Bacon Butties & Elderflowers

May 2020 Lockdown

Today the house smells of elderflowers and bacon, because we walked in the sparkling sun early this morning, and picked elderflowers to make cordial. When we got home we had bacon butties with homemade bread while we read on the screen the humorous comments of our church family before we all listened to the Sunday Sermon together. 

No cold north wind of loss can drive out the warmth of those memories.

I was clearing up my desk recently and found this short piece of writing in an old note book. It was such a good warm memory from a time that was so hard for so many and for whom the scars still remain.

There is much comfort to be found in the word of God (Matthew 5:4, Psalm 34, Revelation 21:4) but also courage to face the lie that is fear and overcome it; the crown is His healing to mind, body and soul.

In that old note book, there was also a piece called ‘The Journey’ about our moving house, and another which became a short story called ‘Bonfire Night’. It is one of many short stories I have written over the years and, if I am hearing correctly from HQ, I might begin to share with you. These stories are diverse in subject matter and genre and not always Christian in their ethos, however they are interesting, entertaining and original.

I will try to give you a heads up on my Facebook page when something new is released.

May you be blessed,

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights, the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens, in whom there is no variation (rising or setting) or shadow cast by His turning for He is perfect and never changes (James 1:17).

From endings to beginnings

It’s been a year, but the time has come to pick up my pen and reconnect with you in the hope that we may journey together into a new season, as God moves through His Spirit in all of us. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers will all be called out in the church and work together, realising that you all have an equally important part of God’s big heart for HIs creation. Work together in peace and harmony, each preferring the other (Rom 12:10, Phil 2:3-7).

So to begin, I would like to share this piece written about the sunset, but inspired by a daily word for today from the Global Prophetic Alliance, as a herald for the new things Jesus is leading His bride, the church, into.

Don’t forget to download your free Lent to Pentecost guide to accompany Martha Martha, although it could be used at any time of year .

Be blessed

Sunset

Glorious colours, never the same from sunset to sunset, heralding the artist who creates them from His creation of clouds, and light, and dust, and water. Power and majesty in the turning of the earth as the sun sets to bring rest, recuperation, quiet and sleep, closure on a day well spent. A blaze of God’s glory to seal the day magnificently. A fitting end to a day that He created and ordained for us to live in, and out of. A day spent serving Him in all we are doing in return for His life in us, conquering daily. But now, as light fades, and peace comes, there will be a dawn that rises; His love comes new and fresh to us painted in the day beginning sky of dawn and hope.

The Sun is setting on the past, let go, to receive all that is new directly from God.

A Spring in my step

It’s well into February and I haven’t yet dared to see how many people have at least taken a look at the Lent Guide. The statistics package that comes with the website only gives so much information, so I have no way of knowing if anyone has downloaded it and will only know if its been helpful when people message me. Hopefully it will also help sell a few more copies of Martha Martha. I’ve got to the point where I’m leaving the whole thing with Abba. Writing it was all His idea anyway. Also we’ve been improving the website, but there are still a couple of tweaks I’d like to make; let me know what you think.

I felt as though I hadn’t stopped for breath in months, and actually I hadn’t. So once the Lent guide was done a rest in West Wales was delicious, with long empty beaches (it was January) and ancient mountains (also devoid of people). Combining our break with birthday celebrations for our daughter and her husband put the cherry on the cake.

After, niggling long term chronic conditions and a lot of rehab, my body seemed to cope well with its first big walk of the season, doing 8.5 miles and 975m of climbing; I really must read the contour lines more carefully. I’d forgotten how much I love being in the mountains, so then, I did wonder why we’d booked to go to Cornwall. However, all that up and down along the coastal path is a golden opportunity to do some interval training in preparation for Scotland in April. Of course, the real reason for our visit is to see old friends, meet new ones, and explore The Lizard; the setting for my sister’s three murder mystery books (The Anna Maybury series, by Kirsty A. Wilmott).

Since getting back from our break, three weeks seemed to have dissolved away (I’m sure you know what I mean), and I still haven’t got back to work on the illustrations for my children’s book about the Shepherds. I just can’t seem to find the enthusiasm and drive, which is unusual for me. However, I’ve read a mountaineering book by Joe Simpson and a great fantasy novel, Dawn of Wonder by Jonathan Renshaw, loved them both. Emma Stark’s The Prophetic Warrior, is blowing me away again, and this is my third reading. Then there are all my notes from the conferences last month to finish going over, and Roy Godwin’s “And I will Bless Them” which came today. This is to improve the effectiveness of my prayer walks around our town. So upon reflection, maybe this is what the time was meant for. All will become clear in God’s own time.

Outside the sun is shining, Hallelujah, and the blue tits are investigating their new deluxe bird chalet, complete with camera. The old bird cottage/box has been relocated to near the kitchen window, for a good view, but there is not much interest for that property just yet. We are very excited to see what Spring will bring.

The Blessing of God to you,

Ceridy

Happy Year With Blessings

I guess it’s too late to say HAPPY ‘NEW’ YEAR !

It’s been a busy time with everything that is Christmas, family, writing and editing the Lent to Pentecost guide to accompany Martha Martha, and all the other bits of life that have to be stuffed in between, like trying to build my fitness back up, cleaning, washing, shopping, the list is endless. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

We celebrated Christmas day on the 23rd December, as that was the day our family were all free. Our second celebration took place on the Friday after Christmas, again because that was the day everyone could make it. It felt funny being out of sync with everyone else, but it worked so well. One of the silver linings was seeing my nephew and his two lovely children, unexpectedly. The other was staying in bed till 11 am and watching TV on Christmas day. I can’t remember that ever happening before. Simply delicious! And Jesus was at the heart of it all. Being flexible about the date of our celebrations meant family members could be with their other families on Christmas day. Win, win. And because boxing day was free, a very special friend came and cooked us crepes with caramel sauce. What a blessing.

With the new year, came encouragement to continue the assignment to pray the blessing of God over our town. I don’t know about you, but I need regular encouragement that I am hearing from Father God and He is never slow to give it.

Last week saw us at an Evangelism conference which was both affirming and inspiring, thanks to J. John and his wonderful team. To meet such gifted and diverse delegates at breakfast, coffee, lunch, dinner and in the corridors, was a privilege (although I felt a little bit of a fraud), and I sold a few books too. What is needed now is time to digest this delicious feast, so none of the powerful nutrients are lost but fully absorbed.

We are off to another conference this weekend on God’s healing (Womack Ministry). Hopefully, all part of God’s plan, so we’re set up and spiritually ready for the year ahead.

However, my main endeavour, over the last two months, has been working hard on the Guide to reading Martha Martha through Lent to Pentecost. It starts on Ash Wednesday, the 14th February this year, and concludes on the 9th May, which is Pentecost or Whitsun. Its a little different to traditional Lent guides, exploring a wide range of themes from the book, chapter by chapter. Hopefully it will be the perfect guide to accompany Martha Martha for those that haven’t read the book yet, and an incentive to read it again, for those who have. The guide is FREE to download from this website from next week.

A big thank you to those of you, who encouraged my to write this, those who read it over Christmas, and fed back to me, and for the layouts. The Goodness of God comes from so many of his lovely people in so many different ways.

What I really need now is a holiday,

and warm feet. It’s freezing in my study :)

With love Ceridy

Prepare Him Room

At last, the Christmas preparations are coming together; most presents are posted or sorted out, a quick trip to London to see the Journey of the Magi wonderfully performed by the Springs Dance company yesterday, most cards were finished this morning, some of our decorations have begun to go up, and finally a moment (Just a figure of speech; it takes me a lot longer.) to write my Christmas blog.

The carol ‘Joy to the World’ written in 1719 by an English minister called Isaac Watts uses the phrase ‘prepare him room’ (Luke 2: 7) and was based on Psalm 98. The melody was composed by Lowell Mason, an American. More recently, Phil Wickham has done a joyful version too, on You Tube.

When Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room for him anywhere else, only shepherds came to visit this baby who was the King of Kings, and they only knew about him because angels had told them. (Yes, I know the wisemen/Magi came later, but that’s a whole other story. I’m working on it.)

One of the saddest verses in the Bible for me, is John 1: 10-11 “He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise or know Him. He came to His creation, and they who were His own did not receive Him and welcome Him. There was no room for Him in this world.

For most of us, Christmas has become so full of unrealistic expectations, additional preparations, business, pain or sadness that our hearts, and especially our minds can become overcrowded and exhausted, and there is no room for what Christmas is truly about.

Matthew (6: 31-34) puts it so well. “Do not worry and be anxious saying “What are we going to eat for Christmas dinner or, What are we going to drink or, What are we going to wear to the Christmas/New year party, or How will we afford it all, How will we pay our bills? the answer lies in verse 33, But seek first of all His Kingdom and His way of doing things and being right, and then it all falls into place (paraphrased by me).

Refocussing on the real meaning of Christmas, probably begins by clearing out our hearts and minds; the meaningless clutter and making room for Him - He is the one who brings light, love, peace, balance and joy - the commercialism of Christmas can drive us, but surely it is better to let his Holy spirit fill us. Clear Out The Stable The King Is Here!

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.

Happy Happy Christmas to you

Ceridy

No-vember!

I met a lovely bunch of people in Weston-super-Mare on 16th October when I talked about the power of words and writing Martha Martha. Thank you for having me.

Also shockwave therapy is well underway to heal bilateral insertional tendinopathy (try saying that, a glass of wine may help) in both my hip/thigh areas. Shockwave therapy is no where near as bad as it sounds. But it did take 18 months to get a diagnosis, and made sleeping and walking hard at times. Despite this I have climbed more mountains this year than ever before, and many new ones in Scotland. I have also climbed a lot of metaphorical mountains as well, in writing and presenting two talks, selling the Book and generally living life a little out of my comfort zone from time to time.

Then there has been the ongoing 104 mile walk along the Cotswold Way, started in March and completed on 9th October. Traditionally it is walked from Bath to Chipping Camden, but we did it the opposite direction. And to save using two cars all the time, we walked shorter sections but out and back so did a much greater distance overall, (but I can’t be bothered to add up all the distances for all 14 sections of the walk as we did it). Truly a walk to captivate at every twist and turn and always those amazing Cotswold views from the escarpment. The last 3 sections of the walk were to raise money for a charity called Home for Good, an organisation that helps advise and guide people through the complex process of fostering and adopting children.

Just started working on a Free Lent to Pentecost Guide to accompany Martha Martha which has temporarily stopped work on the Shepherd illustrations and writing and researching the Wise Men’s story. God assures me it will all get done in due time, so I need to hold on to that promise to keep my peace.

Have stepped out in faith and bought 100 more copies of Martha Martha to sell, with shiny covers and an improved content page. So please feel free to order a copy directly from me, (£10, and I’ll sign it, plus postage £3.50. Good Christmas present for someone) or from Amazon. The Lent to Pentecost Guide will be free to download from January from this Website.

So you see I’ve had my struggles, doubts and fears too. Mostly I tend to doubt myself, and I know I shouldn’t. God never doubts me, he knows me better than I know myself (Psalm 139:1-4,13) and that’s comforting, especially when I don’t think I’m doing well. He loves me unconditionally like the best parent ever, despite all my mess ups, stupidity, doubts, failures and flaws. Because of Jesus, God doesn’t even remember them (Heb 8:12, Is 43:25). Perhaps (definitely), I should take a leaf out of my Dad, Abba’s book, and see me like he does. It’s wonderful to be loved (John 3:16) but even better when we feel loved (Eph 3:18), when we experience Him.

Ceridy

OOPS! JONAH THINKING

We’re all human right?

Recently God asked me to start praying Blessings, and nothing but blessing, over the town where I live. I knew it would be a challenge because I can be pretty negative. So I checked out the theology to make sure it was solid ground and began.

So far, we two have managed to pray the Blessing of God over every area and aspect of the town we could think of, and then gratefully prayed for a whole lot of other areas suggested by the Holy Spirit.

The point of this is to release God’s Blessing into people’s lives and set them free to experience and know Christ. Blessed people are so much more amenable. Roy Godwin explains it well in the Grace Outpouring. When I first read the book, earlier this year, I did not expect to be doing this. After all I have Martha Martha to sell and other stories in the writing pipeline not to mention the illustrations. I have a sneaking suspicion (Ok, I’m fairly sure) God wants me to change some aspects of my thinking and simplify my prayers, emphasis off me, emphasis on his power through the Holy Spirit, or something like that. Its been a little challenging to pray only His blessing, with no warfare, because simply blessing is so powerful it doesn’t need anything else - we’re agreeing with God and His heart for His creation. Wow!

September’s blog got missed because we were on holiday in the Lake District walking, because that’s our thing, being challenged by gale force winds and rain. During a time of prayer, when I had just finished practicing praying blessings over our family, (don’t I sound saintly. Wait for it) when I was reminded to pray a blessing over the two places we had been staying. This really challenged me, I felt very reluctant to do it. It wasn’t that we hadn’t been blessed, we had but I just didn’t feel like it, I felt grumpy, and possibly not sure they deserved it. THEN, as clear as day He said (not in audible words, in my spirit) “Aren’t you being a bit of a Jonah?” and instantly I knew exactly what he meant.

You see Jonah didn’t want God to save the Ninevites, because, in his opinion, they were undeserving heathens and that’s why he ran away and put all those sailors lives in jeopardy. He also knew that God was gracious, merciful and kind (Jonah 4:1 onwards. There are only 4 chapters) and if the Ninevites repented God would let them off. How obtuse we can be.

Now I’m not saying I felt that strongly, but my reluctance to pray God’s blessing that evening caught me by suprize.

Jonah did preach to the Ninevites, after being swallowed by a big fish, and sure enough they repented. So he had a tantrum, so strong were his feelings. But God has a way of showing us our faults, oh so lovingly; through a gourd plant, in Jonahs case. He loves the whole of his creation passionately and does not lose a single person willingly.

Who am I to withhold his blessing, to act as judge. I got the message and my heart came back into line with the one who loves me, so I shall keep on releasing the blessing of God wherever we go, because it’s his heart and when I’m not feeling grumpy, mine too.

If you are reading this I pray the Blessing of God over you right now.

Smiling in August

Hello, and it’s still August! Just.

Recently, I was toying with some ideas for my next talk (see Events) and it led me to ‘smile’, as I remembered a story I’d written years back, called The Last Smile (must dig that out sometime). It was based on the social and physiological effects that smiling has on us, and what might happen if we all stopped smiling. This led to a bit of research around the subject, and funnily enough not much has changed - smiling, it doesn’t even have to be sincere, is still the easiest, cheapest and most effective action we can take to improve how we feel and how those around us feel.

Go on, smile at yourself in the mirror. You may need to do it a few times - see it does work. Now, try thinking about something bad and smiling at the same time - yes it’s really difficult to do. Unless you’re a born pessimist. I’m smiling while I write this and immediately my happy hormones have increased, making the pain in my back, leg and neck more bearable.

God invented laughter and he probably began with a simple heart warming smile, and as usual, He really knew what he was doing. You see smiling is like yawning in humans or pecking in chickens (social facilitation), if one does it, the others can’t stop themselves from doing it either, in other words smiling is contagious!!

So, here are the scientifically proven benefits of smiling; helps you live longer, reduces stress (go on smile at yourself in the mirror again, even if you don’t feel like it), it elevates mood (why wouldn’t you want to make that grumpy person serving you smile; you’ll feel better, they’ll feel better and probably be nicer to the next customer, who will then feel better), it improves the immune system so you fight off disease better, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, reduces pain, makes you more attractive, more youthful looking, and people are naturally drawn to others who smile, assuming they are more positive and successful, confident and approachable. Awesome or what!

The effects of smiling are hard-wired into our brains, despite the different cultural meanings behind a smile, but that’s a whole other subject.

So smile, your brain will interpret that as life is good, even when it isn’t, and you will feel better and be more able to cope.

Let’s exercise our powerful, God given smiles freely and increase God’s wonderful gift to others. Your smile can literally improve someone elses’ life as well as your own.

I’m still smiling,

Ceridy

July … already?

Firstly, my apologies for no June blog, I really thought I’d done one. No idea how that happened so lets move onto July quickly because tomorrow its August.

So how is the flying coming along? Good question. When it comes to the writing I’m at different stages with the two children’s books: one about the shepherds, who were at Jesus’ birth and the other about the wise men who visited him before he was two years old.

Almost every year it seems a new version is produced of the Christmas stroy, my kids still remember their favourite The Grumpy Shepherd, but as lovely as all these stories are, they seem to me to fall short of what it says in the Bible. Then two years ago, for church, I was asked to talk about the Shepherds, as part of the run up to Christmas. Looking for a new angle I presented it as a children’s story, which I have worked on since. However, I would like to illustrate it myself, and this will need a lot of practice as I haven’t painted or drawn for years.

Writing for me is like painting but with words, but now the words will actually be turned into painted illustrations.

The wise men’s story is still in the early stages, with just a few scenes in my head. I’ve studied the scriptures, asked many questions, and what takes the time, gone looking for answers. However, the answers are never straight forward e.g. What did the wise men wear, how far might they have travelled? Which of course depends upon where they came from and the route they took? And opinion is always divided on the big questions. In the end I will have to decide who, what, when, where and how, but I won’t decide alone, it’s His story after all, just like Martha’s story was His story too.

Now all of this is like clearing out the rocks, uprooting the bushes and filling in the pot holes on the ground which is to be my runway for take off. It’s what takes the time, effort and energy but also builds those flight muscles whilst laying the foundation. Finally, that stony ground is level enough to put on my running shoes and start to write/run: the best bit, where the imagination comes into full play and anything can happen. Some of the story is already in my head, some of it will be inspired as I write, and all will be rooted in the scripture, my constant reference point. As I run, I take little leaps into the air building those muscles as the story is born and grows. Of course, I’ll still need illustrations but I’ll be practiced by then, and hopefully it won’t take as long.

Learning to fly takes time, but for now we can enjoy those short glides (and don’t let anyone tell you they’re just big jumps).

P.S. I may have to order some more Martha Martha’s soon, and am always so encouraged to hear how much you have enjoyed and been blessed by reading the book.

Blessing to you all as always,

Ceridy

MAY BE

The Excuses

Once again this has been left to the last minute. My apologies. The essential excuse this month is a three week holiday without the internet. However, it has been one of the best holidays we’ve ever had; for me the extra week made all the difference.

It began with four days in the Lake District in a shepherds hut; tight for space, but in the field over the fence new born lambs almost everyday. From the farm we climbed straight onto the fell side and up Helvellyn. By the grace of God, going slowly and picking a carefully graded route I got to the top, and even more amazingly got back down with few hip or knee problems which was a bit of a miracle to start with. We had been practicing on the Cotswold Way and it obviously helped (see Facebook Ceridwen S. Owen for all the adventures and interesting places we visited along the way). We also met up with family, did another epic walk, met a giraffe in Keswick one evening whilst going to the cinema to see Allelujah, (didn’t see the twist coming) and then drove to Scotland.

The Challenges

Beside a sea loch, with the Five Sisters (mountian peaks) visible from our windows, we had the best view ever, the only slight hiccup was no WiFi. I didn’t realise how hooked into Facebook and Instagram I had become until my Facebook accounts crashed the day before holiday. As I’m a bit rubbish with technology that was scary enough, but with no WiFi I couldnt even attempt to rectify the problem or write this. The second miracle happened whilst sitting in a café in Glen Shiel trying to use the WiFi from across the road, when suddenly my Facebook pages were all working again. I was over the moon, and so relieved. However, it did mean I spent the rest of the holiday using 4G. Have you any idea how long that takes if you’re posting reels on only two bars of signal! A long time.

The mountain ridges on either side of the A87 in Glen Shiel are all new to me, and even with research and a close study of the map you can never be absolutely sure about what you will face up there. So every time we set out to tackle another section of the ridge, I was facing an unknown, which meant a certain number of butterflies, but by the end of each day (one lasted ten hours) all was conquered, including the nerves. I’d love to have time to go back and do them all again. The enjoyment would be even greater because I know them now and a spin off I wasn’t expecting was I’ve been a lot braver with technology since we got back.

The Wonders

My hip got better, my knee came down everything we climbed up, the weather was fantastic, we saw White Tailed Sea Eagles and chased them at high speed in a catamaran (no eagles were disturbed by this), but it was nearly the coolest thing I have ever done; we met my editor and his lovely wife who were also on holiday in the same area, climbed most of the glorious north and south sides of the Glen Shiel ridges in chunks (so out and back), had a ride on the coolest and only working turntable car ferry in the world, from Glenelg to Skye, and got interviewed by a television crew whilst on board (they translated what I said into Gaelic). Like I said, the best holiday ever. Again, if you are into mountains and panoramic views take a look at my Facebook pages.

The Boat

God (Dad), is never out of the picture, and this is what he showed me on the last day of our wonderful gift of a holiday.

“The boat I’ve been watching all holiday is pushed and pulled constantly by the tide and wind, swung in every direction on a daily basis, but it’s anchor holds it in place. Sometimes the anchor chain is taught, sometimes it’s slack, the boat is rocked up and down or perfectly still in water that mirrors the mountains and sky around it, but always it remains secured by it’s anchor. Our anchor, in this constantly changing world, under the pressures of life, is FAITH - that steady attachment to Father God, trusting him, like a child despite all that is happening around us.”

God’s View

The cloud is low over Loch Duich today, the far side is almost blotted out. The colour has drained away from this stunning view. and it looks drab and bland, but the clouds will lift, the breath-taking brilliance of colour, the magnificence and magnitude of the view as it reaches into the sky is still there. Just because our view is obscured or has shrunk for a while, doesn’t mean He is not there. His view is always in brilliant colour and full of life, always, he does not change and neither do his promises.

Easter

Hello, Hello!

Sorry there was no blog in March - If you’ve been following me on Facebook and Instagram you’ll know its been a busy time.

Quite a few people have been telling me how useful my novel Martha Martha has been during Lent, especially during the last week in the run up to Easter. The book sets out the drama of the events as they happened, but is told by word of mouth, as it would have been that first Easter. There are Bible references for each chapter in the appendix, which makes it easy to follow. I will remember to flag this up next Easter too. But it’s not too late to get a copy of Martha Martha and spend some time in reflection about what Jesus’ death and resurrection means for each of us personally.

If this is a fairly new idea or concept for you then the book will definitely help to bring the whole story to life and place it in its historical and cultural context.

Much of the time lately, has been taken up with walking the Cotswold Way in preparation for Scotland later this year, and in preparing for my Breakfast talk on the 22nd April, at St Philips, Dorridge. Which is especially appropriate as Martha’s story begins with twenty five unexpected guests turning up at her place for breakfast. Its no wonder she had a reputation for being distracted and busy.

Jesus said, I am the only way to God, I am the truth, and I am the life. A good life, one that is connected to God in a close loving relationship and that is all possible through the crux of his story, the cross.

Blessings to you all.

Busy Busy Busy

As usual, so much has, and is happening, that it’s hard to know what might be interesting to write about.

We’ve been away at a J. John conference for ‘evangelists’, were I hoped to make contacts to promote Martha Martha (MM). This is something we would never have contemplated until the book became a reality and God opened a door. The conference blew us away and we met so many wonderful people there. It opened my eyes to a few things too.

Then we were privileged to spend time walking on the Dorset coast with old friends (see Facebook and Instagram for the pictures), and celebrated my birthday and our daughter’s 21st, in West Wales with three handsome dogs (quite literally) and their much appreciated owners.

Now we’re back home and playing catch up. My brain feels refreshed which is an added bonus; long periods of socialising, no matter how wonderful, can often leave me feeling tired - the sign of an introvert, but I’m recharging nicely as I write this. The most pressing jobs on my list are to find time to work on writing the shepherds story, and pursuing avenues that might help promote MM. This, I confess, I worry about. The best antidote of course, is to get on with it, take action, but this requires me to step into my uncomfortable zone. Today, I made a brave start, and I feel so much better.

Of course, Spring is careering towards us like a giddy lamb, and our beautiful garden has been much neglected over the winter, but not by our two resident vandals, the Blackbirds, who are constantly turning over, digging up and throwing around stuff in pursuit of food. The allotment has had a series of disasters with beetles attacking our leeks and the prolonged icy weather before Christmas killing most of our purple sprouting broccoli. Both crops usually keep us going well into April. We’ve pencilled in a planning session to address this, as seeds will need to be sown starting next month. Rotation is a constant challenge on our small plot, as well as having no water supply other than that from our four water butts filled off a tiny tin shed roof.

However, we thank and praise God that we are fit and able enough to do the work and, when not under pressure, mostly enjoy it. Although my hip and now lower back are trying to cause trouble at the moment, despite all the physio exercises I do. We are planning to try sailing with the Morning Star Trust in March, so I need to be fully functional for that! Yes. I know we’re completely bonkers, but we only get one shot at life on this beautiful planet, so it seems to me it’s best to make the most of the opportunities given to us.

“So how is learning to fly coming along?” I hear you ask.

Good question! I’ve done a lot of flapping, a lot of putting off, a lot of dashing about, but also a few good leaps of faith, especially at the conference, speaking to 200 delegates about MM at the market place. I’m not sure these count as flying but they are building muscles and confidence for what lies ahead. God’s plans and purposes, the things he intends for me to do and for you, at this time, will come, if he is our motivation and has our heart and mind, but because he’s a good Dad there will be some fun along the way too.

Lastly, if you’re reading this, thank you. And please, tell your friends, book clubs, churches etc that I would love to come and speak about MM to them, and sell a few more books. It’s really good, I’m told.

Ceridy

Happy New Year!

A new start is always refreshing. It can be a hopeful time that things will turn out better than we anticipate or at least not be so bad.

UPDATE

You may remember my concerns because I hadn’t heard back from Nielsen, the international book data base. Well, in the end I emailed them, and with their advice applied again. Within a few days we were able to register Martha Martha. Another hurdle jumped, all helping to develop those flight muscles.

The other bit of news is, we’re off to a conference on evangelism next week - and no I didn’t see that one coming either - where we hope to make some contacts and get ideas to help find new outlets for Martha Martha. I’m keeping an open mind.

PLANS FOR 2023

To register Martha Martha with one of the largest book wholesalers, so she is more readily available to outlets. Thank God for my husband; without him the whole process would be terrifying not just difficult.

Also to prepare a collection of short stories, each the product of specific criteria given by a skilled teacher, largely the result of a night school writing course, back in 2008; a most productive time. They will form the core of the collection I’d like to publish this year, along with one or two slightly longer stories completed more recently in between work on Martha. Having something different to work on was refreshing.

I also have plans for two children’s books; one from a Christmas sermon, which needs work, and the other is an exciting seed; both are part of the Christmas story. Retirement eh! I think not.

THE WORLD WOULD TELL US WE NEED TO BELEIVE IN OURSELVES AND UP TO A POINT, YES THAT HELPS

We should have a sense of self worth, but it’s so much wiser to believe in the God who called and chose us, rather than putting too much belief in ourselves. He made us and knows us inside out and upside down, and has great plans for us, but those plans don’t come to fruition because of our great attributes - no they come about because of his wonderful attributes; a Father who cares deeply for his children and wants the best for them, a Father who will deny his child nothing, as long as it is good and wholesome and beneficial to their growth and development, helping them to grow spiritually to be more like his first born son Yeshua/Jesus.

Since the launch of Martha Martha on the 21st October, I’ve been fairly busy, continuing on the path as God has directed my steps, some of which I have shared on Instagram and facebook. During this time, through the kind, encouraging comments of Martha’s readers, I have learnt to believe in the book that God asked me to write. This belief didn’t come naturally or easily but now I believe it is a good product and that has given me a boldness that I did not have before and the seed of a gifting I wasn’t really aware of.

Believing in Him and following where he takes you or moving in the direction he shows you; working with him and not against him; being steadfast and persevering is what is required, until we become secure in His love. And from that close relationship, based on being chosen and therefore knowing we are loved and approved of, comes a confidence and a peace that can’t be beaten and that the world can’t take away - working from his approval not for his approval.

Be loved,

Ceridy

P.S. God let his son die to save everyone - no one was left out - but sadly not everyone choses to respond to his love for them by believing. He gave us the choice to love him back.

Christmas Eve

On the last day before Christmas, Ceridy said to me ….

We are here! Christmas has arrived and like a kid, I’m excited. How can that be? My kids are grown up, one married and not even here for the big day, we are retired with God’s blessings - so why?

Well, I suppose, despite years of disappointment, family rows, and messy Christmases, almost all imperfect, the excitement and anticipation somehow has outshone all the bad stuff. There is a heart behind Christmas that beats continually; it’s beat strongest at the worst times of loss, disappointment, regret, neglect, abandonment, loneliness, pain and hurt. Sometimes in the midst of these feelings we have to listen hard for that heart beat - so strong, but so faint, almost drowned out by the ever changing values of our mixed up world - A heart that loves us beyond measure, that cares unconditionally, and that knows fully what it is like to be human.

This Christmas stop! Listen! That heart is beating with love for you. His arms are wide open. Breath out and believe. That’s why he’s called Saviour.

‘On The Second Blog of Christmas’

Ceridy said to me…

I’m now learning dance moves for the Panto! My hip bursitis is loving it (sarcasm)! Failed to get a replacement window cleaner in the summer (neither of us could make a decision), so now desperately trying to ‘see’ our way to cleaning a few of the important ones, whilst living in the dark on the top floor as we coax the Poinsettia’s new green leaves to turn red - it takes 14 hours of darkness and 8 weeks - so that will be after Christmas now. And don’t get me started on the battle with the small flies hatching out of plant pots quarantined in the spare bathroom, which I was vacuuming up daily (the flies not the bathroom). Gave up yesterday and removed the infested plants. No I’m not mad - well no worse than anyone else, I hope.

Every year I tell myself not to be silly and try to make everything perfect for Christmas, because that’s not the point, but once again I may not have listened too well to myself, or I did listen, and then forgot. That happens annoyingly more frequently these days. I mean, If I can’t listen to myself, other people don’t stand much chance, just ask my husband. Listening is an important skill but not one I want to talk about today, for obvious reasons.

I was concerned that we hadn’t heard back from Nielsen yet (see p.s. previous blog), and that might have had something to do with the big heavy-weight Amazon who print Martha Martha and therefore issued her ISBN number. But (never start a sentence with but) so often our fears are groundless - they are just that, irrational or silly fears. Identifying them, and then speaking positively against them with God’s words and promises is the best way to deal with them. Whatever you do don’t entertain them, and by that I mean, repeat them over and over again to yourself in your head or to anyone else who’ll listen; once is enough. Ok, I did it at least ten times before I twigged what was happening. Shut the door firmly and think something sensible like ‘they're busy its so near Christmas’ and get on with something else, distract yourself with something nice, you get the drift, but don’t worry or fear because that opens the door for the devil - its like giving him permission to rob you of a blessing. The world might call this positive thinking but I call it God thinking.

Whatever your fears this Christmas remember to bring them to someone who cares, someone who truly understands, the one person who truly is Christmas, Christ. His is the only true perspective there is, and your fears will run away when they see Him!

After I wrote this, I stopped worrying about Nielsen, which is good, as I not only listened to myself I remembered what I’d said!

: ) Ceridwen xx

Advent

It’s the start of Advent and I’m still trying to write my first blog - I haven’t even had time to Google ‘How to blog’. With another church pantomime rehearsal tonight and the deadline for no scripts on stage - you’ve guessed it - I still haven’t learnt the song and my TWO lines! Then there are all those presents which need to be taken to Nora, who will act as a courier to a large section of the family - accept they aren’t wrapped yet and I can’t remember when she’s going; and her Wisteria needs pruning at the same time. Christmas eh!

On another note, Martha Martha, which if you haven’t heard, is my new novel just out, is gently selling. I understand it probably isn’t the easiest time of year to be sitting down reading a good book (but when you do, please put a review on Amazon but not if your related to me) but it was a good time to launch one.

I’ve had another order for Five books from Bala, North Wales, which we visited while on holiday just after the launch (see Facebook and Instagram) and a good few encouraging comments; the best so far “I can’t put the book down, but I’m really sad because I’ve nearly finished it”. It doesn’t get much better than that from where I’m sitting.

God had been teaching me (not the easiest pupil in the world) to believe in the book that he has helped me write, because, like so many of us, I have trouble believing in my own self worth. But he chose me because he loves me and when we know we are loved we feel special. That love gives us wings which enables us to do things we never dreamed we could.

Ceridwen

p.s. We are waiting to hear if Martha Martha has been successfully registered on the Nielsen listing (international data base for books). Another challenge faced. I’ll tell you more next time.