A New Chapter...

It really has been a while... So things in life have changed a bit since the last time I posted... I started a new job working in RADAR on 21st March 2017 so I’ve almost been there two years. The 1st year was incredible. My boss was such an inspiration and helped me to build so much confidence in myself and has been a huge support to me. She helped to encourage me so much in my role and to push myself further. Unfortunately due to personal reasons she had to move on and let’s just say the boss that took over wasn’t what I was used to. I’ve struggled a lot with her and although things have improved between us in the past year, I feel that it is time for me to move on to a new chapter. I should find out in the next few weeks what new post I will be offered.
Although work isn’t what it once was, I have had some other changes in my life which are pretty decent.. I joined BCGC (Belfast Community Gospel Choir) in Sept last year and have been absolutely loving it. I did my 1st concert in Randalstown in Nov and finished off the year with our Christmas Extravaganza in the Waterfront Hall with 120+ strong choir. The new year brought in some more excitement with the choir, when the director contacted me to ask if I would like to be involved in some smaller vocal groups which I feel is such and honour and privilege. We are currently preparing for our spring concert in the Ulster Hall on 23rd March (get your tickets) it is set to be an amazing night.
My wife and I have also recently joined a new church. We started going to Redeemer Central towards the end of the Summer last year and have felt that it was time to move. So after finishing off any commitments in our old church we decided to see what new and exciting adventures God has for us in a new place of worship. Both my wife and i are enjoying this new venture but have also been so encouraged to see our kids be loved and cared for by this new church family.
One more thing that is a bit exciting is that we are moving house. It was meant to happen yesterday but I’ve been told it doesn’t always work out as planned and we have a new date for moving in a few weeks. It’s exciting, scary, stressful and fun all at once but I know that it will be worth it in the long run. The main reason for moving is that we love the garden in the new place #massive and can’t wait to see our kids get so much enjoyment out of it.
This last while has been a challenge, tough going, stressful but I continue to trust that God has a plan and He knows what he’s doing and I just need to keep trusting that He will continue to be with me in this adventure we call life.

peace out!

Life eh...

So my wife and I had another baby girl, Sophie Patricia. She was born on 4th March this year and is an incredible addition to our family. Emily loves her so much as do we all and loves being an older sister. 

Lately we've been doing a few trips as a family. We headed to Limavady for a nights glamping that my wife won in a competition. It was great. We stayed at Swanns bridge in a fully furnished bell tent. Was a great nights stay and not overly far from home. Which meant that family could come up the next day to look after the babies while we went Stand Up Paddleboarding on the River Roe with Dan from Long Line Surf School and enjoyed a gormet picnic hamper from Crusoes coffee shop. 

Was a great couple of days with dinner out at The point bar in magilligan. Such a lovely place and great to be in the outdoors at Benevenagh 

Last week then we took a trip to Wexford for a holiday with the family. Was a great week just being able to take time out drom our daily lives and enjoy some down time. (Well as much as you can get with two wee ones) 

This weekend is looking to be a good one. Heading to the newly re-opened Explrois in the morning with a clan of 16 of our cousins and us. Should be a great day out. Emily has been excited about it since last week and then other family arrive from England on Sat evening for a few days which should be great fun with a few day trips here and there. 

Who knows where exactly we'll end up. But I'm excited for it. Especially the few days off work next week. And following that I get to go wake boarding with my mate Kris at the cable and wake place at Titanic 

Should be good craic. 

Peace Out! 

Surfers?! junk

So although this blog is called surfers junk I haven't really been doing a lot of surfing lately....

I guess my priorities and a few other things have changed. My family life is a bit different these days with my baby becoming a toddler and soon to be big sister as my wife is due in just over 4 weeks. It's all exciting times at the minute with the imminent arrival but also what's exciting is I'm starting to get right with God again. I had been in a phase of just going through the motions for quite some time there and figured if I'm leading worship in church and tryin to lead other people to God then I need to be in that place myself. Like how can you lead someone else to a place you're not sure how to get to. 

That being said. The journey isn't an easy one but it's one that is worth the trip. 

I have started reading my bible more regularly and started a few reading plans on my bible app. And although it's a good start it's gonna take a lot more. Focusing on God. Asking the Holy Spirit for guidance and lots of prayer. 

My problem was that I focused my time on other things. The latest tv show, sleep, ice hockey, friendships and just chillin. Although none of these things are sinful there was, and still is sin in my life and I knew if I was to be a better person and a better husband/father I needed to take time out of my day to search for God. Someone once told me (I probably read it too) if you put crap in you get crap out. The same thing is if you put good in you get good out. I want my good to be God. Not just God but a life like Jesus. And the only way to do that is to focus on him and try to be like him. 

I know that not everyone will agree with my way of life or thinkin but it's the choice I want to make. 

Don't get me wrong I'm not gonna be giving up all those things above and def not surfing as surfing is sometimes where I find God the most. Just sitting out the back waitin on a wave and feeling his presence. What better place to find God than in his creation. But I'm going to attempt to focus every day on God and be more like Jesus and work on turning away from my sin. 

Peace out and God bless 

BlueHouses hit up M&D's

Didn't stop laughing all day.... The blue houses organised a trip to M&D's Scotland's "Theme park" last Thurs. Went and picked up Lynn at 6am to get to the boat between 6.15 and 6.30 for the start of our day. Parked the car and walked into the terminal to be greeted by the usual 'YAAAAAAAAA' obviously we respond in the same manner lol. Got on the boat grabbed some breakfast and got stuck into the card games of various description. Had a wee game of happy families and then a game of G'day Bruce. (For those of you that don't know. It's a game you play that you're not allowed to show your teeth and talk in an Aussie accent, obviously there's more to it than that but sure) then once off the 3hr boat journey it was on the bus for another 2hrs ish. But eventually got there after a few sleepy selfies of the ppl that couldn't hack the pace. 

Got into M&D's and straight on the Ferris wheel where Andy decided to mock propose to Lynn. So funny. (She said no) lol. So we had some brioche at the top and then decided we should try and have a picnic on every ride. Let's just say buttons on the magic carpet or swing chairs doesn't work out too well. Anyway we did pretty much all the rides, pirate ship, mine train etc and spent most of the time laughing at Kirsty freakin out at the tamest rides. We were told to be back on the bus for 4.30 that evening so we thought we'd get on one last rollercoaster before heading back and we had plenty of time to get on and off and make it to the bus. We weren't accounting for the rollercoaster breaking down with us stuck on it. So at 4.40ish we managed to get off the roller coaster and sprint for the bus. Literally just made it and headed for the boat. Could only happen to us. Lol. Cue some more sleeping selfies and games on the boat and we arrived back in Belfast about 10.15. All shattered but after having an absolute ball. 

Sooo....

Well last I left ya I was preparing for a stag do. That was proper eventful but such a laugh. I loaded my boards up as we were stayin at the port so was hopin to get a surf. Went and picked up Smark and hit the road for Moneymore to the Jungle NI. Git signed in and trekked up to the Forrest for some paintball action. Wasn't too bad but def had a better experience but got a bit of money back as we were disappointed and had a good laugh at football zorbin. I don't know how many times I was on my head. The joys of wearin a similar t-shirt to the stag. 

Then on a whim we decided to head to Maghera for a spot of 5aside that's when it all went wrong for me. Managed to go over on my ankle within the 1st 5 mins and was out for the rest of the game and in a fair bit of pain. Sure didn't put me off my Chinese or from drivin onto the beach and getting my car stuck. Lol. Had to call the warden from the caravan park to tow me out. As I said. An eventful weekend. 

But overall a great weekend. 

Then last month brought the wonderful wedding. I was slightly nervous as I was playing the music and leading worship for it. Leading worship I have no issues as it's something I do often. But playin the burial marches and singin during the signing is a bit more nerve wrecking. Would hate to mess up on their big day. Thankfully it all went well and the day was great. I think anyone that was there really enjoyed themselves.  

Lookin forward to catching up with them when they're home from honeymoon. 

Peace out 

Sun Sea Surf and Family

Well this month has been pretty mental... My daughter turned one and we got to celebrate with her and the rest of the family. Love her more and more every day. Yesterday was Father's Day which she treated me to lunch out at Alley Cat. Pretty tasty food and amazing milkshakes. On Sat I got to spend he day at Benone Strand helping long line surf school with the disabled surf festival. It was such an awesome day. Got there at 9am to find out what was goin on and then the 1st group of 3 that morning arrived at 10 for some surf action. Amazing just to get in the water and see smiles on so many peoples faces. Then after the morning groups it was time for some lunch. #welltasty and then before the afternoon groups started we all managed to get a wee surf ourselves. Was stoked to get some decent fun waves. Then 3pm the 1st of our two afternoon groups jumped in the water with us. Was such an awesome day. So back to work today but looking forward to this weekend when we get to head out for Marks stag do and do some paint balling and football zorbin. Should be great craic. Hopefully get some surf in there too. 

Peace Out! 

Excitement in the boredom...

So work is pretty much wick at the minute.. But on a good note my wife's cousin and her kid are comin to stay with us for a few days this weekend and the start of next week and we have a good couple of days out planned. Drop in is on tonight again which is awesome... The guys at Ballysillan YFC #bluehouses are amazing. We get to spend time with the young people from the area and just get to do life with them and share God with them and just really get to encourage them and build them up! What better way could you spend a Tues night. 

A few of us are hittin the port next weekend for a bit of a surf so prayin that the waves are good and we get a decent surf as I think the last time I was in was around Nov. 

Life with our daughter is getting more and more fun as she starts to develop her personality. She's continues to make me smile every single day. I love that I get to do life with her and my wife and that we get to share in this adventure together. Looking forward to the day I get to take her for her 1st surf. She's already a bit of a swimmer at 8 months old. She loves the water and splashing about. 

So although work sometimes sucks, there are reasons to get excited in the boredom. 

Peace Out!