Thanksgiving for answered prayer in March and April 2024.

Thanksgiving for March and April.

I come back to my God and Father to give Him special thanks publicly, for all of the prayers that I have seen answers to over the last 2 months.

As always, I also give Him thanks for the so-much-more that I have received in life, even without consciously praying and for all the blessings I have received and not even acknowledged.

For answered prayer in March:

For inspiring my preparations for a birthday party – what to bake and who to invite.

For a wonderful party and 15 beautiful guests and all their love, greetings and gifts.

For recent words of encouragement from S, Ch, E, and C.

For your inspiration to do the collage of Open Doors in Sunday School for the last 2 weeks and that many children were involved in it and blessed by it.

For keeping AV safe and restoring her to her family.

For the privilege of being able to bless a family.

For an afternoon out with R and L.

For an afternoon with W and the opportunity for blessed conversation.

That R’s surgery was successful and he’s home again.

For instructing me to leave that money out and showing me that I had heard You.

For the privilege of leading this group in the EH school and for all You did in all of us this weekend – especially with J and L.

That C says wants to be a Christian and opportunity to talk about it. ❤

For ministering more to Suzie.

That S’s wallet was found, handed in and restored to him.

For healing S’s tooth infection and giving him the help he needed.

For teaching me that You hear and answer our prayers – though not always in the way we expect!

For the blessed fellowship evening with EH leaders.

For blessing C as a man of truth.

For allowing me opportunities to recognise and repent.

For our growing Sunday School and a great Easter lesson You gave me.

For opportunities to connect with E, D, W, R and E this month.

For a new haircut that I like!

For helping to sort a new passport and then inspiring me to book a trip to Romania.

For helping me to confirm another trip with S later in the year.

For some lovely times at home and out and about with the children.

For inspiring me and giving me courage to speak out at the Good Friday service.

For a wonderful Easter Triduum shared with S and a blessed family celebration of the Risen Lord.

For all You did on the cross for us and for the resurrection life You give to us.

For answered prayer in April:

For the children’s sleepover being more restful.

For a 4^th amazing EH weekend and how You ministered so perfectly to each one of us.

For a poem a day inspiration – both to do it and to persevere.

For a successful first round of floor tiles and then for being able to borrow a grinder and to clean all the remaining tiles and then to lay and grout them all while S was away.

For the week with S in London and for all the work we accomplished there together and that there is now light at the end of this tunnel.

That I got the grass cut and house prepared before all the guests came.

For a special weekend with D, R, R, D & C, C and E all at mine and for love and fun.

That I was able to see a recording of J’s funeral, which was blessed and that he is finally at rest, in full health and with You in paradise.

That the bike finally got serviced and fixed.

For all the lessons You teach me – especially the one that the gospel is so simple – that You do not count our sins against us. Make your peace with God! Romans 5 and 2 Corinthians 5:16ff.*1

For showing me my judgments to repent of and break and releasing freedom into my friendships.

For 2 lovely walk & talk afternoons – with C and with M.

For precious birthday times with E, C and C and a brief connection with S.

For those who helped me with the checking in and organising the trip.

For D kindly driving me to the station at 4:45am.

For a safe trip to Romania and for a glorious week of sunshine.

For success with the smart-phone to do what I needed it for.

For all the new people I met in the Mission and the old ones I reconnected with and for all of the great work they do with You.

For S and her hospitality, planning and friendship.

For being able to be there for the children’s Easter programs in the 3 areas – for all the families and the seeds of love being sown there.

For the opportunity to intercede with L for D.

For all You taught me through the NaPoWriMo challenge.

*2 Corinthians 5:16

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Thanksgiving for Jan & Feb 2024

I wondered what scripture to use to begin this public thanksgiving for answered prayer and then this chorus came to mind and lifted my spirit –

Praise Him, Praise Him;

Praise Him in the morning,

Praise Him in the evening;

Praise Him, Praise Him;

Praise Him when the sun goes down.

image of snowdrops in a snowy ground – representing the hope of Spring and the hope of Jesus, who thaws our cold hearts and brings new life.

I thank my God for answering my prayers in the following ways during January:

For beginning the New Year with S and for restoring trust and closeness.

For courage to do the drive back from W. in the night and courage to learn and fix the problem with the expansion tank.

For finding a good pair of shoes for J.

For a wonderful holiday time of ?J being back at home with us.

That I got to see L this visit.

For a good first meet up with D.

For our first team meet up as leaders of small groups.

That I could finally return and upload to his computer all the digitalised slides I did for D.

For healing M.

For Your promise to our Home-Group – that You will ‘restore and more in 24’.

For fixing and restoring C’s car.

For an amazing, transformative, bonding first weekend of the new EH school.

For my precious group of wonderful individuals and for blessing me with grace to love and meet them where they are.

For all the bitter roots You continue to demolish from Suzie.

For keeping S focused on You during this tragedy and grief.

For a lovely sleepover weekend of 21/22nd Jan.

For the re-connections You inspired with family and friends.

That C is improving, healing and sober.

That R and I were able to go and retrieve all of his childhood memories from childhood home and that he coped well with it.

That C had a great week of exams – for the amazing progress and grace on him.

That J has begun to write his thesis and for the grace on his life and future too.

For the blessed opportunity to call and pray with S.

For opportunities to bless others.

For strengthening and growing S in her faith walk.

I thank my God for answering my prayers in the following ways during February:

For privilege of praying over and seeing You heal K’s hip.

For privilege of doing prayer ministry with H and S and for it making sense in joining the dots and axing some of those idols and bitter roots.

For inspiration to make calls and contacts.

For a good visit with C and family and for Your healing touch and hope.

For 2 successful house clearing days for R and us all; and for all the help to do it.

For a good few days with K as our guest.

For inspiration and favour to me to fix the floor under the shower.

For the blessings of friends.

For bringing D to church again and blessing her again.

For our group’s ministry to this month’s seekers – to the amazing transformations You do!

For another great sleepover with grandchildren.

That I succeeded in putting up some pictures at last.

That You organised transport for me to get the dresser home and for kind E, who helped me do what I couldn’t do alone.

That S was more productive and motivated since Your ministry.

For R and the people You bring into the shop for us to love and bless and for the privilege of seeing You move in their lives.

For the powerfully bonding 3 days of fasting in our church.

For a lovely evening with E and A and family.

Lord, as always I also thank You for answering all the daily prayers for protection and inspiration, wisdom and guidance and for all the blessings for which I may have neglected to give You full praise.

Psalm 32

When a great flood of trouble comes rushing in it will not reach them.

You are my hiding place; You will save me from trouble.

I sing aloud of Your salvation because You protect me.

You teach me, instruct and advise me

and protect me by Your constant love.

I shout for joy, am glad and rejoice.

I wonder if I should go back to writing these praise and thanksgiving reports on a monthly basis? What do you think, beloved reader friends?

Restore and more for Twenty-Four

Restore and more for Twenty-Four

This is a word that I and others in my church have received for 2024.

The Lord has said He will ‘restore and more for ‘24’ and I am agreeing with that in faith – for myself, the church and for all of my loved ones.

For you too!

As I thought about this, looking forward, I was minded to also look back – because largely our actions and choices yesterday pave the way for our future.

One universal law is that of sowing and reaping – the seeds I sow today will bear fruit in the future, for good or for bad – each according to their kind, and with increase, of course.

Those who know me, know that I always write a public, monthly gratitude list for all of the acknowledged answered prayer during the previous month. Throughout the year, I have written out each of the specific answered prayers for each month.

But, as I wrote out my final lists of thanksgiving for November and December, I felt compelled to stand back in gratitude and survey the whole of 2023.

When we stand back, we sometimes see a more complete, bigger picture that looked incomplete from close up.

As I look at the year as a whole, I see the hand of God guiding the choices and paths I took during 2023, but also in the lives of those for whom I have been praying.

I really am blown away in gratitude to see how long-standing prayers for issues and situations are finally beginning to show good fruit. I see areas of real transformation becoming apparent over the course of the year.

This gives me great hope and excitement for this coming year too.

I will include here a few of the things that stood out as areas to rejoice over, to give all the glory to God, Who has proven that to honour and to trust Him is true wisdom.

I am so grateful for a year of emotional and spiritual healing, leading to real transformation in my heart, showing itself in good fruit in my life.

I am grateful and amazed at the successful merger of two churches who became one, and from which the Lord has birthed a new church.

I am grateful and fascinated how the Lord has brought me back home to the family home, has removed obstacles and has restored and healed many wounded areas.

I am grateful and excited about the growth in most other relationships and the opening up of opportunities for more transformation, the blessing of others, and for the Lord to be glorified.

I am so grateful to also see real answered prayer and blessings for other loved ones – physical and emotional healing and transformation, new homes, new jobs, breakthroughs, growth, restored hope, and so much more.

I am grateful because I can see the transformation that has happened in so many areas over the course of the year. It increases my faith and strengthens my courage to go forward as a blessing, not an apology.

I am excited!

I receive with faith that this year will see a continuation and escalation of good fruit and transformation in and amongst us, for the glory of God.

If He can do it in my life, don’t give up hope for yourself and those for whom you are praying.

The Lord can breathe life and resurrection into dry bones, if we invite Him.

May your 2024 ‘restore and more’ and may you receive all that your Heavenly Father longs to bless you with.

Thanksgivings for Nov and Dec 2023

I’m almost amazed to see how many entries there are in my ‘thanksgiving for answered prayer’ log! Yet why am I amazed?

My Lord is the God of surprises!

I also can’t help but look over the year as a whole with such gratitude – but that might have to be a separate post!

‘When human-beings give thanks to God, something at the heart of the universe comes back into proper shape’ … ‘when lots of people are praying for something and God then grants it, the thanksgiving is increased’. (Tom Wright)

As always in this post, I want to give thanks publicly to God, for all the specific answers to prayers that I recognised over the months of November and December, acknowledging His care shown to me in these details of life which are important to me.

I give glory to God for His care and compassion.

Specifically I give thanks for –

– for healing S’s ankle and back in response to prayer,

– that C is now dismissed from nephropathy clinic,

– for the vision, time and strength to mend and decorate the guest room, in time for Christmas guests.

– for re-establishing the cosy home-group at our house and for the growth in love and relationship,

– For the dedication of ‘Re Church’.

– for your inspiration and courage to reach out to D and others with Your heart.

– for protecting and blessing J in Xiamen,

– for clearly showing me the new season You are leading me into

– for the powerful start to the ministry with Suzie

– for the enforced rest and for causing the infection to leave, in the name of Jesus,

– for the honour of being asked to lead the small group,

– for reassuring L about her feet issue,

– for enabling baby W to thrive,

– for N’s successful surgery and for finally allowing him home,

– for keeping T on board in the ministry

– for finding the key for us!

– for the new glasses

– for teaching me and preparing my heart for the last days,

– for a successful and fun staff Christmas meal

– for the opportunity to bless S and me with the wonderful ‘Messiah’ performance

– for a successful and warm church-family Christmas meal

– for the bus at just the right time in the snow

– for teaching me lessons through my frustration and anger at the bad customer service and for resolving the whole problem,

– for the new cooker and installation in time for Christmas guests,

– for the opportunity to re-watch all the EH videos,

– for a lovely night out at C’s and a real strengthening of love,

– for my ‘conversation’ with R&P

– that I can be a ‘trunk’

– for continuing to demolish the power and roots of bitter judgments in my life

– that S’s motivation and productivity has increased

– that D was able to visit and stay

– For a wonderful opportunity to get to know L, W, and many others over the Christmas holiday celebrations – that I was able to successfully host them all and make them welcome in Your love and grace.

– that J & L came to and were blessed at the Carol concert

– that J, C, L and W all came to the Christmas mass and You spoke to them.

– that the hopping and cooking was all a success

– that the grand-children had 2 great sleep-overs

– that I could borrow K’s scanner again and was able to re-scan over 500 of my old film negatives and over 500 slides for my dear friends.

– for all the little promptings throughout each day – reminders, ideas, thoughts and words of encouragement – spirit nudges that bless Your children. Thank You!

One of the blessings of publicly acknowledging the answers to prayer in my own life, is that you may be encouraged and your own faith strengthened.

If God has answered my little and big prayers, He will surely answer yours too!!

Can I encourage you in 2024 to write down your prayer requests – the ‘big’ requests and the smaller things that maybe you think is insignificant to God – and regularly look over what you have prayed for and are continuing to pray for… don’t give up praying for those who need a touch from God. When a prayer is answered, acknowledge it, celebrate, give thanks and write it down.

Always give thanks and always keep praying.

Philippians 4: 4 – 7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And verses 8 – 9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

What a perfect way to enter the new year!!

Autumn Thanksgiving 2023

Thanksgiving for answered prayer in September and October 2023

There is always so much to be grateful for!!!

These bi-monthly posts are specifically thanksgiving for answered prayers during the two previous months.

I pray about so many things and one day in February 2021, I heard in my heart – ‘Why do you not come back to say thank you when I answer your prayers?’

Luke 17:

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.

He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

So this is what I do – publicly – to give all the praise and thanks to God, who is faithful and good.

As prayers are answered, I log them in my thanksgiving book.

So, for September I specifically give thanks:

For enabling me to successfully restore the garden furniture

For 2 extra work-days in lieu of days off for the course next month.

For grace to strengthen relationships at work

For finally a chance to clear and clean the dining room

That the children were happy to return to school

That Chatterbox’s first day back brought in old and new families and carers

That I finished reading and reviewing ‘Unashamed’ in time for my blog slot.

For S coming to our church and being blessed

That the boys all had a great camping trip together

That S and I had a relaxing Sunday and time to talk.

For L & A finding a good flat in the right location

That J arrived safely back in Vienna and has a place to stay

That the refunds were both successful

That the statement needed finally arrived in time

For a lovely, easy reunion at J & P’s

That M&D continue to open their home for our home-group and that we started back with joy

For safe delivery of D’s granddaughter

For the amazing gift of prayer ministry to break long-standing, deep bitter roots

For inspiration and time to sort the kids’ clothes

That S managed to finally commission the boiler and got home safely

For a fun charity concert evening with S and many from church

That R, S and D and family now come to church

For letting me pray for, and for you healing T’s toe.

For my new volunteer and all the old faithful ones

For allowing me to think your thoughts after you

For the gift of dreams and for speaking to me in them

For the new pound rail

For new directorship and energy in the shop

For sending me K to lend me the scanner to copy old negatives and inspiring me to buy my own

For a lovely day out with kids to see C’s art exhibition at the university

For courage to pray for healing for M

For the improvement in C’s condition

Blessed be God forever!!!

And thanksgiving for specific answer prayers in October:

For inspiration, time and energy to let me help Gs to downsize

For giving Gs a bungalow so quickly!

That S fixed the downstairs loo and commissioned the heating in time for visitors

That I now have heating in my room!

For ideas, time and energy to make improvements on house and garden, do some plastering and to prepare fuel for winter.

For inspiration to speak up and effect change

For increased footfall already in this first week!

That C came with me to the EH seminars and for working in us both

That sharing dreams has enabled honesty and communication with D and S

For directly answering my question about overtly Christian messages – Matt 11

That S and I had a positive and productive week together in London and I managed to complete all the goals I had set.

For inspiration in London to make nice things and to meet up with P in Hanwell

For the honour of being asked to consider leading small groups in January

For inspiration and resources to make a lovely birthday weekend and sleepover for C and the kids

For showing me how to give a mother’s blessing

For blessed days of rest

For healing S’s ankle

For speaking into S’s heart and shifting her focus to blessings and what she can do to improve her life.

Blessed be God forever!

Thank you so much for your continued inspiration, presence and constant faithfulness to all who seek you with a sincere heart.

enjoying a birthday celebration together

‘In ordinary life we hardly realise that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.’ – Dietrich Bonhoefer

Summer Thanksgiving and Update

I especially want to thank my loving God and Father for all of the specific answered prayers that I have noticed and noted down during July and August this year.

As always, I’m quite sure that there are hundreds of other daily divine interventions in answer to my prayers of guidance and protection for myself and for all of my loved ones!

In July I thank Him specifically:

• that our church building is now physically a ‘light on the hill’
• for the energy, leadership and life in the newly merged church
• that I was able to borrow ‘loppers’ to trim down the eucalyptus and 2 bay trees
• that I created a guest room space in time for guests arriving!
• That I unpacked most of everything and it feels like home
• that I have been a blessing already to S
• that P had a good visit here
• that Josh arrived here safely for the Summer break
• that S and J made good progress in B Road
• that preschool, although having to close, were able to celebrate at church for patrons of 36 years service in the community.
• For healing K’s eyes, strengthening her faith and blessing her heart and family
• for blessing our Youth, Ablaze and Little Sparks
• for all the memories reignited whilst sorting all my lifetime of photos!
• For all my chats and time with Josh and all his friends now appearing again at the house
• that S and D are living happily alongside one another again
• that I could coordinate and book a holiday for 5 of us to Orkney

And my thanks for specific answered prayer for August:

• that I’ve had time to clear the front garden and paths
• that I now have wall lights and shelves
• for speaking to me through ‘Unashamed’ book that I’m reviewing
• for the joy of reading Susan’s ‘Return to Caesarea’ book
• for the people You introduce me to at work and all the divine encounters there – especially D and E.
• for a lovely evening out at Kayal with J, C, J and V.
• for the August break from duties and extra time for family and garden
• for your favour, grace, protection and presence on the whole journey – trains and boats – to and from Orkney and our wonderful family holiday there.
• That I’ve been able to clear and ‘chip’ all the garden rubbish from the patio
• for the new storage solution for DVDs
• For the miracles You are doing in church, at home and in me!
• For this rich, blessed life of adventure, mercy and Your great LOVE
• For the HOPE you give to Your children

all of us together at the Stones of Stenness

And I thank the Holy Spirit that every time I come to write a blog, He gives me grace and words to write and always some reader is inspired.

I thank God for you, my readers too. ❤

Don’t forget to go and thank God for all of the prayers He has answered this week for you.

He is so faithful.

YAY! Special Thanksgiving (Long Overdue) and Life Update.

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:2-3

I apologize for not proclaiming my monthly gratitude for answered prayer since April!

I have much to declare thanks for during May and June, but I have been exceptionally busy moving house. If anyone has recently had to move house, they will know how time-and-energy consuming it is! Most of it I lifted, cleaned, packed, carried and unpacked myself.

But here I am, now one week in the new place.

The previous home I give great thanks for. But that chapter has ended and a new chapter has begun.

I praise God in anticipation of all He will continue to do in my life in my new home.

But, during May and June, in answer to specific prayers, I want to give God glory and thanks for:

For an evening of healing, resurrection and re-instatement for my dear C.

For a time of prayer ministry for my own blocks to processing grief.

For excellent workmanship by the plasterer for my new palace.

For inspiration to submit all final EH homework in time.

For 2 beautiful grandchildren sleepovers over 2 May bank-holidays.

For inspiration for both Ablaze lessons on the risen Jesus (pre-Ascension) and Pentecost.

For a lunch treat with my dear R.

For some extra overtime in lieu of some holiday days off.

For some good walk and talk catch-ups with good old friends.

That C has faced looking at budgeting wisely.

That J and S did a great week’s work together in WD.

That S had a refreshing walking holiday.

That M and S had a second successful working week together in WD.

That P’s tumour was benign.

That J has ‘bounced back’ after being beaten up.

For a successful, bonding, church-family meal.

That K is looking well and loving her new home.

For healing K’s eyes!!

That C was awarded a research placement for the Summer.

For the 5^th excellent EH weekend and for healing and showing me glimpses of my true identity.

That M got his 2 books published!

That I got the ceiling painted and the fresh plaster sealed and EH homework all completed by 26^th May.

That ferrying T to airport and her visit was all a great blessing.

For energy and grace to keep going…

For all 5 amazing baptism testimonies and for R’s dedication – for a transformative day!

For chance to go to Cathedral to celebrate 35 years since becoming a Catholic.

That C got 95% for his last essay and has now completed his Year 2 exams.

That C prepared well for his talk and had a wonderful experience at the conference and then blessed the homeless from the overflow of conference food.

That J is on the mend and was well enough to pop in to see me.

That D was well enough to travel.

For all my amazing volunteers at the shop, for the new ones and the great teamwork.

That J now has a new SJD supervisor.

For the final EH 202 weekend and that we have all graduated.

That J had time to help with last bits of woodwork and I got all painted and sanded before carpet came.

For lovely meal and evening with C, J and N.

For a powerful youth-led service on Fathers’ Day.

That G and I finally had a more fruitful dialogue.

That I was able to help out J and C.

For D’s blessed time at mine and her help with my move.

For K’s help with moving and cleaning.

That the bigger items of furniture and white goods all found worthy homes in time.

That I managed to complete it all without scrimping and got keys handed in by 1pm on 30^th.

That S welcomed me into my new home!

This may seem like a long list of trivia, but god hears each and every prayer and He is greatly interested in the details of our lives.

He loves to bless us and to use us to be a blessing to others.

Praise His Holy name.

“Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!

Each day proclaim the good news that He saves

Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.

Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.

Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!”

1 Chronicles 16: 23 – 25

my new home only 3 weeks before moving in.

Praise God I am now in my new home and a new chapter of my life!

Thanksgiving for April

Thanksgiving for April:

I will wake the dawn with my song.

I will thank You, LORD, among all the people;

I will sing Your praises among the nations;

For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens,

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Psalm 57:9

I want to thank the Lord for His faithfulness and blessings throughout April – in answer to my prayers of the heart.

I thank Him specifically and publicly that:

That S was able to get in touch with their feelings and to hear Your voice and could allow a prayer ministry session and allow You to put the axe to some bitter roots.

For blessing R with a good temporary home for self and family.

That I could catch-up and write some good-read reviews.

For the treat of a wonderful evening at the concert hall to appreciate the talent of Dvorak and Sibellius cello concertos.

That I could hear Your voice and receive Your grace and privilege to do things differently and to be a blessing to C, C and E.

That C got to see good doctors and had swift appointments to check things out.

That You healed C and they are in Your hands.

That you gave me 2 good Ablaze lessons and for those wonderful children!

That the young people had the courage to perform on Easter Sunday.

That M has recovered and is back to himself.

That R was able to talk and express some hope and gratitude and that I could empathise with and minister to the wounded, unhealed, inner-child of R.

For opportunities to bless K and that K is able to bless others in family and community.

For a wonderful Easter Tridiuum and shared times with S. at SA and SH.

For Your help, wisdom and grace to host, feed and fellowship joyfully with 10 family people and have a wonderful Easter Sunday.

That S has also been properly seen by the GP and is on a path to recovery.

That my March EH homework was completed and submitted on time.

That the EH school weekend was pure gold yet again and for all you did for I, J and all of us.

For all that You taught me about depression and how to love those in depression.

For the parent-blessing from P & J and the marriage prayer from PP.

For a couple of spontaneous meet-ups with C and other friends.

That I could go to the crematorium spontaneously to remember my mum on her birthday.

That J and S making great progress on my room prior to plastering.

For Your ongoing inspiration and guidance in my everyday life.

For the wonderful evening with C at Billy Ocean concert and the opportunity for fun and deep fellowship and healing connection.

For a blessed morning in pre-school.

For a healthy, blessed, long chat and connection with D.

For all the beauty of Spring and for spaces to savour the fragrances and freshness of creation.

spring garden flowers – white and blue forget-me-nots and blue-bells

Lord, I thank You that You never leave me or forsake me and that I can always trust You, because You are always faithful in love and in mercy, and because You give wisdom to all those who ask You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit – our Comforter and guide throughout our journey.

Praise and thanks to God!!

Thanksgiving for Feb and March 2023

This has been too long since I publicly gave thanks for all the answered prayers and blessings in my life over the last 2 months. As I was away at end of Feb until some way into March, I decided to do two-in-one, yet even now April marches on.

Today, April 13^th, would be my Mammy’s earthly birthday, and I begin by giving thanks for her and for honouring who she was. I thank God that He has been showing me the blessings that came through my parents whilst He has been healing me of the wounding I carried.

Before I list His specific answers to prayer, I will share a psalm that He gave me when I questioned whether I should continue with the monthly public thanksgiving blog:

Psalm 33

All you that are righteous shout for joy for what the LORD has done;

praise Him, all you that obey Him.

Give thanks to the LORD with harps, sing to Him with stringed instruments.

Sing a new song to Him.

So I shout for joy and thanks for the following:

That my homework has been submitted on time for Feb and March.

For a successful birthday weekend with the grand-kids.

For the invitation and wonderful evening for Z’s birthday.

That S.’s test rig was a success and the time-sensitive PHD work signed off.

For opportunities to serve and support S throughout these months.

For blessing K and M as a couple.

For giving me the Ablaze lessons .

For directing my steps, opening my ears and giving me to courage to obey You.

For helping me to plan, prepare, pack and travel efficiently and stress-free.

For a very blessed and treasured time with J in Vienna and all the lovely people.

For a safe train-ride from Vienna to Sighisoara.

For the comfort and warm welcome with Metro-Ministries and for a blessed week with S in a beautiful town and country.

For the privilege of being among the children and families and workers in the ministry.

For the opportunity to visit Rupea, Brașov and Peleș.

That salvation has come to 3 families there in the mission village this spring.

That the pallet of furniture and the 2 new interns all arrived safely.

For the privilege of doing prayer ministry with S and S and for the healing from Jesus.

For the lady H I met at the airport.

That I was met and escorted from my arrival in each country.

For 8 years of sobriety!

For refreshing J with friends and visits to Bratislava.

For Feb and March EH weekends – especially the work You are doing among us!

For teaching me again to praise You when I go into battle. For you are my refuge and my hiding place. I renounce all my false refuges!

That K has been able to join our fellowship group.

That R has returned to You and to church.

That M and D have welcomed our group into their home temporarily.

That I could prepare and paint the bay masonry at Burton Road.

That the insulated plasterboard has all been put up.

That the carpet is ordered.

That I was able to sort and donate lots more stuff from the house.

For the NG4 church network service and re-dedication.

That You have many people in this city!

For the dream you gave me.

That S could fix my laptop and nothing was lost.

That You broke the power of all the generational curses operating in my family line and have broken the power of it over the subsequent generations, by the power of the cross of Jesus.

For giving me courage to enter the writing competition, even at the last minute.

Thank You that praise of You brings power, joy, victory and strength to the one praising, and all glory to You, who are worthy of the Kingdom, the power and the glory.

Remember always to give Him thanks, despite the circumstances, for He is with You in battle and in peace and He is always faithful to His word.

(I loved that – just looked at the time on my laptop – 13:13:13 on 13^th April 2023. )

Jan 2023 Thanksgiving

Jan 2023 Thanksgiving

I thank the Lord for 2023, for His continued love and mercy and for His faithfulness.

I pray for you, my readers and friends – that the Lord may assist you in praying and in rejoicing as you witness the power of God in your lives.

For prayers answered in January 2023, I thank my Lord God:

For the invitation and party down in London and for the rest, walk and company.

For the courage and protection driving in unknown places at 2:30am.

For all we accomplished on the house.

For J’s safe flight back to Vienna.

For S’s safe drive back to Switzerland.

For a glorious Epiphany rest day with swim, sauna and friendship.

For a precious, healing confidence from J.

For precious afternoon with C and for meal treat together.

That S’s lost phone and wallet were both handed in and retrieved.

For preparing me well for the next EH weekend.

For a powerful first weekend of 202, for a lovely new group

For healing another bitter root in me.

For inspiring me to minister with another.

For S’s great progress and perseverance this month.

That the grandchildren are growing fabulously in literacy and in wisdom and grace.

That the long-awaited windows are installed and for inspiring me to paint the stonework.

For 3 car-loads of boxes now moved to their new home.

For an encouraging farewell to out-going leaders and a powerful commissioning of new pastors in the merging church community.

For motivation to keep doing the next right thing, even when I don’t feel like it at all.

For inspiration to travel before passport expires.

For inspiration and guidance in the booking of flights.

For peace of knowing that in all things, I can trust You!

Amusing views and memories on an early January walk along a canal in London…

There’s a funny story attached to the memory evoked by the ‘legs’ flailing out of the vegetation. Maybe my sister would tell a better version of the story, as in the memory, they were my legs she was laughing hysterically at!

This verse blessed me this morning, so I bless you with this prayer too:

May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being – spirit, soul and body – free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because He is FAITHFUL.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24