Summing Up November

So November came and went with a flash.  The month started off with some hard news for work--not bad news so much as just hard news.  Two different supervisors called me over the course of a weekend to let me know they were retiring.  Ugg.  Some people might be glad to have no supervision, but I knew the ramifications of losing both sets could be big.  Plus I liked working for them.  It was a bummer.  But the work continues on and thus so do I.  After licking the wounds of those phone calls, I began packing for a much needed vacation in the US.

The day before I left, a dust storm descended on the city, blanketing everything in white...but nothing like a snow blanket.  Haha.  

I flew to the US and beelined for some hot doughnuts.  People often ask what foods I miss from America, and this is always the answer.

The purpose of this visit was to meet and get to know my nephew, Jock, and so that's what I did.  I hung out with this little guy every day.  I also went to a football game, which is what we were all dressed up for in this photo.  He is the most precious little guy, and I enjoyed every minute I got with him.

While I was home, I got a text from Maple about what was happening in my beloved city of Paris.  Oh how my heart ached.

Then, I watched as Islamophobia reared its ugly head in America and people began to react in fear and hatred instead of compassion, love, and mercy.  I was astounded as Christians spoke out that we should prevent refugees fleeing war from coming to our country for safety.  I was horrified and embarrassed as the president of my university said that we should carry guns to protect ourselves from Muslims.  Jesus taught us to love our enemies, pray for them, and bless them.  We are to be the Good Samaritan--to our enemies--and not the ones who scurry away from the difficult situation.  Jesus Himself was a refugee fleeing persecution as a young child.  This was a month that I watched the news and thought, "The whole world's gone mad.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus."

If you don't understand the process of refugees coming to America, here is a great video to start learning process.

While the world was still reeling from the Paris attacks, and Brussels was still under lockdown, I flew to England.  I never thought I'd see the day when I felt safer in my home in the Middle East than in Europe, but that day has sadly come.  One day, while walking around in Bristol, I saw this graffiti, and thought how true it is.

People are seeking safety, peace, comfort, love, truth, joy, friendship, status, power, God, and perhaps more. All of these can be found in God, who I believe IS seeking each one of us.

While in Bristol, Maple and I got to walk down by the waterfront one day.

After Bristol, we headed to Cardiff, the capital of Whales.  It was my first time there, and I was excited to see the country.  Christmas season had fully arrived to the UK, and so I got to enjoy decorations, music, food, markets, and more for a few weeks.

While we were in Cardiff, we went to the Castle, which I'll post about separately soon.  After Cardiff, we headed over to Birmingham, where I got to spend a glorious 10 days with so many of my good friends.  On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated Thanksgiving and watched football all evening long.  (Here was a first: I got to watch the Iron Bowl on a big screen TV, not streaming through the internet!  I love the UK!)  Then on Sunday, some of us ladies went to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

We had high tea at a teahouse called The Fourteas.  It was decorated like the 40's, with all things from the war.  Music from the 40's, servers dressed in clothes from the 40's, menus were "ration guides" and so much more.  It was so great!  And...the food and tea were delicious, and the company great.  It was a really fun afternoon.

During our meeting in Birmingham that week, I got to have some good talks with good friends.  (How lucky I am to consider my coworkers to be friends, and good friends at that.)  We had some retirement celebrations for those leaving us.  While out in the city one day, the Superhero made me and Mrs. Superhero laugh with this mug.  I'm so glad they're not retiring yet.  They enrich my life.

Birmingham's Bull was dressed up for the holidays!

Princess William drove over one afternoon so we could have dinner and catch up.  So good to see that girl!

This sign cracked me up.

Before I knew it, it was time to head back to London to fly back to the Middle East.  On our way to church, the Soul Twin showed me this great door in Clapham.

I also liked this one just a little further down.  Speaking of church, I got to go to English speaking church for five weeks straight!!!  Not sure that has happened since 2010!  Yippee!

After church, the Soul Twin and I went for a lovely walk in downtown London in the rain, to take in the pretty pretty Christmas lights.

Even the London Eye is decorated.

The last time I was here, it was May 2000.  Wowzah.  Considering I'd been back to England so many times since then, and even to London, it was a little surprising that it took me that long to get back down to this area.  It was lovely at night, lovely in the rain, lovely at Christmas, lovely to share it with a friend.

I love the UK, I really really do.  I could live there quite easily, I think.  Only time will tell, though, where I end up after this year in the Middle East.  Perhaps it'll be back in Paris, or in the UK, or somewhere entirely new (to me) in Europe.  I didn't come away from my meetings in England with an answer, but I came away with a peace that God knows...and He'll get me there.