Amazed & Confused

An Opulent Sensory Overload

This weekend has been an assault on the senses... light, colour, curry, bangra, dancing, tight hugs, wide smiles, exclamations of joy and moments of touching beauty.  Steve, the Trundle clan and I flew to Northern Ireland to celebrate the Wedding of our old friend Pawan to the breathtaking Naomi.  Though technically this is the second Hindu wedding I've witnessed, the first was so long ago my memory of it somewhat resembles the list above.  Our weekend in Belfast was a cornucopia of colour, symbolism and promise with a rather challenging priority and honour given to the whole family, maybe especially grandparents.  It was interesting to watch as two people made life long vows to each other in such a different way to Steve and I...

I did find it strange however that Pawan is a grown man!  In my mind he is perpetually the eight year old I used to hang out with and his Mum, Indu, is the woman who introduced me to curry and spicy chips.  The Bedi Wedding was simultaneously a trip down memory lane and an eyeopening reminder that the road goes ever on and on (in the words of a hairy footed, small bloke).  For Pawan and Naomi I pray that God blesses them even more than He has blessed us and I hope that our paths cross again without the excuse of nuptials in future.

My Grandad the Legend

My Grandad Jack is a legend.  Growing up my Mum's father was a tall, friendly and funny man who seemed quite indestructible.  Now he's 95 years old and in my opinion a medical marvel.  My impromptu visit to Dublin last weekend was because Jack was in hospital... actually he's been in hospital for a few months now with kidney infections and related problems and it's been hard to find out exactly what's happening and how he's going to be.  Last week it looked like he took a turn for the worst so I joined my Mum, Dad, Sister and Brother in flying over to the city of my birth to see him.  I guess flying over I had prepared myself for the worst, but upon arrival I was amazed.  He was awake, he knew each of us and not only was he able to talk a little but he was savy enough to tell my brother to get a hair cut!  Saturday we returned to the hospital and he was sitting up by his bed munching away on grapes.  The man has the heart of an Ox.  Mum swears he's pickled from the inside out with Guiness, all that iron and those minerals fortifying him for later life ;)  A weekend that began in worry ended in gratitude and a smile.  I got to see my lovely Grandad and hang out with my family.  We even had an in car rendition of the Disney songs of our childhood.  Who needs a radio when the Trundle siblings are united? xc

Narnia Incarnate

I spent my teen years growing up in the beautiful, rural village of Grendon.  Small, pretty and though not terribly exciting or social, it was easy to love.  I relished in the quiet and very much associate the village with big hugs from my Dad, amazing meals cooked by Mum, being bundled by my sister and brother and generally sleeping very well.  Last week Steve and I braved the snow and drove a few hours north to return to Grendon for my sister's Birthday celebrations.  Snow was thick on the ground when we arrived and when we woke the next morning there was the closest thing I've ever seen to a blizzard happening right outside our window.  The whole village looked like Narnia had arrived as we took a walk up the Knoll, threw snow at each other and marveled at how white mush made everything look so beautiful.  What is it about snow that makes everyone so excited and happy? xc

Lovely Lili

25 things I’ve loved about my little sister’s 25 years on planet earth:

1. Her infectious laugh
2. Her fierce loyalty
3. Her honesty
4. The way she loves with everything she’s got
5. Her wisdom
6. Her commitment to friends
7. The way she dances
8. Her journey with God
9. How kids love her
10. Her excellent costume making
11. Her neck braking hugs
12. Her buoyancy and enthusiasm
13. The look on her face first thing in the morning
14. How she holds court around a table full of Trundles
15. Her sense of adventure
16. Her beauty
17. The excellent clothes advice
18. Her ‘extra-mile’ attitude
19. The hours we spent choreographing masterpieces to Janet Jackson and Aaliyah
20. Her brave adventures in hair
21. Her (nice) bossiness
22. Her follow through
23. Her ridiculous generosity
24. The music she’s accompanied by
25. The happiness that follows her every step

Happy Belated Birthday my lovely Lili xc

Snapshots of Christmas

The massive and seriously tasty untraditional Christmas lunch.  Including proxy Christmas I think we officially had five different Crimbo lunches this year... marriage has perks!

One of my greatest joys this Christmas was hanging out with our gorgeous nephew Judah, he's walking and seems super close to talking.  He's just one lovely bundle of love...

Fumino joined us Christmas day for lunch at the Hardings and was treated to a traditional Christmas of copious amounts of food, the Queens speech, a communal nap and a classic film.  Only the best for our housemate...

Steve's many funny faces as he enjoys two of Christmas's pleasures... sparkers in his stocking and hats in our crackers.  It's the simpler pleasures of life :)

A Year in the Life of Judah Alleway

Judah Alleway is my gorgeous little nephew who graduated to the grand old age of one yesterday.  He is an absolutely scrumptious bundle of love whom I am extremely fond of.  Steve and I in true Aunt-and-Uncle-who-have-no-kids-of-their-own style bought him the noisiest present we could find and I enjoyed the particular delight of bathing him before bed after a day full of sugar, partying and presents.  He was incredibly well behaved for quite a tired little man and a real pleasure to hang out with.  Because the Alleway branch of the family live in the far away land of Essex we seize any opportunity to see them.  At this age Judah is growing at lightening speed and is looking less and less like a baby by the day.  He's nearly walking!  I'm sure I'll look back at these photos in amazement in no time at all... xc

Weddings and Baby Showers

Last weekend was full of social gatherings, family, friends and big celebrations.  Saturday was the lovely Anna Hughes's Baby Shower.  I've never been to one before but the gifts, games and advice flying around the room were fantastic.  I have to confess it made me very broody, even when the Mums of the room starting terrifying us all with their scars and mishaps.  I'm looking forward to being a Mum so much, we're not trying imminently (i.e. the next year) but it's not too long now 'til we might start bringing another Harding into the world.  I wonder which nose they'll have?

Sunday was an early exit from Church to celebrate the Wedding of an old friend - Jel Muir.  I met Jel when I was 16 years old and became fast friends when I moved to Chi a few years later.  Jel is joining the Furlong family and has gained a beautiful wife Jo and and a gorgeous son Jack.  It was amazing to see such an old friend making an important step in his life.

There's such a sense of life moving on at the moment.  My community are getting pregnant, married, engaged (hopefully in reverse order), gaining qualifications, finding callings, getting pets, paying mortgages... It's such a change to the scruffy bunch that prayed in the first prayer room nine years ago.  Some things have changed, lots of maturing and we're nearly convincing grown ups now...  We may look a little less radical but there's a depth and commitment I see now.  Rather than changing our lives after every sermon and being an enthusiastic, chaotic, beautiful bunch people, many are finding one message, one call, one cause and literally spending themselves to see it happen.  I cannot believe how many missionaries, initiatives, social businesses, ministries, youth/social workers and charities have come out of such a small bunch of people. It makes me immensely happy to be part of such a challenging lot.  xc

Proxy Christmas Festivities

Three things made me especially happy on Tuesday: having a husband who loves Proxy Christmas (25th Nov!), managing to cook a lovely Christmas dinner for 16 people with only one oven and having 16 said people join is to celebrate.  It was a almost a whole day affair with a splendid Christmas tree going up in the lounge, cookie decoration with little Annie and Grace, Japanese writing lessons with Fumino and copious amounts of vegetable chopping with the legend that is Craigus.  We had so many people joining us that we had to move the sofas and bring in another dining table, and still I was thinking of people I would have loved to fit in.  Hmm I wonder if next year I could stretch to 20?  

I cannot think of a better reason to celebrate than the uncreated, eternal and limitless God coming to hang out with us in human form on earth.  It's so easy to forget Jesus in the midst of all the shopping so we wanted to celebrate with food (happily following His example) and friends a month before the traditional anniversary.  I've found two decorations that depict the nativity (a gorgeous German candle/windmill thing and a bronze candle holder) and I am eagerly anticipating lighting our advent candle on Monday.

So to all my American friends out there celebrating thanks giving today, for different reasons I am joining you.  Today I am thankful for: God, Steve, my friends and food - in that order :)

Why I Love Being in a Band

There's only so many things to talk about when you're waiting to play a gig.  Though Tunbridge Wells is beautiful there's only so much tea and coffee you can drink before Jim starts with his questions... "What's your most embarrassing moment ever?" This was his tamest offering.  Steve has told me none of his others are appropriate for public record.  After six hours the boys resorted to nicking my fake hair and making their eighties dreams a reality.  The above pictures are evidence of said stupidity.  Steve wants to declare a caption competition and kicks it off in the comments.  So ideas anyone?  With such excellent comedy fodder I expect great things... xc

My Feisty Fishy Friend

30 Days of Blessing - I don't know if this is a Chichester thing or widely done but right now Charlotte is about half way through 30 days of blessing to mark 30 years on this earth.  Each day someone who loves her volunteers to do something nice for her, send her a gift or spend some time with her.  She's had many wonderful surprises and has felt a little embarrassed at how much she's received.  Today was our turn to spoil our lovely friend and as we presented her with a card and a wind up toy fish she was very gallant and grateful at what seemed to be quite a let down of a treat.  What she discovered inside the card was that the fish was merely a symbol and we whisked her off to the local aquarium to buy beautiful and vibrantly colourful tropical fish for her tank at home.  They were so gorgeous I was even tempted to start my own watery family.  Steve as ever was the voice of reason and pointed to the HORRENDOUSLY expensive fish tanks.  Who new?

Siblings, Singing and Star Wars

My oh my how time flies.  The two photos above were probably taken nearly twenty years apart: haven't we grown.  I sat down at my screen to blog about my busy but fun weekend ahead and wanted to start the post with a different photo entirely.  As I searched my hard drive for photos of Lisa, Adam and I, I found these.  I look exactly the same!  The same face on a child's body.  Lisa looks like a more unkempt version of her current stylish self (minus the big teeth) and Adam's looks almost entirely different after growing in stubble and height.  

Tonight and tomorrow both my sister and brother are descending upon Chichester to celebrate my best friend Charlotte's 30th Birthday.  The DeLoreans are providing the entertainment and all are coming in fancy dress so it should be a blast.  I only wish I had more time to hang out and didn't have to rush off to another gig Saturday morning.  I'm very fortunate to not only love but really like my sister and brother, now we're grown ups spanning the midlands, London and the south coast, the time I get to spend with them is precious.  Oh well I'm just going to have to make the most of it whilst I have them... xc

Happy Birthday Wardy!

Today is the 37th Birthday of one of the most vital people in the 24-7 community.  Step forward Mr Ward and take a cyber bow.  Pete (or Wardy as he is known among the excess of Pete's in the UK) has given the last four years of his life to serving the 24-7 movement and making sure that we hold together and do things with efficiency and integrity.  He left behind a great, well paying job because God asked him in an uncannily clear way to devote his copious talents to spreading prayer, mission and justice across the globe.  He is irreplaceable as a colleague and invaluable as a friend.  We love him!  Yesterday was our day at the London office so Charlotte and I joined Wardy for a celebratory whisky at the swankiest joint I've ever been to in London!  The cheapest shot of incredibly good scotch was £12 so I thought I'd avoid looking cheap and order a £15 glass from my favourite Islay distillery.  To my great joy they didn't have quite the right measure left so I got my super expensive drink for free!  Hurrah!  Wardy was also gracious enough to allow me a sip of his SUPER EXPENSIVE shot of a Port Ellen whisky that made my eyes pop out of my head.  

It was lovely to be the first to celebrate this marker in his life with him and was only improved by the lovely 40 minute walk Charlotte and I then took around Knightsbridge.  Or at least that's the way I'm looking at it... getting lost and missing your train just sounds embarrassing.  xc 

The Marriage of Mr & Mrs Thompson

There is nothing more enjoyable to celebrate than marriage.  I absolutely love it which is a good thing as I estimate I've probably been to nearly fifty in my lifetime.  Last Saturday, whilst I was dressed in love, I celebrated the Wedding of two dear friends along with a couple of hundred other friends and family.  Doesn't Nat look stunning?  Isn't Ben handsome?  The whole day was a lovely reflection of who they are with colour, creativity, honesty, music, laughter, curry and celebration.  I spent four years living with Ben through University and beyond and since Steve and I married we've had both of them living with us throughout the last year (separately of course).  It's been a real honour to be a part of their relationship from the beginning to now. I couldn't think of a better woman for my lovely Benjamighty.  She is as creative as him but in different avenues.  Where he pushes boundaries, she can bring order and most of all they have the strangest and most in sync sense of humour I have ever witnessed.  It's a match made in heaven :) xc

Nick and Sarah

In a little less than two weeks my lovely brother in law Nick is taking the effervescent Sarah to be his wife. Saturday Steve and I were at their Stag and Hen days respectively and enjoyed celebrating who they are now and who they will be together. Marriage is exciting, I keep gaining sisters and brothers, there are still two spots open in the Trundle family so I wonder who will be added in the years to come? xc

Steve loses a stone... in hair

Anyone who knows my slightly eccentric and gorgeous husband will know that he has a great hatred of paying for haircuts. At my suggestion Stephen was letting his hair grow to see if we could push past lego man, through helmet head and into something a little more interesting. We confirmed however that Steve simply has too much hair so over the Easter weekend he went from exhibit one on the left to exhibit two on the right... I think he looks lovely... it's very nice to see his face again! xc

Cruella is back!

Due to a sad lack of funds and a lot of discipline Charlotte has been very restrained in the last year. She always looks beautiful with her long blonde locks but if you’ve known her for any length of time then you’ll know that she’s lacked a bit of her usual VaVaVoom…

Shop 'til we drop

Saturday was a very special day! Charlotte, Helen and I had a whole day free so decided to hang out and go shopping! This may sound terribly mundane but when you're on a modest income and are pretty social and active people these rare girly days come once in a blue moon...

Lisa it's your Birthday...

My gorgeous wee sis is wee no more. Yesterday Lisa turned 24 and was surprised by the entire Trundle clan arriving to celebrate her Birthday at a fabulous Turkish restaurant. We laughed, we told our most recent stories and we toasted Lisa as she enters her 25th year. As I looked around the table I realised that I don't think it's been just the five of us since our holiday in 2006. What a joy... xc

Lisa’s Baptism

I love my little sister. She has grown into a fun, feisty and rather foxy young lady and I am grateful to consider her one of my closest friends. On Sunday Steve, Helen and I piled into the Vauxhall and road tripped it to Londinium town to join her in celebrating her Baptism…

The Power of a Hug

Thoughts are colliding in my mind as I write. It began Thursday evening as I perused the day's headlines and read the experiences of one journalist and her visit to the Hugging Saint aka Mata Amritanandamayi or Amma, an Indian spiritual leader who comforts people and spreads selflessness by hugging the masses. Bizarre as her idea may be it has some emotional and physiological merit. It's just a shame people pay and queue to be hugged by her rather than turning to their loved ones and finding solace there...

Charlottie-to-hottie shakes a tail feather

I'm only 26 but on Saturday night I really started to feel my age. The beautiful Charlotte Terris took the Chi community out to the Mud Club to celebrate her 29th Birthday. The ever talented ASkillz kept our toes tapping and our tail feather shaking so it was a little like I'd gone back five years to being a fresh faced graduate out with the girls on a Saturday night...

All grown up

My not-so-little bro has finally done it. He's flown the family nest and alighted on Birmingham to expand his mind and make new friends in the world of students. I can tell a new era is dawning. He actually washed up today, other people's stuff, without Lisa or Mum nagging him too. Good golly, next he'll be growing a beard. I jest. Adam I'm really proud of you. Go take the world of politics by storm! If you expand your sociological horizons and move past the Tories I may even consider voting for you when you run for Prime Minister ;) xc

Spitalfield

I miss my Mum and Dad and Sister and Brother lots at the moment. Life in all it's busyness has kept us apart for the last month or so and I've begun to really crave their presence. Being two to three hours away makes spontaneous dinners a bit of a mission so our roundevouz yesterday in London was a precious event in my diary...

Just wondering... who are you and where do you come from?

Dopplegangers

My brother Adam has an idol, Zack Efron of High School Musical and Hairsray fame. Judging by the photo on the right though, Zack may be idolising Adam in return. That's Adam's favourite outfit! There's nothing for it bro, you're gonna have to have a dance off to determine who's the Disney King! xc

James & Kate are Wed!

So James and Kate finally tied the knot in a fabulous outdoor/hippy Wedding last Saturday. They looked so blissfully happy and dispite wide spread sunburn everyone loved the outdoor Wedding...

The beauty of context

The more recent friends and anonomous blog readers among you may not know that I don't actually hail from England, despite my beautiful southern accent and nearly two decades residence here. The Trundle/Brennan family hails from Dublin but due to work opportunities at the age of four I was moved to Northern Ireland and then at eight to England. The land of ponies and plums...

The attraction of motion

I was thinking and chatting with Steve yesterday about two of my closest friends, Helen and Charlotte. Though wonderfully and vibrantly different from each other there is one characteristic they share, forward motion…

You can choose your family…

I guess everyone feels like their family is unique, a truly original blend of personalities and quirks that they embrace or reject as they grow up, become their parents and adapt old traditions, believing they’re original. I have always been like my Father and I’m growing more and more like my Mother. Makes sense, she’s never stopped teaching me what it is to be a woman, right now she’s teaching me how to be loving after 26 years of marriage…

The 'New' Terris

Lottie is home! France was wet and windy so the honeymooning couple decided to return to sunny Chichester a little earlier than expected. Matt and Charlotte are home and the peaceful working environment of my dining room table will never be the same again...

The Wedding of Mr & Mrs Terris

I've sat at my keyboard for the last five minutes trying to decide how to express all the emotion and spectacle of Charlotte and Matt's Wedding Day. Charlotte is almost family and I've grown to love and respect Matt during the years of their courtship. The day was a stylistic, celebratory and organisational triumph, but that is only half the story...

Here comes the Hen

A week from today my best friend Miss Charlotte New will be Mrs Charlotte Terris. It totally crept up on me, I can't believe the change is iminent. I hadn't really contemplated it until her Hen Day on Saturday. Last week was such a chaos of moving, fundraising, Hen planning, hospital visits and band practices that I didn't have time to stop and think that Charlotte is actually getting married!

Happy Birthday Smiles!

The beautiful Smiles is 25 today! Hurrah I hear you cry, and you should, she's spendid and I am very grateful to have known her for six of her 25 years on planet earth. Sadly I missed her "I have never..." fancy dress party but thoroughly enjoyed working out everyone's "I have never" themes from all her pics. Test your noodle with some obvious and some thoroughly obscure outfits below...

Congratulations Ben & Gemma!

Just a short note about a fabulous weekend. Ben McIntyre is hitched! Ben & Gemma were married out doors at the foot of Ben Nevis in Scotland. It was a simple but beautiful day with breath taking vistas, scrummy food and excellent speaches. Well worth the 23 hours of driving to be there and celebrate the formation of a new family. A selection of pics are to your right... enjoy xc

Good curry & great company

There is nothing more enjoyable than a glass of red wine, a plate of freshly made curry and great company. Last night Steve and I paid a long overdue visit to our good friends Ed & Jenni in their new home in Littlehampton and as always, I left regretting that we do not see them more...

Video delights

I have a lot to write about from a fantasticly fun Easter break but big apologies as it's gonna take me a while to get round to it. While I took the weekend off to reflect on the grace of our Lord about 60 24-7ers and 20 Spamers were busy typing as my heaving in box can now testify...

Congratulations Andy & Andrea

Congratulations to Andy & Andrea who got married in a simple but heart-warming ceremony on Saturday. She was ravishing, he was chuffed and they both spent the afternoon grinning like Cheshire Cats. I really enjoyed trying to capture the moments that made the day in my role as informal photographer. One moment I sadly failed to capture was the unfortunate fire tearing through pony tail incident. Yours truly set her hair on fire during the vows and had to freak out silently whilst Steve cried with laughter. Kind guests found me afterwards to tell me they saw foot high flames above my head... how do I manage these things? xc

So many people so little time

There are so many great people in our lives, each one unique and lovely. I feel a little like I'm constantly behind catching up with each of them. Our home is always full at least one meal time a week often more and we have people making good use of our spare bedroom about twice a month. We're loving who we are seeing but there are so many great friends and people we'd like to know better.

Happy Birthday Mum & Adam!

Today is my little Bro's 18th Birthday, a little frightening as I'm not entirely sure when he grew up, and last week was my Mum's Birthday (I'm not telling) so Steve and I are up in Grendon today for joint celebrations. Lots of love and congratulations to you both, you look gorgeous darlings! xc

Winter Walks

It has been far too long since muddy walks on Sunday afternoon has been the order of the day. This weekend with a golden winter sun slicing through crisp, clean air Steve and I set out to reverse the lazy trend and drag some friends out to the wilds of Arundle...

Sister Act

It has finally begun. Lisa has taken on the mantle of a Trundle cyber-presence by sharing her life via the medium of blogging. Simple beginnings promise fun times ahead. If you know Lisa, or are simply curious about the possibility of another Trundle, then check out her blog here. There'll be a lot of changes in look and feel in the next week but pop by and say hi. Welcome Lisa, cyber space is brighter for your presence! xc

Beaming with pride

I know I have a very talented and gorgeous fiance, I don't need convincing. I did however rather enjoy last night's gig in Southampton where everyone else got see how wonderful he is in shiny bright lights. Steve kicked off the first leg if the Delirious tour in Tim Hughes band last night. His Coldplay-esque keys were rousing, I was very proud. If your catching Delerious then my man is the seriously hot keyboard player making Tim Hughes look good ;) xc

Steve's new habit...

I do worry about the man I'm marrying from time to time. Some call him eccentric, others say he's inspired... I guess there's a fine line between genius and muppetness... At least he makes me laugh :D

Hope Week

I feel like I know my Mum, Dad, Sister and Brother pretty well, but nothing has made me prouder of them than watching them work on the Hemmingwell estate with 1000 gorgeous, hyper kids and teenagers. My personal favourite moments were teaching girls like Thandeka (left) to shake their booty to Beyonce, watching the local police and the Mayor of Wellingborough stand bemused while most of the local troublemakers ran around with broad grins, sibling smack-down on the bungee inflatables and 50 kids with their hands in the air desperate to tell everything they know about Jesus to win a bag of Haribo. I think bribery is a grossly under-used evangelism technique, their knowledge was astounding… xc

Talented Friends

I am loving the graffitti art Emily Moore is coming up with a the minute. If you don't know the luminesent Em then I cannot praise her highly enough. She is full of joy, life and God and has been a massive encouragement and key friend of the last few years. Check out her gallery of latest work here...

Fear Factor

Yesterday our determined inactivity was broken by an adventure, something that both terrified and tantalised the entire family. Around the corner from where we've put down roots Adam and and Dad found a series of watery caves eaten into the rock face of the island. With fabulously clear deep water, many over hangs and the gauntlet (a passage going through pitch darkness from one cave to another) we were captivated...

Lazy in Lindos

The Trundle's put great stock in tradition.  Ours may seem a little stranger than most but they are no less in value and we are no less fervent in our commitment to them because they are mundane and easily missed...   

The Nick Harding Work Out Video

Napoleon wishes he could dance like this. I am marrying into talented genes. Watch the many Nicks add their contribution to his moring workout before taking off around the world to star jump and squat thrust with the many wonders. It really is exquisite!

Easy laughter

Life is good, God's good, much food for thought swilling around my brain and embarrassing chair/biscuit incidents providing humour in our warm office. Loving Charlotte, of course, and I had to laugh when I read her perspective on our deep chats and easy laughter. Check it out here...

Be Just and Fear Not

Through a happy discovery of distant family my Dad's been musing on our family history and ethos today. He sent Deborah and I an email with a brief history of the Trundle family and included something I'd never heard before.  We have a family motto, and it's a pretty fantastic one: Be just and fear not...