Today is Thanksgiving. My favorite holiday. Not because I like turkey. I don't like it that much. (Except that turkey comes with canberry sauce. And I love canberry sauce.) Thanksgiving is my favorite because it comes with a couple of relaxed days with the family eating steak on thanksgiving day (my family doesn't eat turkey for thanksgiving. my family is from texas.) and sour cream and chicken enchiladas the day after. We don't even go shopping wicked early on the day after like most crazy Americans. We just relax and enjoy the time together. Play some games. Watch a movie. Go hiking. One year we went rappeling in Giant City State Park on Thanksgiving day. The park wasn't very crowded that day. Thanksgiving used to mean churchwide dinner at Garden Hills Baptist Church. It used to mean a long weekend sitting by the pond watching the dog chase the ducks at Uncle Clinton's house. It used to mean steak at Granny and PawPaw's. Today it means a quiet dinner of turkey and canberry sauce after Jason gets home from work. (Yes, England does have canberry sauce, which turns out to be jarberry, but is made by Ocean Spray, so it should be just as good.)
I'm sad to miss my family's Thanksgiving celebration today, but I have much to be thankful for. I'll only name 3: a caring, loving, joyful husband. wonderful memories and a strong, loving family. Jesus Christ who is the joy and song of my heart, in whom I rest for peace on this Thanksgiving.
What are you thankful for today?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
littleover
We've finally moved into our house. Strange noises in a new (cold) building make for long nights. and so does a sick husband. (He's getting better, though. slowly).
Foreign appliances have been quite the adventure to figure out, and perhaps warrant their own post. Today, I will suffice it to say that it was long past noon before we learned how to turn our heat on and my toes are only now regaining their feeling.
Today I found the library. A minor accomplishment compared to the accomplishments of yesterday. It's about a 30 minute walk from our house. A nice walk, but I think I'll buy a bicycle.
Saturday we visited Chatsworth House. A wonderful place that I would love to take my sister-in-law to. Pictures to follow.
I'm quickly running out of internet time, so I must away.
Cheers.
Foreign appliances have been quite the adventure to figure out, and perhaps warrant their own post. Today, I will suffice it to say that it was long past noon before we learned how to turn our heat on and my toes are only now regaining their feeling.
Today I found the library. A minor accomplishment compared to the accomplishments of yesterday. It's about a 30 minute walk from our house. A nice walk, but I think I'll buy a bicycle.
Saturday we visited Chatsworth House. A wonderful place that I would love to take my sister-in-law to. Pictures to follow.
I'm quickly running out of internet time, so I must away.
Cheers.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
as promised
Here follows an abridged chronicle of our first weekend in England, it's rather wordy, and I promise to try not to make such long posts in the future:
CASTLE WARWICK
For all you architecture buffs out there:
We spent Saturday at Warwick Castle (pronounced Warrick). The castle was originally built by William the Conquerer and later additions in the early 1600s made it a country house that is absolutely gorgeous. Jason had his picture taken with Winston Churchill (a young waxen Churchill, that is). Pictures will follow once I get the camera battery charged (not an easy thing to do, mind you).
CHURCH
Sunday morning, we attended Littleover Baptist Church, about a 15 minute walk from the place we will be living. We had a great time, but probably won't attend there. The average age of the church appeared to be around 70, and that's no joke. We were invited for lunch and I sat next to Freida Matthews (who everybody in town knows, if you ever need to find her just stop anyone and ask "do you know where Freida lives?" and they'll tell you.) Freida is the third oldest person in the church behind Skip, who turned 100 last week (this guy looks the spitting image of the old guy in the Six Flags commercials who jumps out of a bus and dances around.) She didn't tell me her age, but she did confess that she's a chocoholic and loves cricket. I could be good friends with Freida.
Sunday evening, we attended Littleover Methodist Church because we were told they may have young people. They did and we might find friends there, but the whole experience was rather uncomfortable. I was anointed with oil (which smelled strongly of pinapple and cinnamon) and walked down a prayer tunnel, where everyone in the line prayed for me as I walked through. After the almost 3 hour long service, we were assured that things are not normally like that. Everyone was very friendly, but not as endearing as Freida Matthews, who I'd like to have as my new best friend.
ALL THINGS ENGLISH
CASTLE WARWICK
For all you architecture buffs out there:
We spent Saturday at Warwick Castle (pronounced Warrick). The castle was originally built by William the Conquerer and later additions in the early 1600s made it a country house that is absolutely gorgeous. Jason had his picture taken with Winston Churchill (a young waxen Churchill, that is). Pictures will follow once I get the camera battery charged (not an easy thing to do, mind you).
CHURCH
Sunday morning, we attended Littleover Baptist Church, about a 15 minute walk from the place we will be living. We had a great time, but probably won't attend there. The average age of the church appeared to be around 70, and that's no joke. We were invited for lunch and I sat next to Freida Matthews (who everybody in town knows, if you ever need to find her just stop anyone and ask "do you know where Freida lives?" and they'll tell you.) Freida is the third oldest person in the church behind Skip, who turned 100 last week (this guy looks the spitting image of the old guy in the Six Flags commercials who jumps out of a bus and dances around.) She didn't tell me her age, but she did confess that she's a chocoholic and loves cricket. I could be good friends with Freida.
Sunday evening, we attended Littleover Methodist Church because we were told they may have young people. They did and we might find friends there, but the whole experience was rather uncomfortable. I was anointed with oil (which smelled strongly of pinapple and cinnamon) and walked down a prayer tunnel, where everyone in the line prayed for me as I walked through. After the almost 3 hour long service, we were assured that things are not normally like that. Everyone was very friendly, but not as endearing as Freida Matthews, who I'd like to have as my new best friend.
ALL THINGS ENGLISH
- These people speak the same language I do, but I have no clue what they're saying.
- It rains a lot (mists, really) but nobody carries umbrellas. They just walk through the rain.
- Free WiFi does not exist.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
blessed
things at our house have been a bit hectic of late. but jason has been a rock. here are a few things i'd like to tell you about my husband:
1. he made dinner last night
2. he cleaned up after dinner last night
3. he's been really good with our finances
4. he's working really hard to get us ready to go
5. he's smart and gifted, else he wouldn't have gotten this job
6. he's working hard without complaining
7. he's wise when it comes to debunking illogical arguments
8. he's carefully organized and budgeted for the move
9. he's been generous to me and has tolerated my silliness
10. he's excited for this adventure
11. he has made concessions in his own wishes to allow for my wishes
12. he has carefully remembered me in every step along the way
13. he has been a strong spiritual leader and has led in prayer for wisdom
14. he waits for me when i'm slow to make decisions
15. he's patient
1. he made dinner last night
2. he cleaned up after dinner last night
3. he's been really good with our finances
4. he's working really hard to get us ready to go
5. he's smart and gifted, else he wouldn't have gotten this job
6. he's working hard without complaining
7. he's wise when it comes to debunking illogical arguments
8. he's carefully organized and budgeted for the move
9. he's been generous to me and has tolerated my silliness
10. he's excited for this adventure
11. he has made concessions in his own wishes to allow for my wishes
12. he has carefully remembered me in every step along the way
13. he has been a strong spiritual leader and has led in prayer for wisdom
14. he waits for me when i'm slow to make decisions
15. he's patient
Monday, November 3, 2008
the end
several months ago, i started a Bible study in my office building. if you want to track the long story, read here and here.
the short story is this: i have one girl and we are studying Mark. today is the last day (since I'll be leaving next week) and, by God's perfect timing, we are up to the final chapter: the resurrection.
today, Cynthia didn't show up. and my heart is broken.
my prayer is that my friend Cynthia will still study the final chapter for herself and that the grace of Jesus will dawn in her heart. and that Christ will become her treasure.
the short story is this: i have one girl and we are studying Mark. today is the last day (since I'll be leaving next week) and, by God's perfect timing, we are up to the final chapter: the resurrection.
today, Cynthia didn't show up. and my heart is broken.
my prayer is that my friend Cynthia will still study the final chapter for herself and that the grace of Jesus will dawn in her heart. and that Christ will become her treasure.
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