Symbolic mug and Burma trip driving me crazy!!

Hi you complete gems

Congratulations to my fantastic niece Francesca for turning 18. You looked stunning, are a brilliant young person and the whole world knows I love you to bits. Celebrating 4 times was great and just as it should be. Wonder where you got that habit from!! The heart is from my sister and wow it is SO ME!!You always choose amazing presents dearest sister.

Last week I got a text from 2 former students, both of whom have been mentioned in the blog before with some cheeky comments and far too much praise!!. Of course they know what I think of them!! Wonderful!! I have been asked out to tea on Monday afternoon and will be picked up from the library at 3pm. I might be late and check their grace level, but as they have always been more mature than me since year 7 .......!! So you stars I know I will have a great time.

Having real trouble AGAIN putting photos on the blog, but if I can put on I will. The clemetis is me on a bad hair day and China has this fantastic landscape with my favourite colours. Such diversity in creation I think reflects an amazing God who loves variety, colour, richness and creates all this for us to enjoy. We are so fortunate to SEE all these inspiring things and it is such a gift, whether looking into the faces of those we love( which I never tire of ) or looking at natural beauty and creation.


When I went to see the chaplain at Herts University he gave me a mug which I think is significant (and you will all be yawning). "Restored to the glory of God" and I still feel that is a picture of my life so far.

The most inspiring stories by a long way, has been the amazing account of Abigail Witchells and her husband and family following the near fatal stabbing she received where she was given the last rites. Her courage is awesome and at Lourdes the photos showed that marvellous joy and I am reminded of that verse “The joy of the Lord is your strength”. Undoubtedly dark days are there, especially at not being able to cuddle her children. Secondly Jane Tomlinson whose inspirational book " The Luxury of Time " made me cry, has just cycled across America. Six years ago she was told she only had 6 months to live. What remarkable women- not that they would recognise themselves in that phrase.


Do you remember that phrase I used about the “good being the enemy of the best”? Well Tony Blair apparently used part of it as quoted on Thought for the Day this week (9th) but a guy called Akhandadhi Das. TB said we should not make the best the enemy of the good” Das was saying that in the pragmatic world of the 21st, the faith view of pursuing the best that God has for us or in our relationship with God, can appear unrealistic. I think some of you misunderstood what I was saying last time. I do not want to live a mediocre life and I want God’s best for my life, as His plans for me are way beyond my wildest dreams and I would not miss them for the world. The Bible is full of people asking God for direction, wanting His will in their lives and as He knows me better than anyone He knows just the things that will bring my heart alive and yet it is all about Him. I want to be in His story ( history!) and I believe I can be. I believe I am.

I had lunch with dear Rachel my old pastor mentioned in previous blogs and it was fantastic to see her as I love her to bits. On the morning of 6th I have just heard her amazing talk on "A Captivated heart in a season of change" on the PCC web site and it is AWESOME and so RIGHT FOR ME NOW. I was in tears within 5 minutes because for me she captures the heartcry of God like nobody else I know. As she had just arrived from the States 2 days prior, is possibly going to move house and is writing her 2nd book I was very fortunate to get time with her!! You gem Rachel if you are reading this.

Guess WHAT.!! The family who came 4 months ago have been moved as the person is selling the house!! Some of you will remember me using a naughty word when speaking to her about the situation and her kids!! I then bought her a plant( reduced to 99p and probably dead!! but with GREAT COLOURED POT) and have tried to keep the communication going. Anyway now they have gone. Thirteen years and two families moved. Patience is definately on God's agenda for me in so many ways.

About 7 months ago I thought God said I would go to Burma in October but I ignored it as it seemed CRAZY. Now it has been exasperating as one door opens and others slam shut. I may have the chance to help with some ministry in remote areas and OF COURSE I will be totally reliant on God. I can help at an English school in the capital for a few days too and have made contact with 2 groups out there and they are open to visits. The couple from UK are out the same time with them BUT their dates clash with Thuzar being free, unless I stay longer as she is free at the end of November but then the price bumps up even more as I need to pay for accommodation. I have been round and round and it is driving me crazy. I think her patience and grace are being tested big time so I hope she is smiling when she sees me!! I feel like jacking it all in but until the door really does shut I must push through! The 4th Sept MUST be the dead line to decide

I have survived the Soul Survivor festivals in Shepton Mallet at the Bath and Wells showground which had 24,000 youngsters over the 3 weeks. I also gave out communion which was very moving and tear jerking to see 10,000 young people in front of us. I had what I would consider at least 3 divine appointments, met 5 new people and I will just recount a couple. I felt God gave me a word for a young girl in the midst of thousands of people and we ended up praying later. I just prayed the usual prayer “no idea what to pray Lord but please give me the words etc" and amazingly enough even though I felt I was waffling on without direction, I confirmed all the words she had in Malaysia a year ago!! Someone there had said that God will confirm what we are saying now through someone who does not know you!! In the last few months she has been asking God where the confirmation was, as she is due to fly to Canada on 29th August to Bible College. ( Why is God so OFTEN last minute or even second!!)We were both choked. I know we will stay in touch and will probably be friends for life along with at least 3 others I met.

I also felt God gave me a word for another person and also a real heart for her as I prayed, but no idea why. On the coach coming back I felt God check me in sitting next to someone I know well and five minutes later the 2nd one I had had the word for sat next to me on the coach as she needed a lift back to London!! We had a remarkable conversation for 3 hours!!. She has emailed me to say God has answered some of the prayers almost immediately. We will end up meeting as she lives in North London. Humbling, amazing and I think wow Lord. What a privilege.

I know some of you have become annoyed by the phone line being constantly engaged as we only have one line and I have been downloading talks from St Aldates, Zacharias Trust and Peterborough Community Church etc. I leave it to download and go off and cut the grass, do washing and all the practical stuff that needs doing so apologies, as I know it is frustrating. You also cannot put comments on the blog and have to email me instead.


The BBC did a report on Burma, as a journalist was posing as a tourist and had a hidden camera, so I rang them to say keep this coming. This month I have had very disturbing emails about persecution of Christians in Egypt, Iran, India, Indonesia, Pakistan etc. Some have been tortured, pastors beaten up and killed, girls of 16 in Indonesia beheaded for their faith and other terrible things. I think I said on the last blog that this is increasing at an alarming rate and many brothers and sisters in Christ are paying a very high price for their faith. Their courage is remarkable.

I picked up the book by Stormie Omartian "Just enough light for the step I am on" the one that God directly used to lead me to resign. Such gems in it even though I could not understand why He was insistent I buy it. It says that when we are patient we are like God which I had never seen before. Other stuff I will give next time.

I found a fantastic Monsoon ( my 3rd)purple jacket from you know where. It is a size 10 and I am a 12 but frankly my name was written all over it!!I know in the BIble is says if anyone has 2 tunics then give.. but I have ripped that page out of mine, with all the others thousands of challenging pages, so it does not apply to me!!

This has been a testing few weeks in many ways and one of the hardest fortnights, but all will be well and I will continue to trust!!

Wonder if anyone saw the programme called "Shoot the Messenger" and your views on it. It was certainly controversial. I also saw Legends of the Fall a film I have seen before when at dads. Do you know my dad has a purple and green hoover and p and g bathroom with white suite. Very tasteful!!!

On the Today programme on Radio 4 (my favourite radio programme along with Desert Island Discs) they were talking about opening communication with Al Quada ( spelling right?). Interesting idea and I would welcome thoughts from anyone reading this.

SO you amazing and dearly loved(yes you!!) people do take care. Enjoy the rest of the summer whatever you do. Next month I will let you know if I am going to Burma or not and put us all out of our misery as I am testing some people's patience to the limit!!!!! Today, the 6th, wondering about refugee camps and if God is in that or not.... !!!

Lots of love as ever

Fliss