EU: London

Our flight was nice and short to London.....despite their crazy "1 bag of liquids only" policy for carry-ons!! A little frustrating, but praise God for free check-ons, as us girls were able to combine bags for the 1.5 hour flight....

Virgin Airlines is awesome! Free breakfast and juice, even on short flights!

In some ways, it feels like we have been gone so long already, because of all the traveling, but in other ways it seems to be going by fast... We had another bus driver today-Marvin, who did a great job.

After seeing a bunch of sites around Hyde's Park and the Victoria Palace, we went to church at Westminster Abbey. Talk about eye-opening!! The church is rich in history and organ music, and what a privilege it was to be there!

Buckingham Palace

However, after attending a 'Church of England' service, I do not find it in any way hard to understand why so many people never hear the true Gospel at their church, or why the Puritans stood up for what they believed is right.

You see, the Church of England is all about procedures, and the lay vicars chanting and singing...and the sermon? Well, I got to know a lot more of C.S. Lewis' life...but there was NOTHING about the Gospel or teaching! We did have 3 rote Bible passages read, but truly, I didn't leave church feeling encouraged, inspired, or with a greater understanding of what Jesus expects me to be....

No wonder the kids in PollyAnna goofed off during church! No wonder in all the old books church was almost a drudgery! Where is the relationship--pure and undefiled religion that we as true Christ-followers experience? Where is the peace, faith, and grace that God pours out on us as we walk in His ways and seek His will? Oh, my heart yearns for these people!!

 After Westminster Abbey, we had lunch at a place in the Putney Commons, where my mother's ancestry is from (being the Putneys)... That was really neat to be able to get some of her side in on this trip, as so much of our genealogical history has been focused on my dad's side...

From there, we went and toured the Windsor Castle!! What a treat!! And, even better yet, the Queen was there...though we didn't see her.

A cannon on the wall...

Rebekah is an inspiration to me....beautiful--inside and out...

Some how I got pushed up to have my picture taken with the guard on duty...
I felt sorry that I couldn't talk to him and thank him...oh well..
PS...what is it about all these tall guys here in England? Especially soldiers....there's a ton of them!

We couldn't settle into our rooms until 4pm, and when we did, we all took naps, as we have been running like crazy!! (and early mornings don't help too much!) We finally went out for dinner after 8:30pm, and it was raining!!

Waiting for our rooms--Rebekah is quite the reader--all the kids love to listen to her read!!
Right now, it is For Name and Fame by G.A. Henty

Yes, I brought an umbrella with me, but left it in the room...and we all walked in the rain for over 1/2 hour... It was awesome, and fun, and wet, and memorable as we tried to find somewhere to eat that wasn't already closed on a Sunday night...

6 of us soaking wet bumps on a log--waiting for dinner!!!

We finally went to the Hilton--about 6 or more blocks away, as everything but Subway was closed, and my siblings REALLY wanted smoothies for dinner! All I cared about was protein... :)

Things that stood out today:
- Honestly, we all kind of agreed--we don't like London...it's okay, but we are little city folk/country folk, and well...Scotland was MUCH better. =)
- Hookah bars are weird--don't go to one (and no, we didn't, but we passed 2 of them..)
- Protein is an awesome thing...some people just can't survive on a vegetarian diet. I am one of them.
- Food is necessary for life, but sometimes you forget how necessary it is until you haven't seen enough of it for the last few days....travel is weird that way...
- Curly hair is awesome in the rain...it really is the best thing ever!
- Nothing is better than having a brother to escort you through the streets at night...okay, maybe a husband, but that's a different story. I love having my brother back home!!!
- Large families are the best thing ever...especially in London, in restaurants....
- Watching people's faces trying to figure your family out in restaurants is just as good...especially when they're trying to figure out where you're from, because you don't dress like traditional Americans. =)
- Sleep should happen before 1:33am...and pictures should be posted before that as well..but I think I'm going to do the same as I did before....post and then re-post...just in case I can't get the photos before tomorrow..

Looking forward: We are spending all day tomorrow touring London on the Big Red Bus with Oma's lifelong English pen pal....which should be lots of fun!

One thing I keep mulling over is how life is so short, when you think about it in light of eternity...
I've always loved the song 'Wayfaring Stranger', but this trip, it took on a whole nother meaning..

I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger

Just traveling through this world of woe

Yet there's no sickness, toil, nor danger

In that bright land to which I go.

I'm going there to see my Father

I'm going there no more to roam.

I'm just a-going over Jordan

I'm just a-going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather 'round me

I know my way is rough and steep

Yet golden fields lie just before me

Where God's redeemed shall ever sleep.

I'm going there to see my Father

He said He'd meet me when I come

I'm only going over Jordan

I'm only going over home.

I want to wear a crown of glory

When I get home to that good land

I want to shout Salvation's story

In concert with the blood-washed band.

i'm going there to meet my Saviour

To sing His praise forever more

I'm just a-going over Jordan

I'm just a-going over home.

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, and all life emanates from Him. He offers freely, abundant Life to all who turn towards Him and take His yoke upon them. Not chasing after fleeting pleasures, accumulating wealth and possessions, and trying to deny the inevitable effects of aging.

This is how He chose to live in the world and accomplish His purposes--through us! He delights to bless us with Joy unspeakable and Glory. They are both his, and he bestows them on us as we live in His presence, inviting Him to live fully in us!

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the Salvation of your souls."

~ 1 Peter 1:7-9 ~

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye."

~ Psalms 32:8 ~