Hi Troops!

Well my lack of blogging is testament to just how well I am - not too much to tell you all really. No hair (it fell out in handfuls a few weeks ago), a slightly sore mouth but other than that well physically and mentally. In the absence of hair I spent a fortune on some trendy new specs. Had the privilege of leading worship at Lidlington Church last week on Advent Sunday. As the kids lit the first candle of Christmas on the Advent crown I thought WOW - I've made it to Christmas - one year gone; role on 2009!

I met with the oncologist as scheduled, it was OK. They have decided not to give me any chemo of any kind for now (even tablets). He's concerned that as the main tumour is 'dormant' if they keep treating me I'll become 'chemo resistant'. So the plan is a full body scan in early January to see if anything nasty is growing anywhere and take it from there. Sorry folks but I'm not officially in remission; just responding well to the palliative care regime. On target, but still a long way to go!

We've had a few Kip trips to Glasgow and last week to ROI, we flew into Dublin and then drove down to Waterford. I must say Irish roads are pants. We missed our flight home! That's two flights missed in three weeks - not good! Took us 1 hour 30 minutes to go 10 miles across Dublin - stress levels were at an all time high! Had to have an extra night in a Dublin airport hotel.

We are looking forward to Christmas this year. We are doing it 'big time'; think they'll be a few tears too. We are ready for some real time off - October half term was not very relaxing as we had serious Internet problems and the summer holiday was wet! We are off to France a few days after Christmas for a week of sleeping, eating and fires! My Mum & Dad are coming for Christmas with Amy and James F joining us on Christmas Day. Watch out! Celebrating Redferns on the loose.

Had to have some dental work today - chemo is not kind to your teeth, so have a new filling. Convinced no one's interested but thought I'd tell you anyway

Took the youth group from Wootton New Life 'ice sliding' at the Milton Keynes Snozone last week - fantastic fun and a great big sinful, (bad for me) Maccy D's afterwards. Yesterday we went carol singing; raised £54 to send off to the Cholera appeal in Zimbabwe. Send our little hearts out at all the pubs and shops in Wootton. Also called in on the churches cell groups (house groups), to relieve them of any spare cash for a good cause. Guys, if you are thinking of going to Church over Christmas can I invite you our Christmas Eve Candlelight Carol service @7.00 p.m. and our Christmas day service at 10.00 am that Teresa and I are leading. Directions can be found at www.woottonnewlife.org.uk . It would be great to see you there!

Signing off now to watch Terminator 2 (again - must be Christmas). Watched 'A Perfect Storm' last night - laugh a minute!

Joke to finish with - what do you call a Spanish footballer with no legs? Grassy Ass.

Bye

Dave xxxxx