Penultimate Day

 Yes, Erin, the Slug and Lettuce sounds questionable, but then there are pubs named The Horsebag, The Cow and the Cabbage, Three Goats Heads, and so many other fun titles. Street names and pub names are an ongoing entertainment.

It has been a beautiful day. I am wondering how long it will take me to get used to the desert, to the heat, to walking outside my door and seeing nothing but houses and cars. I am wondering how long it will be before I cease thinking about the glorious walks around this city, the buildings drenched with the weight of centuries, the majestic trees and flowers lavishly spread throughout the city, rivers, canals and ponds. I wonder how long it will be before we quit worrying about individuals we have come to love here.

How often will I long to open a window and feel the rush of cool fresh air? Will I ever need an umbrella again? Will I feel the same about the young missionaries in Gilbert? Will the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice for us still play a major part of every day, and animate nearly everything we do? Will we find the same joy in church meetings?  Will we become invisible?

Those are questions that can be put off until the answers distill upon my soul with the passage of time.

But for now, I will exult in the beauties of this day.

I asked the young missionaries to come over at 1 to help me for an hour. They were wonderful. They cleaned the refrigerator, washed the windows, vacuumed and washed the car interior, cleaned out and organized the spice cupboard, and organized a cupboard in the laundry room. When they were ready to leave, we sent food from the refrigerator, freezer and cupboards with them. They were very happy to get it. 

Another goodbye. I told them we will see them next week when we come back to Oxford for two days. We will plan on dropping by to introduce them to E and E. I really do plan on doing that, but it makes the goodbyes much easier whether we really do see them or not.

Angie invited us to High Tea. I don't know why we haven't done this before today! It was delightful. As we walked up to the small High Street restaurant (every city has a "High Street" or a main shopping area), we saw Angie with a table right in front of the restaurant. She waved us in.

Looking out the floor to ceiling window across the street, past the crowds of people going in every direction, we saw St. Mary's Church, and beyond that the Radcliffe Camera - both Oxford icons. It was a beautiful view.The waitress came soon and enthusiastically took our order of High Tea - but with hot chocolate. Soon she came bearing a heavy tray with steaming hot chocolate and a little cup with packets of sugar. It became apparent why the sugar - Brits drink their hot chocolate with very little sugar. Hearing our American accents, she must have known right off to bring on the sweet stuff.

Angie told us this has long been a tradition with royals - suspending the day's activities in the afternoon (3:00) to stop for a refreshment to get you through til dinner. Isn't that lovely? She said this very British custom started with the royals, but was quickly picked up by the common man.

This was more than enough to get us through til dinner time! On the bottom tier was 6 small rectangular sandwiches, about enough for 3 bites. So we cut each one into three pieces. Each was a delight. There was an egg salad, a chicken with a very mild curry, ham, smoked salmon and I don't remember the other.

The second tier had scones (freshly made five minutes before arriving at our table) served with clotted cream and strawberry jelly. The combination of those things was absolutely delicious. So fresh, so good. The top layer had a selection of sweets - ahhh. we split as many as we could. The ones that could not be split - SK popped into his mouth in one piece!

Visiting with Angie was marvelous. We absolutely love her. She told us the good news that she was accepted at the University of Coventry. She will be teaching four days a week about "Renewable Energy." She will do research otherwise. Both of those things are what Angie loves. That puts her on track to become a professor.

We all three walked back to the flat. We gave her a plant -otherwise it would die with no one here. She gave us an adorable puzzle. A little lock and about a dozen keys. Only one will unlock it. 

"It is a puzzle - and a key - which you love!" she announced. She is one of our most beloved friends here.

We drove her home and came back to start up packing again, rearranging, weighing, tossing, rearranging etc.

Adam and Madeline came over and spent an hour. We loved that visit! They are such a cute couple. They have each found jobs, and will be moving to Coventry also. I am certain that they will both achieve good things in their chosen fields. They brought us a game that looks like great fun. We parted, promising to stay in touch.

The couple that may be our replacement called at 9 and we spoke for about an hour and a half. I am so very excited for them. They are in for a treat.

Erin and Ethan have boarded the plane for Los Angeles, and will be on their way to Great Britain soon. I am so excited to see them, and so so so happy to be able to share this beautiful land with at least two members of our family. Once they get past jet lag, they are going to love this place.

We are going to love it right along with them.