There have been days over the past year when I haven’t really been sure if I would make it until the end of the school year. These days, I’m told are normal, and we obviously overcame them.

I’ve been reflecting on our school year for the past few days and I am amazed at what we have learned together - I write together because I am continually learning new things through the studies they do. I am chuffed to bits when I think of the problems the children have overcome and when I see them “get” something they have struggled with and realize that I have helped them to achieve this. My daughter really struggled with reading at school as she wasn’t quite ready to learn. Back in September she would cry every time I brought a book near her and say “I can’t do this, I’m stupid”. Now in July she is not a fluid reader yet, but she is getting there in leaps and bounds and she sits in bed at night looking at books and working out the words.

In themselves they seem so much more confident in who they are. They want to try new things. They enjoy mixing with all sorts of people (adults and children) and are not isolated at all. I love the conversations we have together about anything from God to salt dough. We have had countless visits to places to learn things. We are experiencing a different kind of family relationship.

I’m ready for the summer break, but I’m looking forward to September, though, of course, everyday is a learning experience. I thank God that I am able to teach my children.

The teacher got a nice box of chocolates this morning! She has given herself a pat on the back

I’ve felt challenged by a couple of posts today which are very different, although similar at the same time. Sonja challenges us at how much things should cost and at what human cost. TallSkinnyKiwi shares about the book Wikinomics and looks at scriptures that talk about transparency, generosity and trust rather than secrecy, hoarding and self-interest.

As others mentioned, the conversation is changing and there needs to be a next step - the question is what? Maybe more of a focus of how things look and shape out in our own lives and communities? Any ideas?

I think that I will take things slow over the summer and blog as and when and maybe pull back into things more in September - but you never know things may just flow through me!

Being an INFP I value my online relational community. I’ve decided that I need to focus on things relevant to me and where I’m at. Some of that will include my passion of justice in the world and my hope for a different kind of church. Other things I share will be boring and irrelevant to most of you - like how chuffed I am that my vegetable garden is happening this year and how I just got the big thumbs up from the education authority at how I homeschooled the kids this year!

So … I hope you stay with me on the journey, I’ll stay with you all and continue to enjoy reading about your passions and hobbies, thoughts on Christianity, love of Jesus, your travels, decorating ventures and what music you listen to!

Thank you for your comments a few weeks ago. I love the fact that I have an online community that is so open, honest and frank with me - love ya all!

Walking down the road seems to be an “all eyes to the floor” job, because a lot of the time if eye contact is made with another person, particularly younger people, you receive a mouthful of obscenities. No one seems to have any patience or respect for the elderly. Far too many gun and knife crimes are happening.

I’m often amazed at the manners, or lack of, of children. No one seems to respect one another anymore. Everyone seems to be out for themselves. Society has changed so much from the close knit communities I remember as a child. It’s almost like society got to a cross roads and took a wrong turn.

I’ve just been wondering how we can impact people in a positive way to find the right path again. Is it just through loving them and showing people respect and courtesy and thus hoping this will rub off on them and have a ripple effect within the community. Or is there much more than that?  What is missing? Or has society come to far to be able to go back now?

I don’t know what your experiences are where you live, but I really feel the UK is on a dangerous downhill spiral at the moment.

The picture above is of the Canadian High Commission in London. We spent a lot of today outside it in Trafalgar square, joining in the Canada Day celebrations in London. The High Commission, of course, was closed for the day. It was strange being so close to the building that holds our paperwork for our visa and wondering if a yes or no has already been given.

We had a great day, it was whopping 80 degrees today, which is very hot for this fair land. We enjoyed Tim Hortons coffee, a bison burger for lunch - which, incidentally, was really nice, watched hockey and just enjoyed being together. Trafalgar Square is also home to the National Gallery, so we also went and looked at some art by Da Vinci, Monet, Michelangelo, Botecelli and Van Gogh’s classic - Sunflowers.

After this we hooked up with our dear friend, and one of Ben and Grace’s Godparents, Jonathan, and went for a summer stroll through St James’s Park. Below is a picture of me and the kids with Buckingham Palace in the background - oh, and if you’re interested, the Queen was home!

Happy Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends. God bless you all.

Thank you for your comments over the past few days. I will write more another day, but I will continue to do what others have encouraged me to do, and that is share my life with you.

Edited: the link didn’t work, hopefully it does now!

Maybe it’s just me. Apologies if I’ve offended anyone. Maybe it’s just time for me to escape cyberworld and return to the real world. Maybe I just have PMS! Maybe, maybe …

Missional isn’t the latest method or style. It can’t come about through a program. Missional, to me, is a way of life. As my husband puts it “it’s seeing what God is doing where I am, where I live and joining with others to join in with God.”

There are fifty or so posts that will be appearing today, check out the links at Rick’s blog. Ones which have stood out to me today have been Alan Hirsch’s, Jamie Arpin-Ricci’s, Len Hjalmarson’s and Grace’s. I love the way she has ended her post “It is our missional privilege to share in God’s mission of reconciliation among the people in our world.”