Every breath a gift

Melanie —  February 14, 2020

We recently attended a wedding of a couple in our church.

 

We’ve just come to the end of a half-term of school and we’re all looking forward to a two week break.  Here are some photos from the past weeks.  But first, I want to share an experience this week that’s reminded me that life is very fragile and every breath we take is such a gift from our Father. Aliyah and I went to London on Wednesday to renew her US passport at the US embassy. As we were driving along the motorway, the car in front of me suddenly stopped abruptly.  I slammed on my brakes very hard and we came to a stop just a few feet behind the car. With my heart pounding, I looked into my rearview mirror and saw that a huge lorry (truck) came had stopped maybe a meter behind me.  Two lanes of traffic continued whizzing by on my right and I just sat there in total shock at what had just happened.  It turned out that the car in front of me had hit the car in front of it and that car had hit another car.  We very narrowly avoided what would have probably been a very serious accident, especially given the size of the lorry behind me.  This was the second scary motorway incident for me this week as after a torrential downpour, I hydro-planed badly on the motorway on Monday, losing control of the car for a few seconds that seemed like an eternity.  I’m struck by how fast deadly accidents can happen and how fragile life is on this earth.  My dad always says, “We are immortal until our work on earth is done.” So true. I’m not afraid to die, but it seems that the Lord has more time for me to serve Him for awhile longer. He’s numbered my days.  It’s been a sobering and humbling week.  I’m so glad to be held in such strong and loving hands.

Kaylah and Jessah were given gifts so they could go climbing a few weeks ago.

 

It was Jessah’s first time and she was SO excited. It was also very sweet to see how excited Kaylah was FOR her.

 

These two are at such a cute stage and I’m enjoying them so much.

 

Jessah is enjoying learning to ride her bike.

Snowdrops! Spring is coming!

 

“Skilling” through our neighbourhood in a “blizzard.” We were chased by polar bears and everything!

 

Look whose lost her front teeth!

Kaylah turned 8 on 1st of February.

 

For her birthday treat, Peter and I took her to ride a horse.

 

Kaylah loves horses at the moment (well, loves reading about them) so had so much fun actually getting to ride one.

 

Aliyah turned 17 on the 5th of February. She had her first driving lesson on that day!

 

ALiyah and I by the Thames, near the new US embassy.

 

Jessah ready to fight the Tasmanian Tiger (ie Joel!)

 

Peter and I have been increasingly feeling aware that, as followers of Jesus, we are in a massive spiritual battle.  As we observe events in the wider world around us and as we see what is going on in our own personal lives. It’s not a bad thing to feel your own vulnerability and weakness as it causes us to lean more heavily on our awesome Jesus.

2 Corinithians 12:9-10 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

We always appreciate your prayers for protection, both physically and spiritually as we continue to serve him.  We have several upcoming events and some bits of family news that we’d like to share with you so watch your inbox for an email mini update very soon!