A visit to Soham

We have two Bank Holidays because Christmas and Boxing Day fell over a weekend so we decided it would be good to visit our friends in Soham. They always make us feel very welcome and it is good to be able to catch up on SA news as well as sharing our comings and goings since last we met. We are also treated to lunch and Daniel always helps to make the visit special by accepting us as part of the family. This time we were thrilled to be able to watch some video clips of him playing the Violin and Cornet at different school functions. He sure has grown and matured in the two and a half years since we have been here.

Our Wedding Anniversary

Today is our 40th Wedding Anniversary and we are blessed to be together. At the morning service in Downham we received a card and good wishes even though most folk here have celebrated 50 years and even 60 years of marriage.
After the service we went to have lunch at Arbuckles and this evening we have the Carol service at Downham so I have not had to do too much driving which makes me happy.
It is still bitterly cold outside, -4 degrees, but the church was warm as was the restaurant and of course our home is always nice and warm. This evening we will sing Silent Night by candlelight so that should help to keep us warm before we head out into the cold outside to make our way home.The distances here are so short the car does not even get a chance to heat up so we are glad that we have warm coats.

A Christmas lunch at the Social Center at the church

Whenever Douglas has to do the midweek service at the church we stay and enjoy a lunch at the Social Center. These meals are fantastic and very reasonably priced too. Good old fashioned "Boere Kos".
Every year they have a special Christmas meal on the last Friday before they close for the Christmas break. We always attend and this year there were so many people there we could hardly move in the hall. We wore our Christmas hats and enjoyed Turkey, Brussels sprouts and carrots with Roast potatoes and creamed potatoes as well as Yorkshire pudding that was beautifully presented on piping hot plates. This was followed by a choice of puddings: Christmas pudding, Gateaux or peaches all served with ice cream or custard and followed by tea or coffee and mince pies. Yummy.
The number of people attending show what a great ministry this is to those who would otherwise have a lonely meal at home. Everyone needs to interact with someone and the buzz in the Social Center during these daily meals is proof that people need each other.