Thick and Fast!

The past week has been magic! I can hardly remember what all I have done and been involved with, but I know it is all good. I can start back on Sunday for our Sunday School prize giving. I taught a lesson especially for the little ones and after we present the children who have been coming on Sunday's with a book. It is always a joy to teach the little ones and we had them sit on the front row so that I could focus on them and interact some with them - they were precious! Nina Cowie teaches the little ones on Sunday's and had chosen the books they received and I chose to give the older girls in my class journals and made the point that our walk with Christ is a daily one and their journal's had daily thoughts and inspiring words to help them focus each day.


On Monday night was our Primary school age Party! What a blast that was. The time came and went in no time at all. We played some cool games and had so much fun together, the kids favorite game this time was a re-vamped "Chocolate Game" where the kids have to roll a six and in pairs come and tear into a huge bar of chocolate with a fork and knife, but this time one had to stand at the front while their partner had to be their arms standing behind them - what a laugh! We did the awards from class and handed out the MVP's and we got special chocolate Santa's, reindeer and snowmen with their names piped on. That was a big hit and something neat to put under the Christmas tree. It was the perfect end to the year for the younger ones and everyone left with happy faces!

On the Tuesday night Angie and I took a group of our teens out for the night into Aberdeen. It was a great night and had the right balance of activity, social and chill time. We started out at Laser Tag and had fun running around trying to disable as many of us as we could. The printout revealed that Jessica was the top gun! This made everyone a bit suspicious since Jessica is not the most "Gung Ho" kind of girl. Anyway, it gave us guys plenty to talk about as we tried to reason what could have gone wrong and why we were beaten by a girl. We had a great time in Pizza Hut and enjoyed talking and enjoying the company. After pizza we went to the movies and got home around 10.30 that evening. I was so delighted with the group there was never a time when I was stressed or needed to be the "Big Bad Wolf." In fact there was nothing but good time and I dot a massive sense that this group are well gelled together and do really enjoy each others company! It made me think of Church and helped me realise again that relationships are the fundamental key to a healthy church. I got home late, but very at peace knowing that some things are coming together well.

Last night I made a change to our normal class schedule in favour of going to hear Amy and Beth at their Christmas concert. I am sooo glad I did. The performances were great and especially the ones my girls had a part in. Beth was hardly off the stage with her role in the various choirs and orchestra groups. It is a joy to see Beth play he oboe and sing so beautifully! Amy kinda stole the show and in spite of having a sore throat went on to give an amazing solo piece from Handel's Messiah, this is posted on my previous blog. It is hard to put into words the pride Fenella and I feel when we hear Amy perform. We are always surrounded by people after the concerts telling us how much they enjoyed Amy's voice. One lady talked to Fenella and was in tears, having been touched by Amy's singing. We are glad that Amy can rest a bit now since the past weeks have pretty much brought her to her knees.

Today (Friday) I had the best morning in a long time and one I will remember always. I was asked to speak at the Central school Christmas Service. I had been looking forward to this morning for a wee while now and was excited about the message and the gift I had put together for the children. I talked about the "Candy Cane" and the way it represents the Christmas message of Jesus. The response was great and I know the message will be remembered. I asked the head teacher if I could give the kids a bookmark with the story and a candy cane stuck to it to remind them about the message - he said that would be lovely! After the service I felt like Santa going from class to class giving the children their gift. They were so excited and thankful. The teachers were delighted too, I made sure they got one too! In all I think this has been one of the most powerful planting sessions I have been blessed with.

Tonight I will have the last teen class for the year and this will be the last class of the year for the young people. I must confess that I am ready to have a rest from the constant preparation and thought process that goes into trying to be consistent and relevant to this younger generation. It is a joy, but I am ready for some rest.


Take care and God bless!