December 06 - Update

Christmas Day 4:45am Pippa (aged 4) burst into our room "Daddy! Daddy! My tooth has come out!". It was her first one. My question was "Has Father Christmas been?". To which she replied "Oh yeh. But look my tooth!". She was sent back to to bed.

Christmas Eve - Hampden View Carol Service - maybe 50 people there (we only have 54 chairs) and we had a lovely family time together. I led a prayer time, praying for our troops serving abroad (particularly in Afghanistan). During the prayer what should happen but a mobile phone went off, and someone left the room to answer it. The culprit is in the TA, and the phone call was from his mates in Afghanistan to wish him a happy Christmas.

Dec 19th Toddler Coach Trip - Sundown Adventure Land

What an ace day. My fantastic wife organised the trip. Great day out with friends from the two Toddler groups she helps run and friends from the School Gate. Loads of scary rides (well they are if your 3 years old or called Anne-Marie) and we got to see Father Christmas (Except I stayed outside and held the coats.)

Dec 17th 11am - Toddler Nativity Service in Philadelphia WR Church Hall and joined by Hampden View Congregation.
Everyone sat round tables eating mince pies and drinking tea/coffee and chatted. On the floor at the front we placed nativity style clothing, which the kids then dressed up in, they chose who was who and some had brought their own. At about 11:20ish we showed a Video (on a big screen) called "It's a boy" http://www.itsaboy.org.uk/ featuring Canon & Ball as two Quail following the Christmas Story. Really great fun, and tells the story very well.
After the video the kids then did their own version of the story (no practice) I just gave them little suggestions, e.g. I sent Mary and Joseph around the tables to ask if anyone would take them back to their house tonight. So off they went knocking at each table, and everyone dutifully refused.
After this we got the kids together, around the crib - we sang away in a manger and photographs were taken.
Then all the kids were given a "It's a Boy" books and more tea and coffee served.

Dec 5th - Visit to Wolverhampton Churches
I had a lovely day speaking with John Griffiths(Wolverhampton), Ken Gorham(Church on the Rock & Oldbury) and Peter Hems(Old Hill, St James)
I then spoke in the evening to the people at Old Hill. What a great day of fellowship, and talking about the Lords work.