They notice!

A friend of mine sent this poem to me today as a word of encouragement. I thought that it was so good I would share it with you.



WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other..
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking..'


LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT .

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend)
influences the life of a child.

How will you touch the life of someone today?
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

What a week!

Our Visa's are here.

Praise the Lord!

After a few challenges it is such a relief to have them.

Before they came it had been a funny old few weeks...
A mix of highs and lows!

They have included visiting old friends and catching up with their news. Making new friends while sharing with them the calling that we have to work with M.A.F. All rounded off by fitting in a trip up to Cumbria to visit Charley's parents.

At the end of half term there was the inevitable mad rush to pack and get ready to go away while still trying to fit in swimming clubs , music lessons and of course we needed to wash the dog "Molly " before an eight hour car journey on the M5 /6 with her. At least she smelt nice!



Fortunately it was not too bad travelling up, but the return journey was not so good. Rain, sleet and snow for most of the way. I'm so glad I wasn't driving!
It was lovely to meet some new people while away from a church in Broughton-In-Furness who were very interested to hear about the work we will be involved with in Arnhem Land. It was also a week filled with long, cold wet walks (See photographs) but was contrasted with good food and drink, fun and laughter, which more than made up for the total drenching we all received on one of our walks.

Visa challenges and a broken laptop screen are all things sent to try us! We must be on the right path. Praise the Lord...

Now we have our Visa's all these hiccups seem insignificant.

We have a few more talks to give at various churches and home groups and are spending most of our time catching up with supporters and updating newsletters and face book.

We are now excited about moving forward in God's will, keep praying!

All our love Rachel, Charley and the children.

Another week...

Dear Praying & Supporting friends

It's hard to believe that another week has gone by so quickly.

It has been quite a busy week with a number of individuals who wished to hear about the work we will be involved in with M.A.F. in Arnhem Land, Australia.

It has been fun going to different places and meeting new people, I am just glad that Charley has been doing the driving as some of the lanes we have travelled along have been very narrow.

Sunday was a great day.

We were invited to give a talk about our calling to mission work in a Church in Exeter.

Some of the members we already knew but we hadn't seen them for some years.

Following our presentation we were invited for lunch with the Pastor his wife and lovely family.

It was a great day, full of catching up with old friends and making new ones. The children played their part well and behaved themselves. I think they enjoyed the space to run around and making new friends.

Our support level is steadily increasing which is great and we have had several people who have returned their support forms pledging to pray for us. Still no word from the Australian Government about our visa application. Those of you who are part of our journey will receive news via email as soon as we have it.

Praise the Lord for a brilliant week full of fun, variety, provision, interest and friendship.

Please put your email address in the
box opposite to receive news every time we post!

Keep Praying!

Rachel, Charley, William, Alexandra, Georgina and Freddie.

A busy week!

I(Rachel) can't believe another week has come and gone so quickly.

My weeks seem to go by in a blur of the mundane and the exciting.

Caught up in the everyday grind of washing,
(as well as dealing with a broken washing machine,

not funny in house hold of six!)

ironing, ferrying children to clubs, shopping and cleaning, every woman's joy!

In contrast it has been really wonderful to get away from it all and meet some truly great people as part of our support raising for M.A.F. We have met individuals that we would never have met had it not been for our involvement with M.A.F. Individuals and groups who have said they will commit to pray for the work we will be part of in Arnhem Land and others who have promised to support us financially.

This coming Sunday we have a support raising talk coming up in a Church in Exeter so we would value your prayers.

I hope the weather is a bit warmer by the weekend too. I'm really looking forward to the Spring and warmer weather, one thing apart from crocodiles and buffalo's, Arnhem Land has plenty of.

It will be great to be able to walk in the Bluebell field's on Dartmoor like last year when warmer weather eventually appears. Roll on Spring!

It would be great to get some feedback from anyone reading our Blog.

We will update you soon.

Rachel, Charley and family.

IT'S REALLY COLD...

Hello and welcome

It's been a cold, snowy, chilly week where all we've wanted to do is stay inside and keep warm.

We were due to do a presentation in a Church on Dartmoor this week but were unable to get there because of the snow. It has been rescheduled for a later date.

The children have however enjoyed the snow. We have been sledging ,walking and had fun making snowmen. They are really disappointed that the snow has nearly gone and the rain has started. As has school.

Support raising is coming on with a presentation booked in Exeter at the end of the month and a visit and a talk in Cumbria during half term.

Please contact us by Email (cstockley@maf.org) if you would like to hear more about us.

Charley,Rachel & Family.