The Bush Baby has become a City Girl

Not entirely.  But considering I grew up in the African Bush, I think it's funny that I enjoy living in the city.  A while ago I was in the car with a friend as we (accidentally) drove through New York City.  I thought the skyline was really pretty...

The Storm

On Sunday, I attended a church called highrock.  A friend heard good things about it, so we went to visit.  I felt at home with their great mix of ages and nationalities and a blend of ritual and personal elements to the service.

The pastor, Dave, spoke on the Sermon on the Mount, which they have apparently been preaching on for quite some time.  This week the reading was Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus told his disciples a parable about building a house on a rock, rather than a house on the sand.

He also spoke about trusting God during the storms.  The pastor made two comments that I jotted down quickly, comments which were great reminders to me.  In regards to the man who built his house on the rock, Jesus said: "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had it's foundation on the rock."  Pastor Dave made a careful clarification for the congregation: 

"God is not offering us protection from the storm.  He is offering us protection in the storm."

At a later point in the sermon, Pastor Dave spoke further on God's provision.  As I was thinking about his words, I realized that so often I want God to give me a proof that He will provide for me in the future.  Mulling over Pastor Dave's words has been good for me in the past  two days.  I've begun to realize, perhaps I need to just remember the consistency of God.  He has provided in the past, and I have no reason to doubt that He would change.

"Trust God will provide because He always has."

Nantucket!

I've been able to take a few days of personal time to enjoy the summertime and to rest!  I went to Nantucket with L and it was gorgeous!  I love the water and the sunshine and the boats and the clouds and .... yep, it was a perfect day!

Summer cleans, holidays, and sunshine

I've been spending the last week with family at Red Barn Farm.  It was so much fun to celebrate the 4th of July in the USA :)  I have also been here for the summer clean :)  I was wildly impressed by my uncle and cousin, who had a vacuum on the roof to clean the gutters!  No spot of dirt escapes these folks!

      

It has been relaxing to be here at the farm.  The dogs are such entertainment (all four of them!), Whitey and Maple (baby calves) are cute, and the family time has been the best, although not everyone has been here.  I've spend my mornings/afternoons working on some assignments for while I'm here in the USA, and the evenings have been for relaxing.  We celebrated the 4th with corn on the cob, cheesy potatoes, and burgers and zucchini on the grill.  I was even spoiled with a sun-dried tomato veggie burger!  Life is good.

Rainer Marie Rilke

I've turned into my dear grandfather.  I talk to everyone!  No one believes I'm shy anymore.  Lines at the store, on the train, planes....One of my more recent plane conversations was with a young guy named Saul.  He was also on his way to the UK, and we both got a little lost in the tiny Halifax airport.  We laughed at how we can negotiate five terminals at Heathrow no problem, but we got turned around in Halifax of all places.  To be fair, they don't have very good signage!  We were on the same flight to London and sat next to each other at the gate, waiting as our flight was delayed several times, until we were finally able to board at 12:30 a.m.

As we waited, Saul started reading a book of poetry by Rilke.  He shared this one with me, and I rather liked it:

She was almost a girl and forth she leaped

from this harmonious joy of song and lyre, 

shining through her springtime veils and clear, 

she made herself a bed in my ear.  And slept

in me.  Her sleep was everything.  The trees

that I had always loved so much, and these

palpable distances, the field I felt, 

and each amazement that to me befell.

She slept the world.  Ah, singing god, how have

you so perfected her, she did not crave 

to waken first?  She rose and fell asleep.

Where is her death?  Before your song is lost, 

can you not find this motif?  To what deeps

does she sink from me--where? ....A girl

almost.....

The bright side of visa problems

I'm a bit of a Pollyanna at times, and I will continue to be with my visa situation as well.  A definite bright spot was Friday morning, my best friend from childhood had her second child.  I had already been in London when her first son was born last March and didn't even see the baby until he was 5 months old.  This time, I was able to go the hospital and hold Colin James and see Amy.  It was a real treat, and I'm so thankful to have been here!  

Introducing Colin James to the world :)

DC Zoo

I used my day off to visit the DC Zoo.  I'm not really a fan of zoos (growing up seeing a lot of exotic animals in their natural habitat does that!), but it was such a fun day.  I love the the cuddly ones, but even some of the creepy crawlies were fun to photograph, as long as there was thick glass between us!    

Red Panda :) My favorite animal of the day!

Memorial Day

I don't consider myself to be much of a farm girl, but it was wonderful to be back at Red Barn Farm for Memorial Day.  I arrived back in the USA on Friday and Saturday, my grandparents collected me from my sister's and brought me to the family farm.  As much as I'm enjoying life in London, it felt good to come back to the vibrancy of Pennsylvania farmland.  

Within an hour of being back, my grandpap sent me off to the cherry tree with a challenge to pick more than I ate.  He knows me well!

Memorial Day, my sister and her husband came to the farm as well.  They proceeded to pick the entire tree!  

The end result: yummy yummy cherries for us all with plenty to share!

Books, Books, and Books :)

Valerie and I devoted Friday to cataloguing our developing library for religious studies.  We anticipated it would take about two hours of one person reading titles and authors and the other typing.  In true form, it took us more like four or five hours, with a lunch break for Chinese and Magnum bars in the middle of the day.  As we always do, we had a good time as we worked, particularly as I stumbled over exotic names or Valerie misheard.    

Here was one such goof:  

Hope: The Message of John.  It's a commentary.

Valerie: Oh, by John Stott?

Hope: No, by Bruce Milne.

Valerie: But it's John, right?

Hope: No, it's Bruce.... Oh, wait, I get what you mean.  Yes, it's the book of John.

Valerie: It's "The Book of John?"  I thought it was the Message of John?

Pause for a deep breath as we both giggle outrageously at our confusion over such a simple title.

Hope: The Message of John by Bruce Milne, which is a commentary on the biblical book of John.  Done.  

Yo Sushi

I was challenged to try sushi.  I've never had a desire.  I believe the pictures speak for themselves.

The initial procrastination of perusing the menu

False bravado

A brave attempt

Just no.

Will never repeat this process again!

Webb Patent Sewer Gas Lamp

You really can find anything in London.  My friend Chris was just visiting and one place we stopped was a little off the beaten path and was instead on the "smelly path."  Apparently, this is the last remaining Gas Lamp in London.  It was invented in the 19th century to utilize  the fumes from sewers.  Well, maybe it's energy efficient, but I'm kinda glad all of London doesn't smell like Carting Lane, the home of the the Sewer Lamp.  It runs all day and night though :)

Ellies in London

A few weeks ago, 260 painted elephants showed up in London.  They are part of a campaign to raise awareness for Asian elephants and protect their habitats.  If you are interested, read more about the Elephant Parade.

Portobello revisited

This afternoon, we celebrated L's birthday with coffee and sweets at Gail's Bakery, a fun little place on Portobello.  

Afterwards, I was rather entertained by shop signs :)

The Little Man

He came with his nanny to our International Lunch :)  

Packages!

I'm being spoiled via Royal Mail. Each day for about five days now, I've had something, either a card or a package from home waiting for me when I return to my flat.   Today it was this little guy: 

I sat down and cried.  It's been a long few days, with a lot going on in my life and work and several different friends going through difficult times.  Having just come from coffee with one such friend, my heart was heavy.  I had a long bus ride, thanks to traffic, and on the way was reminded of so many people who need prayer.  

Coming home to find this bear was such a blessing and I don't use that word lightly.  Love.  I felt so loved, by the sender and also by God.  God puts people in our lives to remind us of His love, and I'm so thankful for that.  To the sender of this little bear, and to all of you who send emails, cards, etc, thank you so much.  You make my day brighter and so often, God times those gifts to be received on just the right day.

Marrakech

Camden Town is a favorite place to explore.  Thanks to my friend Stephanie, I've become acquainted with a little Moroccan tea shop called Marrakech.  Its become a place I like to spend an evening with a friend.  They do make the best baklava, not as though I've ever had baklava that was bad! 

As you can see, its really charming!

  You should come visit and I'll take you for coffee or mint tea :)  And of course, baklava :)

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain

A friend of mine was able to visit with a few days vacation from her job as a nanny in Spain.  We wandered through Hyde Park and made our way to the Diana Memorial Fountain.  Along the banks of the Serpentine, its a lovely spot to sit on a sunny day.  Whenever I walk along the Serpentine, I can almost forget I live in a city....

I know the desire behind the creation of the memorial was to have a place reflect the qualities that endeared Diana to so many people.  Its a very welcoming place.  I remember reading that "visitors are invited to sit and refresh their feet" in the water of the fountain.  Because of that, every time I've been to the memorial, kids have been playing in the water.  I personally like to find a kid free spot and lay down in the sun.  Combined with the usual joy we all feel on sunny London days, the running water, and the sunshine, I can very easily take a nap!

Picnic lunch in Trafalgar Square

Absolutely gorgeous day!  Blue skies, actually nice and warm in the sunshine.  I ate my Ritz crackers (YES) and cheese and strawberries sitting next to this lovely fountain in Trafalgar Square, delighting in the sun on my face.  

I wasn't the only one enjoying the sun.  Mr Mallard joined me :)