Clare's a star!

...well, in the making...

But first, apologies for taking so long to return to the blog world. It's because of excuse* and also because I've been very busy with excuse* and excuse*.

Anyway, last night Clare auditioned for an amateur production of a show called "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and has got the leading role of Millie! The show started life as a frankly horrendous film (in my opinion) starring Julie Andrews but has been recently converted to a much more professional stage version. She will be performing at the New Wolsey Theatre during the first week of July. I'm not sure that they have satellite link-up facilities at the Wolsey but if friends want to come and stay with us so that they can see the show, you are most welcome.

People further afield may not realise Clare's rich stage heritage but this picture is of her playing Sally in "Me and my girl" in 2006.



She got quite a good write up which you can read here. Also you can check out more pictures of her on Appeal Theatre Group's website.

Anyway I'm very proud of her and looking forward to becoming a theatre widower again! It sounds harsh but it means I get to play loads more loud guitar when she's out!

Ok, that's our news done but I promise that I will try and come back more regularly from now on!

* Insert your favourite explanations for why you've not done something when the reality is you're just lazy!

Happy Christmas!

Clare and Andy wish everyone who reads our blog a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

I Left My Heart In San Francisco.....

Well it's (finally!) time for the last episode of our America journey, only about 4 months after we got back! Our final destination was San Francisco. We only had a few days before we had to return home but, as ever, we endeavoured to pack as much in as we could!

We started off at Pier 39 were there was lots of exciting shops and restaurants, not to mention the odd one or two hundred seals. You can hear them long before you see them and they just spend their day lounging round the place, making a racket! Quite a sight to behold!

From the next pier along, we got the ferry for our night tour of Alcatraz Prison. This was amazing and really quite scary once it had got dark! We were supplied with a very informative audio tour which told us all about Al Capone, the Birdman and the only three people ever to escape from the Rock. Slightly disturbing was the fact that we were on the last boat off the Island at about 10pm, but nobody seemed to be counting people on and off! I thought it might be fun to rough it overnight but Clare had other ideas!

We couldn't leave San Francisco without checking out some of the famous hills. We'd heard they were steep but we hadn't realised the half of it! But there was 3 weeks of American food to burn off and we felt we needed the exercise so we gave it everything we had!

When we reached the top of the mountain...sorry! hill... by a complete stroke of luck we managed to bump into the old tram service that took us all the way back down again and into town. When they told us they had two spaces left, we thought we were in luck... We didn't realise that those two spaces were hanging on for dear life on the outside of the train.

I think a fitting end to the holiday is to leave you with two video clips of the experience!

All the pictures, and some more crazy videos, can be found here.

Well, thanks for sticking through this rather protracted account of our holiday! I guess I'll have to think of something else exciting for next time.

California Dreaming.....

After quite a few weeks off, I thought it was about time to continue the epic saga of our America holiday. After Las Vegas, we flew to L.A and were met at the airport by Clare's friend, Elise. About a year before we were married, Clare spent 6 months in India with the organisation Oasis helping in the slums of Mumbai and at a centre for women and children with HIV. Elise was on the team with Clare (along with Hazel) and is from L.A. She very kindly took the day out to show us around and had planned a lovely itinerary that took in Manhattan Beach, Venice Beach and Santa Monica. We had a lovely day with her and it was great to catch up.


L.A. is unlike all of the other places we visited. Everywhere else, we were able to catch a bus or subway and could navigate without being reliant on taxis or cars. In L.A., everything is so much more spread out so we decided to do one of the many Hollywood tours that run. This took in the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills, the Star Walk of Fame and my favourite, the Rock Walk where I almost touched hands with Jimmy Page!


We also had a two day pass for Universal Studios. Here we had a guided tour of many of the movie lots and went on some amazing rides, including the Mummy Returns, Jurassic Park and The Simpsons Ride.


If you want to see more photos of our time in L.A. see here.

Well, we're almost at the end of our holiday. One last stop... San Francisco!

Mumbai Terrorist Attacks

Please remember and uphold in prayer all those affected by the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Clare still knows a lot of people there from when she worked for Oasis in Mumbai a few years ago. So far, no-one we know has been hurt but many people are still being held hostage in the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels. Please pray for a peaceful and swift resolution to that situation and for all those who have lost loved ones or been injured by this attack.

Jen's Beautiful Little Girl

Jen emailed Clare a picture of Elisabeth. She is so very cute that we thought it would be a lovely idea to post it on the blog. Jen calls Elisabeth "her peanut" and I think you'll agree that she is beautiful!

They've put together a wonderful slide show of pictures set to music and you can find it here.

Please continue to remember Jen and her husband in your prayers as they work through this difficult time.

Elisabeth Ann Matteson

Please pray for Jen and her husband who lost their daughter, Elisabeth Ann over the last weekend.

Jen contacted Clare a few months ago after the doctors picked up a skeletal displaysia at her 21-week scan. Later scans showed that that the condition was most likely lethal (Campomelic Dysplasia) and she experienced increased fluid levels at 28 weeks. A week later, she went into labour and tragically Elisabeth was only with them for 6 minutes. She was small - 2lbs 9 oz - but very precious to them and in Jennifer's words was "adorable".

Jen seems very strong in her emails but both Clare and I know how hard such times can be. They need love, support and prayer so please uphold them in your thoughts during this difficult time.

I don't think she has a blog but I know that she reads ours so please feel free to post any messages here.

Please also remember Tonya and Knoah as he undergoes MRI and CT scans and pray that the doctors would be wise and reassuring.

Theo's Birthday

Clare and I are both at home today with a cold but at least it gives me a chance to catch up on blog-world and post about Theo's birthday.

We both took the day off and we went to stay in Oulton Broad about 50 minutes away from Ipswich. We started the day at Thrigby Hall which is a small wildlife park. It's more open than a normal zoo and lots of the animals are not in cages as such. For example, you are only separated from the tigers by a double layer of wire mesh. It's big enough to stick you fingers through but luckily the gap between the two layers is large enough so that you can't actually poke the tiger! It still lets you get pretty close though!


We also saw Red Pandas (my favourite!) and dropped leaves on a crocodile's head to see if it was still alive. I wanted to drop my bottle of water on its head but Clare said no!

In the evening, we went to Southwold Pier (where we scattered Theo's ashes last year). It was a beautifully clear, moon-lit night. We let some balloons go from the end of the pier and said some prayers.


The next day, we got both families together and went out for a Chinese meal to celebrate Theo's birthday. It was a really great day and it was nice to have both families there. Typically, I forgot the camera so no pics of that I'm afraid!

Overall, it was a lovely weekend! Although there had been some sadness in the run up to Theo's birthday, the actuall day was very happy and it was good for Clare and I to get some time away by ourselves.

Anyway, in my slackness, it seems that there are still two more holiday locations I've yet to blog about. So come back soon to hear what we got up to in L.A.

One year on...remembering Theo

It seems like a cliche, but it really doesn't feel like a whole year has passed! On this day last year, we welcomed and said goodbye to our son Theodore. Over the last year, we've been through times of happiness and times of great sorrow.

Theo was only with us for a short while. Some people spend their whole life looking for their purpose in life...searching for the one thing that will make an impact and cause their name to be remembered always. Theo managed to achieve this in just 4 and a half hours. That was all the time God required of him here before his work was done. Although Clare and I don't fully understand why his time was so short, we know God's will was done because we see it in the effect Theo's life has had on other people as well as ourselves.



We are certainly changed by all this. In some ways we are older, wearier and more battle-worn. But in others we are stronger, firmer in our faith and more trusting in God. The good surely out-weighs the bad.

As Clare and I look back over the past, we also look to the future. We don't know what's around the next corner for us but we know that we will make it through because we trust in a God who promises to be with us always. He hasn't always made it easy for us over the last year but he has always been there for us. We know we can rely on God because he has a track-record of not letting us down.

Finally, a very big and heart-felt thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last year. In many ways, big and small, you have made our journey easier and for that we are extremely grateful.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Jude 1:24-25

Baby Loss Awareness

Moving away from our holiday tales for this blog entry... please remember baby loss awareness day which is the 15th October. Clare and I will be attending a service at the chapel in Ipswich Hospital this Sunday. Clare has written a poem in remembrance of Theo which she will read at the service. Please remember all those who have lost children in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

The Gift

Just a moment together,
A tiny glimpse of the life that was yours,
The face I had never seen, but knew so well,
A reflection of the love that brought you into being.

All too soon, the moment was gone,
Your soul was free,
In the arms of your loving Saviour,
Pain and sorrow blown away.

I felt the grip of overwhelming loss,
I felt my soul begin to fall,
My Lord reached out His arms and caught me,
Wrapped me in His ineffable love.

He showed me a picture of a mother,
The warmth of love in her face,
Her heart bursting with pride,
Then He lowered the mirror.

I am blessed because God chose me,
To hold your precious little body,
To love you unconditionally,
To be your mother,

Forever.

You are my gift.


By Clare Dungey
Mother of Theodore Edward Dungey – 10th October 2007