Oh my! It's been waaaay too long since I last wrote!
The lecture phase is now over and our team fly out tomorrow arvo. Time to put into practice what we've learnt. Exciting, scary, challenging, great! I think everyone in the school has itchy feet and just want to get out there now.
So, lecture content for the past 5 weeks! Quickly. There isn't time or available emotion to put into words everything I've experienced these past weeks - all I can say is GOD IS AWESOME! For how Holy He is, He is so gentle and loving. I can't wait to get to know Him more and even moreso on the outreach phase.
I am weary of going into too much detail because I know there are people from different levels in life reading this, so I will try to be as broad as I can and make sense at the same time. I can't help but share though, 'why, if you had the cure for cancer would you not share it?' If at any stage you want me to clarify or explain or share - email me (lizabef777@hotmail.com)! It's just sooo exciting!
Week 7
Teaching on the Orphan Spirit - of the world as a whole and how fatherless nations and even individuals are. God is the ultimate Father! Well at least He wants to be in each of our lives.
Boxes - which the world and everyone (including ourselves) puts us in. God wants us to be free from all those: appearance, what you 'do', intelligence and money. Which ties in with identity, which is sooo awesome when it's in Jesus because the world cannot offer solid identity - it's wavering and fallible. But oh the freedom we have in Christ - if we so choose.
Dreams - how big your dreams are, is a reflection of how big you believe God is. Wow! The image of running into God's arms and saying, 'Daddy, how about we do this and that!'
Spiritual Gifts - that the Bible talks of. I'd never seen the three types of gifts been spoken about - Motivational, Ministry and Manifestational.
Week 8
This week was a little difficult to grasp and my notes were as specific, but they were plentiful nonetheless. The lecturer spoke on leadership, identity, missions, the Trinity, working with different people groups/tribes/culture and missions. It made me think a lot of my family heritage regarding missions - the work my Nana and Pop, and Pop's parents did in the Pilbara area. The name I gave the lecturer was 'Father and Encourager of the Nations.' He was very passionate about other nations, he had a real heart to serve and has done for many years.
Week 9
This was the Missions week. Very good stuff in preparation for going out. The lecturer was very balance in what he spoke about. He made a very interesting comment, that because Jesus' Great Commission was to GO OUT, that you'd better have a calling to STAY. And some people are - but not to just be ignorant, but support those who are in missions - through, finances, encouragement, prayer or be an advocate for a particular tribe or people group. He explained that more of our money is given to the areas where there are people who have access to the Gospel (story of Jesus) than for those who have never heard or don't have the Bible even in their own language - 2% in fact goes to the 'unreached people groups in the world. It is not enough to be comfortable in ignorance, there is plenty of information on the internet - The Joshua Project is one.
Week 10
Oh my gosh, this week was awesome and hit me between the eyes. I won't say too much about it though because it's quite in depth. It was on spiritual warfare and deliverance. Oh how much we don't know and understand about the spiritual world! For all who believe and don't believe. All I can say is there is more to our lives than what is tangible and we can see.
Week 11
The last week and we have a lecturer who has the most passion I've seen in one person ever! Maybe apart from my good friend Joseph (love you man). It is infectious! She spoke about the Holy Spirit and His power in our lives - if we allow Him to flow as 'living water' in our lives.
We had to do one last book report - our choice of book. I chose one by Joy Dawson called 'Intimate friendship with God, through the Fear of the Lord.' Oh my gosh - this is such a good book and it really challenged me in a lot of areas of my life. When I did my book report, I pretty much re-wrote the book! I actually read it twice through to make sure I got everything out of it I could :)
General
So yeah, unfortunately because we're on base the entire lecture phase, there isn't too much I get up to. During the outreach phase we should be able to get online once a week and then I can post more interesting and exciting things.
Prayer Requests
Unity - we have people from all over and at different ages, understanding and life experience. And we have someone who wants to tear us apart because he doesn't like what we're doing :p
To remain humble, open and willing before God my Father.
For God to reveal more of His character and love.
So, I hope this hasn't been too boring for you. I am all too aware that this stuff can be more exciting for the person in the experience, than the hearer of it.
I'm posting my photos on facebook cause it stores better.
Love you all.
Elizabeth
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
9 November 2009
So, we've had some pretty exciting stuff happen since I last "blogged." Where to start!
Lectures
The last couple of weeks we've been learning about:
- laying down your rights. We've had to do a book report on the very subject. A book called "Making Jesus Lord" written by Loren Cunningham - extremely challenging and applicable, if you choose so. Amazing stuff.
- emotions vs will was a good lecture. Our will should lead our emotions, the other way around and you'll get nothing done.
- some YWAM values. Being multicultural and interdenominational, functioning in teams, valuing the individual, valuing families, servant leadership, practicing hospitality.
- discipleship. How we are discipled and shaped/influenced by the world.
One of the things that really stuck out for me was the two meanings of 'knowledge' in the Bible:
- In Hebrew the word is "Yada" meaning "knowing through doing and being changed by it"
- In Greek the word is "Gnosis" meaning "head knowledge"
So, what do you know?
Sister Act
A bunch of us went into London on Monday 2 November and watched the Sister Act musical, twas so cool. The scene changes were so cool! The floor rotated and different walls and props came up out of it. They had all the characters and they did so well.
Love Feast
On Friday 6 November, we had what they call a Love Feast. Sounded too hippy for me at first, but it was based on an experience someone had at a YWAM base where people ate and didn't fellowship, so they organised a night where it was an intentional feast. We had dinner as usual, but then were required to dress up and enjoy chocolate fountains and fondues the staff put on for us. A lot of the girls got dressed up...I did my best without having to shop any further.
They decorated the room with candles and soft lighting, had all 14 flags hanging up and we all wrote a letter to Jesus, thanking Him for what He's done and who He's been in our lives.
I didn't take any photos personally cause there were so many cameras out, so I'm gonna search on facebook for pictures of me and tag em.
Weather
Ohhhh my doodness, it's getting colder! This morning was all misty and it lasted most of the day. Peeps have told me that when it gets colder, when you walk across the oval early in the morning, the grass snaps off cause it's frozen! That hasn't happened as yet...and I CAN wait for that! It's odd - I want it to snow, but not get cold...hmmm. Gotta sacrifice something here I suspect.
We've changed work duties and so I go from working inside the clock building to 'grounds.' Today we did raking - there are so many leaves! And they are wet and heavy and are being difficult. I'm seriously going to have to consider buying warmer clothes and doing layers.
OUTREACH
I've left the best subject to last - where we're going on outreach! Outreach starts on Monday 14 December and goes for 11 weeks. So the process was:
1) Pray and asked God where and what He wanted us to do on outreach
2) We got given 3 colours to pray about: Red, Green and Blue. We weren't told the locations in case our own thoughts were influenced with where we wanted to go. I prayed, however got no confirmed colour. I said, "I will go wherever and do whatever."
3) We were told 2 days later and boy was there excitement in between. A lot of people received confirmed colours and some put down locations (without being told them). We were split up into 3 teams, with 2 leaders each.
4) Dan and I were placed in the Green team with 8 others: Leaders: Andy (England) Ashley (USA), Rafael (Brasil), Will (England), Camy (Switzerland), Abby (USA), Serena (Mexico) and Roos (Netherlands). We haven't been given the full details of what we're doing, so here's a brief:
Locations:
1) Spend a couple of weeks on the YWAM Next Wave 42 metre sailing ship (http://www.ywam-england.com/elida.shtml) just off the coast of Barcelona, Spain. Here we'll be celebrating Christmas. My first Christmas away from my NorthWest family mob, however these guys are my brothers and sisters so I'm not really away from family :o)
2) Fly to Italy and spend majority of the time in Italy/Sicily
3) Fly back to the UK and spend some time in outreach here
I'm sooooo excited! I think we'll be the most travelled outreach group and we leave on Monday 14 December for Barcelona (or thereabouts) whereas the other 2 groups do their outreach starting in the UK.
What we're doing
We'll be doing a range of things, it will be a combination of tellings others about Jesus and practical works.
The Italian pastor has bought a house and wants to convert it into a YWAM base, so we'll be looking at gardening, plastering, painting, interior decoration and creating a masterpiece :o)
We'll be working in and visiting the poorer areas and helping in whatever need they have.#
We'll be in churches and giving testimonies, talks/sermons and skits/dramas.
There were many items from the prayer night that is relevant to our outreach, eg. oranges - the Italian pastor has many orange trees; building/repairing - the work we'll be doing on his propery; icecream with sprinkles - gelati! Yummo.
Last night we listened to a "speak Italian" DVD - so cool and soooo full on! I'm going to come home speaking Italian!
"Buon giorno. Come sta?"
"Motlo bene, grazie, e Lei?"
"Arrivederci"
I'm learning their vowels and consonants. I've not learned a language before and I have 6 weeks to do so! Woohoo! Bring it on! I think by the end I may be able to read and understand, but not write it - but so cool anyway!
Yeah, so that's me!
Dan is doing good. I won't talk about him too much cause I'm not going to have him read this. He's been sick the last week, lost his voice...it's been quiet...and he's a little more subdued...tis all I'm going to say ;o) I love him.
Well, til next time. I hope you are all well.
Arrivederci!
Ellie Mac
Don't you love this name? Too cool for school :-p
Lectures
The last couple of weeks we've been learning about:
- laying down your rights. We've had to do a book report on the very subject. A book called "Making Jesus Lord" written by Loren Cunningham - extremely challenging and applicable, if you choose so. Amazing stuff.
- emotions vs will was a good lecture. Our will should lead our emotions, the other way around and you'll get nothing done.
- some YWAM values. Being multicultural and interdenominational, functioning in teams, valuing the individual, valuing families, servant leadership, practicing hospitality.
- discipleship. How we are discipled and shaped/influenced by the world.
One of the things that really stuck out for me was the two meanings of 'knowledge' in the Bible:
- In Hebrew the word is "Yada" meaning "knowing through doing and being changed by it"
- In Greek the word is "Gnosis" meaning "head knowledge"
So, what do you know?
Sister Act
A bunch of us went into London on Monday 2 November and watched the Sister Act musical, twas so cool. The scene changes were so cool! The floor rotated and different walls and props came up out of it. They had all the characters and they did so well.
Love Feast
On Friday 6 November, we had what they call a Love Feast. Sounded too hippy for me at first, but it was based on an experience someone had at a YWAM base where people ate and didn't fellowship, so they organised a night where it was an intentional feast. We had dinner as usual, but then were required to dress up and enjoy chocolate fountains and fondues the staff put on for us. A lot of the girls got dressed up...I did my best without having to shop any further.
They decorated the room with candles and soft lighting, had all 14 flags hanging up and we all wrote a letter to Jesus, thanking Him for what He's done and who He's been in our lives.
I didn't take any photos personally cause there were so many cameras out, so I'm gonna search on facebook for pictures of me and tag em.
Weather
Ohhhh my doodness, it's getting colder! This morning was all misty and it lasted most of the day. Peeps have told me that when it gets colder, when you walk across the oval early in the morning, the grass snaps off cause it's frozen! That hasn't happened as yet...and I CAN wait for that! It's odd - I want it to snow, but not get cold...hmmm. Gotta sacrifice something here I suspect.
We've changed work duties and so I go from working inside the clock building to 'grounds.' Today we did raking - there are so many leaves! And they are wet and heavy and are being difficult. I'm seriously going to have to consider buying warmer clothes and doing layers.
OUTREACH
I've left the best subject to last - where we're going on outreach! Outreach starts on Monday 14 December and goes for 11 weeks. So the process was:
1) Pray and asked God where and what He wanted us to do on outreach
2) We got given 3 colours to pray about: Red, Green and Blue. We weren't told the locations in case our own thoughts were influenced with where we wanted to go. I prayed, however got no confirmed colour. I said, "I will go wherever and do whatever."
3) We were told 2 days later and boy was there excitement in between. A lot of people received confirmed colours and some put down locations (without being told them). We were split up into 3 teams, with 2 leaders each.
4) Dan and I were placed in the Green team with 8 others: Leaders: Andy (England) Ashley (USA), Rafael (Brasil), Will (England), Camy (Switzerland), Abby (USA), Serena (Mexico) and Roos (Netherlands). We haven't been given the full details of what we're doing, so here's a brief:
Locations:
1) Spend a couple of weeks on the YWAM Next Wave 42 metre sailing ship (http://www.ywam-england.com/elida.shtml) just off the coast of Barcelona, Spain. Here we'll be celebrating Christmas. My first Christmas away from my NorthWest family mob, however these guys are my brothers and sisters so I'm not really away from family :o)
2) Fly to Italy and spend majority of the time in Italy/Sicily
3) Fly back to the UK and spend some time in outreach here
I'm sooooo excited! I think we'll be the most travelled outreach group and we leave on Monday 14 December for Barcelona (or thereabouts) whereas the other 2 groups do their outreach starting in the UK.
What we're doing
We'll be doing a range of things, it will be a combination of tellings others about Jesus and practical works.
The Italian pastor has bought a house and wants to convert it into a YWAM base, so we'll be looking at gardening, plastering, painting, interior decoration and creating a masterpiece :o)
We'll be working in and visiting the poorer areas and helping in whatever need they have.#
We'll be in churches and giving testimonies, talks/sermons and skits/dramas.
There were many items from the prayer night that is relevant to our outreach, eg. oranges - the Italian pastor has many orange trees; building/repairing - the work we'll be doing on his propery; icecream with sprinkles - gelati! Yummo.
Last night we listened to a "speak Italian" DVD - so cool and soooo full on! I'm going to come home speaking Italian!
"Buon giorno. Come sta?"
"Motlo bene, grazie, e Lei?"
"Arrivederci"
I'm learning their vowels and consonants. I've not learned a language before and I have 6 weeks to do so! Woohoo! Bring it on! I think by the end I may be able to read and understand, but not write it - but so cool anyway!
Yeah, so that's me!
Dan is doing good. I won't talk about him too much cause I'm not going to have him read this. He's been sick the last week, lost his voice...it's been quiet...and he's a little more subdued...tis all I'm going to say ;o) I love him.
Well, til next time. I hope you are all well.
Arrivederci!
Ellie Mac
Don't you love this name? Too cool for school :-p
Monday, October 26, 2009
YWAM (Youth With A Mission)
I know I know, 1 month and 2 days since the last blogspot, shocking. But I'm just having so much fun :o)
Where to start...
YWAM
We made it! Tis a good start. The Discipleship Training School (DTS) started on Monday 28 September, there are 29 peeps representing 14 nations - USA (of course), Australia (only Dan & I, and only married couple), England, Faroe Islands, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Ecuador, Germany.
A typical day looks like:
0730 - 0800hrs: Breakfast
0800 - 0900hrs: Quiet time
0900 - 1000hrs: Worship or Prayer/Intercession...talk to God
1000 - 1300hrs: Lectures
1300 - 1400hrs: Lunch
1400 - 1800hrs: Work Duties (many teams, split into 2hr shifts)
1800 - 1900hrs: Dinner
1900 - 2030hrs: varies each night
Well, the above is what is supposed to happen, but I'm finding plans change...a lot and I'm being tested on my kronos personality (very time orientated).
Lectures
So, the talks we've had so far:
worldview; sin (what separates us from God; doing that which God did not create us to do in His original design); worship; freedom; fear (be in awe of, not afraid) of God; forgiveness; identity and the weaving of our identity; image of God; this (our) generation types; evangelism; fear of man; prophecy.
Each lecture has been really challenging, and other stuff I've heard of and believe already. There was one week when we had Jospeh Avakian (the YWAM logo designer) speak. I would be trying to process something or would comment to Dan about something and then Joseph would speak on it the next day - I was being told! Tis all good.
Food
We have been spoilt here at Harpenden for food, it's so good! I don't know how I've not put on weight! I've often gone back for seconds at dinner time and eaten both cereal and toast for breakfast (which I'm becoming very conscious about and am looking to change). But then it could be the fact that I'm eating 3 meals a day, eating properly at proper times, and I'm not sitting at a desk all day (hello Rio Tinto colleagues).
Exercise
Well, we started off running in the am's, but that's over-rated (how you going Tanya! still running chicky?) Dan just told me he's still running, so not "we," it's "I" - pardon me.
There is a circuit class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0700hrs which I'm going to and it's nice to be indoors doing it (not that we've had horrible weather so far). I spoke to David who runs the classes and he's offered me to run them - so the fitness course has come in handy. Now I just gotta get outta my comfort zone. They're an easy bunch, so it should be fun - I just gotta get out my creativity streak and slash it around...anywho...
Weather
TOTALLY BLESSED! England Autumn is great! We've had only a couple of days when it's rained (and it been misty if anything). We switched our clocks back an hour, yesterday for DLS (daylight savings). So it didn't matter what I voted in WA, we got it here! Not bothered really. At the moment it's great cause it's light in the morning - yay! So WA mob, you are now 8 hours ahead of us :o(
I can only imagine what winter is going to be like, they've told us it doesn't get light until 0900hrs and the sun goes down aroud 1600hrs - yay fun! We will leave for our outreach around December 11th, so depending where we go, we may get better weather - maybe. The outreach locations haven't been decided as yet.
Blackpool
Our DTS met up with 4 other DTS' (3xEngland and 1xItalian) and a School of Evangelism (SOE)from Norway) in a place called Blackpool. People from England have differing views, but mostly it's a dump. I didn't mind it, but then I don't live there. There are gambling machines everywhere, game centres, and a beach...kinda.
So we all came together for an evangelism week to tell people about God and how much He loves them. A lot of things happened that really rocked my world:
We saw healings from God like everyday:
- the first one I heard about was a woman who had very painful arthritis in her hands and she couldn't open them. She was prayed for and was then able to open her hands - and the pain was gone.
- a similar story of someone who had arthritis from the knees to shoulders and they were healed, pain and all.
- there was a girl in the group who had one leg shorter than the other. She was prayed for and both legs were the same length.
We did "Treasure Hunts" whereby we asked God to reveal His "treasures." There were five things we asked: Name, Location, Appearance (what they're wearing), Anything Unusual, Prayer Needs (sickness, etc). We then went out into the streets and found them. I got to see this on Friday when we approached a few people with the information we had and it matched the person - prayer need, appearance and location. We asked if we could pray for them and just told them that they are God's treasure and that He loves them very much (as He does all of you - you are all precious to Him, He created you). God worked, and works, in amazing ways.
But we also unfortunately had to leave one of our students there. She was taken to the hospital and still remains there undergoing treatment and tests. Something that was misdiagnosed back home, which hopefully they have pinpointed it here. It's a somber time, but we know she is in good hands.
Other
I'm posting all my photos on facebook this time round cause I have spent all my time typing stuff. I'll comment on each one of them so you know what/where it is.
I'm a little upset - I was playing with my camera and accidentally deleted ALL the photos I'd taken in the first 3 weeks or so of being here. I mean, who in their right mind would call deleting photos 'formatting'? Pentax would, that's who! I am getting over it pretty quickly though, can't hold onto these things for too long, it eats you up inside. So the only photos I have are on my blogspot. Hence the othe reason I am posting them all on facebook - sorry for those who don't have facebook - but you should just give it in, it only becomes crackbook (addictive) if you choose it to master and control your life.
Dan and I are going well personally. We've been challenged with a few things and like always we are finding out different things about each other. We have a one-on-one we meet each week and are an older married couple, so we're pretty in there for guidance and accountability.
Well, it's dinner time. I'll try and keep this updated each week, if only to talk about the lectures in more detail.
Cheerio for now
Liz
Where to start...
YWAM
We made it! Tis a good start. The Discipleship Training School (DTS) started on Monday 28 September, there are 29 peeps representing 14 nations - USA (of course), Australia (only Dan & I, and only married couple), England, Faroe Islands, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Ecuador, Germany.
A typical day looks like:
0730 - 0800hrs: Breakfast
0800 - 0900hrs: Quiet time
0900 - 1000hrs: Worship or Prayer/Intercession...talk to God
1000 - 1300hrs: Lectures
1300 - 1400hrs: Lunch
1400 - 1800hrs: Work Duties (many teams, split into 2hr shifts)
1800 - 1900hrs: Dinner
1900 - 2030hrs: varies each night
Well, the above is what is supposed to happen, but I'm finding plans change...a lot and I'm being tested on my kronos personality (very time orientated).
Lectures
So, the talks we've had so far:
worldview; sin (what separates us from God; doing that which God did not create us to do in His original design); worship; freedom; fear (be in awe of, not afraid) of God; forgiveness; identity and the weaving of our identity; image of God; this (our) generation types; evangelism; fear of man; prophecy.
Each lecture has been really challenging, and other stuff I've heard of and believe already. There was one week when we had Jospeh Avakian (the YWAM logo designer) speak. I would be trying to process something or would comment to Dan about something and then Joseph would speak on it the next day - I was being told! Tis all good.
Food
We have been spoilt here at Harpenden for food, it's so good! I don't know how I've not put on weight! I've often gone back for seconds at dinner time and eaten both cereal and toast for breakfast (which I'm becoming very conscious about and am looking to change). But then it could be the fact that I'm eating 3 meals a day, eating properly at proper times, and I'm not sitting at a desk all day (hello Rio Tinto colleagues).
Exercise
Well, we started off running in the am's, but that's over-rated (how you going Tanya! still running chicky?) Dan just told me he's still running, so not "we," it's "I" - pardon me.
There is a circuit class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0700hrs which I'm going to and it's nice to be indoors doing it (not that we've had horrible weather so far). I spoke to David who runs the classes and he's offered me to run them - so the fitness course has come in handy. Now I just gotta get outta my comfort zone. They're an easy bunch, so it should be fun - I just gotta get out my creativity streak and slash it around...anywho...
Weather
TOTALLY BLESSED! England Autumn is great! We've had only a couple of days when it's rained (and it been misty if anything). We switched our clocks back an hour, yesterday for DLS (daylight savings). So it didn't matter what I voted in WA, we got it here! Not bothered really. At the moment it's great cause it's light in the morning - yay! So WA mob, you are now 8 hours ahead of us :o(
I can only imagine what winter is going to be like, they've told us it doesn't get light until 0900hrs and the sun goes down aroud 1600hrs - yay fun! We will leave for our outreach around December 11th, so depending where we go, we may get better weather - maybe. The outreach locations haven't been decided as yet.
Blackpool
Our DTS met up with 4 other DTS' (3xEngland and 1xItalian) and a School of Evangelism (SOE)from Norway) in a place called Blackpool. People from England have differing views, but mostly it's a dump. I didn't mind it, but then I don't live there. There are gambling machines everywhere, game centres, and a beach...kinda.
So we all came together for an evangelism week to tell people about God and how much He loves them. A lot of things happened that really rocked my world:
We saw healings from God like everyday:
- the first one I heard about was a woman who had very painful arthritis in her hands and she couldn't open them. She was prayed for and was then able to open her hands - and the pain was gone.
- a similar story of someone who had arthritis from the knees to shoulders and they were healed, pain and all.
- there was a girl in the group who had one leg shorter than the other. She was prayed for and both legs were the same length.
We did "Treasure Hunts" whereby we asked God to reveal His "treasures." There were five things we asked: Name, Location, Appearance (what they're wearing), Anything Unusual, Prayer Needs (sickness, etc). We then went out into the streets and found them. I got to see this on Friday when we approached a few people with the information we had and it matched the person - prayer need, appearance and location. We asked if we could pray for them and just told them that they are God's treasure and that He loves them very much (as He does all of you - you are all precious to Him, He created you). God worked, and works, in amazing ways.
But we also unfortunately had to leave one of our students there. She was taken to the hospital and still remains there undergoing treatment and tests. Something that was misdiagnosed back home, which hopefully they have pinpointed it here. It's a somber time, but we know she is in good hands.
Other
I'm posting all my photos on facebook this time round cause I have spent all my time typing stuff. I'll comment on each one of them so you know what/where it is.
I'm a little upset - I was playing with my camera and accidentally deleted ALL the photos I'd taken in the first 3 weeks or so of being here. I mean, who in their right mind would call deleting photos 'formatting'? Pentax would, that's who! I am getting over it pretty quickly though, can't hold onto these things for too long, it eats you up inside. So the only photos I have are on my blogspot. Hence the othe reason I am posting them all on facebook - sorry for those who don't have facebook - but you should just give it in, it only becomes crackbook (addictive) if you choose it to master and control your life.
Dan and I are going well personally. We've been challenged with a few things and like always we are finding out different things about each other. We have a one-on-one we meet each week and are an older married couple, so we're pretty in there for guidance and accountability.
Well, it's dinner time. I'll try and keep this updated each week, if only to talk about the lectures in more detail.
Cheerio for now
Liz
Thursday, September 24, 2009
one week into London
I feel like I've seen the world in a week! Well, not quite but we've done a lot of walking. I've had to write down the places I've seen in my journal (thank you my work peeps) cause I can't remember them all. The days are molding into one.
So, to keep you from boredom I'm going to summarize. You may be able to trace our steps by looking online at a London map:
Friday 18th Sept
Today is rest day. Dan and I went for a "jog" and it hurt cause we haven't done much other than walking...which I guess counts for something. And I thought I'd take some time out to update the blog.
I can totally understand the frustration of many who move from the UK to Australia regarding transport - it's GREAT! Though I've only experienced the Tube (underground electric train) and a few bus rides. The tube travels 2 million people a day! It is phenomenal, and so down underground. This is a photo of some stairs, so steep. In fact, all the stairs in London are pretty much steep - in houses, in the stations. These guys want to get high fast. The house we're in now is like 5m wide and 3 stories high, so they stairs are steep. Not that I'm complaining cause I'm adding that to my daily exercise :o) Dan and I (well mostly me) have decided that if there are stairs, I'ma climbing. These are some stairs for an underground station:
A cool set up with the escalators - when you're on them you stand on the right so people can walk up the left - helpful for when you want to climb up fast. People are so obedient and courteous - on escalators at least.
Oh, and the squirrels - sooo cute! I want one for a pet! This is my fave pic, spread-legged on the tree facing down:
Oh and for all you KFC lovers - what is different about this picture?
So, give me feedback about the blog and if there's any Q's.
Til next time.
Saint Elizabeth
:o)
So, to keep you from boredom I'm going to summarize. You may be able to trace our steps by looking online at a London map:
Friday 18th Sept
- Kerry, I got a free ride at Singapore airport :p
- the longest day of my life, we gained 8 hours so Dan tried his best, and succeeded, in keeping me awake until about 9pm when I crashed
- we walked around Highbury and Islington (like Angel Islington in Monopoly) which is pronounced with a 's'
- first ride on a double-decker bus - too cool
- met up with Peta (Dan's sis) near the city centre. We were on our way to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace when we squeezed our way into an open house tour of The Reform Club - random! Pretty impressive but I didn't get it - politics. The membership is 1,100 pounds a year (at today's $ rate that's $2,200). Don't quite know what you get for it - you still gotta pay for meals and drinks. They do have a massive and OLD collection of books. Maybe it's to belong? Who knows.
- we saw Buckingham Palace
- visited the HUGE Camden Markets
- saw a giant chess game being played in front of The National Gallery. The pieces were made out of ceramic.
- Peta came up to Highbury where we went to a small Baptist Church and met a guy named Adrian who is studying close by our YWAM school, so we may catch up for dinner at some point
- Went into Piccadilly Circus and visited the British Museum - lots of old stuff
- St Paul's Cathedral was pretty cool. Though I don't get why only the people of the New Testament times are all called saints. For all who believe and are being changed into His likeness, are all Saints, Paul himself addressed the people of the churches he was writing to as saints... ...anywho, another one of those "I don't get it"s. This is a door to the Cathedral:
- walked along the river Thames - very dirty and lots of rubbish. Saw a cool floating thing that catches 40 tonnes of rubbish a year, but they need a few of them I reckon
- walked over the London Bridge and saw the London Tower Bridge
- watched a performance at The Scoop by some students - really random but quite a show, when you could make sense of it
- Moved to a friends place near Wimbledon (Jen and Ken). Walked down and saw the Wimbledon tennis courts and stuff.
- Went back into Piccadilly Circus where Peta, Dan and I watched Les Miserables after a big feed of Indian - yummy! The show was pretty good, though I had to try and stay awake - it was a long day! I haven't seen too many performances in my time, Peta and Dan had more to talk about it as they've seen a few and know music - me, I'm along for the ride and to add some more theatre experience to my portfolio. I was told that this production has been played every night (except Sundays) for like 23 years, crazy!
- Met Peta in South Kensington and checked out the Science Museum. Coolest thing - Dan's phone wasn't charging so he left it at home (basically anywhere we're staying at the time is home) and I only had mine, I didn't have Peta's number. We were half an hour late in meeting her and we hadn't set a specific place to meet, first one there texts a spot. We walked to the Museum, being the next obvious to meet, when I asked God to get Peta to call my phone. Within 5 minutes, I received a call - thank you! He listens and answers :o) So the coolest thing in the Science Museum (I thought) was the dry ice in water. There is a dude that builds coffee tables like it - I want one. Basically an "esky" on the side is timed to open and dry ice is released on the conveyor belt into the water. Then it turns from a solid to a gas when it hits the water and melts - too cool.
- took some lunch to the Kensington Gardens and walked past Kensignton Palace - Princess Diana's residence. Of course, it costs to get into these touristy places and I like Dan's style of travelling where he doesn't do that kinda stuff. It is hard to justify most of these prices, especially when I convert it to $$$ - basically doubling.
- Met Peta in Westminster and checked out the clock the Big Ben (a bell) is sitting inside of. Dan with a Big Ben clock hat.
- The London Eye. These pods seat 25 people - take that "Perth Eye"
- Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey
- Watched a 3D movie called "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" at Britain's largest 3D screen. Novel movie, quite funny.
Today is rest day. Dan and I went for a "jog" and it hurt cause we haven't done much other than walking...which I guess counts for something. And I thought I'd take some time out to update the blog.
I can totally understand the frustration of many who move from the UK to Australia regarding transport - it's GREAT! Though I've only experienced the Tube (underground electric train) and a few bus rides. The tube travels 2 million people a day! It is phenomenal, and so down underground. This is a photo of some stairs, so steep. In fact, all the stairs in London are pretty much steep - in houses, in the stations. These guys want to get high fast. The house we're in now is like 5m wide and 3 stories high, so they stairs are steep. Not that I'm complaining cause I'm adding that to my daily exercise :o) Dan and I (well mostly me) have decided that if there are stairs, I'ma climbing. These are some stairs for an underground station:
A cool set up with the escalators - when you're on them you stand on the right so people can walk up the left - helpful for when you want to climb up fast. People are so obedient and courteous - on escalators at least.
Oh, and the squirrels - sooo cute! I want one for a pet! This is my fave pic, spread-legged on the tree facing down:
Oh and for all you KFC lovers - what is different about this picture?
So, give me feedback about the blog and if there's any Q's.
Til next time.
Saint Elizabeth
:o)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
2 days out
So we're two days out and all is going pretty well. I've started compiling the clothes I want to take...and still yet to cull :o( This is going to be a challenge! One backpack for a year!
I've joined Skype and got to see my family back "home." That was pretty high-tech and amazing for us Pilbarians (though my Pop has been using it for a while before all us - deadly).
Haha, I just looked over at Dan and he's taking more shoes than me - tehehe! Now he's having a hard time culling his shoe selection.
:o) Liz
I've joined Skype and got to see my family back "home." That was pretty high-tech and amazing for us Pilbarians (though my Pop has been using it for a while before all us - deadly).
Haha, I just looked over at Dan and he's taking more shoes than me - tehehe! Now he's having a hard time culling his shoe selection.
:o) Liz
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