New Chapter, New Season, New Beginning

Okay, so I have never blogged before, in fact, I am not even sure if "blogged" is a correct word or not!?
Please allow me to give you a brief history of where I am coming from:

I was born in Suffolk. Bury St Edmunds to be exact. I lived in a small village called Thurston for a few years before my parents moved to Woolpit (another small village between Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket). Google map of Woolpit!

My family attended a church in the village called "Woolpit Christian fellowship" or "The Room" to some locals. It was here that I was given an excellent foundation to my Christian faith and was shown some great examples of living a life for Jesus.
It was during a Sunday morning service in that Church that I first asked God to help me to live my life, to give me what I needed each day and to allow me to be with Him in heaven. (I am not so sure that I had all of that in my mind at the time, but that is what happened!).

We moved to another church called West Road Church which is in Bury St Edmunds. Here I grew in my knowledge and understanding of the Bible, Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit.

I regularly attended House Parties and Camps throughout the year at Sizewell Hall. It was great to grow up mixing with other young Christians from different churches. I was very blessed as a young person and have much to be thankful for.

My family persevered with me and took me to church. My friends stuck by me and loved me for who I was and God has kept me for Himself.

I moved to Liverpool in 1997 to attend Liverpool John Moores University.
I was told that I did not have a place in the Halls of residence that I had applied for (I.M. Marsh Campus) and was invited up for a weekend to search for a place to live and get to know some people that I might move in with!
I got on the train to Liverpool Lime Street. Once I arrived I followed the directions to the Student Home building on Mount Pleasant. However, I left the train station from the side exit! I followed the directions perfectly, but ended up in the wrong place.
Soaked through and tired, I finally arrived in the Student Homes building. Breathing a sigh of relief I opened the door only to be greeted by a member of staff who asked me if I was a Christian... (A little bit forward and anyway, how did she know?)

I was wearing a Supervision jumper (A Christian band... from back in the day!!!) and this girl knew Ian Finch, in fact he was living in the same house as she was. I knew Ian from West Road Church. This was a great surprise and a great comfort to have someone who connected with me. We chatted briefly and then she showed me where I needed to go.
I filled in some forms and waited.... and waited.... finally a women came up to me and asked if I wanted to have a place at the I.M. Marsh campus. I immediately said yes please and signed on the dotted line. This wonderful girl had obviously put in a good word for me with the people in charge and got me a place in the halls that I wanted to be in...

A few minutes later the girl returned... "I've been looking for you, where did you go?" I thanked her for putting in a good word for me... but she did not know anything about it. She had called Ian to tell him that I was around and arranged for him to pick me up and take me for lunch!

I believe that God had this all planned out for me. This was a great confirmation that Liverpool was the place for me to be.

I met Amy in 1998 at Bridge Chapel. This was the Church that I had chosen to attend as a student. What a great blessing the church was to me.

We were engaged on 5th November 1999 and were married on 14th July 2001.

I completed my degree in 2002 and started working at Wellington School. Here I met some wonderful people, gained a best friend and had some amazing experiences.

A group of people from Bridge Chapel were sent to start a new church in Halewood - an area where several families who attended the church lived. Grace Church Halewood began and has been growing ever since. (Only by the Grace of God and for the Glory of God.)

Harry, our son, was born on 16th September 2008 - what a wonderful blessing he is! We pray that God would take him and use him. We want to lead him well as parents.

I quit my job at the end of the academic year (2012) and am about to embark upon a new chapter in my life.

I will now be a Ministry Trainee at Grace Church Halewood. I will also be studying for a Theology and Pastoral Studies degree with Oak Hill College at the new Liverpool Theology Centre, which is part of the North West Partnership.

This is a new season for me. Not earning the money, not having a set routine and not being controlled by a bell as I was in school!

Amy and I have a new beginning too, we are expecting our second baby in October.

It is all change in the Sparkes household!
We look forward to all that God has in store for us and know that God never makes mistakes and does not let us down if we are seeking to bring Him glory and honour.

Philippians 4:4-7 has been very helpful for Amy and I as we have experienced many changes, decisions and disappointments over the last few months. I hope it encourages you too.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I hope you have enjoyed reading a bit about me and hope that you might join me on this little journey of faith. Pray for me, pray with me and thank God for all that He is and does in and through us. We are broken vessels that God chooses to use for His glory. How good is God!