Oh No!! she is 15

Katie is now 15 !!! watch out world ... Laura baked the cake .

Another problem

Peter the mathmatician is having problems again ..I'm so glad I no longer have to do this kind of stuff.

Bin Chillin ...in Bonnie Scotland

The Cottage


If you ever need to get away from it all and you don't want to spend a fortune , then can I recommend Easter Harden Cottage near Hawick .


We had a great week , although it took some getting used to for the girls ...No mobile signal ! No internet connection ! they were like zombies for a good 48 hrs, but eventually they passed through "cold turkey" and came back to civilization for a few days .



We had a great time with Monopoly , Jenga, Cluedo, Connect four, cards & and a big jigsaw ...back to basics and it was great ... anyway here are some photo's
The View from the front room ... fantastic

Monopoly ..I was the champ as you would expect !

The Snowdrops were magnificent

The inevitable shopping trip to Edinburgh :-(

One to look out for " Amazing Grace"

William Wilberforce was a christian who really did make a difference . His life story is now the subject of a blockbuster movie . I hope it does him justice ...check out this link and go and see the movie when it's out .

Anna Made A Snowman

Another one from the mathmatician with a sense of humour

This fella cracks me up ...but don't follow his example with your GCSE's this year :-)

Winter has arrived :-)

I volunteered Anna to walk the dog :-) .... Nice hat Anna

Woodpeckers are dangerous

Whose been eating all the Giraffe pies then :-)

I like this guys sense of humour ..

Very little Time...

If you drop in regularly to shared4u you will have noticed that posts have over the last couple of months become less frequent . It's the age old problem of the to do list that stretches from here to London versus a finite number of hours in the day .

Since Jan 1st I have been working as full time pastor whilst still trying to be a full time dad and student . All of this I'm afraid has squeezed out the time left for blogging . I think that I will probably only manage one or two posts a week ...

Should help me with my computer addiction though ...

Best Friends, Bowls & an Open House

Great weekend , Paul & Ali along with Samantha finally made it over to Wem for the Day . Gill & Ali sampled the delights of the vine whilst Paul & I battled it out at the local ten pin bowling alley . Now I have to say that usually I beat Paul at most things without even breaking into a sweat but on this occasion we both scored a meagre 78 points each ..so honours even . We wont mention that a couple of girlies ie Samantha & Becca managed to score in the 90's :-(

On Sunday after evening service we had "Open House" at our home . An informal time when folk come along for a chat and a few biscuits .. a great way to get to know people who you often don't get a chance to chat with .

They have been slicing the armed forces budget again !!

For those who struggle with maths >>>

I thought this was funny so I had to share it ...Not recommended for the exam though ....for those of you who enjoy the maths perhaps you would like to share the real answer in the comments..

Fun & Games at Church

On Saturday night some of the folk from the church got together for a social evening . Games quizzes and in true contemporary European style we ate cheese fondue ..

The games became a bit messy towards the end ...You can't beat a good soaking to lift everyone spirits...

It was a great night and I think both young and old enjoyed it .

Its blowing a gale this morning ..

It's gusting up to 90mph outside ...not a day for Scotsman in kilts . If you go out today make sure you wear led boots !!

Redeeming Ruth with Mars Hill Church

If you get a chance have a listen to Pastor Mark Driscoll's latest sermon series from the book of Ruth ...Click here for the link ...watch the video intro to the series , its very good .

I am also impressed with the way they are presenting this series on their website ....Ben if you are reading this then ..take a look at how Mars Hill Church presents their Sermons on their site ...it's excellent

Food and Fellowship

Sarah and Richard (still in his pyjamas :-))


Having folk round for a meal is a wonderful way to spend time just chatting . As we talk we encourage and are encouraged by those we share a table with .

This weekend we shared a few chickens ( poor old chickens) with a couple of families . We had the curried chicken with " the Foulkes' of Wheelock" ...Danny , Julie , Jacob, Naomi and Chloe ..Josh was missing from the tribe on this occasion (click this link for the standard blog photo on Danny's blog ...when he gets round to uploading it that is !!)

Then on Sunday we had the traditional roast with the "Lords' of Shawbury" ...Richard , Sarah , Amy and Ella ...Alice would have been there but was on Birthday party duty ..

Great weekend , Good food , Good fellowship and distraught chickens ...never mind we have the nut roast next time ...

Dinner with the Ainscough's

Dave, Deb , Becki, Abi & John shared a chicken and a bit of beef with us on Sunday ...It was great to see them again ...

Gill & Dave at one point became so underwhelmed by the Sunday afternoon conversation that they both dropped off for a few ZZZZ's on the sofa ....now that kind of thing normally happens when I'm preaching.... not in the living room ... I would have had a photo of them both snoring away but Gill nobbled the camera before I could upload it !!

Slow start to blogdom

It's been a slow start as far as blog posts are concerned so far this year but I will endeavour to put things right this week .

Steve Jones ( click here for his brand new blog) is joining Phil and I for three weeks as part of his theological training ...So welcome to Steve ...He may well need some counseling by the end of his three weeks :-)

28th Dec ..Nana /Pops and the go-lightlies came for Dinner ..

My Sister ...My big big sister & Nick have been eating all the pies this year ...I'm dead when she reads this :-)

Boxing day with our Bezzy mates ...

There was no snow this year ( check out last year click here ) ...but it was great to chill out with our oldest friends ...Alli this year is about to become a member of the 40 + club :-) ...so she will officially join the wrinklies ...

We had a very healthy breakfast the next day ....after all they were organic sausages :-)

Christmas Day ...Family gathering

Grannie and Gramps came over for the day ...we had the traditional ceremony of the Christmas pud ...this year Gramps poured nearly half a bottle of Brandy over it ...it gave rise to a big blue flame ... It's not like a Yorkshireman to be so lavish :-)

Christmas Eve ... Getting ready for Santa

He drinks Port you know ...he has gone off the milk ... must be the stress of having to deliver all those pressy's in one night ...poor old Santa

Christmas in pics Becca came to stay ..

She had a touch of constipation :-) the figs worked a treat ...sorry Beccs ..I know I have a terrible sense of humour ....

Becca came to stay just before Christmas ..it was brilliant to see her again

Buried in the ground but not in the memory ...

" Well done ,good and faithful servant. You have been trustworthy with what I gave you . Come now and share in your master's happiness" Matthew 25:31


Yesterday, as a fellowship we commited our beloved brother Williams earthly remains into the ground .

The memorial services were a fitting tribute to this man of faith . Hundreds of folk from all over the country made the journey, all gathered together to remember this lovely, remarkable man .

He will be missed .

Sorrow & Joy

A sad day at church yesterday without William . I really missed him in the vestry praying before the service . Many tears were shed by Gods people in the fellowship, tears of sadness mixed with tears of joy because we all know that Will is now with his beloved saviour ..

On Saturday about 35 of the youth went over to see the Panto at Crewe " Cinderella" ...it was good fun and put a smile back on my face ...if you get a chance go and see it