Megs had her first ever birthday last week and we celebrated in style - 60 guests in our garden for a BBQ, and her dedication service under the tree while it lightly rained. I think she has the most toys ever, including a car(!!), ball-pool and musical instruments, and she still prefers to play with my washing basket! She seems a bit older too, two more teeth in the past two weeks and lots more chatter (everything and everyone is "daddy"). People have said it was a nice party but it's always difficult to tell when you're hosting. Matt led a lovely dedication service-bit and it was special to declare our thanks to God for our Megs. As i looked around the garden as my friends and family were promising to help us bring her up to know Jesus, i was overwhelmed by the fact that every person there loved Megan so much. She is loved, as we are loved, by some very special people and we are very, very grateful.

We have just returned from a weeks holiday in Cheshire with Steve's folks - lots of eating and shopping! As Steve and i strolled in the gardens of Lyme Park (where they filmed bits of Pride & Predjudice - the bit when Mr Darcy dives into the lake) we talked about what's in store for us starting in September. Becoming youth pastors (as opposed to children's and youth pastors that we were previously) is feeling more daunting than ever before, especially as we feel we'll be making it up as we go along (shh! don't tell Gromms). I'm most looking forward to getting stuck in to discipling our youth, equipping them to be Kingdom workers. This will be a huge challenge for us as we know that we will be growing alongside them and sharing what little we know. It's going to be fun!