Where am I?

I am still in England, which I hadn’t been expecting when I first came over. Nonetheless, I have had a pretty good time. I have visited Poole, Bournemouth, Southampton, Fareham, Portsmouth and London. I notice the difference in culture here from other countries, like all the glitzy shops and central heating! :o)

When I first arrived in England I had the opportunity to see my cousins and had some excellent news when one of them, Paul, told me that he had become a Christian earlier in the year. He has got baptised since I’ve been in England. This was really encouraging to me, especially as he is genuinely pleased with the decision he has made.

I spent Christmas with my family which was great to be able to do. Seeing Emily and Jack, my niece and nephew, was a special treat. I had felt that I didn’t really know Jack who is 15 months old, and had spent more time with Jonathan Wakeley (who was born on the same day as Jack), so it was really nice to have him holding his arms out to me the other to be picked up (because Emily had done the same!). They were especially cute when I sat on the stairs to tie my shoelaces – Emily came and sat down next to me on the bottom step and then Jack came and sat between us, his little legs not even touching the floor! It’s great being an uncle!!

After Christmas I went down to Fareham to sort out some things with my house. I was looked after so well down there – staying in three different places – and friends were so kind to me. Truly a blessing! I also got to see Barry (pastor of the church) and talk about my future. So what am I doing next…? More about that later!

I have gone back up to stay with Mum and Dad in Bromley (London). It is very nice to actually spend some prolonged time with them, something I haven’t done since about 1992. And I am keeping myself busy – reading lots of books (Physics, Biochemistry, the Origin of the Species by Darwin, Improve your Italian, two Christian books, a book about Einstein (!), the Bible etc), as well as helping Dad with various things on the computer. I’ve also been doing some work for my brother Keith, and learning Italian again.

During this time I have been praying and thinking quite a lot about the future. I have looked a bit at some of my motives too (not always a pleasant task!!). In the past when I was living in England I was often feeling a sense of guilt, and that’s something that was mainly absent whilst travelling. The guilt feeling wasn’t always attached to any specific thing, just a kind of state of thinking. But it’s destructive and I have now realised that God has not only forgiven me of everything, but also He doesn’t even want me to be feeling guilt. Taking that on board has been liberating!

As for what next, I’m still not fully sure. I love travelling and I don’t believe I’ve finished yet. I’m investigating a number of options, and I know that it will become more clear to me what to do. In the meantime I’m enjoying being with my family and doing bits and pieces!