The Big Change

Well it’s been a couple of weeks of change in the lives of the Bradbury family.

Last week I moved to London to the training college to start my 2 years diploma in Salvation Army Officer Training. I have a nice little flat although it is on the third floor so I have to climb many steps to get to it. I don’t mind – I have a uniform skirt to fit into and ultimately a wedding dress so the exercise will do me good! Thankfully, when I arrived at the college the other Monday most people had moved in and some helped carry my stuff up the stairs so Adrian, mum and I didn’t have to do it on our own (I was dreading the thought of that). I’ve managed to unpack most things and it’s weird but nice to see all my familiar things around the place. Every time Adrian comes to see me he either brings something I have forgotten or takes away something I don’t need.

Here are some pictures of my flat.




Life here at the college is ok. We have had a week and a bit of inductions and study skills classes; plus we have been given our first essay, which has to be handed in today. It was only an 800 word practice assignment to get us into the habit of writing essays but the essay title was mammoth and it was really difficult to fit it all into 800 words. I experienced something in writing this essay I don’t think I have ever experience when writing an essay – having too many words! I had to spend a good hour editing it to get the word count down! Classes start in earnest on Monday after the welcome weekend. Today we have Marching practice and our final chance to practice our sessional song (which I’m liking a lot) for Saturday night’s welcome. It’s all a bit surreal really. The Witnesses for Christ are a nice bunch of people – I think we’re going to have a nice time together.

And secondly…. Please say a warm welcome to my beautiful new nephew: Luke Jonathan!!!!! (da daa! – that’s a fanfare by the way!)



Isn’t he just so beautiful? He was born last Thursday (20 September 2007) at 20:50 in Chikankata hospital (for a fuller account of the birth see my big bro’s blog on the link list). It was a bit traumatic last Thursday because we received word from Rich that the baby’s heartbeat had weakened and so they decided to do a C-section. When they did the section they found the cord wrapped tightly around Luke’s neck and he had stopped breathing so they had to resuscitate him. The placenta was also in a bad state and bleeding. They told Richard that had they waited for Luke to be born naturally he would have most likely died and Heidie would have had permanent damage so I say thank you to a great big mahoosive God who I believe worked in that whole situation and produced this miracle. Thank you also to a brilliant load of friends who I texted to pray that night.

I got a chance to speak to Luke that night on the phone – I told him that it was he Auntie Clare speaking and he cried! He better not be giving me that cheek when he’s older!

And finally, I say congratulations to my friend Jane who married Ross last weekend. It was a lovely day and nice to see some familiar faces.


Adrian and I travelled up to Scotland by car on the Friday afternoon; went to the wedding on Saturday afternoon; stayed for the meal and the speeches (which were some of the best I have heard at a wedding) and then drove back down to London just as the evening reception was starting so that I could be back for the Spiritual Day at the college the next day! I arrived back home at 3am! When saying goodbye to Jane she told me to text her when I got home. I looked at Adrian and commented that I did not think my welfare would be utmost on her mind that night and I didn’t want to be part of that night - even in text - at all. So I feel it’s safe now to say to Jane that I got home!

Laters
cx

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye ....

Well here I am, Cadet Bradbury, at the Lord's service! I've said all my farewells (apart from my Beautiful's which I'm not looking forward to) and I depart tomorrow morning for the Training College.

People have been so very kind, generous and supportive. The past four years have been such a pivotal few years of my life. The decision to move down here was completely a God decision and I've never felt so much that I've been right at the centre of God's will and doing what he wants as I have done over these years. I can see now how my whole life he has taken me on a journey and each decision and move made has been a stepping stone to me getting nearer to his destination for my life. I feel now that I've reached that destination. This is precisely where God has been leading me and preparing me for my whole life. of course I didn't necessarily see that at the time but now with my degree in Hindsight I can. I'm so grateful to God for all the adventures along the way and all the beautiful people he's placed in my life to guide me when I was getting lost or just for the company.

So from tomorrow I start a new journey and I'm excited - I don't mind telling you! I'm not so excited about taking all my belongings to my flat which I found out this week has moved from the first floor of house 5 to the top floor. I am seriously worried about the inability my body will have to move the next day - but I have My Beautiful to help and my mum. However, I am excited about the possibility of all those stairs helping to make me thinner - I have a wedding dress to get into you know!?

Anyway, there are many things I am excited about but the main things is that I know I will be right at the centre of God's will for my life and I can't even begin to tell you how amazingly happy and content that makes me feel.

laters
cx

Ring a bling bling!

You are reading the blog of a very very very very smiling person! I am smiling because my Saviour from Numptiness, my Godsend - Adrian last Wednesday, on the shore of Loch Lomond at Luss in the beautiful sunshine asked me to marry him! I said yes - hence the picture above of the beautiful bling bling ring!

He really is wonderful. You know Luss has very many happy memories for me. I'm sure for most people there is a place which is a real spiritual place for you; a place where you feel really close to God, a place which fills you with happiness, refreshment and the awesomeness of God. Luss is that place for me. I always said that my dream proposal of marriage would be there. However, because I told everyone it seemed unlikely that this would happen as it wouldn't be a surprise.

Can I just said that God is a dream maker! He has worked so many situations out this year for me to make my dreams come true. Being with Adrian is one of them; this week away was another and the proposal yet another.

In truth Adrian and I knew pretty much as soon as we got together that God had planned for us to be together. Everything just clicked nicely. I often pray that I will live in the joy and contentment of God's plan for my life and being with Adrian has just put the cherry on the cake in that way. I feel a deep contentment being with him and a great excitement about all the future holds for us.

So we went on holiday this week. I didn't know where we were going - it was a magical mystery tour! We started off in the Lake District and then he drove to Luss on Monday. You can imagine my absolute joy when I realised we were staying in the hotel just next to Luss called the Lodge on the Lomond . I had the meal to celebrate my graduation here about seven years ago and always dreamt that one day I would love to return and stay here with the love of my life (you know - like girls do!).

The hotel is right on the shore of Loch Lomond and each room has a balcony with a direct view right over the loch. Here's the view from my balcony:




Isn't it so beautiful? And what's amazing is that everyday the weather was different yet the Loch with the hills behind never lost it's beauty - every time I looked I was filled with amazing gratitude to God who created all this beauty for us to enjoy and I was so grateful that I had someone to thank for the beauty. I wonder how people who don't acknowledge God as the creator manage to channel their feelings when they see such beauty?

Anyway, We went for a lovely walk on Wednesday morning before breakfast because the sun was shining so brightly and it was such a beautiful day. We sat on the bench overlooking the loch, watched as an aqua plane landed in front of us and as a couple of boats came in and moored at the pier and I joked about us witnessing a drugs heist (it was very peculiar - especially as there was a dodgy man hanging around) and Adrian asked me to marry him right there and then. It was so beautiful and I will never forget it. You see I am just an old romantic and he made my dream come true! I love him.


laters
cx