More Pictures of Leeds

This was the view of one of the entrances to Leeds indoor market

 

This was taken looking down one of the streets which was lined on both sides with shops. Despite England's reputation for always being wet and never sunny, this was a beautiful day. It was cold (in the 30's) but the sun was shining! In fact, we have seen the sun every day since we have been here - maybe not for long, but it has made an appearance!

 

This picture is a little blurred but I had to put it in as it shows the boys chasing the pigeons. We had trouble keeping the boys with us because as soon as they saw a pigeon the temptation was too strong and they were off chasing them!!

It was early Monday afternoon when this was taken. Gary was amazed at all the people that were around. Just imagine how busy this place gets on a Saturday, or before Christmas!!!

I think the highlight of the day for Daniel was watching 2 people get arrested. We are not sure what they did but Daniel was fascinated with the way the police showed up on their bikes!

Michelle

 

Rothwell

Behind the campus where we live is the town park so a couple of days ago we did a little exploring.

The kids had fun trying out the play equipment. We haven't seen many children up here playing though, probably because of the snow. There are a couple of good hills for sledging, but we don't have a sled so the kids tried sledging on plastic bags ... didn't work!!!

From the top of the hill, where the playground is located, I took these pictures of Rothwell.

Michelle

Jet Lag

Jet lag is a strange thing and affects different people different ways.

 

After being here for 5 days now I think most of us are on English time, but we have spent a few nights with the kids getting up at weird hours. One evening we had Daniel, Jeremiah and Deanna all get up after sleeping for just a couple of hours. They thought they were ready for the morning, but within a few minutes of laying of the couch they were asleep again.

 

When your sleep is messed up and you don't get up until 10.30am then your eating is messed up too. It has been interesting to try and get all of us back on a 'normal' sleep/wake routine!!

Michelle

An Incredible Welcome

The people here at Springhead Park House gave us an incredible welcome on Wednesday. Upon our arrival many appeared to help carry our cases in. Our home was decorated (including the front door - below) with balloons, cards and flowers.

We were amazed (and very grateful) for the amount of work they had put into our flat (apartment). A wall had been taken down to make more room, the place had been painted and all of the things that my sister and brother-in-law had brought up here were unpacked. The beds were made, the pantry was stocked and there was food in the fridge and food for us in someone else's freezer (we don't have our own yet)

Throughout Wednesday many people came in to introduce themselves and even offered to help us unpack. I'm sure it will take a while to get all the names straight.

On Thursday evening two of the ladies here brought us dinner so I wouldn't have to worry about cooking while I continued the unpacking.

So a BIG thank you to all here at Springhead Park House for making us feel so welcome and comfortable in our new home.

Michelle

From Dublin to Rothwell, England

Once we arrived in Dublin we had to go through Passport Control and security, which took some time. So when we reached the departure gate we only had just over an hour to wait for our connecting flight. The waiting area was fairly empty so the kids had an opportunity to run around. But before too long they started to get rambunctious. So went all else fails open up the laptop and put in a movie!! They only got to watch 20 minutes before we were called to board the plane.

The flight from Dublin to Manchester was only 40 minutes long. It seemed that as soon as we were up in the sky it was time to start the decent. Once we were above the clouds the views were spectacular. I wished the flight had been longer so I could have marvelled at the awesome work of God in the beauty of the top of the clouds. It was incredible.

Collecting our baggage at Manchester was interesting!!. Our 16 pieces (plus hand luggage) took up 4 carts so Daniel and Elaina had to push a cart too. It was quite an experience as they could hardly see over the top and Elaina had a little trouble steering!!

Once through customs we were warmly welcomed by Danny and Mike (both from Radio Worldwide). We were also supposed to be welcomed by our rented mini bus. Unfortunately we were ripped off. I knew we wouldn't be arriving in England with much local currency so I paid in advance so I wouldn't have to deal with the money issue as soon as we arrived. Sad to say, the company took our money but never showed up. I did pay through paypal so I will approach them tomorrow to see if we can get refunded. Danny and Mike came to our rescue and ordered another bus and lent us the money to pay for it. Thank you!!

After just over an hour of driving through the beautiful countryside we arrived in Rothwell. Tired but pleased to have finished the journey safe and well.

We let the kids watch the rest of the movie which we had started in Dublin airport, but Deanna could stay awake no longer. She fell asleep in the chair and I couldn't wake her - not even to eat.

Thank you so much for all your prayers over the last few days. As we reflected over the journey we are amazed at how well the kids behaved. We know it was because we have a God who answers prayers and that you had been faithfully praying. Thanks again.

Tomorrow I will write about the incredibly warm welcome we have received here, but now I need to catch up on some sleep.

Michelle

From Chicago to Dublin, Ireland

Part 2 of our journey took us from Chicago to Dublin. We left about 7pm CT and arrived just after 8am GMT (6 hours ahead of CT). The flight took almost 7.5 hours. The kids did really well on the plane. It was such an adventure for them. Deanna did admit to being a little scared as she thought the plan would spin and spin (thankfully it didn't), although we did experience quite a lot of turbulence mid way through the flight.

The flight wasn't too full so the kids were able to spread out and sleep for about 3-4 hours. They had to sleep with their seat belts on, just in case of turbulence - which Deanna did. It didn't look very comfortable but I guess when you are that tired you will sleep in any position!! After waking, Naomi threw up, she was grateful I had told her to take spare clothes in her hand luggage!!

This picture is the snow covered fields of Ireland as we were descending into Dublin.

Michelle

From St Louis to Chicago

I haven't discovered how to load more than 3 per post, so I will write about our trip over several posts so you can see more pictures.

 

We were suppose to leave St Louis around 9am but last minute packing went slow as we couldn't fit everything into 16 cases and had to decide what to leave behind. We finally left after 10am and then had to stop at the licence office to get Gary's driver licence fixed (they had made a mistake and couldn't fix it until Tuesday morning). So it was around 10.30am before our journey really started.

 

We had rented a 15 seater van and only just fit us all in with the luggage. We are pleased to report that the drive was uneventful. We stopped at McDonalds for lunch (the last time for a long time) but because of the late start we had to eat in the van.

 

We arrived at O'Hare Airport just before 4.30pm. Chicago is called the 'windy city' and on Tuesday we discovered why. The wind was so strong and bitterly cold.

As most of you know Deanna likes to wonder away so we brought the collapsable stroller to keep her with us. Unfortuantely it broke before we even got into the airport!! I wish you could have seen the faces of the people who were at the check in desk. They saw the amount of luggage we had and looked at each other to see who was brave enough to check us in. In the end they all helped!

A huge thank you to Robert and Chris for drving us to the airport and returning the van.

Michelle

We made it!!!

We finally arrived. Details to follow we need to get the kids settled first.

Michelle

Good bye St Louis

What an incredible weekend we have had. We have spend many fun (yet sometimes emotional) hours with friends and family before we leave here in the morning. Wow - after more than 15 years (for me and a lifetime for Gary) of calling the St Louis area home it is time for us to follow the Lord's leading to England.

I have so many stories of the Lord's provision for us over the last week, but unfortunately not the time to write them. I hope I will get the opportunity to do so in the next week or two.

Here is our schedule (Lord willing) for our travels. We plan to leave here between 9 - 9.30am in a 15 passenger van and drive (with the help of two friends) to Chicago. Our first flight leaves Chicago at 6.30pm and arrives 7.5 hours later in Dublin, Ireland. After a 3 hour layover we leave Dublin and fly to Manchester. It is only a 45 minute flight which should land at 11.45 am Wednesday morning (5.45 am St Louis time). The final leg of our journey is a 70 mile drive to Rothwell. We should arrive about 3pm (9am St Louis time). We are hoping the journey will only take 24 hours. I say hopefully as parts of England are currently receiving their worst winter storm in 20 years and I am told the snow is heading north towards where we will be living. It could be an interesting journey!!

We plan to take pictures throughout tomorrow and Wednesday and will put them up on the blog as often as we have the opportunity.

We have really felt and appreciated your prayers so far. Please continue to pray for us over the next few days. A couple of the kids are sick with bad colds and Gary has bronchitis. Please also pray that the Lord will grant all of us peace for the journey and that the children will enjoy the adventure but be able to remain calm as they are becoming so excited. Thank you.

So, goodbye (for now) friends and family in St Louis. We love you and will miss you.

Michelle

Quick update

Thank you for your prayers. We got the van back on Wednesday afternoon, but as Gary was driving it home the engine light came on and he had to limp it home. So on Thursday he took it back to the auto shop, had to wait an hour or so for the owner to come back. They told him that he had to take it back to the place where the transmission was rebuilt. So Gary went back there and waited another couple of hours for them to fix a bad switch. So finally, Thursday afternoon we had a working van again.

The van saga (and the snow) put us a little behind schedule so today Gary and some friends were finally able to take the furniture to a lady and her neighbor who needed it. It feels good to have the house empty of most of the furniture. Slowly, but surely we are getting through the long 'to do' list.

The worst thing about having the house empty is that it echos terribly in here. As you can imagine the kids love to hear their voices, even louder than normal. The best thing about having the house empty of furniture is that the kids are enjoying 'camping' indoors. They get to sit on the floor to eat and they brought their mattresses into the family room to camp by the fire. No snakes or bugs with this kind of camping!!

 

Michelle

Our week isn't going as planned

It wasn't going to be a stressful week as we our days planned out and while they were busy, they weren't packed with too many things. But our week isn't going quite like we had planned.

Our challenges started on Sunday night when we became stranded on the way home from church because our transmission went out. We were very grateful for the friends that helped us get home that night and for the loan of a small truck until we get the van back. But the truck won't fit us all and with the 6 inches of snow we received over the last 2 days the truck won't get us anywhere right now. The temperatures are suppose to stay below freezing for at least 2 more days, so the snow isn't going anywhere fast. This doesn't make moving all of our furniture out (which we had planned to do tomorrow) very easy.

And just to top it off the kids are getting sick. Thankfully, it is just colds but Deanna is feeling pretty rough so she is tired and crabby.

I just have to keep reminding myself God is in control :-)

Michelle

Beginning Goodbyes

What special, yet emotional day we had yesterday. I started the morning strong but by the time I got to church and saw the faces of the people who we would be missing, the tears started to fill my eyes.

Despite the emotions we were really blessed during our day as we enjoyed a day full of fellowship including sharing lunch with Gary's Sunday School class.

During the evening service our Pastor prayed over us as we begin this new chapter of our lives. Following the service we enjoyed a fellowship including deserts and cake (above) with lots of our friends. Many had kind words for us and the emotions flowed as we hugged many and started our goodbyes.

It was a very special day, one I will treasure in my heart for a long time. First Baptist Church of Fenton will has truly been my adopted family while I have been in the States. They have been there for us through the tough times and celebrated with us through the joys in our lives. One dear friend said it so well "We have been through so much together"

It is hard to move on and leave family behind. But family will always be family no matter the distance between us. Thank you FBC Fenton for loving me and my family.

Michelle

Emotions are running high

With only 11 days to go emotions are running very high in this home. Gary and I continue to battle with the extremes of excitement, sadness and nervousness.

Please specifically remember the children in your prayers as they are so hyper and noisy. I have been receiving comments from them such as "I can't seem to get all my energy out". Consequently this is leading to some mild behavioral issues and they are having a really hard time concentrating on their school work. I have to admit I do look forward to regaining a schedule and routine in a few weeks :-)

Michelle

Our things are on the move!

This is the 100 cu ft (28 boxes) of our things to be shipped all packed up and ready to go!

The men (big and small) loading the truck!

What an incredible feeling to see the truck drive away with our belongings! They will be transported to the transfer station in the City of Saint Louis, moved to a road truck and hauled to Maryland, placed in an ocean container and put on a ship bound for England.
Lord willing we will see them again in about 6 weeks.

Gary

This is hard work

Today we continued sorting through our things. Anything that was broken was put into the dump trailer. I asked Elaina to put the chair in the trailer. Half hour later this is where I found her .... fast asleep!!

 

Michelle