Hung out Friday night - they had pizza and a movie - a family tradition they'd picked up from our family. :D
We kicked around a few ideas for Saturday and finally ended up with taking the 14 foot Canadian canoe with Tim, Ben, Mark and myself for an outing on the Calder River near Wakefield. The day dawned beautiful and sunny and not too cold.
We had a look around Roche Abbey - it looked pretty exciting from the road, so we stopped to have a look. It was beautiful!
Then since Mark ignored both myself and Sarah SatNav (GPS) we ended up going the wrong way - got back on the right way and there'd been an accident up ahead - so maybe God saved us from being involved with that?
The trip on the canal was amazing - smooth, crisp, and a good day out. We passed a group of young people who were involved in a timed fishing tournament at one point! Followed a 'map' that told us the different sites that could be seen off to the right and left. Saw three kingfishers in resplendent colours of blue and orange flit around the banks of the river and canal. At Bingley Arms Pub we took the boat out of the canal and crossed over into the River Calder. It had some rapids but wasn't bad at all - was quite enjoyable - and then we got to the weir. We back paddled and stowed our cameras in case we should capsize on the way down. But it didn't look too difficult so we went for it. At first we got stuck on the rocks but were able to get over the 'hump' and down without any problems. Unfortunately the split we had chosen had a low hanging branch that came at us - I was in front paddling and as it was about to decapitate me I reached up and tried to shove the branch over my shoulder - but my head came out of the middle of the canoe and over we went! Capsized! (I am now 50/50 for capsizing on canoe expeditions). We righted the canoe, we were all alright, apart from our cameras not being sealed in the waterproof compartment. :( Alright, but cold and wet. Ben was in a little bit of shock, but both Mark and I spoke directly to him, assuring him he was safe, and that he wasn't going to freeze to death. Managed to do the rest of the trip without incident - was only about 10 minutes. We got into the mini-van and CRANKED the heat up!!! We all took hot showers/baths when we came in, put the fire on in the living room and snuggled into warm, dry clothes! Ben commented on the drive back that they were never taking me canoing again and Tim agreed saying I was bad luck ;)
Sunday I had two speaking engagements one at a church that has supported Mark and Olivia for almost 15 years! I was due up second after Olivia was to minister in song - but at the last minute the order of service changed and I was up first! The pastor had asked that I make it slightly applicable for the children as they were not to be dismissed for children's church until later. I was a bit more nervous than usual - especially with all these little kiddies staring out at me from the front two rows :D but it went well and I felt I was still able to share my heart and not 'lose' them in 'grownup' talk.
The second meeting was at a small fellowship that is just getting going. There is no 'official' pastor at the moment. From what I understand 5 couples have sort of formed together this fellowship and are the governing body.
I had approximately ten minutes in each service. Both, thanks to Jesus went fantastic. Both leaders said they would be looking to support financially in some way. Many took prayer and response cards.
Monday Mark and I walked the boys to school and when Olivia returned from a Dr's appointment we went SHOPPING! Hit all the charity shops in Retford! Way too much fun! ;)
Tuesday ended my time with this lovely family and though I was excited to head to Kidsgrove I was sad to say goodbye. Especially as I had overheard Tim telling a school friend on Monday that I was 'unfortunately leaving tomorrow'.
Re: Our cameras and Mark's phone: We set them in a bowl of rice for 2 1/2 days and then had them warmed in their cases on the radiator - not sure about Mark's camera but with new batteries 'R2D2' is almost as good as new! A few dirty water marks on his screen are the only remains of the dunking he endured. Hallelujah! The SD card wasn't damaged either so I was able get back all of the fantastic pictures I had taken whilst on the Saturday trip.
That's it for right now - it's almost 2 AM!
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