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.
Welcome
Hi! Welcome to my blog. I am brand new to this so hope you will encourage me in my new pursuit of blogging by posting a comment to help me keep going. I think this is all going to be a bit of a journey so hope you might find something that will interest you. I have long had dreams of having something in print and this seems like the best way to go about it...and it's free!!
The only writing I have ever really done is a shopping list every now and again and I always manage to lose that on route to the supermarket so it's never done me much good.
So, here's to blogging and here's to maybe making a few new friends through it.
Rachel.
The only writing I have ever really done is a shopping list every now and again and I always manage to lose that on route to the supermarket so it's never done me much good.
So, here's to blogging and here's to maybe making a few new friends through it.
Rachel.
About Me
- Rachel
- Having reached a certain age (you know, the one where life is supposed to begin) I decided that I need a new challenge and interest so thought I might have a go at blogging. This could prove interesting as I am neither organised nor a great one for writing! My faith in Jesus is the most important thing in my life and the bedrock for all I do tho I often get it all wrong. My husband is a vicar in the Church of England and I work alongside him in a Church in Norfolk, England. We moved here in April 07 and we are on a steep learning curve!! I am a hopeless administrator,have only recently learned how to send emails and loathe ironing.My short term memory is dreadful. My 4 children keep my feet firmly on the ground(they are 14, 11 and 2@8)so life in our house is pretty noisy. I like good coffee especially with friends, a good book and, much the same as most women, could not live without chocolate! I make a very good chocolate dessert, am too heavy handed to make pastry, can play the guitar but not football. Don't like cheese but love crisps.Did I mention that my short term memory is dreadful?
2 comments:
I remember going to spring harvest, or as was, at butlins last year. I found it very helpful at the point i was at in my life and helped me to find myself and god again. i'd really recommend it to anyone out there.
Can't wait for next year's. Let me know when and where.
Jack x
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