I Love The Google Doodle! - Olympics - Diving

o Diving o

I Love The Google Doodle! - Olympics - Weightlifting

o Weightlifting o

I Love The Google Doodle! - Olympics - Cycling

o Cycling o

I Love The Google Doodle! - Olympics - Opening Ceremony

o Opening Ceremony o

I Love The Google Doodle! - Beatrix Potter's Birthday

Have you ever read one of Beatrix Potter's books?

Saturdays...are good!

Saturdays remind me of ham salad with salad cream,
bread and butter and tea!
My husband was brought up on Sausages and Mash...
always on Saturdays!
My daughter says Saturdays mean sleeping, cooked breakfast,
Jonathan Ross on the radio and Dr. Who on the TV.

Click on the picture to see why the boy looks forward to Saturdays...
What do Saturdays mean to You?

Fridays are... good!

FRIDAYS!

How do You take Fridays?
Are there any changes You need to make?

Thursdays...are good!

How can you have fun on...
THURSDAYS!
Think carefully!

Wednesdays...are good!

What happens on Wednesdays in Your life?

What will you achieve today?
Go on... have a go!

Tuesdays...are good!

Thankfully God's Grace is not only for tuesdays's child
With God you too can have a Lifetime of Grace!

I have not read this book.
If you have let me know what you think!

Mondays...are good!

What does the thought of a

MONDAY
coming up mean to you?

What would improve your Mondays?
Can You..do anything about it?

Sundays...are good!

What are you doing today?
Sunday!

Words I Like - Cosy

Cosy
comfortable, secure, warm, cuddled up,
sheltered, snug, tucked up.

Cosy Corner Dining Table and Chairs
Unusual!
The seats can make the table longer!


This is Cosy!!
I cannot imagine my dog being in the same room with a cat - nevermind a bed!

Places I have lived in the UK - Gainsborough

Why not visit Gainsborough?... there's plenty to see and do

I now live and minister in Gainsborough

There is major Regeneration going on in the town

The town is busy on Tuesdays and Saturdays (Market Days)

I like the congregation, the town and the contacts we are making all over the area

The Salvation Army is in an good spot by Marshall's Yard Shopping and Leisure Complex

Places I have lived in the UK - Dorchester

The house on the left with the green door is the one we lived in. It is a beautiful house with curved walls and unusual detail. Pondbury Village is different and we are not likely to ever live somewhere like it again! Prince Charles' Village! Oh Yes!

We thoroughly enjoyed living there and when the time came we were very sad to leave. Charming backgarden, pedestrianized, quiet and within walking distance of Dorchester town centre. If you look out for Poundbury online you'll soon realize what an expensive area this is. We got to know so many people there and were able to mix well with the town groups and churches.

The Salvation Army in Dorchester is small and we met in the Methodist Church for worship but its Charity Shop was amazing and raised a really fantastic amount of money.There were many volunteers working in the charity shop and we had great fun rearranging the shop, introducing a book area and lots of extra shelving. We were involved in all sorts of other things including the OverSixties and Luncheon Club.

The homelessness situation in the area was noticeable with vast numbers of men, families and women queuing up for clothing, toiletries and hot drinks among other things. We met some very interesting people that way and it was a pleasure to help them, yes, even the very smelly ones! Christians opened a centre where they could shower!

We hope and Pray the Salvation Army in Dorchester continues to expand and do well.

Places I have lived in the UK - Gosport

Gosport was very different to any other place where I had lived. It was not a seaside resort, it was not a valley, it was not inland and it was in the south coast! I loved the water, the ferry, the boats, the ships, Lee on the Solent, seeing the Isle of Wight and crossing over to the island occasionally for officers fellowship or days out.

The hall was (and still is) unfortunately in extremely poor condition yet it did not stop the people from organizing activities and getting on with things enthusiastically. The community work was extensive specially at Christmas thanks to the Community Care Leaders, and the toddlers which they also led, a joy to visit. The War Cry rounds undertaken were excellent making regular, faithful contacts.

The Alpha course was and I think still is a yearly event bringing lots of new people in. The monthly Jumble Sale brings some memories. I will never forget the electric buggy that went out of control during a sale, no one was hurt!

The people there were interested in us and our family, and that felt very good. People attended Roots and Butlins regularly, and the weekly prayer group which was often eventful, usually disturbed by sirens, meant we never had to raise our voices as the Lord could hear our prayers!

The Friday Club for children was a most interesting night. People took it in turns to help and the children though noisy and troublesome! were miraculously well behaved when with us and a joy to be with. So many children came that they had two sessions a night. Kids Alive were given as they went out. I helped with crafts or tuck shop - my favourite - specially when they wanted 50p worth of assorted penny sweets. Great Singing Company and Young People leading meetings. Though some have now moved on I hear that they are very involved in other Corps.

I could go on but I will get into trouble mentioning some things and not others, understandably!
Weddings, Funerals, Retirements and Enrolments, Transfers and Farewells, Parties, Celebrations, big New Years' Eve Parties... so many things happened whilst there but then that's the circle of life!

I recently heard that Gosport Corps is doing well so I am very pleased and Pray God's blessing over everyone there.

God is Good!

Places I have lived in the UK - Cwmbran

I lived in Cwmbran for two wonderful years. Unfortunately time there was cut short and the congregation did not want us to go. While we were there the Spirit of the Lord ministered to us all in amazing ways. Although having to get to grips with what God was saying and doing amongst us was difficult for many people, in time their faith deepened and in fact were then held through some very tragic situations which they would (unknowingly) soon face and experience.


We found the people very loving and helpful, people of the Word, people of Prayer, people who wanted to learn about Holiness and mission to the 'whosoever'. It is good to know Corps life is good there today. The Over Sixties and Choir was a very, very large group and their weekly programme was amazing. We have been asked to lead their OverSixty Weekend next year and we can't wait to see them all again!

God is Gracious

Places I have lived in the UK - Pentre - Rhondda

Aerial view of Gelli, Ton Pentre, Pentre, Cwmparc, and Treorchy

We thoroughly loved living and working in the Rhondda Valley. We first lived in Pentre for five years. We adopted our dog Zoe there and she helped us win many friends as we walked the mountains.

The Corps had gone through some difficulties prior to our arrival but they soon got going again and the time seemed to pass too quickly. The Outposts at Gelli (OverSixties) and Porth (selling War Cry's) were also enjoyable situations.

Alpha was introduced, Sunday School had always been very well organized, the Singing Company at that time made some CDs, the whole corps kept performing musicals and plays and still do! If you can you must get to one of the many yearly performances. Their singing! It was great to see how the congregation began to see the advantage of putting these musicals on for mission and fellowship. God worked in many of their hearts, and so many people were brought in to help in all sorts of ways who then went on to join the fellowship and find a place of worship at the Army!
Some, I noticed in the Salvationist have recently been made Soldiers. I have heard through the grapevine that their Singing Company is large again because all the little ones are now much older! Some are in the Songsters -which has many faces I don't recognize and it is always good when that happens!

God Bless Pentre

So many good memories. The bandmaster was a driving instructior and he was very brave teaching me to drive. He is such a good instructior that I have still kept the many good habits he taught me. In all these years I have only crossed my arms a couple of times, Cyril! Philip drives a car now and he is also a very good driver! Cyril is getting a big head now!

People were so nice there, so caring and friendly. They apparently still talk about the Agers...in a good way...thank goodness!!

Places I have lived in the UK - Bradford

I liked living in Bradford although it was only for two years. I liked the look of terraced housing, the smell coming from the chimneys, the washing hanging across the streets, people standing outside their doors and the accent in particular. The people were blunt - to the point - but I liked that as then I knew where things stood. The curry bars were great (no knife or fork just chapatis). The Salvation Army in Great Horton was a very old building (now in Wibsey) but we had wonderful times of worship and fellowship and very good attendance. The damp, wet walls, rats, etc...did not put these people off their focus for mission.

Two Corps were amalgamated at that time to form the new Bradford Citadel.

They are now going from strentgh to strentgh as they say and it is not surprising!

Places I have lived in the UK - Hull

I lived in Hull for 4 years and worked in the Longhill estate building up a congregation. It was then a very rough estate but we felt very much welcomed and wanted. Whilst at Brownies one evening, my daughter walked for the first time. We worked very hard and was good to see a very good sized congregation emerge. The yearly Christmas Day Dinners were one of the many highlights. The people were very nice, the elderly, the families, the youngsters, the disabled and Down Syndrome group - everyone just loved to come to the various activities and worship and have fun. There was very little money, very little equipment, and very little support from anywhere yet we had four wonderful years in ministry and were sad to leave them all as we had seen such wonderful changes in people and seen them grow so much spiritually.

The Ironies of Life! Here we were in Hull, but just before arriving, everything packed, we were told there was no house for us (we are still not sure what that was all about!) but anyway we were placed in the hostel for about six months whilst a house was sorted out. No health ans safety or safe and sound all those years ago!! We were in the family section but Philip would go up and down the lift on his own and wander all over the place and talk to all sorts of strangers and we never thought anything of it. We were very careful with him but nowadays it would be a very different thing I am sure. People did think it funny that we were in the Army and homeless!! For John it meant a lot of travelling or long days away but the children (and I) loved it. Fish tanks, lots of new people to talk with, meet and and listen to. Some wonderful stories, some tragic, some odd and some very funny. And...a huge toy store across the road opened at that time. The children loved to 'play' with toys since theirs were all packed except for teddy bears, a couple of Transformers and a Barbie doll.


Sadly, the Salvation Army as it was in Longhill no longer exists but I know that a group still meets in someones home and they recently wrote to me to say that a lot of money is being raised for the Helping Hand Projects. I thank the Lord for the priviledge I had to be there at that time. I learnt so much from them and from the experiences we all went through.

Hull is still enjoying a time of change and refurbishment throughout the town. It is about time!

God Bless Hull as it recovers from the floods.

Places I have lived in the UK - Filey

I lived in Filey for three years whilst working full time in the Salvation Army in Mitford Street. My daughter was born in Scarborough Hospital Maternity Unit. I knew this place very well as I had to stay there throughout my pregnancy. Sarah was 4.2lbs (Caesarean section)and came home a couple of weeks later. Again, no breasfeeding. So really it is no good asking me questions about giving birth, etc...as I did not really experience all the normal things. She was so healthy the unit let her come home before reaching the 5lbs.!

I remember feeling rather annoyed because whilst in intensive care for three scary days (for John!) I was told that the catholic priest had given me the last rites...? That was not what upset me but the fact that I was not covered up whilst he was doing this!!! Whenever I saw him after that I would try to avoid him! hehehe!


We had a lovely time in Filey and found the people hard working and passionate about witnessing which they did particularly in the summer on the beach and with holiday makers. The food at the Salvation Army was always great and the volunteers and helpers wonderful people. The Singers which still sing now were rather special. One season the wind on the Country Park was so strong that my parents caravan nearly blew away! Filey was also gorgeous in the snow, specially down the ravine. Philip enjoyed walking to the Brigg!

It is good to hear that the Salvation Army there is still doing so well and thriving!

Places I have lived in the UK - Keighley

I lived in Keighley for three years, by a busy roundabout. Across the road there was a butcher who sold pork pies and people would have them hot with mushy peas...and a cup of tea! This was my second appointment with the Salvation Army. I think the town has changed a lot since then. Unfortunately I could not find good photos of the town on Google Image Search. Who will take some uptodate pictures? We used to like going to East Riddlesden Hall whenever we had an hour to spare and take the children round the corner to this National Trust Property to look around and feed the ducks, of course!

The Corps was very active and hardworking. A medium size Corps, it had a very big OverSixties Club and Ethel was a marvellous money-raiser too. The Brownies was a busy group and lots of other good things took place and are still taking place! People were very caring.

We were asked to close down the Skipton Corps which we did...and a few years later were given a choice of re-opening Skipton, starting the Army in Beverley or developing the outpost in Longhill.

Where do you think we went?

God Bless the Spiritual ministry and the community work which has developed since then. Keighley Corps

Places I have lived in the UK - Bideford, Devon

I lived in Bideford for three years. This was my first appointment in the Salvation Army. It was a very small congregation of about 25 elderly people but gracious enough to accept our inexperience. They loved us as if we were their grandchildren, rather nice! My son, Philip, was born there. Unfortunately I spent most of my pregnancy in hospital but God was with me and my son was born weighing 3.8 lbs. He was very fragile at first and I could not breast feed him as he was born too early by Caesarean section. He was in an incubator for some months and was able to go home at 5lbs. He is now a very handsome junior doctor!

One winter the frost was so thick trees glistened for days. The people were very nice but it took me awhile to understand their accent. We enjoyed taking family and friends to nearby Clovelly. Members of the congregation would often bake for us specially cornish pasties which were as big as a dinner plate! The Salvation Army now meets in the Baptist Church in Mill Street and is run by local salvationists.

I pray God's Blessing on them as this is a demanding task.

I Love The Google Doodle! - Fathers' Day

Todays Google image

Fathers Day Cartoon

Places I have lived in the UK - London

I lived and trained here for two years and became a Salvation Army Officer in 1980
The best thing I ever did!... even if at the time I wondered what on earth I was doing there!

Please join me in Prayer for the students who will be going into training this coming autumn

Places I have lived in the UK - Northampton

There are many parks in Northampton, but the best thing that ever happened to me there is that I met my gorgeous husband, John!

I attended the Salvation Army in Penistone Road, where the members took me under their wings and supported me. The Corps Officers then were Clive and Christine Price and they were a great influence on my life. I later got married there!

God Bless All Churches In Northampton

Places I have lived in the UK - Irthlingborough

This is the town I lived in when I first came to England from Chile in 1976.

I have very happy memories of Irthlingborough. There was a fish and chip shop that smelt great and gave you plenty crispy bits with your fish! There was a wonderful corner shop with sweets I had never seen before and lots of ice-creams. The ice cream van had a lovely tune to call customers. I liked the smell from chimneys as you walked about. I used to help clean the library, and the staff at the Co-op were like an extension of your family! Everyone in the town seemed to know everyone and everything about everybody but it felt strangely reassuring! I used to go to The Salvation Army there and would get to it by walking across the fields and avoiding the cows! My grandma has now passed away but she was great looking after me when I first came to England and lived with her for nearly two years. We had lots of fun together but I did not like her pilchard curry - it was disgusting! Nana introduced me to Rainbow, Crossroads , and salad cream! The Salvation Army there is doing well.

God Bless Divisional Envoy John Farrar who ministers there!

Have you ever been to Irthlingborough?

I Love The Google Doodle! - Charles Rennie Mackintosh

I Like this Google image very much!
I visited the house in Northampton
and have seen his work in Glasgow!
I like most of it!

Aboutbooks - The National Gallery - Illustrated Catalogue

This is not only a complete illustrated catalogue but also an expanded edition! Pure heaven for someone like me who gets excited about looking at paintings and finding all about them. As I cannot go to The National Gallery on a regular basis then this book is the next best thing. I bought it the last time I visited the gallery shop and on that day I was able to buy it - half price! I soon forget the time when I sit turning this books' pages. It has more than 800 pages of good quality paper and it is very easy to follow. I totally love it. I wish I had studied History of Art but you never know ...

I Love The Google Doodle! - Hot Air Balloon

When I first saw this Google image I wondered what I could possibly say but it seems we have a history!

Hot Air Balloons! My dog, Zoe barks whenever one passes overhead. We tend to see them during the summer months in Bath and Bristol area where my mum lives. I went to a Hot Air Balloon Festival in Northampton some years ago and saw an amazing variety of them. When my youngest brother married, it was a Saturday in August in Bristol and it happened to be the Festival there and guests were able to enjoy seeing them over that weekend. My husband would love to be on one, one morning, early, at dawn!

Aboutbooks - Elvi Rhodes - A Blessing In Disguise

What a story!

Elvi Rhodes gets it just right!

A Blessing in Disguise is a must - read

Why? I enjoyed the unusual setting, a single parent vicar!

Awkward people, men with attitude, women with even more attitude!!

Oh Yes! I thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn't wait to see what happened, will she or won't she? Mmmm...

I Love The Google Doodle! - Mars

Google celebrated Spirit on Mars by showing this image on January 15 2004. Last week Nasa celebrated activity on Mars. Oh, la,la!

I Love The Google Doodle! - Mount Everest

I have never climbed anything very high, but what I have climbed has been an experience money cannot buy...Pen-y-Fan in South Wales is great but you can easily get lost in the sudden fog. Among other hills I also have been in the Andes (Peru) but the journey was done mostly by car! My father drove us up to the devastated earthquake area as he went to supervise some relief work. I will never forget the sounds and the sights, the scorpions and the very narrow mountain roads. If my little experiences have been exhilarating then what it must be like to climb up some of these wonderful mountains. Overwhelming and mind blowing comes to mind!

The Best of British - Faggots and Peas!

Faggots and peas, potatoes and gravy

Mmmmm.....at home or at a cafe in Wales!!!

Ideal with a cup of tea!!

Ager (namesake) - Anger?!

Searching the web for images with my surname (Ager)

I came across grrrr as a symbol for anger,
I don't think I can be considered an angry person -
only when it matters!
Why is Jesus angry in the above Bible reading?
...by the way, he is not the only one!

I Love The Google Doodle! - Walter Gropius

125th Anniversary

Walter Gropius
German Architect
1883-1969

Ager (namesake) - Birthday Cake

If you know who or what is an M-ager then please let me know?

Is it something to do with age, as in Teen-ager?
Nice cake anyway, can I have one for my birthday in pink, please?

I Love The Google! - Laser

You can just about read the word Google.
Were you born in 1960? so was the first laser!

Ager (namesake) - Air Conditioning

We demand air conditioning in all our houses...or is it environmentally un-friendly?