Giving thanks for some value family time

 
Due to our hectic lifestyles, apart from mission trips,  Wayne and I have not had a proper break for almost 4 years and that is unlikely to change for the forseeable future.  However we did manage a few family days out this summer.  Our one little grandson, Morgan started school last week - we shall miss him because he used to spend 2 -  sometimes 3 days a week with us.

I also give thanks for the fact that my son Neil (seen above with Morgan) has permanently returned home from Dublin after the difficulties of the past 6 months. The whole family are overjoyed to have him back among us and we are looking forward to our first Christmas altogether in 8 years.  Neil and my other son, Wayne enjoyed a break in West Wales on his return and Wayne, I and Morgan joined them for a day at Manor Wildlife Park.   Wayne & I enjoyed an action packed  day out with Morgan at the Cantref Adventure Farm.

 Hubbie Wayne celebrated his birthday at Almond Tree with friends.  We also took out our dear Almond Tree folk to the Aberdare Country Park and also Porthcawl on day trips.   

Little Lambs Summer Trip

Cantref Adventure Farm in the heart of the Brecon Beacons was the perfect setting with its beautiful scenary for our Annual LL Trip.  It was a glorious day out with blue skies and sunshine.  There was a variety of activities and animals for all to enjoy.  Everyone who joined us mentioned that they had  a great day.  Many of the children were fast asleep on the return home!!!  

More fund raising and organizing support for our Christmas Appeal

During the past few weeks I arranged 2 Charity Sales.    These events take a lot of organizing in gathering, sorting and preparing the items for sale, then transporting them and laying everything out including our publicity stands.   The first in our village carnival proved somewhat of a trial with the weather.  We almost got blown away putting up our gazebo, then laid everything out beautifully before the skies opened and we had driving rain.  There we were holding down plastic covers in high winds - in between the showers I ventured out to gain support for naming my huge teddy bear who was a little damp by this time!.  Like all the other stall holders we wrapped up early a little bedraggled and set off home.  We were both shattered and made 35 pounds. 

A week later we held another sale at our Church and this time we managed to raise 200 pounds but could not have done it without the support of our dear friends who helped in many ways.  We had a lot of stock over and after lifting it all back into storage we came home and were ready for bed!!  However, it is all for God's work and we will do whatever we can to raise awareness and funds. 

We have 3 events coming up:  an Old Time Music Hall Sing a Long at Hirwaun OAP Association Hall at 2 pm on 22nd September including a Cake Stall (my mixers will be out again!!).  The 24th September sees our Annual Charity Walk from Hirwaun to Penderyn - up the Foel Mountain and return to a tasty buffet at our Church.  It is around 10 kilometres and we return to a tasty buffet lunch.    Please contact me if you are able to join us and support the Charity's Projects.    Here is a picture of last year's event.  It is a great fun day.  Please pray for good weather.

This year we have 4 runners enroled for the Cardiff Half Marathon (including hubbie Wayne) on 16th October.  If you would like to sponsor them then please contact me.

We also need further support for our Christmas Shoebox Appeal - this year we are down on our normal 600 children's boxes so if you can help then please contact me for a covered box.  In July we managed to fill around 200 boxes at our Church - thanks to our friend Sheila who covers all our boxes, to our Pastors, the Church elders & all our members, to everyone who supported with filled boxes,  with items to fill them and also to our friend Elizabeth Peters who does so much bargain shopping for us.   We also checked another 100 boxes .  All were packed into large boxes ready for transportation. 

"Little Lambs are Leaping" in Aberdare Park

Before the end of our term we held another "Little Lambs are Leaping" Sponsored Walk for our Pre-School children. The weather was again kind to us as children, parents, grans and friends strolled around the perimeter of the Children's Playground. The sun shone all morning as we enjoyed our teddy bear's picnic - the teddies are certainly in party mood!!!! We invited other people in the park to join us. 

Our thanks to everyone who took park to support Children's Ministries in Romania - we do not yet have a final figure for the fund raising but will let you know in due course. 

I'm back!!!

Where have I been you may ask - just busy busy busy!! Well its catch up time on what we have been up to over the summer.

In addition to our Church ministries, much of May was spent decorating the house in Sennybridge  but alas there were further holdups with the Insurance Company which are still ongoing - it will be 2 years in November since the spillage - please continue to pray with us.

In June I gave a talk about the Charity's work to the Havens (Sheltered Housing Complex) in Hirwaun as part of the Church's monthly ministry there.  We give thanks to Annette (Warden) and the residents of this complex who faithfully support us with our Shoebox Appeal each year. 

Our Annual General Meeting held on 9th July was well attended.    Sadly our income is down on last year due to my limited time in organising fund raising events.  Here we all are studying the reports which took time in preparing.    Our Trustees -  myself and Wayne, our friends, Kay and Ray Jones and Pastor Chris Dawes from our Church were re-elected  and the officers remained the same - Chairman - Chris, Secretary - myself and Treasurer - Ray.  A film show of the projects  followed the meeting while refreshments were served.