Thanks to Jacob's Starz (
see their Facebook page) we've taken a short break in Cornwall. A caravan down here became free to Jacob's Starz for a couple of weeks ago, but we were unable to take advantage. Our LATCH social worker explained our situation to Jacob's Starz and they came back willing to sponsor us the lions share of a holiday in a week of our choice, which coincided with Ruth and Rhys' holiday, just 3 miles away. Trevarth is a quiet, clean, family-run caravan/camping site. The weather has been bright and fresh, the wind making the formidable Chapel Porth surf 'messy'. Pads was happy enough to 'chill' in a sheltered spot while the others took their churn in the waves.
Sunday was a high day with excellent sermons from Jon Stobbs at Penzance Baptist Church. It is always wonderful to hear the gospel clearly proclaimed, it is a rare thing when away from home. The message from Romans 3 about 'Redemption in Christ' reinforced the biblical emphasis on the need to be saved by Christ's paying the whole penalty for our reconciliation with God. This is no mere 'release', someone has to pay - sinners in hell forever or the Saviour on Calvary's cross for 3 hours. We cannot pay off God with any goodness or good deeds we think we may have. It is not a plea-bargain or a trade-off. Our salvation is ALL gift, ALL grace. Hear the sermon for yourself at.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8811043204
We were sad to hear that only 35 in the congregation back home - it's a reminder of how fragile we are, how much we need to fervently pray for revival, how few really care about the Lord and the needs of their eternal souls.
We've enjoyed a calm few days so far, chatting over memories and playing games (like Pictionary Man - as in the photo). Yesterday's memory verse was Romans 8:18 'For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.' Today's is
2 Cor 4:17 'For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory'
Yesterday we had a lovely afternoon on Portreath beach. The bakers there make a particularly authentic pasty, and the seafront has good features. We avoided paying the steep car park fee (£1 per hour) with Pads' blue badge and he tottered down onto the sand nearby, where he, perched on a low seat, played a full part in burying folk. As enjoyable is it all was, we couldnt help remembering that the last time we were all together doing that kind of thing was three years ago in France, when Pads' mystery illness was really starting to bite. We'd have a great day on the beach and then he would be completely thrown by 'something'... 
