Whose call would you decline?

The other day I was sitting with a friend trying to have a very serious conversation and my cell phone kept ringing.  Thankfully my phone has this great feature that while it is ringing I just turn it over and it goes to silent.  Each time the phone rang I quickly glanced at the phone to see who it was explaining to Laila that I need to look incase it is the school. On one of the calls it was my son Caleb so I did excuse myself from the conversation to answer the call just incase it was something important, it wasn't important as you can imagine but that wasn't a chance i was willing to take and Laila having kids of her own completely understood. 

The part that really struck me was that when I returned she asked me "wouldn't it be great if God had a cell phone".  I agreed this would be wonderful but then she asked would you ever decline a call that comes in from him? This made me really think. Laila knows that I believe I can talk/pray at any time and about anything. This is great because I would be making the call, it then made me wonder are there things I do that i would not want to call him about? The unfortunate reality is probably yes, or at least for me it would be.  The conversation did make me think and I did share this verse with my friend Laila. 

"Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching" John 14:23a

Celebration Evening

We were excited to get the invitation from Caleb's High School to attend the Celebration evening for this years YR7 class.  All parents of all of the yr 7's are invited and it is the place where the teachers just acknowledge the children for their work.  (year 7 is the first year of high school in the UK)

It was great to sit through the evening and hear all of the wonderful things the teachers had to say, they were very generous with their kind words to the children.  It was clear as the evening went on and various groups made their presentations and photo's were shown from other events throughout the term that the teachers words were not all out of kindness but out of truth, these kids have worked really hard and had fun doing it.

Caleb was pleased at the end of the evening when he was able to take his various certificates home.  He has worked hard and earned them. WELL DONE CALEB!

The London Zoo

This week I had such fun going with Eden on her school trip to the zoo. It was my job to walk around the zoo with 5 little girls and NOT loose any of them. Thankfully I was pleased to meet up with the teacher and the rest of the class and still have all 5 of my little charges with me.

Throughout the day we saw lots of different animals and got through most of the zoo. The two week old Gorilla named Tinnie was a big hit. I was surprised how much the girls wanted to see the reptile house, they seemed to really enjoy it and all willingly stuck their hands in the cockroach space. I didn't, even whe they dared me.

A really fun day out! Everyone should go!!

A date with the littlest man in my life

So, as we all know Valentines day has come and gone. It was a lovely day and each year it reminds me that I want to take more time to to make those around me know i appreciate them.  Easily thought of but not always remembered.

As a desire to start as I mean to go on, yesterday I went out on a date.... and not with my husband!  Nathan our youngest son and I went to a local coffee shop while we were waiting for his sister to finish her dance class.  We had a nice hot drink and a little snack, such a simple thing to do.  I realized after we had been sitting there for 45 minutes (and we really needed to leave to be able to pick up Eden) that Nathan hadn't stopped talking once.  He spent the full 45 minutes telling me about his day, his friends and all that he felt was important.  I have many things I could have done with that 45 minutes but none that would have had so much value.

I can't wait for our next date!

A verse I am always challenged by.....

Today as many days we see on the news crazy stories of things happening all over the world.  I can't control any of these things, we pray for good to come of them and that the suffering will stop.  Even with all of these prayers I am still unable to make any major changes on my own.  Realizing I can only control my reaction to what happens around and not what actually happens. I love this verse below it is a strong reminder for my daily actions and reactions.

Matthew 5:43-45

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

Your God Listens

Over the years I have been blessed with many friends who want to hear about Gods love for them and why it is such an important part of my life.  I have also had many friends who although spending time with them and their families they are just not interested in spititual discussions.  This is something i have gotten used to and part of everyone's life so can not be avoided.  although i know this i often pray for the opportunity to step out of that relationship and share with these friends the things that are important to me.

Recently I had a phone call from a friend in the later group. It was bad news as she was struggling with an issue with a family member.  The encouraging part of the phone call was when she said "I need you to pray because Your God Listens".  We prayed for her family over the weekend and waited to see what God would do for her family. At the end of the weekend when i met up with my freind I was so excited to hear her say "I know you prayed" and she continued to tell me how the sittuation had been resolved.

It was exciting to see that although our beliefs are different and she has never really been interested in talking about spiritual things when something did go wrong she called and did know praying would help.  I am looking forward to see how God will continue to work as i try to share more with my friend.

The blogging begins

 

Hey Everyone,

So this is my new attempt to communicate better.  Do to issue's with our family website i am planning to use this blog instead.  Well, you know what they say... start as you mean to go on.

We are all doing well and enjoying 2011. 

Caleb is enjoying being in High School and had his 12th birthday last week. To celebrate his birthday we had a family dinner and then over the weekend Aaron took Caleb and a couple of his friends to see The Green Hornet. Fun was had by all.

Eden is still in Junior school and really enjoys the school. Her two favorite things are her violin lessons and art.  She is 9 and already looking forward to her 10th birthday, which is months away.

Nathan is in his first year at junior school and enjoys it. His favorite thing about school is being with his friends, he also enjoys science and math.

Well, that looks like a start....