Well, I finished the North & South DVD that I borrowed off Cheryl and really enjoyed it. At least it had a happy ending, I was beginning to think it wouldn't have.

The streets were fairly peaceful in terms of trouble tonight, lots of people, lots of milling about and lots of shrieking girls but generally a calm and civil atmosphere. I didn't really enjoy it as much as usual. It really grieves me to see so many young and definately underage girls wearing next to nothing and coming out of all the bars and pubs rather worse for wear and out of control. Not knowing where they are and what they are doing, all rather vulnerable and available to the undesirables. This has always bothered me and was one reason I felt so passionate about joining up as a Street Pastor, but tonight it has troubled me a lot more than usual.

This was taken a fortnight ago, but John & Kelly have been there today and taken John's Mum, the sun shone for them though!

Not sure what the weather is gonna do this weekend. Hopefully the sun will shine tomorrow afternoon and I will be able to get in the garage and clear it all out.  Also, loads of paperwork to do, so if it rains thats the alternative! How exciting does that sound? Still, these things need to be done. I'm hoping to have a lie in and maybe even a walk into town too to meet a friend for coffee. The evening will be spent chillin' in front of the TV.  
 
Am looking forward to Sunday. The young people are leading the evening service and it's always good to encourage them and see them taking a lead. We have a great preacher too and I'm looking forward to what will be a challenging message I'm sure.

It's really quiet here. John, Kelly and my mother-in-law have all gone over to France for a few days to the house. I couldn't get any more time off work and so am staying put this side of the channel this weekend. Still no Amy back so have been all alone tonight. It's amazing how much you get done when there's no one else around! I've sorted out the washing, enjoyed a lovely dinner, (my own little Shepherds pie cooked by Kelly as she knew I'd be one my own!), totally emptied my inbox and filed all my emails etc (amazing), hoovered, downloaded loadsa music and podcasts to my ipod and watched 2 episodes of North & South that I borrowed from Cheryl. I really enjoyed them but will have to watch the other two before I go out street pastoring tomorrow night. It is rather addictive viewing, but I'm gonna be sensible and go to bed instead of starting another one now!!!

Well we went to Brighton and had a fab evening at the album launch party - fantastic music, all so relaxed and informal - very enjoyable and the new album 'Promised Land' is great. I think my favourite track is 'Mercy from the throne'. She sang all the tracks off the new album and explained the story behind them and also a couple off the last CD too.

Today, it's miserable out there, the weather is pants and so therefore there'll be no trip to the zoo! However, it gives me the opportunity to catch up on some paperwork etc so all is not lost and the tomato plants could do with a water so it saves me the hassle.

Exciting weekend ahead and a long one too! Cheryl and I are off to a launch party in Brighton tomorrow night for Lou Fellingham's new album. Never been to one before and so am quite excited - looking forward to the new album. Saturday the intrepid explorers need picking up at 6.45am from Heathrow, so an early start. Be nice to have John home and see all the pics etc and catch up after 10 days. Amy says she's popping in to see us so that'll be good too. Then in the evening it's off to see Indiana Jones in action! Sunday will be church and I'm looking forward to a nice roast dinner as we all get back into a routine etc, well three of us anyway! Monday, well - it depends on the weather - fancy a trip to the zoo but will see whether the sun's gonna shine on us, don't fancy getting wet! John's working in the morning so maybe we could go to London Zoo! Anyway, not gonna let anything spoil a three day weekend, it should be good!! 

Text message received early this morning to say that John and Hamish had both summitted Kilimanjaro. Both were in good shape, weather and conditions good too - all they need to do now is get down safely! What a relief, all the effort paid off and now loads of children will benefit from the sponsor money they raised. Praise God!! No doubt, there'll be loads of video footage and pics to look at. Roll on Saturday when they return home!!

Here's a band I'm new to - The Vine Band. I like the lyrics to this one.

People love different things and I love doors. There were so many to see in Mont St Michel - here are some of them........red ones, wooden ones, long ones, wide ones, narrow ones etc. So much history behind them. 

It's been an unusual week, I was really busy at work on Monday and Tuesday,and really busy here at home trying to get John sorted for his Kili trip. I dropped him and Hamish at the airport on Wednesday and so they have gone to do their long awaited, epic climb. They were like 2 excited little school boys, although there was certainly an element of anxiety in John as to whether or not the altitude would get the better of him. I hope and pray not. The fundraising for Smile International http://www.smileinternational.org/latest.htm has gone well and the money raised will go a long way to feed the many orphans and help the communities they work with in troubled Zimbabwe.

John text me earlier to say that they were safely at Camp 4, 4250m high and all ok. Only 2000m to go! I'm hoping they'll both stay well and that Wednesday, Summit Day will soon be here and successful!

Well, it was a fantastic start to the day. Glorious sunshine and a very pleasant walk to and from the station to work, listening to a brilliant compilation/melody by Robin Mark that lifted my spirit and left me feeling totally renewed and ready for the day and all it offers.

Amazing Grace/No Not By Might/Are You Washed?

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

The end of another week. My thick head is clearing and sore throat getting better, just in time for a busy weekend. I even slept better last night - 6 hours undisturbed or uninterrupted - amazing, fantastic!

So, here goes for another busy one............

Someone said to me today that I should
Let Go and Let God!

We had a quiet weekend this weekend, just the two of us for most of it.

Three of us in for dinner, a chance to catch up with Kelly and an evening of snooker, Fantastic!

The last couple of weeks have been tough and I've struggled to keep focused on God and His plans for me, my family and the future. I'm so thankful for the reminder this weekend though of all that God has done for me, for my salvation in Jesus Christ and for the fact that one day all life's troubles will be over and I'll be forever praising God somewhere far far better. Although there are these temporary clitches that come along every so often, and although I fail miserably many times to trust God, to pray, and to rely totally on Him, He remains faithful and trustworthy. My hope is in Him for now and for the future. As I contemplated this, these words sprung to mind from a song we sing every so often.

Faithful One

Faithful One so unchanging
Ageless One You’re my rock of peace
Lord of all I depend on You
I call out to You, again and again
I call out to You, again and again

You are my rock in times of trouble
You lift me up when I fall down
All through the storm
Your love is the anchor
My hope is in You alone

Brian Doerkson

Lillies are my favourite flower and this colour particularly. I loved watching these ones waking upto the world throughout this last week.