Introducing a headline act...

This has got to be one of my most incredible experiences. To not only introduce an incredible and brave  headline act (Balaklava Blues.. who I first met when watching their show Counting Sheep) that is at the cultural edge in the war in Ukraine at a festival but do so with two incredible Ukrainians who took a moment to bow whilst asking for help find 50 homes for sanctuary seekers.

Here's the capture from Reuben. 

Slava Ukraini!

Last day

This could be our last day with the primary school that all our children have attended. 12 years. 4 children. And now as we face a move away from Tunbridge Wells, this could be our last day here.

It's also the last day for the current Headmaster, Dan Turvey (or Mr T for us). He sums it up when he says: 

"I would like to leave you with a final thought. As a teacher and parent of four children, I can speak with an element of hindsight! Our children are precious and it is us the adults who have been given the absolute privilege to raise them and teach them. So be kind, be patient and encourage them whenever you can, even when you feel tired and exhausted yourself. Talk to them as much as you can, read with them, sing, dance, play and enjoy being together. In these busy times, full of work, after school clubs, shopping, devices and TV, the best thing that we can do for our children is to spend time with them. You will never get it back!" 

20 year getaway... hobbity treehouse

We had the delight of celebrating 20 years in this wonderful spot for a few days with the help of a few people.

It was great fun and couldn't have come at a better time with a lot of things going on around us. Very thankful to have been able to retreat and give thanks for 20 years of together-ness and a brief pause before all that is about to happen next!

The salamander stove was great fun!

Twenny

Today we celebrate 20 blessed years of marriage.

Remember it vividly and what a day!

Broken light

 

7.16pm on Maundy Thursday we saw this beauty directly outside of our home. It comes at a time where we were asking for a divine sign.

What a wonderful sign of light that is broken by a multitude of raindrops and only when the circumstances are correct do they project this awesome display.

Someone once shared with us that it's also a covenant... a covenant of broken light. We love this and what a time to see it. Especially today! 

A few summer photos

 

“don’t worry about it”

Apple Pay is great. 

A way of turning your phone into a method of payment. Great when you don’t have your wallet. Or better superseding the wallet altogether.

I’ve got a bit used to using it. I’m not convinced about using my own bank card yet but have a Mastercard that allows me to preload a small amount in times of emergencies.

Today was one of those times. Whilst at the local Tesco in pursuit of a pizza for tea I went to the checkout wallet-less. I was still smug enough to feel comfortable that I had my phone and Apple Pay as my payment option.

I even was able to cash in on my club cards points via an app. Get in!

What I was not prepared for was the payment app blocking me to use it due to requiring an IOS update to happen. With less than 20% battery it was never going to happen. 

Cue the ground opening embarrassing moment of saying I can’t pay to the shop clerk.

I was out of options and just had to yield that I had run out of things that I could pull out of my sleeve to simply make this work. The truth was: I couldn’t pay.

I was ready to start my sentence about coming right back when a customer behind me slowly tapped the payment.

Shocked I said let me take your details and pay you back. I was completely thrown by this. Lost for words and he just said “don’t worry about it.”

Floored by an act of kindness by someone I’ve never met in the checkout of Tesco Metro. 

Thank you.

"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

- J.M Barrie

From Jinja to Sevenoaks (part 2) - interview with Ben (19/3/22)

Nearly 9 years ago, Papa told this journey to the church that helped him. I was privileged to be standing next to him as he proudly shared.

A few weeks ago I shared it to my church in St Johns. This time I was alone.

We also were able to hand out some special bracelets that are made by Syrian friends about something that meant a lot to us during a time of crisis, friendship. 

Amazingly these were sponsored by a handful of friends to give away to each attendee with the message that friendships are a powerful thing that we can each bring to displaced people. Certainly our family can testify to this power. 

If ever you are wondering what to do during a time of disaster: choose to be a friend.

Ben Solanky · Jinja to Sevenoaks - Ben Solanky at St John's Breakfast - 19 Mar 22

Wonder Space

I was recently interviewed by a friend Steve Cole on his podcast about wonder spaces. A great podcast series exploring wonder.

I'd love to hear any comments... let me know!

80th birthday for Mercy Solanky 14.11.21

Celebrating 80 years of my mummy yesterday! 

We had phonce calls, zoom calls, drop ins and drop bys, fires, food and some fun... there a lovely tribute video made from some old footage too.

Happy birthday mummy :) xxx

 

God’s own county

Here’s a few photos from our holiday in God’s own county. We could only go thanks to some friends lending us their amazing home. 

Such a beautiful place.

The kids are growing into a teenage phase more as the appetite to do anything is waning.