last few days...

And so we prepare to leave Europe again. It has been a very full time – full of journeys and visits and talking and laughter. Full of encouragements and sharing and thankfulness. It has done us good, but it does feel like it's time to get back to our “real life” or at least some kind of routine! (Routine? What's that?) I would say it's time to get on with our real work, but actually part of our work is to communicate well with the churches and friends who support us, and face-to-face contact, even if it is rare, is very important. Several people said to us that despite having read our news and seen the photos, actually having us talking to them, and being able to ask questions, made it all come alive for them.

I'm very grateful to God for these last few months, and for the lack of complications we've had despite our ambitious travel plans! I'm also very grateful to all those who have given us a bed for the night, or a meal, or have simply taken time to bless us through their words. I'm grateful to our boys for putting up with it all and charming so many people!

We had a last family get-together last weekend at my cousin Catherine's wedding. Lots of fun! Here are Marc and I at the wedding (slightly weird angle seems to be shortening our legs, but you get the idea!):


And the boys at the Westbury White Horse the next day (Simon is still allergic to photos, and yes, that's Marc's nose, I didn't have time to edit!):

answer

I forgot to give the answer to the question about my mystery activity. I was doing this:

last church

Last week we spent time with our Bedford church, visiting a lot of home groups and other church groups, and speaking in the mission slot on Sunday morning. We had a lovely week, and enjoyed all the time getting to know people better. Here's my photo of the church, though in some ways I feel that it might have been more representative to have put a photo of someone's front room :o)

dygwyl (or "holiday" in Welsh!)

A few photos of our week's holiday in North Wales. Simon watching the peacocks from the window of our sun room:


Family photo on Conwy Castle:


Benjy on Penmaenmawr Beach:


Simon having tested the temperature of the Llyn Brenig reservoir (he wasn't tempted to take a dip!):


And finally a challenge! What activity am I engaged in in the following photo? The answer will come in a future posting!