Plum Jam

Soooo...I'm here.  In England.  Can you say UNBELIEVABLE?  I've only been here 5 days, haven't started work, and yet I feel at home... yay!  I remember walking away from our flat in Chicago (which feels like forever ago) and walking down our little alley past JPUSA and feeling so calm and excited and invigorated and happy, thinking that this was really going to happen, I was actually going to England!  I remember the train-ride to O'hare reminiscing on the last 10 days feeling they passed by in a blur, yet it felt like I was there forever, and had always known everybody.  Surprisingly, I was never too nervous or worried the whole way there until I arrived in Leeds airport and forgot to fill out my Landing slip and couldn't remember my address for the life of me!  But finally I got it all sorted out, was the last person out of customs, and walked towards my new life(:

Now I'll introduce you to everybody quick!
First: theres Britt Wyse and Rachel Mast my two teammates!  Britt (24) is also from Archbold, for those of you who don't already know(;  Rachel (20) is from Oregon and is taking a break from Goshen College after two years there studying music.

Paul and Ruth Bilton - Not only our lovely neighbors, but also Paul is the priest at the Anglican church behind our house.  They have three daughters and one son Tom.

Barry and Val - Our soon to be neighbors (once we move in about 3 weeks hopefully!)  They are both very charming people and I can't wait to get to know them more!  Even though Barry seems to be quite the trouble-maker(;

Louise - One of the ministers at our other church we will be attending (Great Horton Methodist).  She is also very involved with us in this program.

Angie, Malc, and Nelly - A lovely couple who took us for a walk today with their adorable dog, Nelly!  I also can't wait to spend more time with them!

Alex - another priest who is quite charming and good friends of Paul and Ruth

--if I've forgotten anybody I apologize!!! 

Rachel and I will be working 3 days at a school called Farnahm (not sure on the spelling?)  While Britt will be at Lidget Green Primary.  We will also be doing some other activities like Footloose, and Circut Youth Group (i will probably give more details on what these are at a later date..maybe).  We visited the schools earlier this week, and they both look like they will be lots of fun!  Work starts Monday, so we have about 2 more days off before beginning (we're hoping to make a trip to Leeds tomorrow possibly to scope out some shopping :D)

I mentioned a walk today, which we took with Angie, Malc, and Nelly.  It was sooooo BEAUTIFUL!  I can tell that I'm going to love it here!  You can call it cheesey, but I'm gonna take a moment to just say how Pride and Prejudice -esque it is here!  On our walk at least.  I could totally imagine Elizabeth Bennett walking to town in her billowing skirts and Mr. Darcy walking over the hills in the early morning.  Okay - moment over(:

This week has been wonderful getting to know everyone and my surroundings.  We spent some time as a team baking cookies, plum jam, and a few other tasties.  I've come to love tea, which is only natural considering how much they drink it here (even though I already loved it at home).  I can say that I am very excited to begin working and begin the final stage of settling in.  I can't wait to see how God begins working in our lives and working through us to reach to others. 

Well I've rambled on long enough, but most of my blogs likely won't include so much information.  I send my love and blessings to you all!

Waiting

Oh how time flies! This week seems like such a blur, but the goodbyes have begun and the time is drawing near for me too to say goodbye to Chicago. Yesterday the rest of my team left, along with south africa. I was unable to leave with them because unfortunately my visa was not approved until yesterday, and I won't get I until tomorrow. But this is just a small speedbump, and I will be flying out Saturday afternoon! I was a little bummed to not leave with my team, but it has been nice spending a little more time with the rest of the teams and see them each off.

Team Paraguay (previously Bolivia) left today, and I said my final goodbye to Darrell (our director) as well as Isaac (who is no longer traveling with Paraguay) the goodbyes have been sad, but I look forward to reuniting in 10 months and hearing stories, what everyone has done and learned, and to see how god has worked in everyones lives!

Team china leaves tomorrow, and then I'll have a day to clean, pack, and pick up a couple things before my own departure. It will be nice to have some alone time before leaving, but I also worry that I may become bored a little.

On a side note, one of the things we did this week waste take enneagram eats (which is basically a personality test) I turned out o be a 7 which is labeled as the energetic optimistic one, which surprised me a lot. I've never been that interesting of a person as I see 7s to be; but after reading into it and thinking about it I fan see it more; and can accept that I'm just an exciting person(; I expected to be a 2 the caring ones, or a 9 the peacemakers. Bu I think that I've changed anlot more n recent years and even over the summer, more than I realized. I look forward to seeing how this affects my year and how I develop into a healthy 7.

Well I'm assuming hatthis will be my last post until I arrive I England, so I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support. I loge you all and will see you in 10 months!! GOD BLESS!