A Very Merry English Thanksgiving

It's a beautiful thing to see the creativity of a team when items that are typical in one country are unusual if not impossible to find.  This past week, I've been looking forward to the team Thanksgiving dinner even as I've been settling into the routine of Sheffield.  We celebrated Saturday night with turkey, homemade cornbread stuffing (no Stove Top here), mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade green bean casserole (no Durkee's French Fried Onions either), apple pie, pumpkin pie (cans brought from the States), homemade rolls, homemade chocolate rum brownies with buttons (Cadbury chocolate not found in America), and Schloer (a fizzy fruit juice drink that I wish we sold in the States).  There was a serious game of Boggle and much thanksgiving for the Lord in our lives :).

It was an amazing testament to the goodness and provision of God.  In a way it made me even more excited to enjoy the wedding feast of the Lamb when Jesus returns.  I think it fitting to thank the Lord for all of you who have set out on this journey with me.  THANK YOU!! And my heart is thankful for all that He has done even in the week that I've been here.

Re:fresh

ACC Sheffield hosted the fourth annual church retreat entitled Re:fresh.  We had a great time worshipping the Lord, fellowshipping over very English meals, playing interesting games, and loads of other things.  You should see the sheer flexibility of some of the members of our congregation!  I got to help out with the children on Saturday morning, and they are

 learning about being God's workmanship.  They even presented two dances to the congregation about being the hands and feet of Jesus!  

 

Saturday night the presence of the Lord fell!  We had people receive physical and emotional healing, freedom from depression and spiritual breakthrough, and we ministered from 7:30 til 11.  Yay Holy Spirit!  

My Week

I have been able this past week to set up a bank account, purchase a mobile phone, get a charger for my laptop that is UK friendly, and find a place to stay.  Hallelujah! I will be living with two British girls who are believers.  Praise the Lord!  Looks like I will be moving in by mid-December.  

Lifegroup for the Young Professionals is on Tuesday night, and it was a blessing to have a group of like-minded believers in my season of life!  Then on Wednesday, I was able to help finish painting the new church offices in preparation for the staff meeting on Thursday.  Friday looks to be my sabbath, and I made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  Interestingly enough, they don't really make a lot of cookies here.

The sum of my week recalls to mind I Chronicles 16:8-36, which begins, " Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done."  May you and yours me blessed with hearts full of thanksgiving this season!  

British Vocabulary lesson

Jug = Pitcher

Jumper = Sweater Jacket

Trainers = Tennis Shoes

Trousers = Pants

Toilet/Loo = Bathroom

Safe and Sound in Sheffield

It's been a whirlwind of activity from the time I flew into DFW from Denver, until just about now.  Maddie and Aiden McGinnis (children of the team leaders with whom I am currently staying) are off to bed, and the house is quiet.  It's still fairly surreal that I have arrived in the UK.  I'm not sure that it will really sink in until after a few weeks.  But I wanted to recount a little of the journey over here.

I arrived in Fort Worth on Saturday and immediately started organizing for packing, after grabbing a quick bite at Chipotle.  Had to get some last minute Mexican food!  Sunday dawned bright and Jamey preached a killer sermon on worship.  It was a great way to end my last Sunday for a while at Christ Fellowship!  I have been so blessed to be a part of CF for the past four years.  

After church we had a great time in the park celebrating four years and friendships.  There was tea, scones, and for my friend leaving for Hawaii, a good dose of pineapple and papaya.  I didn't get nearly enough time to chat with everyone, but that's the way it is.  Thanks to everyone who came and I missed you if you weren't able.

Monday was a whirlwind of activity from running errands all day to attempting to pack three suitcases full of my belongings into two to joining some friends for my last ice cream in the States.  Pumpkin with chocolate chips from Marble Slab.  Mmm!  The place was overrun by high school kids, but it was a good time.  And it rained in honor of Sheffield.  I then ran home and finished packing.

I found out the hard way that Tuesday was Veteran's Day when I tried to ship my box from the closed post office.  Check for holidays before leaving for overseas!  Then, upon arrival at the airport, I realized I didn't know from which terminal my flight left.  Check for gate information before leaving for overseas!  So, we drove around four terminals before my sister saved the day and told us the gate.  We were laughing after every turn.  It was a great way to leave the States.  

In the airport terminal, I got to chat with a gentleman who's daughter is a bilingual speech-language pathologist and has done mission work.  It was a great conversation.  Thank You Jesus for helping to pass the time.  The flight was also a lot shorter than I remembered, but I was able to sleep.  When I arrived at the airport, I couldn't locate my ride, but thankfully the gentleman sitting next to me let me borrow a mobile to phone the team.  My ride had been stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours!  But the sun was shining, and I didn't even need to use my jacket.  The drive through the Peaks over Snake Pass was beautiful - leaves turning and winding roads with green hillsides dotted with sheep and a thin river alongside.  God does good work!

I arrived in Sheffield in time for the team lunch to welcome me and then I took a short nap.  By the time I woke up, it was dark outside; the sun sets around 4:45.  It's still very surreal being here, but as I get to know the city more, I'm sure it will start to sink it that this is longer than a holiday.  And, I can't wait to hang out with the kiddos this weekend at Re:fresh, the annual church retreat.  Thanks for all your prayers, support, and encouragement.  My missionary magnets are in, and Vicki is helping to pass them out in Texas, my mom in Colorado.  Hopefully, you'll get yours soon!  Love hearing from you!  

Talk to you all soon,

J-

Preparing for Departure

My pulse increases a bit at the thought of Sheffield.  In fact, when I pressed the 'purchase' button for my airfare, I prayed beforehand and closed my eyes before clicking.  But, after praying, support raising, and preparing since March, I finally have a departure date.  November, 11, 2008.  I like the fact that it is 11/11.  

The past week has been a whirlwind of activity.  I reached 100% of my funding and immediately starting praying more fervently about a departure date.  Turns out that Antioch Community Church Sheffield's annual church retreat is November 14-16.  I'm looking forward to a time of getting to know the church members, worshipping with English nationals, and being a part of the vision-casting for the coming year.  2009 in Sheffield. 

In light of all of the preparation, departure still seems surreal.  Even as I put my thoughts down, I cannot believe that Friday I flew to Colorado to spend a week with my family, and Saturday I return to Fort Worth for a Bon Voyage party before my flight on Tuesday afternoon.  My time with my family has been blessed so far, thanks for all your prayers!  Oh, but it was so hard to say goodbye to my twin sister and niece.  Thank God for technology :).  

I know I am trusting in God to see me not only through this pre-departure time but post-departure as well.  Thank you to everyone who has made it possible through prayer, support, advice, hugs, encouragement, and MORE prayer.  I hope to send the next post from Sheffield on November the 12th.  Until then, I hope to see your beautiful faces at the Bon Voyage party, on Skype, or in my prayers.  

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!