Dear All,
Finally I am able to sit down and let you know how things have been going. Life has been more than a little hectic over the past few months and I can only apologise that I have not keep you all more up to date, but it has been enough of a challenge to get my assignments done, organise my wedding, move house and keep the family going…! What follows are little snapshots of what’s been happening…
Late nights and long days
After a lot of hard work I was able to complete all my assignments on schedule, including my dissertation on hearing individuals who use British Sign Language during worship. If you’d like to read it then let me know and I’ll e-mail you a copy.
A smashing time…
Unfortunately, my lovely little car got squashed at the beginning of March when someone drove into the back of me when I had to stop quickly to avoid a pedestrian. I got whiplash and am still suffering from pain in my shoulder. I’m hoping to get some physiotherapy soon. We had to go searching and now have a larger car which suits us better as a family!
A wedding to remember
On May 1st, Andy and I got married! We had a lovely day, celebrating with family and friends. We had a lovely service at a local church and the reception at Redcliffe College. The girls looked gorgeous and we were able to include them in the ceremony. We’ve had a lot of compliments on how we put the day together and we are just glad that we were able to glorify God in all that happened on our wonderful day.
A well deserved
break
Andy and I got away for a week after the wedding on honeymoon to Turkey and had an amazing time. It was a real blessing to spend time together and relax after all the hectic preparations. We had fantastic weather and the food was delicious.
We were able to visit Ephesus, which was amazing, and we are so glad we made the effort to go as it really brought the Bible alive.
One of my good friends, Leah, looked after the girls while we were away and they all had a great time!
A moving experience
Having returned from honeymoon, we did some more work on our new house before finally moving in together at the end of May. We still have to finish some decorating and unpack some boxes, but it is really good to be in one place as a family and we’re beginning to feel settled now which is great. If you’d like to visit, just let us know – we’d love to see you!
A degree of success!
At the beginning of June I celebrated with my fellow students at our college awards ceremony. There was much hat throwing and delight that all the hard work is done, and we just have to wait to find out exactly what level we have achieved. I’m hoping for a 2:1 which I will be thrilled with, considering all the things I’ve had to handle over the past couple of years.
I shall miss being a student, but it will be good not to have to write long assignments and work to deadlines!
What next?
So, what now? I’m currently applying for the job of Student Service Co-ordinator at Redcliffe and would appreciate your prayers over the next couple of weeks. I am keen on the college employing the right person for the job so please pray that God will guide those who are making the appointment. If that is me, then I will be thrilled, though a little scared as I haven’t worked full-time since before Bex was born!
If this application isn’t successful then I will continue to seek out God’s next step for my life. I will be attending a ‘women in ministry’ day at South Wales Baptist College on July 3rd which will be a good opportunity to meet with other women also seeking to discern God’s call on their lives. I’m not sure exactly what the next ministry step is for me and us as a family, but I think ministerial training may well be something that happens in time.
The plan is for us to stay in Gloucester at the moment to settle as a family. Andy is a self-employed handyman and his business is based here, the girls are settled at school, though Beth will join her sisters at their school in September, and we are enjoying worshipping at our church where we have many friends.
Now I’m moving on from college I will just be sending out Christmas updates as usual, so this will be my final regular college update. Please let me know if you’d like a Christmas letter, but keep an eye on my blog (alwaysheld.blogspot.com) for intermittent updates between times.
Thank you!
I cannot adequately express my gratitude for all your prayers and support in so many different ways over the past few years. Thank you for journeying with me on such a life-changing experience. I know God has had His hand on my life all the way, even through the hardest and most difficult moments. I know I have been truly blessed by having such amazing friends to remember us in prayer before our faithful God.
I pray that God will bless you all as you move forward with Him.
With love,
Ali, Andy, Bex, Abi and Beth
No comments:
Post a Comment