Friday, 25th February 2022

The end of February is a time of celebration in our house – our boys born a day apart on 24th and 25th (but 9yrs age difference!) followed by our wedding anniversary on 28th. Also, being the shortest month, suddenly we are into March and the joy of the promise of spring. However this year is tempered by the events unfolding between Russia and the Ukraine which reminds me what a big place the world is and how small we are. Another area of conflict in our already battered world. My hope comes from believing and trusting in a God who is alongside us in all the suffering and the belief that one day “there will be no more mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. I am making everything new.” (Revelation 21:4). It reminds me how important it is ‘not to sweat the small stuff’, to live each new day with gratitude and to show kindness wherever we can.

This evening, at the Farnham Filling Station we sang a favourite worship song of mine, the lyrics of which I have paraphrased here as they seem so apt for a time such as this:

“When all foundations have been shaken, When I’m left standing in the dark and all I feel is my heart breaking, You still reign and You’re still God. And when it feels all hope has faded, the heavy questions hit so hard, and though my soul may feel forsaken, You still …….. Though I can’t see what’s before me I know that I can trust Your heart. This one truth will be my story: You still …… When my enemies surround me I’ll trust the victory of Your cross and fix my eyes upon You Jesus, for You are God and I am not. You are good and You are faithful, as You have been from the start. You’re working all things for Your glory because You still reign and You’re still God.”

It was the last Farnham Filling Station so a bittersweet evening. It’s always hard letting go of things that have been in our lives for a long time. FFS has been a monthly meeting of like minded local christians, gathering together to worship and hear from God and then go back refreshed to their everyday lives trying to follow God’s will. A decade on and those in the leadership team feel called to pastures new. The exciting thing is what may come next. It has been a tremendous journey seeing people grow in faith and certainly for R and I it is the bedrock that has led us to this place of canal ministry, in whatever form it takes.

But back to practicalities. Before you think I’ve become holier than thou, let me tell you of my past week and how in my own strength I certainly didn’t practice what I preach! We have just had one of the most stressful jobs to do on the boat which, it transpired had to be done by me, because R is too tall! I would very much call it a ‘blue’ job and there is a certain amount of satisfaction in knowing I have managed to accomplish it but only with sleepless nights and stress leading to my short fuse very much evident in our daily life! To name it: the renovation of the integral onboard watertank!

My last blog talked about the derusting process, accompanied but not too hindered by Storm Eunice. We then had a great break away from the job, visiting very long standing friends on the Isle of Wight. Luckily the ferries were running and although they had experienced record breaking winds, by the time we arrived all was calm and the sun mainly shone so we had seaside walks and plenty of fresh air. Back to reality on Wednesday when we had to apply the first of the coats of epoxy anti rust resin to the water tank. Never having used this medium before I was ill prepared for how difficult it would be! I had been warned by R, who had worked in the industry for fifteen years, that it doesn’t stay liquid for long – it was a race against time. Then we realised that although we had used up two thirds of the resin we still had about half the tank to coat. It was like the feeding of the five thousand. Somehow we managed to make the remaining resin stretch to cover all surfaces but I have no idea how!!

Our next challenge was getting the coating fully dry before applying the second coat, which needed to be done yesterday, so that the third and final top coat could be applied today, before we left the boat for the weekend. Fortunately we had an electric blow heater which helped speed the drying process but I had to lay bin liners on the floor so that I could ease myself gently into the tank and paint without sticking myself to the previous coating! All very tricky. Luckily I had a beanie hat to protect my hair because the hat was covered in the resin from the ceiling by the time I had finished. As were my clothes. The top coat is sky blue and everywhere over the boat we kept finding smudges on the furniture and deck, which had rubbed off from my clothing, hands and feet. Luckily we had a great big bottle of solvent (similar to nail varnish remover) which we applied liberally. Eventually the job was finished (although now I have to repaint the deck floor surrounding the tank!) and I have to say I feel a great sense of achievement. I really did wonder, part way through the process, if I was up to the task and felt slightly panicked that if I didn’t do it, who would? So I had no option than to keep going even when I thought it was beyond me. Amazing what a bit of grit and determination can achieve without other available options! (For example, I still can’t lay and light any type of fire because R does it so well that I have never had to persevere – this may change if I’m alone on the boat one day and feeling rather chilly!).