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