Insights

Whenever Rose uses the phrase "in England" in a question I always wonder what new insight I am going to gain into my home culture.  As a family we have a different perspective to most.  We do not see things through a mono-cultural lens anymore.  We recognise that there are other ways of doing things; that things that seem perfectly normal to one culture can seem very strange to those from a different culture.  I often feel a little strange when talking about "ate" (our helper) with the kids in front of British people.


My dad found an article in the Daily Mail about a woman who got dengue while on holiday.  Steve loved the typical Mail sensationalist headline and I loved the idea that if you go to "touristy areas" apparently mosquitoes know they shouldn't be there!!  You can read the article here if you are interested.

Debriefing

We had our official debrief today with OMF and church reps.  It was very helpful and reinforces what God has done in our lives and work these last 4 years but I was tired at the end and, once again, realised I am not up to full par yet.  It's a little frustrating and it's difficult to explain to people who have no concept of Dengue why I still feel weak.  Well, really, I don't get it either!
Sam and Emma agreed to take the kids to see the Smurfs. I'm not sure if Emma or Rose were more excited!  It killed two birds with one stone as I didn't really want to go and see it but the children were pretty keen.  I knew Emma did and we knew it would be a more productive time without them in the house so it was win-win for everyone!

Jodrell Bank

Surprisingly, we had some good weather today for our trip to Jodrell Bank (the site of a huge radio telescope).  Rose asked why the weather forecasters could be wrong.  I answered that weather forecasting "is not a science."  Umm, yes, Debs, actually it is!!! Steve helped me out by explaining it is unpredictable.
Unfortunately the planetarium - which I always thought was the best bit - is closed for "re-development".  However, they had lots of interesting activities for the children to do and make and there were interactive exhibits which were interesting.  Steve and I got to wander around these and enjoy them as the children were busy making their own paper radio telescope.  I was struck, again, by how much "knowledge" we have of space is conjecture.  I couldn't help thinking how if any of my children were brilliant enough to study astro-physics or similar field I would rather they applied that brilliance to problems we face on this planet.

Josh stole Uncle Simon's cap

Rose reads the information while Josh looks on the telescope with awe

Picking Plums

We headed up to Biddulph today to spend some time with Steve's family.  The kids (and maybe Granny!) were excited about picking plums from Grandpa's tree.  It is actually the first crop it has produced.  They tasted really good, although, after all the build-up they have created, the kids weren't sure!!

picking the home-grown tomatoes - which Josh loved!

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The Long Stretch

I think we are all ready for school to start again.  All told, we have been doing very little for about 12 weeks (apart from the 3 R and J were at school).  We are ready for a structured day, routine and a feeling of purpose!
The kids have really been very good during this time.  I have been getting increasingly bored!  I'm hoping that life lives up to my expectations when the kids go to school, but it may take even greater discipline on my part to be purposeful.

Zoo

We had a lovely, quite warm day today which was great as we took the kids to Dudley Zoo.  It is a nice setting in the castle - on a hill.  Why are lots of zoos on hills?!
Naomi wasn't too excited about all the walking.  We had a picnic lunch in the castle courtyard while we watched a bird of prey display and then the kids and Steve climbed up into the tower of the castle.

You can just see Steve and the kids at the top!

Swimming Lesson

The kids had their first swimming lesson this afternoon.  Rose and Joshua are in Stage 3 and Naomi in Stage 1.  As part of their joining up they were given a bag each and a swimming cap each.  Naomi's is red, Rose and Joshua's are yellow.  This indicated what stage they are in.
I didn't actually get to watch much because I was using the gym.  We had orientation yesterday and I took the opportunity to exercise.
I came in towards the end of Naomi's lesson.  She did a great job and was happy jumping in, swimming on her back with a noodle and doing everything the "boys helping her" asked her to try.

Far Forest Show

This afternoon we walked up the road to the Far Forest Countryside Show.  There were three big marquees, a main arena and lots of stalls and things.  We went late - about an hour and a half before it was finishing so we got in cheap and we had a fun time walking round, buying ice-cream trying a couple of the games and rides.  We watched some ducks being herded by a sheepdog and some ballet dancers from a local dance group. Josh was a bit disappointed "because it wasn't a show" so we had to explain that this kind of show is different to a stage show!  But he did get a dart gun from the 'hook the duck' game so he was placated.

A long night

After expecting to have a quiet evening, I got a phone call about 8:15 to say my great-aunt had fallen and was on the way to the hospital and could a family member go and be with her.  My mum and dad have gone away for the weekend so I tootled up to Worcester.
On reflection I'm not sure why I expected it to be just a couple of hours but it wasn't.  The examination was quick and didn't reveal anything untoward, other than a huge, purply bruise on her leg, but then we had to wait for transportation back to her home.
My aunt suffers from dementia so we had some interesting conversations and most of the time she thought I was a medical person but at one point, to help her sleep, I read to her from my Bible. I asked her if she would like to read from John as she can sometimes still quote Chapter One.  She said she liked John.  She became very calm and still and I thought she had dropped off but she was obviously just listening intently.  Halfway through she asked, "Who is it [referring to]?"  I said, "Jesus".  It was a bittersweet moment: something I know is at her core, but she could not quite remember. It was a special time of quiet in the middle of a busy A&E ward.
Around 2:45 a.m. the ambulance was available to take my aunt home so I arrived home about 3:15.  A long night, but I am glad I could be there.  I hope someone is there for me.

Home again

We spent over 6 hours in the car today going up to get Rose and Josh and coming home.  We met Steve's mum at Keele Services and Naomi stayed with her through the middle portion of the day.
Of course, they had a blast this week and it was fun to see the new dynamics at this end of the week.  They did a little photo presentation and a couple of songs as a glimpse into their week.  It looked like a lot of fun and activity.
On the way home they were quiet and dropped off to sleep before we picked up Naomi.
Rose was a little over-wrought when going to bed.  She said she was crying because she was so happy to be home!

Quiet

I think Naomi has enjoyed this week without her older siblings.  She has lots of space, no-one bossing her around, quiet and more attention.  What's not to like?
It has been quieter without Rose and Joshua and it's strange having no clue how they are doing but I am praying a lot for them - which can only be good!

Oral Hygiene

After dinner Naomi said she was very tired.  We were a little surprised as it wasn't that late but I said by the time she had showered and had her story it probably was time for bed.
"And brushed my teeth", she said.
The penny dropped.
I bought new battery powered toothbrushes for the children when I was shopping today and she was excited about using it for the first time!  I pointed out that she could brush her teeth anytime - without waiting for bedtime.
Maybe we will see a renaissance in teeth brushing in our house : )

Rekonnect

Big Day!  We took Rose and Joshua up to their TCK Camp in Yorkshire this morning.  Josh did have a little wobble on Friday about going but was fine today.  It was rainy off and on but the place they are staying is beautiful.
It was a case of "spot the returning missionary" as we all arrived bundled up against the English cold!!  There are 20 children between 6 and 12 on the week and I think it will be a lot of fun.  There are lots of activities planned and I am looking forward to hearing about it when we pick them up on Friday.
We all ate lunch together and then the children went upstairs and the parents tidied up and left.  Both of ours went off happily.

Biddulph

This is actually the first time we have made it up to Steve's mum's since we have been back.  I'm not sure it was the greatest homecoming as Steve was ill for the weekend and I was tired.  But it did give Granny lots of time with the kids.  They loved playing with her toys and reminiscing about the last time we were here.
We were pleased to see lots of plums on the plum-tree - though still green at this stage.
The kids loved going on a walk with Granny in their wellies - and almost getting lost.  They liked choosing the menu, too.
The ducks were well-fed by the time we left, too!

...And it is now

We drove back to Heathrow again today to drop Bonnie off for her flight home.  We have had such an amazing 4 weeks together and she slipped comfortably into a place in my extended family.  Even though we gave her a lot of stick for it, it was very cool to have her as our "official" photographer and she documented a lot of detail of her time here making it easier for me to blog retrospectively!

And they think it's all over...

After doing the food shopping for the week, there seemed no better way to spend Bonnie's last day than a Charity Shop crawl.  There are 4 all on the same road in Kidderminster, and altogether I think we went in 7 charity shops.  We did very well out of it with books, puzzles and clothes.  It was very fun and I love getting lots for very little.
We finished off the day with dinner at the Indian (Joshua will be able to swap stories with his mate at school!)  It was very good, although the girls were not overly pleased with their choice - too sweet I think.  Josh tried everyone's sauce.

Bonnie took this photo out of the window looking into Bewdley