Yardway

Yardway was the name of the amazing house in Worcester where we stayed during most of our time in the UK.  It was a testimony of Gods goodness and provision for us as it was surrounded by green fields with ponies, sheep and cows, a woodland just down the road and a huge beautiful garden.  The house itself was spacious and plenty big enough to accomodate visitors.

The house and garden

The beautiful views

Isaiah and Alana just loved to potter outside

It was so nice to be able to play host and have people come and stay with us, our record number being 10 children under the age of 10 plus 6 adults, and we still all just about fitted around the large table in the dining room!

Anyone for Croquet!

Over the course of visits we had a great time catching up with old uni friends with spouses and children, and Redcliffe college friends as well as family.

Gods amazing creatures

One of the things I love about the UK is the vast array of fauna and flora. Being where we were we were able to make the most of seeing many of Gods wonderful creatures from the  ponies in the fields next to our garden, some of which Alana had the opportunity to ride, to the cows and sheep a little further afield.

Even Isaiah got to have a little sit on Rene

Another day Alana got to ride Cobweb

At its centre Worcester has a swan sanctuary on the river Severn, so we took a number of opportunities to go and feed them and just watch their elegance even when they are on mass all fighting over the same piece of bread.

For Alana and Isaiah is was exciting just discovering some of Gods smaller creatures in the garden from the ants, to the caterpillars, woodlice, earwigs, frogs, newts and dragon flies.

Meeting the family chickens

Pond dipping in the garden

Some of the inhabitants of the pond which we found

An extra creature we found on a soggy walk through the meadows

Visiting different events around the country we also got to see various birds of prey and flying displays, snakes, lizards, scorpions, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs of all shapes and sizes and even a few alpacas and llamas.  On a visit to my brother we were also able to meet some baby hedgehogs and hold them, though they were a little prickly!

We took a visit to a Sealife centre, only the touch screens were far more interesting than the actual real fish in the tank next door

We did at least get excited about a real crab we found on the beach

Meeting a rather prickly friend

Family

One of the benefits of being back in the UK for 6 months was having time to be able to reconnect with family members. Over the course of the 6 months we were able to spend some time with all of our immediate family plus some of our wider family thanks to Dad having a big retirement party. 

Cuddles with great Auntie Freda

 Time with the cousins

The obligatory family walk, whatever the weather!

Hitching a ride with uncle Steven

Family Gatherings

Children

During the 6 months in the UK we celebrated all 3 birthdays of our children, that of Isaiah’s 1st, a few days after arriving, Lucas’s actual Birth day in the middle of April and then Alana’s 6th birthday just before leaving.

Being back in the UK provided some great opportunities for Alana and Isaiah in particular to spend time with Grandparents, aunts and uncles and to have fun with their cousins. 

A special trip to the seaside on the train with Nanna and Grampy

 Time with Grampy

Planting seeds with Nanny  

Cuddles with Pop

Forest Holidays with Aunty Beccy and Uncle Tom

Bank holiday with Bethan and Isaac

Home Leave

Our long anticipated and planned 6 months home leave in the UK has rapidly come and gone, and is quickly passing as a distant memory now that we are re settling ourselves in La Paz.

So much happened in those 6 months that its difficult to share it all, so I thought that I would summarize it in pictures through a number of different posts.

Dear Friends,

There have been moments in these last 3 months when we could have let the stresses get too much but as we have taken the time to reflect upon our situation we have come to realise just how many things we have to be so grateful for. We want to share just a few of these as a reminder and encouragement as to the love and greatness of our God.

1. Safe and swift arrival of Lucas Benjamin on Thursday 19th April
2. Provision of everything we have needed, from car seats to baby clothes and toys as well as many extra treats
3. A beautiful house in which to stay surrounded by green fields and woodlands with sheep and ponies as neighbours
4. Transportation big enough to get us and all the various things needed for 3 small children from place to place.
5. Our children to experience the beauty and freedom of the British countryside during spring and summer time discovering so many fun and exciting things, as well as Isaiah being able to build up his confidence in walking on nice soft grass!
6. Times together as a family exploring new places and time together as a couple whilst family look after the children.
7. Opportunities to catch up with extended family members and celebrate Sarah’s dad’s retirement
8. The overwhelming generosity and love of family, friends and even complete strangers.

Over these next three months we hope to be able to see many of you in person as we visit various different churches and share about our life and work in Bolivia.

Sunday 3rd June - St James, Gloucester

Sunday 17th June - St Michaels, Aberystwyth

Sunday 24th June - Ammanford Evangelical Church, Ammanford

Sunday 1st July - Lydney Fellowship, Lydney, Forest of Dean

Sunday 8th July - Abington Avenue URC, Northampton

Sunday 15th July - Berkely Chapel, Berkely, Gloucestershire

 Thank God for:

 With Love

Ed, Sarah, Alana, Isaiah & Lucas