So where's the snow?

Muddling through life from Austria to Wales; God, life and a small black dog

Tag Archives: Joy


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Walking

God is good! We’ve been enjoying a week of wonderfully sunny weather and have made the most of it by heading up into the hills. The Mountain Ash valley does a bit of everything and we even went a bit further towards Maerdy, the other side of Aberdare. Swingle has had a ball, although there aren’t many streams around as it has been so dry, she’s found plenty of mud to bog snorkel in and cool down!

Hills, rocks, woods – lovely deciduous ones, there are so many hawthorn trees going nuts this year. Reservoirs, streams, old mine workings, very rocky paths, views of the beacons. Actually, I think this area is as good if not better!

A week off from church life too, but back with our kids club, with a seven week run until the summer holidays. We’ve been having up to 24 kids in and its been a fabulous chaos. Next week we have family visiting, then its re-building out pond which is leaking. The tadpoles are leaving as little black frogs. Funny, I never thought I’d hear myself saying we could do with a bit of rain!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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God’s work, not ours!

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So much is happening!

It’s now the beginning of May and my world is changing. We had our first Deacon’s meeting, which went really well, it didn’t take too long and we settled some issues. We had two of the old Deacons there, and they were a great help, I expect they’ll get a real thank you in church soon.

Then I had to write the minutes and that was a whole new thing to do, I’m just sending them out, so I’ll see what the feedback is.

BUT CHURCH!

We’ve had one new family, with three children arrive, so we now have Sunday school. Another lady with her small daughter, and her parents, and we had an amazing time of testimony in the service. Well, I only heard so much as I was doing Sunday school. Friday club had FIFTEEN kids last week.

Old carnal mine was moaning away on Sunday morning about missing my spiritual tank filling with being downstairs, but each time we take the kids down, I’m filled with a joy that comes only from Holy Spirit. Each time I’m in church, I’m rocking!

This is what the Lord has brought me here for. I can see the parallels with our lives here and in Austria, maybe it was a preparation for this, or a shadowing of the future, but this time I can do it full gas, throttle open, totally committed. In my own language. At home.

Right, off now to fix the photocopier!


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Oh, at last!

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Spring’s arrived in Madling. I can only heave a deep sigh of relief. It’s been an odd, snow poor winter, with illnesses, depression and the only highlight has been Christmas in the UK….oh and you know who arriving!!!!

Life with puppy means that I get to hear the dawn chorus as I let her out. As I walk along the lane, I’m spotting all the new growth and life. The Lungwort, one of my favourite flowers is on its way.

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In the last week, I’ve heard the thrush beginning to sing- there was one singing all spring in our garden last year, I hope it’s back. The swallows have arrived  at the brick factory. The dippers are shouting along the river edge. Paggy’s Bullfinches are visiting the table. Chaffinches are singing continually and the Great tits following me as we walk along the lane. I even saw some fieldfares this morning- a group was here last winter feasting on the huge crop of mountain ash berries and stayed for this poorer winter.

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The first wild crocuses appeared overnight along the lane. Butterflies are feasting on the violets on the south side of the flat The cow parsley is green and vibrant and of course the nettles are coming through.

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The Pussy willows are opening their buds, ready to be cut for Easter. This Sunday is Palm Sunday where small bundles of them and colourful bits and pieces  are tied to sticks and blessed in Church, paraded around and then often planted in the garden.

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Oh, and soon the snow will be gone, the meadow outside our window will be heavenly scented.

At last.


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So Where’s the Dog?

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I promise to all my followers that I will only do a Swingle blog once a week (really) as they haven’t followed a dog blog, and I haven’t the energy to create a new one!!!!

I don’t think I’ve been so tired since I had my babies!  Broken sleep, house chewed at the edges, bottles of disinfectant used and piles of newspapers. Puppy hood.

I don’t think I’ve been so happy for a long time either, the wriggling, quicksilver, black shadow is changing our lives. She has no side to her, no nastiness, she is just pure happiness and naughtiness! Dave is happy cos I’m happy. We have something to talk about and he actually likes and cuddles Swingle. We’re building a new fence to keep her in. Spring is coming. We get the occasional night without her banging on the bedroom door-she has taken over every other room (well maybe not the bathroom)! She’s been chipped, vaccinated, wormed and in due course will have her op. She’s a joy on the lead, has visited her first mountain hut and eaten her first basket!  How could I ever go back to the rut where we were? Thanks Lord for dogs!

 

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