Not everything is as it seems...

So far I think if you have been reading our blog from the beginning of our England trip you probably have the impression that life for us is full of delightful adventures; Wimbledon (that was cool), Wales (incredible!!) tea time, ballet class for the girls… the list goes on. Ok, all those things have been really great. But it’s only telling part of the story. The reality is that there are some things we are really struggling with and that we don’t enjoy. One of the biggest is loneliness. Most of you know that in southern California we live in an awesome apartment complex with great friends as our neighbors… to go from that to being totally alone above a busy street in a small town in England, though surrounded by beauty, we are relationally dry. When we went to Eastern Europe for a little under a year, we had plenty of time to get to know people and develop relationships, here with only 3 months it’s not enough time. Whenever I say to someone “til the end of the summer” to the inevitable question of how long we’re here for, I find myself cringing inside because I know I just shot down the possibility of them being interested in getting to know me more.

I think when I looked forward to coming to England for the summer, I focused mostly on the adventure of being in another country and getting to experience the culture. I don’t think I realized the reality that living somewhere for 3 months on your own would potentially be a lonely experience.

So today, when we had the chance to go visit some people we already knew from the US in a “nearby” town we eagerly planned the trip. We got the privilege of going to Cambridge to visit Fred and Susan Sanders who are currently teaching a Torrey course together with the Spears, another family from our church. Tom and Sue Kimbers were also dropping by for a visit today and Philip Massey was there (because he’s visiting us right now!) It was a “Grace EVFree England reunion!” Daryl and I had a delightful time. Of course it goes without saying that Cambridge was absolutely beautiful, we got to view many of the colleges by punting along the river Cam (punting is a small boat that a guide pushes with a long poll… no sorry he didn’t sing, wrong country) and we had afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream. But more than the fun activities, we just thoroughly enjoyed the company. I don’t know how to fully explain it; it was so refreshing to be with real friends and to speak to other Americans in “our language.” Seriously… even though we “share a common language” with our English friends, the longer we are here, the more we agree with the saying that we are “divided by a common language!”

We did it! Drove there and back in our rental car without getting lost! Only one wrong turn the whole day! It was pretty good considering we didn't have a GPS or a good map! (not recommended)

on the punting boat

our mates in the boat next to us!

Claire by "Clare College" (it's never too young to start planting seeds is it? "oh claire... wouldn't that be fun to go to Clare collage?")

the men's table at tea

Sue Kimber with Breanna, one of the Biola students attending the Torrey class and she also goes to our church! She was very sweet; Natania and Claire enjoyed playing with her this afternoon... we have a new friend!

Tea with warm scones!

A wonderful day!