Family Update :)

Where does the time go? I am sitting in our local coffee shop with my usual "vanilla Latte" and enjoying the moment to stop and reflect on the joys and strains of the past weeks. I want to begin with some family things. It was a timely break when the Easter holiday came, I must admit that I was so ready to enjoy time at home and focus the majority of my energies to the ladies in my life. It was precious to have all our girls home for a while and enjoy the blessing of our children. In fact when Amy and Beth left this past Monday, Fenella and I looked at each other holding back a tear, knowing how much we miss them when they are not home. Holly and Hannah shine when their big sisters are home and as parents we thank God that our girls have a deep and loving bond that ties them together. We were able to spend a couple of nights down in Edinburgh as we got to see Beth perform with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra at the Usher Hall. I never tire of saying the same thing over and over again, that it is a blessing to see our daughter be part of something that sounds so beautiful. Beth had the added privilege of getting to know a lot of music students who will be starting at Glasgow this coming September. One of the "proud parent moments" was when Beth made the comment that she had found another like minded soul who does not drink and will not be engaging in all the "Freshers Week" worldliness that goes on at the start of university life. Yes, we are proud of Beth's musical talent, but more so of her heart to be holy :) We had the chance to go down and see Amy perform with both the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir and with the National Youth Choir of Scotland. The photo is Amy's solo with the Uni Choir and I don't need to say anything - you can see Amy's passion for singing. In my last post I had shared some news about Beth playing at the "PROMS" in London at the Albert Hall, Amy too will be singing at the proms with NYCOS! They will be performing within a couple of days of each other, so we are frantically trying to work out how we can get to London and find accommodation, bearing in mind it will be during the chaos of the Olympic games - happy days!

Holly is finding that she has talent in the field of baking :) She loves to make cupcakes and make them look nice. She certainly has an eye for beauty and this is evident in everything she does. It was Beth's 18th birthday on Friday and her request was that Holly make some cupcakes! Hannah helped decorate them too. Holly is growing and has a lovely friendly nature. She is very social and loves to be in company. Hannah enjoys playing piano and violin. She is never far away from a book! Hannah likes nothing better than to be snuggled up with a book in her hand :) Hannah is very considerate and never short on affection. It is hard for Fenella and I to grasp that they will be moving up to the Academy (high school) this year! We are proud of them both and going by their recent report cards they are doing very well in P7. They should do well at the next level of their education. In June they will be off on a school trip to Glenshee doing a bunch of active outdoor pursuits - they are excited!

Fenella and I are just about managing to hold things together. Fenella's mum has just finished her fifth in a course of six chemo treatments. Alexa is very much ready to be done with the chemo! We are touched by Alexa's ability to gracefully journey through this battle with cancer. In spite of the effects and devastating toll that the chemo has brought, we love Alexa's quiet strength and lovely character that is so evident in this time of extreme testing. I can't talk about Alexa's circumstances without instantly being aware of the support and love both Fenella and Jackie have been. From the time Fenella and I were dating, I can remember being in no doubt that there was no shortage of love in their home and this continues to be the case :) I have heard it said that it is in the times of deepest struggles that God is most clearly seen - amen!

My parents have been going through some changes and challenges these past weeks too. We had a scare when my mum was rushed to hospital a few weeks back and although we still don't quite know what is wrong, we sense that the doctors are taking things in hand and we are prayerful that the cause and indeed a cure can be found to bring some relief. My dad has just finished his second spell offshore on the stand-by boats. He seems to be settling into his new environment and career pretty well :)

As I take stock of what is going on with our nearest and dearest I am aware of how blessed we are! If it were not for the great evidence of faith on display I wonder what state our lives would be in? Let me encourage and let us be reminded again of the reality that, "God is good and His love endures forever!"