Devotions

Happy Summer Holidays! As the school term draws to a close, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on the past week. Balancing the chaos of family life with the requirements of my Mencap Gateway Bronze Award can feel like a lot, but this weekly 5-minute check-in keeps me grounded and on track. ​Here is my evidence log for Week 23. ​My Weekly Evidence Log ​1. Volunteering ​ Activity: Walk for Autism. ​ Status: Completed previously. ​2. Fitness ​ Activity: Nature Walk. ​ Evidence: Today’s focus was on connecting with the outdoors. I’m including a photo from my walk around the Crichton estate after dropping Ezra off at his last Cubs session of the season. ​ Note: While I also enjoyed a magical moment seeing frogs and deer while setting up a treasure hunt at Vogrie, I chose to put my phone away and simply enjoy the moment rather than documenting it. Sometimes, living the experience is more important than the evidence! ​3. Hobby ​ Activity: T...

Dear Friends, Welcome. ​This space exists for one reason: ​love — ​the love of God poured out in Jesus Christ, ​the love we are called to extend ​to one another, ​and to the world. ​There are many voices clamouring for our attention. Here, you will find the rhythm of one heart seeking to follow the way of Love. My ministry does not happen behind heavy church doors or within rigid institutional walls. It happens in the quiet, ordinary spaces of life where we learn to walk together at an unhurried pace. This is a faith rooted not in tradition for its own sake, but in the living, active, self-giving love at the heart of the Gospel. ​Three truths have become my anchors: ​The Living Word Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. Apart from Him, the true God cannot be fully known. In Jesus, we see the face of a God who is Love, and whose Gospel is the path of Peace. ​The Gift of Grace I believe salvation is found by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Grace is a t...

Happy Father’s Day to all those celebrating today! ​As we move through another week of the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award, it’s a good time to take a breath, reflect on the progress made, and get organized. This weekly ritual—my "Sunday Five-Minute Check-in"—is essential for keeping track of the evidence needed for the award and ensuring I’m staying balanced. ​Here is the breakdown of my progress for Week 22 . ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​ Status: Completed previously. ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk Some time with family at Porty Beach.  ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Prayer ​ Activity:  Prayer and exploring vocations. Working on my Muddy Church idea and exploring Monk in the world concepts. Writing things here on the blog.  ​4. Personal Challenge ​ Status: Previously submitted. ​5. Lifestyle: Sensory & Advocacy ​ Focus: Self-regulation and active advocacy. ​ Tools: Using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, v...

It is time for the Sunday check-in! Taking five minutes to document these activities is a great way to stay on track for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. Here is my evidence for Week 21. ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​ Status: Completed previously. ​2. Fitness & Wellbeing (Nature & Outings) ​ Nature Walks:  Being outdoors remains a key part of my physical and mental well-being routine. I have also been doing gardening. ​ Prescribe Nature (Newbattle Abbey College - Week 7): Another enriching week of nature-based activities. The outdoors continues to be a profound source of healing and joy. This is the second last session.  ​ Family Zoo Trip: We enjoyed a wonderful family trip to the zoo this week. It was a great opportunity for movement and fresh air while spending quality time together. ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Prayer ​ Activity: Continued prayer and exploring pioneer ministry.  ​ Reflection...

Happy Sunday, everyone! It’s time for my quick 5-minute weekly checklist to document my progress for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. This week has been incredibly special, filled with beautiful nature, steady routines, a little chaos and a very memorable family celebration. ​Here is my evidence submission for Week 20 : ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​ Status: Completed previously. ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) ​ Activity: Prescribe Nature at Newbattle Abbey College (Week 6), a journey to the Isle of Lewis and Gabriels woodland activities at Squirrels.  ​ Evidence ​ Reflections: This week marked Week 6 of the Prescribe Nature programme at Newbattle Abbey College, where we made some bird hides. It was another deeply enriching week of nature-based activities, reminding me once again that the outdoors continues to be a profound source of healing and joy. In addition to the programme, I enjoyed some breathtaking views on the ...