Family update...

This will be in one way an easy post to write and at the same time one of the hardest. Easy in light of what our girls are doing and the joy they continue to be. Hard in light of no longer having Alexa's physical beauty and presence wrapped around us.

Firstly the easy part...

Fenella an I know and continually give thanks to God for blessing us richly! That is in no way a puffed up comment, but an awareness and acknowledgement that He is faithful and we know it. 

Amy is preparing for the next chapter in her life, she has been blessed with a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London to continue developing her voice. There is obviously much more involved than just her voice, but she has been blessed with one that brings joy to many. Amy is working hard to save and fund much of her 2 years in London. Amy is working in McDonald's as well as teaching voice and piano to bunch of her young students. Her kids love her and she is exactly who you would want teaching your child. She has a lovely balance of being inspirational and motherly all at the same time! She leaves for London in September and her heart is already there. 

Beth has turned a corner and we are again mindful that our Heavenly Father continues to do His thing! Beth still has some health issues that make her studies a little more complicated than most, but Fenella and I are thankful that she continues to thrive and function well. We have just taken her back to Glasgow after a two week break and we miss her! There is nothing like the sound of your children's unrestrained laughter. When Beth and Holly are together, they laugh!  Beth is a caring soul and is very generous with her care and attention on others! We recently went down to Glasow to see Beth in performing in Handel's St Johns Passion where the oboes had the main part. She played beautifully and the newspaper reviews that followed the performance made special mention of their playing. 

Holly and Hannah are now in their senior years at high school and their recent prize giving success show that they are both very diligent students. Still chalk and cheese as far as their strengths lie, but equally hard working and conciencious.

Holly excels in the creative realm and especially when it comes to art. Holly stole the show at this year's family secret Santa. She painted a family caricature that was priceless. Fenella was the recipient and was totally overwhelmed when she unwrapped the painting and came to terms with what Holly had gifted her with. There is no doubt that our family would be poorer without Holly's beauty! She continues to spark creativity and I there is laughter, it's a safe bet she is at the centre of it :)   At the end of term school Prize giving, Holly was awarded best in year prizes for both Art and French. 

Hannah continues to display a soft and gentle spirit which delights Fenella and I no end. Hannah continues to play her violin in both an orchestra and a little fiddle group. This past year Hannah has excelled in school too and picked up two awards at the end of term prize giving. She came top in year for Chemistry and and got an overall excellence award too. 

So, all that said, Fenella and I love our family and are thankful that all four are showing good endeavour and continue to make us very proud :)

Now for the hard part...

Fenella's mum, Alexa, had been living with cancer for a while and on 21st December passed into her heavenly Fathers care. We have never been in despair, because her faith in our Saviour assures us that she is free and already enjoying her Lord's peace. However, there is an unmistakable void where our family would always find a constant source of beauty, gentleness and love. To have lived with Alexa being always there and now to live without her loveliness is painful and makes us ache for heaven all the more. Alexa was quite simply warmth and gentleness all wrapped up. We never left her presence without being shown a radiant smile and her raised hand displaying the "I love you" sign as she stood at the window. We were never in any doubt about what we meant to her and we were always the richer for it. 

One of her unforgettable testimonies of faith that is now reality: Alexa having been deaf from birth has never heard any sound or voice her whole life. Alexa would affirm to us that she was looking forward to the first words she would hear being those from the lips of her Lord as he says, "Well done good and faithful servant!"

Fenella is doing exceptionally well, yes there are times that the pain and miss hit her, but through it all she continues to be a blessing to all.  Fenella and her mum were as intertwined a mother and daughter could ever be! I continue to know how blessed I am being married to Fenella, but at the same time being embraced and loved by Alexa. Fenella and her dad are propping each other up. We are thankful that our 4 girls are so loving and aware, always ready with warmth and hugs. 

One of Fenella's highlights of last year was a weekend away for the "Feilds of Refuge" women's retreat.

It was a timely balm with the right mix of those she loves being there and a supporting spiritual leadership guiding the event. Fenella is in her element in the company of younger women and a cup of tea in hand. She radiates a motherly cosines that many have felt and benefited form over the years - she is most definitely a 'Chip of the old block' in that arena!