This holiday marked my daughter’s 3rd trip to England, my second and the first voyage for my husband, our sister-in-law and our nephew – as well as most of his marching band! The Pride of Bixby, Oklahoma Band had been invited to perform in London as well as march in the London New Year’s Day Parade 2019 and it was our honor to go along for support and sight-seeing. We walked so much – 69 miles in 8 days! We laughed so much too and maybe cried and we were in awe of beauty and aghast at the crowds.
One purpose of the trip was to take David to Harpenden, the home of the YWAM base where Ashley first fell in love with the ministry. It was a typical cloudy day but as usual, the base was warm and homey and a walk through The Woods was exactly what we needed! Including a visit with a charming older man who called me “Love” and told us about his dog’s recent birthday. “You know how these ladies are – I had to go to town and get a cake and card.”
Enjoy these snapshots of our trip!
I do love traveling – and I love coming home! Traveling let’s us see through windows into the lives of their people and cultures. A mere glimpse, for certain, but a step closer to understanding how truly similar we are to each other – because we are all God’s creation!
It always amazes me, regardless of languages and cultural differences the silarities. I have found that for the most part kids and parents interact the same; elderly people want to be listened to; teen-agers know more than anyone; and my age-group seems to be struggling to hold it all together.
The beauty of travel resides in returning home. That which we had take for granted – bedrooms larger than 100 square feet for 4 people; instant hot water; ordering a cup of coffee and finding food we know – all seems so much sweeter and the familiar now becomes an object of thankfulness.
May we live each day thankful for the familiar and grateful for the adventures and give mercy and grace to those who find our ways discomforting.
Complicated Hope 
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