Part 2 - 1992 to 1999

I had previously decided that going to College would not be an option because of the bullying. I did not seek the Lord's Will but carried on in my own way. However, the Lord promised to never leave us or forsake us, no matter where we go or what we do. We may forsake Him but He will never forsake us. I can testify to this, and as you read you will understand why.

I began to work on Youth Training. The Lord provided the placement needed for me to be able to work off site from the training company. I was a Youth Trainee for 2 and half years. Each time one placement ended, the next day I would start in a new one. The last one I worked at took me on permanent (as a temp). All the while, my Spiritual life lay dormant. Although I would give the occasional hymn out in the morning meeting, I did not make any Spiritual growth. I became like so many other Christians, in that I was sleeping while on guard. Therefore, it was easy for the Enemy to get through my defences because they were not well maintained. I would urge each person reading this to WAKE UP AND DEFEND THEMSELVES!! The next few events in my life brought me into the longest relationship that I have ever had.

When I was 17 I began driving lessons. However, it was not the Lord's will for me to be driving yet for after many lessons (2 years worth) I failed my driving test (not once, not twice but three times). After the third time (in September 1996) I gave up completely. I became dispondent but this was just the beginning. On my way to work at the end of September 1996 I was attacked and beaten up in the centre of Swindon. Two guys (one of whom I knew) proceeded to steal my bicycle. When I stopped them they attacked. This affected me greatly and I left the Gospel Hall. I never returned for a whole month. Slowly, I returned. Although I had never forsaken my Lord, I had forsaken the gathering together with like minded individuals. By the time I returned, I had lost a lot a weight. It was also at this time that I met up with my earthly father once again. At first I was so pleased that I had found him once again. This did not last long, however, as he soon started to make demands upon me that I could not keep. It came to a point when his words to me were "If you want to be part of MY family, then you will have to leave your religion. There is no place for it to dwell here as well." After the beating, this was the last thing I needed. For a long while, I could not choose. I had found the missing link in my life and did not want to let him go. So I did nothing. I kept going to the Gospel Hall but my Spiritual life was seriously damaged because of this. Then came Aylwen. I spent New Years Eve with all the young people at Aylwen's house, and I fell in love. A few days later, I telephoned Aylwen and asked her to go out with me. She agreed. During this time, the Enemy had won. I made little or no Spiritual progress, because my relationship with Aylwen took up all my time. Then, my granddad died. I went to the funeral in 1997 and Aylwen came too. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with depression and sent to a counsellor. The things that she said I did not agree with but was in no Spiritual State to argue with her. Let's just say that she knew her Bible.

I went to camp that year but should not have been there. I was still very depressed and being away from home made it worse. However, once camp was over, I began to pick up. At Aylwen's insistance I took up driving lessons again in late 1997. In 1998 I made a big error and one that I am not very pleased with, but it highlighted a problem that I have. Aylwen convinced me to have my ear pierced. I went and had it done. As I write this, I can look into the Scriptures and say that my heart was turned by the counsel of a woman. Solomon had a similar problem. He had a large number of wives, and they turned his heart from his God. The introduction of the ear ring was a hit at Sunday School, where the young ones respected me for it. No one told me that it was wrong, and none of the elders stopped me. Once again I was up for my driving test in November 1998. I passed, and bought a car (from my dad). This was just as well, because Aylwen's parents were about to move house and where they were moving to is 4 miles from my mum's house. The Lord was good to me, but I knew it not. Now, when I passed my test, I started to travel a little. I left Swindon for a weekend in Winchester, staying with my good friends from Camp, the Rolfe family. Upon arrival at Winchester, something told me that this is where I would end up. I have never liked Swindon and really wanted to move but I did not where to. Little did I realise what the Lord had in store for me, but there is a lot more to tell before I get to the actual move. It was during this initial visit that I met the lovely people of Crawley for the first time.

My second visit to Winchester was to Tim Beer's commendation. This was held in the Village Hall in Crawley and it was standing room only. I had known Tim for many years through Kingfisher Camp and was only too happy to say goodbye. And so it started. I began to travel across the land visiting my many friends. I spoke to Aylwen about a move to Winchester. I asked her that if it was the Lord's Will for me to move, would she come too. Her answer was "No" We started to drift further apart. I began to grow again for the first time in many years. This was short lived, however. In June of 1999, I told Aylwen that it would be better if we went our separate ways. This was after being in the relationship for 3 and a half years. We both agreed to this but felt that one last holiday would be in order. We went to Devon with her parents in the September of 1999 and when we returned, we were no longer in the relationship.

The events that took place next will shock and amaze some people. Others will understand. Still others will say that it sounds like me.

For that, however, you will have to wait for part 3.