Yesterday Lottie turned 30 years old! Can't believe it really - Lottie and I have been together since she was 15, so we have known each other half of her life - crazy!!
It was a great day, the kids had an inset day off school and so I took the kids to the park while Lottie went shopping to Primarni and then we all went out for a family pub lunch followed by a walk in the New Forest.
In the evening Lottie and I went out for a fancy meal at Carey's Manor Restaurant which was amazing. The roasted Sea Bass was incredible (and so was the bill!), definitely recommend it for a special night out.
Most importantly I want to say my wife is the most amazing woman I know. She is always so supportive of me and the work in the church and community that God has called me to do. She has willingly moved away from family and friends and the safety of all that she knew to move to Southampton. Thanks Lot - here's to the next 30!
Went flying with my friend Theo the other week - amazing! Managed to fly over the Severn Bridge and back in an afternoon. Although it was a bit of a murky day, it was an incredible experience with some awesome views. Thanks Theo...
The next day I went to London by train for a conference and spent two hours jammed against dozens of strangers, two hours there and two hours back - and not one person spoke to me! What's that about?
How is it that I can spend 4 hours in a plane enjoying a great experience with a good friend wearing headphones and shouting at each other but have more of a connection with him than the same amount of time pressed against dozens of my fellow countrymen and not even get eye contact! What a weird people we are...
Here's a dilemma for you. On Monday I visited Kingdom Coffee in Reading - a christian coffee company that promotes fair trade coffee and actively support overseas needs through the purchasing and sale of the coffee. In many ways a very similar ethos to what we did in Littlehampton with Refresh Coffee Shop and Links International.
Here's the snag although it is a great christian company and the coffee was very good - I'm a little unsure of the title Kingdom Coffee or the religious logo. It's not that I am ashamed of my faith, I just want to promote a christianity that is relevant and does not put people off before they come through the doors (which many churches do).
Central Hall is very intimidating as a building and we need to pull all the stops out to make it accessible to all, having a coffee shop called Kingdom Coffee would not (in my opinion) be a good starting point. I also am very keen to work with the local community to create this coffee shop and we have an excellent coffee supplier right around the corner who I would like to use.
Kingdom Coffee supplied me with a range of top quality coffee mugs and cups which are on display in my office all embossed with the green and gold foil logo. The range of comments I have received have gone from "that is the best thing ever" to "you are kidding me!".
So here is the dilemma - Do I work with and support the christian company or develop relationship with the local supplier? Answers on a postcard please..
p.s. if you haven't filled in your standing order for £20 a month for 6 months get it in quick! (10 free coffees for all who sign up...) Building work starts Monday 15th October
Yesterday Lottie turned 30 years old! Can't believe it really - Lottie and I have been together since she was 15, so we have known each other half of her life - crazy!!
