Lazy Sundays

Sundays are probably one of my favorite days of the week. You go to church and then you just get to relax and enjoy the last bit of the weekend. Today was a really good sunday. I went to church this morning alone (Ste was feeling under the weather) and got invited to the vicarage for dinner. It was so much fun. The Easts are such an awesome family and they make me feel so at home. We had yummy beef, roasties, yorkshire pudding, green beans, carrots and cabbage followed by a delicious chocolate toffee cake with ice-cream and cream. Man was I full! We then took a long walk around the village. The sun was shining and the weather was just gorgeous!

Love this quote on their fridge. 

BEST FOR LAST: Tomorrow I am off to Manchester for the night and then Tuesday it's home to Texas for Rebecca's wedding!!! Can't wait!!!

Jane Eyre

Yesterday we had a day in the schools doing Christian Union in the Sixth Form (college) and then an assembly in the primary school. So much fun! Love when we go into the schools. The primary school especially because  a.) They get so excited when we come in and start waving b.) because when we start the assembly I say "Good afternoon!" and they all chime back in perfect unison "Good afternoon Lauren!" Melts my heart. 

Then last night I met up with my friend Rosie to go see Jane Eyre. And in perfect English style I got poured on from all directions on the walk to Rosie's house. I was somewhat soaked, but I didn't care because the cinema means yummy popcorn. Rosie and I had so much fun and the movie was really good! I recommend it for sure! 

Rosie and I laughed the whole night at one particular scene that went like this:

Mr. Rochester: Your gaze is so direct Miss Eyre. Do you fine me handsome. 

Jane Eyre: No.

Mr. Rochester: Why not? I have all my limbs and features. 

Probably one of those had to be there moments, but the language in period films is just really amusing. One of the reasons I love those kinds of films so much!

Also, we decided to try this new hairstyle:

What do you think? 

Day off.

Tuesdays are my day off and this time I decided to venture out a little on my own. Well first I had a meeting with the border agency people at the YFC office to make sure I'm not getting overworked and I'm here legally. Kind of intimidating, but no worries I'm not getting deported or anything!

Afterwards I headed into town (Middlesbrough). I've been plenty, but never on my own so it was kind of nice to just explore. Of course me being the bookworm I am I spent the majority of my time drinking coffee and visiting book stores. My favorite so far is Waterstones. It's like a Barnes and Noble I guess in that its new and nice, but it has the old book store feel. Everything is black and dark with chairs and couches. Loved it. 

A little taste of home. 

Also went and checked out the library! 

So proud,  I only bought one book and it was from a charity shop so I got it for dirt cheap. It's a biography, which I'm not a huge fan of, but it sounds really good!

Lord Stones

This morning we had a prayer/group meeting for Youth for Christ (the organization that I came over under). As per YFC tradition I was told we would be going to the top of this hill to pray. I don't think you could call it a hill...maybe a rather large hill, but it was absolutely breathtaking. The views and the weather was so wonderful. I just felt really blessed and in awe of the beauty painted by God's hand. Take a look:

Not sure what this purple bush was...thinking lavender. 

Amazing views!

Cutest little cafe!

(If you want to see more check out Facebook.)

I also got to meet our new director of YFC who is from Texas and whom I actually have some connections with through UMHB and such. While we were on top of the hill praying for the valley and the people here he read this:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

 that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 

 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,  for as many years as we have seen trouble.  May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. 

-Psalm 90: 14-17. 

Shattered

Been a busy weekend! I'm positively shattered as the British would say. Friday we had lunch in the senior school with the kids, then had Life Group with my girls where we started looking at the book of Ruth and then to finish off the night we had Club:EQ. We had two bands and two girls perform along with games. Had about 75 people there overall!

One of the bands called The Undecided.

One of the girls from a local school. She was really good!

Me and some of the girls from Life Group and EQ. 

Then yesterday I tagged along to an event at a local church. My housemate Ben runs a night, called The Pursuit, in churches around the area talking and interacting with youth. Ben spoke on mission and what that looks like in our lives as Christians and another YFC worker, Amy, spoke on being chosen by God. It was a lot of fun, despite the temperature last night being in the high 40's and no heat was on in the building. By the time we got out of there it was after 11 and we were starving so we stopped at the wonderful McDonald's (best version of fast food they have over here). Thanks to Ben I nearly had a heart attack when he slammed on the brakes with my lap full of food and drinks just for a laugh. I don't get picked on or anything living with two boys...

After what seemed like a short sleep we were up and at it again this morning with church and this afternoon we kicked off a new family service in the hall Ste and I named Connect 4. t's about bringing people together and it's at 4pm so hence the name, yes we are so clever! Overall it went really well. We had several families show up with about ten kids. Ste talked on the parable of the mustard seed, we sang songs and we had a prayer station with canvas that the kids loved. It was really nice to see families in the church because it's not something that typically happens on a Sunday. Most of the congregation in the mornings tend to be over 60, so I'm praying that this new service will open up opportunities for families to grow together.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17:20

Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day!

Went for a run/walk this morning and couldn't helped feeling blessed to be here. Not too shabby huh?...

One of the footpaths runs through a field so I ran into some of my friends from May :)

The Church.

Sunday to Monday

Sunday night we had 7UP and I spoke on Jesus' authority. We are doing a series on his ministry over the term and looking at different aspects of this. Some of the thinks I talked about where what authority Christ has, where it comes from and what authority we have as Christians. I challenged myself and the kids to think about what authority they give Christ in their lives. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

Love this verse and it is just a great reminder that Christ wants us to be a part of his ministry because he made us capable to be. 

Finished off the night by coming home to my housemate Ben saying he was craving a fry up (traditional English breakfast). 

Bacon, sausage, egg, potato waffles, toast and beans. Yes beans. 

Yesterday was the first day we had all the youth groups back. Firecrackers are probably my favorite group at the moment. They are little and fun! They met me for the first time yesterday and in my honor we made sugar cookies: 

Bringing a little Texas to England!

Then Ste pulled out a globe and giant map and they found where Texas and Houston was. We finished off by talking about how God loves everyone around the world no matter where you are or where you are from. 

Thunderbolts went off well despite a few disruptions by talking when a leader was talking. We had a tri-wizard tournament and they had to battle a dragon, save ducks from a pond and make it through a maze blindfolded. Ste did a talk on receiving an invitation from God (if you have seen the first film Harry keeps getting letters specifically addressed to him in the cupboard so he linked it to that). 

Lightning bolts was fun, but a little more serious. We did a series of activities on human trafficking. They had to eat a meal handcuffed and blindfolded, make wedding dresses out of trash bags (forced marriages) and do a relay race involving chocolate (a lot of chocolate is produced by enslaved children). The girls seemed to like it and appreciate the message, but the boys didn't seem to get it as much. Praying it will hit them at some point. 

Pub love

Last night we went to a going away party for Andy, the director of YFC (oddly enough he is moving to Texas). In british tradition the get together was held at a pub. I love pubs. They have so much character and it's fun to see how each one is different. This one was called Manor House Pub and was pretty posh. The decor was really old school but fun. When I went to the toilet I discovered this:

Cowhide walls?! 

It was love at first sight. I assumed they were furry so I reached out and to my surprise it was like textured tile, so cool! Definitely want these somewhere in my house someday...

Food and more food

Seems like all I've been doing is eating lately (good thing we walk everywhere)! A couple of nights ago we ordered a parmo and chips (french fries). A parmo is native to this area and it is awesome! It's a deep-fried chicken in bread crumbs topped with a white béchamel sauce and cheese. That's just the average plain parmo, but we ordered ours with pepperoni and peppers. So delicious! 

Last night we had Lifegroup (bible study) and our youth group EQ. I finally got to talk to just the girls and we decided we are going to study the book of Ruth this term. I haven't read this book since my freshman year in college so I am really excited about their choice. Then at EQ we baked cookies and played games. Interesting to see boys and girls in the kitchen. For example the boys decided to make one giant cookie:

Boys will be boys... 

Afterwards we played games. The kids love to play hockey in the hall. Needless to say I tend to watch from the sidelines because it is a little vicious and we all know how I am with organized sports...Overall it was a fun afternoon getting to know them better! 

At last...

I finally baked something!

Mmm Sopapilla Cheesecake!

And I'll be baking more soon because we are making cookies with the EQ kids tomorrow and Thunderbolts on Monday. Yippee :)

BE STILL

Love this. 

Hogwarts and a Puppy

So today was our first official day at work really since the kids started back at the primary schools today. We went and visited three in the area and handed out some of the postcards I made that promote what we do. Tonight was the start up of two of our groups Thunderbolts and Lightning bolts. Thunderbolts is based on Harry Potter this term! 

I made a sorting hat and we sorted to kids into houses, played Quidditch and I did a short talk on sacrificial love. In the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Albus tells Harry:

 “Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign…to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” 

I related this to God sacrificing Jesus.  

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

-Romans 5:6-8

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

-1 John 4:10

Overall it was a great day and I have no doubt God is going to do some awesome things while I am here!

Lightning Bolts was a little more laid back (older kids). Just hung out with them and played games. Praying that my relationship grows with them more, especially the girls! 

On a side note I was talking with my family last night to discover they had decided to get a puppy, a great dane puppy! My sister posted on my wall this morning saying they got her and sent me this:

Meet Abby! 

Needless to say I am even more excited to go home at the end of the month! 

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

Yesterday Ste and I went into town to hang out with some friends of his. The bus ride there was probably the most interesting part of the day. While waiting at the stop we ran into a kid Ste knows who was with two other boys. Naturally they decided to sit by us on the bus and the oldest who was 13 proceeds to pull out a deck of playing cards with naked girls on them. Needless to say I was a little shocked but even more so when he pointed to the girl's chest and asked me if mine looked like that. Oh the things I wanted to say to this kid, but I bit my tongue! Definitely a sign from God that this is where I am supposed to be. These kids need Jesus and lots and lots of love.

After our eventful ride we met up with Ste's friends in town and had a great rest of the day!

I had a delicious burger with onion rings and BBQ sauce. Yum!

And then I went to the cinema with Ste's friend Dave's wife, Hannah and a couple of her friends. It was fun to hang out with some girls and see a chick flick. Also I had my first taste of ice cream since I have been across the pond!

It wasn't Bluebell but it was pretty tasty! 

I'm pathetic.

I know it has only been like three weeks but I am already missing certain things from good ole' Texas. For example:

No words needed.

Cowboy boots.

Baking in my mom's kitchen.

Fried pickles.

Sweet tea.

My queen size bed.

Mexican food.

Driving and jamming out in my car. 

But on a happier note...things I love about England: 

Hot tea 24/7. 

Custard cream biscuits. 

Porridge with honey and milk. 

The views. (This is Roseberry Topping)

Drying clothes on the radiators. 

Haribo gummies. 

Best chocolate ever.

Our beautiful church.