My great-grandfather served during the 1st World - this is a copy of picture that he drew. I am not sure whether he copied it from somewhere or was a scene that he witnessed. I do know that he received a gun shot wound to the head and although he survived - spent many years in and out of psychiatr…
Blog posts
£1 pocket money
When Nigel & I manage to visit Barking Town centre together!! we give each other a £1 pocket money to spend - so generous :) but actually it's good fun hunting for something.. This is my purchase, a christmas tree with a USB connection for the computer. It gradually changes colour - blue, green, r…
To the garden and beyond
I have great admiration for people who plant acorns knowing that they will never see the Oak Tree in its full glory, but have the vision to picture people many hundreds of years later sitting under its spreading branches. I suppose in many ways gardening at this time of year is also a bit like that…
Adult and Families Ministries
I attended the Adult & Family Ministries Retreat today at Hadleigh Salvation Army Our guest speaker was Major Jenine Main, who is the Corps Officer of Upper Norwood, and Jenine's theme for the day 'Time for Coffee'. Jenine was basically saying that Jesus met people where they were, he didn't e…
I'm so excited
12.30pm I'm so excited I've just got to blog and get it off my chest cos there is no-one else, at the moment, to tell it too!!
Went to school this morning and performed my 'chaplaincy' bit and whilst wandering around some of the classrooms talking to the teachers I was taken aback (shouldn't be real…
Back to normal - well nearly!!
Hallelujah - we're getting there. Office is nearly finished, just a few items of furniture to replace so that it all matches. Nigel arrived home yesterday with two filing cabinets which he picked up cheaply at Asif's shop in Barking - brilliant now I can start going through my paperwork and shredd…
All in a days work...
What is it about tables and table clothes drapping over them that gets children so excited? I can remember as child spending hours under the dinning room table, pretending it was my house then a castle and allowing my imagination to run wild. Later when I had Karl I can remember on many occasions …
Who cares
I was browsing my previous blog site and came across this entry, which I unashamably will post again this evening....
Came across this picture on the web... Who Cares? an illustration of General William Booth's vision depicting the Church's apparent lack of concern over the fate of lost souls. This…
Pray and not give up
I picked up a copy of 'Daily Bread - Words for Life' (which is a Bible guide for every day devotions, also available online at www.dailybread.org.uk ) this morning from Christ Church and when I arrived home later in the day took time out to read and ponder todays bible reading and the main verse..Th…
Times flies
Whoever thought of the phrase 'Time Flies' will know actually how I feel. I still can't believe that tomorrow will be the 1st November! where did October disappear too? Normally by now I've ordered and received my Christmas cards, made a few arrangment with family for Christmas get-togethers and …
It's good to talk
At Home League (Ladies Meeting) which I led at Barking Salvation Army - I called the afternoon 'The Sound of Music' and we, as a group, discussed our favourite songs/hymns/pieces of music/composers and the reasons, memories of people, places linked with each choice.
One of the ladies who is well i…
to be a grown up!!
My little boy, well he's still my little boy to me :) has decided it time to be a grown up and wear shoes when going out for the evening LOL instead of trainers !!!
'special moments'
As soon as I walked through the doors of Christ Church this morning I heard everyones news - even though I've only been away a week!!! it's amazing what can happen in a week.
I consider it a 'special' moment when asked to conduct a blessing of rose which is to be planted in memory of a mother, …
It's good to get away
I've just returned today from a wonderful, relaxing holdiay with Nigel, Karen & Frank in Spain. It's good to get away from time to time, from normal routines, everyday pressures and events and just escape to the unknown. We did the usual things ie visit the beach, shops, market but also took time f…
William Booth Training College
I'm currently at the Training College for Module 3 of my degree course. Nigel and I arrived Sunday evening and, so far, the week is proving to be enlightening and thought provoking. We have, so far, been looking and discussing postive psychology & Feminst psychology and, last night, watched an int…
It's a privilege
One of the privileges of being a Salvation Army Officer is the honour of sharing in families ‘tender’ moments – whether that be a birth, wedding or funeral.
Today, Nigel & I travelled to Frinton to lead a service of Thanksgiving for the life of Tony Rowe – father of a good friend of ours.
Christ's is the world
I went early this morning to Barking Town centre to purchase some clothes for my holiday. Now if you know anything about me you will know that 1. I absolutely LOATHE shopping of any kind, especially clothes shopping which certainly reflects on the way I dress!!! and 2. other than my wedding ring…
Sky Watch Friday
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to wander around the gardens of a local convent, the day was beautiful but chilly and as I turned a corner of the garden I saw this beautiful tree with the clear blue sky behind it and the clouds building up on the left of it. I just thought it looked so majestic. I…
Thursday Challenge - Favourite
Our Thursday Challenge is to show and tell something 'Favourite'.
I have a favourite photo. This was taken by me in August 1991 - at the time Nigel & I were working for The Salvation Army in Bangladesh and for our holiday we travelled to Coonoor, India where The Salvation Army has a retreat hous…
Barking and beyond
It has been a buzy but enjoyable few days. Yesterday I was the guest speaker at St. Patricks 30th anniversary for their Ladies Fellowship. I enjoy visiting the different ladies groups and getting to know them all - most now I speak at annually.
Vera lighting the 30th anniversary cake
some of…