A little Treat...

Click on the link to see Amy and Beth performing together - beautiful :)


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Family update

It has been a while since I posted something about my family, so here goes!

Fenella continues to tirelessly be the mother and provider our family need. I do not use the word "Tirelessly" lightly! Fenella is so involved in all the girls lives and keeps all of us organized and updated on where we should be and what we need to be doing. She is a devoted mum :) As if running after the 5 of us was not full enough, she works three and a half days to make sure we are not too much of a burden on the churches that are supporting our ministry. Fenella rarely takes time out, but on a Thursday night she enjoys being a part of the Haddo Coral Society and can be found sitting at the computer singing along to the various music pieces they are preparing to perform. It may well be that the girls do get their love for music from their mum.

Amy is getting ready to return to life in Edinburgh - she loves it! Amy's life is full of music and beauty. Although University has been out for the summer we have seen very little of her at home due to being involved with various Choir's and Operatic Society's. Amy went to France on tour with the Edinburgh Chamber Choir and has the joy of performing in Lyon, Paris and . She was involved with this years Edinburgh "Fringe" Festival in "Hero's and Villains" which was excerpts from various opera's including, Hansel and Gretel, Marriage of Figaro, Cunning Little Vixen and Nixon in China. We were able to be there and enjoy her performance :) We were back in Edinburgh for Amy's singing with the National Youth Choir of Scotland who performed with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. This was still part of the Edinburgh Festival and stole the headlines with 5 star reviews! It was something special!

Beth is in her final year is Secondary school and is preparing to audition to music colleges later this year. She will travel down to Glasgow, Manchester and London in the hope that she will be accepted to one of them. Off course, Fenella and I know that she will have her pick because she is an amazing oboe player, we just hope that the auditioning panels see what we see in Beth. Beth is a dedicated student and loves her oboe! We have come to terms with Beth being away from us through most week days and in a way it reminds me of when I was fishing and the anticipation of heading for home at the end of a trip. It is always a highlight when Beth walks through the front door on a Friday!

I know that music takes up a bunch of Amy and Beth's life and, as their dad, I love that. However, I am more delighted  looking at my older daughters as they grow in character and grace. It always brings a glow inside when I hear teachers or poeple comment about their character and their moral standing - I love that they love music, but I love more that they strive for godliness :)  

Holly is as creative and social as ever! Ever since Holly was a baby she has craved being with people and enjoying company! As she grows her love for art is growing and this is evident in her interests. Holly tried music, but it was not for her! She has a lovely voice and has musicallity, but does not enjoy the practicle and theory involved with it. Holly loves drawing and creating new characters and story lines. She loves sitting doodling and coming up with new "Monster High" Characters. One of Holly's favorite TV programs is "Ace of cakes." Again she loves watching the design process and the creation of something cool or beautiful. She dreams of one day having her own cake shop :)

Hannah is a home bird, but gets on with everybody! Hannah loves being at home and with her family. Hannah has a soft spot for Fenella's mum and dad who are deaf. Hannah is really good at sign language and takes a lot of time Jack and Alexa - they love this! Hannah loves adventure and is a keen Dr Who fan! She is following in her older sisters musical footsteps and plays the violin and piano. Hannah is really good with music and reads it very well. She loves reading her current books are the "Ellise Collection" and "Dr Who." Hannah is a caring soul and thinks she may one day become a teacher or maybe a physio like her mum :)

Holly and Hannah are now in P7 and will be moving up to the High School next year! It is so hard to comprehend that! With Amy at Uni and Beth through in Dyce most of the time it is nice to give Holly and Hannah the attention that Amy and Beth got when they were young. They are growing into fine girls. When Amy and Beth are home it is so lovely to see them sharing advice and wisdom to their younger sisters - I love that :)

We are blessed!

Aberdeen Youth Weekend and More...

Don't quite know where to begin here. I want to begin looking back at the weekend and simply say, "WOW!" In advance of the weekend I had booked a mini bus - 17 seats. When the names finally stopped coming in we had 19 going plus Donald and me! It was a bit overwhelming, but then I got to thinking of the opportunity this was. Getting to spend the weekend with the group in the setting of the youth weekend  - how rich is that! Amy and Elaine looked out for the girls who went to Emma and Steven Glennie's house. Don't know how Emma and Steven managed it - all 8 of our girls were sleeping with them! I must say though that I was chuffed when I heard that they were all going there. Emma and Steven are a lovely couple and I knew the girls would have a great time there. I must mention Heidi, Emma and Steven's baby daughter, who became a big hit with the girls :) All the boys stayed at the building with Donald and me. What a joy! Of course there is all the usual boyish antics and banter, but through the course of the weekend I loved watching the group grow and be challenged to think deeply about their life and their actions. We played a lot of football! I am still thankful for this avenue to connect and get to know the guys temperaments as they compete on the field - great insight! I loved going to Emma and Steven's house in the mornings to get the girls and watch them file out with smiles on their faces. The van was never quiet and all the way to the building there was an excitement and anticipation that there was going to be a great day ahead. That was the weekend in a nutshell! Everyone went around knowing the day was going to be good - and it was! Scott Tominey, Robin Vick and Adam Barr each gave outstanding lessons based on the qualities set out in 1 Timothy 4:12. There was sufficient free time for relationship building and enough fun,games and food as well. 

The group we took to Aberdeen were, Amy Strachan, Beth Strachan, Elaine Pressley, Claire Geddes, Amie Walker, Kirsty McQuillan, Kerri Buchan, Megan Ritchie, Thomas Dickie, Shaun Main, Stuart Geddes, Ryan Geddes, Scott Findlay, Bruce Thain, Jordan Sutherland, Kierran Birkett, Andrew Main and Lewis Emslie. I want you to see their names and to know that each of them were exemplary in their conduct and were an honour to be with and to be representing the Peterhead Church of Christ. I will not tell a lie, it took me a good few days to recuperate, but I would not change a thing! Yes, the feeling of calm that came over me once the kids were dropped off home and the van was filled with fuel and returned to the yard was nice, but the memories of the weekend are precious and in the future will provide avenues for blessing - well worth the effort :)

I feel as though I am repeating myself often when I say that God is doing great things with this group, but it is the truth! Yes, we get our share of teenage drama and the attention seeking and the baggage of worldly influence, but there is true desire for Christ in that mix and I am prayerful that the Spirit continues to be active in allowing their young lives to be drawn closer to seeing the glory of our God.

God bless!

10 Years!

It's always getting the first few words on the the page that is the toughest when it's been a while. There are MANY reasons for not having entered a post for so long, but I will condense it and simply say that mental exhaustion meant I needed a break over the summer weeks to refresh my mind. It is always good when we examine our lives and question our priorities. This new term I am prayerful that some of the subtle changes will continue to allow God a channel through my life to work His will in the lives of some. Well, as the title of this post suggests it has now been 10 years Fenella and I have been back home "Fishing for men" rather than me going to sea catching fish. I suppose the best way I can sum things up is by this statement, "My heart was never in fishing, but it is in Ministry!"

When I look at what the church in Peterhead looks like now in light of what it was 10 years ago, I am confident that what God placed on our hearts is happening. God's Spirit has brought about an incredible change in the direction and the thinking of many young people in Peterhead. What we now accept as "Normal" is so different to what was 10 years ago :) The church is now a place where many children, teens and young adults come into a relationship with God. They have created and environment where both the saved and the searching are comfortable together. I am constantly amazed at how God is drawing our young Christians into service and watching their desire to influence and serve the children coming behind them is such a blessing, in fact it is the greatest blessing that can be passed on - the blessing of knowing God.

I want to make a few comments about our classes now that the new term is a couple of weeks in. On Monday night's we work with a group of children from age 5 - 11. Last night was our third class in the term and what a joy! There are so many exciting developments coming as a result of this class. I believe a hugely important factor within this class is the avenue for our young teen Christians to minister. We have Shaun, Jordan, C.J and Megan faithfully serving on Monday nights. They are pretty much covering most of the bases during the class. The part I enjoy witnessing most is the first 20 minutes of class. For this time we let the children play. It is a brilliant time for the teens to chill out and get down with the the kids! The relationships they build are HUGE! When the kids see the faith of the teens it becomes real to them, especially over time. The teens do most of the settling down and checking the kids. Another big joy is seeing them take an active part in the bible lesson times. Over the past while they have been getting more and more involved in the teaching when it comes to bible time. I could very easily see them being responsible for the class before the end of the year! I have to mention Donald too :) He is an integral part of the structure! His smiley and gently encouraging qualities are perfect for the class.

On Wednesday night we have a big group coming together. This is our mixed class when we have everyone from age 5 to 20 :) The first 45 minutes are for relationship building and in keeping with Monday night's all ages work well together. We have seen a growth spurt in our teens coming from Friday night to Wednesday nights. This is good! Last week I got a shock when I had copied 15 lesson outlines and was short! There is a real spiritual appetite growing in this group and I am prayerful it is real and lasting. We have a core that is tight and their influence is having an effect throughout the group. We have around 30 coming on Wednesday night and the spread is pretty even through the ages.        

Friday Nights!!! Just love what God is doing with this time. I am always stressing to the group that the time is so good because of two things, one - they choose to make it so and two - Christ is there! In years past we have struggled with format and when to have the spiritual focus and when to have the relational and social elements, but in the past months we don't even think about it. The group arrive between 6.45 and 7.30. We usually begin the focused worship time around 7.45. We sing for a while and either myself, Thomas or Shaun will lead a prayer. The teaching time is the highlight. The group are challenging to get the depth right, but the results are more often that not drawing them closer to Christ. After the lesson we chill for the last hour and everyone heads out just around 10.00pm. We have a great bunch of young people and there are signs that Christ is beginning to tug on the heart strings of a couple :)

I am blesses to be able to share time through the week on a more intimate level with many of the teens. I am convicted that if they are to grow then Godly influence must be more consistent in their lives. So, in between schools and classes I try to make time for this. It is not easy trying to balance the days and know what is the best use of my time. I am still very much active in the schools. I decided to drop one after school club this term in order to focus more time on visiting and personal study. I am still active with clubs in 3 schools, Anna Ritchie on a Friday afternoon, Crimond on a Tuesday afternoon and Meethill on a Thursday afternoon. I am active in the school assemblies and in fact have started teaching in one additional school - Longside where Mr Imlah, formerly of Central school, is now the head teacher. I am prayerful that my ministry has the right balance between outreach and nurture.

Enough for now, more soon - God bless  :)