Laura Farrell

Celebrate victories along the way, as bible praises, you're fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, regardless all. 1/12/22

As we continue to pray for the end of conflict in Ukraine, hopes turn to negotiations and peace talks, watching the images of destructions and devastation filled us with sense of urgency of immediate cease fire. It's hallowing to see millions of people force to flee their homes and cities, leaving everything behind to find refugee in other countries.

With winter in full swing and the morning still dark, it can be difficult to feel motivated this time of year. And somehow my resolve to ignore the remaining Xmas chocolate and live healthier is melting faster than the weekend snow.

I couldn't help smile when I read about a new service in St Andrew's called Let's Chat. A cafe owner teamed up with community hub creating this kind of friendship cafe encourage folks of all ages to come have a blather, volunteers will be sitting at tables ready to chat or simply listen. What a lovely idea, especially as full impact of lockdown, restriction, job losses, and financial struggles take their toll on the nation's mental and physical well being.

Everyone suffers grief and shocks in life at some time, whether it's by natural causes or accident, or incident, we all go through. Devastated as we are we try to find ways to carry on. The bible says a great passages about love. And now this three remain, faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of three is love. And these are the things that get us through.

Garden. It's a peaceful space, spending time in it gots me reflecting how our hearts can be a bit like a garden, full of beautiful branches we would enjoy, but unfortunately there can be harmful negative weeds too.

In less than 24 hours I'll move into a new home, taking about 20 bin bags, 6 large boxes, and thousands coat hangers, as well as life-time memories. Although I felt quite overwhelmed now, I'm also excited, looking forward to new beginnings. It's being quite cathartic as I'm trying to declutter, wrestling with what I absolutely need and what I can get to charity. After all polkadot flare, patchwork pockets might be back to fashion soon.

Ordinary women who do extraordinary things, like running a home bring up kids, exceeding careers, overcome illness, coping with unemployment… All these, and still managed to offer wisdom and advice, and even find time to share a laugh.