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RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tony B — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:15:52 GMT

Hi, folks - hope Christmas was good, and post-Christmas exhaustion not overwhelming.

Just to remind you of what I posted a couple of months ago - Margi and I will be at St D's from next Monday (5.1) 'til Thursday (8.1). If anyone is in reach, and would like to get together, it would be fun!:kiss:

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:31:28 GMT

Bon Noel
We are in Brittanny with William & Sarah

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:51:22 GMT

Dear all,

Stopping by to wish you all a happy and blessed Christmas. I'm in that space between the Children's Christmas Eve Service and Midnight Communion - which really IS Christmas for me...

God bless

With love as ever,
Lesley xx

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:37:48 GMT

Dear All,

I preached my first sermon at the "really" new Church on Sunday. The other church in the twin parish where I am now knew about me because I covered during the period before the present vicar came.

There were several quite shocked faces when I emerged robed on Sunday morning...:w00t:

I got John the Baptist to preach on, so I did "image" and "perception" for the sermon - and "it's not who we are - but who we're about"...

I opened with the memorable and (for some reason funny) sentence:

"I guess it's about time I came out of the closet - I mean vestry" (the vestry at Emmanuel is closet sized) :Whistling:

They're going to have to get used to me - they've got me preaching again tomorrow.... presents and presence, I think.

Someone said how wonderful it was to have someone preach who so clearly loved to do it and was entranced by God's word. I think that was possibly the nicest thing anyone could have said to me.

I certainly love writing (I'm not so sure about the actual preaching bit) but for someone to pick up on my fascination with scripture was such a lovely thing to say and such an encouragement to me.

All the ladies from Emmanuel's Women's Fellowship (well many of us) are off out tonight for a Christmas meal. 38 of us. We put money aside every week over the months and go out at Christmas. It should be good... I hope so. I'm missing my beloved Choir Practice to go.

It's all so different to last year, isn't it? I was thinking back to the perfect stillness of the radiotherapy machine and the mask and the Christmas Carols playing in the background. Just God and I together. That's harder this year. I know I have so much to be grateful for and so much to praise Him for - but those moments were, in their own way, perfect. What a strange thing to write about something so awful!

I must go and start getting ready for the meal.

God bless
With love as ever,
Lesley xx (and Desmond, who is looking forward to a "doggy bag" - or should that be "teddy bag"?)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tony B — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:18:26 GMT

"But now it's into the Advent/Christmas season with a vengeance, so hardly time for me feet to touch the floor."

Yup. I think it's called gathering momentum...
:D

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:53:45 GMT

Dear All,

I had a fantastic week at St. D's - and bumped into NL's daughter as well...

It was just what I needed - a chance to draw breath and refocus before the next bit of life jumped on me ;)

God is so gracious in His provision to us of these spaces and people around whom we can pause and stretch, I think.

When I got back, I had to opportunity to lead the Christmas Tree Service at Emmanuel (one of the "Twin" churches where I now am). This is a tradition stretching back 40 years or so and has no real theology about it except an opportunity for children to sing Christmas Carols and decorate the tree in Church. However, for me the best bit was being taken by the hand by a young man with disabilities to meet his mum at the back of church during the service...It's moments like these that make it worthwhile. I was really moved.

You see, during my week at St. D's, I had given a paper on the theology of families with children with special needs and the Church, and here I was being shown it in practice!

But now it's into the Advent/Christmas season with a vengeance, so hardly time for me feet to touch the floor.

I have an interview for that job on Friday....

And, of course, I'm now back to preaching regularly again - not to mention all the other "little things" that are cropping up in the near future...Christmas services with the Choir, lunches (two churches, so twice as many :w00t: my waistline!) and so forth.

January looks nearly as bad with a week where I have to go to both Sheffield and Huddersfield.....

Then mother has the other hip done :cool:

Just for today, dear Lord.....

Now you know why I have it as my "tag" line :) It helps me not to panic.

God bless
With love as ever,

Lesley xx (and Desmond, who really did enjoy watching the leaves and the rain in Wales.....)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:16:10 GMT

[quote]and is hopping from one paw to another.[/quote]

No! ... No! ... No!.... there'll be tears before bedtime, you mark my words!

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:01:12 GMT

Dear all,

Packed and ready to go to St. D's for four days....I can feel the peace beckoning......

See you all at the weekend :P

God bless

With love as ever,
Lesley xx and Desmond...who can't wait and is hopping from one paw to another......:w00t:

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:29:08 GMT

Great! x

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:37:41 GMT

Dear all,

Had a really interesting phone call this evening. Someone I posted my CV with rang and said there was a 12 hour post going working as a nurse with the Police Force in Cheshire: would I be interested in applying?

As many of you know, one of my part time jobs is rapidly coming to an end - and life being what it is, I can't really afford just to give up half my income, but we've been worrying about it a little....

Well, Graham has. I gave up worrying about such things several years ago.

12 hours = 1 shift per week, which won't interfere too much with anything else - so it seems pretty much ideal (and the work sounds [i]fascinating[/i]) too much not to go further with. I may not be the right person, or have the right experience, of course - but, who knows?

Anyway, let's see.

It's all in God's hands anyway - so I'm not worried.

God bless
With love as ever,
Lesley xx

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:54:45 GMT

I'll tell Theodore that for the next week Desmond will be in denial

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:29:19 GMT

Dear all,

Mum is continuing to do well. She says she has no pain now in her "new" hip - but still a bit stiff in the mornings. There'll be no stopping her once she has the other one done after Christmas...

I can't wait to have her back to "normal" - well, for Mum anyway. It's all happened so fast. It's only last year she was still working down at the Children's Society shop and doing the Church Flowers. She doesn't "do" ill! I phone every evening - but it irks me to be so far away.

My period of respite and "settling in" to the new place comes to an end this Sunday - I preach "officially" on Sunday morning for the first time. The sermon's written - but I feel pretty rusty to be honest. As I've seen my new working agreement (sort of job description) I can officially say that the grass will not be growing under my feet...and I'd better not apply for that job in Chester after all. Please do be praying for me, if you would be so kind.

I'm off to St. Deiniol's on Monday for five days for the Urban Theological Collective (can't write it without grinning - sounds like the Borg - "resistance is futile: you will be assimilated"), which is much more fun than it sounds. I'm giving a paper (brag!). Actually, in spite of having to stand up and talk in front of all these really clever men (usually I'm the only woman there), I really look forward to it, because there is nothing better than a week's worth of good company and the Library to play in. I can work on the thesis and generally enjoy myself. Well worth taking annual leave for :)

Michael is having a hard time at the moment. I was up till 1.00am with him this morning (and then awake for another couple of hours worrying, as you do). I think he is feeling the pressure of work, Uni and growing out of his Youth Club. The fact "his" Rachel is away in Germany seeing family is not helping either. There's a new manager at work to boot - so there are lots of changes there for him to cope with - with his autism that's really hard for him. Then to cap it all, one young man came into the garage where he works last night drunk and threatened him - and I think it was the last straw for Michael, so I got it all when he came in..... I'm just grateful he feel able to talk to me.

However, I'm not feeling so brilliant today as a result and today is chemo day :doze:

Must go and crawl into bed. On the up side, Matthew will have cooked tea tonght - and he really is getting to be very good :)

God bless,

With love as ever,

Lesley xx (and Desmond - who is packing for St. Deiniol's as we speak)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:54:52 GMT

Welcome home, Lesley, or should I say `back`! News sounds good. Here`s hoping and praying that your Mum goes on doing well. Sounds as if she has plenty of spirit. And she`s passed it on to you! :)

Blessings,

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:35:59 GMT

Dear all,
I'm safely back from Mum's - although failed points and broken down freight trains made the four hour journey nearly seven hours in each direction (may God bless Network Rail).

The hip improved throughout my week long stay. However patience has never been one of mum's great virtues (as she herself will tell you) and at 86 it's a bit late to start learning it now!

Having said that, by the time I left, the clips were out of the wound, which was nicely healed and she was mostly off her crutches and on a walking stick. She was experiencing more pain in the one that hadn't been done - and we both have the whole experience to look forward to again in January....

Her main problem is a pressure sore on her bum that she came home from hospital with.

I wish I could have stayed for another few days - but I have to take annual leave from work and there simply not enough of it, especially as I have to repeat it all again before April.

However, she is doing the stairs on her own now, and the purchase of a walking stick to keep upstairs solved a very real issue for her.

I was absolutely exhausted when I got back and had to go straight back to work the next day. Yesterday, I spent asleep catching up.

It was nice to be home 'though. It's a long time since I was last there.

"Real life" is now asserting itself with a vengeance - all those jobs I said I'd leave until after I got back from Mum's.....

God bless
With love as ever,
Lesley xx (and Desmond, who got to see Belvoir Castle from the top of Beacon Heights on a sunny day)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:50:46 GMT

So, how is the hip?
I'm not allowed to go bungee jumping nor parachute jumping ... there goes the weekend, huh?

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:38:46 GMT

[quote](and Desmond - who is looking forward to the trip[/quote]You tell that bear to keep his feet to himself ... tripping old ladies, huh? Whatever next?

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:58:53 GMT

PS Love to read your posts, Tedi! Always make me :)

Blessings,

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:56:19 GMT

I`m just back from a few days away at a conference. It is so good to know that Lesley`s Mum has had her op and although things dipped a bit they`ve improved.

Thinking of and praying for Lesley, her Mum and all the family as Lesley hopes to get to use her train tickets.

Love and blessings, Sheila.

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:57:45 GMT

Dear all,

Mum is doing better. I'm going over to Newark on Thursday - tomorrow, as she is hoping to be discharged then. Will be staying until the following Wednesday to make sure she is back on both feet!

So internet access will be a thing of the past for a week - I'll fill you all in when I get back.

Keep praying and praising ;)

God bless

With love as ever,

Lesley xx (and Desmond - who is looking forward to the trip :hehe:)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

maya — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:48:19 GMT

Hope you have found your Mum a bit better today.

Ann

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Mini — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:11:41 GMT

Hopefully your Mum is on the mend.

It is a major op for someone with so much life experience.

Lots of loving prayers for a speedy recovery.

Love mini

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:21:07 GMT

Dear all,

Mum currently not as well as yesterday. Presently having a blood transfusion and very sleepy. Having been out of bed yesterday, she's back in bed today on an "air mattress".

86 is a grand age to be having major surgery.

Could do with your prayers....

With love as ever,
Lesley xx

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:29:13 GMT

It's not the having your leg orf and a new one bolted on that bothers ... it's the next day when they expect you to get out of bed and walk on it .... and who knows if the glue is dry yet ... has anyone checked?
So, there you are, poised on the turbo-zimmer about to put your not inconsiderable weight on this thing they nailed on less than 24 hours before ... convinced that something will fall off, out or apart... phew! I now know how St Peter felt as he stepped out of the boat...!

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:57:03 GMT

Dear all,

To let you know that mum had her hip replaced today under epidural anaesthetic. She went down to theatre at 0830 and came back to the ward at 1330 - and had 4 litres of blood in the process.

As I write, she is doing OK (for a lady of 86)...but keep praying!

I've bought my train tickets :hehe:

God bless,
With love and thanks for all your prayers.
Lesley xx

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:57:00 GMT

Dear all,

Driving is proving interesting and er...stressful.

It's very taxing actually. I hadn't realised how hard I would need to concentrate and I realise how much damage has been done by the Radiotherapy. I think that driving will be limited to local journeys only for the forseeable future, although I make it to work and back, and church and back OK, which is great for Graham.

I went to see them at the hospital on Tuesday and they've doubled my chemo dose from next week. As it makes me feel pretty gukky for a couple of days as it is, you can imagine, I'm not looking forward to it too much! However, needs must. Even so, it's not a huge dose.

Mum has had her third pre-op and it's all systems go for surgery on Friday. I'm not counting my chickens (or buying train tickets) yet, because last time the op. was cancelled on the day... She's hopeful 'though.

I had the joy of singing Choral Evensong in Chester Cathedral on Saturday night. It was lovely to worship God like this. Very special. It's not (it has to be said) my usual style, but it was lovely, even so. I thought of all the people over hundreds of years who had stood where I was and worshipped the same God. The "communion of saints" is very real in a place like that, where even the floor is worn by the passing of feet...

Dad would have been so proud.

Must go, because I'm writing this in work (I'm having trouble logging in at home, for some reason).

God bless,

With much love as ever,

Lesley xx (and Desmond - who loves trips out in the car!)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:26:17 GMT

Dear Lesley,

That`s really lovely and very interesting. I should have known they were not twins. Regarding Rachael`s difficulties, I remember the hurt when someone at church said she would have to go into a lower class - where she belonged! I snorted with indignation! And, of course, I remember how well Matthew did in his exams. Picturing him carrying out his church duties is beautiful.

Thank you. Lots of love to you all,

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:29:06 GMT

Dear Sheila,

No, Matthew and Rachael are not twins. Rachael was 18 on September 3rd and Matthew was 16 on May 25th...

Rachael has moderate/severe learning disabilities and Matthew has a severe language disorder and Attention Deficit disorder. The extent of his difficulty is such that he still has Speech Therapy now on a regular basis. Rachael has always been (and continues) in special education.

It was a very special evening. They had thought long and hard about being confirmed and the Rector has been very care-full with both of them. I specifically left them in his charge when I left and he knew what I was doing and why. Rachael in particular has been hurt in the church by some people's attitudes (which she has not really understood) and why some people "act funny" with her. You see, she has no insight into her disabilties whatsoever.

However, if you were to meet her, you would soon know that she has one of the sharpest and most discerning spirits of anyone I have ever met. She has a clear faith that radiates from her - and a clear understanding that does not need long words or complicated theology - she is simply (and profoundly) "a child of God" and will remain so. I am blessed.

Matthew has a much harder time - he knows he struggles and it is therefore much harder for him. However, he has found worth in his faith, and in the church, where he has been affirmed. He acts as sidesman and it is his job to greet people as they arrive. To acheive this is a huge thing for him, and for Joan (another sidesperson) to take him under her wing and encourage him along has been a great blessing. Everyone knows him and speaks to him, and so he speaks to everyone....How wonderful. Again, I am blessed.

So, when I moved, they didn't.

In spite of everything and the way things appear sometimes, I have so much to be thankful for.

God bless,

With love as ever,

Lesley xx

PS: I'm now practising driving hard, so that when Mum does have her operation, I can drive over to Newark (about 120 miles) and can then get to the supermarket to shop for her etc....How helpful will that be?

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:37:15 GMT

Dear Lesley,

I had not thought of the possibility of Matthew and Rachael being twins... Are they? Their confirmation by the Bishop of Chester sounds wonderful.

Every good wish for the driving Sounds like bain and blessings. But, yes, those conditions were not ideal!

So the 31st is the big day. Prayers for that.

Love and blessings,

Sheila

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:42:00 GMT

Dear All,

I find I can no longer log in from home, so have to wait until I can get time to log in at work to post! This is most annoying, as I can only contribute a couple of times a week at most - or weekly at the moment :w00t:

Still...

I am praying for Heather's family and friends. How sad to lose someone so tragically. There are no words.

Matthew and Rachael were confirmed last Sunday by the Bishop of Chester. It was a wonderful and joyful occasion for us all. I'm only sad that Mum wasn't able to be there as she still hasn't had her operation. This is now scheduled for October 31st.

My car arrived on Tuesday and I drove on my own to choir practice and back last night for the first time since April 2003 last night (without injuring myself or anyone else - or hitting anything). I've driven to work today as well. I'm OK and it's getting easier - honestly.

I'm slightly besotted with my Tigger coloured Smart Car - and repenting of it in equal measure. I'm not sure it is the car per se, so much as what it represents - freedom and recovery - although I'm painfully aware that both take time, and there's no point in running before I can walk. Driving the five miles to New Brighton (to church for choir practice last night) was absolutely exhausting. Mind it was a) dark and b) raining cats and dogs - so maybe not the best circumstances for my first "solo flight".

I can't wait to drive to St. D's :P

I'm so grateful to God for giving me this gift. The prognosis for my eyesight post-op was not good - in that it had "gone" for so long that there was little prospect of it recovering - but it looks like the radiotherapy has decompressed the optic nerves and they have recovered sufficiently. The test was not perfect - but "good enough" - and I thank God for that.

It feels like a small miracle in a whole series of miracles...

I wait now for new opportunities to serve Him.

God bless

With love as ever

Lesley xx (and Desmond - who has been out for a ride! :D)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:56:10 GMT

Dear all,

Have you heard of the tragic death of Heather Mollart?

Please read Editor Andy`s message and prayer request, and respond.

Thank you

Blessings,

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:49:32 GMT

Rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say: Rejoice exclamationmark:

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:34:32 GMT

Dear All,

Graham went to see "Mamma Mia" like a bulldog sucking a lemon - and then I caught him singing along to "Waterloo".....

Rachael learned the valuable lesson that mothers and daughters really are the same and you don't stop being "silly" and "having fun" because you are 47 ....

And I laughed and cried - because I hadn't realised how much I would enjoy myself!

If I don't get the DVD for Christmas there WILL be trouble!!

BIG NEWS - I GOT MY DRIVING LICENCE BACK YESTERDAY :D

Scared news - I have to drive again :w00t:

But it means - well, all sorts of things I'm just beginning to work through in my head - but I can get to St. D's when I want to. I can go to church when I need to. I can apply for the job that suits me (as distinct from the one I could get to). I can visit people....The list goes on, doesn't it? Baptism follow-up? Yes! Funeral follow-up? Yes! All those things I haven't been able to do properly are now open to me again. I can even help people out again.

I know it has to be reviewed in three years - but that's a lifetime away right now.

I'm so grateful. Praise God.

Now all I need is a car and some courage....

God bless

With love as ever,

Lesley xx (and Desmond, who is quite looking forward to a quick trip out....)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:43:21 GMT

I wish some of you would come down to this part of the country, e.g. to Treloyhan, where I`ll be next month.

;)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tony B — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:17:43 GMT

It's gone quiet again on this thread - hope everyone is well.

Just planning ahead - Margi and I have booked in to St D's for a few days from January 5th - 8th. If anyone is in reach and fancies getting together, that could be a good opportunity. Margi may have to return home on the Wednesday afternoon, but I will certainly be there until the Thursday (undertakers permitting...!)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Tedi Worrier — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:26:52 GMT

Desmond should know that four is the optimum number

Happy Birthday waves from Theodore, Henry, Charlie P and Evan Bernard

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:50:03 GMT

It`s nearly midnight. So I hope you are safely home and tucked up in bed now, Lesley. Trust you had a wonderful time.

Many Happy Returns,

Blessings,

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Lesley — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:29:00 GMT

Dear all,

Another little glitter of joy has just wafted its way into my life.....

THANK YOU!!!!! :hehe:

I'm skipping choir practice tonight to go to a singalong Mamma Mia!

Sort of the same;)

I'm planning to dance and sing myself stupid! (and embarrass the children mightily :cool:)

God bless,

With love as ever,

Lesley xx (and Desmond - who is looking forward to the cake, if the icing doesn't melt under the 47 candles....)

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:09:13 GMT

Happy birthday to you :)

Happy birthday to you :P

Happy birthday Dear Lesley :hehe:

Happy birthday to you ;)

with lots of love from Sheila and everybody who wishes they`d know but didn`t

:kiss:

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

Sheila — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:55:48 GMT

I guess God can please some of the people some of the time . . .

It takes someone very special to receive all that life `throws` at her in the spirit that is Lesley`s. Perhaps that should be a capital "S".

Love and gratitude,

RE: New souped up Lesley prayer site

newleprechaun — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:08:08 GMT

The Reggae Parrot on ITV2 Daytime brings me joy, because every time I hear him, I giggle

That parrot drives us crazy, we always switch the sound off so we don't throw something at the screen!:w00t::D