Tears and Laughter Part II

Yesterday turned out to be the sequel to last week . Festive shopping this time and lunch at Pizza Express.This was no quick bite to eat though ...When Gill & Alli get going the conversation flows , so three hours later we were back amongst the shoppers !! Sammy ,Matt & the great Tommy ( the Fingers) Mac, joined us for tea later on . Good day , good company , shame about the bank balance :-)

They were a little camera shy this week !!!

Mother of all Stomach Bugs!!

The last couple of days have not been pleasant . Whilst preaching on Sunday morning I was feeling a little off colour and by the end of the afternoon I was decidedly sick . So for the last two days I have spent my time between bed and the en-suite!!

On the plus side I have lost 6Lbs in weight ...but this particular weight loss programme does not come highly recommended;-)

Family feasts...

This afternoon we were over in Stoke meeting with some of Gill's family for a meal .It is good to catch up with folk that you only get together with occasionally throughout the year .

This evening we dined over at my sisters , mum was staying the night . We all settled down to watch a DVD "Nanny McFee" .Great film .

"Riding with Biblical Giants".... on the Road

For the last three Fridays Wem Baptist Church Schools Team have been staging "Riding with Biblical Giants" mornings for 350 children from 9 local primary schools .

It is aimed at supporting schools with their relgious education curriculum . We cover things like Christian worship , Bible history and Christian ordinances . It also gives us a great opportunity for the Gospel . The kids love it and I think the teachers enjoy the morning off !!

Today we had the roadshow , hosted by Baschurch Primary School . Phil was David and I quite naturally was Goliath ...pity he had to win the fight :-)

Tears and Laughter

Yesterday on my day off ,Gill & I nipped over to Alli in Derby. Guess where we ended up ..Yes at the shops . Being surrounded by women most of the time, inevitably results in frequent trips to the shopping centres ...This one was new to me as it was in Derby and as shopping centres go I have to say it was OK . Made more pleasant by stops at Nando's and Starbucks .

In all honestly and I do struggle to admit this,the afternoon with Gill& Alli was quite therapeutic for us all .Tears and Laughter is how best to describe it .

Today started early . Phil & I on a Thursday meet early ( 7am) to play squash , have a coffee and then spend some time in prayer . He always beats me ...but there is a day coming :-)

Slowly Back into the Groove ...

It was a joy to be back amongst the fellowship at Wem on Sunday . We are privileged to part of the family at Wem . It is a very warm ,loving fellowship . Phil had obviously been taking his preaching pills on Sunday morning . An uplifting sermon on the second coming . Check it out on the web site .

In the evening we had a baptismal service . Linda one of my ABQers who became a Christian this year . It was heart warming to hear her testimony . I preached at the service on Thomas ...if you have 25 Min's check it out ..again on the website .

Yesterday I did an assembly at a school that we have just started to go into . I love the school . The girls ( its an all girls school) are extremely well behaved and the staff always give you a warm welcome . If Icould afford it Iwould definitely send my little cherubs there .

Today I nipped over to Liverpool to dispose of Dad's clothes . Not a nice task . Very sad and very final :-(

All online ..

Well ..it's official Wem Baptist has made it into the 21st century . We now have online sermons. Check it out for yourself . I would recommend the scouser not the cockney :-)

Click this link ..and listen from your computer or download to your mp3.

Christian Unity ...

Sometimes when you meet with other Christians it can feel a little like the way the table is set in this picture . People wrongly look for opportunities to have a go and shoot you down.

It shouldn't be that way .

I am glad to say that the eldership meetings here at Wem Baptist are as far removed from this picture as they could be . It is a privilege to sit around the table ( as we did today for four hours this morning) and discuss heavenly matters related to God's earthly church in complete harmony ...they are always a joy to attend and long may it continue that way .

Birthday Boy

Yesterday we celebrated my birthday with an Iceland buffet ( we were impressed with this years adverts on the telly..so we tried it out )

Those present were Jane & Nick , Grannie & Gramps, Nana , Ben & Naomi and all of us Whiteways . It was a nice night although tinged with sadness.

The kids enjoyed melting the marshmallows and one or two other things !!

Back at work today preparing a sermon for Sunday night ...Onwards and upwards .

Life goes on ....

When you lose someone one of your initial reactions is to try and push the pause button on life . You find it hard to live a normal life . The reality though is that life does go on and so it should .All according to God's perfect plan .

We all travelled over to Derby yesterday and went with Alli and the kids to Church . Ant Adams preached a sermon that was spot on for Alli and she was truly uplifted by what she heard . Ant in his sermon said that there are no accidents with God and it certainly wasn't an accident that Alli heard that sermon yesterday .

Today I am off to Liverpool to sort out Dad's mobility car ...It has to go back . something that mum is not looking forward to ... but life does go on and all of us have to make the most of the days we have been given .Just like laura who took the seeds of what was dead ( the sunflower ) ready to plant again for next years crop . The cycle of life on God's earth goes on .

Two funerals ..two goodbye's

This last week has been the hardest week of my life and the lives of so many who loved either Paul or Dad or both . A week that in many ways is difficult to come to terms with because you half expect Paul to ring or Dad to ring and when you go to there respective homes you half expect them to be there . But they aren't and they never will be anymore and that's the hard part .

Many thanks to all of you who have sent cards and emails . Thank you for your love and support . It does mean a lot to us all .

Me Dad ...

Tomorrow at the Springwood Crematorium we will be remembering dad and giving thanks for his life . I miss him .

Pops

Albert Whiteway
1st January 1931 - 4th November 2007

Ephesians 2:13
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.”

Sadness & Hope

On Monday we committed my mates body to the elements , remembering him and giving thanks for his life .

It was a sad day , but also a day filled with hope . Jesus Christ is that hope and this good news was proclaimed loud and clear .

200 plus people turned out. An indication of the impact that Paul had had on so many people .

He was a good mate ..the best... and as I said in my tribute..

" He was a man who will forever live in our memories and in our hearts . A man we will never forget."

Please remember Alli in prayer as she comes to terms with the loss of the love of her life. And Matthew & Samantha as they grieve .

When sorrows like sea billows roll ..

My Dad passed away today ... He was an ordinary man who dedicated his life to his family and friends ..I'll miss him ,particularly his sense of humour .

Some photo memories of my mate

Good memories ....that will never be forgotten