Beefeater

During our time in Beth. we got to know Jason and Sarah, and Hiba their 8 month old daughter. J & S are from the USA and decided to drop into London on their trip home for Christmas to see some friends in Watford, it also gave us the opprtunity to see them again and take them to see the Tower of London and Tower Bridge (2 for 1 thanks to British Rail). We asked a Beefeater about the ravens only to find out that he had visited J & S's home state (Arkansas) and even visited their hometown. We were next for the 'Where are you from?' and you guessed it, he knew Yatton in Somerset because that is where he gets the ravens for the tower! Our international readers may be wondering who are the Beefeaters: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeomen_Warders
PS the Beefeater is on the left!

Paul

On Saturday we had a rare day out and travelled to Pip 'n' Jay in Bristol for a service to celebrate the life of Paul. The church was full with friends from university, school, and church. What a roller-coaster of emotions, from laughter to tears, from mourning to celebration:
'So let my heart be full, and let my heart sing!
For I know that you'll be spending this Christmas with your King!
It breaks our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.'
Paul had so much potential, but the service highlighted the fact that he achieved so much and influenced so many lives in his 19 years - challenging to those of us who are more than double his age. P

Advent

Just in case you didn’t recognise me in the poster that was put up in the college dining room – I shaved my beard so that I could dress up as someone from the 70’s, big sideburns and greased back hair. Two weeks of festivities, mostly birthday related, culminated in a brilliant jazz evening in the entrance hall of Easneye House at All Nations College. It was also a chance to use up some of the ‘leftovers’ from previous parties. Unknown to us at this time our close friends in Bristol were with their son as he died from a brain tumour. Even though Paul has been struggling against the cancer for a while, it was still very distressing and upsetting to hear the news. During the advent service at our local church we sang a song with the following verse, the last two lines made me think about Paul, an exceptional and much-loved young man. P

You deserve my every breath

For You've paid the great cost;

Giving up Your life to death,

Even death on a cross

You took all my shame away,

There defeated my sin

Opened up the gates of heaven

And have beckoned me in.