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Relaxation and rest was the order of the day this week after I found out that I was off all week I was sort of wondering what I was going to do since I could not go to Ohio.

I wrote out a list of things that I needed to do as well as other things I could do, I have got the majority of the list completed, I still need to do my ironing though. I hopefully will get it done today. I have enjoyed spending time communicating with my mother, siblings and friends this week. It was my mother’s birthday this week and it was great being able to spend an hour chatting with her. I am very thankful for watsapp and the ability to continue to be able to communicate with family at home as when I lived in Switzerland, I could only communicate via letters and once a week on a pay phone.

I have went out to the shops for groceries at the beginning of the week, the rest of the week I have been going for a walk in the park, I have driven to the park, one of the occasions got a bit lost but was able to find my way back which I was very pleased with. It has been warm every day but yesterday, so the walk has been great and chatting with some of the older people there was great fun. I also took some photos of the squirrels around me, it was fun seeing them peeping around the tree and looking down at me. Yesterday it was sunny but very cold so not many people were out so was praying and singing while I was walking. To God be the glory great things he had done.

While driving yesterday I had the Christian radio station on and Keith Getty was on (great to listen to the accent of home) and he was speaking about singing around the piano which reminded me of when I was I child singing the hymns with my siblings. When I got home I went up to my room, got on my computer and found their St Patrick’s Day link of the Getty Family sitting around the piano singing hymns so I listened and sang along, I really enjoyed singing and it was a real blessing to sing with others especially Be thou my vision and All things bright and beautiful.

This week has been a blessing as I have spent more time praying and studying my Bible. I have continued the study on the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 v22-23, Am I faithful to my God each day for He shows His faithfulness each day to me, I can trust and depend on Him even in the midst of the storms of life he is with me, giving me help and strength.

With all that is going on in our world today it is great to know we can trust in our God, He is faithful, He is an anchor that we can rest on and a shield that protects us. A couple of my siblings are living in parts of the world were they cannot go out except to shops for groceries, medical reasons or work so knowing that God is with them is a great comfort and we have no reason to fear. His Word tells us to fear not, rest in the Lord.

On Tuesday this week our church informed us that due to the virus we would not be meeting together in the building but the services would be streamed online at the normal time. On Wednesday they sent an email asking if we needed prayer, needed help or could help others ( such as with shopping/delivering groceries, donating items or childminding) to get in touch. They also started via Facebook a 14 day prayer time at 8AM and 8PM to pray for specific items which would be posted on the facebook page. If you want to pray along that would be great, we are praying for the vulnerable people in our church, our state and country, (I pray for Northern Ireland too) the people who are taking care of these people as well as those on the frontline such as doctors, nurses, care assistant, cleaners and all those who work in the medical buildings. We can also pray for our leaders that they will be given wisdom and insight in how to handle the situation.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountain shake with the swelling thereof. Selah There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the Holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her and that right early. Ps 46 v 1-5

All over the world at the moment all the news programmes are talking about the coronavirus, although in Kansas there has been only 6 people confirmed who have it and 1 of those has passed away from it.

This week I received quite a few emails from work about the virus, what we needed to do with the children and ourselves to make sure the school/daycare did not get it, such as washing our hands and making sure the children are washing their hands, coughing into our elbow, tissue and not our hands and the protocol if they had to close the school/daycare, I will get paid for 5 days that the school/daycare has to close but anything after this I will not unless I have accumulated hours that I can use so otherwise unpaid leave. This is why for so many people here they need to go to work so closing the businesses and having people stay at home could have a severe effect on peoples financial, physical and mental wellbeing as they will not get paid for being off work and how will they pay their bills.

I also received a couple of emails from World Gospel Mission (WGM) regarding volunteer trips that were being taken, any trips to countries on the Level 2 and Level 3 health list they would not advise you to go, if you do and something happens you are on your own, the money raised for your trip could be used for another trip within a year or you can give to another programme or person. This got me thinking and praying, I really want to go to Kenya to the Baby Centre, what should I do? Should I postpone the trip not because of the virus in the sense of flying, my plan is to go home to Northern Ireland for a few days before flying to Kenya but what if they close the border in Northern Ireland or if I reach Kenya and they close the borders there so that I cannot be back to work in August. So I kept praying and emailed WGM. The next day I received another email from WGM saying that all trips that were planned in April have been cancelled. I waited for a reply from my email which came a few days later saying that at the moment my trip is still going as planned but I could postpone it for next year if I wanted to, they are continuing to monitor the situation but they will probably know more about the June and July trips at the end of next month. I have decided to wait and pray. I am trusting in my Heavenly Father that if he wants me to go this year that he will work it out, His way and plan is best. At the moment in Africa there is a polio epidemic although it is not in Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania, I checked yesterday and there are 3 people with the coronavirus in Kenya. I checked today and Kenya has closed it borders to people from countries that have the virus so at the moment I definitely would not be allowed in.

This week the majority of the schools in the Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas areas are off for Spring Break, I was to be off on 19 and 20th and was going to drive down to see my father in law. I was really looking forward to it as was my father in law and step mother in law. I received an email last night from work stating that our school would be closed for the whole week and that if I visited certain areas in the USA while off work that I would have to do a 14 day self quarantine before I returned to work.

I contacted my Father in law, chatted to him about this and that I think it would be wise for me not to go as I cannot go through Illinois and I didn’t want either of them to get sick from any germs I may carry. This was disappointing as I was really looking forward to spending time with them and having a girlies night out, which wouldn’t happen now anyway as they have closed all restaurants, cafes and bars in in a lot of the states.

It was lovely to be able to roll over in bed and have more sleep this morning,when I woke up I relaxed by reading, did some business via the phone that I needed to do in Northern Ireland but haven’t been able to do because of the time difference, some cooking and cleaning. I was also watching some Who do you think you are episodes and most importantly chatting with my family at home.

The verse below keeps running through my mind, so I am going to keep trusting in my Lord, I do not need to fear, he is holding me and will never leave or forsake me.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your path.

I am sitting in my room thinking about this week, there was so much that went on with work, home and the world around me.

Mid week I started to grasp some of the routine for my work which has really helped me, the ones in work kept telling me that I was doing a great job so I was the one putting the pressure on myself. I decided to give myself grace, I also mediated on verses from the Bible which helped me not to get stressed or overwhelmed.

On Thursday I arrived at work very early as usual, instead of ringing my sisters I decided that I would read one of my Bible readings before I opened the app, I prayed that God would give me strength and help to be able to think clearly and remember the routine for the day, to be able to assist the teacher in managing the children throughout the day and to show love to all the children. I opened the app and this is the Bible verse that came up

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

Phil 4 v 13

I went WOW that is just the reminder that I needed so I took that verse with me and although there were various difficult situations that arose I did not get overwhelmed or stressed. God is good.

I decided on Thursday to make some soda bread and potato bread for the home group on Friday as we were having a fellowship meeting. This is the Potato bread I made, although they are not total like the ones at home they did taste lovely and I think the last one that I made was the best.

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This is the soda bread but it got a bit burnt as I was preparing the potato bread and forgot to take it out. Doh!!!!

Yesterday was an exciting day, I paid for my car getting fixed (huge bill), after I got home from work Jo brought me round and I was able to pick it up (Thank you Jo) I was so excited I got into my car and drove off (yippee) it was great, drove home and then unto the home group. Thank you to all those who prayed about this, there is still a few things that need done to it such as new tires and tire rods but the big things have been done.

I arrived at the home group with the food and everyone wanted to try some, I told them that they needed to heat the food up by toasting the soda bread or in the oven but I think most people ate them cold but they all enjoyed it with the rest of the food that was provided. I did not have my dinner on purpose so that I could eat the food. I really enjoyed the fellowship, chatting about life regarding the coronvirus and how it was affecting everyone with work and how it might effect having the home group. I heard some of their stories about how the couples met up, got engaged and married which I found really interesting. We also talked about what they had each learnt from the home group studies which was insightful for me.

I have been reading studies on the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 v 22-24, this week there were 2 of them that has really got me thinking, the ones on joy and peace. Here is one of the questions it asks, When are you full of joy? I think we usually associate joy with happiness or when everything is going well in our lives. I know you can experience joy even when everything is falling apart around you. I have experienced this joy and the peace in my life, I know as long as I focus on what God has done for me, spend time with him and mediate on his word that I experience joy. When we experience this joy and peace in the midst of suffering it gives you hope that God is with you and whatever situations that arrive in life that he is with you and will see you though when we lean and trust in him. Have you experience Joy in suffering? Have you peace in your life?

Thank you for reading my blog, it would be great to hear from you. May God richly bless you this week. Happy St Patrick’s Day.

I realised that I had forgotten to let you know that my 4 week assessment went well. Thank you to all those who prayed for me. Thank the Lord.

A couple of weeks ago in church they had asked for volunteers to help look after foster children so that there parents could go on a date night together. I informed one of the Pastors that I would be interested, he got the lady who was in charge to contact me and she sent me a link which I sent to and completed the form. I received an email with the place, date and time. It was for 5 hours between 4-9pm, I had to drive to Olathe, actually it was not too far from my Doctors surgery, it was at a conference centre. I arrived a bit early as I had not received any information about what it would entail which made me a bit nervous. I prayed on the way down and before I got out of the car that the Lord would go before me and take away fear. When I went in everyone was just sitting around so I told the lady that I was here to help look after the children and she asked me and another girl to be at the front desk, get the parents to write the names of the children on the labels with their name and telephone number as well. At the start everyone was just looking at each other or on there phones, so I was thinking I should not have volunteered as this was going to be grim. I then told myself, No, God is with me and he has a reason for me being here, so I started chatting with the girl beside me, which was interesting as she had been to some places in Europe that I had been to. I enjoyed being at the desk as when the parents came in I was able to chat with some of them , the majority of the children were between the ages of 9-13, there was a 7 month old baby and an 18 month old toddler. The 18 month old arrived with his Mum, I asked her would he let me hold him and she said No, he then proceeded to get down, and walked towards me and put his hands up for me to lift him and he puts his head down on my shoulder, it was so sweet and the mother was really surprised and happy. He was such a cutie and so much fun, there was a male volunteer and the toddler followed him around everywhere. Later on, I got to hold the baby, I got her to go to sleep for about 45 minutes which was amazing for the other children were extremely noisy. I got to feed her and play with her until her parents came, the baby had 2 brothers and a sister who were very protective of her which was lovely to see. So even though it was daunting at the start I really had a great night, they organise these nights and sometimes mornings I think once a month and I hope I can do another one again as the parents were so appreciative of being able to have time together to go out or do things around the house that needed done.

Today, I brought my Soda farls to Jo’s parents house, Alex had cooked dinner and we arrived there just after 4, the dinner was delicious and everyone really enjoyed my bread, it was still fresh so didn’t need to be toasted. There was a little bit left which we had a couple of hours later and toasted it, it was delicious as well with a little bit of butter. Yummy. I hope to make more this week as well as potato bread and maybe take it into work.

Thank you for all those who pray for me, who text me or ring me. It is great to hear what is going on in your lives.

Here is my verse for today:

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God

2 Corinthians 1v3-4

May God comfort you and give you help and strength each day.

This week has had its up and downs, at work I have commenced staying in the same classroom so it is learning a whole new routine as well as being in charge in the evening. It has been a real challenge, learning the routine as well as trying to keep all the children occupied. There was a few days this week where I found it extremely difficult, I am not sure whither it was to do with getting the cold again, being tired due to not getting enough sleep or because I was in a new routine but I got strength from the Lord even though at times my attitude was not the greatest. I was praying for help, wisdom and calmness to get through the day. The Lord gave it to me, I kept saying the verses,

Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will help you, yeah I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness

Isaiah 41v10

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures

Ps23v1+2

The worst day was on Thursday so I was praying that evening that God would help me with my attitude, to be calm, to be loving and kind and that the children would be settled. The Lord really moved in my heart and I was definitely calmer, I kept praying throughout the day for peace, a loving heart and to be calm in all situations that arose. God is good. He answered prayer. Friday was a great day although I notice I seem to be tense most of the day. Please pray with me that I will learn to trust and lean on the Lord and not be afraid.

On Friday evening I went to a new home group, there was only 6 people but I really enjoyed meeting the new people and we had food, there was salad without any sauce so I had loads of food I could eat, yippee. It was great being able to get to know a little bit about everyone.

In the study we listened to guy preach a sermon on basically self denial, how we can make new year resolution to be self aware, reading self help books to lose weight or deal with other issues etc, but God wants us to have self denial, He asked the question, What really makes you hurt? Is it seeing hungry or abused children? or whatever it is, the next question is, What are you doing about this? Are you willing to live up some of your life, your time and your money for this? It was really challenging, so something to pray about.

This morning in church we are still in the book of Haggai, it was the last 4 verses, the words that were constantly used was the need to put God first in our lives, when we do we will experience God’s best. This was to me the continuation from Friday night, putting God first in every area of my life. I need to trust in Him alone no matter what other people say or think it is what God’s says that is important. I need to give to him the situations I deal with in work and trust him to give me the ability to handle them, not to be so tense and fearful.

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When I came home from church I decided to make some Soda Farls as we are going to see Jo’s parents. They taste delicious but I have learnt that the next time I make them I need to make the circle of dough wider as it rose really high. I showed them to my Mum while I was chatting with her and she wanted a piece. I am going to try and make potato bread next.

Thank you for reading my blog, it would be great to hear from you. Rest in the Lord.

The Cat in the Hat, Green eggs and ham, these are some of the books that we have been reading in school this week. This week was Dr Seuss week and we had different items to wear each day.

• Monday hat
• Tuesday crazy socks
• Wednesday t-shirt/fleece with a country you have visited
• Thursday t-shirt/fleece with an animal on it
• Friday pyjama day

It has been a fun week especially on Friday as the majority of us were in our PJ’s, there was a variety – oneies, spiderman, pizza, monsters and I had my christmas ones on so very bright and cheerful.

On Thursday we had a going away party at a Pizza place, one of our colleagues was moving to Michigan, it was a lot of fun, we played a game, we had to write down our answers to various questions on Michigan, I think only one of us got 1 question right although I was close on one of them. We laughed, listened to stories about each others life and 2 of my colleagues were talking about Doctor Who (a lot of my colleagues had not a clue what they were talking about) so it was fun to be able to chat a little bit about it. I was wishing some of my siblings were here as they could have chatted with them about it.

I have been driving Jo’s vehicle to work this week so I keep praying that I will hear this week about my car. If I haven’t heard anything by Thursday I think I will contact them as that means they will have had it for 2 weeks. I am really thankful that I have a vehicle to get to work. God is so good to me, He is very faithful.

The weather this weekend has been beautiful, yesterday I did a few things in the morning ( tidying up my room, put the clothes on, got some brekky). Jo and Alex had left the vehicle for me which was very good of them so I decided to go for a walk. My friend Veta had told me on Friday night about the West Flanders Park, so I put it into my phone and drove to it, I walked around it for around 45-50 minutes chatting with my siblings, my mum and one of my sisters mother-in-law. I really enjoyed chatting with them and being able to show them God’s beautiful creation around me with the sun shining.

I left the Park, my phone had only 4% charge so I had to go on memory as no GPS, so I was off on an adventure, I had written a grocery list so I needed to go shopping. After getting unto the main street I recognised where I was, so I drove until I came to a shopping area, went and explored a few shops that I had never been to, found a shop that had 2nd hand books in it which I was excited about, found a few Christian books and a biography of Maria Trapp family, which I bought so I am looking forward to reading them all. I did eventually go and get some groceries and then drove home.

This week I have been doing a variety of Bible studies, one of them was on the Beatitudes, in studying it, the first verse is

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for their’s is the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5 v4

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? What do you think? What struck me was that I need to be poor in spirit so that I can see my need of Jesus and salvation, if I am full of pride then I will not see my need of Jesus as I will think I am in control and can do everything for myself. It was when I saw that I was full of sin, that God was Holy and could not look on my sin that I realised that I needed Jesus to forgive me. I am loved, accepted and forgiven but I always need to remain poor in spirit as I cannot do without my Saviour. He is my sun and shield.

Tomorrow is going to be a very early start for me as I have to be in work for around 7am, the parents and children are invited to a Dr Seuss’s breakfast of Green eggs and ham. I will be opening my room for the children and parents, so I am praying that I will be able to get up early, drive to work safely and that it will all go well.

Thank you to all those who are praying for me, reading my blog and I pray you have a blessed week. It would be great to hear any comments from you.

I woke up last Sunday with a temperature so spent the day in bed reading and dozing. I did get up for something to eat and found out that Jo was ill with a fever as well, Alex had been unwell all week. I missed not going to church. My verse was on serving the Lord with gladness, so that made me think about how I was doing this. I could be glad and joyful even though I was feeling unwell as I knew God was with me. I had a warm bed to sleep in with loads of blankets, I had food, clothing and medicine I could take to help me. I could rest as it was the weekend and I didn’t work.

This week I went to work even though I was feeling a bit miserable and overwhelmed at times due to being unwell and tired. The people I work with our so helpful and kind. I really enjoy my job even in the midst of the challenges. Finally, one of the children allowed me to do her hair, yippee!!! as they usually only allow the other assistant to do it.

Mostly, this week has consisted of me going to work, came home, got something to eat, medicine and went to bed. Wednesday night was home group so it was great to see my friends and spend time on Psalm 1. Thursday Alex met me at the auto repair shop as I dropped my car off and praying that they will be able to fix all of the issues and I do not have to go to someone else. I got some groceries, came home, made some food and went to bed as I was completely shattered. Oh yes I did chat with my father in law.

I had an appointment to open a bank account on Saturday which went well, as I was there very early I was able to chat with the lady who was signing people in, she knew about Northern Ireland (I was so excited even though my voice was so soft) as she had been there a couple of years ago, we talked about Newcastle (mountains and the sea), she and her 3 friends really loved Northern Ireland and would love to go back. The lady who helped me open my account was extremely helpful and explained a lot of things to me, I was there for just over an hour. If I have any further queries I can contact her directly, which is great.

I had received an invitation on Friday evening from a couple at church to go round to their house for a cook out (barbecue) around 2. on Saturday. I went round after the bank appointment so arrived a few minutes off 2, I had a great time, we chatted about how I met Charles, how they met each other, life when we were growing up, hymns we liked and the Bible. (Oh yes! I woke up on Saturday morning with a very hoarse voice but this didn’t stop me) I had loads of fun and laughter, I left around 9, came home, chatted with Alex for a bit, got my medicine and went to bed.

I have been hoarse today as I have been chatting to family and friends on the phone but I am hoping this will have cleared up by tomorrow morning.

I really enjoyed being at church this morning, to meet up with my friends and to see if I can be part of the children’s ministry. The service was on the book of Haggai 2 v 1-9, it was very encouraging, as God was telling the people of Israel to be strong and work, that He was in the work, His divine power and strength was with them. God is telling us the same to be strong, in whatever work we do He is with us in the work, His divine power and strength is with us and we build more than we see.

Here are 4 areas that we heard this morning that can help us to progress as disciples of Jesus.

• Worship God
• Emulate Christ Phil 2 v1-4
• Share Life Acts 2 v42-47
• Influence Others

So this week I am going to try and worship God in the way I speak to those I come in contact with. I know that I need God’s help with this as I am weak but I know He is strong. My hope is in him. What do you think of this? What do you think you would try?

I am thankful that God loves me, is faithful and good to me each day and will never leave or forsake me.

“He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me; for they were too strong for me” Ps 18v16+17

The above verse is from my readings today and I know that no matter what I or you are going through that Jesus will rescue us, either by giving us strength to go through the storm or take us out of the storm. When I am overwhelmed I cannot rely on my feeling but just to trust that Jesus is with me and is holding me.

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Work is going well, I move from classroom to classroom, meeting all the children so that the teachers can have a break. It is fun to meet the children, my favourites are the 1-2 year olds, they are fun to be with, they run to me when I arrive, some want me to lift them up which is lovely and they all know my name. I also help out in the kitchen during lunch and after lunch which I enjoy. Last Friday I was asked to be the full time assistant in one of the classrooms when one of the teachers goes on Maternity Leave. This is an honour to be asked especially since I have only been there a short time but I am looking forward to the new challenge and getting to know the children better. Please pray for me that God will give me grace, wisdom and love for each of these children no matter how challenging there behaviour is.

At work on the 14th February, all the teachers had a paper bag which we decorated with our names (see mine above, as you can see I am not the greatest of artist but I do try) and put them out in the corridors and the other teachers filled it with little gifts. I downloaded a postcard of Northern Ireland and printed it of, glued it unto card and give it out to everyone. I got chocolate, sweets (candy here), pop corn, nail file attached to a note saying, “I’d file you under awesome”, chewing gum (with a card attached saying you are extra special) 2 dark chocolate sweets which I enjoyed, a pack of cards and my favourite was a pink card with a love heart on it, written inside was

“My prayer for you is that you will realize how truly unique and loved you are as one of God’s creations”

I have this sitting on my desk in my bedroom to remind me each day how truly loved I am and that Jesus is with me each step of my journey and I do not need to be afraid of what is ahead.

I really enjoyed all the little gifts and definitely think that we should do something like this at home, it made me feel really cared for especially being so far away from home. God is so good to me.

On Thursday the children in the school did the exchange for each other and we had a party on Friday where the parents came. I was moving between 3 classrooms helping the teachers and the children where I was needed.

I got a message on my phone from a strange number but I am used to that as I have been getting loads for a person called Jay but when I listened to the message it said that they were trying to deliver flowers to Mrs Ruth Dennison, could I phone this number to organise a time that would suit for them to be delivered, when I listened to the message, to be honest I thought it was scam so didn’t do anything. While talking with my father in law he said that it sounded real so I looked the company up and it was real, so took down the number and decided I would ring them on my break. So I rang them the next day and organised for the flowers to be delivered after work, wondering who had delivered flowers to me but excited to get home and find out.

I got home and I had to wait for 15 minutes before I saw the lady coming with the flowers, I went to the door and took them they were absolutely beautiful, yellow, white and one red rose. All of my favourite colours and they reminded me of Charles and how much he loved to give me flowers.

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The red one reminds me of how much my Saviour Jesus loves me when he died on the cross to save me from my sins, the yellow ones reminds me of the friends that I have that our praying for me and the white reminds me of purity and my wedding day.

I hope you all had a great Valentine’s day, remember you are loved by God with an everlasting love.

My first 2 weeks at work has given me lots of hugs, cuddles, frustrations, positivity, fun and laughter. The week after the Chiefs won the Superbowl we wore our Kansas City Chiefs t-shirts and I had a flowing top which was like a dress on me as it was so big.

On Wednesday it was the parade for the Chief in Kansas City, Alex and Jo were off work they went to the parade but as I work in Olathe we were opened, we had our own parade at 11 with the children around the building clapping large hands together, the children had made headbands and waving the colours of the chiefs, the Chiefs song was played as we walked around the building. It was a lot of fun for everyone.

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I was at the doctor’s office 3 times this week, getting blood test done which all came back as normal (the only thing that is normal about me :-)), I got a TB test done but it actually was an injection which when I returned for the result 2 days later it was positive (this is due to the fact that in the UK we get an injection to prevent it so I have antibodies against it in my body, my body has definitely been fighting something) so I then had to go to the hospital beside the doctor’s and get an X-Ray to prove that I do not have TB. Not really sure how much this is all going to cost me as that was 4 Doctor appointments and 1 hospital appointment.

When I got home from work each day except for Wednesday and Friday, I was doing the online courses which I finally completed on Sunday. Wednesday I have home group and Friday I was in bed for around 8.30 as I was kaput.

As you can see it was a very busy week and on the Saturday I had a first aid course for child care worker from 9-1, the course was very straight forward, I knew most of it except the information about snakes as I had completed my first aid course at home in 2018, the only thing that I needed a refresher was the CPR on children and babies.

I praise and thank the Lord for all his strength, guidance and wisdom during this extremely busy week. I thank him for the encouragement from those at church and all those who send me messages. Thank the Lord for the safety to work each day, to all the doctors appointments me and that I was able to understand the GPS system. Thankful that I can now get to work and home again without using the GPS so my battery on my phone is lasting longer.

For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands

It’s been 2 weeks since I have written in my blog, I hope you are all keeping well. It is great to hear from some of you.

I went to a Superbowl party with Jo and Alex, to Alex’s parents house, it was a lot of fun to be with people who were so passionate about the match, jumping up when the Chiefs scored a touchdown or when they intercepted the ball. This happened in the 1st quarter it got very quiet in the 2 and 3 quarters as the 49ers scored most of the points and it was 20-10 to the 49ers, I spent most of the 2 and 3 quarter studying my Bible about grief as there was so many breaks for adverts that I lost interest in it.

I was reading an article about “Grief taught me to Rest” by Rusty McKee, I found as I was reading that I wanted to mediate on some of the things it was saying so I asked for papers and wrote some of the verses and points to think over in my mind later. So here are some pointers from the article that I found helpful.

Learn how to receive rest – The Sabbath day was made for us to rest, it was a reminder to the Israelites that they were no longer slaves and could now take a day for rest. Deut 5v12, 15 but for us Jesus offers us an even deeper rest in Jesus, my yoke is easy and my burden is light, Come to Jesus all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11v28-30.

This really struck me as rest is something I find difficult to do. I actually feel guilty when I relax and rest, I feel I am being lazy and should be doing something. God created me for to have periods of rest, he created the earth in 6 days and rested the 7th day, so I need to let all my anxieties, fears and troubles go, give them to Jesus he will carry them and guide and direct me. Learn to Rest in the Lord. Reminder to myself to rest.

It was the 4th quarter and some of Alex’s aunt were back at the table looking worried and I told them that being a Liverpool supporter that I have learnt that a lot can happen in the last 7.14 minutes, keep positive until the whistle blows at the end. I started to watch it around 6 minutes left Mahomes threw a pass and someone caught it and they got a touchdown and as we say in rugby converted it so it was now 20-17, we are all looking at the screen now with less than 4 minutes to go Mahomes passes to Sammy Watkins (i don’t know who this is I looked it up online) and somehow Williams makes a catch and he gets a touchdown although it had to have a replay review so everyone was talking nervously and then when it was stated as a touchdown everyone got up on their feet me including going yes!! yahoo!! its now 24-20 to the Chiefs, with 1.25 minutes left Damien Williams runs around 38 yards and scores a touchdown (a lot of jumping up and down with arms raised and pumping) and it is now 31-20 Chiefs. Kansas City Chiefs are the Superbowl Champions the first time in 50 years.

I got a text from work that because they won we all could wear jeans and a Kansas City Chiefs t-shirt in work on Monday.

That week in work was all about the Kansas City Chiefs – I will write about it in my next update.

It made me think about how exciting it was to see that team work together to win this match even though it looked like they were going to loose. It reminded me that we as followers of Jesus are part of a team with Jesus as our Leader, when we have difficulties, sorrow, pain and sadness we need to uphold and help each other, imagine what we could do for our Saviour if we all worked together, Jesus is there as our helper, guide, strength and comforter so when we all work together with Him we all will be the winners, this is so when we leave this earth and see our Saviour in heaven. It makes me want to sing this song by Jim Hill

• What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see
• When I look upon His face the one who saved me by His grace
• When he takes me by the hand and leads me through the promise land
• What a day glorious day that will be