Half Term Hijinks

Half Term (school break) included Valentine's Day so we had two sweet hearts around to brighten our week.

Lay Lay practices Counting

Sophia practices Twirling

Snow Day!

Snow Friend

Wonderland

View from the Bridge

Giant Snowball

Before the Great Battle

Munitions

I returned from Jordan on Friday after a very powerful week with the school there. The Spirit was moving.Today we woke to about 6 inches of snow and since the streets were covered, we walked to the park to get a good dose of fresh morning snow before the crowds packed it down. We sat with a snow friend who was enjoying the morning and then went to visit the ducks and geese at the pond. Later our friend Jackie came by with the boys and it was just what I had been hoping for. I was aching for a snowball fight and these young lads were just the ticket. We built forts, stored our munitions and then proceeded to blast each other! Barb had hot chocolate and cheese toasties waiting for us at the house. Now that is a snow day!

Prep Phase

We are in prep phase; I am preparing to teach a week, Ashraf is preparing his house for a permanent boarder, Barbara is preparing to visit Betsy, and our team is preparing to host our second "foggy fellowship" in the cafe on Hightown road. I like this season. I am studying and learning and discovering things about the Lord and his people that are enjoyable and meaningful. For instance I really didn't know much about the life of John Wycliffe who was called the morning star of the Reformation. Did you know, thanks to Wycliffe, we have had the Bible in English since 1380? Over 600 years! Oh the grace of God. Who can fathom His mercies?

Hightown

Hightown Road

Hightown is the area of town where we live. It was once the thriving shopping street leading to the train station. Now it seems a bit run down. We have met a number of shop owners in this area and are meeting in a little cafe twice per month thanks to an owner who wants to see "church in the cafe". The buildings have been here since the mid 1800s.

Happy New Year

 If this year is anything like the last one it will be full of excitement and sorrow; success and disappointment; strength and weakness; friendship and conflict. One thing we can all depend upon through the ups and downs of the coming year, is the Lord's faithfulness. He will be merciful in 2012; he will be righteous in 2012; he will show compassion in 2012; he will be just in 2012; he will convict of sin in 2012; he will comfort in 2012; he will deliver in 2012.

Whatever you are doing this year don't forget to climb onto the rock before you do it.

If we don't hurry the first week in January will be gone without our wishing all our family and friends a very happy New Year!

Christmas in Bromley

Drawing mat from Uncle Josh

We enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Bromley with Betsy and Wes and the girls. The excitement is accentuated when seen through the eyes of children. Playing with the girls, and hearing Alathea say "Want ta do it agin grampa" is something that brings laughter and richness and energy. We are not ashamed to be in these types of relationships, even in public with crowds of people! It reminds me that Jesus is not ashamed to  call us family. (Heb 2:11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.)

Crafty Girls in Town

Soapy & Lather

How many Christmas cards can two young girls make? How much paper do you have? Ash and Jackie gave the girls some washable markers as a gift on Monday night and the next two days have been non stop crafts and cards. Spiders and snowflakes and cutting and pasting (the real thing not the cyber type). Sweets may have contributed to the frenzy, but it has been a truly remarkable phenomenon. Swimming duckies and expanding washcloths have added to the fun!