(insert crazy monkey laugh)

Mean Girls.  The other night in Youth Group we watched a short clip from this movie depicting cliques and social groups within schools. (the scene in the cafeteria showing the different groups' "tables") --For those of you who may not know, Mean Girls is a movie about high school and changing yourself to fit in, trying to be popular, someone your not, etc.--  Anyways we then reflected on times when we had maybe felt out of place or like we didn't fit in.  So of course I knew exactly what this felt like and piped up to put in my two-cents.  While reminiscing on my wonderful high school memories, I realized that I had wasted a lot of time trying to be in the group, or trying to be certain peoples' friend.  And to be honest, these people weren't worth my time. 

I probably knew this all along, but had never really acknowledged it or accepted it I guess.  And yes, my mom did tell me that after I got out of high school I'd realize how unimportant it really was to be in those groups (so here it is mom -- you were right!).  So it seems as though my knowledge in life's trials has already jumped leaps and bounds since my graduation from high school back in the day(;

I've also come to realize something else recently.  It hasn't been any great revelation, but something that has become more evident since my time here.  This realization is simply this:  You can't run.

For starters, you can't run from your parents.  No matter how far away you are, they will still try telling you what to do.  This occured to me when I found myself agreeing (reluctantly) to call my sister after skyping my mom.  Not that I didn't want to talk to her, but it was late, and I had work the next day!  But nonetheless, I ended up calling her after hanging up with my mom --and was glad i did.

You can't run from the massive pile of dishes sitting on the counter.  It will continue to grow until it consumes the kitchen, and you have no other choice but to wash them only because there is a lack of clean plates, cups, etc.

Your can't run to school in the rain.  -You actually could, but it's so far away that you will end up just as wet running or walking at a leisurly pace. but *Note to self: Look outside once or twice in the mornings to check the weather.  If it is rainging, don't wear TOMs shoes and long, wide leg trousers on rainy days.  Either change clothes or throw on some wellies to keep your feet and pants dry.

You can't run from the past.  No matter what dark corner you shove it in, it will always find a lovely time to pop out and say BOO.  Like the great Rafiki says in the Lion King, "you can't run from your problems, you have to face them" (insert crazy monkey laugh).

You can't run up the massive hill to Tescos/church.  You could, but it would be a huge bother.  It is better to save your energy for your shopping and just walk up, unless you're Britt, and insist on trucking your way up at a brisk pace 'just to get it over with.' (:

And speaking of Tescos, you can't run into Tescos with a list of 4 items and walk out with those 4 items.  You WILL walk out with a significantly larger ammount of items.  ALWAYS.  This seems to be a fact of life here, at least for the three of us.

So now that I have filled you all with a wealth of knowledge, I have finally found my cord and have some pictures to share!  Although picking which ones to post will prove to be a challenge I'm sure.

Oh and one more quick note.  If I ever don't make sense in what I write, my apologies.  My mom has pointed out to me on more than one occasion that my emails don't always make sense.  I think that sometimes my brain gets ahead of my typing, or I have multiple things on my mind.  So if ever you want/need some clarifying, just leave a comment, or shoot me an email, and I will be more than happy to clear things up(:

Now for some pictures!!!

First day at Farnham Primary School

On one of our many walks with Angie (pictured with Britt)
--Rachel in the background playing with Nellie (Angie's adorable dog)

Pictures can't even begin to capture the beauty of this
small town called Fylingthorpe.. the roads wer inter-woven
between the houses.  Hard to describe, but a must-see!

The Beautiful Robin-Hood's Bay (the movie, Wild Child had a scene filmed here)

A trip to Bolton Abbey (georgeous!)

Annndddd my teeny tiny room in our new house.  Im standing in the very back corner.
The clothesline hung across it because there wasn't room on our
drying rack. (we don't have a clothes dryer)
--Notice my bedspread. it is very Big Bang-esque (the television
series which we had begun watching quite regularly until we moved.)

Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day

Today was the big day! WE MOVED!  We now live about 4 houses away from our old flat (28 St. Wilfrids Crescent) to our new flat! (1 Church Ct.)  It has been a very long, rewarding day.  The new house seems very promising (not that our old flat wasn't lovely).  Some of the biggest improvements are our kitchen (we have more storage, more counter-space, a better oven/stove, and it just overall looks better).  Another big improvement is the better locks we have as well as the alarm system! 

Now to update you on random happenings in my life (since it has been awhile since I've updated my blog).

I've been working at school for a few weeks now.  This has been a lot of fun, but also very tiring!  It's been a little frustrating just because on some days I don't quite know how I'll be able to do it for the whole year (which gives me a better respect for teachers who do it 5 days a week for their whole career!).  It has been nice getting to know the kids and their personalities, but it's also hard knowing where I stand in disciplining the kids because they often don't listen (especially the boys).

We had a few days of absolutely GEORGEOUS (and unusual) weather!  It was warm and sunny, while I hear it was a little chilly back home.  So, to celebrate, Angie took us to the coast!  We went to Robin Hood's Bay, which was very cute and picturesque, but also different from the 'coast' you'd expect to find.  (I'd post a picture, but in the midst of moving my camera cord has been misplaced unfortunately). The town the bay is in is called Fylingthorpe.  It was delightful how vintage it was.  Many of the roads felt like private sidewalks that curved around the houses and were very secluded.  It's hard to do the town justice in words trying to describe just what it was like. Not even pictures can quite convey the experience, but I fell in love with the essence and feeling of the town!

Yesterday we spent the day at Dioces (not sure if thats spelled right) Day.  It was a gathering of Anglicans from the area (kind-of like Mennonite Convention on a lot smaller scale).  We attended two seminars and had two worship services.  I learned lots and had a lot of fun!  I addition, we met lots of people!  One person we met was an American who knew one of the girls from last year and seemed lovely.  We also got to meet Bradford's bishop!

Overall, I have to say the weeks have been enjoyable.  I'm enjoying time spent with the team, as well as gettiing to know people here.  Unfortunately we haven't quite made too many friends our age yet, but we're keeping our hopes up!  We have also started youth group at the Methodist church, as of Friday night.  It was fun, although different, and a little frustrating since we only had one boy show up.  But we are hoping to draw more kids in as time goes on!

I also have to admit that I have been slightly frustrated in some of my experiences.  I think I came into this year expecting more 'mission' work in my experience, and I just didn't see how teachers aiding and playing games/knitting with elderly was going to do that.  I felt unfulfilled, and disappointed.  I was upset that I was basically doing a job that I could have done back in America.  I constantly asked God why he brought me here  if I wasn't going to do anything useful.  I did know that he had me here for a purpose though, especially when reminded by verses such as Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 41:10.  It has been very comforting knowing that He has a purpose for me here, and it may not be the purpose I previously expected.  One of my team members also mentioned on one of our day visits to Touchstone (an outreach program) that mennonites do a lot of service by example instead of shoving our faith down others' throats. Which made perfect sense!  Because for those of you who really know me, I don't usually shove my beliefs down people's throats, so it would have been out of the ordinary for me to do so now.  (On a side note: we've done a lot of explaining of what mennonites are since there aren't too many around which has been interesting seeing what others thought). 

I've also come to realize that God may have brought me here for my own benefit as well as for the benefit of others.  I've already learned many things!  On one of our days at Touchstone, we visited a mosque, and we learned how/why muslims pray the way they do.  The way it was explained really made me think.  They reallly open their hearts and humble themselves before even going into the prayer room, whereas we often rush through our prayers.  We have also been attending a weekly prayer at the Anglican church called Compline.  This is simply a call-response type of prayer, but it has been really calming at the end of the day to spend some peaceful time with others praying.  (And then of course attending a delightful supper at the Bilton's house!)  So there's been a little peek into my thoughts.  I'm feeling a lot less frustrated, not that I won't become frustrated in the future, but I feel a lot more at peace about what I'm doing here.

I thank you again for your prayers, and send all my love, as I leave to watch the ending of Oklahoma(: