Reading all day

(I didn't take this picture, but I wanted to give an idea of where we were at. I'll post more pics when I get back)

Today, I listened to Jeff Purswell's message on waiting.. twice. It was wonderful. A needed reminder in a quiet season. Went through plenty of cups of coffee and two breakfasts as I listened. Our Christian lives are full of times of waiting. But this waiting should be an expectant waiting. God has good things in store. I have no clue what those good things are. I wish I did. I wish I knew what my next year would look like. What 10 years will look like. And I grow weary in waiting. I start asking God why he hasn't delivered. But oh. "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength." As we wait, he strengthens us. Listen to the message.

Quiet time in the garden. Yummy lunch. Reading, napping, and deep conversations with Britt on the lawn of a castle. Yes. A castle. Dinner with the Greasleys. Climbing a mountain. Going to a pub. Eating two huge bowls of icecream. Listening to Britt and Anna play instruments. This was my day.

Trip with Britt

Lazy Sunday afternoon. Naps all around. Full bellies. This little post will be to update you readers (probably just mom) about what Britt and I have been up to. I'll just give a few snap shots into what we've been doing in order to avoid a super long, boring post.

First off. Both England and the US are out. So football drama is overrrrr. Yes.

Second off. Brittany Kauflin is very godly.

Thirdy off. Rangers in parks don't like when your portable grills burn the grass black.

Tuesday and Wednesday: Oxford and London and travel to Shaftsbury. Already briefly discussed in the last post. Slightly insane. I saw my sin during this trip. Being in environments that never stop moving causes me to get anxious and irritable. I am still thinking about how to deal with these times. The Bible says that we can plan our way, but God determines our steps. And it tells us not to be anxious about anything. So when I get into these types of situations where I feel anything but comfortable, I need to remind myself that everything that is happening is under the control of the almighty Father. He sees me in the crowd and watches and cares for me. However, next time I go, I will plan better. As I sit here now, I also realize God might call me to this kind of city. If he does, I want to be ready to go... Even if it means sleepless nights in tiny bedrooms, loud sirens, little money, and no plans.

Thursday and Friday: The quaint Shaftsbury. We strolled around the beautiful town in Dorset. I cannot possibly explain how much I wanted to be in Pride and Prejudice during these two days. I would have LOVED to have had a full length dress and bonnet on while walking in the endless fields. And then to happen upon my Mr. Darcy at sunrise in a field. But alas, I settled with walking in a sundress with a wonderful group of people. The slow lifestyle was perfect for two days, but might grow old after a while. God has made us to be workers. Rest is wonderful, but ultimately, we are here to work as laborers for the Gospel. Let's go to heaven tired and there we will rest.

Friday night to Tuesday: Anna Greasely time. Anna has been the best little hostest. We have been to the breathtaking seaside with the teens and watched the sunset from a cliff. We have toured the streets of Bath. Bath was unexplainable. You MUST go there to experience its wonders. I would live there in a second. Well, not a second. Then BBQ with portable grills at a park with friends in Cardiff. Today was church and another BBQ. The rest of the time here will be spent just hanging out, I suppose. Bliss.

This week has been extremely busy. I have had a couple of little health issues that have made it uncomfortable. And I haven't had much time to read the Bible. Feeling less passionate this week about the Lord, but praying that God would meet me as I read His Word. Pictures are to come, but not until I arrive back in Merthyr.

I miss Merthyr. But I really miss home. Not sure why I miss home so much. But I do. However, I know God has me here for a reason. "For such a time as this" He has put me here and I will keep busy doing what I believe to be His work. Prayers are appreciated.

A minute to report from the country

We have arrived in the country of England. In a small town called Shaftsbury. I never want to go into London again. The only part of it I enjoyed was Hyde Park and being with Britt. But there was grace for even the low points.

-Found Britt in a massive train station
-Found our house that we stayed in
-Made instant Starbucks coffee
-Ran around Oxford, but found nothing except the pub CS Lewis and Tolkien wrote in
-Spent hours trying to figure out the public transportation system
-Drank coffee at an outside coffee shop
-Sat on a bench in Hyde Park
-Saw John Bunyan's burial ground
-Brit's wallet got stolen
-Arrived at the wrong train station
-Almost lost our bags on the train
-TIRED of city life

We arrived in the quaint town of Shaftsbury and were greeted by friendly faces. Went on a walk in rolling hills and grabbed a marvelous dinner and coffee. Markets and walks are in store for the next couple days. Praise the Lord. More details later!

Lazy Day?

Short post.


Church was amazing. Our joy is found in the HOPE we have in Christ. We should be "joyful ALWAYS" because Christ has redeemed us and heaven awaits us at the end of this life. This deep rooted joy is not circumstantial, but based on what has already been done on the cross and what is yet to happen in heaven. It's because of Jesus.

Oriental Garden for a filling of unlimited Chinese food. One of my personal favorites. Dave and Al were so kind to let me come along on this Father's Day excursion. I don't deserve their kindness to me.

Then a lazy day in the garden out back. I got through most of my book (The Heavenly Man). This book is a must read for Christians. This man put his hope in God (which I have been learning a lot about) and risked EVERYTHING for the sake of the Gospel. I have cried several times as his persecution was described in detail. God has put us here to tell his Gospel, no matter the cost. Played with kids. Talked with grandparents. Walked in the woods. Listened to a message. Are lazy days like this worthless? I think not. They are opportunities to learn and reflect on who God is. But for some reason, they do cause me to miss home more.

Bible Study

Yesterday was quite packed with lots of little happenings. I went to Amy's (a 24 year old that is married with one kid and is coming to DC for 9 months) in the morning for coffee. She is the sweetest. I see myself becoming friends with her even though we are in completely different seasons of life. I can't believe she is only 2.5 years older than me, but has a husband and child!

Then I went to Paul and Lisa's. Caleb was gone for the day, so the three of us, Nathan, and the baby went to town. This was Lisa's first time out and about since the birth. We had a yummy lunch (I had a jacket potato with chicken and mushrooms and butter) and coffee and walked around the small town. Chatting with them makes me feel at home. They are both so down to earth and funnyyy. And they have a love for their Savior that is evident upon talking with them. Can't wait to spend more time with them.
TTHEEN. Bible study! I was so excited to do this Bible study with 5 teenage girls. We studied the passage in James about being hearers and doers of the Word. Talked about why and how to read the Bible. It is God's word and is living and active. They opened up tons and I can't wait to spend the rest of the summer talking with them. The older girls haven't really had anyone to talk to, so this is perfect timing. God's timing always is. Went to teens with them after. Ate a lot of unhealthy food and watched football (soccer). Glad England tied.
Today I went shopping with Cerianne and Carys (girl in church). We went to Cardiff. I got loads from this shop called primart. While walking around, my heart was especially burdened. I looked around and most of the people were dressed to impress. They had the perfect tan, hair, shoes, jewelry, pants, shirt, dress, body, etc... I immediately started to feel inferior. I know that if I were to be put in a line-up with most of those girls, I would be quickly passed over and labeled "plain". This bothered me. A lot. Once I got home, I recalled a message I listened to on my run this morning. John Piper talked about the hope that we have in heaven. And how it's fine if I don't have anything but one pair of pants and one shirt here on earth. Because heaven is coming. And all this on earth will pass.
The second burden I had was for the poor I saw on the streets. Geez. I just wanted to go talk with them and give them food. I lack courage... I lack faith... I lack "know-how". Need to pray for wisdom and talk to people that are good at this.

Had the classic fish and chips tonight. I'm gonna get fat from all these chips (fries). I've had them nearly every day the last few days! They are a staple here.

Lydia

This morning was mums n' tots. I can't believe it's already been more than a week! I already feel much more comfortable with people!

Then I had the privilege of going to visit Lydia. She is a precious woman that is a bit older than I am. She was diagnosed with brain cancer last year and has undergone treatments. However, there are many complications that have followed the treatments. Since she isn't able to work or move around much right now, she can tend to be confined to the house. It was absolutely wonderful to visit her and have an awesome conversation with her. She is trusting God through one of the most difficult circumstances she will ever face. What a joy to be in her presence. I asked her what she did in all her time at home. She makes cards a lot. So I asked if we could do that together. I made a Father's Day card (which will arrive to you late dad...sorry! Forgot about the mail travel time to US). It was wonderful.

I then went to spend some time with Garreth and Angela Lloyd. Ate a yummy meal and talked over tea about his time in the US and my time here. We then loaded up their mini bus (it was a real mini bus to fit their 7 children and many visitors) and went on a car ride through some of the countryside. I am always amazed at the beauty that surrounds me. We talked about what God is doing throughout the areas adjacent to Merthyr and where harvesters are still needed to do missionary work among these rough areas. It's going to take lots of prayers, brainstorming, and ACTION.

Tomorrow is another busy day! Not finding much time to read. Had this idea that I would spend hours upon hours in empty fields reading books. God had other plans to spend time with people...which I love love love! However, I do want to allot some time to extensive reading of "Heavenly Man" next week.

xx(this is how everyone here finishes texts or messages. it means "kiss).

Fellowship of the Saints

Went to Paul and Lisa Edward's house today. She just had a baby and now has three children under the age of 3. I honestly don't know how she does it. I don't ever suppose I will be able to do what she does without loads of help. While two wild boys run around, she has a baby to feed and care for. And she is healing from the birth. My respect grew for mothers of newborns by leaps and bounds today.

Went to a church family's for tea (another name for dinner) and ate a huge amount of glorious food.

Allyson and Dave had home group tonight. We gathered in their living room, but only three members of the group showed up. Most of the other members were missing due to extremely strenuous health circumstances. They started sharing about all the different illnesses that the members had. And then Dave decided to lead in a time of prayer. In the midst of this time, Allyson felt the Lord lead her to see if she could go to the home of one of the members. After praying, we packed up and went to their house. This family absolutely amazed me. They have two children. Their little boy has cerebral palsy. The husband found out a year ago that he has MS. His body is rapidly growing weaker. Their group just began praying for them. I cannot explain the amazing experience this was for me. These people brought into the family of Christ were caring for each other with such sincerity. Tears fell from my eyes as I saw members speaking in tongues and cracking their Bibles open, providing hugs to comfort, words of encouragement, and offers of availability to serve. This is God's church at work. This is caring for the burdens of others. This is what we are called to. To serve and walk with the saints (1 Cor 12).