Donna Rogers Writer

What a crazy few months it has been. When I wrote our memoir I wasn’t prepared for what would happen once it was published. So to say I’ve been overwhelmed would be a definite understatement. January was quiet but February had me hitting the ground running. Nick was made redundant from the cafe we had run for almost 17 years. It should have felt scary but the day after his notice ran out our memoir was published. We thought we would take some time out but we found ourselves approaching bookshops, and speaking at different venues. I was trying and failing to keep up with the socials! So here we are in March and I feel like I’ve just run a race but finally at the finish line I can’t see any of the other runners. Was I in front or have the other runners all passed me by and gone home?

Looking for advice there were lots of ideas. Do this, go here, go there. Speak to this person, that person.

Nick and I were asked to speak at Costa Coffee in Peel Street Barnsley. It was Love Life UK Church’s Valentines service. We drank lots of coffee and ate cake. We had a great time telling our story ❤️

Radio Sheffield came calling. Very early one Sunday morning 🌄 The hubster and I set off over the Snake Pass arriving in Sheffield for the Kat Cowan morning programme. Really enjoyed chatting with Kat and maybe a few sleepy Yorkshire folks and fierce supporters who got up early to listen and to encourage us. 😴

Our next appearance found us at St Chad’s Life Centre in Romiley. Forty people turned up and what an evening it turned out to be. We met some amazing, courageous people who opened up to the room and shared their experiences with us all. What an honour and a privilege to be able to minister to those beautiful and brave people. Our message that evening was that we dont have to hide who we are in order to keep up appearances to others. We don’t have to suffer from shame for what we have done or had done to us. Anyone who had any doubt about the presence of God would have had all doubt swept away that evening. Jesus specialised in reaching out to those who were least accepted or who carried heavy burdens. He did it over 2,000 years ago and He still does it now. Even in an upper room in Romiley in 2023.

We have lots more lined up later in the month. I am so looking forward to meeting people and sharing my life, my faith and introducing Jesus Christ to people who don’t yet know him. I’m realising that sometimes we have to slow down. Life is a marathon not a sprint. We have to take time to meet people on the way. Fellow travellers who we need to chat with and listen to. I dont need to be like anyone else I just need to be me. Telling my story, living my life. So bring on the rest of March. I’ve got my best walking boots on and I’m ready for whatever is next.

Today we have been emptying out our Cafe here in the High Peak. 17 years of ministry and service to a community is finally coming to an end. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t sad to be leaving but God knows when it’s time to move on. To take on new challenges, to travel to different places with different people who need to know about Jesus. So I will leave this place with sadness and look forward to everything He has for me to do. I will step through the doors that have opened up with expectation and thanks for new opportunities. Who knows where I will be in the weeks and months ahead. Watch this space.

https://www.womanalive.co.uk/opinion/i-wasnt-worried-about-marrying-a-gambling-addict-but-i-didnt-realise-how-bad-it-could-get/14697.article

https://www.womanalive.co.uk/opinion/i-wasnt-worried-about-marrying-a-gambling-addict-but-i-didnt-realise-how-bad-it-could-get/14697.article?s=09

Every year I promise myself that I will be organised and send out cards blah blah, and every year 10 days before Christmas I haven’t done anything! This has been such a crazy year and to have arrived at December in one piece has been an achievement.

We went to a concert in Sheffield this week. our Friend Janine Dyer and the Sheffield Community Choir gave us a fantastic evening of Carols and Christmas songs. I decided to nip to the loo before leaving and had an altercation with a toilet cistern which has left me with a beautiful black eye and a headache!

This afternoon it was across to Barnsley Costa Coffee for Love Life Church’s Christmas service. What a great end to the week.

Christmas is a time for families and friends to get together. But what if your family is no longer here? Both Nick and I have lost parents my mum died a year ago and my sister the year before that. Nicks father passed away at the start of the Covid lockdown. Technically we are both orphans! However in the book of John Chapter 14 verse 18 Jesus tells us. “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you”. Whilst ever we have our Father in heaven we will never be orphans we are daughter and son of a King.

Jesus is Gods gift to us and we are gifts to those around us. We are never alone even when life seems bleak and difficult our Father is only a word away. Call out to him this Christmas and see what he has for you. You will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams and loved into eternity.

Life has been so fast and furious lately I haven’t had time to really sit and think about all that has happened in the past couple of months. I thought that launching a book would be orderly and would follow some kind of blueprint. As it happened the book finally came together was launched in a heartbeat and my life was no longer in my head or written on to pages but suddenly out there for all to see. Six weeks in and I am still running to catch up. Interviews and speaking engagements. It’s like moving around in a whirlwind terrifying but exhilarating. Then there is Christmas. I married Nick at Christmas. The 21st December to be exact. We married at High Noon! The 21st being the shortest day our photographs look like they were taken at dusk. It was the most wonderful fairytale day. I can still remember how I felt. The feeling of sheer JOY was with me for the whole day. So Christmas this year is doubly joyous because I get to share that day and what came after with everyone who picks up a copy of the book. So there it is my first blog post. I will try to keep up and share the highs and the lows. Enjoy the preparations for Christmas. For anyone that will be finding Christmas difficult this year. There is someone who is closer than your next breath, it’s His birthday and you are all invited to the party.

God blessya

This is the start of a new adventure and I hope you are up for coming on the journey with me. So, here we go ……….