Chester

Saturdays are reserved for family and we usually spend it venturing out to see and enjoy this beautiful country! Today we went to Chester, which is about 40 minutes away from Culcheth. Trace and I have been a couple times before, but we knew the kiddos would like it too! We walked on Roman walls from 70 AD, played in a Roman Ampitheatre, went through a church founded in 689 and saw ruins! We also ate two "American" meals and browsed the Disney store!

The craziest thing that happened was after taking 115 pictures of everything awesome, the memory card in my camera died! I was so bummed and we eventually found a Panasonic store to buy a new SD card. They said that my card couldn't withstand the low temperatures (it was freezing today!). So, I got a new card that is supposed to hold up in -20 degrees Celcius! The bad news is that ALL my pics from the morning were lost. The good news: my precious husband retraced our steps so I could retake photos at our favorite spots! The only thing we didn't do is go in St. John's Church again- founded in 689, still an active church! But, I can go back and take pics there again, since we live here! So, we got some good ones the second time around and here's a few...


Along the Roman wall

Walking on the wall


Part of St. John Church, founded in 689 AD, in ruins. The other part is still an active church!

Roman Amphitheatre


The funny thing about this sign is that its outside an upscale home decor shop. We didn't go in to get our free miracles and healing...

What a great quote on this building!

I Love to Tell the Story...

I am disturbed by the disconnect between parents and their children. There are subtle signs like little to no communication from the teachers about what the kids are learning. Only a homework sheet sent home once a week.
Today I went in to ask when lunchtime was, so I could eat with Ansley and possibly Cullen too, if he wanted me to. The teacher looked at me like I was crazy! "Why would you want to do that?" she asked,with her head cocked to the side. " Is there something wrong?"
I just explained that Ansley had been asking if I could and that was a very normal occurrence at our old school. Also, some girls have been teasing Ansley and she wants me there. So, I gave up on eating lunch, but the teacher said she'd keep an eye out for kids picking on her.

I wonder as I go to the school office to ask questions or speak to the teachers if this is unusual to them. Today I met with the assistant principal and she said they welcome parental involvement and its an open door policy, but I get the feeling it doesn't happen much. I am not trying to undermine the authority by asking questions, only find out as much as I can about what they are learning so I can make sure they are transitioning well and understanding. That's numero uno priority for me!

There are also bold signs, like unruly children and frustrated parents. Its hard to see families (especially Christians) where the children know little or nothing of the Gospel. People who feel defeated by sin and keep an orphan mentality. So, the younger generation does not see the victory we have in Christ, the hope of the Gospel! They see the rules they are unable to follow and don't understand grace. They may have more of a connection with their friends than family, and what do their friends believe? When did people stop telling the story to the next generation?
"6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deut. 6:6-7

I was thinking yesterday how our children are in the midst of the culture, even more than Trace and I. They are in the secular world most of the time, and without us there with them. So, what do we do, as parents of children being thrust into this almost Godless society? I pray like mad for them and talk to them as much as I can. I just have to trust that the Lord will guard their little hearts and minds. I will have to remember to always have the story to tell them...

Ladies I've Met

Pray for Katherine. She is a newly-single mom with two children, one of which is in Ansley's class. I was introduced to her at school and now I see her everywhere I go. It only took a couple of times chatting before she opened up about her life. She had to leave her husband, home and all her belongings in a rush around Christmas time. She's moved to a new house, new town and having to start over with her two children. She brings her kids here because its a good school, but she takes the bus from a nearby town. The school principal contacted someone from our church, so maybe they could help her and GFC has been able to. She hasn't come to our church yet, but its good that we have a presence at school so folks think of us to help when its needed.

Laura is my next door neighbor. I didn't meet her for several weeks after we moved in because, in good British fashion, she is very shy and reserved. She and her husband have an 8 yr old boy and a 5 yr old girl- just like our kiddos! Their daughter is actually in Ansley's class! Before school started we had only heard rumors kids lived there because we NEVER saw them!
One day after dance class, we walked home together and chatted as the kids talked and played and ran ahead. It was good. The next day, she waited to see if I wanted to walk with her. I thought that was HUGE! Last week, she let the kids play in our house and she came over later and had tea. We chatted for awhile. Its still awkward, sometimes we talk when we see each other, sometimes not. Soon, I plan to invite her to lunch or plan for the family to come over and eat. I pray that this will be great friendships for all of us!!

Free Time, Ideas, and a Rabbit Trail

It is 8:45pm. My husband is out with friends, eating curry. My children are in bed. I am in bed. *sigh* A night to myself so I can read, blog, watch TV, whatever I want! I choose to get under the covers and get online.

As I'm typing, there are so many things going through my head. Things I need to do, should have already done, things I'd like to do. Here's my list:

* I think I will go workout in the morning, then head straight to the library for their book sale!
* I really need to pay a couple of bills. I should do that. Right after the book sale.
* I need to go turn off the mp3. Ansley fell asleep listening to Act of Congress and I can hear it still playing...
* I need to find curtains for our bedroom. I shall look online tonight.
* I must plan a meeting for Children's Ministry! Eek!
* Thank cards. Thank you cards. Thank you cards. Thank you cards. Thank you cards.
* I should finish the blog I started two weeks ago about two ladies I have met at school, Laura and Katherine.
* Friday morning is parents' coffee morning at the school. I forgot last time, wearing workput clothes, no shower, icky. I need to remember so I can shower and at least look like a normal person, so people would want to talk to me!

Which makes me think about a little boy in Cullen's class. He asked Cullen the other day if he was a Christian. Cullen said yes and the little boy said he was too. I told Cully that he should make good friends with that boy, because there are probably few believers in his class or school for that matter! I thought that was so sweet!

Today in RE class (that's Religious Education) Cullen got so upset because a child in his class said some very offensive things about Jesus. The teacher took Cullen out in the hall to calm him down, because he spoke up and was upset by what the child said. She explained to him that people have different beliefs and said next time he can share what he believes about Jesus. This should be interesting...

Please pray for my family, my children, my husband, our ministry. Although we are adjusting well, its still hard and we are being tried and tested. We feel helpless to do what all needs to be done here, but have so much hope, because we know we are not doing it in our strength. Praise the Lord!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

For those of you who know me, you know I love all things British! I love hot tea, castles, scones, Coldplay, accents, Princess Di, etc...the list goes on and on. I thought I would make a short list of my favorite things so far about living in England. This list will grow and change, but for now, in my limited experiences, here they are (and in no particular order):

1. Nutella in BIG, glass jars- This was a favorite of mine in the States, but its better here. I have it almost everyday, just spread on a piece of bread, fold it over and enjoy. I tell myself it gives me the protein I lack...

2. Hot tea- readily available anywhere you go! I LOVE this feature! Two sugars and milk please!

3. Old timey keys- This place is a giant clash of ancient and modern, and keys are just one example! I like using these old keys to unlock my doors, its just charming to me. The only other time I've used a key like this is to lock my cedar chest, just a novelty before.

4. Good customer service. Seriously, folks, even the teenagers that work at the cinemas are nice to you! The people at the stores use their British wit to break the ice and talk to you. I like that.

5. Kids in school uniforms. It looks nice and everyone is basically the same.

6. Very quiet, green place. Even though you are surrounded by people, you wouldn't know it. Its very quiet here. You hear the birds singing during the day and nothing at night. Its also very green, even in the dead of winter. So the birds are out in the trees right now and I like to watch them from my kitchen window.

7. So many photo opps! Everywhere you look is old, charming or different. The way I enjoy a place is by learning the history of it and taking pictures, and capturing its charming, beautiful or unusual traits.

8. Quick wit- I've never had much for Mr. Bean or Monte Python, but I love the quick wit of the Brits! They can instantly pick up on something funny about the obvious and say it. I wish I was a quick thinker, but I'm not. I can just enjoy those around me who are.