Let the Waling begin!

This is impossible. There is NO WAY I could even attempt to tell you all about our flights, my new friendships, the housing, the grocery shopping, the funny "new words" we're now using and learning-- these last two days have been PACKED with new things. HOW FUN! I wish you all were here to experience and enjoy this with me!

We don't have internet at our houses yet, but once we do, I'll be able to explain more and show you more pictures.

 

This is me handing my keys to my dad-- the BMW isn't mine anymore!!! Kristen and Melodye Jones (as well as Meghann and Steve) will be thrilled.

 

My sister is BEAST. She carried this incredibly heavy bag all around the airport for me. On the United Airlines website, it says you can pay $50 for an extra 20 pounds-- so I opted for that. Unfortunately, the lady told me at the counter, that that information was incorrect, and it was going to cost me $385 to bring my bag. Needless to say, Joy came to the rescue again- we smashed some of my clothes in Peter's carry on and then Joy snuck my shampoo and conditioner (gotta have the professional stuff) into my bag that had already been weighed... =/ Not sure how honest that was...but we did it.

 

This is Peter and I landing in Dulles!

 

We met Katherine and Ivy...

 

..and Taige

 

...and flew to London!

 

This is me opening my "Don't open until the plane ride" letter from Janelle Phillips. Thank you so much, sweet friend. Your kind words were saturated in grace as you purposed to set your eyes on God's work in my life and encourage me. You are a gift. And that letter is a treasure. I love you!

 

Taige's luggage ended up being on the wrong plane-- so we waited at the airport for a few hours (Dan got stuck in traffic on the "motorway" anyways =) and got it at like 9:30a our time. (Motorway sounds like "moat-a-way" with the accent. I didn't realize what he was saying and had a funny conversation about that in the car with Dan...)

 

Meet the GAP TEAM! We're all finally here! From left to right- Peter, Ivy, me, David, Taige, Katherine. We had dinner at Dan and Kat's place (his wife) last night. Domino's pizza. =) They have some stinkin' cute kids.

 

This is my new house!!! On my "Home Sweet Home" post I have our address-- but we're actually #67, not 65. I love mail. *hint* =)

 

our ity bity little kitchen...

 

I LOVE my keys. =)

 

And this is my room...

 
 

...my view out of my windows- a cemetery (which they call a ceme'try) is across the street along with a conveniently located bus stop!

 
 

...our little backyard...

 

and our living room!

 

We have been BOMBARDED with the way this church has served us. We had letters for us with packets of information on the dining room table when we got there-- they'd gone shopping for the basic cleaning supplies and some canned food, cereal, milk, bread, eggs, cheese, etc. We each had little baskets on our beds, curtains in the rooms, trash cans, laundry baskets-- all the things that showed they were paying attention to the DETAILS of wanting us to feel at home. Ah, what a gift. What a blessing. I thought I was coming here to serve; not be served.

I'll be posting more pictures when I can-- I somehow lost my camera charger, so that's been a little bit of a problem taking pictures. The guy's house is AMAZING. They have an apple tree in the backyard that I plan to make some pie with in the next couple weeks. I'll post pictures when I get them.

We went grocery shopping today, and Peter almost got run over. Apparently, pedestrians don't have the "right of way" but, as Dave, who's from England said, pedestrians have "the right to get knocked over". He told us that as we were walking into the store, a lady was cussing us out in her car and we were completely oblivious. He said it was hilarious.

I'm making Shepherds Pie for all of us this week! (*Shocker*, Meghann, right? ;)

Tonight we're going to a pub for dinner and tomorrow we're having BBQ (cooking out) at the Administrator of the Church's house, Gavin. I can't wait.

THANK YOU for your prayers- our traveling could NOT have gone smoother. I feel totally adjusted from jet lag already! I'm noticing HOW MUCH time I had by myself in my last season in Orlando- in the car, or my room or whatever - and I am enjoying being with people all the time, but have realized that I'm needing to be more intentional about reminding my soul to dwell on the LORD, to talk to Him throughout the day- even when everyone else is around.

Please pray for grace for these relationships with my team members. That the LORD would instill His love for each of these souls in my heart as He gives me eyes to see how to serve them.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR READING MY BLOG! I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!

Re-packing. And packing again.

 
 

My sister, Joy, is amazing. She just made ALL of my stuff fit in ALL of my bags- I can't believe it. Miracles happening over here.

So...I'm off to Wales in the morning! It's finally HERE!

I'll meet Peter at the airport at 10:40a and our flight leaves at 12:47p for D.C. We'll meet up with the Charlotte folks and fly to London at 6:40p tomorrow evening.

I'm planning on wearing my favorite jeans and I'm really excited about it. =) You know, the ones with the "love holes" in the knees.

We'll get into London at 6:30a Wales time on Tuesday (about 1:30a here), go through customs for about an hour, and then CRASH when Dan comes to pick us up. We're having dinner at his house that night.

Please pray that I would fight for joy in the midst of travel, carrying heavy bags, tiredness, hunger, and probably many "change of plans". I want to bring glory to the Savior even in those mundane parts of these next several days- not being consumed with myself or worshiping comfort. It's not about me. My life's not about me. This trip's not about me. My life has been purchased. It is not my own. It was bought with a price- and the price was the life of the only Perfect One who ever walked this earth. His love for me cost Him everything- and I want to live my life forever pointing others to this MOST GLORIOUS NEWS! We can have relationship with GOD through the atoning work of Jesus Christ! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!

Flight updates! (and help?)

The LORD is so kind. I was completely fine with traveling to another country by myself. Thought it'd be a great time to read, rest, and pray. BUT God's plans are way better than mine.

I'm driving my car to VA because my parents have purchased it (yay!) and planned to fly out of D.C.

As it turns out, four others from my trip (none of whom actually LIVE in the D.C. area) are 'randomly' flying out of D.C.- so that means FIVE of us on ONE plane to go half way across the world together. Isn't that cool?!

Two of them are guys-- you think they'll carry my bags for me??? =)

SPEAKING of bags. Does anyone have (or know of anyone else who has) a LARGE suitcase (or two...or three) that they won't be using for the next year that I could borrow???

We're flying out August 24th. I can't believe this is all really happening...I'll be flying out of the country for 11 1/2 months in five and a half weeks. So encouraged with the Truth that the LORD hems me in both behind and before!