At home with the Tuckwells


   
Paul & Patricia Tuckwell

   1. Introduce yourselves
We are Paul and Patricia Tuckwell. Patricia is originally from Romania and moved to the UK in 2011 for university. Paul is from Kent and moved to Warwick as a student in 2003, joining Myton in 2005. We have been married for two and a half years. Paul is an elder at Myton and chairs Myton Mission Support Team. 

2. What impact has the current lockdown had on you both?
Fortunately, we’re both able to work from home so the main impact is not being able to see our friends and family. As well as missing the usual things - face-to-face church, having friends over, cafes and restaurants, shopping, holidays and weekends away - it’s especially hard not to be able to visit Patricia’s family in Romania or for them to visit us.

3. What does your ‘normal day’ now look like?
We are both working from home and work flexible hours so we can start work pretty much whenever suits us. We started out by both of us working from the kitchen but, after a couple of weeks, Patricia decided to move upstairs as we were frequently on calls with our respective teams at the same time. We almost always take our lunch break together. If we both finish work at a reasonable time and don’t have an evening meeting, we enjoy going for longer walks in the countryside, doing work in our garden and chatting to family and friends. Paul has been spending time every day learning Romanian and we’ve both been reading more. We also have plenty of board games and films for entertainment when time allows. Patricia enjoys baking but, until recently, has been held back by a lack of white flour.

4. Tell us one encouragement you’ve experienced whilst in lockdown.
Since we’ve known each other, we have never been together for such an extended period of time and without seeing others. This has been a real blessing and a time we are both treasuring. We are also grateful for the opportunities we have had to build our relationship with our neighbour and his two sons.

5. Any funny moments you are willing to share?
Paul: I was embarrassed when, after about 40 minutes of my first trip to Tesco under lockdown, I realised that I’d been oblivious to the one-way system in the aisles. “You’re going the wrong way, love” a lady scolded me.
Patricia: A few days ago, we went for a long walk in the countryside and, in spite of Paul’s reassurance that “it’s not steep”, I found myself in need of a break after walking up a (not so) steep hill along a one-lane country road. When a lady driving past us slowed down to ask if I was okay, we weren’t sure if she thought I was unwell or being abducted, with Paul standing right next to me! Reassuring to know there are people out there ready to help if needed though. 

6. Tell us one thing you are finding challenging.
Patricia: I’m finding work more difficult, with increased workloads and longer hours. Some of the meetings we run will be livestreamed on YouTube and the prospect of those is quite daunting. Managing the team is also harder without face-to-face interaction. I’m still working through how not to bring work home in the circumstances!
Paul: In spite of our long walks and time in the garden, I’m definitely struggling with cabin fever. I’ve found myself becoming frustrated and irritable more often than usual.

7. What aspect of God’s character or work have you been enjoying?
We have been in awe at God’s sovereignty. With every piece of bad news, or uncertainty in the lives of those we love, we are reminded that He is in control. In the midst of the chaos and uncertainty all around us, we can know His peace because He is God almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. He upholds and sustains the entire creation and He is working his purposes out. Therefore, we do not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

8. Give us something we can pray for you
Pray that we use the new opportunities brought by lockdown and coronavirus to share the Gospel with those around us, including those in our families.

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