Anchored to God at sea.

This time until Friday!

…you lucky, lucky things.

Not so fortunate are the schoolchildren i’m going on a residential with.

Pray for them, haha.

:)

I’m pretty rushed off my feet at the moment, but I realise that I owe you guys a few posts about various adventures/updates, such as:

• My weekend climbing Scafell
• Some photos from skiing in APRIL (told you i’d been slack)
• Some bits of writing I’ve been doing
• Just a general update on my life and how it’s going

Please let me know if interest has since dwindled in said posts!

I also know that’s it’s been a while since I stated how wonderful you all are and how much I love talking to you / praying for you folks.

So I reiterate that now.

I may not remind you lovely people as oft as you deserve, but the sentiment that I cherish you is always present within me, ready to show you whenever needed/desired!

Like I said - I’m sorry. :)

Time for some brotherly fellowship, proper adventure, frantic picture-taking and the opportunity to marvel at the wonder of God’s creation!

I’ll be back sometime Sunday afternoon -

Make the most of the peace and quiet. :D

Catch you soon my friends! Be blessed in all your endeavours and feel free to get in touch should you need / want to! Keep us in your prayers please! :)

Shaunski out!

Everything from the drive there, roughing it overnight in the Land Rover, eating stove-cooked meals, the challenging climb against the elements and all the ‘vice versa’ when we return…

But most of all the view from the top.

Boy, I hope the skies clear for us when we get up there!

The only thing that would top it is if I were able to snowboard back down.

That, however, would require snow -

and me having an actual ability to snowboard; beyond what my skateboarding days and mastery of ‘SSX’ on the Xbox has taught me.

:)

Some of you old-school Tumblr bro’s and dudettes here might remember that earlier this year I went off on an adventure for a couple of days to climb the highest mountain in Wales - 

and I got some pretty tasty photos. :D

Well guess what?

Now it’s England’s turn!

Tomorrow night after Youth, me and a couple of friends head to the Peak District, and then Saturday morning we begin our ascent up this beauty - 

Scafell Peak…

Doesn’t it look an absolute corker of a climb? :)

The weather forecast isn’t exactly pleasant though, so prayers for safe travel, both to the region, up Scafell peak, down again, and back home, will all be greatly appreciated of course!

I’ll say goodbye tomorrow before I leave and then I’ll be back on Sunday! :D

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

- 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

Growing in Christ doesn’t necessarily mean growing up,

for we are to come to him like little ones

- it does mean growing out of our old and foolish ways.

We had a meeting with the children this afternoon regarding our Summer Residential, and during that time they announced the staff who would be attending the school trip in July.

Despite the fact that the soon-to-be-Head and Deputy Head are among the staff going,

when they called my name out I got the loudest cheer of all.

Don’t misunderstand, i’m not getting prideful at all,

I certainly don’t think I deserve the reputation I have with these precious children;

I’m just sharing a short passage of time that was both heart-warming, and served as a beautiful and timely reminder of just why I adore my job and have a heart for working with young people.

God has oh so definitely placed me here for a purpose.

Never doubt His manoeuvring over your life, brothers and sisters.

:)

It’s a beautiful sort of bittersweet empathy that is unrivalled.

:)

Do you like the new word I invented?

Whether it’s morning for you (as it is for me), afternoon or the middle of the night…

Know that you’re cherished and precious to a God who wants nothing more than to have a fulfilling and intimate relationship with you…

Oh, did I mention the best part?

He never leaves.

Happy endings all round, methinks.

:)

My children have got a ‘Money Day’, with workers from a local bank coming in to talk to them about budgeting, and generally making better use of whatever finances they might have at the age of 11.

Made me think of this scripture - 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” - Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

Are you chasing after fame and fortune? Seeking to be the next J.K. Rowling of the literary world, or a Hollywood star/starlet, living it up in your hilltop mansion and driving that dream sports car with your name on the license plate? If so, be sure to keep your sights fixated on God the whole time.

Be careful, friend. Fame can often come at a cost.

:)