was. After some inspiring worship, we welcome some twenty odd into membership, which we consider be welcoming into our family, Gods family, the church. The rest of Sunday was spent with Jules. We went over to the sports centre to see if we could find someone to talk to about a diving course, but alas, no-one was available.
Friday, 27 July 2007
The interview
The interview went well, Chris was friendly and direct. After a brief overview of the company, I gave a brief overview of my history work wise. Chris then gave an overview of the job and said that he thought I would be suitable for this job and with a little training and experience to go further. The hours are 6am to 6pm (12 hours shift) 4 days on and 4 days off. Sound not too bad. But... it seems to work out that for 3 weeks running you wouldn't a weekend off. Overall if I was single I would probably jump at this opportunity but I'm not and have therefore decided (after a chat with my wife) not to take this any further, but to continue to pray and to look. I have a good job and therefore I can take my time to find the right job close to home.
On a different note, I've been looking at other blogs and websites and have decided that this one needs a revamp. I have been trying out different options and will decide soon. The only thing I'm not too sure about at the moment is whether to go for 2 or 3 columns. I'd prefer 2 columns but apparently 3 columns is best. Thing is this is a blog, not and advertising website. So may be i'll go with 2 columns, looks cleaner, less cluttered and easier to read IMHO.
On a different note, I've been looking at other blogs and websites and have decided that this one needs a revamp. I have been trying out different options and will decide soon. The only thing I'm not too sure about at the moment is whether to go for 2 or 3 columns. I'd prefer 2 columns but apparently 3 columns is best. Thing is this is a blog, not and advertising website. So may be i'll go with 2 columns, looks cleaner, less cluttered and easier to read IMHO.
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Job Interview
Sa some of you know, I live just north of London and work in North Watford. A round trip of 52 miles (approx 83 Kms) where in the morning I leave the house at 6:20am arriving at the work place at 7am ish. I leave work at 3:30pm and arrive home at 4:45 most days. I am grateful for this work, and I believe it is God give and I know of others who travel further then me each day to and from work. There are some differences, they love their work, mime is a job with no prospects. I enjoy it to a certain degree, had worse jobs, but, now that I'm newly married, I would like to spend quality time with my wife, not being half a sleep. I would also like to have life outside of work and do other things like a diving course, which isn't really possible at the mo. Also its difficult to invite friend home from work of dinner of even just a cuppa and a chat. Anyway, I saw this job advert and prayed about it, and applied. I hand a phone message so called back. Chris wanted to meet as soon as possible. I asked if the job was shift work, he informed me it was, to which I said that I wasn't looking for shift work as I've just got married and want to spend time with my wife and not be like passing ships in the night, to which he replied that there are other jobs and that he still wanted to meet. This will be today, Thursday and I have no idea as to what the job will be.... watch this space....
Wednesday, 11 July 2007
Brighton
Jules and I arrived in Brighton for the Leaders Conference on Monday afternoon about 4pm. We booked into our hotel. The Paskins Town House is a delightful place on Charlotte Street.
The conference opened on Tuesday morning. The worship and teaching has been wonderful. Even better than last year, which was good.
The conference opened with Stephen Van Rhyn from Cape Town, South Africa, followed by Rob Rufus from Hong Kong and then Terry Virgo. Three great speakers. The talks where amazing and drenched with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Glory of God. Truly awesome. A wonderful way to open a conference, and the rest of the days there continued in the same vain. God was in the house, as some would say.
I'm not going to write about the talks, Adrian Warnock is doing that (it takes a while for his blog to load... ). You can also down load the talks for free from the New Frontiers website. Enjoy, be enriched, be blessed.
The conference opened on Tuesday morning. The worship and teaching has been wonderful. Even better than last year, which was good.
The conference opened with Stephen Van Rhyn from Cape Town, South Africa, followed by Rob Rufus from Hong Kong and then Terry Virgo. Three great speakers. The talks where amazing and drenched with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Glory of God. Truly awesome. A wonderful way to open a conference, and the rest of the days there continued in the same vain. God was in the house, as some would say.
I'm not going to write about the talks, Adrian Warnock is doing that (it takes a while for his blog to load... ). You can also down load the talks for free from the New Frontiers website. Enjoy, be enriched, be blessed.
Technorati Tags: Brighton, Church, Teachings of God
Friday, 22 June 2007
King Edward VIII
The thing that impresses me the most about America is the way parents obey their children.
- King Edward VIII
What a wonderful quote...
And another...
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
- Soren Kierkegaard
Makes you think, n'est pas?
- King Edward VIII
What a wonderful quote...
And another...
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
- Soren Kierkegaard
Makes you think, n'est pas?
Tuesday, 19 June 2007
Anguish
This morning on the radio I heard that the was going to be about 2000 prisoners released early to relieve the overcrowding. The conservatives are saying this is typical of a government who can't manage anything.
My view is that the prisons are so full because there are 400 plus more laws to break (since Labour came to be government). This government has got into the habit of "if we can't control it, we'll legislate for it". So, if you are doing something that there isn't a law letting do it or a law not letting you do it, then if the government doesn't like what you are doing, they will legislate against it so there will be a law for you to break (and you'll go to prison), and if they do like what you are doing they will legislate so you can only do it their way, which is often not the way you were doing it in the first place and so you'll break the law and go to prison. Either way, you can on doing it your way, you are likely to end up in prison.
This may seem a bit of an exaggeration, but take motorcycle helmets for example. Back in 19?? it was fine to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or with a helmet, the choice was yours. Then because there were a few bad accidents, the government decided that the motorcyclist should ALWAYS wear a helmet, now no choice. They decided from a study done in the USA which showed that a motorcyclist involved in an accident had a better chance of survival if he/she was wearing a helmet. The problem comes when the accidents in the test study doesn't really happen in the UK. Don't get me wrong, the study was good, just its application to create legislation I find abhorrent. In small incidents and accidents, the helmet itself can cause more injury. Consider the average helmet weighs about 5kgs. Thats an extra 5kgs the neck has to deal with in keeping the head attached to the body. In some accidents the neck has been snapped because the rider was wearing a helmet. Now I could go on and debate the reason for and against wearing helmets on motorcycles, but this isn't the time or place. What I am trying to put across is the fact that these people that the minority of the population elect to govern us don't really know what they are doing.... surprised?
I feel strongly that if people are educated or informed of the relavent facts about whatever they are interested in, so they can make an informed choice. The leaders and politicians harp on about choice, but then dont give us any! Another example. There has been a steady increase in accident of motorcycles. Solution, make the test harder to create a better motorcyclist. But, the over accident rate has been going up. Why not educate drivers of all vehicles how other road users use the road. How many car driver know that a lorry or bus will pull over to the left to turn right, at a roundabout for example? How many road users know that motorcyclist are allowed by law to go down the outside of a traffic cue, if the way is clear? I was taught these when I took a motorcycle training course, but wasn't taught these for driving my car. Need I say more...
My view is that the prisons are so full because there are 400 plus more laws to break (since Labour came to be government). This government has got into the habit of "if we can't control it, we'll legislate for it". So, if you are doing something that there isn't a law letting do it or a law not letting you do it, then if the government doesn't like what you are doing, they will legislate against it so there will be a law for you to break (and you'll go to prison), and if they do like what you are doing they will legislate so you can only do it their way, which is often not the way you were doing it in the first place and so you'll break the law and go to prison. Either way, you can on doing it your way, you are likely to end up in prison.
This may seem a bit of an exaggeration, but take motorcycle helmets for example. Back in 19?? it was fine to ride a motorcycle without a helmet, or with a helmet, the choice was yours. Then because there were a few bad accidents, the government decided that the motorcyclist should ALWAYS wear a helmet, now no choice. They decided from a study done in the USA which showed that a motorcyclist involved in an accident had a better chance of survival if he/she was wearing a helmet. The problem comes when the accidents in the test study doesn't really happen in the UK. Don't get me wrong, the study was good, just its application to create legislation I find abhorrent. In small incidents and accidents, the helmet itself can cause more injury. Consider the average helmet weighs about 5kgs. Thats an extra 5kgs the neck has to deal with in keeping the head attached to the body. In some accidents the neck has been snapped because the rider was wearing a helmet. Now I could go on and debate the reason for and against wearing helmets on motorcycles, but this isn't the time or place. What I am trying to put across is the fact that these people that the minority of the population elect to govern us don't really know what they are doing.... surprised?
I feel strongly that if people are educated or informed of the relavent facts about whatever they are interested in, so they can make an informed choice. The leaders and politicians harp on about choice, but then dont give us any! Another example. There has been a steady increase in accident of motorcycles. Solution, make the test harder to create a better motorcyclist. But, the over accident rate has been going up. Why not educate drivers of all vehicles how other road users use the road. How many car driver know that a lorry or bus will pull over to the left to turn right, at a roundabout for example? How many road users know that motorcyclist are allowed by law to go down the outside of a traffic cue, if the way is clear? I was taught these when I took a motorcycle training course, but wasn't taught these for driving my car. Need I say more...
Monday, 18 June 2007
Marriage
What a wonderful weekend. Most of this weekend was spent celebrating the 50th (Golden) wedding anniversary of Mike and Daphne Taverner. I first met Mike and Daphne in 2001 when I came from Kent to Enfield/ Chingford to do a "Year Team" with Jubilee Church. They very kindly and graciously put me up for the year. They looked after me (and still do) with God given humble hearts. It was a joy and a privilege to stay with them and still is to know them.
They are a testimony and an inspiration to all marriages.
PICTURE
They are a testimony and an inspiration to all marriages.
PICTURE
Friday, 15 June 2007
The heart of mission - Compassion
On Sunday Tope preached on mission and compassion. An inspirational talk, which can be downloaded here. The compassion of God is shown to good effect in the book of Jonah. Although this is a short book of only 4 chapters, there is a lot in it. In chapter 4, God demonstrates his compassion for the lost, the gentiles even, to Jonah, by sparing them, and although God isn't accountable, He showed Jonah the reason why through the use of a plant and a worm! Why? because Jonah was angry that God hadn't punished the people of Nineveh for being wicked, but gave them the option of repenting and turning away from the evil ways.
Bringing this to today, Jesus demonstrated a compassion for the lost all through his ministry (????? ), and as Jesus said "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20) we are to follow in similar ways...
Biblical Missions: The starting point is a heart of compassion, compassion for the lost.
Rewards: 1. Co-labourers with God (1Cor 3:9) 2. Peace from God as you go (Matt 28:20) 3. Cultivate a heart for people, loving like Jesus 4. Cultivate a heart of gratitude.
Bringing this to today, Jesus demonstrated a compassion for the lost all through his ministry (????? ), and as Jesus said "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20) we are to follow in similar ways...
Biblical Missions: The starting point is a heart of compassion, compassion for the lost.
Rewards: 1. Co-labourers with God (1Cor 3:9) 2. Peace from God as you go (Matt 28:20) 3. Cultivate a heart for people, loving like Jesus 4. Cultivate a heart of gratitude.
The Purpose Driven Life
By Rick Warren.
A great book, worth reading more then once. Charles Spurgeon read Pilgrims Progress by Bunyon once a year as it reminded him of the Christian life. Although I am no Charles Spurgeon, I do have on thing in common with the great preacher, we both welcome guidance to remain on the path. And I would consider this book to be in that category of "to be read often".
At the outset, Rick makes no apologies for stating that this book will guide you on a spiritual journey, where by the end you will now Gods purpose for your life, and you'll understand the big picture - how it all fits together.
In a short time from now I will be going through A Purpose Driven Life. I have set up a blog so I can publish my thoughts and consequences of this book. You can follow my journey HERE and I would welcome your comments (so long as they are publishable!).
UPDATE
It will now be slightly longer than a short while due to other commitments....
Watch this space....
A great book, worth reading more then once. Charles Spurgeon read Pilgrims Progress by Bunyon once a year as it reminded him of the Christian life. Although I am no Charles Spurgeon, I do have on thing in common with the great preacher, we both welcome guidance to remain on the path. And I would consider this book to be in that category of "to be read often".
At the outset, Rick makes no apologies for stating that this book will guide you on a spiritual journey, where by the end you will now Gods purpose for your life, and you'll understand the big picture - how it all fits together.
In a short time from now I will be going through A Purpose Driven Life. I have set up a blog so I can publish my thoughts and consequences of this book. You can follow my journey HERE and I would welcome your comments (so long as they are publishable!).
UPDATE
It will now be slightly longer than a short while due to other commitments....
Watch this space....
Technorati Tags: life, Purpose driven life, Rick Warren
Wednesday, 6 June 2007
A New Job
Since we were married, Jules and I have been praying for a baby... no, no, sorry, that's for later, we've been praying that Jules would find a day job to replace the shift work she's doing now. Over the last couple of days, the place where she works has come up trumps and offered her a job in a different section in the same department, and on days, sort of 9-5.
Gods provision for us has been beyond what we deserve. How richly we feel blessed. God deserves all the praise for this. This has come so quickly, and everyone at Jules work are happy with it. Totally out of the blue. As a friend recently reminded us, this is a situation of "God suddenly..." Amen.
Jules also passed her approval assessment.
Gods provision for us has been beyond what we deserve. How richly we feel blessed. God deserves all the praise for this. This has come so quickly, and everyone at Jules work are happy with it. Totally out of the blue. As a friend recently reminded us, this is a situation of "God suddenly..." Amen.
Jules also passed her approval assessment.
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is in Kent, just outside Maidstone. It is a beautiful place. Here are some photos for you to view:
Technorati Tags: Leeds Castle
Friday, 1 June 2007
Ashburnham Place (the weekend away)
What a weekend. Jules and I went to Ashburnham Place with Jubilee church for the weekend. This was a weekend organised and (gratefully) subsidised by the church for the purpose of getting to know each other. I think it was a great success. Jules and I had time not only to meet new poeple and friends, but also to have "time out" because both of us felt that we hadn't stopped since before we were married 80 days ago (as of 29th May). Ashburnham Place is a wonderful place. Situated near Battle in East sussex in 200 acres of beautiful open and wooded land.
We set off on Friday morning and negotiated the QE2 bridge (traffic) and went on to Leeds Castle for lunch. I had lived near the castle for a year some time ago but never visited, so this was new for me and Jules. We didn't have too much time, but enough to have a brief look round the grounds, have some lunch and take a few pictures. It is a beautiful place to visit and we will be returning. We had lunch on a lawn overlooking the moat and the castle. Chocolate box picture! Then onto Battle where we wondered round the Battlefield where Harold and William fought with their troops, Harold was killed and William became king. The rest is as they say is history... On the site William had built a large church with the alter stone positioned where Harold fell, and in commemoration of those who fell at the battle. An interesting place. There is now a school on the site, but you can still walk round.
Ashburnham Place is a stunning place. The drive seems to go on for ages through woodland and then over an old stone bridge spanning a narrow section of the lake, up to the house. A large impressive building. One of the buildings was built by Capability Brown. The time there was wonderful. Jules and I had a comfortable room with basin and shared shower/bath/toilet and tea/coffee making facilities. The staff there went the extra mile to welcome us all and to make our stay wonderful and being in the background was just perfect.
Our time there was spent making new friends, and getting to know old friends better. Having this amount of time and knowing you didn't have to rush off somewhere was really helpful. Time is one of those valuable commodities that here had no real value because the pressures of the world were no-where to be seen. Wonderful. The times of worship and prayer was stunning. There was also time for fun games and football, crafts for the kids (and parents) or just "time out" to reflect on "life" or whatever. Saturday evening consisted of a quiz. Great fun.
The church is growing at such a rate (praise God) that another weekend like this is unlikely as there doesn't seem to be anywhere that could accommodate such numbers in such a setting. Shame. Maybe we should all go camping! or do a small "Stoneleigh"?
We set off on Friday morning and negotiated the QE2 bridge (traffic) and went on to Leeds Castle for lunch. I had lived near the castle for a year some time ago but never visited, so this was new for me and Jules. We didn't have too much time, but enough to have a brief look round the grounds, have some lunch and take a few pictures. It is a beautiful place to visit and we will be returning. We had lunch on a lawn overlooking the moat and the castle. Chocolate box picture! Then onto Battle where we wondered round the Battlefield where Harold and William fought with their troops, Harold was killed and William became king. The rest is as they say is history... On the site William had built a large church with the alter stone positioned where Harold fell, and in commemoration of those who fell at the battle. An interesting place. There is now a school on the site, but you can still walk round.
Ashburnham Place is a stunning place. The drive seems to go on for ages through woodland and then over an old stone bridge spanning a narrow section of the lake, up to the house. A large impressive building. One of the buildings was built by Capability Brown. The time there was wonderful. Jules and I had a comfortable room with basin and shared shower/bath/toilet and tea/coffee making facilities. The staff there went the extra mile to welcome us all and to make our stay wonderful and being in the background was just perfect.
Our time there was spent making new friends, and getting to know old friends better. Having this amount of time and knowing you didn't have to rush off somewhere was really helpful. Time is one of those valuable commodities that here had no real value because the pressures of the world were no-where to be seen. Wonderful. The times of worship and prayer was stunning. There was also time for fun games and football, crafts for the kids (and parents) or just "time out" to reflect on "life" or whatever. Saturday evening consisted of a quiz. Great fun.
The church is growing at such a rate (praise God) that another weekend like this is unlikely as there doesn't seem to be anywhere that could accommodate such numbers in such a setting. Shame. Maybe we should all go camping! or do a small "Stoneleigh"?
Technorati Tags: Ashburnham, Church, life
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Renewable energy
Is nuclear power generation the way to go. I don't think so. It may have a zero carbon balance, but it has a huge radiation balance. A number of years ago, Margaret Thatcher, then PM, instigated a paper into renewable energy generation, headed by the then head of nuclear energy. The report published by the government apparently wasn't the report submitted. The submitted report stated that "Salters Duck" wave power generation was the most environmentally friendly. A program shown on Channel 4 went into this. It's a shame that no-one seems to remember except me. May be I should start a campaign to resurrect "Salters Duck".
What do you think?
What do you think?
Technorati Tags: politics, renewable energy
Political Hypocrisy
Politicians wonder why no-one takes them seriously when they keep changing their minds for no apparent reason except for may be power, or financial gain. It stinks.
The government stated a little while back that nuclear energy was not the way ahead (Harriet Harman), yet now they say it is (Alistair Darling), when ALL the evidence says NO, not just environmental but also financial. I am seriously thinking of withholding some of may taxes because of the incompitence of this government.
When Margaret Thatcher stood down and John Major won the party election to become leader of the Conservative party, Gordon Brown said that there should be a general election because the country had voted for Mrs Thatcher to become PM as leader of the Conservative Party and not John Major. Now that Gordon Brown will become leader of New Labour is there going to be a general election like when John Major became PM..... I think you can guess the answer. Mr Browns answer when questioned about this was that you say different things when you're in opposition. Well, of course, now that he is on his way to number 10, he is not going to let anyone get in his way. And there's me thinking that they were elected to SERVE the people... silly me.
The government stated a little while back that nuclear energy was not the way ahead (Harriet Harman), yet now they say it is (Alistair Darling), when ALL the evidence says NO, not just environmental but also financial. I am seriously thinking of withholding some of may taxes because of the incompitence of this government.
When Margaret Thatcher stood down and John Major won the party election to become leader of the Conservative party, Gordon Brown said that there should be a general election because the country had voted for Mrs Thatcher to become PM as leader of the Conservative Party and not John Major. Now that Gordon Brown will become leader of New Labour is there going to be a general election like when John Major became PM..... I think you can guess the answer. Mr Browns answer when questioned about this was that you say different things when you're in opposition. Well, of course, now that he is on his way to number 10, he is not going to let anyone get in his way. And there's me thinking that they were elected to SERVE the people... silly me.
What is this all about?
I was going to post an item I have been writing on life and death, but I just haven't been able to get it right, I'm just not happy with it. Then I got to thinking about this blog and what it is here for, what is it's purpose. And in essence, I think I would like this blog to be a small comment on my life. Just to post little thing and may be big things that have been happening in my life and how God is amongst it all, along with some view points. So that is what will follow....
Too be continued.....
Too be continued.....
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Back from Africa
On a sunny Sunday a few weeks back Jules and I flew out to South Africa for her moms memorial service in Pietermaritzburg. The flights there interesting in that on the 767 Nationwide flight from Gatwick to Jo'burg (now OT something?) was quite good except for the bumpiness towards the end of the flight. The flight from J'burg to P'maritzburg was in a 30 seater BAe J41 twin turbo-prop plane. An experience. The "comet vomit" as it locally known, was a good flight. The landing in P'burg was exciting as the runway is only just long enough for this aircraft. One bump and then we were down, all brakes full on, reverse thrusters et al and stop. We made it!
The weather was good and the emotions where high and there was an underlying tension. Meeting Graham again with Bret and Lisa was good but emotional. There were tears and hugs. A sense of a family united, coming together albeit in grief, but it was something that they have done before and for me a privilege to be a part of. The next few days where of final preparations, who was to say what and when and if at all. Lisa said she would give a dedication/tribute and I was asked to read a psalm (121 one of Eleanor's favourites). Graham also was to say a few words. Barry, the pastor was to lead to service and give a short talk.. On the Tuesday afternoon we all went to the botanical garden in Pietermaritzburg just to have some time out and be together. It was a delightful afternoon, even to dogs enjoyed themselves. I'm not going to go into details, only to say that Wednesday was an emotional good day where, I felt, that the Lord blessed the day.
Then there was an air of relief, a "now we can move on". But as in these situations, this isn't always as easy as it seems. Now the questions of why? why now? why my mom? why? why? why?... These questions are some of the hardest to answer, mainly because the answer is out of our reach. May be with 20/20 hindsight will there be any semblance of an answer. But moving on we must. The world wont wait for us, no matter how much we wish!
We have been back for about two weeks now. The flights back where a little disappointing. The Comet Vomit was uneventful, which gave me time to actually enjoy flying over the landscape of South Africa. A slower pace of flying which has a lot gong for it. The flight from Jo'burg to Gatwick was a pain. Lisa, Jules and I had the 3 central seats, no real problem, but in front of us where two ladies (and I use the term loosely) who where under the impression the everything revolved around them. They just didn't settle. Most travellers flying on a night flight seem to take into account the other travellers, but not these two. After jockeying for position and status between themselves and the patient cabin crew they did put their heads down. The seats are not the most comfortable. Mike, a dear friend, collected us from the airport and dropped us home safely.
All our friends, many from Jubilee Church, have been great, offering support and giving us space. Both being important. I must mention that our employers have been good in giving us time off for this, but (strange that there always seems to be a "but" with regard to employers!) but there is no similarity as to how many days compassionate leave one can have and as to who they consider to be "family". My employer doesn't include your wifes/husbands parents as family requiring compassionate leave. In these days of a degraded society and community I shouldn't be surprised, I am disappointed however. I am grateful for the time they did give me.
When Julia and I married we became members of each others family. In my humble opinion there shouldn't be any difference or distinction between the two sets of parents.
So, now we are back, and now we can get down to learning to enjoy living with each other, not that it wasn't before, just with so much going on it doesn't seem as though we had touched down since we wed.Now we can get on with living....
The weather was good and the emotions where high and there was an underlying tension. Meeting Graham again with Bret and Lisa was good but emotional. There were tears and hugs. A sense of a family united, coming together albeit in grief, but it was something that they have done before and for me a privilege to be a part of. The next few days where of final preparations, who was to say what and when and if at all. Lisa said she would give a dedication/tribute and I was asked to read a psalm (121 one of Eleanor's favourites). Graham also was to say a few words. Barry, the pastor was to lead to service and give a short talk.. On the Tuesday afternoon we all went to the botanical garden in Pietermaritzburg just to have some time out and be together. It was a delightful afternoon, even to dogs enjoyed themselves. I'm not going to go into details, only to say that Wednesday was an emotional good day where, I felt, that the Lord blessed the day.
Then there was an air of relief, a "now we can move on". But as in these situations, this isn't always as easy as it seems. Now the questions of why? why now? why my mom? why? why? why?... These questions are some of the hardest to answer, mainly because the answer is out of our reach. May be with 20/20 hindsight will there be any semblance of an answer. But moving on we must. The world wont wait for us, no matter how much we wish!
We have been back for about two weeks now. The flights back where a little disappointing. The Comet Vomit was uneventful, which gave me time to actually enjoy flying over the landscape of South Africa. A slower pace of flying which has a lot gong for it. The flight from Jo'burg to Gatwick was a pain. Lisa, Jules and I had the 3 central seats, no real problem, but in front of us where two ladies (and I use the term loosely) who where under the impression the everything revolved around them. They just didn't settle. Most travellers flying on a night flight seem to take into account the other travellers, but not these two. After jockeying for position and status between themselves and the patient cabin crew they did put their heads down. The seats are not the most comfortable. Mike, a dear friend, collected us from the airport and dropped us home safely.
All our friends, many from Jubilee Church, have been great, offering support and giving us space. Both being important. I must mention that our employers have been good in giving us time off for this, but (strange that there always seems to be a "but" with regard to employers!) but there is no similarity as to how many days compassionate leave one can have and as to who they consider to be "family". My employer doesn't include your wifes/husbands parents as family requiring compassionate leave. In these days of a degraded society and community I shouldn't be surprised, I am disappointed however. I am grateful for the time they did give me.
When Julia and I married we became members of each others family. In my humble opinion there shouldn't be any difference or distinction between the two sets of parents.
So, now we are back, and now we can get down to learning to enjoy living with each other, not that it wasn't before, just with so much going on it doesn't seem as though we had touched down since we wed.Now we can get on with living....
Sunday, 13 May 2007
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