God created me to do him some definite service.
He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another.
I have my mission.
I may not know what it is in this life but I will be told in the next.
I am a link in a chain a bond of connections between persons.
He has not created me for nothing, I shall do good, I shall do his work.
Therefore I will trust in Him.
Whatever I do, wherever I am, I cannot be thrown away.
If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him.
If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.
He does nothing in vain, He knows what He is about.
Cardinal Newman 1801-1890
Edited: I have been attempting to write this post since last Sunday, so here goes third time lucky!
Sunday 13th October
Cardinal Newman is being canonised today; he was an outstanding thinker and writer of his time. His writings were easy to comprehend and his spiritual incite for everday difficulties is still applicable today. I have this excerpt in front of my knitting chair and whenever I am doubting the current situation, it speaks volumes in the silence of the heart.
It was a year ago yesterday that we moved into this home and the day before that we celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary. Mum and Dad very kindly sent a treat via BACS transfer so we were all able to enjoy a yummy takeaway Indian meal courtesy of the Booths chiller cabinet!
My silence here has not been due to sickness per se but rather a case of blogging fatigue and the computer always in use by another family member! I have remembered to document some of our days courtesy of the phone camera so will share them in the following sections. One thing I would like to say is that thanks to blogging I have made some precious friendships, so when I read that Eva's mum was seriously ill in hospital I did not hestitate to pick up the phone, 11pm our time, 6pm hers. It is in times like these that I am glad that I continue writing and sharing here as best I can :-)
Beacon Fell Adventures
We have kept up with the monthly home ed forest school meetings. September's challenge was to build some shelters and last week it was all about whittling:
Rhoda and Andrea who run the activities, are looking into the possibility of the kids working toward the John Muir Conservation Award starting in January.
Arts Award
Pip has almost completed her bronze award, she has attended the weekly sessions, gave her review on Jarrow Hall including making a booklet with the help of Dad and she also used her artist inspiration adding her own twist of converting the image into a collage. The only remaining task is to share a skill with the group. The Thursday meetings are a real highlight to our week and we have found some lovely friends too.
Confectionary Badge
Pip is working towards her confectionary badge at Guides. Yesterday she made 'frighteningly fabulous fudge', which she has shared with neighbours and some waiting to be gifted to family.
Today's task is to prep the puff pastry for the apple turnovers and to make Bakewell Tart. We are attending a theatre production celebrating Diwali on the 28th so there will also be some sweet treats to celebrate. By the time she attends Guides on the 29th this badge will be signed off and completed :-)
Other News
Dave has been accepted on phase three of the statins trial relating to reducing the damage associated with secondary progressive MS. It is a double blind trial so neither us nor the team at Preston hospital know if he is on the drug or a placebo. We have asked everyone to pray that he actually gets the drug. The trial lasts for three years and during that period they track his walking, general neurological functioning and blood cholestrol levels.
I have been candida symptom free these past ten weeks which is a major breakthrough! Still sticking with the diet, taking probiotics and grapeseed extract which is an anti-fungal. I am having ongoing issues with my spine and trying to tackle the pain with osteopathic manipulation, tai chi and pilates exercises. It is a slow process attempting to realign the body. All my crafting work doesn't help and I'm having to remind myself to get up, move around and stretch in between working. I have finished another pair of socks for me and been working on some items either for a craft stall or folksy shop, some Christmas owls and cochet washable make-up remover pads:
It is half term in these parts, so no college and our arts award class isn't running. However we have two lots of hospital appointments, continued arts and badge prep, an afternoon with friends and a meet up with family and our ususal football training at UCLAN on Thursday. A friend from prayer group asked me how things were going and my reply, " Bonkersly Manageable!!" It can definitely be chaotic at times but we are still smiling so that is a good sign.
