Josh's Birthday

This is Josh with his birthday present - his sax. He has played it a lot already - and it sounds good - or is it him? When he started playing, seven years ago, it looked so big. It appears to have shrunk a little!

He has had quite a good week - he passed his driving test on Thursday. He's really pleased. It'll be handy having another driver in the house, but I still think 16 is rather young to be driving those powerful tin boxes around. I originally told the children they would have to wait until they were the same age I was when I learned to drive.... which was.... 28! Ha! In a country where children think, like having a name, and the right to an opinion, driving is merely one of their human rights! why walk, when you can pollute the atmosphere and avoid exercise at the same time?

Oh well, as if he wasn't already getting a lot of prayer - he'll now be getting a lot more.

Darryl "Shannon" Pickett, 1989 - 2007

It's not really a 'musing' as such, more of a reflection... a 17 year old I have never met, who attended Evanston Township High School, would have been a senior in the Fall, and was probably known to my children, Darryl "Shannon" Pickett, was shot to death not even a block away from the school, in broad daylight on Thursday afternoon at about 1.40pm. OK, it happened in an alley; OK there had been an 'altercation' - but, so what! It is so senseless. This star football player has had his life taken away from him in its prime, and the guy who fired the shot, just destroyed his own. Apparently Shannon was defending his brother.

It is just so sad. My 'musing' on the subject is that maybe, just maybe, had guns not been involved... and there had been an altercation... maybe there would have been cuts and bruises - OK broken limbs maybe... but maybe, just maybe, Shannon would not have lost his life, and the other guy, the one who fired the shots would not be in fear for his own. What does the future hold for him?

There must be more than this! I cry out to God - for as the Psalmist says - that's where my hope comes from. But what of Shannon's family? his neighbors? the kids at the High School who pass that alley daily? the guys who played on the football team with him? even the guy on the run? where does their hope come from? My prayer is that this death would not have been in vain; that action will be taken in the community and in the city to make sure of that. How? I really don't know, but I'm praying to One who does...

So, we have started a new term with Vineyard Leadership Institute (VLI). This term we are studying Church History and Theology - now there's good beach reading for you!

Actually, to tell the truth, I am finding it quite fascinating. At a baptism at our church this past Sunday, we all recited the Nicene Creed (check out www.creeds.net/ancient/nicene) which was written during the 4th Century... that means that for four hundred years it didn't exist! It amazes me that something we take as norm (well OK in a non-traditional church like the Vineyard it's not exactly recited every week like it was in the Anglican church I attended growing up) was debated and agonized over and struggled with until we came up with something memorable that encompasses the basics of the Christian faith. Well, I find it fascinating anyway!

I have no idea what to do for my leadership project this term - any ideas? What I don't get is why, in the States, do we have to study during the summer? In UK, they get the summer off! OK it takes a little longer to finish the whole course (27 months as opposed to 23 months) - but I'd be willing to suffer like that in exchange for some guilt free novel reading at the beach instead!

Talking about graduations... here are a few pictures of Esther and hers as she graduated Haven Middle School where she has been for the last three years.

To the left we have Esther in the dress bought especially for the occasion, and to the right we have Esther with good friend Alyssa. These girls have been friends since they shared the same teacher back in Kindergarten all those years ago.


Esther's time at Haven has been an interesting three years, I think in many ways we are glad to have them behind us. ... I remember some really tough times which were such a struggle for all of us... with failing grades, questions about the purpose of life (and was it really necessary?), friendship dynamics and disappointments. Throughout the struggles, however, there was always the constant of Rob Tajada and the Haven Band ... this in many ways was what got Esther up in the morning and ultimately through these Haven years and for which I am very grateful.

However, Esther commented the other day of how she has such good memories of Haven, how 7th Grade was a great year (my negative comments above came mainly from her 7th Grade!) and how she shall miss being there. That really wasn't our experience... but memory is a weird thing!

We are now preparing for Evanston Township High School. Esther is at summer school at the moment doing Graphic Design and STAE (Steps Towards Academic Excellence) - a scheme for those who are clever - yet don't do the work. It aims to catch them before they even think about not doing so. Sounds good to me - where was such a scheme when I needed it all those years ago?

She is also spending the afternoons at tennis camp ... Wimbledon here we come (if only for the Pims and stawberries and cream...)

This is Nathan and school chum Eric proudly presenting their display at the recent Haven Middle School 6th Grade Science Fair.

Eric and Nathan were setting fire to all sorts of items in our fire place and studying which would burn the longest. It was quite fascinating. Eric had his camera on a tripod, and recorded all their findings.

They typed up their results and displayed them on the board.

Us Proud Parents having studied the hard working student's displays thoroughly left the evening highly informed on issues such as which water is best to give to plants; whether plants thrive when given either milk, soda or water; which bread goes moldy the quickest; how to make sugar and salt crystals; battery power and much much more.

I've just celebrated another 'first'!

Yesterday I went to my first ever Bridal Shower! I have managed to live in the States for eleven years, and have never been to one before. I have nothing to compare it with. I don't know what everyone else's experience with Bridal Showers are, but I was very pleased with my first experience of one.

The beautiful Bride-to-be was Patience Decker and we met at the home of Pat Dinges in Skokie. It was a beautiful day, the food was wonderful, the company more so, and fun was had by all. As the presents were opened we (like the Good Fairies in Sleeping Beauty) gave her a wish for the future - I felt I needed a magic wand - but God is actually more reliable so I managed without. My wish for the happy couple was that they should never lose their sense of adventure - no matter how many children they have. I think of Nehemiah and his team rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem with swords in their hands, and imagine Patience and Brian Pederson, her intended, building church with babies on their hips ...! Who needs two hands anyway?

One comment made was that we should hold Showers to celebrate anniversaries - that sounds like a good idea. We could do with some decent sheets, and our twentieth anniversary is this September. Really? really! - can't really believe it's been that long, but that's what the certificate says so it must be true!

Another 'first' this week - not for me, but for Esther - as well as graduating Haven Middle School (photos to follow), she has dyed her hair black. The rule was 'no dying of hair until out of middle school' - and now she's making the most of the lifting of the hair coloring restrictions. It's been done twice already due to an unevenness in color the first time. I am sure we shall go through the full selection of shades and I will try and photograph as many as I can!

We have just walked in the door having been to Matt's High School Graduation. This was held in the Northwestern University McGaw Arena - where it is more common to see a basketball game than a graduation. The acoustics made it feel rather like a swimming pool - I really wouldn't like to have been the sound engineer for an event like this, it's impossible to hear anyone clearly. I am glad the speeches were short!

I was very proud as the graduates dressed in their navy robes, sporting mortar-boards (is that what they are called here? they are in UK) ambled in to the Band playing Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance". As they came in I looked for those students I have known since they were shorter than me and now tower above me. I am proud that they have come this far and that I was able to witness, along with their families, the celebration of this milestone. As Matt walked in he did appear to have some trouble keeping the hat upon his head and took it off as soon as they sat down.

For a graduation ceremony I think it went very speedily. They had got this down to a fine art. For the presentation of the students, there were two lines of students either side of the stage. Two counselors one after the other would announce a student's name, both the students would receive their diplomas* and walk off the stage down the center steps together and this process was repeated - almost getting through two students at a time. This kept things moving very swiftly. We did manage to get in a cheer for Matt, and also for Justin - just 'cause! - which totally embarrassed Josh - oops!

*they didn't actually receive their diplomas on the stage, they were given them as they left the Arena... makes sense I guess - saving someone the task of inserting the diplomas into the folder - and then trying to hand out the right ones on the stage...!

Oh well, it has been a week of news. A close friend is very sad this week, her fiance broke off the engagement (guess that makes him an ex-fiance) - very sad for everyone who knows and loves her. You know who you are if you are reading this - we love you very much, and will always put the kettle on any time you need it!

Also, Matt found out yesterday, much to his delight, that he has been offered a place at the University of Illinois. He had been hoping to get in and has been on the waiting list for ages. We had totally given up hope, and were following plans to send him off to the University of Iowa. He was so pleased. Best friend Justin is also going there - I wonder if the University is ready for both of them?!


And just for the sake of fun, here is a comparison - Matt on his first day of High School, and also on his last. Spot the Difference!

I have just celebrated my first ever Prom - through the experience of my oldest son. We didn't do Proms when I was at High School in Wales. Our last day of school was probably accompanied by the totally unmemorable comments from equally unmemorable teachers - in my case they probably said "Goodbye and don't come back..." However, I think we students organized a meal at a place called Faenol Fawr and even organized a bus there and back - though that is so deeply hidden in the deepest darkest recesses of my brain, I may well be making that up!

Anyway, Matt, all dressed up in his tux, armed with a corsage for his Prom-date, Hannah, and looking knock-em dead handsome (well I am his mother!) gathered with other handsome chums and their equally gorgeous dates where a few less well dressed parents were allowed to take photos - some of which you have the privilege of perusing. Then they all piled in a luxury bus equipped with large screen TV, leather seats, coffee bar, video games console (who would want to go to a Prom - let's just stay on the bus...) and headed to the ballroom at Navy Pier. At half past midnight, they would all turn into pumpkins - well into jeans and sweatshirts - and head to a midnight cruise around the harbor until about 3.30, when tired, happy, with aching feet and many happy memories they would once again pile into their Prom Carriage and wend their way home again. Matt arrived home at 4.30 - not bad. When asked how it all was, we received the usual incredibly informative and descriptive "Fine" - which says it all!

So there you have a couple of group pictures, followed by a photo of Matt with Hannah. And lastly Matt with longtime friend Justin. I think there will be a well worn track between the Universities of Illinois and Iowa come September as these two guys keep in touch with one another.

So, how was my experience of my first Prom - well very calm with no stress really, thank you for asking. Matt totally organized everything he needed from the hiring of his suit - good choice n'est ce pas? - the silver waistcoat was to match Hannah's dress (clever huh?) - to even ordering the corsage. Great.

What's next - my first ever High School Graduation. We never made a big thing of that either... I think we got together one evening after our certificates had arrived at school and the Headmaster, Mr Sanderson, handed them out - no cap, no gown, no cheering crowd, oh dear. Anyway, will the reality of a true American High School Commencement Ceremony beat the low key casual receipt of A' level certificates one November evening? ... watch this space...

"Tea 'healthier' drink than water

The researchers recommend people consume three to four cups a day. Drinking three or more cups of tea a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water and may even have extra health benefits, say researchers. " (http//news.bbc.co.uk)

I have finally been exonerated! My tea addiction has finally been recognized for what it truly is - actually something really healthy. The full article can be read at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281046.stm. Of course, I have always known that tea drinking was more healthy than water and definitely more tasty anyway. However, my biggest issue with this article is that it refers to tea drinking being most common in 'older people' - those 'over forty'!!! Now that I have issue with! I am not an 'older people' - I really think I am only about 25...

Oh well, I shall just have to put on the kettle, have another cuppa and think about how healthy I am ...

This is a random thought - have you ever Googled yourself? The name Alison Doo is uncommon - and I actually found myself - nothing exciting, just a reference to Alan and I being parents of high school students on the Church Youth Group website - findthevision.org. However, Alison Davies - my maiden name - is more common especially in UK. Apparently, should any of my old school chums ever desire to find out where I am now, and stick my name in Google, they would have to choose between an author - quite successful apparently; a jewellery designer; a tragic mother who killed herself and her child by jumping off the Humber Bridge; a music therapist; a faculty associate at Simon Fraser University in Canada; a makeup artist - with a very long resume; and an associate at Mills & Reeve in Cambridge (UK)... amongst others ... and still not uncover the truth. Does my anonymity (now that's not the right word, but you know what I mean!) make me mysterious and enigmatic ... or ... not? Answers on a postcard please....

"BBC correspondent Alan Johnston disappeared on his way home from his Gaza City office on 12 March. He is feared kidnapped in the lawless territory, where he is thought to have been the only international correspondent still working. Intensive efforts have been made to secure his release. " BBC News, May 14, 2007.

I do wonder where he is and how he is surviving. I remember reading an auto-biography of Terry Waite, the envoy of the archbishop of Canterbury, who was held captive in Beirut for five years between 1987 and 1992. I remember him saying that someone, somehow had sent him a postcard of John Bunyan - the writer of Pilgrim's Progress - who was imprisoned for about twelve years in 1660 for preaching without a licence. Terry's comment was that 'at least John Bunyan had a window' meaning that the conditions John was kept in looked better than those Terry had been kept in.

At this two month mark I hope that Alan is being treated with dignity, is healthy, and has not lost hope. I also pray that all the negotiations going on behind closed doors - and I am convinced there are many - will be successful - soon.

It's very quiet here at the moment, Esther is on an 8th grade trip to Springfield, IL, to visit all the Lincoln stuff, Alan is in NYC being very busy and important, Josh and Nathan are at scouts also being busy and important, and Matt is in the house somewhere probably studying rigorously for his AP exams (!). I should be studying for my midterm next week but, well, you know how it goes... I'm having an evening off while completing a highly urgent game of solitaire.

I'm listening to a Welsh male voice choir cd - there is something about the heart of the singing and the wonderful harmonies that really make me feel homesick and long for the valleys.... one day we'll get back there and plant our church... The Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir released an award winning CD last year - I keep meaning to get myself a copy.

School will be out in just a very few weeks, that is so scary! Can't believe that Matt will be graduating High School at the end of this month - am I really old enough to have a child who has left school? something is wrong somewhere! I haven't given the summer much thought - what shall we do? I'd like to go away somewhere as a family but finding somewhere that pleases everyone is not that easy. I shall have to give this some serious thought before it's too late ... well, even later than it is now...

Well, this was a rather random posting! This computer is behaving badly and is only printing what I've written a good few seconds after I've typed it - very distracting. The other computer has got a virus and refuses to do any work for anyone (I had a virus earlier this year so I know exactly how it feels!). We are all hoping that Alan can fix it when he stops being so busy and important in New York - we are really missing itunes!

So, I'm preparing a sermon! That is such a weird thing for me to say. As part of VLI we have to do a preaching/teaching module and we get to preach to the group (three times) ... as well as the senior pastor, Steve Nicholson. That is so nerve-racking. I managed to get through the first one (on Luke 14:25 - 33) with rave reviews - must have paid people enough then! The next one I'm preparing is on marriage. I am having so much fun researching marriage today and back in the first century - the internet can truly be a wonderful thing. However, I really ought to have a little less fun, and do more stuff that needs to be done - walk dog, do laundry, get the groceries, run errands,clean the house - you know all those dreary mundane chores that contribute so much to the smooth running of the home.

Oh well.

We have skunks lodging under the back porch - again. They don't even pay rent. And they do leave their smell - the house can be quite unbearable at times. We have put some dried fox urine (bought on the 'net) - and some moth balls in their hole(s) to see whether that will drive them away. Which it did before - but they came back. This time once they leave we are going to have to fill the holes with concrete. We do have to make sure they aren't there at the time because, apparently, dead skunk smell strongly rivals live skunk smell .... and they look so cute from a distance!

Last Sunday during a conversation with Steve Nicholson and others, he commented that sometimes people in the shadows have to 'step up' I replied that in the past year I have stepped up (to new responsibilities/challenges etc) more than in the last twenty. He said that I must have prayed that my life was too boring or something .... and I have to confess that I did. Almost exactly two years ago I was in one of the cubicles in the bathrooms at church crying my heart out to God, that there had to be more for a middle aged mother of four than Sunday School. (don't get me wrong, I have taught in Sunday School for many years, it just seems to be the caracature of a middle aged woman) - and boy, he has answered that prayer big time. Lot's of what is being done in me is embryonic at the moment, but when I think of where things can lead, I find it really scary - and exciting. Go on, pray that prayer too - you don't want a quiet life now do you?

It's been such a long time since I last wrote - October. Would like to say I have just been way too busy and important to write. Guess I really just haven't got around to it.

Since then I have

Finished my first quarter with VLI - straight A's - wow!!! never done that before
Been to Cornwall for two weeks over Christmas and New Year with the family - wonderful
Started my second quarter with VLI - can I read any more? Do I understand anything that I'm reading?... who knows
Started a preaching/teaching module with Steve Nicholson - I get to preach three times! Talk about teaching my grandmother to suck eggs... oh well, this was God's idea, I'm just being obedient.
Been in a bread making mood - have made loads. Think I shall make some dinner rolls this afternoon - the kids like those.

Since I last wrote:

Matt passed his driving test, got a place in University of Iowa (yeay!) and he's also got a part as one of the barbershop quartet in a high school/YMCA production of The Music Man
Josh has spent a lot of time with the wrestling team, but not doing a lot of wrestling ... next season perhaps.
Both boys made an appearance in the Church Christmas Play - A Christmas to Remember
Esther has started going to Concert Band as well as Symphonic Band practices (7.20 am - Tues, Thurs and Fri!) - guess she can't get enough. She has also started Kick Boxing.
Nathan has started going to Boxing and seems to really enjoy it. He enjoys band but not the unearthly hour it starts...
The dog has found a hole in the fence in the back yard ... one that we haven't found ... and manages to disappear with alarming regularity. Though fortunately doesn't seem to go very far.

We still don't have a working dishwasher - unless you count the kids! Having been without one since August, we've kinda got used to it. However, we did call someone out to get it fixed - who quoted $380 - guess we're going to save up for a new one!

So there you go - October to February (almost) in one entry!

It's Hallowe'en today and the children of the neighborhood are all excited as they traipse (I know that's a word - but how is it really spelt?) up the steps to our front door. The large bag of candy I bought from Sams is depleting.. slowly. I have seen spiderman, cinderella, wolfman, pumpkins of various sizes, as well as those younger teens who choose to dress up as younger teens not dressing up as anything!

You will be interested to know that the dog has been very well behaved and not raced to the door everytime the doorbell rang - maybe she's sickening for something...!

I really should be studying. I have a VLI mid-term tomorrow. My first exam in - do you really want to know how long? - at least twenty years (wow am I really that old?). It has not been easy to get these brain cells working again, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this term. The Pentateuch contains some incredibly fascinating stuff - how come I've been a Christian for .... that long... and not known that?! And this past weekend's Intensive - the Kingdom of God and Healing - WOW! How can I tell you how much I have learned?

OK in a fifth grade style paragraph I will try (5th Grade paragraph = five sentences)

Derek Morphew is a fantastic speaker and if you want to know anything about the Kingdom of God he's the guy to listen to/read. God had a plan for redemption even as Adam and Eve were getting kicked out of the Garden of Eden (you may have known that, but it's new to me). When God made the covenant with Abraham he made it so he alone was liable should the covenant be broken; the penalty for such being death (what/who does that point to?). We are now/not yet/delayed/future people! - that explains everything doesn't it? and finally: all the plagues Egypt suffered before releasing the Israelites were power encounters directed at the specific Egyptian gods - the Nile being the embodiment of the Nile god Ha'pi (turned to blood), the frog being the god/ess of fertility - and they overmultiplied in the plague of frogs - etc!

OK that just gave you a taster. I can't believe that this course is only two years - what will I do then?

What do you do if you hear God calling you into something and it fills you with terror? Does that mean it's not God, or does it mean that you're just scared, that it's OK to be scared, and you just have to be obedient - but scared?

That's something I'm battling with currently... won't say any more, will just leave you perplexed! - hey why should I be the only one in turmoil?

Here's a picture of the family - it's a little old, one of the photos taken for our last year's Christmas letter. They've all grown taller - except Alan and me!!! most of the children are taller than me now. Watch this space for this year's photo...

Well it's been ages since I last wrote. Life has been very busy - wonderfully busy. We have had friends from England staying for three weeks. Not the same friends. Jon and Oli were here for a week - so the house was full of the life and laughter that fun twenty-something chaps bring, and the kids loved them. Next was a visit from Mary and her daughter Joanna. I lived with Mary and family for a while before I got married, and we have been very close since then.

We did such a lot - Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute, shopping, the Botanic Gardens, a tour of Chicago neighborhoods, shopping, breakfast at an all American 24-hour diner, the theatre (Pirate Queen - very good), a Cubs game (they lost - are you surprized?), a high school football game and of course shopping. Phew!

Now I'm busily involved with VLI (Vineyard Leadership Institute) trying to look like a responsible would-be leader! (that's hard work!) I'd never needed to know the significance of a suzerain-vassal treaty before - and now I do! Aren't you impressed? I've been doing so much reading- wonder whether any of it will stay in my brain which, like Winnie the Pooh, does tend to be filled with fluff! Oh well, this is the direction I believe God is leading me, and I am just trusting that He will get me through.

I've started teaching Pilates classes at church, which is interesting. However, of all those people who were so excited and keen to attend many have very valid reasons why they can't, so I am questioning whether after the initial promise of 10 weeks this will continue. I will be disappointed if that is the case, it is such good experience for me because I don't get the opportunity to teach a mat class regularly. Oh well, we shall just see what happens.

Onward and upward!! I have to get back to reading - I'm trying to get through Numbers and Deuteronomy by tomorrow evening's VLI class - racing to catch up as usual!!

Just been home for the weekend which sounds quite boring really. However, I live in the Chicago area and home is North Wales! I left the good old US of A on Thursday evening and arrived in a sunny Manchester on Friday morning. I travelled down to Nottingham for the wedding of a good friend on Saturday afternoon, went to Trent Vineyard on the Sunday morning, spent a day and a bit with my mum in North Wales and came home yesterday. Spent quite a lot of time on the train - am quite amazed how well the railway system works considering all the press I read about the bad side of it.

All you guys working on the railways, take a pat on the back! You did a great job, were able to direct me with humor and wisdom and managed to get me to my destinations on time. Well done! The trains were clean and I had no problems getting a seat even though I hadn't booked. A highly recommended mode of transport - but a little pricey. Can't have everything I guess.

Had fun bringing all the required chocolate back. When travelling out from USA there seemed little difference in the quantity of hand luggage allowed - just no liquids etc, on the way back to the USA rules were much more stringent. There were purpose built boxes on the check in counters - if your carry-on luggage didn't easily fit in one of those boxes you had to check the luggage into the hold. My carry-on was rather flimsy and wouldn't have survived a journey in the hold. So there I was on the floor by the check in counter - suitcase wide open, trying to stuff all my carry-on goodies, and probably well over my legal quota of chocolate, into my suitcase. I did manage it in the end though - no round of applause was offered regardless of how entertaining my plight! It was all worth it when I saw the look of delight on my children's faces after I had unpacked this huge mound of chocolate!! yeay!!! I did something right as a mother, finally! ... It does sound as if the children are all little - easily pleased by a bar of chocolate - however, not one of them is left at elementary school! I guess the methods of bribery have not changed much over the years.

For all those healthy people out there, the chocolate intake will be limited. It has to last until we go over to UK next summer!

I'm just enjoying a quick cuppa. All the childen have gone to school and it's not yet 8.00 am! My youngest went off to his first day at Junior High! And my oldest went off to his first day of his senior year of High School!

It was a long summer, yet it seems to have gone so quickly. They were around for ever, yet for so short a time. And I get to this morning's cup of tea and I sit and think... did I do all that I planned to do this summer? Did I spend all the time with the children that I intended to way back in June? The answer to both is probably not, but we did have some fun times, and we did spend some time together. I guess some is better than none!