Although not the 29th, this is the day we use three years in four to mark Jo-Anne’s death. This year has been different and it's hard to explain why. I think that it is going to be a year full of hope and expectation. One of our best friends Emma is going to be married to John later this year and by the summer (DV) we are going to be grandparents and move into a new phase of our lives, something Lorraine and I have been looking forward to.
We have by and large been able to live the first two months of this year, instead of dreading them and it is wonderful to see the healing that God is working inside us all. Jt & Elaine are doing fine, and are gearing up to becoming parents and everything is starting to fall into place for them.
We have a number of obstacles to get through this year. The credit crunch has had a severe effect on our plans to build a new Church because of the difficulties within the Presbyterian Mutual society. The potential loss of almost half a million pounds of hard earned money is a disappointment to say the least, but already we are making new plans and looking to the future.
One of the hardest challenges for me personally this year will be the retirement of our minister Billy and his wife. As friends Billy and Margaret have been wonderful and great examples of what true Christianity is all about. As a spiritual leader Billy is second to none, his teaching and preaching all full of love and compassion. I know we won’t be loosing our two friends but we will miss their warmth each Sunday.
Later on today we are heading up to Belfast and will be going for something to eat with Jonathan & Elaine. Don’t forget if you are on the roads please SLOW down it's just not worth it for the sake of a few seconds. It's better by far to be a few moments late.
1 comment:
Hi John a very moving post but then both you and Lorraine always see light at the end of the tunnel.
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