Do Churches have anything to offer in our modern, secular world is a question many people ask?
So much has been done in recent years, particularly by scientists e.g. Richard Dawkins to undermine peoples faith in the existence of God that increasing numbers of people have turned away from traditionally held beliefs. Are people happy as a result? What does the evidence suggest? Broken homes, drug addiction, alcoholism, violence on the streets has dramatically increased as belief in God and churchgoing has diminished. Is there any connection between these 2 facts/trends? I will leave it to you to decide!
So have churches responded to the changes going on around them in an effort to keep alive the faith, which shone, so brightly in previous generations, or have they simply given up and gone away? Ask around in your local area about church based activities for children and teenagers and you will be surprised at just how much is on offer. In my experience these clubs are bursting at the seems so they must be getting something right! Human beings are spiritual creatures and for true fulfilment this yearning in all of us must be met. Where better place to find it than in the presence of other believers at your local church? Get your children off to a good start in life.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Monday, 23 April 2007
Garden Parties and Cricket
Yet again another week has gone by and the weather has been perfect. April so far has been wall to wall sun shine. Where are the April showers? Not that I'm complaining you understand.
George and Lucy have taken to this "summer" weather with great enthusiam and have refuse to eat inside. I tentatively asked why and was informed that in warm weather all good peopl eat outside. There was not a lot I could say to that one.
My small patio garden Looks like a bedowin tent with rugs and cushions everywhere. Still everyone including the cats seem to be very happy with the current arrangemants. My only slight problem comes when I try to water the garden. I did try to discuss this problem with Lucy but she pointed out that the hose pipe ban was bound to come into force soon enough so why was I trying to water my plants now, when they would die in a few months. Point taken!
There is one other slight problem I have with this unseasonally hot weather: Cricket. Not only is the world cup on but now I have to play it as well. To be honest I am a great fan of watch/listening to the cricket and even know what a Nelson is! (a score of 111, either of a team or an individual batsman, regarded by some as unlucky. Scores of 222 and 333 are called Double and Triple Nelson respectively.)But I am not good at playing the game. In fact hopeless is a fair description of my game.
George and Lucy have taken to this "summer" weather with great enthusiam and have refuse to eat inside. I tentatively asked why and was informed that in warm weather all good peopl eat outside. There was not a lot I could say to that one.
My small patio garden Looks like a bedowin tent with rugs and cushions everywhere. Still everyone including the cats seem to be very happy with the current arrangemants. My only slight problem comes when I try to water the garden. I did try to discuss this problem with Lucy but she pointed out that the hose pipe ban was bound to come into force soon enough so why was I trying to water my plants now, when they would die in a few months. Point taken!
There is one other slight problem I have with this unseasonally hot weather: Cricket. Not only is the world cup on but now I have to play it as well. To be honest I am a great fan of watch/listening to the cricket and even know what a Nelson is! (a score of 111, either of a team or an individual batsman, regarded by some as unlucky. Scores of 222 and 333 are called Double and Triple Nelson respectively.)But I am not good at playing the game. In fact hopeless is a fair description of my game.
Monday, 16 April 2007
Visiting Horton Park Children's Farm
What a great place Horton Park Children's Farm! I took children ranging from 8 months to 8 years and everyone had a wonderful time.
We arrived at 11.00 to find the car park almost full. Top tip arrive early, especially during the holidays/weekends. The first thing you see is a huge soft play indoor area (for wet days) and the shop. We went past all of this and headed out to the animals.
Lucy was very concerned she would not be able to "cuddle" all of the animals. Thankfully you are allowed to touch almost all of the animals and in fact when we were there one of the farm workers was helping children to hold little chicks. Lucy's day was made and we had only been there for half an hour.
Having spent two hours touching, holding and feeding animals of all types and ages we decided lunch was needed. The farm has a little tea shop/cafe which provides OK food for children.
Next we headed out to the play zones and spent 4 hours running and playing in the sun. All of the children had a fab day and went home happy and tired.
I would recommend this farm to anyone with children under the age of 10 years.
We arrived at 11.00 to find the car park almost full. Top tip arrive early, especially during the holidays/weekends. The first thing you see is a huge soft play indoor area (for wet days) and the shop. We went past all of this and headed out to the animals.
Lucy was very concerned she would not be able to "cuddle" all of the animals. Thankfully you are allowed to touch almost all of the animals and in fact when we were there one of the farm workers was helping children to hold little chicks. Lucy's day was made and we had only been there for half an hour.
Having spent two hours touching, holding and feeding animals of all types and ages we decided lunch was needed. The farm has a little tea shop/cafe which provides OK food for children.
Next we headed out to the play zones and spent 4 hours running and playing in the sun. All of the children had a fab day and went home happy and tired.
I would recommend this farm to anyone with children under the age of 10 years.
Easter Hols
I love school holidays. Most of my friends think I'm mad. More children, all day = harder work! It is true that the holiday season is not calm but then my life is never calm.
I have done a little reasearch and have decided to embark upon a few day trip, some art activities and lots of free play (preferably outside)
My children love going to the farm so that will be one of our trips. I know of lots of possible day trips but if any one knows of any good ones in their area please could you add them to my comment box.
I have done a little reasearch and have decided to embark upon a few day trip, some art activities and lots of free play (preferably outside)
My children love going to the farm so that will be one of our trips. I know of lots of possible day trips but if any one knows of any good ones in their area please could you add them to my comment box.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
90 Little Ballet Dancers
Most weekends I spend Saturday with two children under the age of 10. This weekend I swapped my two little angels for 90 ballet dancing fairies/elves/acrobats...
Why, you may well ask? To be honest I am not at all sure. In fact most people think I'm mad, which seems a fair explanation.
The production was called "The lonely Princess" and was being organised by The South West School of Ballet. Two years of work and many hours of worry ended this weekend with one of the best children's ballets I have ever seen.
My jobs was to organise all the children into hair, make up, costume and then get them to the stage ON TIME! This may seem like a doddle, but trust me it was a nightmare. Even with the dedicated help of many voluntary helpers we still cut it very close to the wind on a number of occasions.
Looking back now we all had a great time and the children's performances were truly amazing, even the most shy children out performed our wildest expectations.
Well done to everyone.
Why, you may well ask? To be honest I am not at all sure. In fact most people think I'm mad, which seems a fair explanation.
The production was called "The lonely Princess" and was being organised by The South West School of Ballet. Two years of work and many hours of worry ended this weekend with one of the best children's ballets I have ever seen.
My jobs was to organise all the children into hair, make up, costume and then get them to the stage ON TIME! This may seem like a doddle, but trust me it was a nightmare. Even with the dedicated help of many voluntary helpers we still cut it very close to the wind on a number of occasions.
Looking back now we all had a great time and the children's performances were truly amazing, even the most shy children out performed our wildest expectations.
Well done to everyone.
Friday, 23 March 2007
Sick Tummies
I have not written a Blog for the last week or so for a very good reason - Stomach Bugs. Not one but two in very quick succession. How my house and I survived this I am not sure. All of the children I look after have been ill on and off for the last few weeks and wow has it been messy!
On one day I had to do 11 washes and scrubb the floors, rugs, stairs... with Dettol. The house still smells like my local doctors surgery and keeping food inside their tummies is not something I will take for granted for a very long time.
On one day I had to do 11 washes and scrubb the floors, rugs, stairs... with Dettol. The house still smells like my local doctors surgery and keeping food inside their tummies is not something I will take for granted for a very long time.
Monday, 5 March 2007
Spring flowers and gardening with small children.
In my infinite wisdom I decided a trip to the local garden centre was needed. Spring has just arrives and my garden looks a little sad and unkempt.
George and Lucy both love garden centres. I am a little surprised by this fact, most other children complain as soon as shopping is mentioned.
I decided we needed to brighten up the house and garden so we picked up a huge trolley and headed off arround the centre in search of some new, exciting plants. Within seconds the trolley was full of beautiful plants all needing varying degrees of delicate care. Lucy, especially, had choosen the biggest, most expensive and hard to maintain plants on the market. Simply announcing I had a sunny, very warm garden in summer and what was I worried about.
Some what sneakerly, I slowly replace most of the plants they had chosen with more practicle options, feeling rather proud I had avoided a crisis. Now was the time to pay and leave before my ruse had been discovered.
As we waited in the queue George played in the water feature and Lucy stood beside me with an angelic expression on her face. I should have known this spelt trouble, but the day was beautiful and I was feeling relaxed and happy. The feeling did not last long.
Suddenly, George started crying and came running over to us, looking very worried. I glanced at the water feature which was no longer trickling pleasantly but squerting water everywhere. Thankfully my bill was ready and we could pay and run. Not a very brave thing to do, I know....
As we drove home my peace was restored. We unloaded all the plants and put them in the garden. It was only then that I realised why Lucy was looking so smug...
As I swapped her choice of plants with my choice of plants she had swapped them back. My garden and home is now full of extremly beautiful needy plants!!!
George and Lucy both love garden centres. I am a little surprised by this fact, most other children complain as soon as shopping is mentioned.
I decided we needed to brighten up the house and garden so we picked up a huge trolley and headed off arround the centre in search of some new, exciting plants. Within seconds the trolley was full of beautiful plants all needing varying degrees of delicate care. Lucy, especially, had choosen the biggest, most expensive and hard to maintain plants on the market. Simply announcing I had a sunny, very warm garden in summer and what was I worried about.
Some what sneakerly, I slowly replace most of the plants they had chosen with more practicle options, feeling rather proud I had avoided a crisis. Now was the time to pay and leave before my ruse had been discovered.
As we waited in the queue George played in the water feature and Lucy stood beside me with an angelic expression on her face. I should have known this spelt trouble, but the day was beautiful and I was feeling relaxed and happy. The feeling did not last long.
Suddenly, George started crying and came running over to us, looking very worried. I glanced at the water feature which was no longer trickling pleasantly but squerting water everywhere. Thankfully my bill was ready and we could pay and run. Not a very brave thing to do, I know....
As we drove home my peace was restored. We unloaded all the plants and put them in the garden. It was only then that I realised why Lucy was looking so smug...
As I swapped her choice of plants with my choice of plants she had swapped them back. My garden and home is now full of extremly beautiful needy plants!!!
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