Ightham Mote.....

A special fishing opportunity here today for Fathers' Day when children and fathers could hire rods and fish together. It was really popular! Some rainbow trout were caught and we were told most fishermen were successful as it's a well stocked moat. 

I treated D to lunch in the cafe before we walked round the grounds, and then took out deckchairs and watched the many groups of grandparents, parents and children enjoying time together. Our boys are being treated by their families and from photos we've seen, Andrea has really given Joff a good first Fathers' Day! I always miss my dear dad on days like this. He and Joff shared a birthday too which comes up later this week. 

Ian was brilliant in the morning service. He spoke about Joseph  the carpenter, Jesus' father and his qualities of faithfulness and kindness to Mary, listening to God who told him to take Mary as his wife even when he could have had her publicly humiliated and his obedience to God and his family. Family life isn't always easy.  He shared about his father too who was involved in the D-day landings and received a nasty wound in his back after a shrapnel attack. It was deep enough for Ian as a child to put his hand into. He only told Ian what the scar was when Ian was 18.