September 2025

Almost the end of the summer holidays so plenty of time to write and so much reason for me to thank God.

Yesterday I was taken by a special bus all provided by ‘Gilgal’ our local Baptist church, and today I have friends saying when is a good time to visit?

I have always loved the gift of hospitality. I lived with my parents so only ever invited friends for a meal when they were on holiday.

Once I was settled in my own little home in Papua New Guinea I dared to offer a three-course meal, trusting the fire to keep going and one of the schoolboys to come and wash up for me.

So many homes and countries but then at last a husband to keep our guests entertained while I enjoyed serving up a hopefully fool-proof meal as a pastor’s wife. We were both in our element.

Joel‘s death, though painful for me of course, had set me free to work with teaching ‘bible in Schools,’ until I was ninety,  and I knew I needed to retire, but Covid saved me from this trauma, and my doctor, whose coming on the day Joel died, has become a wonderful Christian friend , advised me to move to a lovely flatlet for elderly folk like me. I still could prepare a simple meal for guests but then the great collapse and I was in need of nursing care.

It was many years ago that Joel and I had offered to go into Pinehurst Care Home to take a little service. Cheryl, had said then, ‘I wouldn’t mind ending my days here.’ I had never thought of ending my days anywhere.’ But I knew I had to think about it now.

When I mentioned our previous link with the home, and with the present link with our Matron’s mother, the deal was done. Very shortly a room became vacant. I had my own recliner brought in for my comfort, and yes, in the corner, my old friend, my computer.

‘Well, I won’t be needing that.’

‘You don’t know.’

I could write another chapter about the dear folk who still so wonderfully help and encourage me to continue with my blogs and emails, and I am going to sign off now with a little verse I have just written for a wonderful couple who have helped us both so much in our times of bereavement.

I could so easily have been left as Joel’s carer, whereas I am so wonderfully cared for and enabled to still be an encourager of others.

So let us press on together.

This is what I have written for our dear Mark*, a faithful shepherd still to so many.

 

 

‘How wide has been your ministry to the lonely and afraid

Especially to your own Beloved now confusion clouds her way.

Fear not your strength will fail, dear Loll, for as you have prayed us through

We know our Saviour holds you fast and has a way of escape for you.

He leads us all on varied paths but will never lead

astray.

Remember God has promised each of us

Strength for each new day.  

September now and the holidays are over and we have another addition to our family of Grace. Amelia* is very special and I am going to include her poem now, before she gets lost in this new edition of my blog spot.

I was privileged to work with her grandparents, Auntie Margaret and Uncle Neil to us all, with one precious son, who, like his parents, wanted to serve God with all his heart, and is gifted musically and in many other ways, and now, what a joy to hear of the safe arrival of our darling little Maisie.

This is  the best I could come up with by way of welcome.

            ‘Welcome, dear Amelia*,  Safely born at last.

              Prayed for and longed for, You are cherished and loved.

              We’ll continue to praise God for you – a gift from above.

              May you too live for Jesus, like your parents before you

                in this family of Grace - you are loved, you are safe

So here we are back into a new term. Our seniors are moving into fresh challenges, -maybe new ? Who knows, and here in our slow-moving care home, what fresh experiences lay before us?

Our hundred year old still has faithful visitors and has been regaling us with a mixture of Welsh and English nursery rhymes and my wits are not as sharp as I could wish but I pray that I with our Grace* will receive each day as a special gift from God .

Thank you so much for the encouragement of my faithful blog readers. Apologies that I have been so slow in getting this edition ready to be printed. My poor old brain is yes, even older and my wonderful helpers even busier, but I have a wonderful lady who comes into our home to encourage us in the things we can do. Yes, she is a very special help and encourager to me, so I am determined to make this edition short, before I lose it all.

 

So hopefully just one chapter, or maybe even two, of ‘Whisper of the Willows’ before I ask the wonderful Catrin* to send it on its way. 

                        WHISPER OF THE WILLOWS

The hedge of willows were growing strongly so that once even- tide had come the Hebrews made it a place to gather for a refreshment of their faith in their own God.

There were occasions when a gang of Babylonians might come to taunt them, but their special songs of faith and worship were not for their enemies to mock at. 

Some of the Hebrews had vowed that they would no longer sing the songs of Zion to be mocked by their captors, but God always has his faithful few who will just keep praising and trusting, so watch this space…

 

 

 *Names changed for privacy protection

Editor's note: I apologise for the delayed posts. This one is up to date, but more will follow soon on this blog that are from a bit longer ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Children of the city - Ending

 THE RED-HEADS

Judith was happily sitting chatting with the Lady of the house for they were at ease conversing in  their mother tongue of Hebrew but how had this miracle happened that she had been able to leave her mother and join her brother in this previously wicked city of Nineveh?

It  was when they heard of news of her daughter’s twin that the mother herself  decreed that they should not be separated any longer. She had a safe haven with her brother in law, and knowing she was not fit for the rigors of the long journey. She was content to trust Judith into the care of the prophet himself.

What a sensation it had stirred when the twins had been united, and soon there was a class in Hebrew for the girls as well as the young men while the twins now were  never far from each other, and becoming more and more in demand, but oh, what was this? They were called to appear before the King himself.

But surely they were not called to such an important  position? Judith was laughing as she did her best to smooth down her brother’s locks. It seemed to be their unusual hair colouring that was bringing them to prominence. But why was it not the prophet who was in audience with the King? Teaching him how to respond to God’s warning? For surely he was repentant

And where was Jonah? The twins were treated with honour by the king, but when they enquired of the prophet they were told that he was outside the city waiting for God to pour out his judgement on the Ninevites as he had threatened.

Oh, the king had commanded the people to repent of all their evil deeds so that even the horses were in mourning while he was taking the lead in repentance. So why was the prophet not instructing this nation in God’s ways of righteousness?

CONCLUSION

Oh Jonah! Jonah! How sad is your story! You expected God to forgive your disobedience yet were not willing for God to change the hearts of the Ninevites. 

Dear faithful blog-readers, You may not find the story of our red-heads in the Bible, but you will find many who have been willing to give their lives to teach our children to love and follow Jesus; and as I have used my godly imagination in writing of the twins I hope you will find your story, and mine too and know that the seed we are sowing will bear rich reward, even as we know it must have done for Judith and her twin.  

And now please look out for the story of the little Egyptian girl whose life was transformed by the prophecies of Ezekiel.

July and we are in the middle of a heat wave and even I have left off my long johns. One of the carers has offered to push me down for a coffee by the sea. 

I won’t be refusing that lovely offer. I thought I was about to recount some of the lessons God taught me in Hebron  Hall, many years ago. It was a prophetic word that came through (of course her name is eluding me. It was concerning casting our cares on him. Yes, yes, of course. But God continued to speak. ‘I want you to do it now.’

So what was my immediate worry? Nothing important. Only I had to alter the clocks as soon as I got back, because Joel always did it for me and now he was safely home in heaven. 

Right Lord, it is not a big worry, but I will be obedient. It is cast on you.

A care-free weekend, a lift back to my front (or side) door, and as I stepped through the door I knew how to cope with changing my clocks.

Many many years later, all I have to do is press a little red buzzer and help will come. I wouldn’t dream of leaving my safe haven, though sadly my only prescription they can give me is pain killers

Yet every day or hour god gives me is a gift from Him and I must use and cherish it and so I thank God for wonderful friends who will help me to continue to keep in touch with you all, and you wonderful friends who faithfully seek to keep in touch with you.

End of summer 2025

Almost the end of the summer holidays so plenty of time to write and so much reason for me to thank God.

Yesterday I was taken by a special bus all provided by ‘Gilgal’ our local Baptist church, and today I have friends saying when is a good time to visit?

I have always loved the gift of hospitality. I lived with my parents so only ever invited friends for a meal when they were on holiday.

Once I was settled in my own little home in Papua New Guinea I dared to offer a three-course meal, trusting the fire to keep going and one of the schoolboys to come and wash up for me.

So many homes and countries but then at last a husband to keep our guests entertained while I enjoyed serving up a hopefully fool-proof meal as a pastor’s wife. We were both in our element.

Joel‘s death, though painful for me of course, had set me free to work with teaching ‘Bible in Schools,’ until I was ninety,  and I knew I needed to retire, but Covid saved me from this trauma, and my doctor, whose coming on the day Joel died, has become a wonderful Christian friend , advised me to move to a lovely flatlet for elderly folk like me. I still could prepare a simple meal for guests but then the great collapse and I was in need of nursing care.

It was many years ago that Joel and I had offered to go into Pinehurst Care Home to take a little service. Cheryl, had said then, ‘I wouldn’t mind ending my days here.’ I had never thought of ending my days anywhere.’ But I knew I had to think about it now.

When I mentioned our previous link with the home, and with the present link with our Matron’s mother, the deal was done. Very shortly a room became vacant. I had my own recliner brought in for my comfort, and yes, in the corner, my old friend, my computer.

‘Well, I won’t be needing that.’

‘You don’t know.’

I could write another chapter about the dear folk who still so wonderfully help and encourage me to continue with my blogs and emails, and I am going to sign off now with a little verse I have just written for a wonderful couple who have helped us both so much in our times of bereavement.

I could so easily have been left as Joel’s carer, whereas I am so wonderfully cared for and enabled to still be an encourager of others.

So let us press on together.

This is what I have written for our dear Laurence, a faithful shepherd still to so many.

 

 

‘How wide has been your ministry to the lonely and afraid

 Especially to your own Beloved now confusion clouds her way.

Fear not your strength will fail, dear Loll, for as you have prayed us through

We know our Saviour holds you fast and has a way of escape for you.

He leads us all on varied paths but will never lead

 astray.

Remember God has promised each of us

Strength for each new day.  

 

September now and the holidays are over, and we have another addition to our family of Grace. Maisie is very special, and I am going to include her poem now, before she gets lost in this new edition of my blog spot.

I was privileged to work with her grandparents, Auntie Margaret and Uncle Neil to us all, with one precious son, who, like his parents, wanted to serve God with all his heart, and is gifted musically and in many other ways, and now, what a joy to hear of the safe arrival of our darling little Maisie.

This is the best I could come up with by way of welcome.

            ‘Welcome, dear Maisie, Safely born at last.

              Prayed for and longed for, You are cherished and loved.

              We’ll continue to praise God for you – a gift from above.

              May you too live for Jesus, like your parents before you

                in this family of Grace - you are loved, you are safe

 

 

So here we are back into a new term. Our seniors moving into fresh challenges, -maybe new? who knows, and here in our slow moving care home, what fresh experiences lay before us?

Our hundred-year-old still has faithful visitors and has been regaling us with a mixture of Welsh and English nursery rhymes and my wits are not as sharp as I could wish but I pray that I, with our Gladys will receive each day as a special gift from God.

I may have lost my mobility so can no longer treat friends to a coffee by the sea, but with my wonderful Jane offering a bed for the night I am looking forward to a visit from Christina. I met her and her husband when I was lecturing on children’s work at the Apostolic Bible college

Thank you so much for the encouragement of my faithful blog readers. Apologies that I have been so slow in getting this edition ready to be printed. My poor old brain is yes, even older and my wonderful helpers even busier, but I have a wonderful lady who comes into our home to encourage us in the things we can do. Yes, she is a very special help and encourager to me, so I am determined to make this edition short, before I lose it all.

So hopefully just one chapter, or maybe even two, of ‘Whisper of the Willows’ before I ask the wonderful Sian to send it on its way.

 

                       

WHISPER OF THE WILLOWS

The hedge of willows were growing strongly so that once even- tide had come the Hebrews made it a place to gather for a refreshment of their faith in their own God.

There were occasions when a gang of Babylonians might come to taunt them, but their special songs of faith and worship were not for their enemies to mock at.

Some of the Hebrews had vowed that they would no longer sing the songs of Zion to be mocked by their captors, but God always has his faithful few who will just keep praising and trusting, so watch this space……