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.

Today

Today started out to be a time for Ansley and I to go for a walk & take pics. Last night she said "I need to tell you something. Can we spend some time together tomorrow?" That warms my heart and humbles me at the same time. You see, we are together all the time! We are in a new place, in the snow, without a car or anyone we know well enough to babysit! But I know what she means- undivided attention. Well, making a long story short, we decided to all go out because it was raining and hardly anything was open because its a bank holiday and she really wasn't sold on going out but I had to get out of the house!! But they had our undivided attention and we had theirs with no competition from Wii or TV, so it was good. Here's pics of our explorations...





This old church had a great old cemetery (too many pics to post). But when we left, Ansley said "That was a really old place, with dead people and snow." That does make it sound more interesting...



Culcheth's Linear Park has a nature trail that took us back home! It was awesome!

My Observations Over the Past 4 Weeks

Well, tomorrow will mark 4 weeks since we moved to Culcheth. Time has flown by! The children will start school in a week and we all have mixed emotions about that. A little nervous, but I also know it is the best thing for everyone. It will allow them to make friends, get involved in activities and have some structure.

We have all been stuck in the house together these four weeks and it has taken its toll. We don't have a car yet, not that we could drive much anyway with snow and ice on the ground for almost 4 solid weeks! (The temps got above freezing today and the snow started to melt away. I'm very glad!! Its pretty to look at, but no fun to walk in!) I am really looking forward to getting a car so we can go explore other places in this beautiful country! (Or just go to the store and get stuff when we need it- I'm just sayin') What I want to do is go to different villages, take pics and blog about them. That's the new hobby I plan to have.

Slowly progressing is setting up our home. I really like our house and our neighborhood. Our next door neighbors have children the same age as Cullen & Ansley- boy and girl. The girl will be in Ansley's class, so I am really hoping for good friendships there. They are scarcely seen, so we have yet to play with them, although we built snowmen alongside them last weekend. Hopefully when the snow melts, they will come out and play.

I have had fun at the grocery store, decoding items. I read all the labels to see what things are, because i learned that just because it has the same name does not mean it tastes the same! For instance, here Old El Paso taco seasoning DOES NOT taste like taco seasoning. But, I can use chili seasoning and it does taste like taco seasoning. Ranch dressing...not so much! It says it, but its not IT. The other day I was at the store, looking at an apple pie, reading the label very closely. I felt a lady beside me, just watching me and I could tell she was wondering why I was so intently looking at it, as if I've never seen an apple pie before.

I'm getting used to standing out, looking and sounding different. (As used to it as I can get, you must know I hate to stand out) This is a small village, and word is getting around that Americans have moved in. I find it funny that on two different occasions, people have asked Trace if he's from Australia. I try to listen to hear what our accents must sound like to them.

This is a lovely place. The people are very sweet. Ansley said tonight "Are there any bullies here? I bet not, because this is a sweet place." We have been overwhelmed with love from our new church family- but that's a blog for another day...

What To Do Before the Holiday Craziness Begins...

These last few weeks have been crazy-visas, packing, finding a home in Culcheth, living around boxes...Did I mention boxes?





So, now that all is packed, visa info is sent off, and house is held I can breathe a little. And I sit and think, "what else do I need to do in these last 4 weeks before we move across the pond?" CHRISTMAS CARDS! I do not want to think about that once I'm there! I've just gotten good at Christmas cards the last couple of years-because I can't resist cool designs and my children's pictures on printed paper. Shutterfly is mostly what I use for my prints, photobooks, cards and even website to share photos, so they are awesome. So, I'm browsing and I thought I'd show you some of my favorites:









Well, now that's figured out, what do I give for Christmas gifts? *SPOILER ALERT-hope our parents aren't reading this post* Maybe a calendar for the grandparents, since they won't see their babies next year...


(Shutterfly has offered to give me 50 free cards for blogging. Cha-ching! But let it be known, Shutterfly has awesome quality and I would use them again anyway, even if this wasn't an offer. But I am a missionary, and frugal is the name of the game!)

If you blog, you should do the same...Calling all bloggers! You can receive 50 free greeting cards from Shutterfly http://bit.ly/sfly2010