Friends

Wednesday afternoons used to be homeschool group.  A time when a few homeschooling mums and their children would gather at our home and just relax (Well at least the mums would relax, sometimes the kids got a little wound up!!!)

I have really enjoyed these afternoons and appreciate the friendships that have developed and will continue, even though there will be miles between us.

Last night two of the families treated Gary and I to a date night!!  We actually got to spend the whole evening together, alone, just the two of us, no interuptions - it was wonderful.

So thank you my friends for providing the money and the child care to enable us to do this.  It was much appreciated.

Michelle

Road Trip!!

Last week we took a road trip. Traveled 850 miles (which is quite a lot in England) over 8 days and visited with many friends and family. I hope to share our journey with you over the next few days.


We began our journey on a Saturday and stayed at my parent's home (although they were away in Thailand) and used it as a base for 3 days. The next day we visited Upper Stratton Baptist Church which is where I worshiped for the first 22 years of my life. The building has changed quite a lot since I left, but there were still many of the same faces (and many new ones too).

I had the privilege of sharing with the Church about the journey the Lord has taken us on over the last 16 years and about what the Lord is doing with us now by leading us to Zambia. I also enjoyed chatting with people, many of whom I have not seen for a number of years.

One very dear friend of mine (who now lives 2 hours from the Church) got her family up early and drove all the way to the church in time for the 11 am service. After Church we went out for lunch and spent the afternoon together.

It was a wonderful time of catching up on news and watching the children thoroughly enjoy each others company. But good times come to an end so quickly, don't they? And before we knew it, the time had come to say goodbye. Goodbyes are never easy, but when you don't know how many years will pass before you see each other again, it just makes it that much harder. I do thank God though, because I know that our friendship is strong enough to survive the miles and time apart and of course emails and Skype make bridging that gap so much easier.


After leaving my friend and her family we began our journey back to my parents home. On the way we stopped at some friends of my parents who I know wanted to be filled in about our move to Zambia. We stayed there for about an hour before continuing our journey.


A day full of friends, well behaved children (thankfully!!) and many happy memories.

Michelle

Bonfire Night

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

And in England we don't forget. November 5th is an annual celebration of the foiled attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 by a number of Catholic conspirators including Guy Fawkes.


Traditionally we celebrate by lighting a bonfire and setting off fireworks. Throughout Leeds there were 5 sites where public fires and firework displays were organized. One of these was at Springhead Park, which is adjacent to where we live.

The Park personnel spent 2 days building the fire. The boys could see the huge pile of wood from their bedroom and were amazed as truck load upon truck load of wooden pallets were brought in.

There were several thousand that attended, but I think we had just about the best view as we stood at the property line between our place and the park. We had no one in front of us.

As the fire roared the heat became really intense and the people who were watching from the park had to move back about 20 ft from the rail to escape the heat.

Then at 7.30 the firework display began. We were treated to a 25 minute show of spectacular fireworks.

It was a really good evening as we shared it with friends.

It did remind us a little of the US Independence Day with the incredible fireworks BUT November 5th in England is definitely a little .... I mean a LOT colder than July 4th in Missouri!!!!


By Friday morning all that remained was a small pile of smoldering ashes and memories of a good evening.

Michelle

Thanksgiving .... In October???

Yesterday it was Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know it was October, but we celebrated yesterday for a couple of reasons.

First, because Mick, Amy (friends from Church) and their children normally celebrate Thanksgiving in October.

"Why?" I hear you ask.

Because Amy is Canadian and they observe Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October . So, instead of getting together on the American day or the Canadian day, we compromised by celebrating somewhere in the middle.

The second reason is that November 26th, which is the American Thanksgiving this year, (and also our 15th wedding anniversary!!!) is a normal work day here in England.

Therefore we decided to celebrate yesterday, with good friends, good food and because all the pumpkins disappear from the store immediately after 31st October!!!