So much time, yet so little time...

So much time has passed since my last post but yet in the scheme of what we have actually been doing... so little time has passed. Some have speculated the reason for no posts is because I have dropped off the side of the earth, others figure I am too busy for a post, and others just haven't even noticed the lack of posts... well the truth is I just haven't been in the mood. Ever since returning to the UK a month ago I have just been feeling blue - not for any particular reason just blue. Oh well, enough about that, let's get down to the facts of the last month.

The girls started school without a hitch. Brittney is in year 4, and Sophie is in year 1 ~ wow, these girls are growing up soooo fast. I am helping in Sophie's class once a week regularly and whenever else the teacher needs a helping hand. Sophie's class is made up of 30+ VERY rambunctious kids. Surprisingly I am really enjoying working in Sophie's class. I get to do all kinds of different stuff - listen to reading, help with projects, art time, toilet patrol, and basic crowd control. It is amazing to see how much the kids appreciate you being in the classroom. I would never won't to be a teacher full time but it sure is fun for a few hours a week.

This past week I spent a day with Brittney and her class at Flag Fen. This is a local sight that was home to the Celts and then the Romans 2000+ years ago. There are artifacts on sight from that long ago; I was amazed to see that the museum lets the kids handle actual artifacts. It was really neat to watch the light go off in the kids eyes - we got to walk on an actual Roman road, make some pottery, listen to a story in the round house (made from Waddle and Cow Poo). The weather was pretty good most of the day - it didn't turn cool & wet until the end of the day.

Speaking of weather, just within the last week the weather has turned quite chilly. We were enjoying a really pleasant Indian Summer but somewhere along the line we changed straight into winter. We got out our winter coats, gloves, hats, fleeces, etc. The heater has been on and I even had a quick fire last night to take the chill out of the air. Brrrrr

Back to the girls, on Tuesdays after school they are going to gymnastics. They are both really enjoying this. Interestingly the main teacher & co-owner is American. He and I joke periodically about the differences between the US & the UK. Sophie is a natural on the balance beam. She loves it, and most of the time they can't get her off of it. Brittney's class is a little longer than Sophie's but she doesn't seem to mind. She is constantly practising.

Brittney is continuing with her piano lessons and doing well. She has also started flute lessons and has her own flute. She practices every night for about 15 minutes, and believe it or not, it actually sounds pretty good. I was so shocked (that sounds awful of me doesn't it). Sophie likes to watch Brittney practice her flute - she just sits there kinda mesmerized.

Otherwise, the girls have stopped all other activities (swimming & trampolining) so they can enjoy time playing with local friends. They like to take the dogs on a walk to the back of the neighborhood where all their friends congregate. It is a safe location, and I can easily check on them. They can ride their bikes, play tag, you name it... The minute Brittney gets home from school she is out the door - Sophie doesn't always go down; the Barbies are just too appealing :-)

Kevin has been in Japan the last 10 days. Most of the time was spent with work obligations, but he was able to spend some time with our friends Pam & David. They moved to Japan 6 weeks ago and are currently going through culture shock. Don't think I could be as brave as them... According to Kevin he has eaten sushi, cow tongue, and cow intestines during his Japan visit but since he won't touch hardly any vegetables I'm doubting his claims. I am still searching for witnesses....

Last week I started singing with the Praise Band at our church. I didn't realize just how much I missed it until I got the chance to sing again. We practice on Friday nights for a few hours and then sing on Sunday morning. Some of the songs I have never heard of (time to sharpen my sight reading skills) but most of them I am familiar with. The band reminds me of Right Turn back home. I really, really enjoy singing!

My classes start back in a few days. I was really questioning whether to continue with school after meeting with my pastor back home in August. It seems like I may need to do this all over again with a Methodist Seminary (particularly Garrett-Evangelical) once I return home, but I will cross that bridge then. I also started questioning the whole thing because it seems more & more unlikely that I will be able to work in the capacity I was originally planning - oh well, I guess I don't need to know all the answers to the question(s) "why" yet, God will reveal them in due time... So until then, I will (with much less stress) continue on the path I am on and learn as much as possible. Besides, how often does someone get to hang a degree up that is written in Welsh & have the Queen of England come to their graduation (of course I am getting way ahead of myself).

Well, I guess that is enough for now. Please pardon the long delay in posting and the lack of information regarding our trip home in August. Sometimes it is just easier to keep moving forward.... Love you all & I will try to write more often!!!