HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAK!

Today I have become a father of an 8 year old! My oldest boy Zak celebrated his 8th birthday today. The day he was born only seems like yesterday, the song at the time was Tender by Blur with the chorus "Oh my baby, oh my baby" - seemed very appropriate at the time...

I remember leaving the hospital back in 1999 convinced that someone was going to stop us and ask what we thought we were doing with such a new born baby. I remember putting my first born in his car seat for the first time and driving all the way home at under 10 miles, petrified about the sudden weight of responsibility we had taken on!

Yesterday we had a great family day at Spectrum in Guildford to celebrate as it was a school inset day. Check out the videos below, especially Levi's celebration of his bowling spare! Zak you are fantastic, Happy Birthday Son...



and Levi gets the last say:

HERE'S A THOUGHT...

Question: How often are you busy working and never think about what you have done or achieved? Often I get home and my wife Lottie says to me "What did you do today?" and I have no idea!

Last September I started a Degree in Community Development with Sussex University. Part of my course is all about keeping a reflective journal to keep track of my learning journey (I wonder if this blog could be submitted?) and enable me to think about how and what I am learning. Which is great, but why don't we do that in other parts of our life, especially work. Probably because we're too busy - that's why! Doing what? Don't know - but my diary is full - WHAT!?

I am presently reading 360 degree Leadership by John Maxwell which gives examples of exemplary leaders who spend 10 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to plan and then reflect which is probably why they are top leaders! The idea is good but have I got the time???

James 1 talks about the man that looks in the mirror, goes away and then forgets what he has seen. I know that can be true for me, which is why I have to look three times in the mirror - honestly not vain just forgetful!!!

I spoke to my staff team on Monday about this and we all recognised that we are too busy doing to even consider reflecting on what we do. Surely reflecting on our busy lives is important - if we want to make a difference to those around us.

Or as Edith Wharton said:

"There are ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

MEET MY BRUV

My brother Dan came to visit this week and so I thought I should introduce him to you. He lives on a luxury yacht (only £25 million!) in Italy working as a personal Chef (tough for some - eh!). In the past he has worked for people like Gordon Ramsey at the Aubergine in Chelsea as well as cooking meals for the very rich and famous all around the world. Just now he has been given a month off to travel to Japan for some cooking lessons, all paid for by his present employer! So he decided it was an opportunity to visit various members of the family.

First stop was my sister Liz in Hourtin Plage on the south west coast of France. She has just had a baby boy called Samson on 13th February while Dan was visiting, so he was able to offer babysitting service for Liz & Leon's older boy Rosh. Thinking he would have some respite he travelled to see us on the 15th but then realised with 3 children Uncle Dan would be even busier! So after cooking an incredible fish pie and playing Monopoly non stop for two days he has moved onto Bournemouth to visit our parents. Next is a brief stay with my brother Mark and his family (who conveniently live near Heathrow) before flying out to see his Italian girlfriend Mara in the States before travelling onto Japan for a spot of Home Economics - Japanese style!

I've just read this through and realised that I have become my Dad writing his Christmas Newsletter - HELP!!!! Anyway thanks Dan for coming to stay - we loved having you.

STORYTELLING

Yesterday I took part in a training day for Spring Harvest. A team of around 30 or so of us will be having the pleasure of looking after 500 young people aged 11-14 in the wonderful world that is Butlins, Minehead. My job for the week is grandly entitled "Bible Teacher", which means what? That I am suitably trained and able to teach young people what the Bible is all about? I think not - I have been trying to teach the Bible to young and old since the age of 13 and I sometimes feel like I know less, not more than when I started...

I am realising that the Bible doesn't actually give all the answers (shock, horror!). It tells the story of the people of Israel, some poetry and excellent writing, the birth, life and death of Jesus and some letters that talk what happened in the 100 years or so after that original, amazing, life changing Easter Sunday.

What the Bible does is give us a context, a background, some difficult verses that people, much cleverer than me, have argued over for 2000 years and LOTS of stories. Jesus told lots of stories and although we think we know the meanings to most of those - look again and you might find something new. Jesus often told the story to the crowds and then gave the meaning to his followers - think about it. Jesus told stories to the masses and never told them what to do with those stories, he never explained the detail, he never made an altar call and he never asked you to sign up for a monthly Standing Order with Gift Aid..

So the challenge is can we tell stories and resist from giving all our oh-so-clever answers or are we happy just to tell the stories?