We've been back in the UK awhile now (still recovering from the short but challenging flight up from Italy); and while we have dealt with grey and cold and several sunny but cold days, I must say my favourite time of the week is Sunday lunch.
For many, Sundays are the most boring and often lonely days of the week; and it used to be that way for me. Then, a man named Tony Staite came and spoke at our church. "This needs to be a 'dinner party' church," he said.
Was that some frivolous remark for a Surrey mentality of wealth and meant as part of what the leisure class should do to stave off boredom? Not at all, but a challenge to reach out to our community however we define "community." As I am a Level 4 (Do read, "Parents on the Move!" ordered through Amazon), I can't stand cultural dominancy; so it would need to be a meal for folk who love crossing cultures. My husband is English and I am American (well, I've lived in the UK for over thirty years so am not sure how American I truely am anymore), so we are off to at least a cross-cultural start.
Each Sunday now, after church, we invite people back to the house for lunch. Thankfully, our church is such a cultural mix there is no fear of the conversation being dominated by Conservatives/Liberal/Labour. I value my husband's English opinion, but after so many years abroad I would rather not spend our lovely lunch just defending/not defending the latest thing the President has in the news; from a table full of either his culture or my culture of origin. In addition to our multi-cultural church, Ellel International Ministries is just up the road; and this past Sunday lunch we invited a wonderful young couple from the Ukraine who work in that ministry. Oh, the stories!
All around us are amazing people with stories of how they live and work and love their neighbours from all over the globe. God has us on a journey, and there are so many stories to share; encouraging us to enjoy this life and value/share what we have. Such a simple idea,this meal sharing on a Sunday; taken from at least a generation ago.Simple meal, simple idea....stories to last you all week! Check out: Seeds of the Kingdom
Monday, 20 February 2012
Friday, 27 January 2012
High in the Skies
My husband and I like to connect with family over the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year season; and like many multinational families, that requires getting on an airplane. I actually like flying. For some reason, I find fellow travellors friendly, security people often funny; and when on the plane it is rest all the way. Someone else cooks dinner, serves the meals, cleans up and all I have to do is catch up on two or three films or read from my stack on kindle. What's not to like?
But last week's flight back up from Italy to the UK was the stuff of which nighmares and crazy films are made.As the plane slammed from side to side, and twisted over what was more of a view of the alps than I paid for, I was not peacefully watching a film (one of those no-frills flights which I also enjoy as I still have my kindle and time with my husband.) At one point, when the plane slammed us in one direction, as we then were tossed back to the other side, I caught hold of the top of the seat in front to steady me, and I lifted the other hand up and aloud prayed the Name of Jesus.
"Jesus! The Name of Jesus! Jesus!" I cried.
"Kathleen!" my husband reprimanded me by his tone, "You are scaring the other passenger!" He did his English whisper.
I opened my eyes, "Ooops....so I am.Sorry." I slunk down into the chair and stopped-but so had the turbulance!
I recall another night, coming into JFK, New York out of Heathrow, London.We had flown most of the night but it was still dark outside. Infact, the second in command to the pilot announced that the weather was so bad (he used more sophisticated terminology for weather conditions) that we would have to stack for awhile. In a little while, the pilot came on the PA system and said that we would be stacking for another half an hour, but unlike the other planes due to land we would actually be landing in good time. The other planes now stacking with us would be heading off to alternative airports.
"If you have ever doubted the capability of women pilots, do let tonight change your mind. Being a woman driver,"said our pilot," I flew out with more than enough gas! The male pilots in the planes you now can see turning away, only took the minimum. This momma knows how to get her kids home!"
And though we swept from side to side as we went down the run way, to an uproar of applause, we landed safely.
Giving thanks for all the pilots who got us where we needed to go over Christmas.And giving thanks for all the uneventful flights ever flown.Pilots - male and female- you serve us well. Thank you.
And now, I just have to link you to a photo I love of the Singapore airport. It was taken by a young mom doing a family trip over the holidays. She has a great blog (we have major disagreemens over some things, but I love Crystal's day to day writing)that I came across on twitter from Crossing Cultures. She has kindly given me permission to link to the photos- do take a look! http://expatbostonians.com/2012/01/02/angry-birds-at-changi-airport/
If for any reason you cannot see the link- please google: angry-birds-at-changi-airport
But last week's flight back up from Italy to the UK was the stuff of which nighmares and crazy films are made.As the plane slammed from side to side, and twisted over what was more of a view of the alps than I paid for, I was not peacefully watching a film (one of those no-frills flights which I also enjoy as I still have my kindle and time with my husband.) At one point, when the plane slammed us in one direction, as we then were tossed back to the other side, I caught hold of the top of the seat in front to steady me, and I lifted the other hand up and aloud prayed the Name of Jesus.
"Jesus! The Name of Jesus! Jesus!" I cried.
"Kathleen!" my husband reprimanded me by his tone, "You are scaring the other passenger!" He did his English whisper.
I opened my eyes, "Ooops....so I am.Sorry." I slunk down into the chair and stopped-but so had the turbulance!
I recall another night, coming into JFK, New York out of Heathrow, London.We had flown most of the night but it was still dark outside. Infact, the second in command to the pilot announced that the weather was so bad (he used more sophisticated terminology for weather conditions) that we would have to stack for awhile. In a little while, the pilot came on the PA system and said that we would be stacking for another half an hour, but unlike the other planes due to land we would actually be landing in good time. The other planes now stacking with us would be heading off to alternative airports.
"If you have ever doubted the capability of women pilots, do let tonight change your mind. Being a woman driver,"said our pilot," I flew out with more than enough gas! The male pilots in the planes you now can see turning away, only took the minimum. This momma knows how to get her kids home!"
And though we swept from side to side as we went down the run way, to an uproar of applause, we landed safely.
Giving thanks for all the pilots who got us where we needed to go over Christmas.And giving thanks for all the uneventful flights ever flown.Pilots - male and female- you serve us well. Thank you.
And now, I just have to link you to a photo I love of the Singapore airport. It was taken by a young mom doing a family trip over the holidays. She has a great blog (we have major disagreemens over some things, but I love Crystal's day to day writing)that I came across on twitter from Crossing Cultures. She has kindly given me permission to link to the photos- do take a look! http://expatbostonians.com/2012/01/02/angry-birds-at-changi-airport/
If for any reason you cannot see the link- please google: angry-birds-at-changi-airport
Friday, 30 December 2011
Yorkshire
Each county in the UK is very much like each state in the USA; for example, the food and the language and even the outlook on life varies. We're up in South Yorkshire (SO different from North Yorkshire) and my husband- aka Grandad- is out back helping his grandson sort out/repair the go kart they made on our last visit (or two, this seems to be an on going project). GS (Grandson) is a delight to listen to, with his Yorkshire accent ( love to hear him say "huney" as in "Winnie the Pooh honey".
This morning at breakfast we have been talking about GS's first visit to America this coming April. It reminded me of the years of preparing children to relocate from the UK to the USA and vice versa when I was director of Childtrack International. It's just as much fun now as it was then, and I am thinking of ways to help this delightful eight year old enjoy his brief visit. Global granparenting means introducing fun in various languages ( Russina, Italian, American English-mostly southern, British English-north and south versions in our family) and brings the introduction of "other ways of doing things" quite early on in life. GS's half English/half Italian cousin is growing up bi-lingual, but even bi-dialectual children have their challenges.
While I am thinking about sticking up British and American coins on the fridge, and introducing the biscuits vs cookies choices, Grandad is thinking up places to take GS and parents (his daugher and her husband) who have also never travelled to America. The family is clear they want to see normal family life on the Gulf of Mexico, so dropping them off at Disney (my student job was the Orlando Disney World) isn't going to work.
GD believes he will start with a bicycle for GS, while leaving the parents to relax on the lanai (Florida word for screened in back porch)- and that means starting with finding a bicycle that fits GS and a helmet to match. One lap around the neighbourhood lake and then off they go to the Inland Waterway of Sarasota county!
Still, that's months away and just outside on a cold Yorkshire December morning, "the lads" are working on the go-kart.
This morning at breakfast we have been talking about GS's first visit to America this coming April. It reminded me of the years of preparing children to relocate from the UK to the USA and vice versa when I was director of Childtrack International. It's just as much fun now as it was then, and I am thinking of ways to help this delightful eight year old enjoy his brief visit. Global granparenting means introducing fun in various languages ( Russina, Italian, American English-mostly southern, British English-north and south versions in our family) and brings the introduction of "other ways of doing things" quite early on in life. GS's half English/half Italian cousin is growing up bi-lingual, but even bi-dialectual children have their challenges.
While I am thinking about sticking up British and American coins on the fridge, and introducing the biscuits vs cookies choices, Grandad is thinking up places to take GS and parents (his daugher and her husband) who have also never travelled to America. The family is clear they want to see normal family life on the Gulf of Mexico, so dropping them off at Disney (my student job was the Orlando Disney World) isn't going to work.
GD believes he will start with a bicycle for GS, while leaving the parents to relax on the lanai (Florida word for screened in back porch)- and that means starting with finding a bicycle that fits GS and a helmet to match. One lap around the neighbourhood lake and then off they go to the Inland Waterway of Sarasota county!
Still, that's months away and just outside on a cold Yorkshire December morning, "the lads" are working on the go-kart.
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