Rain? But of course it's a Bank Holiday!

A May Bank Holiday wash out?  It depends which way you look at it.    Look, we have just had 4 sleeps / 3 days of rest which in my books is a mini holiday, so I for one am mega thankful, rain or shine, although it would absolutely have been lovely to have just basked in some sunshine.  In addition Gracie did not get up until 10.20am, yahoo! 

The Ainas have pretty much had a lazy day although Gracie popped out for her dance lesson and I'm sitting in a sea of books and planning.  Ayo is working on a project that he wants to showcase at work soon.  Did I say a lazy day?  We also popped in on a dear friend who refused to let the open heavens stop her showing-casing her exquisite crafts at a local fayre.

We were going to do some weeding in the front garden and re-paint the picket fence, not my fault it was raining.............. hee hee!

I hear there's another Bank Holiday in the not too distant future, but did I also hear that it is during the half term break.  I feel cheated.............................................  but hey here's to a four day working week!

I thank you Lord today (day 133) for a treasured Bank holiday weekend.

Sunny days on Sunday...............

It is exciting to look forward to doing something or going somewhere and today it was just lovely to go and fellowship with our church family.  Voices oiled and tuned we belted out some awesome songs, gave praises and thanks to the King.  We of course shared our experiences of the past week, tissues at the ready as many were left unable to speak.  My husband Ayo said something most profound regarding our heavenly guests.  He commented that if they were to come and perform at the Burgess Hall theatre in our town every year, given that we're only a small town, it would not take long before everyone in the town would have witnessed or heard of the special evangelism ministry they have been gifted with.............. now there's an idea!  My boy Sam received a fitting prophetic prayer of encouragement which I know really lifted his spirits and confirmed certain things for him regarding his life. 

An afternoon spent in lovely fellowship with great company, now that's what I'm talking about!  Thank you Lord today (day 132) for days like this when although the clouds are grey your light radiates all around.

On today's menu..........R & R

After waving and cheering our special visitors off we arrived home tired and somewhat deflated.  We all took to the sofas, well except Aaron who still had the energy to play out with his friends.  Today though, even James couldn't stop me from falling asleep.  Let me clarify that; James, James Bond..........  In fact if you had walked in late this afternoon you might have been initially concerned to find four resting souls; Gracie nestled in the armchair, Sam stretched out on the long sofa and Ayo and I on the other.  The give away might have been Ayo's light (ish) snoring!  We had all succumbed to the invitation to get some shut eye.

I am thankful today (day 131) for this blissful end to a blissful week.

What ever you have planned for this May Bank holiday week-end enjoy.......................

Humbling Blessings....................................

The stage was set.  They came.  They danced.  They sang.  They left, but they will not be forgotten.  I get the feeling that The Burgess Hall theatre will be remembered as the place where the Watoto choir gave every person who attended an experience they will never forget.  They will tell their friends who will wish they had attended.  Their friends will tell their friends and so it will go on.......................

We thought we would have them to ourselves for a while tomorrow, but they still have to prepare for their special guest, Queen Elizabeth.  So we will say goodbye a little earlier than we planned to.

I have not experienced anything that I can compare this week to.  It has been a humbling blessing and I have learned much more about the Grace and Goodness of God which has kept these children and adults and will continue to do so all the days of their lives.  For that, today (day 130) I am thankful.

Gifted to write and sing!...........................................

Today (day 129) I just want to share this song with you.  You will be blessed and thankful as I am, for gifted men of God.  Copy and paste the URL, listen to the interview with two amazing singer / songwriters, listen to the song, listen again and then some more, but this time I'm sure you'll be on your knees...................  Such power in such simplicity of lyrics.  Be warned though, the chorus is likely to become your anthem!

http://worshiptogether.com/songs/songdetail.aspx?iid=1836138

Verse 1
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Chorus
Lord, I need You, Oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defence, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Verse 2
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Bridge
Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay


Written by Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels and Daniel Carson
© 2011 sixsteps Music / worshiptogether.com Songs / Sweater

The privilege is ours........................

When I woke up this morning I was still pondering on the the fact that there is no book like the Bible and how I would sum up what it means to me.  It is the reason I get up in the morning.  The word of God has to be my beginning each day, the reason why I can face tough and sometimes dark days and equally the reason why I open my mouth to praise Him.  I can find the answers to all my questions pertaining to my life in this Book and although I don't always fully understand I trust in them.

Following on from yesterday I came across some more quite profound quotes from some notable historians and their thoughts on this Book;

Napoleon: 'What happiness the Bible procures for those who believe it! What marvels it bestows upon those who reflect upon it!'

Daniel Webster (a leading American Statesman from the 19th century): 'There is no solid basis for civilisation but in the Word of God. If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will continue to prosper. I make it a practice to read the Bible through once every year.'

William Lyon Phelps (once referred to as the most beloved professor in America-of Yale University): 'I thoroughly believe in a university education for both men and women, but I believe knowledge of the Bible without a college course, is more valuable than a college course without knowledge of the Bible.'

Sir William Jones (was an Anglo-Welsh philologist and scholar of ancient India): 'The Bible contains more pure sensibility, more exquisite beauty, more pure morality, more important history, and finer strains of poetry and eloquence than can be collected from all other books in whatever age or language they may be written.'

Robert E. Lee (was a career military office): 'The Bible is a book, in comparison with which all other books are of minor importance. In all my perplexities and distress, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.'

Wow.............................................

Now during the working week I am an early riser, but I have been beaten to the post each morning so far by our three Ugandan girls, two aged 7, and one aged 9.  Despite a full on day which doesn't end until late evening they are up, smiles at the ready, giggling amongst themselves, eager to go out to minister again.  I have a feeling that even when the tour is over and they return home this diligent attitude, and wholesome and inspiring spirit of gratitude and humility will continue.

The choir performed at my school yesterday and told us they felt it a privilege to be in our midst.............. no, no, no, the privilege was 100% ours; to be in the presence of princes and princesses of the King.  Although they will perform for Queen Elizabeth on Saturday at her pad in Windsor, every time they lift their harmonious voices to sing, they already do so, to One who sits on a throne and is the most high.  I continue to be blessed by them and today (day 128) and most thankful.

What does the Bible mean to you?

A book like no other.........

Aaron was recently given a young person's trendier version of 'The Message' by his Aunt and really loves it.  It is the old and new testament, but in 'cool speak!'  Together with Gracie we decided that we would read the creation story, again, knowing it would bring a deeper meaning to what we had previously learned and also they were still reading proverbs with their dad.  After reading we always spend time deciphering what message God wanted us to receive.  We love it.....................  It got me thinking about 'the Book' itself.

Interestingly a few days ago the UCB 'Word for today' was looking at what some notable people had said about the Bible:

Matthew Arnold: 'To the Bible men will return because they cannot do without it. The true God is, and must be pre-eminently the God of the Bible, the eternal, who makes for righteousness from whom Jesus came forth, and whose spirit governs the course of humanity.'

 ' George Washington: 'It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.'

.' Patrick Henry: 'This is a book worth more than all other books which were ever printed.'

' William McKinley: 'The more profoundly we study this wonderful book and the more closely we observe its divine precepts, the better citizens we will become and the higher will be the destiny of our nation.'

Reading the Bible within the family circle is more important today than ever before. It draws the family together into a more closely knit unit. It gives each member a faith to live by.' Your Bible-read it every day!

I couldn't agree more and I am challenged to make this a constant and continuous reality for me and mine and am thankful today (day 127) for such a reminder.