BerryBunch Family @Berrybunchfamily@dingdash.com

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/africa/2021/12/11/south-african-doctors-see-signs-omicron-is-milder-than-delta.html

something a little encouraging, that I daren't share on Facebook! sadly, for numerous reasons!! it' breaks my heart how we've seen the vaccine as a polarising issue in civil society 😞

anyway, this is positive to read from South Africa! it's 4 days old, but finding anything that isn't ridiculously biased is bordering on the impossible

@tanjaostman

Supervising. I could get used to being management 😂

Andy B

spent the day in bed today

frustratingly, i took one tablet and dropped another (condensation on the glass, and SUPER slippy tablet)

the one i thought i dropped was not the one we found (Jo went straight into police mode and "conducted a thorough search of the area" - which helped relax me a bit)

so, a quick call to the ward to check what i'm supposed to do.......it seems i probably dropped my blood thinner tablet, but since a double dose would put me at severe risk, and taking a double beta blocker would put me at slightly less risk, the cardiology ward pharmacist (super nice woman) told me to do nothing, but rest all day and carry on this evening with my meds as normal

hence, i'm back in bed for a day of rest - with such a lovely day I had planned for a lovely brisk 30 minute walk...........

........there's always tomorrow

and what have i learned? drink from something with a handle, and make sure i wake up properly prior to taking the tablets, even if Jo is watching me

Andy B

So this must be the one that was supposed to come with the horror advent calendar

He's obviosuly been kicked in the stomach by a horse then wrapped in cellophane

er........

And so it begins

The garage is so called, because it used to be a garage

The logic is undeniable

The trucks remind me of my former profession

The dog was Jo's when she was little

It still works - it walks and barks 🙂

In 40 days we're moving home.

An expected move (our house is a max.12 month let) But God dovetailed that move with Jo being headhunted for a job (5 1/2 hrs drive north) and the timing is nothing short of God inspired. Even her security vetting came through at the perfect moment

We had the new home confirmed last Friday. We move 21st January. Jo starts her new position 31st January.

The goodness and favour of God upon this litttle family is mind blowing and overwhelming!

The miracles we've already seen are more than I squeeze into 1,000 characters (first attempt was nearly 4,000 characters long)

But, a big money issue was solved before we needed to ask a question. We only had one house we could view, and beat all other applicants to apply. Our previous landlord had to be asked for a reference - new agent described it as evil and disgusting. But God had already put things in motion to thwart that attempt close a door God had already opened.

And the BerryBunch studio V3.0 is real!!!

Some more scriptural encouragement for you on a Monday morning

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.4.8-10.NLT

Some comfort for you on a Monday morning!

Andy B

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.3-7.NLT

Peter pushed us with getting our Christmas sorted. So all done now.

First meal I've cooked for family since October

Chicken pasta, with a tomato sauce (reduced by me ! ) And strong cheddar grated over the top, allowed to melt in the heat with the lid on

Pretty chuffed

Cos I didn't feel strong enough to stand for long enough yesterday to do that.

But I started by making Jo poached egg on toast for a well earned breakfast in bed

Feeling it right now! But I've got a nice dinner to enjoy.

Jo did the chopping (obviously) and strained the pasta (safest option)

Feeling good to have done this after so long not doing it, after SO many years of always doing it

Andy B

😊

That is all for now

Except to say God is good!

Today is my estranged dad's cremation service. He died the day after my first hospital visit last month - 12th November. He was 78.

So mixed emotions for me. I won't be attending because I'm still not up to a journey of that kind & as I avoid any stress I can.

He left behind his 3rd wife, 4 sons, 2 step daughters

I'm sad by the pain of a very broken, fragmented family.

He was saved.

I was even contacted by a half brother I hadn't seen for 32 years, and 2 half brothers I've not seen for 14 years

I'm sad he left a legacy, sadly, of broken people and lives. But I also know enough of the 'why' of how he lived and have no bitterness. Just sadness.

He ministered originally in Wolverhampton, setting up youth work projects. And was a passionate speaker and brilliant orator. I definitely learned those skills from him.

I said my real goodbyes 14 years ago. Today I'll say it one last time.

Andy
Photo : Top left to right
Steven (my son), Mark (youngest half brother of 3 boys), me, my dad