Lots going on

It's been a while since I have posted a blog and for you regular readers, I apologize. I suppose that if you read this regularly, you already know what has been going on with me for the past month I have been absent. During this time I got engaged and am now planning a wedding for April of 2010. He's wonderful and we are both so excited. I guess that sums it up!

The Shack

If you know me, you know that I am not one to get on a bandwagon. Music, a book, a movie... whatever it is, I tend to avoid things that everyone else finds "Amazing" and "Wonderful"... Even to this day, I have not seen the movie, "Titanic"... Too much hype.

While I was at home in October, several friends recommended that I read "The Shack". I was reluctant at first because it was the new "Christian book" that needed to be read. I don't really get into those things... "The Prayer of Jabez", "The Purpose Driven (insert word here)", the latest book by Joel what's his name.... These are certainly not books that have made their way into my library, because I generally find they are full of hype and a 5 step plan. What is interesting is that I don't really feel like God works that way. I don't think that God creates recipes and formulas for spiritual life. He calls us to respond to his Spirit. I don't believe that looks the same for every person. If it did, I am sure he would have written these formulas himself and he would have published them in the Bible. A 5 step plan for everything...

Ironically, I used to work at a Christian bookstore, so I always knew what the latest "must read" book was. As I got recommendations for this book, I was certain it was just another of these books.... I couldn't have been more wrong.

If you are reading this blog, you need to read this book. It is beautiful. It speaks truth in such a sweet way. It is a fictional novel, not something that only a deep theological mind, or "good Christian" can understand. It challenges some of the things that we think about God, but might be too cowardly to express. It is a good reminder of the true character of God.

If you can't afford a copy for yourself, I will be happy to purchase one for you. That is how much you need to read it... Don't take my word for it. Read if for yourself.

Unexpected places

Sometimes the Lord speaks to us from unexpected places... I am sure that this is no surprise, or certainly it shouldn't be a surprise, but today I was blessed in this way. Let me tell you about it.

It all started with an email...
Here in the UK I can literally count all of my friends on one hand. Don't take the opportunity to feel sorry for me. I am okay with that. :-) The odd thing is, none of these friends are Christians. They all know that I am a religious person and that I believe in the Bible and in going to church etc... I have one friend, Sanette, who is South African. Her mother is a believer, but from what I understand from Sanette, she is really intense and judgemental about her religion... No room for fault in others. Sanette herself has said that she sees me differently because I am not judgemental of others. At any rate, this past week Sanette sent me an email about the clip below.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

The email contained a link to listen to this real radio call in from a 13 year old boy in Nebraska... Let me preface this by telling you that I have been feeling a bit lonely the past couple of days and really missing all of my Christian friends and family back home... I have really missed having encouragement from Christian people...

Listening to this young boy explain that God understands how we feel really spoke to me. And from all places, this message came via a non-believing friend. Isn't it amazing how God works?

I really feel like God is working in Sanette's life right now and I am praying that I will have more opportunities to share with her about my faith. Anyway- just be reminded that God can speak to you from unexpected places... just when you need it most. God gives you just what you need when you need it. He can give me words of encouragement through non-believing friends, just like he can through those who believe... That's just awesome.

Extension...

If you have not already heard, I believe I will be extending my term here for a further 6 months. This should bring me up through September of 2009. Ironically, this is when my work permit expires. Coincidence??? I think not. There are still some outstanding details so this isn't carved in stone, but it is pretty much a done deal. Hopefully as a part of staying longer, I will be moving a little closer to the city. Not because I really like the busyness and hustle and bustle, but because it will make my commute considerably shorter... We will see how all of the details work out. Hopefully this will give some folks a chance to come visit, or perhaps come again... Although, in this economy travelling is not the first thing on everyone's minds.

Anyway- That's the latest on me. I'll be sure to give an update soon.

Christmas with Sarah

This year for Christmas, my friend Sarah came to visit me. I am so glad she did. Otherwise I would have been a sad sack. :-) We did everything there is to do, and then more. We saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tate Modern Museum of Art, The Tower of London, the British Museum, the National Gallery, two West End Shows, Brick Lane, Chinatown, the Portobello Road Market, the Camden Market, Lloyd's of London, Fuzzy's Grub (my favorite breakfast hot spot) and lots of Starbucks and other cafe's. We also went to Oxford one day and did a self-guided tour. It was pretty fun. Don't worry we had plenty of time to goof off and do nothing too. Not to mention the food. We had Thai, Chinese, Nepalese, Indian, Italian, Mediteranean... You name it, we tried it. :-)

This will certainly be a Christmas to remember...

Wish you could have come too...

The Mousetrap

Last weekend, my friend Michelle and I had made plans to see Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap". This play has been running for over 50 years on London's West End... Michelle, a Brit herself, had never been to see it and we've been talking about it since I arrived. We decided that as a Christmas present to one another, we would go together.

Well, we booked our tickets ages ago and decided on the cheap seats. After all, your still seeing the same show and most of the theaters here are small enough that you have a pretty good view from everywhere.

Saturday arrived and we met at the train station. We found our way to the theater and picked up our tickets then went for a coffee before the show started. When we returned to the theater we went in and asked an usher where we needed to go to find our seats. He explained that we needed to go back outside and down two doors to the left. Then he said, "but you girls look as if you've dressed for the occasion... follow me." We did follow him and he took us to two seats in the "dress circle" section of the theater. These seats were AMAZING! Much better than the cheap seats we had purchased. He told us that no one would be sitting there for the show and he would like for us to sit there. So, thanks to the really kind usher, we had a free upgrade. Can you believe that?

The show was fantastic! I can't of course, tell you who the killer was... you will have to come see for yourself. :) Overall, this treat made for a really wonderful day with a friend and a much needed break on the weekend.

I hope that something equally delightful happens to you!

Three blogs in one

Okay, this blog and the two after it all go together... Read this one, then look at the pictures in the next and then read the last one. Then laugh at me and have a good day :)