So here is Joshua's first school picture.

Doesn't he look so grown up!

Sorry for the LONG silence

Wow, it really has been a long time since we updated this! Well what can I say... what has changed and been happening in our lives for the last4 or 5 months?
Well, I have started working a little bit, just looking after a neighbours children 3 afternoons a week although we are both fairly flexible dending on what's happening in our lives. They are the same age as our 2 and they all seem to get on fairly well most of the time which is a bonus.
Due to earning that bit of money I have siezed the opportunity to start driving lessons (aahhhhggg, watch out London!) I have so far had 5 lessons (2hrs each) and have been quite pleased with my progress. So watch this space...
My sister Ruth has had her 3rd baby boy and he is called Jadon. So that makes me an aunty for the 10th time now. Christmas is going to be a busy time!!!
Josh has settled well into school and has a good group of friends. His birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I am desperately trying to plan something for it. He has had his school pic done which I will try and put on the blog ASAP.
Chris and I have joined facebook.com and managed to catch up with a few old friends which is always a nice thing to do - I recommend it!
The last couple of weeks we have been ill. Reuben had quite a bad cold and was complaining of his ear hurting, I then got the flu and was in bed for a few days, then just as I was recovering Chris got! the following day I had to pick josh up from school at lunch time because he had been sick. I'm kinda hoping now that we've all been ill that will be it for a while now.
Anyway, I've probably rambled on too long now so will stop and try to write again soon.
Helen

Saved 2 Serve and Golf!

This Saturday was the Saved 2 Serve event at church. I have been part of the organising committee since the start two years ago. This is now our third conference. It is aimed at inspiring young Christians and giving them a chance to see the different ways they can serve the Lord. We want to be strong on the understanding of Christian motivation - because of the love God has poured onto us so we serve him because we love him back. It is too easy to get religous; try and earn his love, or think we are paying him back for his love - neither of which are possible. So it was great to have my friend Marcus Honeysett give us a bright glimpse of the extent of his love at the start. All in all it was a very encouraging day.

Meanwhile on the golf course! (Well some of time on the course, some of the time just along the edge!) One of the guys I was playing with said as we looked at the 17th fairway. Such a nice wide fairway. Shame it is so difficult to hit! Which I then proved by hitting my tee shot into a ditch! Still got round in 100 for the first time today and even hit my first ever real life birdie! I must be getting better - though my tee shots wouldn't suggest so. Hope you are all well. God bless,
Chris H

A bunch of news!

Our biggest news is the immanent departure of Chris's sister Jenny and her family to Peru. They are leaving a week today for 3 years initially. It is very exciting, but sad as well, to think that we aren't that likely to see them "in the flesh" for a long time now. We will see them briefly tomorrow, but not again until they come back, or we go out to see them!!!

Joshua is much more settled at school now. Tofic and Amon seem to be his most common playmates. Meanwhile he is starting to learn to read, which is very exciting. He's developed a temperature today though, so he may miss a day of school tomorrow.

Reuben hasn't been sleeping so well again. He goes through patches of sleeping well then not. Although the last sleeping well patch didn't last very long! Helen is understandably tired.

This week see's a lot of preparation before me. We are starting the Bible Class on Exodus this week, plus I am preaching once Saturday and twice Sunday!!! At least I have a bit of a head start on the Sunday PM sermon.

Our love and prayers to you all, and please do get in touch if you can and let us know how you are.
Chris

School and snow

Josh has started big school. It was hard to start with but is getting better daily. The first few days were very hard for us all. Josh has gone from a nursery of up to 10 children to a class of 30 in a year of 60 in a school of 400! And he doesn't know anyone. We were told that Helen would be able to stay with Josh for the first hour or two, but she wasn't. We had told Josh that she would, so obviously that was very upsetting for everyone. Dealing with the reality of break time for the first two days was har as well. It is very difficult to do anything when the dominant picture in your mind is your son standing in the school playground feeling sad and alone while everyone else is happily playing.
Still it doesn't last too long. Josh has fairly quickly been making friends and getting to know more names. He's done his first wee at school (hurrah!) and comes home with stories about what he's been up to.

Meanwhile yesterday morning he had snow to walk to school in. He and Reuben were both very excited. The pictures are of our house and our road. Hope you are well. Do get in touch and let us know how you are. God bless,
Chris