Concert, Compass and certificate

Some highlights from our last couple of weeks.



Also I passed my food hygiene course with 100% score.  It’s been a while since I’ve sat any kind of test so was rather pleased with myself.

13 Activities..……………. so far

A brief update on what Paul and Cameron have done so far.
1. Field Archery

2. Cameron spending half a shift (6 hours) with Paul at his work

3. DIY jobs around the house, still on-going (I like this one)

4. Badminton

Jake’s Confirmation

We’d only been living in Cyprus for about 4 months when the Fielding’s moved in across the road. They had 3 children, Jake who is about 18 months older than Cameron and twins Frank & Florence who are 4 months younger than Fraser & Kirsty. The children (and the parents) have been firm friends ever since even when they lived in Nepal and we didn’t see them for about 2 years.

While living in Cyprus Cameron invited Jake to his Sunday School and in Jake’s words from the order of service
“ I grew up knowing about Christianity. But when I moved to Cyprus and a friend brought me to church I started to understand what Jesus had done for me. My faith began to affect my day to day life and help me cope. Confirmation to me means to show that I am a Christian, who has strengthened his relationship with God, learned more about Him. And now I know I am always with God
This year Jake decided to get confirmed in the Church of England that stands in the grounds of his school and asked Cameron to be his sponsor (1). This was a great honour for Cameron and he said yes straight away, even though he was anxious about what he had to do and didn’t relish the idea of wearing a tie (first time since his first day of school before he was home educated). Cameron said his youth leader at church had previously said to him it’s easier to journey in faith with someone else.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up!”
Ecclesiastes 4 v 9-10

We all had a wonderful day.

(1) At confirmation you may be asked if you would like a sponsor to stand with you as a symbol of their journeying with you in faith.

Happy 13th Birthday Cameron

Today Cameron turned 13 ... a teenager ... so does that mean we have to expect stroppy behaviour, answering back, being disrespectful and uncommunicative. A lot depends on our expectations, I’m not talking about unrealistic expectations and when they don’t materialise getting disappointed with our children. Cameron is a kind, caring and respectful boy turning into a young man why should that change because he’s a “teenager”. Most of the young adults I know do not fit into societies stereotypical “teenagers” ... they generally are a pleasure to be with.

A few years ago we attended the “Ancient Paths” seminar which talks about faith in the family covering relationships, generational curses & blessings and blessing our family through the ages. Things that have happened in our past, good and bad can affect who we are today and can be a help or a hindrance in our walk with God. That doesn’t mean blaming things that go wrong in our life on events from the past ... we have a choice in how we behave. We all want to do our best for our children but understanding we all make some mistakes. However we trust God to guide us - "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He and shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6).

In many cultures they have a “coming of age” celebration and we wanted to do something for Cameron to celebrate who he is, strengthen the “father – son” bond between him and Paul. It is important for us that he knows how proud and blessed we are to have him as our son, and that God has great plans for his life. We weren’t keen on a Christian Bar Mitzvah (Bar Barakah), preferring something within the family. I then came across emails from other Christian families searching for similar ideas and one in particular resonated with us. It brings out and strengthens the father and son bond as they spend time deciding and doing 13 different tasks during Cameron's 13th year. The idea was put to Cameron and he seems keen. First thoughts are building something together, visiting places together and other activities like Cameron driving a tractor off road (I think Scotland’s the place for that).

We will keep you posted as to how it goes, if it’s a success hopefully we’ll do something similar with Fraser and I’ll do something with the girls.

(There's no photo of Cameron age 13 as we've lost our Camera)