Time Out!

Just some pictures from our time up in Aviemore near the Cairngorm mountains. The week away was just what was needed for ALL. We were able to enjoy some time together and wake up each morning with just us to think about and enjoy. We did a bunch of stuff. One of my highlights was fun mixed with a little bit of "Oh dear, how did we end up miles from shore?" One of the days Amy made the suggestion that we all go canoeing - sound like fun. Fenella and Beth decided to sit this one out and left me and Amy explore the beauty of Loch Insch. Amy took Hannah in her Canadian Canoe and I took Holly in mine. Anyway to cut a long story short... we ended up way out in the middle of the loch and drifting further and further from the shore. Amy didn't have the strength to get her boat turned because the current was so strong. Hannah was at the front of her canoe paddling like mad, with her paddle barely touching the water, but to no avail. We started to get a little bit panicked as we drifted all the more away from where we needed to be. In the end I had to tie both canoe's together and tow Amy's canoe home. By the time we reached the shore again we were wrecked! We walked in to see Fenella and Beth shaking from exhaustion.

I can't tell you how refreshing the time away with Fenella and the girls was! I would hardly say we were rested because we were on the go the whole time, but refreshed - absolutely! I love my family and thank God for last week.

A couple of things just in closing. My uncle Alex has had his surgery and ended up having a triple heart bypass. The first day and a half after the surgery were a bit shaky, but he is now home and slowly recovering. Last night we had the joy of witnessing a new creation as Shanni committed her life to Christ. We had a great time in fellowship afterward and shared in the joy of her salvation. Earlier last week Auntie Bett passed away. Bett was real character and lived a full and faithful life. Anyone who has visited Peterhead will have been touched by the gentleness and sweet spirited Auntie Bett! The church rejoices in her faith and hope, but will miss her greatly.

More soon - God bless!

UP and away!

Just a quick note about our outing with the younger kids who come to classes. We took a group of 27 through to Aberdeen. It was fantastic! I am exhausted and have a sore head, but I am so proud of the way the kids behaved and enjoyed the excitement of a night out. First we went to eat at burger king. I thought beforehand that if there was going to be stress it would be there, but no, nothing at all! Everyone went through the line, ordered their food and cleaned up afterwards. There was never a raised voice and never any hint of discipline needing to be handed out - what a joy! The movie we went to see was Disney's "UP" and it was great for everyone. The journey home was quiet, everyone was so tired there was peace - what more can I say? I can not say enough good things about the group and the night we had. I have to say a big thanks to John and Alex. We had two mini buses and a car to get everyone through. Angie and Donna were magic and added that much needed motherly touch to the evening. We had C.J. and Megan, J.P, Thomas and Rachel teen helpers who were all a great help - Thanks all! God is great and this was a great way to finish up this term and leave us all anticipating good things when classes start back in a fortnight's time.

I am away to my bed to flake out on my pillow and wake up ready for our week away to Aviemore - yippee!

God Bless!

Never a Dull Moment!

This has been a full week! It's the last week of term - hooray! On Saturday I get to spend a whole week with no distractions and hibernate with my family up in Aviemore. We are all excited and ready for a breather. Fenella has been working extra hours this past month to help out in the run up to December. Christmas, 5 of our 6 birthdays and our anniversary all land in December! Fenella is ready to get back to normal and today she has the day off - Yeah! We are going out for tea later this morning to Simpson's. Can't remember the last time we were able to do this, however I am just glad we can get out today. Fenella and Amy were involved in a concert with "HHCOS." Fenella was horrified that she was right on the front row, but by the second half was able to relax and enjoy the performance. They did really well and although the music choice in the 1st half was a bit over my head the second half was gorgeous and I was proud of my two girls singing their hearts out. The girls have had exciting times and are doing so well. Amy has just got the part as "Iolanthe" in her 1st proper opera! At the auditions she made the panel cry with her chosen piece. We are all delighted for her and can't wait till April next year to see her in action! Beth is doing well at Dyce and has seemingly got another natural talent in the area of conducting! Her class were given the task to conduct the group and Beth caught every ones attention. It just shows that Beth just oozes musicality (jeepers, almost sound as if I know what I am talking about). Holly and Hannah are so excited about their bikes! On Tuesday's after school we have been getting out and they have been cycling round the track not far from our house. Holly if off like a whippet! Hannah needs to be coaxed and encouraged till her confidence is up then she doesn't stop - she goes for distance, Holly goes for speed!

Right, this past week has really hit home the diversity within ministry. It really is a multi tasking role we are called to do. From working in the schools with youngsters and sharing time with teens to preaching with adults in mind. Counselling to help bring purpose and focus to a hospital visits and spending time with a family who had lost their father. When Paul said he had become all things to all men, I can catch a glimpse of what he was meaning. In these past days I have been blessed! Although the toll is high I know my life is richer as a result of sharing in so many others. I know, without a doubt, that I can't fill every role perfectly, but I am thankful to be an instrument for the kingdom.

Things have taken a refreshing turn for the good in all the classes this past 2 weeks. We have been praying for growth on Monday nights with the primary school age children and we have seen a significant increase. I was saying to Angie on the way home from the class on Monday, "Careful what you pray for!" and we had a chuckle to ourselves. The kids who are coming are the ones who most need to be there! It is great to be able to provide a class setting that shows care and encourages godly attitudes and behaviour. The same has been true of our Wednesday night class. We are encouraged by the growth and pray that we continue to have the strength and compassion to keep giving. On Friday night we are going on an outing to Aberdeen to see the movie "UP" with the primary school age kids. No doubt we will have a blast and be able to show God's love at the same time.

Our ministry with the teens is going well too. There is growth in this area as well. Last Friday night we had 4 new teens come and they loved the class. I asked them if the will be back next week and they looked at me as if I was crazy and said, "Off course we will be back!" Working with the teens is never easy! It is very rewarding, but very intense at the same time. Friday night was a perfect example of this. We had a great class and especially the worship time. The responses and involvement was great and after there was a lot of fun and happy people. However, as I started walking home I heard crying and behind a wall. Guess what? Two of the teens who come to class who were DATING had fallen out and now the aftermath. After some counselling and calming down, things were restored to some kind of normality, but that's teen life - one minute you think things are on the up and in the next step you see the down side of working with teens. After all is said and done I am glad to be able to minister to teens, because if we are not - Satan is!

To close I need to request prayers for my uncle Alex (Shoney) Strachan. He is having heart surgery this coming Monday. His spirits are good and the family are supportive. Pray that God takes care of him.
I also need your prayers for our ministry. We are still well short of our financial needs to make up the shortfall that takes effect at the end of this year. Get in touch if there is any way you can help. We have had three responses and we thank God for this! The Levy Church in N.Little Rock, AR, Foothills Church in Searcy, AR and a lovely family in Irving,TX - Thanks again!

God bless!