This is a sign on a park on the Isle of Lewis.

We liked 'please respect the Sabbath' !

Another unreasonably long gap between blogs - I think I have put my finger on why - it's this waiting thing - I really want to do a blog telling how it's all happened and the house is sold etc. But the weeks go by and in that department there's nothing to report - so blog gets put off again.

WELL..... it's all about learning to wait.

I've talked about it before. But that's what it's about. I keep saying 'it's got to be God who does it' but then I fret, chafe and rush about trying to do it myself, try and make it happen - do that Ishmael thing. One of my brilliant friends once led a great mnyfc away day and talked about the way we will always crack along the same crack, stumble on the same issue over and over until it's really sorted by God - given up to Him. Waiting has always been my thing, my fault line - where the emotional earthquake is likely to happen. Very wise words from brilliant friend!

Have I got waiting sussed? Not yet BUT I have come to a place of understanding it a bit more than before because God has spoken to me through a book by Joyce Meyer called Expect a Move of God in Your life ...Suddenly.
But this is a book about waiting. And getting on with a glorious life while waiting.... this is a prayer from the book that I'm sure Joyce won't mind me sharing ' God, if You don't do this, it isn't going to get done. And there isn't any point in me making myself miserable from now until it happens because I've decided I'm waiting indefinitely (which is the phrase in the amplified Bible used to describe how they waited for the Holy Spirit in the upper room in Acts 1.13) and I don't know if that means five minutes or five years.'

This has SO helped me!!!
So expect regular blogs from someone who is determined to wait in the 'indefinitely' way of the Upper Room - whilst enjoying life in the Highlands!
Some interesting things that have happened since last Blog - in a random order....

• Andrew has preached at Lairg Christian Fellowship - good stuff



• Flossie has had an Eel Study Day



• Andrew has a job as a mechanic with Loch Duart - a local fish farm - starts on Monday



• Jude and Flossie have started trampoline lessons



• Jude and Flossie have got up close and personal with a lovely LAMB



• Cle has started a Prayer Box at Element and Teen Cafe and has several young people asking us to pray for them and their lives

The job for Andrew is particularly FAB and a real answer from God, so another new phase begins......

X

This frozen loch - Craggie - is on our way to church at Lairg.

Coming down to have a look at how thick the ice was was a BRIBE from me to encourage good behaviour and willing Sunday school attendance (hmm!). Today we taught our friends there ' Wide and long and high and deep'.

Flossie making carrot cake. Isn't it great when they get a bit older and cookery is FUN? Flossie now makes us cups of tea - fantastic!

Us at our friends' croft in Lairg after church a couple of weeks back - our kids would like us to get a quad bike - Jude used to say 'Twod bike'... but has grown out of that particular cuteness.

Another month has passed here in the North West Highlands. Lots of snowy days. WE go on waiting for our Norfolk house to sell so we can settle up here, but we have to also remain willing to return south if that doesn't happen. It's hard to wait but it's good to read of all those heroes in the Bible who waited on the Lord - for fulfilled promises and destinies - and what did they have while they waited? They had their friendship with the God of the Universe - He who made the mountains (and is friends with ME!). I'm reading Tommy Tenney 'Finding Favor with the King' which is about Esther and challenges me to want nothing more than God himself and not the 'trappings' of the palace - find the KING himself and that will be enough - it is just the book for me at the moment and I highly recommend it.

What with Tommy Tenney, David Crowder, Andrew Jarvis and JESUS, how can I lose??

Cle

You make everything glorious

You make everything glorious

You make everything glorious

And I am Yours

(So what does that make me?) David Crowder

Snowy weather in Lochinver.

It's all melted now but the Ullapool High ski trip got really delayed trying to get away because of SNOW! I was delighted to be invited to ski with them.

We are now back into usual routine of school and work after a great time in Norfolk for Christmas and then the ski trip and finally the Deep Impact event for Christian youthworkers at Aviemore.

It is beautiful living here. Happy settled children, lovely scenery, warm people.

We continue to trust in God's call to us to leave Norfolk and GO, but that doesn't mean everything is easy peasy.

We have started to go to church in Lairg, right at the centre of the county where all roads seem to meet - this seems to be the place where we are fitting in best in terms of style of worship, vision and leadership. Although our English accents and the far North Highland accent create a bit of confusion at times for all of us, we have a very strong sense of speaking the same language when we talk of God's huge love for this area and His desire to see us bring His kingdom in HERE!

Both of us are now qualified to drive ANY minibus in the highlands - very useful indeed - we took 40 Lochinver young people to the panto in December.

ONE DAY I will get the hang of this blogging thing and regular and detailed portraits of our life, struggles and joys will pop up every week or so - rather than these big vague updates.

Our God isn't big and vague either....His plans, ways and will are perfect, good and pleasing and how He loves us!!! x