RUGBY!!!

So, I went to my first rugby match this weekend. It was actually a double-header. It lived up to all of my expectations. Rugby is a really great sport! It was really fun to watch the game live because I was able to understand a bit more of what was going on. I still don't really understand the penalties, but at least I was able to keep up woth the game. The first match was the London Irish vs. the London Wasps. The Irish won. The second game was the Harlequins vs. the Saracens. The Harlequins won. I had some rowdy fans right by me for the second game. Luckily they were Harlequin fans so I didn't have to fear for my life when the game was over. Overall, it was a really cool experience. Sorry the pictures aren't very good, but action shots are difficult. Anyway... talk about a tough sport, I can even imagine how intense it is out there on the field. No pads and full body contact. Not to mention, some of these guys are huge. And not just big, but big and agile... Fast and large makes for big collissions.

Rain...

It is raining today in London (big surprise) and as I headed out this morning I thought to myself how I love the rain. I really do love it, just not when I have to walk in it. Well anyway, I walked to the train station this morning and when I got there I was a bit wet, and my back pack was really wet, and I thought about rain and water. It made me think of God and how I treat him sometimes... Let me explain. Water is necessary for survival. You simply have to have it to live. Sometimes you want to bask in it, swim in it, play in it, stand under it, etc... Sometimes you drink it in. Then there are times when you don't want to get wet. You would prefer the water stay off of you, so you carry an umbrella, or wear a raincoat. The interesting thing is, no matter what you do, the water usually penetrates through and gets to you. That's how God is. Sometimes I am ready to swim and play and bask in him and all of his glory and sometimes I get prideful and think that I can do it on my own, so I walk around with my "umbrella". But the awesome thing about God is, no matter what I do, he always penetrates and gets through to me. What a wonderful, patient, loving God we serve.

Holiday in Devon

This past weekend I spent an absolutely wonderful weekend with two ladies from work. We went to Devon on holiday... On the way there, I was we passed Stonehenge. I was really thankful because I didn't want to leave England without seeing it, but on the other hand didn't want to make a day trip to look at a rock formation. This way I got to see it without actually having to "go see it".

We ended up staying in a holiday park in North Devon. We rented a caravan, or camper trailer, and had a weekend by the sea...

On Saturday we headed to the beach. We walked to Morthoe and walked along the rock beach that is there... It was really beautiful! I have a few pictures taken from there posted above. It was awesome to be by the beach and not be hot. :-) Next we walked further down the coastline to Woolacombe. This is where the sand beach is. We each bought a Cornish pasty and sat on a bench overlooking the ocean to eat it. On the walk back from the beach, we found a rope swing and Michelle and I each had a go. It was really fun and needless to say many laughs were shared there. Later in the day we went to Ilfracombe to get some provisions for the day. While we were there, we ate fish and chips by the harbor. How fun is that? Then we went back to our caravan to chill.

Sunday we went back to Woolacombe and spent a few hours sitting by the sea. It was just really relaxing and nice. We popped over to Ilfracombe for Sunday's provisions and while we were there I got to have a proper Devonshire Cream Tea. (also pictured above) Apparently Devon is known for it's clotted cream served with tea. I have to say that the cream was so thick and sweet, it was wonderful! Then we headed back to camp.

Most of the weekend was spent relaxing and just enjoying one another's company. I had such a wonderful time... I also learned a few things.

1. While driving to your holiday destination, you want the cows to all be standing up... Apparently the tale goes that if the cows are laying down, it's going to rain.

2. I learned that queuing is likely on all roads on a bank holiday weekend.

3. I learned that the beds in the caravans that you rent are smaller than twin size beds and are not really condusive to quality sleeping if you are an adult.

I am sure I am leaving out a lot of details, but needless to say, it was fab!

Desire...

I have been reading a book called, Strong Women Soft Hearts. So far it has been a really amazing book and I recommend it to all of my sisters out there who may be reading this post. In the second chapter the author talks about desire. She talks about how we so easily give up our desires for various reasons and in various ways. It lead me to start thinking about my being in England. It has always been a desire of my heart to live overseas and now I am living it. What an amazing blessing it is! I trusted God with that desire and he allowed me to experience it. Not always do we get to experience our desires, but God knows what they are and I think he wants us to share them with him. Dare to dream with him...
Yesterday I found out that my contract here will be extended until March 2009 completing a full year here in England. I am very excited and look forward to what will be in store for the next 7 months.
Anyway... to sum it up, spend some time today thinking about your desires and then offer them to the Lord. He's the one who can bring them to reality. :o)

Olympic note

I am sitting here watching the Olympics... Men's gymnastics to be exact. Just a quick note to say that it is weird watching it with British commentators... And to hear them highlight and be enthusiastic about all of the events where British athletes are competing is a bit odd. If you ever have the chance to watch the Olympics in another country... do it. Very interesting :)

Sorry it's been a while

Hey everyone,

Sorry it has been so long since I have written anything. Life has been quite busy lately. We are really behind on our work project and so much stress and thought has been wasted on work :(

My mom and sister left Tuesday after visiting for a week and a half. I think that they both really enjoyed seeing England and I enjoyed having them here. I think my favorite thing we did was the day we went to Hampton Court Palace and enjoyed the day exploring the palace and the beautiful gardens that are there.

One thing I have learned while being here is that I think it is harder for the person who is being visited when the company comes and goes... When you are anticipating company, you are anxious for all fo the travel connections to go well... Did they have a good flight? Did they get through immigration without a hassle? Did the car company pick them up? Finally, they arrive and you can relax... Then it comes to the leaving. The people who have come to visit might be sad to leave, but at the same time, they are anxious to get back to their family at home. You on the other hand have only an empty apartment to come home to...

Enough of the sentimental crap...

In the mean time, I had better get back to work. Hopefully once I get over the hump, things will slow down and get back to normal.

Sunday in Woking

Yesterday I spent some time in Woking. I went to church, which I will come back to, and did a little shopping at the Peacock's Center.
Church was a real blessing to me. We had a baptism service yesterday. I really enjoy the way my church here does these services, because they allow the people being baptized to give there testimony. They also share the gospel in a very plain way so that the visitors who have come to see their friends and family get baptized will hear the truth.
Yesterday, I was allowed to hear the testimony of 4 adults who were getting baptized. One of them really stood out to me, and because of that, I want to share it with you. I don't remember the ladies name, but she is here in England from Pakistan. Her mother was a secret Chrsitian believer, but her father is an emom in the Mosque. As a young person, she had several distinct dreams about a man in white flowing robes. Her mother explained to her that the man was Jesus. She fell in love with Jesus and spent time praying to him. She was never allowed to read a Bible, because it was too dangerous, but God revealed himself to her. After her mother passed away, she came to England because she was afraid for her life. Her father and uncle being very hostile toward her. Since her coming here, she has been able to read the Bible freely and understand many things about him. The amazing thing is that she became a believer back in Pakistan, before she had ever read a Bible because the Lord had revealed himself to her in very real ways. I know I shouldn't be amazed by stories like that, because that is the God we serve. He is big enough and good enough to do those kinds of things.
I hope that hearing a testimony of God's goodness is a blessing to you too. :)