Jules, Anne , Dylan & Jessica came to visit

Anne was home from Cyprus so she popped in with her two wonderful children ...it was also great to see Jules again ... Thats twice in a month now Jules ..whats goin on :-)

More Photo's here

Visit to the Imperial war museum North ..

Gill treated me to a visit the the imperial war museum last Wednesday ... I'm a bit of a war history geek !! ... funnily enough though we ended up in the Trafford cente afterwards ;-)

A worthy pilot ......

This video was sent to me by a friend ....what a pilot

45 years young ..celebrated with the Family

It was good to have the family around on Saturday night for my birthday.... Chinese takeaway , birthday cake and the X-factor ...really good end to what had been a difficult week ... it was also wonderful to have Anna home for a night ...

Bonfire Night, Toothache , Funerals , A new Baby ,Riding with Giants , Remembrance and the Ainscoughs

Lots going on last week ...

Bonfire Night ....

I lit the chimenea ( I love my Chimenea...cup of tea and a chimenea on a dark cold night ..you cant beat it ) . We played with a few sparklers and toasted a few marshmallows ...great . Missed Anna though .

All Photos Here

Funerals ...

Between Phil & I ( mostly Phil) we officiated at three funerals connected with the church at Wem . We have never known so many to pass away all at similar times . People who we had been speaking to and praying with just days before had all passed into eternity within days of each other .... Funerals always should force you into asking the question ...Am I ready to look Jesus in the face and give an account of my life ?

A new Baby ...

Suzy , the manageress at the gym that Phil and I Chaplain gave birth to little Joel Henry on Thursday Night . It was nice to visit the maternity ward for a change and pray for a new life . Hope it's all going well Suzy & James if you are reading this .

Riding with Giants ..

We had 200 school children in on Friday morning for Bible stories , prayers , the History of the Bible and a question and answer session . This is something we do every year ans every year it seems to get bigger . So much so that we are doing it over three Fridays this year with over 600 children from schools in North Shropshire .. See previous years here ...i will take some photos at the next one

Remembrance Sunday ...

Church was packed on Sunday . We held a special guest service to remember the fallen but most importantly to remember Jesus ... Who paid the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary .

The Ainscoughs ...

It was so good to spend the day with our friends Dave , Debbie , Becky , Abi and John ... We had a great day with them on Sunday .. Thanks guys

Toothache ....

I have never known pain like it !!! for the last five days my wisdom tooth has been giving me too much grief .... I have had to resort to a scarf around my head holding a packet of frozen peas in the vain hope of taking the pain away .... 5 nights without sleep is not good ...The dentist won't take it out until the swelling goes down ...because I look a bit like a hamster at the moment :-)

Reflection

A year ago today Dad died ... and a year ago tomorrow we had Paul's funeral . It was a very sad time ... and still a year on there are many hours spent grieving ... Dad & Paul were both very special men who I will never forget ...

Life is short ... I did an assembly this morning and read out this poem found on the clock tower in Chester Cathedral ..

When as a child I laughed and wept Time crept

When as a youth I waxed more bold Time strolled

When I became a full-grown man Time ran

When older still I daily grew Time flew

Soon I shall find in passing on Time gone


Our time here on earth will one day come to an end .... and underneath the poem in the Cathedral are these words of prayer

O CHRIST WILT THOU HAVE SAVED ME THEN ?

Pies Mushy Peas & the Gospel

Katie , Gill & I travelled up to Yorkshire this weekend to visit the Simms clan . I had been invited as the guest speaker at their church quiz night. It was great ...pies , mushy peas and the Gospel a wonderful combination .

We had a lovely weekend ...thanks to all :-)