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!
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!
1 comment:
hello Billy Bongo.
I am glad all your girls are doing well. Give them a hug for me.
George
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