Dragging but safe

So I have arrived.

The flight was good, except that the flight attendant threw gravy at me. (she really didn't mean to, and she was really nice about coming back with a rag and getting the stain out.. but it was a bit hot) --and I had one of those enviable seats with lots of leg room but I'm one of those weirdos that prefer to be cramped against the window instead of having all my legs out for attendants to trip over, spewing gravy on unsuspecting fliers.

So after being cold (after the burning gravy had cooled) and donning the trusty sweater, and laughing out loud at a movie that only I was watching (this morning it was Horton Hears a Who) I got off in London.. or at least Heathrow.. and a maze of terminals and platforms and hall ways.. oh and customs almost didn't let me in because I didn't have a specific address to where I was staying in Nottingham...I finally took the train that took me to the train office to buy a ticket for the tube that took me to a stop that would be able to sell me a ticket to the train I needed to take to Nottingham--it was a lot of tracks and tickets--but I finally made it. Felt like I spent the first whole day of my trip underground like a mole...it was noon before I finally got to the Nottingham station.

But Mandy was there to pick me up after a little while in Nottingham. It was so good to see her even though I hadn't seen her before. She took me and my weary suitcase to her car and then to her home--fed me some croissants and tea and said I could either sleep or take a shower.. I did both, and finally felt a little more human.

She and her husband took me to dinner in a carvery--wow. Lots of really good food. Three kinds of meat, veggies--and amazing pudding (or dessert for all you yanks)

mmm. Then we went to the grocery store and got some stuff for lunch tomorrow, when I think I'm headed to York. (she has a busy day in the office tomorrow so I'm gong to do my office visiting later in the week).

So I am well.. very tired. I'm going to drink this cup of tea and then go to bed. With, I might add, a new book from an Irish author that isn't available in the states yet..woohoo.

I'll ponder pilgriming tomorrow as well. It's strange--you look at these places and you wonder if they really know they've been here for eons and eons?

Packed and Ready..I think

So here I am, wrapping up things at work, getting ready to get on a plane this evening to go off to London first.. then Nottingham.. back to London next weekend...off to Amsterdam the following weekend..then through London again, then to LA, then to central California...go to a wedding...then fly out through Las Vegas and then on to home.

Tired yet? I am. And I haven't gotten to the airport yet. But everything is packed..in one carry on suitcase and a backpack. No seriously. I did it. I'm not checking anything. No lost luggage for me. Laundry yes...wee little bottles of everything, yes--but lost luggage, not this traveller.

And yes, this is all for work (well, besides the wedding); visiting offices and workers and attending a conference.

But aside from that, I'm looking forward to seeing what God has to teach me. About Himself, about the work He has been doing throughout history.

I read this quote recently in a book my boss asked me to read called The Way of the Lord by Tom Wright. He says:

"...when God is known, sought and wrestled with in a place, a memory of that remains, which those who know and love God can pick up."

How will the work and presence of God be shown to me through the streets and churches and buildings of England? Well, stay tuned and we'll see together.

(I'll try to post pictures at some point.. but if I don't, it will only be the lack in my technological knowledge.)