Our Story
Two people, one road, and a God who never lets go.
The journey, the lessons, and the hand that’s guided us every step.
We’re Neil and Siobhan. We live in Ampleforth — a small village tucked into the North York Moors — and we serve Jehovah together as pioneers. We’re not teachers or examples. We’re just two people who’ve seen Jehovah’s hand in our lives and wanted to write it down before we forgot.
— Neil & Siobhan
Why This Journal Exists
Four simple reasons we started writing.
Remember
So We Don’t Forget
Memories fade quietly. This journal is our record of what Jehovah has done — written down before time carries it away.
Connect
So You Stay Close
Life gets busy and distance grows. This site keeps our friends and family part of our story — even when we can’t be together.
Encourage
So It Helps Someone
If our honest experiences encourage even one person in their own walk with Jehovah, it was worth writing.
Build
A Record That Lasts
A connection that stays close. A faith that grows by being shared. That’s what Team Richards is for.
How It All Started
We’re Neil and Siobhan.
We live in Ampleforth — a small village tucked into the southern edge of the Hambleton Hills, on the doorstep of the North York Moors. It’s the kind of place where you know your neighbours and the seasons actually mean something.
We serve Jehovah together as pioneers. Not because we’ve got it all figured out — we absolutely haven’t — but because this is the life we’ve chosen and we’re committed to walking this road together, wherever it leads.
This journal started from a simple idea: the things Jehovah does for us — the quiet guidance, the small kindnesses, the moments that only make sense when you look back — deserve to be remembered. Not just thought about. Written down.
Like the stones the Israelites carried out of the Jordan. Not because the stones were beautiful. Because they meant something. That’s what this site is. Our stones.
Meet the Family
Two voices, one journal.
Pioneer · Web Designer
Neil
The organised one. Builds websites by day, serves Jehovah always. Likes clean lines, structured thinking, and making sense of things. Loves a good spreadsheet and a strong cup of tea.
Pioneer
Siobhan
The warm one. Sees the beauty in the small things. Has a way of making everyone feel welcome and at ease. Brings the heart to everything we do. The reason this journal has soul and not just structure.
Pioneer · Web Designer
Pumpkin
The organised one. Builds websites by day, serves Jehovah always. Likes clean lines, structured thinking, and making sense of things. Loves a good spreadsheet and a strong cup of tea.
Pioneer
Sarb
The warm one. Sees the beauty in the small things. Has a way of making everyone feel welcome and at ease. Brings the heart to everything we do. The reason this journal has soul and not just structure.
Pioneer
Teddy
The warm one. Sees the beauty in the small things. Has a way of making everyone feel welcome and at ease. Brings the heart to everything we do. The reason this journal has soul and not just structure.
“In the future your sons will ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then tell them… these stones are to be a lasting memorial.”
Joshua 4:6, 7
My Journey
Stones along the way
The Beginning
We found the truth
The moment everything changed. Jehovah drew us to him and we started learning what it really means to live with purpose.
Our Path Crossed
Neil met Siobhan
Two people on the same road. We didn’t plan it — Jehovah did. And we’ve been walking together ever since.
Baptism
We dedicated our lives to Jehovah
The most important decision we’ve ever made. Not the end of a journey — the beginning of everything.
Pioneering
We started pioneering together
Making Jehovah’s work our life’s work. Not always easy. Always worth it.
Ampleforth
We moved to Yorkshire
A small village on the edge of the North York Moors. Rolling hills, stone cottages, and the kind of quiet that lets you hear Jehovah.
2026
We started this journal
Setting up the stones. Writing it all down before we forget. You’re reading the result.
My Journey
How I Got Here
The milestones along the way — and the hand that guided.
1978
Born
The Bible started making sense for the first time. What began as curiosity became something that changed everything.
2020
Baptised
The decision that defined our lives. Dedicating ourselves to Jehovah — together. The best decision we ever made.
2022
Started Pioneering
Stepping into full-time service. Scary, exciting, and exactly where Jehovah wanted us. He opened every door.
2026
Team Richards Begins
This journal. A record of Jehovah’s hand in our lives — so we never forget, and so you can walk alongside us.
2026
Team Richards Begins
This journal. A record of Jehovah’s hand in our lives — so we never forget, and so you can walk alongside us.
2026
Team Richards Begins
This journal. A record of Jehovah’s hand in our lives — so we never forget, and so you can walk alongside us.
2026
Team Richards Begins
This journal. A record of Jehovah’s hand in our lives — so we never forget, and so you can walk alongside us.
2026
Team Richards Begins
This journal. A record of Jehovah’s hand in our lives — so we never forget, and so you can walk alongside us.
What Grounds Us
Jehovah is the guide.
We’re just walking.
We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses — baptised publishers and pioneers. Our faith isn’t a part of our life. It is our life. Every decision, every day, every plan starts with Jehovah.
This site exists because the things Jehovah does for us deserve to be remembered. Like the memorial stones in Joshua 4 — we set them up so that when someone asks “what do these mean?”, we have an answer.
“Your children will ask their fathers in time to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you will let your children know, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry land.’”
Joshua 4:21-22