Promoted to Glory

Steve Snook
Promoted to Glory
1923-2017 aged 93 years.

We said a sad goodbye to Steve this week, and yet at the same time it was a celebration of his life.
A man who has done so much over the years not only in his family and the church, but also the investment he has put into so many lives.  It was so lovely to see some of those children now grown up with children and grandchildren of their own, giving testimony to what he had done for them at his thanksgiving service.

For me, I met Steve my Father-in-law when I was just 8 years old!  But I should say, I never knew back then that is what he would become.

My family moved to a new house in a smallish village called Cowplain in the 1960s.  Here we joined the local church and I went to the Sunday School there.  It was quite a big Sunday School and Steve Snook was the Superintendent of it.  I soon got to know him, the teachers and other children, joined in the songs and listened to Bible stories, and went on outings to the beach as well as Chessington Zoo as it was known back then.  

Later on I began to notice Chris (Steve's son) in the Youth Group when I was just 16 and soon began to go out with him.  That relationship eventually lead to marriage and so I was welcomed into the Snook family.

I look back with fond memories on Steve and Gi (his wife).  They were so lovely and caring and were married for over 50 years.  Gi died some years earlier.

Sailing was a favourite pastime and I was soon introduced to it. We had many adventures in this boat, sailing to and fro from the Hamble River to the Isle of Wight.  Steve built this boat himself and before I came along his family had had many holidays in it.  He also helped Chris build his own sailing boat with which he often won races at the local sailing club.

These sailing photos were taken during the 1970s.  

When our children came along we had other holidays with them and down the west country was often the favourite.

The garage was filled with toys and bikes, while   the freezer was filled with ice cream.  Summer days were filled with strawberries picked locally and BBQs and so I could go on.  Happy Days!!

Steve and Gi were such a help to Chris and I as were my own parents, when we started working full time with a drama ministry.  We travelled to churches with it both here and abroad and still continue to do so.  I look back at that time and know that we would never had been able to do this if our parents hadn't been around to help and support us.

There is so much more I could say, but it would end up being far too long.  

So thank you Steve for all you have done for us over the years.  You were so ready to go to Heaven and see your Lord and Saviour.  Now you have been promoted to glory!!! as you used to say.

 

Down Memory Lane - Sunday School

Today as I sit quietly, I found myself reflecting on the Sunday afternoons I used to have as a young child.

I can still recall the life we lived then very clearly, even if it seemed at the time in the back of beyond.  In reality today its not that far from Portsmouth, maybe 20 miles or so, but then we had no car or phone, so to travel took a while. 

One of my recollections was Sunday School at the local Baptist Church where we went to church each Sunday.  The Sunday School was held in the afternoons, which as a child I sometimes would resent, wanting to play outside rather than give up my afternoon.

However, I was always drawn to a painting high up on the wall of the hall attached to the church where Sunday School took place.

Over the years I had wished many times to see this picture once again that seemed to capture my attention so often.  I was quite young at this time because we had moved there when I was 4yrs old and had moved on to another house by the time I was 8yrs old.

However, I would look at this picture with the children standing around Jesus from all the 5 different continents in the world.  I would wonder at what kind of countries they came from and what their lives were like.  How lovely to be there with Jesus.

You can imagine my delight on eventually finding a copy of it on Pinterest.  At last I have a copy of it once again.

Today I do a lot of travel and have visited many different nations while I work for Jesus.  I didn't know back then what I would be doing today in nations that need to know about Him.  Pictures can often speak louder than words, especially when Holy Spirit works in our lives, even at a young age.

Holiday in Sardinia PART 2

There have been many days both last year and over the winter and spring months where I would find myself dreaming about a white sandy beach and a turquoise sea, while with eyes closed a warm breeze would caress my face.  Right! fat chance!

You kind of know that it exists some where in the world, but hopes are dashed when you look through the window only to find it's raining again, blowing a gale and not a lot in the bank.

Sometimes in life though there are such occasions,  (they may be few in number) we are allowed such a luxury.  And so it was to be this year!  A trip to Sardinia for 10 days, with husband, son, daughter in law, daughter and one of my grandaughters in tow.

It almost didn't seem real even as we got on board Easy Jet.  But on landing and exiting the airport, there was that warm breeze, the hope of more to come and even a sky that was a beautifully blue.

I've already written about our holiday home and it's wonderful location, but there glistening in the distance was that amazing turquoise sea, wow!

The very afternoon we arrived, I got what I had wanted for for so long.

Colour is something that I so enjoy looking at, no matter what it is, colour is so beautiful.  The sea is also something that I love to be near and I'm thankful that we live very near it.  But here the colours were mesmerising.  I just couldn't get over the colour of the sea, which seemed to change depending on where you were and what time of day it was.  From turquoise in the shallows to a beautiful dark blue further out.  You could actually see the bottom too.

My husband, daughter and I did manage to go on a boat trip around the islands for a day.  Despite sharing the experience with 2 french couples who never stopped talking the whole day, we enjoyed it.  I was so pleased for my husband to once again have the sailing experience, he used to go sailing, but is now unable to do so.


It was a lovely holiday, and one I shall always remember.  Many a day we sat on the beach enjoying time with one another and looking out into the horizon, not daring to think that it would end later in the week.

Now as I look back, I am so thankful that I have the photos to remind me of our time here.

Precious memories with my grandaughter too.

Holiday in Sardinia - PART 1

Looking out on this view has been amazing here in Sardinia.

What a lovely holiday. We haven't had one for a few years, so it has been a nice change and wow what a view from the holiday home sat at the top of a hill overlooking the town of Porto San Paolo and an Island beyond.

Apparently this Island is called Tavolara. In 1807 Giuseppe Bertoleoni took possession of it. In 1836 Carlo Alberto, Prince of Carignana arrived in Tavolara and met Paolo, Giuseppe's son.  They became friends and Carlo proclaimed Paolo "The King of Tavolara" and he became King of the Island.

JUST BEFORE THE SUNRISE

When Queen Victoria of England came on her boat to visit, she took a picture of the descendants of the King. The picture was framed with gold and displayed in Buckingham Palace with a notice, "The smallest Kingdom in the world"

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Now the island is visited by many tourists, and the descendants will take you round the Island on their boats.

Every day this island looks very different, depending on the time of day and what the weather is like.  A view you never really tire of.

Spring Time and Home

Springtime seems to have been here a long time coming and winter is still trying to hold it back a bit.  We had daffodils in December and it would seem that spring was going to happen early and winter was going to be a mild one.  However, it is still coldish and the temperature has not warmed up very much.  So we live in hope that warmer days will come soon.

Being home as I am right now, is a blessing.  I'm so enjoying the blossom on the trees and the bluebells that seem to be everywhere right now.  The colours are so glorious and the newness of the green leaves appearing on the trees is something that I really love.

I do so appreciate the area I live in.  There are so many lovely places to take a walk.  One of my favourite places is by the sea.  It's not a very good place for a swim as the water isn't very clear and a bit muddy, but it is certainly a good place to walk.   We live right opposite the Isle of Wight, with Southampton Water to one side and Portsmouth is in the other direction.   

The sea is often full of sailing boats and dingys racing, especially at the weekends. There is never a dull moment here.  When it is windy, there are Kite surfers leaping and then flying over the waves.  Tankers, ferries and cruisers are often either coming into port, or off to warmer climes.  Then there is Cowes week (on the Isle of Wight) in August, where there is even more racing.  At the end of Cowes week you can watch the firework display across the water.

It is certainly a place to come and reflect on life with the waves lapping along the shoreline.  Perfect.

Snookery Travels - N. Ireland

N. Ireland

And so our travels continued in February.  We had only been back from Florida for four days and then we were off again continuing on to N. Ireland for 2 weeks.  

It would seem that we only ever go to Ireland in February or when the weather could possibly be bad, especially going across the Irish Sea on the ferry which takes 8 hrs.  However, this time the weather was cold, but calm.

Here once again we were working in communities with the drama at two different churches.  It was a wonderful time with them and we met some amazing people.

It was certainly frosty and cold at times, but we did manage to see some more of this beautiful country in our spare time.  

Ireland is certainly a green and pleasant land.  I so enjoyed driving along the coastline, along tree lined lanes with green fields where new born lambs were enjoying the sunshine.  Then there were the communities and little white cottages which are so typical of the scenery here.  The colours were so vibrant in the sun everywhere you looked and blossom and flowers were appearing everywhere.  

You do get some surprises too.  We were told about a little harbour in a village called Downpatrick, where many fishing boats are moored.  Sometimes you can see seals swimming in the harbour we were told, hoping for a few fish from the catch that the fishermen had caught.  We were not disappointed either, sure enough we saw 3 following behind one of the boats as it came in to moor.

Coffee shops are always a favourite place to visit, and we have certainly visited quite a few over the years.

There is still much to explore and I'm sure we will see more on another occasion.

Snookery Travels - Florida

Florida

The song says, "When You Wish Upon a Star, Your Dreams Come True". 

Well my dream of going to Florida became a reality and especially to Disney World.  I know we do a lot of travelling, but this was on a whole new level!

It is some where I have always wanted to go to, but I knew we would never have the money. 

God knew my dreams though and decided this was an adventure He would provide for.

The Christian organisation we work for have teams like ourselves all over the world. We all do the same drama (Heaven's Gates & Hell's Flames) and from time to time we have conferences, where we get together for prayer, encouragement and teaching.  

We were asked if we would like to join our American teams for a conference in Florida.  Here we would be able to have fellowship with one another and have time to seek God for the future. Then if we were able to stay on for a few extra days we would be able to visit Disney World.  Wow, we couldn't quite believe it, but like excited children we went.

When we arrived, it was quite humid, but the temperature the next day dropped and was cold with a few frosts too. It stayed that way during the conference but got a bit warmer nearer the end of our time there. It was great getting to know the other teams and we were emersed into the American culture including the final of the Super Bowl!!  It was a lovely conference and one we shall always remember, spurring us on into the future.

After the conference finished we went and stayed in our friends very large motor home which was parked just inside Disney, in one of the many camping parks.  Then it was time to explore.

On the last two days we walked around just 2 of the kingdoms and it was beautifully sunny, but with a cool breeze.  Music filled the air wherever you went and wifi was everywhere!!!  I guess my only disappointment was that there weren't the disney characters walking around.  They were in different locations and you had to queue up to get your picture with them.














Our grandson was thrilled to see us posing for a photo with Buzz Lightyear, its one of his heros right now.

I think one of my favourite shows out of what I saw was Fantasmic.
It was like fantasia with Mickey on some rocks in the middle of a lake.  Here there were projected images on fountains, many of the characters on boats, laser lights, music, fireworks and fire!!!

We enjoyed Universal Films too, with stunt cars and also Raiders of the Lost Ark.

We also saw Frozen and The Muppets in a theatre production.  So much still to see still, but maybe another time!!

I did managed to bring home a gorgeous cushion of Mini Mouse.  Fell in love with her.  Now the grandkids can enjoy her too.  

I might be a Nana, but I'm a kid at heart!!