This is the car that I bought a couple of weeks ago, it has been with the mechanic after it had to be towed as it broke down on the way home. I got it back while I was in the Ohio, it still needs work done to it but I can drive it, so when I came home on Sunday I went for a drive in it, it was fun as it sounded like it was going to conk out but once we got petrol into it the car began to sound a bit better, it certainly needed some work done to it.

This week I started work, On Monday, I completed the 2nd online course for work, I have 2 left to do for next Friday. I also had a doctor’s appointment, it went well, I had to get a form filled in but it lasted an hour. I was asked loads of questions about my health, about my social living, such as do I have enough food, heating, was I going to be homeless etc. The doctor wanted to do blood work what they call here (lab work) but without eating so will have to go back, I also have to get a TB shot so have to arrange for an appointment to get the prick test done.

On Tuesday I was awake at 5 something, got ready for work and left around 6.45 and arrived at 7.12 so waited in the car, I was so nervous and a bit anxious so was reading my Bible and the verses were

I will love thee, O Lord , my strength, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler; and the horn of my salvation and my tower. Ps 18v1-2

My sister phoned me from France with her youngest boy, to wish me all the best and encouraged me, saying that I could do this that I was really good with kids.

God is very good to me, when I was needing support he gave me His word and also had my sister contact me to encourage me.

The first day at work went well, I was following after Jenny but was so overwhelmed with all the rooms and children I met that I couldn’t focus clearly but on Wednesday I was able to figure out where the various rooms where and the age of the children in them, I was able to even remember a few names. Yippee! Amazing! as my memory can be so terrible.

I now have been at work 4 days, just finished my first week and it has been fun, I have started to grasp where all the rooms are in the 2 buildings, the ages of all the children in the rooms, getting to know some of the names of the children and the adults. Yesterday, I even had my own schedule so had to keep an eye on the time, in the morning was 15 mins behind but caught up at lunch time and even started the break times early in the afternoon. I have found my new workplace to be a very positive place to work in and I am looking forward to seeing what God has for me in it. I am still a bit nervous and hoping that I will do well and be an asset to both the children and the adults. God is so good to me. Oh yes, my hours are 7.45 to 4.45.

On Thursday and Friday I drove to work in my own car, I got to work in plenty of time, praying most of the way that I would get to work. When I left work both days the car would start but conk out, on Thursday I just took a break for 5 minutes, I tried it and it started, I prayed the whole way home. On Friday i tried it and got it reversed a little bit but still would conk out, so after the 4th or 5th time I decided to put it into drive and go forward a little bit and it worked the car came to life and I was able to reverse and then drive off and guess what, I prayed the whole way home and Praise the Lord I got home. I drove it over to the mechanic and he will fix it up so thankfully I will be able to use Jo’s Jeep next week until it is fixed.

I am so thankful to God for all he is doing and has done for me, I know that I can trust Him to guide and direct me, since I have arrived in the USA God has gone before me, directed me and given me help and strength each day. I still have loads that I do not understand for example tax withholding and the health insurance but I know with God’s help I will get there. I may not know what life will be like ahead but I know I can take it one day at a time and trust it to God.

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and prays for me, I hope you enjoy my thoughts and musings. It would be great to hear from you.

I am a bit behind on my blog so I will go back to 2 weeks ago.

On Sunday 19th, the car wouldn’t start so that I could go to church, (Jo brought me to church) so as I had to go to work the next day for a staff meeting I asked the members at church if someone could give me a lift to work. Bill and Veta offered to bring me and they brought me home from church so that they knew where I lived. God is so good to me. I got to work the next day for the staff meeting and I enjoyed meeting my colleagues, one of the directors gave me a lift home and arranged that if the car was still not working she would lift me for the orientation meeting in the evening but Praise the Lord the car was working. God is good. We put a blanket over the engine at night and that seemed to solve the problem with the vehicle.

While I was waiting for Bill and Veta to pick me up, I waited at the end of the driveway and a couple of Jo and Alex’s neighbours went by, I waved at them but unknown to me one of them sent a message to Jo saying, “There is a schoolgirl waiting at the bottom of your lane in a red coat waiting for the bus does she not know the schools are off today” Jo sent me this message and I laughed my head off as I was the schoolgirl. 🙂

On Tuesday I got my fingerprints done for work and the last observation at one of the schools. I hired a car to go and see my father in law in Ohio as I felt this was a safer option due to my car not being ready to drive.

On Wednesday I set off at 6.30am for Ohio, I drove through Kansas City in the snow, I couldn’t see if was in between the lines of the lanes as everything was white and there was so many cars about, I missed the cateyes from home. I prayed the whole way through the city that God would help be to get through and not to cause an accident. I also prayed that it would stop snowing. Thank the Lord by the time I got half way through Missouri it had stopped snowing and there was not so many cars so could relax a bit. I stopped off in Missouri for petrol break, in Illinois for a toilet break, in Indiana for a petrol break and finally in Ohio for a petrol, toilet and food break. I arrived at my father-in-law’s 13 hours later at 20.30. I really enjoyed the peace and quiet driving through these states, I got excited driving over the bridge of the Mississippi river, as all I could think of was all the books I had read of the boats going down the Mississippi river and I was going over it, I was thinking of all the history and how God had been with them as he was with me.

I had a brilliant time with my father in law and mother in law, we had loads of fun, telling stories about Charles and listening to Jackie and Ronnie’s cousin Shirley telling stories about the people they grew up with in the area. Jackie and I went to Huntington in West Virginia for some retail therapy, had a beautiful meal in Cracker Barrel and when we got home we all sat around chatting with each other. I am very thankful for my USA family who pray for me each day.

On Sunday I started my journey home (Kansas City) at 5.20am, I stopped for petrol before I left the town, while on the way home I listened to a number of sermons and loads of hymns and Christian songs which helped to make the journey not so long, I really enjoyed the discussions on Genesis 3, 4 and 5, about how Cain was like us today, he offered up something of his own works, there was no real sacrifice involved, we like to do works to make ourselves good before God. Abel’s offering was different, he sacrificed a lamb for his sin, he knew there was nothing in himself that he could do to be right before God, without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin. Thank you Jesus for paying the sacrifice for my sin, thank you for loving me so much that you were willing to do this so that I can know freedom from the wages of sin. Abel’s sacrifice was pointing to what Jesus would do for me. Amazing!!!

I arrived home 12 hours later, tired and thankful that I had arrived safely. God is good.

Yippee!!! Yippee!! It is still sinking into my mind that I got the job, I received an email on Tuesday that I have to organise a schedule to observe children for 2.5 hours in 5 different schools. I was on the phone for a few hours getting the times and dates arranged so that I could see how a day worked in the life of the childcare settings.

It was interesting, seeing how each teacher had a huge variety of activities for the children, watching the children from 2 years upward doing the few chores around the classroom, taking care of their lunch items, putting toys away, washing their hands and throwing the rubbish into the trash (bin). I enjoyed the observations best when I got to participate with the children or help the teacher with preparing for activities. It was a lot of fun and the children were so lovable, mischievous and smart.

As I didn’t know where the places where in relation to where I lived, I picked childcare places that were some distance apart so if nothing else I have got used to driving Jo large vehicle, (which I am very thankful for) and getting to know places around Kansas. I prayed every time I got into the car that God would direct me, help me to drive on the right side and be able to hear and understand the sat nav instructions. God answered prayer every time.

This week was another huge learning curve, I received so many forms from the 1st part of the orientation, so I have had to learn about withholding allowance to do with tax, it was like someone was speaking in a foreign language as it took a while for me to even understand what it meant but it finally sunk into my brain but still not 100% about how I do it. (So if any of you reading this can help me, it would be very gratefully received) I did research on health insurance, this was also where I learnt what deductibles and coinsurance meant, I eventually understood everything with help from Rachel, Jo and Alex, I had to get this done as I have to get a health assessment done for work, I had rang a clinic and arranged an appointment for Monday.

In the midst of everything, I am very thankful firstly, to God who has instructed and taught me the way I should go, who has given me wisdom and discernment when I have needed it, secondly to Jo and Alex for their constant help, encouragement and support and thirdly to all those who pray for me, send me encouraging messages and ring me. I especially want to thank my sister Esther who texts and rings me, who has been my constant encourager, supporter, who makes me laugh and teaches me not to be so serious. Fourly, my friend Rod, who sends me emails and texts about God’s love, music and encourages me to spend time in my Bible, to continue to mediate, worship and learn from my Heavenly Father

It has been great to receive some emails and messages from you that are reading my blog, I hope it is an encouragement to you to keep holding on to the Lord, He is with you in the midst of the circumstances you are in even though you may not feel His presence. He has promised I will never leave you.

I will leave you with a verse we were studying in church this morning, it is also the verse that Charles and I leaned on throughout our marriage.

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

This has been an extremely busy week for me. This will probably be a long blog so probably be reading it in sessions. I think it was 3rd and the 4th Jan that I applied for I think it was 13-15 jobs on 2 recruitment sites “ZipRecruiter ” and “Indeed”. I heard back from 2 of the jobs on 5th Jan one was for a phone interview on Monday at 2 – 2.30, the other was for an interview on Tuesday at 9 o’clock. The phone interview went well and I got a proper interview on Tuesday at 2.30. Jo gave me his car ( Huge vehicle to me) so that I could go to the interview, I had downloaded an app with maps so using it I was able to get myself to both interviews. Thank you for your prayers, I did loads of praying as I was so nervous about driving on the highways here and making sure I was in the correct lanes etc but I made it to both of them with no issues. God is so faithful.

The interview at 9, I left around 7.45 and was there around 8.15 I think, so sat in the car reading my notes and praying as I was so nervous as it has been a while since I have done interviews for classroom assistant jobs (teaching assistant’s here) but I had done the preparation and knew that God was with me.

WOW!!! What a difference from home!! the interview was very relaxed, in the directors office, people constantly walking in and out while I was trying to answer the few questions she asked me. Once the interview was finished they wanted to see how I would be with a classroom of children and was I available to do that now. So I was put into a class with 18month old children and after saying hello to the teachers I started playing with the children which was fun. After 15 mins they called me out and talked a bit more to me and then said they would let me know by Friday (I still haven’t heard from them)

The interview at 2.30 was in Kansas so a different direction but a bit closer I think, I was there before 2 o’clock, checked over my notes and prayed. The interview was relaxed but intense as I was asked questions for an hour but apart from being tired afterward I was glad that they were serious about finding someone that would be great with children and the parents. I was asked for another interview as well as being observed teaching the children an activity for Friday at 3 o’clock. Really nervous now, what was I going to teach them all my stuff is at home (Northern Ireland) packed away, what would I do.

I got 3 telephone messages from a Montessori school who were interested in me, so I rang, she told me a bit about the job and we arranged for an interview on Wednesday at 3. I went to the interview, went around the school, everyone was very cheerful and happy. I really enjoyed the people, the atmosphere and thought maybe this was the place for me, they offered me the post, it was 9.45 an hour, no breaks, no health insurance and my hours would be 7.15 to 4.15, I could have overtime by working to 6 at time and a half. I informed them I have another interview on Friday and the following week but that I would think about it. They wanted me to let them know as soon as possible.

It is not usual for me to stop and think about what I should do when offered a job normally I just take it out of fear of not getting one. I knew that I needed to look at the pros and cons and to keep on preparing for the other interviews and not be afraid as God was in control and he had a plan for me.

I talked with Alex, prayed about it and I was constantly seeing that the Montessori job was not going to work for me and was slightly disappointed as I liked the setup.

I prepared an alphabet game and the song for the interview yesterday, before I set out it started to bucket so was a bit nervous about driving, while driving to the interview at times on the highway I could not see 2 feet in front of me with all the water splashing around me but praise the Lord I got there safe and sound. The lesson went well and was lots of fun, it was with around 10 4-5 year olds and one of them said they liked my dress (sweet), I was observed and then went for another interview. It went well, I got home safely, chatted with my sister about the interview and how well it went.

Unknown to me while chatting with my sister I had a voice mail message from the school on my US phone so I noticed this after I had something to eat. I listened to the message and I was being offered the job of Classroom Assistant at 11.25 an hour, working 7.45 until 4.45 each day Monday to Friday. I had been praying that if I was offered this job then that was confirmation not to take the Montessori one. I was so excited, jumping up and down, I rang Alex and told her, I spoke with her about the offer the pros and the cons just to be sure and then rang the school back accepting the post. I start orientation next week Wed-Fri, I go to a staff meeting on Mon 20 in the morning and then I hope to visit my father in law for a few days before I officially start on 27 January. Please continue to pray for me as this will be a huge learning experience as they do things very different here compared to home.

God is good, he is faithful and I am amazed at how quick everything has happen, I am just sitting here in awe and wonder at our amazing God, even though I shouldn’t be because God answers prayer. I got my Residence card mid December, my social security number on Christmas day, my driving license last week and a job this week. WOW!!! God is so good. He is faithful in all His ways.

Thank you everyone for your prayers, thank you Heavenly Father in the midst of my fears and doubts about myself that you are always faithful, you are always there for me, going before me and leading the way.

Please let me know what is going on in your life and how God is helping you and showing His love and faithfulness to you.

Faithful One, so unchanging, Ageless One your my rock of peace

The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.

On Sunday at church I was really challenged about having an undivided heart, the title was on fasting, the new testament view on fasting, is that we fast to commune with God and with expectation to see what God is going to do in our lives as we spend more time with Him.

I know that when I want to run or hide from my emotions or things that are going on around me that I will read loads to the point of hibernating from everyone. I have done this often since Charles died, it was probably a good thing that I had a job as it helped me get out of the cycle but at the weekends I would go back into it and not communicate with anyone unless they contacted me which usually didn’t happen but God was faithful, he spoke to me often during those times even through the books I was reading about fear, grief, worry and how much I was loved by Him. It was going to Canada with the team from Wales and Northern Ireland is really what started my recovery (if you would put it like that), God really spoke to my heart and reminded me how loved I was, how I was off value to Him and that he had a purpose for me and could use me to help others even in the midst of my grief, anguish and pain. God also sent Canadians to encourage and challenge me in my walk with Him, he put me with a group for people that mothered me when I needed it the most and who continue to challenge, mother me and pray for me.

I have learnt that my Heavenly Father has been beside me throughout my grief and pain, he has never left me, during the times of anger and anguish he has held me and constantly reminded me to fear not, that I was redeemed, I have called you by name and you are mine, I was loved, that he cared for me and was upholding me. So, if you are going through a difficult time whatever it may be, keep holding on to your Heavenly Father, he is there even though you may not feel that he is, He has a plan for you even though it may seem that life has fallen apart, He loves you no matter what you do or say. Let His Word pour out into your heart by listening to it or reading it. I found the Psalms especially helpful in expressing some of the emotions that I was feeling.

I didn’t set out to write about this but I hope it helps but it was great to be remind of what God has done for me and I know He can do the same for you.

Yesterday I had planned to meet up with my friend Valerie and we were going to the Driver License Office to check out about how to get a license and if I had all the paper work. We got to the office, the lady said I had all the paperwork, I could do the eye and written test today and do the drivers test later but my friend Valerie said,

“you can do your driving test in my car”,

I said, “Alright, but I have never driven it

She said, “You’ll be fine”

The office lady gave me a number, I had to wait until I was called, she gave me the driving manual to read while I waited to prepare for the written test. I was really nervous about doing the driving test in her big car (see picture above), Valerie prayed for me out loud while I waited and kept saying,

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

I got called by Scott and gave him my documents, he checked to see if I could transfer my drivers license but he was told only Canadian and Taiwanese people can do that, so I will have to do the eye, written and drivers test. I had to answer about 6 questions with yes or no answers, I remember one was about drinking alcohol and taking drugs. I did the eye test, paid the fee for a 6 year license and got my photo taken so that if I pass all the tests it is all ready to go.

Scott told me to go over to where the written testing is done and explained about the written test. I went over and was given a number to go on the computer and would have 25 questions to answer, can get 5 wrong and can take my time. I did the test, some of the questions I had never heard off but I passed and got 4 incorrect, yippee!!!!! I now had to wait for the driving test so I got Valerie to go out with me to show me where the signals were etc before I drove the car. I drove around the car park before I went back in.

Tara called me when I got inside, I explained that

• I had never driven this vehicle before,
• the seat did not go forward so had to go to the edge of the seat, (short legged)
• the automatic gears where on the wheel which I had never had before
• I also did not know the area so she would have to tell me where to go

I had to get in, start the car, do what she asked me about the windows and the signals at the back and the front of the vehicle. Tara got in the car, told me where to go and we drove around the block, turned left and went around 3 blocks remembering to stop at all the stop signs even when no vehicles where coming. We chatted the whole time about the difference between driving at home and in the USA. I parked when we arrived back which was an experience trying to find a space but got there. I had passed!!!!! Yippee!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!!! I wanted to get out and dance and sing.

We went back in to Scott, but got Paul instead who came from Bristol which was fun chatting with him, got a print out which is my license until I get my card. The card should come in 2 weeks.

Valerie said, Praise the Lord, I knew you could do it.

God is faithful, gracious and so good to me. Praise and magnify His Name.

In God is my salvation, my glory: the rock of my strength and my refuge is in God. Ps 62 v 7

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 5v20

31 December is my wedding anniversary, I woke up thinking of Charles, I miss him but I am thankful that he is in heaven with the Lord. Although part of me was sad missing him, I was also thinking of our wedding day, especially the part in the church and how wonderful it was, remembering, that God was faithful and gracious to us throughout our married life. God was faithful to me on that day as I got 2 birthday cards, 3 Christmas cards and 4 gifts from home, it felt like gifts from heaven to encourage me and show me that I am loved and cared for. Jo and Alex took me out for a meal to celebrate my anniversary and that is what I did, remembering Charles and how God was and is so good.

I have applied for another job as a receptionist/administrative assistant in an office for health firm. I emailed my CV so will wait and see.

I met up with the CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) worker in the Kansas City area, they have a training session on Saturday 11 at 9am so I am hoping to go to it.

Thank you for your prayers, God is answering and doing great things. What is He doing for you? Please keep praying about a job, a car, getting involved with church, having fellowship and making lifelong friends.

“These thing have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full”. John15v11

In my last post I informed you all that I got my Social Security number on Christmas Day. On boxing day I didn’t do much except tidy, clean, knit and chat with my sisters in France. On Friday I got up around 4 am, got ready as we were leaving around 5.30am to drive to Iowa, I got to chat with my sister and her children letting her know where I was going which was fun. We left around 5.45 and it was dark until around 7 so couldn’t see to knit so just relaxed and enjoyed the sunrise and the beautiful scenery around me. When we got into Iowa it had farms dotted every 5 miles or so with what looked like barley blowing in the fields.

We arrived just before 9, Jo’s Aunt had breakfast already for us and we were having our Christmas Day with Jo’s family. I learned about the game Marbles (it is like frustration) I won a few games and lost loads but had loads of fun. At dinner time heard stories from Jo’s grandmother and mother about what they and their siblings got up to when they were young, it reminded me of the things my sisters and I did. I also got to do some knitting. We left Iowa around 6 and arrived around 9 and I went straight to bed.

This Christmas Jo and Alex’s families have really demonstrated to me the unconditional love of God, they have just accepted and taken me in as part of their family, this is what I needed and I feel like God is treasuring me if that makes sense.

This Monday I went on line to one of the local hospitals and uploaded my CV and did a video interview, which was strange looking at myself while answering their questions, it took me awhile but I sent it in so we will wait and see what happens.

I know God is working out his plan for me, although I miss my independence and my routine, I am learning to wait patiently although sometimes not so patiently. I have been studying for the written test and have passed a few practice ones so feeling confident. While I am waiting for a job, Jo has clued a variety of woods together that I helped him to pick and has made 3 chopping boards (see the picture above) I have been sanding them, still a bit more to do on these before we put oil on them but it has been fun and interesting learning new skills.

I keep learning that I do not need to fear what lies ahead, even in the midst of difficulties look up God is with you and he will beauty from the ashes. Keep holding on.

Happy New Year everyone, God has something amazing for you this year, there will be highs and lows, fun and sadness but God is there holding your hand if you let him in.

The Joy of the Lord is your strength Nehemiah 8v10

My birthday dawned on a beautiful sunny and clear day, I was so excited to see what God was going to do for me today. It was a Sunday morning and we were heading for church. The service was very challenging and helpful, it was on Romans 14 and it felt like God was speaking to me.

For my birthday Jo and Alex, both sets of parents and a couple that I stayed with 2 years ago all came together and we went to the Cheesecake Factory, as we were a party of 9 we had to wait an hour for a table, so I went for a walk around the block while waiting for the rest to arrive, when everyone arrived we had time of fellowship together which was fun, we also went over to the Magnolia shop just to look at Chip and Joanna Gaines items, there were a lot of fun items in it and some Bible verses which were great to read. Once our table was ready we all ordered and had fun together chatting about a variety of things, I got given some beautiful and useful gifts which I was very thankful for and thought it was very sweet of them to get me something.

Christmas Eve was a fun day with Alex, although there were times I was weepy as I was missing and thinking of Charles but God was and is my Helper. In the evening we went to her parents house with all her siblings, around the Christmas tree each person was given one gift from the youngest to the oldest to open until they were all gone, it was a fun time being with a family as it reminded me of when all my siblings were together for Christmas. On Christmas Day, I received my Social Security number, God is good 🙂 we went to Alex’s aunt’s house and it was full of loads of people constantly coming and going but it was loads of fun, got to talk about the history of Northern Ireland, places were Alex’s aunt had visited in Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. I had knitted a baby blanket and one of Alex’s cousins is pregnant so gave it to her and they were delighted which was lovely.

How was your Christmas? Please let me know and I hope you had fun.

As you can see I had a fun filled day but Charles was on my mind, I was constantly reminding myself that he was in heaven with Jesus, which made me thankful that Jesus came to this earth as a babe in Bethlehem, knowing that he was going to die on a cross for my sin, be my substitute, so that I can know that my sins are forgiven and that there is a place being prepared for me in heaven. That is so amazing and at times it is so hard to take in that the Creator of the world would do this for little old me.

Thank you Jesus for loving me, for your help, strength, grace, faithfulness and wisdom to me in this past year of my life in the midst of the sadness and the fun. I know I can trust you in this next year of my life no matter what comes my way that you are with me and will never leave me.

In my next update will fill you in about job hunt, drivers license etc, stay tuned.

• 

Tuesday week ago I decided that I would go into Kansas City as we were going somewhere on the opposite side of Kansas City and I didn’t want Jo coming back and forward. I had my day planned, walk to the nearest bus station which was an hour and 8 minutes away according to google, I then got the bus into the city at Crown Central. I needed to be there for around 4 so i thought if I left around one that should give me plenty of time to get there. I got all organised, made a proper lunch and brought snacks which in case I needed more substance. I prayed before I left that God would go before me and guide me to the right way.

I started walking and got passed all the barking dogs and seem to want to get at a piece of me, I walked to the top of the street turned right and then checked my phone to see if I had to turn right or go straight on, as I was doing this I realised that there was a vehicle coming behind me so I moved from the house I was standing in front of to a piece of ground by the side of the road. The vehicle went past, I looked at it and then looked at my phone, the sun was blinding my eyes so couldn’t really see anything. The truck stopped and the man reversed back to me and put his window down and said,

“Do you want a lift? I’m going to 47th street”

I looked at him as I wasn’t sure as I didn’t know who he was, so I asked him,

“What is your name?

“I am Don” “I live over there in the brick house” “What is your name”

” I am Ruth and I live with Jo and Alex” Do you know them?

“Oh yes, I am in charge of the neighbourhood watch”

I remembered Jo speaking to me about Don, so I decided to trust him and got into the truck. I told him I was going to the nearest bus station, he told me to look out for a bus stop on the way as he didn’t know where they were and I didn’t know where they were either so it was the blind leading the blind at this point. I had a great chat with him about his family and I found out that he feeds over 40 feral cats and the deer that comes to visit near his property and Jo had told this so I definitely knew who he was. We couldn’t find the bus stop so Don decided to take me the whole way to the City.

God is good, he answered my prayer, he went before me and I got safely to Crown Central and was able to walk to the hospital where Alex worked. I told Don that it was like God had sent him to look after me and that I was very thankful for him bringing me into Kansas City.

Snowy days

On Sunday I woke up to the snowy day just like the photo above, it was beautiful to walk about in but when going to church it was an adventure the jeep jackknifed a few occasions until we got stuck and had to reverse to get out of it. We got to church half an hour late but in time for the service, the minister Aaron was speaking about how great our God was, reading from Genesis 1-3, what I still remember was how great our God is because when Adam and Eve sinned instead of stopping the human race he killed a lamb and used the skin to clothe them. It pointed to the sacrifice that Jesus made for us as He was the Lamb that took away the sin of the world. After church I met with a few people and organised to meet up with Amanda, which I did yesterday and had loads of fun chatting about how Jo and Alex met me and what was available in the church for me to participate in. It was fun going home but we got there thankfully. Praise the Lord. Jo did say that I could drive home but I quickly said no and that he or Alex could do it.

I have started spray painting the legs of a table last week, I got to finish the legs this week and then started on the table, I have got it started even though I think I made a bit of a mess at the beginning. We brought in the 4 chairs for the dining room table that were as above, I cleaned and polished them and removed the seat part and hoping to paint and recover the seating.

So I have been keeping myself busy, been knitting a blanket in the evening as well. On Thursday as some of you may know a friend (Valerie) came and picked me up and we went to the Social Security Office, I had already completed the form at home and brought all the necessary documents just in case they did not have anything on their system. So took a number and waited until I was called, the lady was very helpful, there was nothing on the system so I just had to give her the form and my documents and she put it on the system, she then printed a couple of pages of for me to check the information, she had written down that I came from the Republic of Ireland and I told her that was incorrect as my Passport was a British passport which means that she needed to changed it to the United Kingdom, she checked my passport and said

“so you pay your money to the Queen and in Ireland you don’t “

“That is correct” I said

It made me smile. Once this was completed the lady informed me that I should get my Social Security card and number in 8 working days, to have a happy birthday and merry Christmas. My friend took me out to lunch and to the post office so that I could get some stamps. It was a great day.

This week I have been studying about the Joy we have received at Advent, in reading was in Acts 17v24-25, I found it really encouraging in the part that was written about how all we need to do is submit to Jesus,

• Trust Him to be the Supplier
• Trust Him to be the Strengthener
• Trust Him to be the Counselor
• Trust Him to be the Guide
• Trust Him to be the Saviour

and being satisfied with that and with all that God is for us in Jesus.

I am excited for my birthday tomorrow and I just want to thank you to all who are praying for me.

I wish you all a Happy and joyful Christmas with family and friends and may you have a enriching and blessed 2020.