At the moment, the British grocery stores are promoting all the ingredients for English pancakes*, so being a Level Four (read "Parents on the Move!" to find your level), I have to make it complicated.
We have invited our Dutch friend, Rosalinde, for one of our favourite (because we like to eat) English traditions, Pancake Tuesday; and will start with German pancakes (my mother in law's recipe-the German first course for this tradition is with bacon) and finish with Dutch pancakes and French crepes. All cooked in an English kitchen (measurments, layout etc) and eaten by an American, an Englishman and our lovely Dutch friend. My kind of evening!
Pancake Tuesday is the night before Ash Wednesday, and it is the start of Lent. The last night for great carbs until Easter, at least for me. We fast for the day on Wednesday after the morning worship service in our local church. From Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday many Christians around the world sacrifice such things as chocolate or wine, or maybe some habit for a season. We sacrfice these things, in the hope that through giving up something we truely enjoy we will gain understanding of the concept of sacrifice.
But Lent isn't just about giving up things. It's also a time to reflect on some issues in these challenging times. Let's remember that not everyone has the freedom to worship at a local church, or wear Ash Wednesday ashes on their foreheads which lets others know they have a commited faith. Let me encourage you to seriously consider joining me in Praying for The Persecuted Church in Lent. There is an excellent booklet that can help guide your prayers and it is produced by the Barnabas Fund. Find more information at http://www.barnabasfund.org/
I pray you have a thoughtful and reflective Lent, as we prepare to remember the sacrifice Jesus made so that we may have life, and life to the full.
*not just English pancakes, but Scottish and a whole aray of microwavable!
Monday, 15 February 2010
Monday, 8 February 2010
Stop Overs
You may recall I have been praying for Jen, the lovely young woman relocating to Australia. She skyped the other night/day when she stopped over in Kuala Lumpur. I thought her remarks on the advantages of "stop overs" was worth noting here, especially for Experience Levels One and Two. See her notes below and then order the book "Parents on the Move!" to check out your Level of Relocation vs Experience Level!
“Doing a stopover” by Jen:
"It had been a while since I did a stopover and I decided to make this particular one longer than the previous because I was flying to Australia and would have had to change planes anyhow. My stopover was in Kuala Lumpur - around 25 hours, not including the journey to and from the airport...
Overall, I would say it was a positive experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is flying far and has the option of stopping in a new location for a night. Firstly, a stopover gives one the opportunity to get a taste of another city without having to commit yourself to one or two weeks- if you do not like the place, there are no regrets because you are only there for a night and if you do like what you see, you can always come back to explore further another time.
Secondly, long-haul flights can be exhausting and as we know, not good for our health so a stopover which includes a night in a hotel is a perfect way to un-wind, rest and break up your journey.
Finally, it also helps to deal with jet lag as it gives you an extra day to re-adjust and catch up with your new time zone, thus avoiding the unnecessary shock to your system when you arrive at your final destination."
It was great to literally see Jen in Kuala Lumpur on the webcam...I am not always a fan of using the camera when talking on skype but it was good to see her looking so well after such a long flight.
Just a note to say I have taken off the "comments" section of this blog as I understand you can only comment if you have a google account. Most of the comments I have received so far have come from email anway. Please do checkout the website http://www.parentsonthemove.com/ for contact details.
“Doing a stopover” by Jen:
"It had been a while since I did a stopover and I decided to make this particular one longer than the previous because I was flying to Australia and would have had to change planes anyhow. My stopover was in Kuala Lumpur - around 25 hours, not including the journey to and from the airport...
Overall, I would say it was a positive experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is flying far and has the option of stopping in a new location for a night. Firstly, a stopover gives one the opportunity to get a taste of another city without having to commit yourself to one or two weeks- if you do not like the place, there are no regrets because you are only there for a night and if you do like what you see, you can always come back to explore further another time.
Secondly, long-haul flights can be exhausting and as we know, not good for our health so a stopover which includes a night in a hotel is a perfect way to un-wind, rest and break up your journey.
Finally, it also helps to deal with jet lag as it gives you an extra day to re-adjust and catch up with your new time zone, thus avoiding the unnecessary shock to your system when you arrive at your final destination."
It was great to literally see Jen in Kuala Lumpur on the webcam...I am not always a fan of using the camera when talking on skype but it was good to see her looking so well after such a long flight.
Just a note to say I have taken off the "comments" section of this blog as I understand you can only comment if you have a google account. Most of the comments I have received so far have come from email anway. Please do checkout the website http://www.parentsonthemove.com/ for contact details.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
British Military Wives
This past Saturday I attended a wonderful one day women's conference in Aldershot, a home of the British military. To begin with there was a great welcome, which is always a good start. Most of the attendees were from the base, but there were others like me who had heard about this conference from their local church. I came with two friends, and we had a day to remember!
The speaker was from St Aldate's in Oxford ( http://www.staldates.org.uk/) and she travels all over the world with her ministry "Heartscry!" ( http://www.heartcry.co.uk/) She's a Vicar's wife, but don't think of afternoon garden tea parties when you think of Rachel. Think of challenging you to being a watchman/watchwoman for the nation! Let me explain.
Rachel held up a glass with water. "What happens when an opera singer goes for the high notes?"
The glass breaks. Sound makes a vibration.
It was with sounds put together in a word, that God breathed out the word and created the world.
Then...Rachel asked these military wives, "what happens when your husbands are marching and go over a bridge?"
My friends and I hadn't a clue,but the hall errupted with women saying, "they break step!"
What's that about?
Well, it seems that the vibrations of marching could bring down the bridge unless they broke the pattern of being in-step. NOW, think of the walls of Jerricho. Men marching in step, round and round the walls seven times.
Rachel then asked us, "what sound are you making?"
She said that from the beginning of time God designed us, and made us to be here for such a time as this. (yes, think Ester) Are we being called to be "watch women?" Is there something happening in our world with which we are "not best pleased?" Are we meant to make a difference? What is it we want to say? What sound are we making and sending out in the world? Are we saying, "Not on my watch!" to something we feel strongly about?
I pray that you make a sound or two today. What is your sound? If we are in agreement about the sounds we send out and "keep in step" a wall or two just might come down.
The speaker was from St Aldate's in Oxford ( http://www.staldates.org.uk/) and she travels all over the world with her ministry "Heartscry!" ( http://www.heartcry.co.uk/) She's a Vicar's wife, but don't think of afternoon garden tea parties when you think of Rachel. Think of challenging you to being a watchman/watchwoman for the nation! Let me explain.
Rachel held up a glass with water. "What happens when an opera singer goes for the high notes?"
The glass breaks. Sound makes a vibration.
It was with sounds put together in a word, that God breathed out the word and created the world.
Then...Rachel asked these military wives, "what happens when your husbands are marching and go over a bridge?"
My friends and I hadn't a clue,but the hall errupted with women saying, "they break step!"
What's that about?
Well, it seems that the vibrations of marching could bring down the bridge unless they broke the pattern of being in-step. NOW, think of the walls of Jerricho. Men marching in step, round and round the walls seven times.
Rachel then asked us, "what sound are you making?"
She said that from the beginning of time God designed us, and made us to be here for such a time as this. (yes, think Ester) Are we being called to be "watch women?" Is there something happening in our world with which we are "not best pleased?" Are we meant to make a difference? What is it we want to say? What sound are we making and sending out in the world? Are we saying, "Not on my watch!" to something we feel strongly about?
I pray that you make a sound or two today. What is your sound? If we are in agreement about the sounds we send out and "keep in step" a wall or two just might come down.
Friday, 29 January 2010
English National Health Service
I've had so many people, including American relatives ask me "what IS the British National Health Service like?" Even though I have a degree in politics, let me tell you that as much as possible....this blog is NOT political. I will share my experience but I will not be using this site to push you into politcal stances.
With that political disclaimer out of the way, let me say there is no truely "British" National Health. The service you get is different from town to town, never mind the differences between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are some structual similarities, but so far the questions have been more about the experience from the user end; in other words "what's it LIKE!"
So, let me tell you how I found the service at the nhs yesterday. Our nearest town is Farnham in Surrey. (This is when English friends go "Oh.....Surrey," because Surrey gets everything, and by that I mean the best of everything.) It's not that all of us are rich, but we talk alot. And we live near London (so many of us are commuters) so you can't fob us off with old ways of doing things. I say "we" because as a long term expat, I have one of those little nhs cards, along with the privilege of paying taxes.
Back to yesterday. I had received a letter saying that though the latest research states that a woman should only have a mammogramme once every three years, my doctor had recommended everyone in her practice to "have another one" as long as it had been over a year since our last one. Following me? I called Rebecca...I mean, Dr Reynolds and checked that there wasn't anything wrong with me. (A little paranoia that maybe this was her polite way of getting me for a recheck when something might be wrong.) She said she just wanted a latest report....a screening of all her female patients, and truely, everyone was "invited." I could turn it down.
I thought of the millions of women, including women in the USA where having a mammogramme would be an answer to prayer, so I duely went along. The Farnham hospital is mostly a new facility, with new wings having being built by selling off some land they owned. The breast screening clinic wasn't in the new bit. In fact, the clinic was in a mobile unit that seems to be visiting our hospital parking lot for a few weeks.
I went in and sat with two other women (no large waiting room with fresh coffeee and tea that you find in the breast screening home base in Guildford -our nearest large town where I had been before) but it was clean, with pleasant colors (very important to me) and a friendly Irish nurse who called my name the moment I walked in. I was just hearing a very good story from one of the waiting women about her granny who had recently died at 91 when I was called in for my check up. Moving right along, let me say these new machines are not painful with their plastic bits like the old metal machines ages ago and somehow it is a comfort that the nurse doesn't go racing out of the room while you hear a radiation buzz!
Two minutes later, I was thanked for coming (no, " thank you!"), quickly changed in a bright colored cubicle and slipped out the back door to my husband waiting in the car. Drive in mammogrammes!
With that political disclaimer out of the way, let me say there is no truely "British" National Health. The service you get is different from town to town, never mind the differences between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are some structual similarities, but so far the questions have been more about the experience from the user end; in other words "what's it LIKE!"
So, let me tell you how I found the service at the nhs yesterday. Our nearest town is Farnham in Surrey. (This is when English friends go "Oh.....Surrey," because Surrey gets everything, and by that I mean the best of everything.) It's not that all of us are rich, but we talk alot. And we live near London (so many of us are commuters) so you can't fob us off with old ways of doing things. I say "we" because as a long term expat, I have one of those little nhs cards, along with the privilege of paying taxes.
Back to yesterday. I had received a letter saying that though the latest research states that a woman should only have a mammogramme once every three years, my doctor had recommended everyone in her practice to "have another one" as long as it had been over a year since our last one. Following me? I called Rebecca...I mean, Dr Reynolds and checked that there wasn't anything wrong with me. (A little paranoia that maybe this was her polite way of getting me for a recheck when something might be wrong.) She said she just wanted a latest report....a screening of all her female patients, and truely, everyone was "invited." I could turn it down.
I thought of the millions of women, including women in the USA where having a mammogramme would be an answer to prayer, so I duely went along. The Farnham hospital is mostly a new facility, with new wings having being built by selling off some land they owned. The breast screening clinic wasn't in the new bit. In fact, the clinic was in a mobile unit that seems to be visiting our hospital parking lot for a few weeks.
I went in and sat with two other women (no large waiting room with fresh coffeee and tea that you find in the breast screening home base in Guildford -our nearest large town where I had been before) but it was clean, with pleasant colors (very important to me) and a friendly Irish nurse who called my name the moment I walked in. I was just hearing a very good story from one of the waiting women about her granny who had recently died at 91 when I was called in for my check up. Moving right along, let me say these new machines are not painful with their plastic bits like the old metal machines ages ago and somehow it is a comfort that the nurse doesn't go racing out of the room while you hear a radiation buzz!
Two minutes later, I was thanked for coming (no, " thank you!"), quickly changed in a bright colored cubicle and slipped out the back door to my husband waiting in the car. Drive in mammogrammes!
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Countdown to Moving
Jen is the young Russian-English woman I mentioned last week. In one more week's time she moves to Austalia. She's on "countdown."
With her busy life that includes recently being on American television to tell about the London Salt Cave as well as researching best new camera buys (she thinks Kuala Lumpur shops), I am impressed with her adding something very 21st century to her to-do list: She has checked that her mother has up to date skype contacts!
For so many years, preparing-to-go included checking contact details in a little leather address book; making sure you had telephone numbers and more recently, emails. Jen's mother is no novice to travelling, whether it's heading back to Russia (her country of origin) or seeing Jen off on adventures to Isreal, Thailand, Turkey, Hong Kong, the Sahara.....you name it! But there are generational differences in dealing with what I called that "communication gap," that gap that comes when a member of the family travels off on their own. In my book, "Parents on the Move! (Destiny Image Europe publishers) I said that this was the gap that comes from differing time zones and unshared adventures.
Jen will communicate through her blog and develop her photoraphy, but I am impressed that this twenty-something woman took a moment in a very hectic countdown to relocating overseas to load up the skype contacts for her mum.
This week I continue to pray that Jen will see "Father God in the details" as she does all she needs to do before boarding that plane!
With her busy life that includes recently being on American television to tell about the London Salt Cave as well as researching best new camera buys (she thinks Kuala Lumpur shops), I am impressed with her adding something very 21st century to her to-do list: She has checked that her mother has up to date skype contacts!
For so many years, preparing-to-go included checking contact details in a little leather address book; making sure you had telephone numbers and more recently, emails. Jen's mother is no novice to travelling, whether it's heading back to Russia (her country of origin) or seeing Jen off on adventures to Isreal, Thailand, Turkey, Hong Kong, the Sahara.....you name it! But there are generational differences in dealing with what I called that "communication gap," that gap that comes when a member of the family travels off on their own. In my book, "Parents on the Move! (Destiny Image Europe publishers) I said that this was the gap that comes from differing time zones and unshared adventures.
Jen will communicate through her blog and develop her photoraphy, but I am impressed that this twenty-something woman took a moment in a very hectic countdown to relocating overseas to load up the skype contacts for her mum.
This week I continue to pray that Jen will see "Father God in the details" as she does all she needs to do before boarding that plane!
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Final Edit
http://www.eurodestinyimage.com/ Late last night I completed what looks like the final edit of the book "Parents on the Move!" and sent it back to Marzia, the project manager at Destiny Image Europe. Reflecting on coming to the end of writing this "how to" book, I look back over the past months and think how blessed I have been to work with this publishing team. It has been such a good experience!
Every step of the way the Destiny team has supported and encouraged me, which as a first time book writer, has been much apprecitated. They provided an excellent editor; who while noting every "i" that needed dotting, and every "t" that needed crossing, kept me focusing on what was working. Almost daily emails from Marzia blessed me with seeing progress! Chief of the publishing team is Pastor Pietro Evangelista, and from the day he led me and the rest of team in praying for this book, I knew I had made the right choice to publish with Destiny Image. I give thanks for their work!
Soon, Pietro and members of the Destiny Image Europe team will head to Nigeria and Kenya to encourage potential authors to publish their story. Have a look at the Destiny Image Europe website and click on the You Tube section. See the work they are doing in Jesus' Name, "Changing the world, one book at a time."
And by the way, you can go to my website, http://www.parentsonmove.com/ and click on the You Tube "book trailer" orgainised by Destiny Image Europe to see our vision for "Parents on the Move!" The book will be on sale this March 2010. Praise God!
Every step of the way the Destiny team has supported and encouraged me, which as a first time book writer, has been much apprecitated. They provided an excellent editor; who while noting every "i" that needed dotting, and every "t" that needed crossing, kept me focusing on what was working. Almost daily emails from Marzia blessed me with seeing progress! Chief of the publishing team is Pastor Pietro Evangelista, and from the day he led me and the rest of team in praying for this book, I knew I had made the right choice to publish with Destiny Image. I give thanks for their work!
Soon, Pietro and members of the Destiny Image Europe team will head to Nigeria and Kenya to encourage potential authors to publish their story. Have a look at the Destiny Image Europe website and click on the You Tube section. See the work they are doing in Jesus' Name, "Changing the world, one book at a time."
And by the way, you can go to my website, http://www.parentsonmove.com/ and click on the You Tube "book trailer" orgainised by Destiny Image Europe to see our vision for "Parents on the Move!" The book will be on sale this March 2010. Praise God!
Friday, 22 January 2010
Finding a Church
It's a challenge to find a new church when you move. Thankfully today there are several websites to help you out, and one is simply called http://www.findachurch.com/
There are sites that call themselves "global," but unfortunately only mean American, and don't allow you to fill in the online form with the alpha-numeric zip codes (called post codes in some places) that are found where I am living in the UK. I often find myself wanting to fill in an American form that says it is international, but find it only takes numbers in the zip code area, and here we have both capital letters and numbers to make up that little code that insures the postman /mailman/postoffice worker gets to your house or flat/apartment.
So, on the new website that will support the book, Parents on the Move! we will be listing several links that I have tried and tested for finding a church in many parts of the world. Finding the name and address of a church is just the start-but an important start!- in finding a new faith family home. It can take considerable prayer, multiple visits and even what I call "hanging out time" to know if a church is right for you and your family.
Today let's take a moment to pray for those churches that need to keep their identity secret. Let's pray for the underground churches in the world. I hope that those of us living in countries where we are free to worship without fear take the time to attend the church of our choice and His leading. Let's give thanks for that freedom.
See you next Tuesday! DV!
There are sites that call themselves "global," but unfortunately only mean American, and don't allow you to fill in the online form with the alpha-numeric zip codes (called post codes in some places) that are found where I am living in the UK. I often find myself wanting to fill in an American form that says it is international, but find it only takes numbers in the zip code area, and here we have both capital letters and numbers to make up that little code that insures the postman /mailman/postoffice worker gets to your house or flat/apartment.
So, on the new website that will support the book, Parents on the Move! we will be listing several links that I have tried and tested for finding a church in many parts of the world. Finding the name and address of a church is just the start-but an important start!- in finding a new faith family home. It can take considerable prayer, multiple visits and even what I call "hanging out time" to know if a church is right for you and your family.
Today let's take a moment to pray for those churches that need to keep their identity secret. Let's pray for the underground churches in the world. I hope that those of us living in countries where we are free to worship without fear take the time to attend the church of our choice and His leading. Let's give thanks for that freedom.
See you next Tuesday! DV!
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Agape Flights
http://www.agapeflights.com/
Haiti used to be a neighbour. Years ago, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica, I took a mailboat down to Trinidad. Along the way you get to hear what other islanders think of "your" island as well as what people from other islands think of the many, many islands in the Caribbean. Each island has a reputation.
I must admit, Jamaica's reputation wasn't always the best, but Haiti's reputation was dreadful. Hearing of the violence, even in those days made it hard to love our neighbour and a personal risk to bring development assistance.
As someone who was trained in hurricanne relief, I have the upmost respect for those aid workers going into help with the earthquake disaster. As much as I join others in praying for the victims, I also pray for those working to bring relief. For some, it must be a challenge that is more than anyone can imagine, to go into an island you do not know and try to help.
One aid group I want to bring to your attention today is Agape Flights. The people at Agape already know Haiti, and have supported missionaries living there for years. If you click on the link above, you can receive updates on their flights to provide medical support as well as cruicial supplies. My husband and I have visited the hangar a number of times and have seen the volunteer pilots and staff prepare to take an incredible array of items to approiximately 380 missionaries in Haiti, The Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Normally there is a regular, weekly flight. At the moment, it's as many flights out to Haiti as possible! You can read how kind and generous small plane pilots have been to loan Agape their planes.
Sometimes, because of what we have heard, on the news or from other people, it can be a challenge to love our neighbour. We can look to the local governement and ask "what have you done to help your people over all these years?" We can also make a will choice to have mercy and do all we can to help in a time of need. Agape Ministries is right there, with knowlege of the land and love for the people. Take a moment to pray for their flights, supplies and tireless volunteer workers, as well as for the incredible people of Haiti. May God have mercy.
Haiti used to be a neighbour. Years ago, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica, I took a mailboat down to Trinidad. Along the way you get to hear what other islanders think of "your" island as well as what people from other islands think of the many, many islands in the Caribbean. Each island has a reputation.
I must admit, Jamaica's reputation wasn't always the best, but Haiti's reputation was dreadful. Hearing of the violence, even in those days made it hard to love our neighbour and a personal risk to bring development assistance.
As someone who was trained in hurricanne relief, I have the upmost respect for those aid workers going into help with the earthquake disaster. As much as I join others in praying for the victims, I also pray for those working to bring relief. For some, it must be a challenge that is more than anyone can imagine, to go into an island you do not know and try to help.
One aid group I want to bring to your attention today is Agape Flights. The people at Agape already know Haiti, and have supported missionaries living there for years. If you click on the link above, you can receive updates on their flights to provide medical support as well as cruicial supplies. My husband and I have visited the hangar a number of times and have seen the volunteer pilots and staff prepare to take an incredible array of items to approiximately 380 missionaries in Haiti, The Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Normally there is a regular, weekly flight. At the moment, it's as many flights out to Haiti as possible! You can read how kind and generous small plane pilots have been to loan Agape their planes.
Sometimes, because of what we have heard, on the news or from other people, it can be a challenge to love our neighbour. We can look to the local governement and ask "what have you done to help your people over all these years?" We can also make a will choice to have mercy and do all we can to help in a time of need. Agape Ministries is right there, with knowlege of the land and love for the people. Take a moment to pray for their flights, supplies and tireless volunteer workers, as well as for the incredible people of Haiti. May God have mercy.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Women's Ministry
Fishermans Net Revival Center LinkEvery Tuesday, no matter where in the world I am, I think of the Women's Group at Fisherman's Net Revival Center in Venice, Florida. On Wednesdays, I think of two women's groups; one in North Port, Florida and one in Farnham, England. As I said in "Parent's on the Move!" when you move to a new location, it's important to have a support team.
A Ministry group, men's or women's, is one of the most important support groups you can have.
And I don't mean groups that just get together to socialize; though that has value, these groups are also about growing in your faith and addressing the immediate concerns in your life. The group needs to be large enough to encourage people to use and develop their gifts, but small enough to enable trust and confidentiality.
Still, as I am thinking about women's ministry in particulary today and while the group in Venice (and thankfully North Port and Farnham, England) is growing, it is sad to say that this form of ministry is dying out in many parts of the world. We are just too busy, or feel it is not important enough to be on our weekly schedule. Maybe we associate these type of meetings with women who have nothing better to do. Nothing could be further from the truth! Praying women impact their families and communities, and pass on valuable information that is priceless for women living far from home. And if they are like my women's groups, they know how to email and facebook etc and pray for all your adventures. If you can't find one that suits your approach to Bible study and prayer, or even simply your schedule; why not consider starting a group?
This week I have posted two photos of the Fisherman's Net Revival Center in Venice Women's Group. I'm sending my love! Pastor Joy, your leadership in women's ministry is appreciated! You ladies are awesome!
A Ministry group, men's or women's, is one of the most important support groups you can have.
And I don't mean groups that just get together to socialize; though that has value, these groups are also about growing in your faith and addressing the immediate concerns in your life. The group needs to be large enough to encourage people to use and develop their gifts, but small enough to enable trust and confidentiality.
Still, as I am thinking about women's ministry in particulary today and while the group in Venice (and thankfully North Port and Farnham, England) is growing, it is sad to say that this form of ministry is dying out in many parts of the world. We are just too busy, or feel it is not important enough to be on our weekly schedule. Maybe we associate these type of meetings with women who have nothing better to do. Nothing could be further from the truth! Praying women impact their families and communities, and pass on valuable information that is priceless for women living far from home. And if they are like my women's groups, they know how to email and facebook etc and pray for all your adventures. If you can't find one that suits your approach to Bible study and prayer, or even simply your schedule; why not consider starting a group?
This week I have posted two photos of the Fisherman's Net Revival Center in Venice Women's Group. I'm sending my love! Pastor Joy, your leadership in women's ministry is appreciated! You ladies are awesome!
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Prayer for a new friend!
For years Gay Mallam, my business partner at Childtrack
(education consultancy for financial community families in London) and I would pray for our "client-kids" to have a new friend on the first day of school. We prayed they would have someone to sit with at lunch, and someone to befriend them on the playground. Sometimes a quiet phone call would be made to the new school, just to check that the new school staff would be sensitive to "our kids" needs. As consultants, we could get away with this and protect the mother from looking over anxious.
No matter how old you are or sophisticated you have become, you need a new friend when you land in a new place. As a "prayer mom" who has retired from the City, my desire is to be a support for relcating families in a new and equally exciting way. Through the book I have written, Parents on the Move! you will see just how we successfully organised one week survey trips to locate that new school for the kids and worked with the best realtors/estate agents.
And we still pray. Today I am praying for a South African investment banker who has left Canary Wharf (only one?) and is starting his new job, and for a young English/Russian woman who is moving soon to Australia. Join me in praying that they have Father God's favour as they start work in their new location, and even for a friend or two for coffee, lunch, or someone to just show them the ropes!
(education consultancy for financial community families in London) and I would pray for our "client-kids" to have a new friend on the first day of school. We prayed they would have someone to sit with at lunch, and someone to befriend them on the playground. Sometimes a quiet phone call would be made to the new school, just to check that the new school staff would be sensitive to "our kids" needs. As consultants, we could get away with this and protect the mother from looking over anxious.
No matter how old you are or sophisticated you have become, you need a new friend when you land in a new place. As a "prayer mom" who has retired from the City, my desire is to be a support for relcating families in a new and equally exciting way. Through the book I have written, Parents on the Move! you will see just how we successfully organised one week survey trips to locate that new school for the kids and worked with the best realtors/estate agents.
And we still pray. Today I am praying for a South African investment banker who has left Canary Wharf (only one?) and is starting his new job, and for a young English/Russian woman who is moving soon to Australia. Join me in praying that they have Father God's favour as they start work in their new location, and even for a friend or two for coffee, lunch, or someone to just show them the ropes!
Friday, 15 January 2010
Freedom to Believe
It is always difficult to lose a family member, no matter how old and infirm they might be. Moments after arriving back in the UK my daughter sent me a text message that "granddad's not well," and that she would call me when they got home from church. By the time we spoke, her grandfather had passed away.
With all the snow, funeral arrangements have apparently been a challenge as many members of the family will need to travel quite a distance to get down to the "West Country" of England, Cornwall. My children's cousins have lived in Saudia Arabia for a number of years, but are now attending UK universities or working so all the "grandkids" will meet up. Funerals and Weddings as it is said, bring families together.
English funerals are very private affairs, unless you are royalty or well known for some other reason. There is no tradition of simply showing up to pay your respects. Ex-wives are thoroughly NOT welcome at this funeral, and that means that I and my former sister in law, who is still living in Saudia Arabia will not be attending. We had a good skype chat about it today.
Skype is such a gift to global families. You download it for free and then you "telephone" via your laptop (with built in microphone) for free. It is one of the most worthwhile things to sign up for if you are considering moving out of state or overseas and intend to stay in touch with family. It means you can have more than a brief expensive chat. You can really talk. And write each other notes while you are talking; in our case, updating the kids contact details.
As the family prepares to fly in/drive/travel via train etc to remember a man who was a great challenge to family life and someone who spent much energy on mocking Christians, it is my hope that we all remember that we never know if someone called on the Father of us all, in Jesus's name at the last minute. What we do know is that God is gracious and if He remembered our transgressions, who would stand?
Celebrate Religeous Freedom Day on the 16th of January!
May you have a blessed weekend and remember to have a Sabbath Rest! Good Lord willing, see you Monday.
With all the snow, funeral arrangements have apparently been a challenge as many members of the family will need to travel quite a distance to get down to the "West Country" of England, Cornwall. My children's cousins have lived in Saudia Arabia for a number of years, but are now attending UK universities or working so all the "grandkids" will meet up. Funerals and Weddings as it is said, bring families together.
English funerals are very private affairs, unless you are royalty or well known for some other reason. There is no tradition of simply showing up to pay your respects. Ex-wives are thoroughly NOT welcome at this funeral, and that means that I and my former sister in law, who is still living in Saudia Arabia will not be attending. We had a good skype chat about it today.
Skype is such a gift to global families. You download it for free and then you "telephone" via your laptop (with built in microphone) for free. It is one of the most worthwhile things to sign up for if you are considering moving out of state or overseas and intend to stay in touch with family. It means you can have more than a brief expensive chat. You can really talk. And write each other notes while you are talking; in our case, updating the kids contact details.
As the family prepares to fly in/drive/travel via train etc to remember a man who was a great challenge to family life and someone who spent much energy on mocking Christians, it is my hope that we all remember that we never know if someone called on the Father of us all, in Jesus's name at the last minute. What we do know is that God is gracious and if He remembered our transgressions, who would stand?
Celebrate Religeous Freedom Day on the 16th of January!
May you have a blessed weekend and remember to have a Sabbath Rest! Good Lord willing, see you Monday.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Back in England
We left the cold but sunny Italy and flew into the snowiest England I have ever seen, and I have been living overseas in the UK for thirty years! We will have to add photos to this blog or even I won't believe what I am seeing out my window.
This weather makes me think of baking to warm up the kitchen on a winter day. On Saturdays I love to make either waffles or pancakes and this past Saturday was no exception, except that my step-daughter is absolutley a Level Six when it comes to her kitchen and cooking in general. This meant that everything was geared up to Italian ways and means....a beautiful Italian designed scale on the counter but no American measureing cups or spoons. Not even English measuring equipment and she is English! Thankfully my husband knows how to convert Italian to English to American recipes and I could work backwards from the Better Homes and Gardens recipe I found on the internet. I give thanks that we do not have to lug around cook books these days!
So....blueberry pancakes it was and today I am thinking about chocolate chips cookies, and my Level Four kitchen is all prepared! Just the thing to match up with hot chocolate and marshmallows after a lunch time of playing in this amazing snow that looks more like Colorado than England!
If you want to know more about Levels of Livng or Moving to another country, remember to order my book "Parents on the Move!" which is coming out in March, from Destiny Image Europe. As we start to build the website to accompany the book, you will also see weblinks to great cooking sites.
Blessings, Kathleen
This weather makes me think of baking to warm up the kitchen on a winter day. On Saturdays I love to make either waffles or pancakes and this past Saturday was no exception, except that my step-daughter is absolutley a Level Six when it comes to her kitchen and cooking in general. This meant that everything was geared up to Italian ways and means....a beautiful Italian designed scale on the counter but no American measureing cups or spoons. Not even English measuring equipment and she is English! Thankfully my husband knows how to convert Italian to English to American recipes and I could work backwards from the Better Homes and Gardens recipe I found on the internet. I give thanks that we do not have to lug around cook books these days!
So....blueberry pancakes it was and today I am thinking about chocolate chips cookies, and my Level Four kitchen is all prepared! Just the thing to match up with hot chocolate and marshmallows after a lunch time of playing in this amazing snow that looks more like Colorado than England!
If you want to know more about Levels of Livng or Moving to another country, remember to order my book "Parents on the Move!" which is coming out in March, from Destiny Image Europe. As we start to build the website to accompany the book, you will also see weblinks to great cooking sites.
Blessings, Kathleen
Friday, 8 January 2010
Christmas in Italy
If you ever want to know how much freedom you have lost with regard to celebrating Christmas, come to Italy! On every corner there is a miniture or even life sized nativity scene. Each store window is beautifully dressed, and ancient lanes provide surprises of donkeys and hay and parts of the Christmas story written on the wall for passers-by to stop and recall each step of this lovely story of the birth of Christ.
And it doesn't all happen on one day. Yesterday was 6 th of January....or, in other words, the visit of the Maji. We walked into the historic part of the town and it wasn't just the baby's eyes that lit up when we saw the lights in the town square.
Three elders of the town were dressed as "wise men" and they led a procession from one corner of the square to where "King Herod" was standing on some steps. At this point the story was told of how Herod wanted to go and kill all the "little boys!" which sent the boys delightfully screaming and running to hide behind parents.
From there we all prossessed into the church, with the priest continuing the story. By the altar sat "Mary and Joseph" (young parents with newborn dressed in swaddling clothes- well, a blue cloth) who told a little of what it was like to be "new parents." Then the older children were given the opportunity to ask the wise men a question or two. The first question was "Do you like being a maji!" Lots of laughter, family milling around talking (even on mobile phones) and then sweets handed out.
It wasn't too long before a "witch" arrived to distract the children and handed out more sweets/candy....and we had to think....where did that come from in the story!
And it doesn't all happen on one day. Yesterday was 6 th of January....or, in other words, the visit of the Maji. We walked into the historic part of the town and it wasn't just the baby's eyes that lit up when we saw the lights in the town square.
Three elders of the town were dressed as "wise men" and they led a procession from one corner of the square to where "King Herod" was standing on some steps. At this point the story was told of how Herod wanted to go and kill all the "little boys!" which sent the boys delightfully screaming and running to hide behind parents.
From there we all prossessed into the church, with the priest continuing the story. By the altar sat "Mary and Joseph" (young parents with newborn dressed in swaddling clothes- well, a blue cloth) who told a little of what it was like to be "new parents." Then the older children were given the opportunity to ask the wise men a question or two. The first question was "Do you like being a maji!" Lots of laughter, family milling around talking (even on mobile phones) and then sweets handed out.
It wasn't too long before a "witch" arrived to distract the children and handed out more sweets/candy....and we had to think....where did that come from in the story!
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Coffee in Italy
Coffee in Italy is what tea is to England. It is taken seriously. Giovanni, my step-son in law says that coffee made the Italian way is the only thing he needs when travelling out of Italy. He has never found it properly made (out of Italy) and that is mostly due to the way the stove tops are made. You need a gas stove with specially shaped "ring" to fit the small metal coffee maker.
On our past visits I have learned about the paraphenalia that goes with expresso and started learning the fine art of making it myself.On this trip I am undertaking actually making it for Giovanni as part of my supporting this new dad as he and Alison care for baby Daniel. So far, my coffee making has been labelled "OK" and at least he has been kind enough to drink it!
If you are living at Level 6 in Italy expresso is enjoyed all day...but capuccino only up until 11 am! Expats living here who venture to have a cappuccino after lunch in a restaurant risk the raised eyebrows. I think we will stick with the expresso with its iconic stove top coffee maker. French press coffee makers and Mr Coffee are not needed and not insight!
On our past visits I have learned about the paraphenalia that goes with expresso and started learning the fine art of making it myself.On this trip I am undertaking actually making it for Giovanni as part of my supporting this new dad as he and Alison care for baby Daniel. So far, my coffee making has been labelled "OK" and at least he has been kind enough to drink it!
If you are living at Level 6 in Italy expresso is enjoyed all day...but capuccino only up until 11 am! Expats living here who venture to have a cappuccino after lunch in a restaurant risk the raised eyebrows. I think we will stick with the expresso with its iconic stove top coffee maker. French press coffee makers and Mr Coffee are not needed and not insight!
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Travelling to Ancona
According to my step-daughter Alison, Italians often clap when the plane lands, but even the English and this American clapped this morning when the Ryan Air pilot managed to find his way (yes, praise God there are instruments) through the fog and over the oil refinery...having slopped down from the alps and across a very misty, foggy Adriatic Sea...to a smoothe landing.
I know I am a step granny (Granny Smith) and not a biological granny to Daniel, but my heart just melted when I saw him at Arrivals with his American flag baby cap. Blending multiple-passport famiies has its challenges but also amazing joys.
We had so much we wanted to bring for this new grandchild, so it is easy to complain about only being allowed one carry on bag (as part of your flight price) but travelling this light also makes the journey much less stressful. Still, most of Chris's bag was loaded with baby toys and clothes that we had picked up in the States and the UK.
Having family provide all we couldn't pack (extra winter clothes, bath robes etc) is much appreciated. It makes me think about the challenge a young family faces with all the much needed baby items. I'll start scouting around for high chairs, car seats and whatever is needed when the Italian-English part of the family visit the states!
We give thanks for this time together.
I know I am a step granny (Granny Smith) and not a biological granny to Daniel, but my heart just melted when I saw him at Arrivals with his American flag baby cap. Blending multiple-passport famiies has its challenges but also amazing joys.
We had so much we wanted to bring for this new grandchild, so it is easy to complain about only being allowed one carry on bag (as part of your flight price) but travelling this light also makes the journey much less stressful. Still, most of Chris's bag was loaded with baby toys and clothes that we had picked up in the States and the UK.
Having family provide all we couldn't pack (extra winter clothes, bath robes etc) is much appreciated. It makes me think about the challenge a young family faces with all the much needed baby items. I'll start scouting around for high chairs, car seats and whatever is needed when the Italian-English part of the family visit the states!
We give thanks for this time together.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Global grandparenting!
Happy New Year! May you and your family be blessed in 2010.
This blog is just getting started and tomorrow morning Chris and I are off to Italy to see our recently arrived Italian-English grandson. Daniel is Chris's first grandson living in a country other than the UK; and I think we need to put Jo Parfitt's new book ,"Global Grandparenting," at the top of our reading list.
Main Event for 2010: Families in Global Transition Conference in Houston Texas
March 4-6
Check the link on this blog below!
Up EARLY in the morning to get the EARLY flight out of Stansted.
Chow!
This blog is just getting started and tomorrow morning Chris and I are off to Italy to see our recently arrived Italian-English grandson. Daniel is Chris's first grandson living in a country other than the UK; and I think we need to put Jo Parfitt's new book ,"Global Grandparenting," at the top of our reading list.
Main Event for 2010: Families in Global Transition Conference in Houston Texas
March 4-6
Check the link on this blog below!
Up EARLY in the morning to get the EARLY flight out of Stansted.
Chow!
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