I'm re-reading Lord of the Rings (at last!!) for the first time since I saw the films. My 20 year old paperback edition has finally collapsed and today I dumped Book 1 into the recycling.
New edition for my birthday please…

Such a great, great book.
I'm going ot work on an atlas of it one day.

But it reminds me so much of the walk we did last week, in Anderwood.
The Fellowship have just come down from Mirrormere, post Moria, and emerging from the Dimrill Dale on their way into Lorien:

Further into the forest, the path became more solid, paved with white stones. Strider lead on purposefully now, deep in conversation with Frodo at his side, telling marvellous Elven tales of the Galadhrim…

(actually its just me and Elsi. Nice pic tho!)

Away from this path, the ground was covered in golden leaves.
And skwidgy mud. Stan lost his boot!
Moments of Pleasure :-)

First time together for absolutely ages.
F and A went out with the brownies (and Guuides) on their 'Snowball Walk' meeting over 200 others at one of the large churches on the Avenue for lunch and games etc, which meant Tx and I had an opportunity to take the younger ones to the pool.
She has never seen St swimming since he started lessons in September and it was great to see how much he has come on and how his confidence in the water is blooming.
Amazingly, LC too had a fun time, mainly floating around the pool on a noodle. Nora hated almost every minute of it, but they have all felt the same on their first visit.
We reckon that in fact LC has only been three times in her life - once a year. That's ridiculous that is!! Last time I don't remember whne but she was very clingy and didn't enjoy herself at all. not surprising I suppose if we don't go very often.
Noticeable though how much fun we ALL had, and I haven't seen Tx so relaxed and vibrant for ages. Seems weird, but our experience of having five children with us most of the time means that only having three is a breeze - though it is something many people with less would probably find quite daunting!

We exhausted the kids, and with the older two having walked five miles, a quiet afternoon was called for so it was literally that. Jigsaws are the flavour of the week at the moment, and St is reading, reading, reading. He is like a sponge for books at the moment,a nd we can't give him enough. He doesn't like Dick King-Smith but has discovered the magic of Roald Dahl and was laughing aloud at The Twits earlier on. We tease him about trying to read some Jacqueline Wilson given that we have several copies of every title (!!!) but he is adamant that these are 'girls' books.
Who says boys don't read. Try and stop him. I think he felt Charlie and The Chocolate Factory was a bit 'long', but he'll be reading that in a month or three.
Wecan't keep his reading Record Book filled as he seems to finish something every couple of days and will easily read an hour during the day and before he goes to sleep. He's not six.

Like Alice. She's on Jonah too now after I suggested it to her last night.
Apparently, the smaller books at the end of the OT are much easier to read than the big ones at the front (don't we all know that) but she's very much more a New Testament fan and loves all the stories about Jesus, especially his teaching at the temple and of course, the nativity which she seems to read over and over.
Just about getting the idea of the four Gospels actually giving different versions of the same story, which she finds a fascinating concept.
Luke, apparently, is the 'best'.
Not bad for an eight year old!

Spent an hour and a half in the company of the Church Warden and his wife this evening, getting all the background on the role etc and their place in the scheme of things.
It is the right thing for me to do, and he feels that to be able to focus on the move to the neighbouring church is better than trying to remain in post here.
I agree with that, and feel so inspired by their confidence in me.
We have agreed that I will stand for the post in April at the AGM, and that I will talk to Mr Vicar about this decision at the weekend when he comes back from holiday. I can't foresee any problem.

This step forward represents quite a Big Deal for me, because I don't feel particularly inspired by the church thing as it is at present. So often, the services on a Sunday give me nothing, and the cell has rather lost its way this year. We have been studying Christian Aid's "Act Justly" programme and its been enlightening and worthwhile in any ways, but has rather taken away the more 'spiritual' side of things and replaced it with something altogether more political.
I have been disappointed by the lack of encouragement and guidance within the church for a long time. Almost since my confirmation four years ago the nurturing has been non-existant and I have found myself yes in a beautiful garden etc etc, but with no path to follow, no direction and few signposts other than those I have brought to my own attention.
It is of course a very personal journey with God, but without much to go on I have rather wandered and drifted about.
Stood still perhaps for too long.
So I feel from a personal point of view this role will give me new focus and new purpose. From the departing Warden's point of view it is a welcome offer of support and stepping stone for his move. And from the Church's point of view I have a lot to offer and feel very confident on the PCC and around the building in general. I am however very immature and naive as a Christian, with little theological knowledge and no confidence in prayer, for instance, but it seems these are secondary requirements.
Its something I want to develop though, a few more pastoral responsibilities.

I like the idea of responsibilities.

Already answerable in many ways to Christ, but I need to feel more His presence looking over my shoulder.