Because I was away in Ireland on my birthday, I had an honorary birthday the next day and we spent the day in Plymouth visiting the Mayflower exhibition (and the gin factory!). Some of my family have done research on our family tree and discovered that I have a direct relative who was on the Mayflower as one of hte Pilgrim Fathers and was one of the signatories on the Mayflower Compact which was the first governing document of what was to become the USA. It's exciting to have a personal connection to this history and salutory to think of my ancestors fleeing religious persecution and seeking a new life elsewhere. Migration and asylum seeking is sadly nothing new - I am reminded that most of us could probably trace some aspect of migration and relocation somewhere in our past and it should help all of us feel more gracious and generous to those seeking refuge today.
 |
| At the Mayflower Steps, Plymouth |
 |
| Edward and John Tillie were my relatives. |
Mark has taken on the added responsibility of Ivybridge Methodist Church and we are both excited to begin to get to know people there and encouraged that people seem keen to make use of our gifts and what we have to offer. It's going to take time to get to know everyone as there are over 150 members but we're having a good go at it! During half term we went along to help at the holiday club there on a pirate theme which was great fun!
I've been away a fair bit in the last month to the first meeting of the new executive of Methodist Women in Britain in London, to Methodist Council in Hertfordhsire, to One Mission Forum in London and to the Methodist Women forum in Derbyshire. My case has been constantly packed and ready to go!
 |
| The MWIB district reps and executive meeting at Swanwick in Derbyshire |
 |
| One Mission Forum in London |
 |
| The MWIB executive having a cup of tea in Regents Park while waiting for our trains. |
It's been so busy I have been teetering on the edge of being ill for several weeks and some days felt pretty dreadful so we were very glad to have a short break on the Isle of Wight to enjoy some walking and catching up with our sleep as well as meeting friends and family there.
 |
| Meeting up with old friends |
 |
| Ventnor |
 |
| Alum Bay |
 |
| Headon Warren |
 |
| Sandown |
 |
| Tennyson Down |
During Mark's sabbatical I had a real sense that God was saying that our time of restoration and recuperation after being overseas was over and now the work was going to begin and it really has! Our feet haven't touched the ground! But we both believe we are exactly where God wants us at this time and that we are fulfilling his call on our lives so we are excited and keen to see all the doors that open in the coming months and years.
