Thawing out....

We have been away and it has been glorious. It was unbelievably cold but if you insist on going to Skegness at any time of the year you deserve to be cold!

We went to Spring Harvest which is an annual event that takes place at very cold Butlin's holiday resorts. Thousands of Christians wearing several layers of clothing, gloves, woolly hats and carrying large Bibles get together for worship and teaching and general jolliness as we all make the most of the Butlins swimming pool, fun fair and delights of the East coast.

It is always a great time and good to get away from the phone and doorbell and general day-to-day busyness of parish life.

The children are always delighted that we actually have time to do things with them and swimming is a hot favourite...for them, not for me. I actually do like swimming but it's all this taking your clothes off malarkey and all the performance of having to shave your legs before hand that seems to blight the whole experience to be honest.

This year I did manage to take them all on my own. This is no mean feat as my son is always ready in two seconds flat, my little girls not long after and then my eldest daughter and me last as we have to have the obligatory "Does my bum look big in this?" conversation. The answer to her question is, "No, you look gorgeous." When I ask the answer is not the same!

We make it through to the pool .....Me trying to look very cool and together while at the same time trying not to let my self be seen and then getting into the pool with immense speed if not grace.And then...there is the art of trying to keep my eyes on small children who are totally fearless, full of excitement and possibly still on the side of being not-quite-swimmers-yet.

It's interesting to note that since these swimming outings my hair really does appear to be greyer and my brow more furrowed..and all this before the deep, deep joy of finding a family changing cubicle and making sure that all are properly dressed.(can't be bothered to get dry as no matter how hard you try it is impossible to get dry after swimming). After ensuring everyone has everything you then have the joy of everyone being grumpy because they have all used up so much energy that they are starving!!!

But God is good and we were able to be part of some fabulous worship and some great bible teaching. The children had a wonderful time and it is such an encouragement to them to see that they are not the only kids who have Christian parents and that actually it is cool to know Jesus and that is a huge encouragement to us.

It all spurs me on especially as I went there feeling really exhausted and a bit low. It's an awful feeling to believe that you just cannot keep up this being a Christian thing. I guess that's why we need each other so much...to give each other a prod in the right direction and keep each other going.

Well, must sign off. Me and the vicar that lives here are about to transform our sitting room into a tropical island. Our babies are going to be 7 tomorrow so we have a whole host of girls coming for the party of the year. That will really not help the grey hair situation will it???????

With love,

Rachel.