November 2008

I begin this letter by expressing my immense gratitude to all who have supported us over the last few months – both in prayer and in practical ways too. Thank you all so much!

The girls and I have had a very moving year – in lots of different senses…

Moving out…

As the school year ended we put our belongings into storage with help from friends from London and from our church here, as we had to leave the old house in early August. We then moved to one of Redcliffe’s student flats for the summer break. We had a very busy summer, but managed a quick visit to Mum and Dad, and a catch up with friends and family, in London as well as a week away in Torquay.

Moving in…

After what has seemed like a very long wait we are now in our new house. The works were completed just in time and we are now enjoying our newly decorated house. We had a brilliantly sunny day for the move itself, with yet more help from friends from far and near. There was quite a lot of rain in the following few days, so to have had such good weather was a real blessing.

Moving up…

Almost immediately after moving the new school year began for the girls. Beth returned to her junior school in year 5 and Abi started year 7 at the same secondary school as Bex who is now in year 10. Abi has settled into her new school, but the homework/travelling to and from school/new environment have been a bit of a culture shock for her. Bex is already studying for her French GCSE, but the rest of her GCSE studies now begin in earnest so there is quite a lot of work ahead!

Moving on…

For me, I’m just about to start the second term of my third year course at Redcliffe, which I will be doing part-time over the next two years. It is good to be truly back in the wonderful community that has been such a strong source of support through the past year. I am making some new friends and developing existing friendships with the students in the second and third years, while getting to know the staff better. I am already aware of how much work there will be involved, even after just one term - it is going to take quite a bit of a juggling to manage the course requirements alongside looking after the girls and running the house – as well as looking for a job, which is now an unfortunate necessity.

On that note of finance – I am already grateful to God for His provision through the generosity of others in their gifts. It is good to know my security rests in Him for all things! But again, an enormous Thank You to those of you who have supported me in this very practical way so far.

Moving through…

As I write this I am very aware that it is a year ago this month since jon suddenly walked out. Sadly, the divorce will soon be finalised and I have to go to court at the end of November to sort out the finances as jon has refused any form of mediation. Since he left, life has been so incredibly difficult. I continue to struggle to come to terms with everything that has happened so far and the inevitable changes and emotional difficulties that still lie ahead. However, I am where I am today by God’s grace alone and I am so grateful to Him for His love and His sustaining presence in each and every moment.

I am so grateful to God for His provision of such amazing friends and family who have supported me this year. Your prayers and contact have been so important to us. We thank God for you all.

----------------------------------

For those who pray – please forgive me the extensive prayer list that follows – there is so much coming up in the next few months that there is much that I would appreciate being lifted up before God:

Give thanks:

• for the provision of a place to live, even though we had to wait for a time before we could move in.
• for the continued provision of supportive friends and family.
• that move itself was smooth – praise God for all the wonderful people who were willing to give up their time to give us a hand
• and praise to God for bringing us through a very difficult summer.
• that we are managing to cope during this difficult time – for the love shown to us by many dear and wonderful friends and His sustaining care in the very darkest of times.
• for developing friendships at Redcliffe and the beginning of new friendships

Please pray:

• for all of us as the divorce becomes finalised. This will inevitably affect me very deeply and the girls too.
• for us as we come up to and live through the anniversary of on walking out.
• that the courts will make the right decisions regarding the finances.
• that future contact between the girls and their father will be a more positive experience as it has not been easy through this past year.
• for me as I get on with my studies. Pray that I will be able to cope with all the work asked of me and that I will be able to engage with all the teaching. Pray, too, that I will learn all that I can and as I learn that my relationship with God will grow and deepen.
• for the girls

• that Bex will cope with all the challenges that doing her GCSE’s will bring
• give thanks that Abi has settled well into her new school
• for Beth to continue to enjoy school and being with her friends
• that they will all know God's love and sustaining care personally

• about our future. I know I am here at Redcliffe for the next two years, but from past experience that time will fly by! Please would you pray for God's wisdom for both myself, and those around me, to discern His way forward for me and the girls.