We fancied a wander in London...

My hands were numb. My nose was red and runny. My ears felt like they were going to fall off. But sight-seeing in London this weekend was ALL WORTH IT! First we took a bus to the Tower of London. I kind of expected it to be like this tall, lone tower standing in the middle of London. Nope. I was wrong. It is a castle that is surrounded by a tall stone wall. It is absolutely gorgeous and it was so great to learn about where England’s monarchs have lived for over 500 years! We saw the Traitor’s Gate, where Anne Boleyn and Sir Thomas Moore were taken through when going to their beheading just outside the tower. I was also able to see the armory and the crown jewels! OH. MY. GOSH. I saw the largest diamond in the world (The First Star of Africa) which is part of the Queen’s scepter. Also, the robe she wears during her coronation is 20 pounds and uses pure gold thread. It was absolutely amazing. The Tower was just absolutely fantastic and I loved seeing everything it had to offer!

When we tried to go to Buckingham Palace yesterday, there was a student protest going on. They were protesting the fact that the price for tuition had gone up, leaving those with loans more in debt. It was supposed to be a peaceful march but when we went by there were police cars everywhere. We noticed it started to get a little out of hand and we booked it out of there! Today, I was fortunate enough to see Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard. There were a lot of people there so it was really hard to see but it was worth it. Also, the flag was flying above the Palace which means that the Queen was home! I couldn’t see her in the house but I waved hello anyways.

When we arrived at Westminster Abbey, the church was in service and we were not allowed in since they had already started. However, it was one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen and I stared at for a very long time. I was in awe of the fact that these men, who had no where near the technology that we have now, were able to create such a beautiful building. And not only that, but they spent so much time building a beautiful CHURCH. I wish we still did that today. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, in America, our best architectural achievements were churches?

We then made our way over to Kensington Gardens and saw the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and the infamous Peter Pan statue. The gardens were beautiful and it was so great to be able to walk around and enjoy the sun (which was a miracle since they never see sun in England).

There was so much that we didn’t have time to see. I would have loved to go to Notting Hill, Kings Cross (train station in Harry Potter), Picadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square. I am dying to see the Winston Churchill War Rooms. But I’m sure we will go again!

"Lets take a wander towards the Chippie!"

Today was full of firsts.

For example… I was late!! If you know me at all you know that punctuality is one of the things I really adhere to and I was so embarrassed that I arrived late to the elementary school today. Luckily it was a teacher work day but my jetlag really got the best of me today. I was so embarrassed when I arrived at school totally disheveled but they were so nice and told me not to worry about it. I met with the principal and did some online training so I should be ready to start on Monday! Ahhhh! And I swear I will not be late (I bought an alarm clock!)

When I came back, Emily, Meredith, Kendall, and I wanted to take a walk to town. We went downstairs for some directions. The lady at the front (a native Brit) pretty much told us that we were crazy to WALK to the nearest town because it was a couple of miles away. Our first British person encounter. But we told her that we were pretty much dying to go somewhere off base. She goes “well, if you fancy a wander….” And then preceded to give us directions. Fancy a wander? FANCY A WANDER? What?? Isn’t that just a crazy way to say “take a walk.” So crazy. We told her that we wanted to go to a fish and chips store and she replied “The Chippie?? In might be closed”. She called to make sure and it turns out they were open. Since we did “fancy a wander” to the “chippie” we took her advice and walked the 2 miles to the nearest town, Feltwell. We walked out of the base gate and then had to figure out what side of the road to get on. The drivers here are crazy and we might have been in a couple of close calls with cars. But we survived and found our way around our first little English town. It truly looked exactly what I expected. It had wrought iron fences and hedges all the way around. There were like sod roof type things on the top of the houses and mossy green grass everywhere. Ivy was even growing along the side of buildings. It was so absolutely adorable.The picture below describes how beautiful it was:



 We finally found the “chippie” and ordered our first British food: cod and chips! It was really good food! We then walked the two miles back onto the base.

Such a great day of firsts!

So we have been on base less than a day, and I can tell we are just beginning this adventure. Yesterday was absolutely crazy! Literally. But I should start with our flight.

All eight of us were incredibly excited to get on our flight! We were all laughing and semi-yelling. I think I may have even fist-pumped when our plane took off. All of a sudden, the stewardess came next to us and said “I’m sorry, I think customs in England will have to send you back.” I was about to apologize for being so loud and swear that I would never laugh again when she said “I don’t know if they will let people from Oklahoma in!” Turns out, she is from Tulsa. All of the flight attendants were so nice to us and continually joked with us throughout the flight. I watched two movies on the plane (The Social Network and Life As We Know It) and then slept pretty much the rest of the way. There were like 5 empty rows in the back of the plane (where we were) and we all spread out! It was really great except… for the lady sitting next to me! She was from Africa and barely spoke any English. So whenever food service came around I had to try to help translate for her what she was eating. First, I tried to help her understand the concept of a pretzel. Very difficult.  But she really liked pretzels and even asked if she could have the rest of mine (mind you I was still eating them) but I gave them to her anyways. She also seemed to need me to do everything for her right when I was dozing off… like pull off her jacket, or show her how to open the plastic around her blanket. Haha but the plane ride went fine over.

After we got off the plane at London Heathrow Airport, we realized we were about a 15 minute walk from where our bags were. But our bags did all arrive and in good condition. However, we had to walk about 3 more miles (literally all uphill) to our bus terminal. After we were profusely sweating, we waited around for our bus to arrive. On the bus ride to the base, I slept. I think I may have even drooled I was in such a deep sleep. So I literally saw none of England on the 2 hour drive to Lakenheath.

When we finally arrived, we had a man with a gun check us onto base. We all literally felt that any sudden movement might be a bad idea. Luckily, we all made it past the barb-wire fence and went on to get our military IDs. Honestly, if we didn’t have teachers on base helping us, I don’t know how we would have gotten all the paperwork done.  They also took us to the BX (think of a combo of walmart, JC Pennys, and the food court of a mall…. Very odd, I know) and to the commissary (a grocery store). We also were taken to our rooms at RAF Feltwell. This base has absolutely nothing except a convenience store and an elementary school. Literally. And there are no shuttles from one base to another so we rely solely on others offering their cars. The girls and I think our base is similar to BIG BROTHER in that there isn’t much contact to the outside world. Emily and I even went running today around the base and went up to look at the barbwire fence that surrounds the base. We literally sat there starring at the field that was beyond the fence and felt like a scene from “1984” to where we could see the outside world but couldn’t reach it.

We are going this weekend to London and I cannot wait to see everything the city has to offer. Hopefully, we will meet Colin Firth or Hugh Grant!

Stillwater

“Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.”- Dr. Seuss

When I first heard this quote I immediately thought of my time at college. I graduate in May but am student teaching abroad for my last semester. Two days ago, I had to say goodbye to all of my friends and the place that I have called home for the past 3 and a half years: Stillwater, Oklahoma.

When God first placed OSU on my heart, I was anxious because Stillwater was such a small town and didn’t seem to have anything very exciting about it. I mean, there isn’t even a TARGET, people!!! But God knew what he was doing. There is something amazing about Stillwater. It has this small-town feel that I never thought I would appreciate or enjoy. And when I look back and think on all of the memories that I have made there, something inside me wells up that I can’t really explain with words. It’s just a good feeling. It’s the place that God used to teach me more about Himself. It’s the place where I made best friends. The place where I gained sisters (shout-out MLZ)!!

I think Stilly is the way it is because of the people who live there. The students there are truly unique. I noticed from the first time I visited that they are kind, helpful, and loyal. And the group of friends that I found loves the Lord! Is there anything better? God has used these people in so many ways to shape my life. I will be eternally grateful to every one of them.

When I look back on all of my memories at OSU, I can’t help but smile!

The body of Christ

Last night, I was able to spend time with many friends as we all got together to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Her birthday was in December but she wasn’t able to celebrate because on that day, sadly, her parent’s house burned down. She lost many treasures, but most importantly, she lost many cards that she had received from family and friends over the years. My friends decided that this is not okay and we all got together yesterday to celebrate her and her presence in our lives, as well as to give her cards of encouragement and Walmart gift cards (to help her start her life over). While it was an absolutely wonderful time that centered around rejoicing rather than mourning, I saw a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Friends gathered around their friend and praised God for what happened and how it has encouraged us all to be thankful for everything we have.

It reminds me of the book of Job, when, in verse 8 of chapter 1, Christ asked Satan “Have you considered my servant Job”? Satan was determined to prove that Job would renounce Christ if he took all of his possessions and his family, but was surprised when Job turned around and said “The Lord has given and has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised” (v. 21).

I could not imagine what it would be like to lose your home, your memories, and your life. But what I pray is that I would respond the same way my friend did, with songs of thanksgiving.  God has chosen to bestow so many blessings on me and my family but I am now reminded that God could take it away. It is all his. But what I saw on my friends face was that if everything else was stripped away, she would still have her savior, who she is utterly in love with. No one can take that away from us. Thank you God for being enough!

Lastly, I was so comforted to see the church rise up and take care of one of its own. This is exactly what Christ meant when he said “But God has combined the members of the body… so that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26). I am so blessed to be a part of this body.

            God has used this verse to comfort me recently and I hope it helps you as well:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”- Matthew 11:28-30

Inspiration for my blog name

So I have given in and joined the blogging world. I have been telling everyone that I would try to keep them updated on my events in England and I thought that a blog would be the best way to do that. Now, I can feel like I am still connected with everyone while still thousands of miles away.  To be honest, I don't really know what to write quite yet because I want to be funny and witty but nothing funny or witty has happened to me recently. Plus, when Gilmore Girls is on TV, I always feel inadequate to their wit and social references!
Speaking of witty, I called Aszia and asked her to come up with a witty title for my blog page. She is the best at catch phrases and idioms. I was thinking something cute like "epistle from England" or "the London times" (see why I needed Aszia's help). But when I took a second to really think about what I hope my time is like in England, I realized that I really just want it to be a time when I realize how much bigger and greater my God is than I make him out to be. I am going to a completely different country to do my student teaching. I am hoping that I will realize that God is bigger than the little box that I put him in. He is working in England. His hand is all over Europe (churches, cathedrals, etc.) and I am going to see it first hand. But most of all, I really feel that God has a big plan for me and England is part of that plan. I am praying the my time there is well spent to his glory. I love it in Romans when it says:
" Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the 
glory forever! Amen."- Romans 11:33-36

I hope that my time in England reflects this thought. That is my prayer. And I will appreciate all of your prayers while I am over there.