Have had a busy week so far so not much blogging been going on. We're off on holiday to France on Saturday so are sorting out all the last minute arrangements that need to be done before we go. I'm hoping we'll have a great time just chillin' and doing not a lot! We need it! Am looking forward to spending time at the house and seeing the local sites that we haven't really seen yet and taking lots of pictures along the way. You never know we might find some more doors and postboxes! I'll be taking lots of reading material too - let's hope the sun shines!

Friday night was very busy with all the students celebrating the last day of GCSE's and A'Levels - lots of Prom nights going on too. So, we met loads of happy students out making merry and celebrating their new found freedom, well - for the next few months at least. I had already delivered Kelly to her prom night before I went out, she went with her friend and they both looked lovely, very elegant and beautiful - not that I am biased! They had a good night and now that's it - no more school - EVER!!! Kelly says it's a really weird feeling to think that for the last 14 years she has had to get up and go to school and be in a routine and told what to do and where to go etc and now she can be her own person and boss!! Look out world! I think she might get a shock when she goes to uni, the course she's doing is supposed to be very intense!!

Sunday was spent doing Churchy things, I did creche in the morning so missed the sermon - so I have that to catch up with. In the afternoon I went to a baptism, so that was great and then in the evening we had an unusual service as we didn't have a musician and so did no singing at all. It was quite strange not singing praises to God and worshipping Him through song but we had personal testimonies instead which were very encouraging and great to hear.

In the last two days I have heard two CS Lewis quotes that I rather like, so here they are:

I praise God for friends, really great ones!

You give rest to the weary
You bring strength to the weak
As they wait in your presence
There is grace for their need

Lou Fellingham

Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book, 'Spiritual Depression' says "I say that we must talk to ourselves instead of allowing 'ourselves' to talk to us! ...Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? ....The essence of this matter is to understand that this self of ours, this other man within us, has got to be handled. Do not listen to him; turn on him; speak to him; condemn him; upbraid him; exhort him; encourage him; remind him of what you know, instead of listening placidly to him and allowing him to drag you down and depress you."

How true this is, I have heard this quote twice in as many weeks, once in Church and once on a podcast I was listening to. It is well worth remembering and surely the way to go forward and move on.

 I took these on my way into work this morning, they are in the garden at work!

Needed to spend time on my own yesterday - so after Hillsong in the afternoon I went and sat in St James' Park.
Took this pic of the eye and then one of the river. Lovely weather to sit and read and contemplate life.

Tried desperately this morning to get tickets for Stevie Wonder's concert at the O2 in September - very frustrating - all sold out very quickly. The phone lines were continually engaged and the internet jammed. They are already for sale on ebay, we'll probably end up bidding on there - although we won't be paying silly money for them, we'll wait till nearer the time. They've even put on an extra date already and that too sold out! I guess it shows how popular he is.

Sunday'll be busy, a Family Service in the morning - always good. I'm taking a trip to Hillsong in London after that which should be great and then back for the evening service, followed by John and Hamish speaking about their recent trip to Kilimanjaro and showing their video footage.

Guido Daniele's Hand Painting Art is amazing, don't you think?

I think my favourite is the elephant!!

Check out this link for to see the piggy with her own wellies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7449227.stm

I've been listening to a fantastic new song that was sung a few weeks back at the Lou Fellingham launch party. It's off the new album 'Promised Land' and was written by her husband Nathan. The tune is real catchy and the words are really encouraging - based on Ephesians 1!

MERCY FROM THE THRONE
You’ve granted perfect merit, where there before had been none
you have declared forgiveness for all the wrongs I have done.
So undeserving of this love, Jesus I am yours forever.
Mercy from the throne tells me I’ve been redeemed,
meeting my deepest need, thank you Lord.
Grace that won’t let go, through Jesus’ sacrifice, I am restored to life.
Thank you Lord, thank you Lord.

You sent your Holy Spirit, adopted me as your child,
a father like no other, your love not cheap or defiled.
With grace so generous and so free, you have won my heart forever.
Mercy from the throne tells me I’ve been redeemed,
meeting my deepest need, thank you Lord.
Grace that won’t let go, through Jesus’ sacrifice, I am restored to life.
Thank you Lord. Thank you Lord.

No scheme or plan could ever stand the power of your hand,
you chose me from before time began and
Now secure in Christ I stand.
Mercy from the throne tells me I’ve been redeemed,
meeting my deepest need, thank you Lord.
Grace that won’t let go, through Jesus’ sacrifice, I am restored to life.
Thank you Lord.

Mercy from the throne. Thank you Lord,
Grace that won’t let go. Thank you Lord.

NATHAN FELLINGHAM

Amy popped in for a while on Friday night, it was good to see her and I'm confident that God has plans for her future and am content knowing that He is working them out.

Basically, a good couple of days experiencing God and learning more about Him. Great weather as well, which enabled us all to sit out all Sunday afternoon after lunch and catch the sun's rays - some more than others!

Been a busy week, lots going on at work and at home. Saw the film Gone Baby Gone at the cinema - was a free preview night. The film itself has a good storyline and is as the papers and critics say very controversial. What I didn't enjoy was the rather excessive swearing, yes, I guess this sets the scene and is the norm for a lot of people but I find it uneccesary and really rather annoying. I think the ending was the right one, the guy acted as he should have done, this is the controversial bit but in my mind there is no doubt, he did the right thing.

There's 9 of us for lunch on Sunday, so off out later on to do the shopping for all that. Hopefully the sun will shine over the next few days and we'll be able to sit in the garden too!

John, Kelly and Nanna had a good time in France. They visited Bayeaux and Mont St Michel during their time away and took some photos for me whilst there in Bayeaux. Here they are

'Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.'- C S Lewis

What can you see in this picture?

This rock is in Birmania and supposedly only once a year can you see this image as the sun shines on it at a special angle with great light conditions.

Tilt your head to the left and you should be able to see 2 people.