Royal Promotion

What a night last Tuesday was. A tense, nervy game finally gave way to an incredible party as the Royals scored the goal that took them back into the Premier League. Reading will again be playing massive teams like Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as minnows such as Manchester United and Liverpool. The incredible thing about Reading's promotion is that earlier in the season they nearly went bottom. Fantastic unbeaten runs have now lifted the team to the top of the league and they are only a win and a draw away from definitely claiming the Championship Title. What an amazing season!?

Archie Arrives!

After not posting on our Blog for a long time, we thought it was about time for an update. We now have 8 grandchildren, the newest of whom is Archie Levi, born 20th August 2011. How special to have such a wonderful, growing family?

Bethal Church. Wow!

What an amazing time we had together at the Leaders Advance at Bethel Church, Redding. The church is full of genuine joy and an incredible grace. There is a strong sense of fun and some serious encounters with the Holy Spirit. The teaching has been excellent and both leadership and ministry were modelled in ways that were very uplifting and encouraging, So many of the values we are seeking to establish at home in Reading are evident but with an experience of the Holy Spirit which is literally refreshing.

We are trusting for grace and sensitivity to digest what we heave heard and been impacted by and to outwork whatever we can with our dear friends at home. May God help us to live in the flow of all He has for us.

We have now moved on to beautiful Carmel by the Sea and looking forward to some holiday rest.

We are so grateful to God for provoking us to take this trip and for friends at home who are looking after things. God is still moving, despite such uncertainty around the world and not least at home after such a confusing election. May God bless us in the UK as we find our hope in Him and not our political leaders - we pray that they might have wisdom and insight.

PS The picture is of some of the Reading Leaders together with Bill Johnson, who so kindly gave us some of his valuable time, even after leading a full on conference!

Steve and Anita

California Dreams

After arriving in San Francisco on Monday with friends from another Reading Church, we checked in to a nice hotel on Union Square and spent a few hours trying to stay awake by travelling on the famous trams to Pier 39. Grabbed a bite to eat and headed back on what was a chilly evening.

The next couple of days proved to get colder - much colder, and very snowy! We drove east for about 200 miles to South Lake Tahoe, somewhere we visited in 2003 and loved. Our room is literally right on the lakeside and this picture is the view from our patio balcony doors.

We are in California to attend a leaders conference with 14 leaders from Reading - in Redding. Our children are at home looking after the dogs and we will be visiting Bethel Church in a day or two - depending on when the roads are cleared from the heavy snows.

We'll try to do a short update on how things are going.

Steve & Anita

The year has started

It's February and although a month has gone already in 2010, it feels like the year has only just started. The snow brought everything to a halt - we spent eight hours in our car travelling back from Tesco in Reading just before Christmas!

Plans for our daughter Helen's wedding are gaining momentum as July will soon be here. All of our daughters will be married and caring for their own families. This week it was Katie's 30th birthday and this has made us reflect on how quickly life passes by. We put together a DVD of pictures of Katie's life so far and it was moving to watch our family pass through the many phases of life. Our eldest grandchild, Jamie was seven two weeks ago!

Anita's close friend Karena is living the last days of her life and we are amazed and moved by the incredible story her husband Craig is sharing via his blog most days. Their courage, faith and honesty are incredible - testament to our God who is literally pouring His strength into them. They live with the very real confidence that they have a hope that goes way past this life and into the next. Please pray for Craig, Karena and their lovely family.

Our lives in Britain are generally very individualistic. It's a great pity that it can take a crisis for us to really share our lives together.

A short update to keep in touch with whoever has the time to read our blog - sorry the messages are so infrequent these days!

Happy New Year

It's the last day of the decade and haven't the last ten years gone quickly? It really doesn't seem long since we welcomed the new millenium. As we come to the end of the 'noughties' we are concious of just how each of our lives are so tenuous. Just yesterday we celebrated the life of Anita's Uncle Des at his funeral, and were reminded of the kind of values that really count and make life rich in purpose and hope. Des was such an amazing, Jesus loving human being who always found time to listen and to encourage. He will be missed.

As we spend the next few hours and days wishing family and friends a Happy New Year, I hope we can also live in the grace that only God gives should life not be so 'happy' for us. We hope and wish the best, whilst knowing that it's in the valleys where we really discover the kind of strength needed to build values in our lives that will last the day.

One of the most challenging thing about life is not just dealing with tough times but the consequences of enduring these many moments of trial. We have said many times that we are so grateful for family and friends who have relentlessly cared for and supported us in our wilderness. The reality is that we each need to learn to adjust to whatever life brings us, asking our God and Father for all His help in keeping faith strong - whatever the outcome.

We are praying for Anita's friend, Karena - and her husband and lovely family. Their battle continues and as we wish them a Happy New Year we are concious that real happiness is not a superficial feeling but a Godly inner contentment and hope that gives an assurance that this present life is only the beginning of something SO much better. So in wishing whoever reads this blog a Happy New Year, may you know the inner peace that only God can give.

This comes with lots of love, Steve and Anita

Miracle Week

It;s been three months since a blog post - a sign of our times in that life has resummed it's busy pace after a year of Anita's treatment. The big issue is to try and not keep too busy! Anita is keeping well and her own hair continues to grow back. She currently looks like Annie Lennox!

There is always something happening in our family and the last week has provided another instalment. Last Tuesday Katie was rushing to care for Charis who had literally stopped breathing. Paramedics arrived and Charis was fine but Katie had hurt her knee and was taken to A & E. She came home with a suspected torn muscle and the anguish began as we thought through how support might work.

To cut a long story short, we went with some church friends to pray for Katie. As we prayed Katie felt heat going through her knee and after prayer, the swelling reduced and the splint used to help support her leg slipped down, finally removed by Scott. Katie stood up and said her leg felt better!! By the next day Katie was back driving and apart from some small bruises, her leg has been fine since. Katie is due back at hospital on Wednesday for a check up.

What can we say - apart from thank you God!? We pray for more stories like this in the coming days - there are many needs around us.

We are praying for God to completely heal and restore our friend, Karena. She has been unwell for a long time now and it would be SO good for God to touch and heal her soon.

A year since D Day

It's been over a month since our last blog entry. Since the last entry we've been on holiday to Wales for a week, laid a new patio, started a new football season, Steve's had his 52nd birthday, we went to see u2 and Elbow in concert at Wembley and we've passed August 13th which was Diagnosis Day (D Day) last year, 2008.

We can't believe a year has passed by so quickly and so much has happened, especially to Anita. The end of treatment brought relief, followed by much adjustment, especially for Anita. She has had moments of feeling low and we understand from our excellent practice nurses that this is normal and repeated by virtually everyone going through similar treatment.

Whilst we have known God close on the journey, nothing can prepare any of us for the variety of life issues and traumas that come along. We can only know the strength to face the day and trust that God will again ppick us up when we fall down.

The post treatment time seems to be when we fully face into what has happened and the implications of what has happened. We rationalize feelings by saying that whilst treatment has been tough and literally left it's scars, at least we have life and are together. I have noticed just how important self-esteem is, especially to a woman. As a husband I want to help nurture and re-develop what has been taken by finding ways to help Anita feel better about herself.

Today I have a prayer and study afternoon and have been praying much as I was back on D Day. I am reflecting on the promise from back then, "he will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast; trusting in the Lord, his heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes."(from Psalm 112:7-8). In a sense our lives have appeared to contradict these words because we have had to deal with many fears - usually involving the thought of premature death and separation. As I think about it now, these words themselves have helped free us from fear and to actually experience the security the Psalmist speaks of.

Now we are praying for friends who remain in similar battles. . . . . .

Celebration Week

What a week of celebration last week was. At the beginning of the week Anita completed her final round of radiotherapy and we had an appointment with the Doctor to confirm that there are no more hospital visits for nearly three months until September. Already this feels like a massive change to our lives and we are grateful to have some 'normality' back. What started on August 13th last year really did seem like a mountain to climb but now we can look back in deep appreciation for so many people who have given us so much along the way.

Our celebrations really took off as we had the privilege to witness Beth's Graduation last Friday 3rd July. Beth now has a BA (Hons) to her name after acheiving a 2.1 in her Social Work Degree. She has started work today! It was a special day as together Anita and me, along with Jonny and our two Mum's were able to watch Beth receive her Degree from the University of Reading Chancellor, Sir John Madejski. During Friday evening we were able to take the whole family (minus grand-children!) to the Oracle for a great meal at Bella Italia.

We are ready for a holiday in order to try and catch up of some rest and some very kind friends are letting us use part of their property in Wales for a week soon.

One of the things having to deal with fighting cancer has done, is to have opened our eyes to a whole "community" of people who are each going through treatment for different cancers. These are a truly amazing community of people who help provide encouragement to one another. I have been amazed to witness the sense of humour that sometimes exists in the waiting rooms for chemotherapy and readiotherapy.

Things we are grateful for:

• Getting to this point in our journey and for Anita's general well being despite everything she has been through
• Beth's achievement during a time of varied and great family pressures - and for all our family who have each been a great help and encouragement. We are proud of all of our girls and their lovely families
• Our church family and friends, who have stood with us in the trenches and in the wilderness. thank you for your special care and sensitivity to us. You are in our hearts.
• Friends who have cared through text messages, letters and cards - these have so often arrived at exactly the right time.

Things we are praying for:

• In our celebrations and thanksgiving we are VERY concious of friends who are at various stages in fighting the battle against cancer. We stand with Karena, Jo and Penny and so want them to come soon to the day when they can celebrate. Please pray for them, their spouses and families.
• Anita's body to fully recover from treatment and surgery - this takes it's toll and we really don't want anything adverse to happen to her in the months and years ahead.
• Wisdom and insight as to how we can support people from across the communities we are part of, who are dealing with cancer related issues and battles

Thank you everybody and thank you God!

News Update

As ever in our lives there is lots going on and things move fast. Even utilising such things as a Blog is difficult to keep up to date!

As mentioned in the last Blog entry, Katie was in hospital at the weekend. She went home on Monday and after a couple of further days feeling quite ill, she is now improving and the contractions have stopped. It would be great if the next time she is in hospital (other than for consultations) is when baby is born at full term.

Anita had her 10th radiotherapy treatment earlier today and continues to do amazingly. As mentioned before - next Monday 29th March is the final day and we'll probably go out for a meal together to celebrate this milestone which seemed an absolute eternity away during the middle of last year!

Also next week we are looking forward to Bethany's graduation at Reading University. Beth knows she has passed and on Friday we'll dicover her grade.

Things we are grateful for:

• Getting close to the end of the treatment journey and still having a sense of humour!
• Beth's achievement in successfully completing her studies
• Katie being home a getting better

Things we are praying for:

• Suffering friends: As well as previously mentioned people we are praying for, we pray for Penny and Malc. They are seeing a Consultant today as Penny has been having scans for suspected cancer issues.
• We are advertising for a couple of key roles at church and praying for God to help us find the right people to successfully apply for the jobs
• The general well-being and protection of our fast growing family!

Thanks for your interest and care - much love, Steve and Anita

Pray for Katie

It's 11.20pm on Thursday evening and we have just heard that our eldest daughter Katie has once again gone into premature labour. Katie has started having contractions and has gone into hospital. Katie is now about 28 weeks pregnant. Please pray for protection for the baby and Katie, and that Scott and Holly will know God's peace at this time. Thank you.

On the Home Stretch!

At last we are on the home run - today Anita had her 7th radiotherapy session and 29th June is in sight, the date of the last treatment. After a difficult start each treatment is now straight forward and usually Anita is not in hospital for very long. Exercises are tough and somewhat painful but Anita does really well.

Beth and Jonny have just got back from a holiday in the U.S. and Beth has found out she has passed her degree. Beth will find out her grade a week on Friday. All her hard work has paid off and we are very proud of Beth's achievement.

I have just got back from two days at a "Learning Community" with St Andrews Church in Chorleywood. Linda and Ben from our leadership team at church were with me as we explored and planned for developing the exciting vision for Mission Communities. The stories were really encouraging from the five other churches represented and although we have come home tired, we are also very motivated and inspired to work this out at Brookside.

We have also been excitedly thinking about Helen and Giles' wedding next Summer, helping to explore their options for the reception.

Things we are grateful for:

• Anita's strength and relative well-being during radiotherapy
• Beth's hard work paying off and a job to go to in July
• The prospect of another family wedding next year!
• Generous churches such as St Andrews in Chorleywood

Things we are praying for:

• Anita to finish her treatment well and everything to have worked to plan
• Energy and rest - or is it rest and energy!?
• Families and marriages to be blessed

Radiotherapy Started

After a difficult day on Wednesday we are "pleased" to report that radiotherapy has started and Anita completed her second cycle at lunchtime today - only 10 more to go! Although this is the home straight, this kind of feeling has probably duped us into thinking things will be easier when the reality is that Anita still has the effects of chemotherapy in her body and so she is still battling through. I am proud of the way she copes with such discomfort and presses forward.

Today I had my appraisal and Linda and Eileen were a great encouragement in bringing some helpful insights and wisdom into the way I work. I love being part of the church I am helping to lead - it's such a great environment to belong to and relationships exist that strengthen us - not least in times of pressure.

It's been a big day for the Royals and we are very pleased to welcome our new manager, Brendan Rodgers. Brendan was at Reading when I started my role as chaplain. Since then he has worked alongside Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and came to Reading after a short spell managing Watford. We look forward to a new era under the leadership of such a great person.

I am speaking at church on Sunday and we will be looking at how we can "Make God's Love Tangible." In the midst of such politcal turmoil and economic gloom, as God's people we have a responsibility to love those around us with the same love God has for us all. We have good news and a hope that extends beyond the turmoil around us. I want to do all I can to help motivate and inspire people to generously give away what we have received from God.

Today we are grateful for:

• Medical science that helps to deliver healing and restoration to us when we are unwell
• Co-workers at church who help bring the best out in us
• Hilary, a friend at church who deserves a wonderful 70th birthday this weekend

Today we are praying for:

• Minimal side effects from radiotherapy and strength for Anita

Not so good to go

Today we went for what was due to be Anita's first round of radiotherapy but alas it was not to be! After an uncomfortable session when the radiographers tried to correctly line things up using information from the simulator, they had to stop because something was incorrect and treatment has to be very precise. Tomorrow morning we go back to have planning re-done. This was disappointing as it means a delay in starting. This will probably be next Monday now.

Good to Go!

Well, not completely but radiotherapy is starting anyway next Wednesday 3rd June! We were at hospital for a couple of hours this morning and although Anita needed the Doctor to drain some fluid, she had her radiotherapy planning along with some very small tattoos which are used as accurate markers to direct treatment. Starting next Wednesday means radiotherapy will finish on Monday 29th June after the twelve cycles are complete. This is great as it means she will be finished a few days before Bethany's graduation at Reading University on Friday 3rd July. We are taking the family out for a meal after Beth's graduation so there will be plenty to celebrate.

Waiting for Anita this morning was quite an education. In the waiting area in the Radiotherapy Clinic there were several ladies, each of whom who are travelling a similar journey to Anita. One of these has had a particularly difficult time and she could not complete her chemotherapy. This lady led a series of funny stories and another woman who was just waiting for her mother who was having treatment, commented on the humour that was floating around the room. It struck me as amazing that even in the most difficult times, humour and fun have such a key part to play in helping people deal with pain and suffering. I realised I was sitting in a world that up to 10 months ago, I didn't realise existed. You can't help but be moved as you sit among the suffering.

Last Sunday at Brookside, Bart was speaking and talked about the "mystery of suffering" and how we cannot mature 'in God' without some knowledge of suffering. You can hear his talk at www.brooksidechurch.org.uk

This time last year we were planning a trip to Ecuador and had no idea where we would find ourselves a year on. It's just as well we don't know what's around the corner but it doesn't half help to have a relationship with God that helps to keep you in a place of reasonable peace and security.

Today we are grateful for:

• The start of the last leg of the journey - last August it felt like it would never end
• The good health (!) Anita has experienced along the way when it could have been really difficult
• I (Steve) have been amazed at how Anita has dealt with everything. She has been amazing and a very special wife.
• For friends, forever friends who have literally been journeying with us and for our family who have rallied and demonstrated love and care.

Today we are praying for:

• Kelly's daughter who has been poorly and having convulsions
• Anita to cope well with radiotherapy and for it's success in finally hammering any issues invisible to the human eye or technology
• Anita's friends Karena and Jo who are beating cancer with prayer and treatment
• Katie's body to work well in enabling the baby to grow and develop in the womb

Radiotherapy delayed

We had our weekly visit to the hospital today. Anita was due to have her radiotherapy planning session. Unfortunately due to the fluid not completely going and the radiotherapy simulation machine being out of action, the planning could not take place and should now happen Tuesday 26th May or even the week after. After initial disappointment, we realise that four weeks after surgery is still very early to commence radiotherapy. Six weeks is nearer the norm. So hey ho!!

We went shopping instead!!

That's all to report at the mo, so we are going to watch a film and veg out for a couple of hours with a glass of wine.

We are grateful for:

• Living so close to the Royal Berkshire Hospital
• Scott's new job - he started today

We are praying for:

• The fluid to go and no more seroma clinic's needles
• Katie to continue to keep free of contractions and the baby's health
• Sleep, and more sleep!

He's Keeping Hold

I love this picture. For me it captures who I am and who God is. A Father refusing to let go. At times it doesn't feel like this. But it is. We sing a song at church . . . "O no, you never let go, through the calm and through the storm, oh no, you never let go through every high & every low, oh no , you never let go, Lord you never let go of me."

The facts are that we each go through storms in our lives at some time or other. There are pressures, pain and problems. I was reminded of this once again yesterday when I drove Anita to Chandlers Ford to be measured for a prothesis. It made me feel sad . . . but grateful because treatment is going well and God had been holding on to us.

Next Monday Anita goes back to hospital to meet with her radiographer in the RBH Radiography Department and then she will start radiotherapy three times each week for twelve sessions in total. In the meantime it would really help if the fluids that keep collecting following the operation would stop and her body would be as whole as possible ready for radiotherapy.

Katie is recovering well from the events of two weeks ago and last week Anita went with her and Scott for a scan. All is well with baby!

Tonight is a massive evening for Reading FC. We play Burnley in the 2nd leg of the play-off semi-final and are currently trailing 1-0. The winners of the game will go to Wembley to play Sheffield United for the prize of once again playing in the Premier League. We are hoping for a great performance and an exciting evening - ending in celebration for the Royals and their supporters.

Next weekend our friends, Jane, David and Caroline are climbing Ben Nevis in aid of The Bethany Children's Trust. They have been working so hard at this, raising funds for this wonderful charity who support and care for children in many nations. Also this weekend, Anita's boss Simon, starts a long cycle ride from John-o-Groats to Lands End, this is also in aid of a Children's Charity. At 4.00pm this Saturday at the home of Reading Town FC in Scours Lane, our church football team, Brookside St Lawrence are playing in the Churches League Cup Final against another Reading team, Bethel.

In finishing this blog entry I'd like to refer you back to the picture at the top. Do remember that in whatever circumstances, pressures or pain you might be going through, God wants to be a Father who will never let go of you.

Today we are grateful for:

• The amazing progress that Anita has made and is making
• For the little baby being carried by Katie and whom we can now see a picture of
• Friends who give so much of their lives in working to raise money and profile for others in need

Today we are praying for:

• The fluids to stop building up in Anita's body ready for radiotherapy
• Ongoing protection for Katie, Scott, Holly and baby
• For our friends to keep in good health next weekend as they walk and ride

KT Update

Thanks to those who are praying for Katie. The contractions stopped early yesterday morning and baby's as lively as ever! Katie is exhausted now and is being sick because of the medication she has been on. The Doctors are keeping her in hospital for another night tonight and our prayers and hopes are that she will quickly gain strength. It's also been very tiring for Scott as he looks after Holly and is backwards and forwards into hospital.

We have reflected on Katie's pregnancy with Holly and in many ways this was tough, right from conception. We are continuing to pray for protection for the whole family and that the contractions don't happen again until full-term and the best time for baby to come.

Please Pray for Katie

Our roller coaster life ride continues relentlessly. Having had great news about Anita during the week, and having had the timely visit of Bill Johnson to Reading last week bringing a message to believe for healings as part of the demonstration of God's kingdom - our daughter Katie went into hospital on Friday afternoon.

Katie is 20 weeks into her pregnancy and has started contractions and been having them since Friday. We'd REALLY appreciate your prayers for Katie, her husband Scott and our grand daughter Holly. At church today everybody prayed together for the contractions to stop and for the baby's life to be preserved and for him or her to be born at full term.

I spoke at church today from Psalm 27 and described how much these verses have, and continue to bring clarity as we journey through tough times. Sean Dooley from Thameside Church brought this Psalm as a devotion at the Reading Leaders prayer gathering at Greyfriars Church last Wednesday morning. Do have a read and give some consideration to them as they help us see the way in which we can find safety in the storms of life.

The Royals missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League. There have been some "knife-edges" for us this weekend! Still, the boys are in the dreaded play-offs and we could have a trip to Wembley to look forward to.

Today we are grateful for:

• Listening to the healthy heartbeat of the baby inside Katie and feeling all the kicking going on!
• For our church family who are gathering around us and standing with us like these things are their very own battles
• The launch of our new church website - well done Dave! www.brooksidechurch.org.uk

Today we are praying for:

• The contractions to stop and for Katie to get quality rest
• Protection for her unborn child
• Strength to face another week and to deal with things confidently knowing our Father loves us and will care for us

It's gone!

Today we heard the news that we have been hoping and praying for. Anita's consultant surgeon told us that the remaining nine lymph glands removed during her recent surgery are cancer free! The chemotherapy did what it was supposed to do and we are very relieved and grateful for the wonderful news.

After letting family and friends know by the wonders of texting, our mobile telephones have been very hot during today. We have received lots of lovely messages celebrating the news.

The next climb involves radiotherapy, probably starting at the end of May. It's been 37 weeks since the original diagnosis and at last we are reaching towards the finish of intensive treatment. What seemed a journey that would last forever now feels somewhat different. Anita still has quite a bit of pain and discomfort from the operation and so we would still really appreciate prayers for healing to continue at a good pace.

We were both able to attend most of an exciting and encouraging two-day conference hosted by Reading Christian Network. Bill Johnson and his team from Bethel Church in Redding, California brought teaching and inspiration to many hundreds of Christians from across the Reading area and there were lots of stories of people being healed.

We are also very happy about two nights of great football results - the super Royals beat Norwich 2-0 to keep their automatic promotion hopes very much alive. Tonight Chelsea did what no other team has done this season by not conceding a goal in Barcelona, drawing 0-0.

Today we are grateful for:

• Obviously the news above . . . . . .cancer has gone!
• Lunch out together to celebrate
• Our son-in-law was offered a job in Reading
• Bill Johnson and the grace and insights he brought to us all in Reading

Today we are praying for:

• Pain to go and more sleep!
• Karena and Jo and their families
• Terese to recover quickly