What has God got planned for 2010?

I am sitting on my settee frustrated at not being able to do much and contemplating nexk surgery and what it might mean. Feeling the rollercoaster ride of 2009 is continuing. I then happened to read Hannah's, Kal's and Sarah's blogs which made me cry. They had focused on the good things that have happened. I then read through some of my old blog entires (I know there aren't that many) and realised how much good there had been in 2009. Hannah's blog also reminded me on the talk I gave at our carol service and God's plan, and focusing wholely on him.

So whatevery 2010 brings I know it is part of God's plan, my prayer at the moment is that amongst all my tiredness from the medication I am taking that I can find time to concentrate on him.

Pain in the neck!

No, not me, just everything. I have slipped a disc (T2 for the technical) which has give me a major pain in the neck!, well shoulder and arm actually. Having had a visit to out of hours doctor at 12:30am, thought it was muscle spasm (which it mainly was at that point) got pain killers etc.. Then had to phone again the following night at 2am, to be able to increase dosage. Saw my own GP on the Monday who had a med student, they thought it was a trapped nerve/slipped disc so referred me to a specialist (one time I am glad I have medical insurance through work). Had an MRI scan and saw him on the Thursday. This confirmed slipped disc. 80% normally right themselves with rest, so now on pain killers. muscle relaxants etc. So pain now not a problem, just very doppy! If that doesn't work then it will be an operation.
But everything is a pain in the neck so to speak. I have a numb right thumb, so using the computer is difficult. I had a DIY job on the go to get the downstairs toilet ready for christmas. (Big thanks to PJ and Mark for making it now usuable). I can't drive, in fact can't do much at all which is very frustrating.
I forced Val to still let me lead the carol service. This went brilliantly except for me falling off the stage - not good for the neck, it wasn't as bad as it sounds I just forgot that I was on the highest staging and it was a long way down 600mm, good job Karen was behind the screen and didn't see it. I made one change to the service, which was I did not hold baby Phoebe, both from not supposed to be lifing things and also in my state I didn't think it would be the most sensible thing to do. I had decided to use a real baby to bring home the impact of God with Us, and that a baby wants our full attention, and for some reason we want to give it, and that's how it should be with God.
My main problem now is Christmas day as I normally do the cooking. PJ says he will do it, but I know what I am like, so prayers that we won't fall out and we will find a balance between him doing it and me advising and helping with the little I can do.
I don't know how Karen is coping with not only having to look after me, but aslo do all the extra running around at Christmas I normally do. She seems to have everything under control, or is she just not letting on to me? Sarah and PJ are being great in helping out when they can, amongst their busy work and social lives.

Quiet and relaxing days

The last couple of days have been really great as I managed to fit in a couple of days annual leave. On Thursday I had a quiet day away which was really refeshing and Friday I spent with Karen. We popped to see mum who was really quite bright for once and then went wandering around Bath. There was a Christmas market which was really good.

I went on the quiet day because lots of things have been on my mind recently and not surprisingly I didn't get any real answers!! What I did get though was a great time with God. The person leading the day did a couple small talks which were really useful for focusing me on God. The first one include the following poem by Ann Lewin

Be Still
You do not have to look for anything
Just look.
You do not have to listen for
Specific sounds
Just listen
You do not have to accomplish anything
Just be.
And in the looking
And the listening
And the being.
Find
Me.

I then spent the next hour just basking in God's presence :)

I also love out God's sense of humour. Towards the end of the day I popped into the church over the road and on the way out saw a poster with a poem on called "Just talk to me". It is too long to put here but here is a link to it (http://www.leeabbey.org.uk/rapport/article.php?id=1)

My problem now is, when can I fit in another couple of days like this!

Snow Please!!

I have finished wiring the children's carol service. I know it is a long way off but it needs to be done now so all the groups can get thier bits prepared. But having had some rain over the last few days I have been thinking what I would really like is some snow!

What's Up!

I realised I haven't blogged for a month. Not surprising since for the first part I was on holiday in Mauritius (absolutely brilliant). Since being back I have been busy at work, had our Men's day at church and been clearing my parents house.

So life continues to be a roller coaster. The highs of a holiday, the full on work and lows of having to clear the house. I have apologised to Sarah and Peter already for the amount of stuff they would have to go through. My dad like me kept everything! I really need to go in my loft and get rid of things. Having said that it was good to remember many things I remember from childhood.

Mum is still a cause for concern. Although "healthy" she is not totally with it and it is very difficult to have a conversation.

I feel quiet flat at the moment. Summer is over and I have not much planned for the autumn. I am leading our carol service, so I am hoping that planning that will give me boost.

25 Year

After Kal's post what can I say!! I don't know how she has put up with me for so long!.
She has summend upo how important both marriage and family is to the both of us, through the good times and the not so good. God has always been with us, for which we are eternally grateful.

For me one of the highlights of the day was renewing our vows with Sarah and Peter (and Hannah) there. Having them pray for us was really special, and thanks to Ron for doing the official bit, but much more than that, how special he made us feel.

I pray that our children will also find happiness in marriage. I remember Ron's word to us today "Bedrock", and pray that God will also be a bedrock to them.

God is Good

I know it is some time since my last post, but what with Dad's funeral and thanksgiving service (which went really well) and New Wine, I haven't had much time.

New Wine was was up and down because if mum not being well. I was going to blog about stuff from New Wine, but I have decided not to. Instead I want to say what a great God we have. Having just had a BBQ for our 25th Wedding Anniversary (and also Kal's parent's 50th) I realise how blessed I am that God gave me Karen. I know I've always known it, but when you celebrate 25 years it really brings it home.

I know it is actual 10 days to go to that actual day, but we celebrated today to co-incide with Kal's parents. Also a couple of days after ours we are off to Mauritius for 10 days of luxury, we just can't wait :-)

It was really good today having some of our friends around (sorry to those we didn't invite, we only had so much space in the back garden!) and chat to extended family. It make me realise how good God is to us, and how important family and marriage is.