Christmas 2024 Newsletter

With Christmas almost upon us, our minds turn to the family that God has given us, who have supported us throughout life since we first committed ourselves to God so long ago.

We have found friends around the world and the UK, who have received us freely into their hearts and homes, and in Reading where we live, who have loved us from day to day and enriched our lives, providing help in very differing ways: from rebuilding our house, to just being a friend, or taking us to the hospital.

Who would have realised the extent of the revolution in our lives when we committed ourself to the Lord Jesus so long ago?

This is the context of our letter this year and every year.

We value our earthly family – of course we do - and seek to be a friend to each one, particularly to our own children and their friends. But the Lord Jesus, by his death and resurrection, has brought us into an international family, spanning the ages of history, and yet so practical in daily living. Are you a part of that yet? You can be.

As we look back over the year, we see it divided by Mike’s 3^rd stroke in June. Admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital four days later, he stayed a couple of nights before being sent home. Recovery takes months, and Mike initially spent a lot of time sleeping, but most of his faculties are returning. The stroke did not appear to affect driving so we are still mobile. We are grateful to God; it could have been much worse.

In February we drove to Evesham for Uncle Tom’s thanksgiving, and in April to Leominster for Nigel Dale’s. Other friends died during the year: Faith Coles, Peggie Ray among others.

Phil Bartlett (Helen, Janet’s sister’s husband) sadly died on April 18^th, and we attended his send-off near Shipston in May. Rob, his son-in-law polished and decorated the giant tractor and trailer, and grandson Will drove it draped with articles commemorating his life: a post-box (he was a postman) and many flowers, and they played the theme from Star Wars at the end of his funeral in the Anglican church at Brailes.

Each funeral we go to now involves one or two overnight stops, so it’s only close friends and relatives where we can attend.

Ben

In April, Ben went to Casablanca for business; and we hung new curtains across the back lounge. The previous ones had travelled to Africa and back around 1993, having been bought 41 years ago at John Lewis, so they were ready to be replaced.

Nick, Janet’s younger brother, came for lunch and to introduce his beloved Bola, and in September Tim transported us into Kensington for their marriage at the Rembrandt Hotel, a happy and memorable occasion to meet her family and to catch up with our own.

In May, we visited Paul (Mike’s brother) and Carol in Aylsham, our twice-annual pilgrimage to connect with the entirety of Mike’s UK family, and we made another very happy visit again in October.

Later in May we drove to Pulborough to be present at young friends Sam and Chrissie Pemberton’s wedding and then on to Bexhill to see old friends Terry & Fran Watson and Alec & Angela Workman with whom we visited along the south coast, the Birling Gap, etc.

In June, Tim got his Tesla 3 (a red one) and we also decided not to renew with the National Trust. There are so many estates apart from theirs, and their restaurants need to improve.

In July, once the dust from my stroke had settled, Janet’s knee and hip required treatment at the local physio, and we both kept the Royal Berks Hospital on their toes for the next few months with one thing and another.

In August, Tim went canoeing in Norway, and we were visited by Janet’s cousins from America: Sara from Myrtle Beach and Susan from New Mexico. We were happy to host a small reception for them at our home for the other members of our family who came to meet them.

As the year moved on, we continued to capture pleasant days picnicking by the River Thames at Henley, exploring Garden Centres around, and we also did some gardening, assembled hanging baskets and grew tomatoes in the greenhouse. As the weather began to close in, we each bought thick coats.

I am now 79 and Janet 73, and we are beginning to feel our age. “Old age is not for the faint-hearted” the cry goes up. We still enjoy extending hospitality to friends and visitors although not on the scale we used to.

Tim, Janet & Mike

We see our son Tim once a week on a Thursday evening, and he introduces us to new things and helps when our phones don’t work as they should. As a Director at National Grid, he works hard and controls small groups in the USA and UK. Our son Ben continues at Dell UK, and they both work from home. Tim has bought his own house now but Ben prefers to rent to keep stress levels down. Now in their 40’s, we are so grateful that they are both making their way in the world.

Our church involvement at Earley Christian Fellowship continues; church has changed with new people attending with many children, and babies being born. Sunday School, boys’ and girls’ clubs plus young people’s meetings are thriving. God is working in lives. We continue to look to Him to lead the way in times of increasing darkness in the world. May this Christmas bring you the joy of knowing and obeying the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our loving greetings to you,
Mike and Janet