That night we had our first family dinner. Shepherd's pie, cooked carrots, and Caesar salad. Ivy and I cut the cantelope to find a GREEN inside. I thought, "Aw man, we must've gotten a Honey Dew..." But it smelled like cantelope. We ate it, it tasted like cantelope. Apparently, they just have green cantelopes over here! Crazy!
Then we went for a walk through the cemetery to try and find the short cut to the guys' house.
Short cut? Ha! It took us forever and we ended up walking in circles, but oh my goodness, it was beautiful. What a fresh reminder at how quick life is. Seeing hundreds and hundreds of grave stones- knowing this life is just a blink of an eye. It made me even more ON FIRE for what it is we're doing here. Sharing Eternal Hope with those who don't know it. This life is temporary, but joy comes with focusing on things that are EVERLASTING. The God of all Creation has pursued us- even in our wretched rebellion, loved us, paid the debt of our sin by crushing His Holy Son, and desires to love us and be with us forever. What a mystery. I am becoming wonderfully comfortable in uncomprehendible awe of this unfathomable Truth.
Sunday was amazing. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. We were warmly welcomed by the church. (They took video of us introducing ourselves- once its on the website, I'll post the link.) The message was so appropriate for what I've been working through. My weakness. "I'm rubbish." =) And yet, God is constant. The gospel still applies. Christ has earned AND maintains my standing before the Father. Glorious.
We went to Kate's house for lunch. She made spaghetti and Bolognese for like 20 people. Unbelievable hospitality. Beautiful view. It was so wonderful. I met Anna Greasely, who knows Julie, Steph, and Kyle Davis- and I have a feeling her and I will be great friends this year. =)
Today we have off, and tomorrow we meet at the Church Building at half ten to meet with the pastors and get to know them better. Then we head off to West Wales for our Team Building Retreat for two days! I am SO stinkin excited. We'll be studying evangelism, fear of man, talking about how we want to grow this year, our classroom expectations, and sharing our testimonies. Please pray for unity and humility.
Friday we're going to Bettws (pronounced Bet-us) high school to meet the staff. We're excited! We were planning on meeting them today after their staff meeting (which they have at the Building) but they ended early. It looks like next week begins our "normalcy".
Can't wait to hear about Celebration, Metro-ers! Email me how God is working in your life!!!
