Good-news/ bad-news or vice versa.
1) Last night it happened again. The chickens were not locked up and the gate had been left open. Fat lot of use it is to have a high-fence to keep the fox out and then leave the gate open so he can waltz in without straining himself to climb the fence. Hopefully now my advice will be followed and the hens won't be left to wander round the place during the day and then it will prevent the possibility of a repeat visit from the grim reaper. He had 9. Richard (whose reponsibilty the hens are now) was tearful so I consoled him with the only thing which is of consolation to me - one day we will be beyond the reaches of sin and the devil will get his final come-uppance. The important lesson I try and remind my children is that we have to make sure that we know we are in Christ, before it is too late for us.

2) A couple of days ago I had a nice little jaunt with David, to Addlestone, I think. ON the way back I told him that my goal was to buy a caravan (he asked was this my only goal - so I put it in perspective) - a shortish-one with twin-axles would be ideal. I told him I thought it might take me a while to save up for one but I remain confident in the provision of my Heavenly Father. As we were driving down the lane David advised me "you should get yourself a business"
me: "I HAVE one - only it doesn't make much money...."
D: "well, start up another one, which WILL..."
me: "In my spare time?!!!"
End of conversation. Reading '44 Scotland Street' has given me an idea though. Consultancy. I met someone last year who for many years has been trying to find a business idea which would make him rich, enable him to work from home, and not take up much of his time. The latest venture is 'consultancy' - now, I thought to myself at the time "who would consult you? on what matters? - how be a successful business-man? - would they PAY you to impart advice?". My mind boggled and consideration for the rules of hospitality prevented me from trying to fathom this latest 'opportunity'.
As for me, well, people are consulting me all the time - if I advertised myself (and charged money) maybe MORE people would consult me (there is a conviction that if one pays for something it is of intrinsically more value than that which is 'free') and then I would be able to buy the caravan. Come to think of it, if I were a 'mobile consultant', I could write off the cost of the caravan against the business....

3) From time to time we ask families 'can we come and see you' or, more often 'would you like to come for a camp-fire / Sunday / tea / etc' but there's only one family I can remember who have asked 'can we come and see you'. Now is this because we are a)unapproachable b)undesirable or is it just that everyone is 'too busy' for fellowship? Well, we have the delightful prospect of visitors and a camp-fire this afternoon. And to all those NOBLE souls who have fearlessly invited us and even provided a meal for us in the past HEARTY THANKS and to those who have invited us and we haven't got round to visiting (for fear of overcrowding a 'normal-sized' house to the point of extreme discomfort for all concerned), that counts as though we HAD been (because, as we all know, it is the thought that counts).