I've really enjoyed the month. There have been so many opportunities to learn from others and a couple to teach others too.
My high point was definitely the Ladies Summer Meal. I enjoyed it so much. (I recorded the talk. Welsh people can go to Ed Swires-Hennessy for a copy, Irish people can come to me.) That type of stuff seems to be meat and drink to me and I felt really comfortable doing it.
Another thing that I learned is that Rich and I work together really well. The only time we work together in church is when we are doing music and I am usually complaining that he is playing too slow or too fast. But leading meetings together was wonderful. It might surprise you that a quiet gentle man and a loud bolshi woman actually feel quite strongly about the leadership/submission roles in our marriage. And it has been great to learn how to work together and a great joy that Rich is so encouraging that I do what I do best. I'm totally free to be the best that I can be and I'm excited to see what happens in me over the years.
I've also learned that I've a lot to learn. I've made a lot of mistakes this month. Some have been practical and just basic lack of preparation and timekeeping. At other times I've overestimated my confidence and then ended up 'on the back foot' in a situation.
But I think the main thing I have learned is that I don't know God or Jesus NEARLY enough to do this. Everything, EVERYTHING has to be about Him. I need to spend more time with him. And I'm not having one of my usual 'I need to do more quiet time' moments. This is about digging in to God and His word and being covered by Him at all times. And LIVING what I am learning.
Any of you who know me more that 20 minutes know the fickle emotional roller-coaster I live my life on! I need to suck it up, stand up, shut up and grow up. I'm smiling typing this rather than beating myself up cos I know God is going to help me do all these things on the journey.
Thanks for following friends. Our story will continue on www.ajourneyof2miles.wordpress.com
Rich here.......
Yes, it has been a great month. There have been so many encouragements. It has been really brilliant to be back in Malpas Road, involved in ministry there. We have had such a warm welcome and have appreciated all the fellowship that we have had.
It has been so encouraging to see the way that God has been at work in Malpas Road - the coffee morning has been a particular joy. It's great to see the way that the church is reaching out through that means, and that there are more people asking important questions and some coming to faith in Christ.
It has also been fantastic to see the way that God has been at work in the young people of the church. To see them so serious about spiritual things and to see many of them involved in ministries in the church has been brilliant.
So for me personally, it has been an immense privilege to have the opportunity to share God's Word in a number of settings. God has been so good in giving me what I have needed to do that. I have to say that to be in the pulpit of Malpas Road preaching was both a great joy and a tremendous responsibility. Once again, God was at work and spoke through his Word.
As to the future, as Annmarie has indicated, we are looking to God who we can trust for all things. We are praying that he will lead and guide us. The placement has in many ways confirmed in us that we have been called to serve him. We look to him for his leading.
Please read our new BLOG. We will try to update a couple of times every month, with some reflections on what God is doing in our lives. That will start soon. Just a reminder that the address is:
www.ajourneyof2miles.wordpress.com.
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Many thanks for reading this over the last few weeks and for your ongoing prayers.
Every blessing,
Rich and Annmarie
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