Kidsgrove - Part 2

Thursday was just as busy as Wednesday had been! I didn't say, but Dave and Annette had a home meeting for me on Wednesday evening with a few people from their housegroup!

In the morning I went up to Maryhill. I was able to go on a tour of the school - it really hasn't changed all that much in the eight years since I was a student. There were about a half-dozen teachers who were still there. I knew them and they recognized me! All were very interested in what I was doing now - shared with them about God's call on my life to be a missionary nurse - that will keep them talking in the Staff Room for at least six months ;)

Me and Mrs. Charnley - Biology teacher

Me and Mrs. Moore - my old Form (Home Room) Teacher

As I was leaving Annette called to ask if I would be down for Mums and Tots? It was already quarter to 11, so I only had 15 minutes to get down there. But I walked briskly and managed to make it in time for a quick cup of tea and a few hello's. I was able to arrange a morning get together with the Shemilt's for late Friday morning.

Alan

I went back to Dave and Annette's to get my prayer cards and DVD before heading back to the church for a meeting with Alan and Sylvia, Dave, Pauline, and Val. I'd known all of them from our time here before, accept Pauline. So it was lovely to catch up with them all - and show them so pictures from Nate's wedding.

Val

Sylvia

Dave and Alan

Before

 Had a bit of a rest in the afternoon, got to Skype with Mom and Dad and then one of the ladie's from the meeting at Dave and Annette's the night before, came over with her little girl who is quite interested in Haiti. She'd saved all of her snack money for a year and donated to a project for Compost Toilets in Haiti - the money she sent provided two of these toilets to the Haitian people. And then it was out to eat at a nice restaraunt called The Counting House for a curry - I liked it...just a bit ;)

After

Friday was exciting! I got to meet up with Richard Wiseman (as stated in the video) - a guy I knew back in HS. We met just after my meeting with the Shemilt's - it was good to have a one-on-one with them. Wiseman met me at the Kidsgrove library and then we walked to a little cafe that the Methodist church have sponsored called Taste and See - it is a very cute little cafe. We talked and caught up with each other and re-lived some memories from 12:30 til 2:15 (the cafe closed at 2:00 ;P) Then we continued our conversation and decided the library was a nice warm, dry place to hang out at. Which we did til 3:00 - when he had to go to a gig he was having, and I decided to see if a neighbour was in. I was able to right at the end share some testimony with him. He had been friend's with my older brother Andrew and had come to the youth group ages ago - but I don't know exactly where he is in his search for truth. So I was praying as we were talking that God would give me the opportunity and the courage to share with him my testimony - He did and I did! It was great. Rich was very accepting and listened very well, I thought - thank you Jesus!

After catching up with Richard I was able to meet up with Alison - a friend's Mum - she'd just got back from work and shopping and we were able to enjoy a cup of tea, some biscuits, and catch up on family news! So much fun!

Betsy (I think) with Alison

I headed home for a little bit of a break before heading out to a couple's house - Adrian and Margaret who were interested in seeing my DVD and having a bit of a chat! Wonderful tea made up of a conglomeration of delicacies - cold fried chicken, olives, salad, cold cuts, delicious quiche, and for dessert stawberry trifle ;D Then it was off to Choir practice - I was invited though I tried to demur especially as I don't sing very well - but it was a community choir, I was pressed upon to attend and it was a real joy to be there! And so much fun! Especially the song they sang about making a Christmas pudding - put to an old tune: Funiculi Funicula

(VeggieTales used it in Silly Songs with Larry: High Silk Hat)

CHRISTMAS PUDDING
Alan Titchmarsh

To make a Christmas pudding you need patience
And lots of time
Chorus And lots of time

The recipe is long and very ancient
With barley wine
Chorus With barley wine

First, you take a basin and some muslin
To seal the top
Chorus To seal the top

Once you start the mixing it is tiring
You never stop
Chorus You never stop

Grapes, sultanas, half a pound of plums,
Chopped bananas, nuts and lots of crumbs,
You stir it left, you stir it right,
You need to stay up half the night,
Taste the dish and make a wish
To keep your Christmas bright!

My mother bakes a pudding, it is tiny,
It's very small
Chorus It's very small

My brother bakes a pudding, oh, cor blimey
It fills the hall
Chorus It fills the hall

Granny takes her time and uses honey
It's very thick
Chorus It's very thick

Sister's is like slime and very runny
It makes you sick
Chorus It makes you sick

Tame it, flame it, with whisky made with malt,
Suet, cruet, don't forget the salt,
With milk and peel and eggs and spice
It s bound to taste most awfully nice,
Deck'd with holly, very jolly,
It's my Christmas vice.

Boil, it, broil it, cook it till it steams,
Coat it, float it on custards and on creams,
With lemon and lime and lots of time,
To make your recipe in rhyme,
Make it merry with a cherry,
Christmas pudding time. Oi!

Pauline and Margaret