Dear friends and Easter Greetings,
I hope you are managing to enjoy some of the sunshine and easing of lockdown restrictions – meeting in groups of 6 outside is feeling like a lot of freedom!
Quite a lot has happened since I last wrote. Most notably, Alex was in hospital for a month from mid-February navigating an acute manic episode with psychosis. That time was very scary and challenging for both of us in different ways. This episode was triggered by reducing some bipolar medication which Alex had been stable on for over 10 years (supervised by a psychiatrist). The only plus to this is that it at least reassures us the condition is treatable and these episodes are preventable on the right meds.
Alex is now really well psychiatrically and it is so great to have him home, but we are having to pace ourselves. Alex is needing a lot of extra sleep and is having to build activities up slowly, meaning a break from most of his ministry commitments for a few more weeks. We have felt incredibly supported throughout all of this, for which we are so grateful – by both our families, our places of work/ministry who have been very flexible, and many praying and generous friends.
We know God has been with us in the midst of all this, providing moments of hope, peace and comfort just when we have needed. We also pray and trust that he will use this situation for his good – giving us more understanding and empathy towards those facing their own mental health issues; a greater appreciation of our health and many blessings; and a healthy humility and dependence on God.
First trip out of hospital
First night home with Alex’s Mum
Aside from this episode, since I last wrote, we have continued to co-lead the dispersed Young Franciscan community; I have appreciated my regular prayer triplet; we did some tree planting on our estate; I joined our Eco-church team; and I have been back at CMS (virtually) studying our latest module on Mission Theology in Global Context, which has been really interesting. Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, we hope to make more connections locally and build on some we have already made but that have largely been restricted to online until now. We are still very happy in Northolt, and are particularly enjoying our garden again now that spring has come.
Young Franciscans 
Prayer Triplet 
Tree planting on our estate
Prayer points:
- A full recovery for Alex, patience while we wait, and wisdom on when to take up responsibilities again
- Opportunities to build local relationships in our neighbourhood
- Help with meeting all my assignment deadlines coming up in June
Many thanks to you all for your ongoing support and love.
Blessings,
Rachel
Alex and Rachel's News 
Thankyou both for sending this update on how life is for you, we will hold you and Alex in our prayers as Alex increases in strength and confidence. Hopefully you will be able to connect with new friends and neighbours once restrictions ease and continue to build connections and community together, we are taking a camping holiday with Emmanuel in July when New Wine was anticipated to happen: 23-26th July
Would you like to join us?
Sending you both love and blessings
Rachel xx xx
On Sat, Apr 10, 2021 at 11:28 AM Alex and Rachel’s News wrote:
> Rachel Cama posted: ” Dear friends and Easter Greetings, I hope you are > managing to enjoy some of the sunshine and easing of lockdown restrictions > – meeting in groups of 6 outside is feeling like a lot of freedom! Quite a > lot has happened since I last wrote. Most notabl” >
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Bless you both. It’s been a hard season for you both and I can only imagine scary at times. Praying Gods blessing on you as you recover from this difficult time and that the next season will be easier as we come out of lockdown etc. Love and hugs Carolx
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Dear Rachel
Thanks for all this news. We are desperately sorry to learn of Alex’s illness and hospital stay. What a huge worry for you both. Obviously glad things are going a bit better at the moment and we pray this continues. We also pray you both receive all the strength you will need to cope in months and years ahead. We so greatly admire you both and all you are doing. Lockdown must have been an added pressure on you both and harder to get family and friend support . However at least restrictions seem to be lifting slowly now.
We are so happy in our new life here in Aboyne. Miss Abbey but know it was right time to move to next stage of our lives!
Hopefully we will all be able to meet up next year once we all feel like travelling once more.
Do take great care of yourselves. You are both so precious to so many people.
Lots of love to you both from us both
Carol xx
>
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Dear Rachel (& Alex), I was so pleased to receive your update and to hear that Alex is so much better. You were both much in my prayers after our ‘chance’ meeting on Kinver Edge with your parents a few weeks ago. It is also good to know what had triggered the episode on this occasion and that therefore, we trust, such episodes can be avoided in future with the right medication. Love and prayers, Phyll & John
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Hi Rachel,
Thankyou so much for sharing your news. I’m so sorry to hear that Alex had been so unwell, in hospital in lockdown, scary for both of you. Ellie had a psychotic episode post surgery, so I understand a little bit of what you’ve been going through. And fatigue, it is a real thing, while the brain adjusts. I hope you’re both getting all the rehabilitation support you need. Well done for keeping on with virtual studying. I will be praying for you both, that nothing happens God hasn’t allowed & that you can grow into finding the why and the what in it. Lots of love XX
On Sat, 10 Apr 2021 at 11:28, Alex and Rachel’s News wrote:
> Rachel Cama posted: ” Dear friends and Easter Greetings, I hope you are > managing to enjoy some of the sunshine and easing of lockdown restrictions > – meeting in groups of 6 outside is feeling like a lot of freedom! Quite a > lot has happened since I last wrote. Most notabl” >
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Thanks Rachael and Alex, good to hear your news. What a tough time for you both early this year. All well here and have survived lockdown- but pleased to be out and about a bit more,
Best wishes,
Trevor
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