Back.....again!

Well, we have safely arrived back from Birmingham and had a great time with students and the UK staff. We ended up taking 14 students and quite a few were last minute. Once I made it over the chaos of organizing rides for everyone, we were well on our way and even picked up a "transformer" for Bradley Beene to drive. A little bit of an adventure, but we introduced the Brit's to some down south country music and had a blast making sure we were on the right side of the road....as in left, not right.

The wekend had some fab teaching and traning from everything to evangelism to Spirit-filled Life. Saturday we went out door-to-door and talked to people about Jesus. A girl made a decision later that night to make Jesus Lord of her life! I went with a guy called Pete from Birmingham and had an incredible conversation with 3 female students. They were coming from all sorts of backgrounds, but were very responsive to talking and even learning from one another. It was so exciting to see their hearts and minds change before my very eyes! It's things like this that remind me of why I am here. The Gospel is powerful and it changes people!

I'm definately past my limit of traveling quota! It was so hard to be away for another conference, but the Lord was gracious and faithful. God used a lot of people to shake a lot of people up this weekend. It made me step back once again and look at what I am holding on to. What am I trying to control and keep for myself? Somehow, I always need to hear about surrendering my life to the Lord. Somehow, I wonder if I will ever see what that looks like in my life. Something I value and desire, but am learning more each day that I have a long raod ahead of me to see it played out.

After we made it home, we made a run through McDonalds and took 2 Brits with us. Pretty entertaining to say the least. First, Brad couldn't find the drive thru....it was on the lefthand side of the building. We pulled directly up to the window to order (they don't use the speakers here) before the Brits began yelling at us to back up so they could see a menu. We really didn't realize people still used the menu at McDonalds, but I guess the people that don't have one on every corner might need to try something new. Americans...we're stuck in our old ways! Once they decided they were ready, we pulled forward and began to order. "No Mustard!" After saying this, you really never know what is going to happen. After more questions of "Do you still want ketchup?", "Just no mustard?" The Brits took charge again and hollered, "It's ok...they're just Amercians!" I love those kids! While me and Brad are sick, every time we laugh we go into a coughing frenzy and sometimes I begin to wonder if I'll be able to catch a normal breath of air again. Typically, laughter is contagious and we're usually both fighting for some fresh air before long. A sad day when you have to go to McDonald's to find so much humor.

So here we are back in LPool. The SuperBowl was on last night. I didn't watch it. It was too late, no one I cared about was playing, and we don't even get the American adverts. Didn't see the point, so stayed up to work on emails and such. Had a lie in this morning and finally managed to crawl out of bed around 1pm. Haven't made it to the grocery store yet, so I think I'll follow the American way and hit up Subway for a few hours. Plus, I can spend some time alone with the Lord and I'm hoping to dig into Hebrews 4 and even uncover a big chunk of Mere Chrisitianity. I'm thankful the Lord can meet us anywhere and provides free refills at a few choice places.

So, here's to me signing off and another day back in LPool. 6 weeks to spring break and roughly 12 until I return to the States. A scary thought and a fear of returning to what was once normal, but now is a loss to me.....