Devotions

Happy 3rd Week of Holidays!  ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​Completed previously.  ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) ​Evidence:  ​Walked with Lilianna at her Bright Sparks ASN trip to Tubing at Midlothian snowsports.  ​3. Hobby The Digital Parish & Prayer ​Activity: Prayer using the Northumbria Office and documenting reflections on this blog. ​ ​4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted.  5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): Managing daily regulation through Squiggle Society, fidgets and other art supplies. Still exploring church ideas This week for Faith activity we returned to Gorebridge Parish Church. The two middle children had to come out to the play space a while as they were a bit overwhelmed and Sunday school wasn't on. However, still a win as they got to church.  Still using the Finch app to continue routines.  The end of this award is almost here! Just about ready to submit! 

Happy 2nd Week of Holidays!  ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​Completed previously.  ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) ​Evidence:  ​Examples: Walked around bird gardens with family. Only took one photo as I wanted to be present to the moment.  ​3. Hobby The Digital Parish & Prayer ​Activity: Prayer using the Northumbria Office and documenting reflections on this blog. ​ ​4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted.  5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): Managing daily regulation through Squiggle Society, fidgets and other art supplies. Still exploring church ideas This week for Faith activity we visited The Logos Hope ship that is docked in Ocean Terminal. I also did a Muddy Church style walk with my children. I have also been in touch with a minister in Newtongrange.  Still using the Finch app to continue routines.  This is the second last week of these updates. It has been a jo...

Happy Summer Holidays! ​As we hit week 24, the pace of life feels a little different. Whether it’s the shift into summer mode or the gentle routine of daily life, there is always something to celebrate. This week has been a unique mix of digital reflection, sensory grounding, and some much-needed travel time. ​Here is a look at what I’ve been up to for this week’s Mencap Gateway Bronze Award progress. ​🌿 Fitness: A Moment in Nature ​Even when the schedule gets busy, there is immense value in simply stepping outside. This week’s focus was a Nature Walk , a perfect way to clear the mind and get moving.​ ​✍️ Hobby: The Digital Parish ​My commitment to The Digital Parish and Prayer  remains a cornerstone of my week. ​ Activity: I have continued my practice of prayer.  ​ Reflection: Documenting reflections on this blog has been a rewarding way to process my thoughts and keep a record of my spiritual journey. It remains a peaceful anchor.  ​🧠 Lifest...

Happy Father’s Day to all those celebrating today! ​As we move through another week of the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award, it’s a good time to take a breath, reflect on the progress made, and get organized. This weekly ritual—my "Sunday Five-Minute Check-in"—is essential for keeping track of the evidence needed for the award and ensuring I’m staying balanced. ​Here is the breakdown of my progress for Week 22 . ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​ Status: Completed previously. ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk Some time with family at Porty Beach.  ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Prayer ​ Activity:  Prayer and exploring vocations. Working on my Muddy Church idea and exploring Monk in the world concepts. Writing things here on the blog.  ​4. Personal Challenge ​ Status: Previously submitted. ​5. Lifestyle: Sensory & Advocacy ​ Focus: Self-regulation and active advocacy. ​ Tools: Using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, v...

Welcome back to the blog! It has been another busy, fulfilling week of routine, growth, and reconnecting with nature. As Sunday rolls around, it’s time to check in, reflect, and share my Week 17 evidence for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award , alongside updates on my other weekly activities. ​Here is how everything shaped up this week: ​🌟 Mencap Gateway Bronze Award: Week 17 Checklist ​ 1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism): Completed previously. ​ 2. Fitness (Nature Walk): Kept up with my steps and physical activity in nature.  ​ 3. Hobby (The Digital Parish & Prayers): Continued my rhythm of praying and documenting my reflections on faith right here on the blog. It remains a grounding anchor for my week. ​ 4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted and completed. ​ 5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): I have been actively managing my daily regulation using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, fidgets, and sensory snacks. ...

1. Volunteering – Walk for Autism Completed previously. ✅ 2. Fitness – Nature Walk Evidence: Getting outside and connecting with nature is something I find genuinely grounding. 3. Hobby – The Digital Parish & Daily Office This week's hobby evidence continues to come in the form of prayer, though using the Northumbria Community Office less. I've been documenting my faith reflections here on the blog as I go, which ties in beautifully with this Digital Parish project.  4. Personal Challenge Previously submitted. ✅ 5. Lifestyle – Sensory & Advocacy This covers a lot of ground, and this week felt particularly full in the best way. On the sensory side, I'm continuing to manage daily regulation using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, fidgets, and planned sensory snacks. The Finch app has also been a really helpful tool for keeping up with routines — small steps, but they add up. Currently on a 90 day streak.  This week I also started doin...

🏅 Week 13  This is my weekly evidence check-in for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. Week 13 has been a big one — not just for the award, but for our family. Here's a round-up of everything covered this week. 1. Volunteering – Walk for Autism 🚶 Evidence submitted and completed previously. Nothing further to add — this section is wrapped up.  2. Fitness – Nature Walk 🌿 This week's fitness evidence is a nature photo.  This week's highlight: We had a caravan holiday with the family at an autism-friendly caravan site!  Time outdoors, time together, and a change of scenery — exactly the kind of nature activity that covers this section beautifully. 3. Hobby – The Digital Parish & Daily Office 📖🙏 Continuing with daily prayer but not exclusively Northumbria Community Office anymore though. I'm also documenting reflections here on this blog. This is an ongoing rhythm that feeds both the spirit an...

It’s Sunday again, which means it is time to check in on my progress for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award . This week has been a whirlwind of advocacy, emotional deep-dives, and family time. Here is the breakdown of my evidence for Week 12. ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​ Status: Completed. I submitted the final evidence for this section last week. It feels great to have this milestone officially ticked off! ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk ​ Evidence: ​ Highlight: I spent some quality time at Newhailes Park with the kids this week while Sarah and Solomon were at a hospital appointment. It was the perfect opportunity to get exercise in and enjoy the fresh air. ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Prayer ​ Activity: Daily prayer using the Northumbria Office has fallen by the way a bit. But, I dip into prayer, particularly about family health and peace in the world.  I have been in touch with a ministry about a pos...