PJBelfast

During lockdown our local church community at LVV decided, as they couldn't meet in the normal congregational mode, that this was a great opportunity to meet as "a huddle" - a small group made up of five guys all sharing the common factor of loving Jesus. After a few zoom huddles we then progressed, as lockdown eased, to meeting outdoors in walks together with a destination being a Hillsborough watering hole, a beer garden known as the Hillside.  I've gotta say, as we get to know each other, the craic has been great from this diverse bunch of guys - we'll worth the drive from my native East Belfast.  Friendships are some of the greatest things we carry through life. So if you are needing a few more friendships, get yourself involved in a huddle.  At LVV you just submit your name to Jenny at the church office and you'll be appointed a huddle to meet with.  “ You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years

Following a rather traumatic family incident (see previous blog) in February, we then returned from Spain to, like everyone else, experience the worldwide lockdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time we'd moved to an AirB&B thinking originally that we'd be there for just a few months until our new house was ready. The few months however was to be protracted to become half a year!  This year to date has been filled with enough unprecedented circumstances to cause a lot of upheaval and to create high levels of uncertainty and anxiety for so many of us.  I had also been on the cusp of resigning in March. However I had to rescind my resignation, due the newfound uncertainty of my prospective new service role caused by Covid-19.  It was such a close call that my workmates even gave me  leaving gift!  Lockdown confined to an attic hasn't been easy either, but thankfully our landlords have been brilliant.  Today our new season is about to begin as we move house.  Toda