Happy New Year—2014.  I’m sitting here wondering what I achieved in 2013.  Well, not as many blog postings as I had anticipated writing.  

  

        Even the basic chemistry student knows that all chemistry happens by the elements trying to find that balance between alkaline and acid.  The chemistry of 2013 held elements of acid and alkaline.  Perhaps they are better described as bitter and sweet—grievous and joyous. 

·         Wednesday, 29th May, My mother passed away, just two days before her 87^th birthday.  I was relieved that her weary, life-worn body had at last found peace; her spirit was reunited with the Saviour and Lover of her soul.  My heart broken that I would not know the comfort of her ample bosom, her quiet wisdom, her servant heart—sharing things about cooking and sewing with her.  This past Christmas was a tough one.

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            Spending two weeks in Wales with my step-son, daughter-in-law and their lovely family in March.  Those two weeks allowed me to talk with each of the members of the family I’d not met face-to-face previously.  And their 2^nd son, (7^th child) was born on 8^th April.  I mentioned my trip to Wales in a blog entry in April.

·         Another educational achievement was that I earned a City & Guilds certificate for my sewing—by compiling a portfolio during a class on skirt-making.  I was very thorough with all my documentation and managed to earn a distinction.

·         If you’ve been reading my blog the last couple of years—or live in England—you know that August is holiday time here in the UK.  St. Francis Church of England in Langley Parish hosted the second “Holiday At Home” for people over sixty.  Although I was  54, I was allowed to participate by virtue of helping where it was needed.  , Over three days “Holiday-at-Home” provided people opportunities to get out of the house, play games, learn a new skill and socialise.  On 14^th August some of them went to Eton College Chapel.  I missed the trip, as I was at work that day.  But I did go over to help on the Tuesday and Thursday.  Knitting, chatting, having a hot-cooked meal with everyone truly felt like a holiday.  Especially as “The Maverick” and I went on a date on Thursday afternoon (15^th August).  We took a bus to Windsor.  As the sun was full on, and no clouds hanging in the sky, it made the date a real treat.

·         In early September “The Maverick” and I began hosting a small Bible study group as a follow-on from the Alpha Course that finished in July.  We’ve been studying Philippians.  

·         “The Last of the 50’s” Open House for “The Maverick’s” 59^th birthday was on Sunday, 27^th October.  That Sunday the Parish churches had a Joint service—the congregations of Christ the Worker, and St. Mary’s sharing the 11.00 am service at St. Francis Church.  As the Missions’ Coordinator, I had scheduled a special guest from The Church Army to speak at that service.  We had over 20 people come over the course of the afternoon, including the guest speaker from church.  John totally enjoyed it.

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In November we had an early Thanksgiving—on Thursday 21^st .  The Tuesday Night Group came and joined us for a simple supper of soup, brad and pumpkin pie for dessert.  We each took a turn sharing about three serious things for which we were thankful.  Then we shared about three “of lesser importance” things or situations for which we were thankful.  I chose the 21^st because “The Maverick”  was  able to join us, as he had worked the morning shift that Thursday, and went onto evening shift that Friday.

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               Another reason we celebrated Thanksgiving early, was because of our“Date” on 28^th November.  A friend had organized a trip to the Royal Theatre in Windsor for the afternoon presentation of “Miracle on 34^th Street.”  As some of you may know, “Miracle On 34^th Street” is a story about a single mother who has taught her daughter that Santa Claus does not exist.  By the end of the play, the single mother comes to believe in Santa Claus and has fallen in love.  There are two film versions—1947 and 1994.  I like both versions.  To see this production on stage as a musical was certainly a change.  Unfortunately for “The Maverick”, the seating was very narrow and he was so cramped up he couldn’t enjoy the play.  After the play, “The Maverick” and I stayed on in Windsor and went to a Thai restaurant for dinner.  The food was good, and we enjoyed the time chatting over the table.  We caught the bus home.  So although it was 8 days after my birthday, that is how we celebrated.

·         The week before Christmas, on Tuesday, 14^th December the Tuesday Night Group shared a lovely Christmas Dinner.  I learned that a turkey that has had the legs and wings removed is called a Turkey Crown.  I don’t know why I found cooking it more difficult than a whole turkey—but I did.  It was a bit undercooked; John carved enough for us to finish cooking in the microwave so we could enjoy mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, peas and some Brussels s sprouts.  The turkey went back into the oven to cook while we ate, chatted and opened gifts.

·          Our Christmas was simple, and delightful.  On Christmas Eve our friend, Jeesun, from South Korea, arrived to spend Christmas with us.  You may remember from a post in October, about Jeesun coming to visit and our dancing at the Harvest Festival.  Jeesun cooked us a lovely South Korean dish called, “Glass Noodles.”  The Maverick has to eat his when he came in from the late shift.  In the meantime, Jeesun and I attended Midnight Mass.  It was the first time in my life that I had attended a Midnight Mass—and I was deeply moved by the simplicity and beauty of the night service.  All the candles from the “Carols by Candlelight” service were lit, the magnificent , four-part harmony of the choir filled the church with traditional hymns.  I hope I will get to attend many more Midnight Mass Services.

·         “The Aussie Family” came to us on Christmas day.  I decided to skip the Christmas Day service at church, as I’d gone Christmas Eve. Upon his arrival home on Christmas Eve, "The Maverick" had every intention of attending Christmas Day service .  But he’d been working double shifts and was just too tired.   Since the majority of the cooking was my responsibility, I was so glad that Jeesun kept asking what she could do to help.  The menu was pork roast, marinated in a honey/mustard glaze, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, cooked cabbage and cooked carrots.  “Sandgroper,” –Mrs. Aussie, had prepared an amazing frozen fruit and cream dessert.  Once here, she placed a self-saucing cake into the oven.  Let me tell you—frozen raspberry sorbet with ice cream and hot chocolate cake with sauce is divinely inspired. 

      Unfortunately, The Maverick had just sufficient time to eat with us before peddling his bike off to work.  After the meal, the four members of “Aussie Family” barred me from the kitchen whilst they did the washing up.  What a blessing!  They went home around 4.00 pm, which left Jeesun and me for the evening.  We watched television—Dr. Who and Downton Abbey. 

·         Jeesun went back home at noon on Boxing Day.  The Maverick had to go off to work—so I watched television and rested all afternoon.  

·         British Airlines employed “The Maverick” on contract earlier last year.  For the last two months  of said contract “The Maverick” swung between frustration and trusting God for a permanent job—as management was not giving any indication of what would happen after the 28^th of December, when the contract ended.  “The Maverick” was notified to come for an interview during that time—but was given not even a hint as to the outcome.  But, we kept saying, “Father in Heaven, You are our provider.  We trust You, and we believe “The Maverick” has favour with BA.”  On 26^th December, “The Maverick” finished his seven-day shift, not knowing  BA's verdict in terms of his employment.  His supervisor told him, unless otherwise notified, show up on Tuesday, 31^st December dressed for work.  Saturday, 28^th December, the contract ended; officially that meant “The Maverick” had no job.  On Sunday, 29^th December, we came home in the late afternoon—about 4.00 pm.  He checked his e-mail.  To our delight, relief and joy, he had an e-mail from BA, informing him that he was successful in the interview and the permanent job was his.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

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We didn’t stay up for New Year’s Eve, as “The Maverick” was scheduled for a very early shift.  I was too tired to stay up till mid-night.  And it’s no fun by one’s self.  

·         I’ve been mulling over what I want to accomplish this year. And I’ve been trying to formulate not only WHAT I want to accomplish, but HOW I want to accomplish it.  Writing, Sewing, praying and even exercising. 

This is now over twice as long as I usually write.  But I wanted to let everyone know what has been happening in the our house.  

Thanks for reading my blog.  And God bless you richly with His Presence and Peace this coming year.

Lady Helene

Missionary?

What is a Missionary—And are YOU one?

                 If I say the word “Missionary” who comes to your mind—Dr. David Livingstone, or perhaps Gladys Aylward, or even Eric Liddell?  These are a few people who come to my mind.  

                 What else comes to mind?  Is it someone who leaves family, friends, a nine-to-five job to travel off to a developing country and live in primitive circumstances?  You know—without running water, electricity or a mobile phone?  Maybe that’s an old-fashioned picture.  Maybe it’s a person or a couple who go onto a poverty-stricken estate and work with kids who are prone to become gang members. 

Look up the word online at www.m-w.com (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) and it defines a missionary as:  “a person who is sent to a foreign country to do religious work (such as to convince people to join a religion or to help people who are sick, poor, etc.) “

On that same webpage is another definition:  “A person undertaking a mission, especially a religious mission.“ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missionary

Matthew (chapter 28):records Jesus giving instructions to His disciples:  “¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore^[c] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”^[d] 

There it is—an assignment from Jesus.  In the book of Acts, Jesus tells us that once the Holy Spirit comes, we will be witnesses—first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, into Samaria and then the ends of the world.  Basically, He was saying we begin where we are born and raised.  Then, He will lead us, by His precious Spirit, to where he wants us to invest into the lives of others.

Jesus has given us a mission—therefore we are all missionaries.  Not all of us will be like Abraham and be told to “start walking”.   For "Dale Doug Maccard", his mission is to return home (South Sudan) and tell of all the Lord has done for him.  For some of us, our mission is to support, encourage, finance, and pray for those who have gone to the ends of the earth—"Adair & Verina Hisscock", and/orThe "Clemmer Family" --" James", " Nita" and "Jannie". (Names are changed to protect idenity.)

From one missionary to another, let us listen to the Holy Spirit and find out the specific mission He has for each of us. 

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

"Lady Helene"

I did Dance...

                Yes, I danced!  Last night (Saturday, 21^st September) I joined a group of about 100 people at this year’s Harvest Barn Dance, hosted by the parish churches.  The Maverick was at work, but I still had a partner for the folk dancing; a lovely Korean lady named Jeesun. 

               The Maverick and I got acquainted with Jeesun over Christmas 2011.  The organisation, HOST UK , connected us with Jeesun, and she came for Christmas.  Looking back, I’m surprised I didn’t write about more of our UK Host guests.  I did write about HOST UK in a previous post:  http://areednotbroken.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/host-uk-and-november-visitor.html

                Because HOST UK places serves students, most of the adult visitors return to their home countries after they finish their masters’ degrees.   In general most HOST UK visitors only visit their guests homes once or twice.  So it seemed unlikely we would get to see any of our new friends more than once.  But I am on the social network http://www.linkedin.com, and sent out an e-mail to people in my e-mail address book; one of whom was Jeesun.  She accepted my invitation to link-up and sent me a message.  I discovered that she was still in London.  So I invited her to come for a visit. 

                She came yesterday, bringing with her a tin of lovely Korean biscuits.   We sat on the couch, chatting, drinking tea and crunching the crumbly treats until it was time to walk to the school where the dance was being held.

                Unfortunately, Jeesun had purchased a return ticket for Saturday evening—and she had to leave the dance an hour into the event.  Her fish dinner was packed into a courier bag and I walked her to the entrance to the park she would have to walk through to get to the bus stop. 

                Besides the dancing, and a take-away dinner that was catered in, there was a raffle.  I passed on the opportunity of purchasing tickets, because I have so much stuff around here that I don’t really need I didn’t want to bring anything else home! 

                I really enjoy the social events hosted by the church, as it gives a person a chance to talk to other people you see on a Sunday morning, but don’t really have a chance to talk to, get to know. 

                The dance finished at 9.00 pm.  Several people from the three congregations busied themselves with stacking up the chairs, folding up the tables and setting the hall in order.  The trash had been collected through-out the evening, so it was also carried out.  All was done in 10 minutes—almost before one could turn around twice.

               Usually I just sit on the side-lines, chatting with friends, and secretly wishing I was bold enough to get up and dance.  This time, I was glad that I decided to “get over myself” and join the others on the floor.  I wasn’t the only one who was a novice.  It wasn’t a contest.  And at the end of the evening, my heart was still dancing—right until I went to bed.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”

This Saturday just past...

              

  I took an old-fashioned walk today.  What is an old-fashioned walk?  I went without a mobile phone, no heavy rucksack and no particular destination in mind.  Actually, I had a little errand to perform—posting a letter at a local pillar box.  But that part of the walk was over in about 10 minutes. 

                I truly admire people who love to go out walking, just for the sake of walking.  I confess to enjoying sitting at home, watching a film on television, or reading a book or sewing.  The Maverick is a person who enjoys being active.  He uses up so much energy at work, and doing favours for others, that when he does sit down on our couch, he frequently is overtaken with sleep. 

                Although the sky was blanketed over by grey clouds, it wasn’t raining when I went out this morning.  Now, into the early afternoon, it is raining; soft, soaking, tiny droplets of rain, decorating the windows like wet glitter.  It’s so soft, you can’t hear it.  Yet, watching it is restful, peaceful.  It makes it’s a good tool for meditating.  Autumn is hinting at her arrival.

                Sometimes when I’m out walking, I think of so much I want to write, to share.  But then I get home and it seems my ideas have flown away, like a flock of geese heading to warmer climates for the winter.

                The Maverick works some crazy shifts—which means I go places by myself.  Sometimes I feel like a singleton.  Thankfully, that feeling doesn’t last for long.  This past Saturday, (7^th September,) I went to a wedding by myself.  Thankfully the bride and groom attend St. Mary’s, so there were friends to sit with. 

         

After the ceremony

       Each time I go to a wedding, I mentally repeat the vows along with the bride—reaffirming my commitment to The Maverick and my family.  Not a bad thing to do.  Especially when I think about my life and know I would certainly marry The Maverick again.

                The Lord blessed the Wedding Day with sun, a day of perfect warmth.  The wedding was at 3.00 pm, but the reception was at 7.30 pm.  I came home after the ceremony, having arranged for a lift to the reception later.  And since The Maverick finished his shift at 3.00pm, he was home by the time I arrived home.

The reception—being held at a cricket club house—being scheduled for 7.30 pm,  meant that The Maverick had time to get home, rest, shower and then be ready to go out to the party.  I must admit, The Maverick was very handsome.  Spending time chatting with friends, listening to music, eating nibbles and enjoying whilst watching the children run around, allowed opportunity to deepen friendships.  Since we caught a ride with the Vicar and his wife, and it was a Saturday night, we left about 9.30 pm.  This meant all of us could get good sleep before Sunday morning. 

                I’ll write more about Sunday later.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”