All Quiet on the Merthyr Front

Today was the first day I had nothing planned to do. I awoke early to find Al's parents here. Chatted with them over several cups of coffee and toast. I then washed my clothes (which turned out to be slightly disastrous), ironed some clothes (people here iron everything except underwear), went on a short run, and had a quiet time. The run through the woods is feels safer than in Gaithersburg, and I'm banking on the judgment that it's safe. I ran into two sweet ladies and stopped in my sweaty grossness to speak with them for a few minutes. The Welsh are so kind.

I decided to walk into town to find somewhere to sit and read. I started walking to the library, but got a bit lost. When I asked a woman for directions, she told me to walk with her and she would show me. So I did and had a lovely chat about the town. Sitting down to read at the old library, a man of about 55, with a Chemistry book in hand, sat down next to me. He started talking and didn't stop for quite some time. Finally, he packed up to leave, without having read one word of his book. Sweet man. With very blue eyes. You see more people with green and blue eyes here. I love it.

Picked little Nathan from school and had a series of skypes with people from home. I do miss people, but not to the point where I feel faint. Because Jesus is here. Jesus is with me. Always. And when I do feel lonely here, with no people my age and a light schedule, I remember I am not alone. And I won't be alone. Ever. Because Jesus suffered and was alone on the cross, I will never be alone. God, my Father, is always near.

Thai dinner with the fam, movie with Cerianne, and reading tonight.