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. :)

That's England...

So, yesterday I exited the train on my way home and made my way up the stairs and across the footbridge to the station exit like I do every other day. Nothing was extra-ordinary. As I continued to walk, a few sprinkles of rain began to fall. No big deal, I thought. This is England, it's bound to drip a bit every now and then. I trudged on not giving it a moments thought. A few moments later it started to get a bit heavier and so I decided to pull my umbrella (which I ALWAYS carry) out of the side pocket of my back pack and walk under it's cover. No problem... I then decided that it would be nice to listen to some music and so I pulled out my little Ipod Shuffle and commenced getting it into place. So picture if you will, that one hand has the umbrella in it, and the other is holding my purse and trying to arrange my Ipod. Not that big of a deal, until out of nowhere comes that rain of Noah. I kid you not, the skies opened up and water began to pour from them. I have not seen this kind of rain since I have been in England. Biblical proportions... Because of my experience here to this point, I assumed that this rain would quickly pass or lighten up at least and so with my Ipod in place and umbrella overhead, I continued to walk home. The rain is falling at such intensity and such an angle that I begin to question why I am carrying the umbrella at all, but I figure that at least I am making an effort right? At this point things are becoming a bit miserable... then much to my torment, all of the cars that pass me spray me from head to toe with the water of the nearby puddle. It's almost comical. Something straight out of a movie... Interestingly enough, the cars manage to dodge the next puddle and leave the pedestrian in front of me perfectly unmolested... Never the less, I continued to trudge on. Inevitably at this point, I have to cross a low point in the street that is unpardonably flooded. (To this I have to add, that knowing the climate of England, you would think the Brits would have developed a better drainage system by now) Anyway- I carefully planned my route around the massive flooded puddle only to realize that mud surrounds it on every side and I will really save myself nothing by trying to muck around it. So, emerging from the puddle, I find myself completely dripping in spite of my umbrella, and now my shoes squish with every step... How lovely. Finally, I see it, the street entrance to my neighborhood... I walk through the partitions that keep cars out and you make my way toward my building when I feel my foot slide just a smidgen. (You know that slide where you are pretty sure your gonna bite it?) That's the one. By the grace of God I recover my footing and remain upright. I stumble in the door wet and a little irritated, but at least I'm home. I began to peel off the layers of soaked clothing. Finally, when pull of the last wet thing, all the while thinking "How in the world did that get so wet?"... I realize- That's England :)

It's been a while

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while... I could make up excuses, but they are all really rubbish in the end.
I am glad to be back in the U.K. The weather is considerably cooler and I miss the things I still find quirky about British culture. :) Like the fact that on a train full of people you can usually hear a pin drop because the idea of striking up a conversation with the person next to you would never cross your mind...
I just finished a Bill Bryson book about England. I found myself laughing outloud at his observations because they were sooo true. I think some of them can only really be appreciated by those who have spent considerable time here and aren't just passing through on a holiday.
At any rate, I am here, gazing out the window at the rain. Ah... England, how I have missed you...