mind the gap. . .

Riding the trains around London, I'm initially attentive to the melodious voice, Please mind the gap between the platform and the train. . .

Please mind the gap- being a word person, I love it-mind the gap. . .

And the next time I board the train, I listen for the caution, savoring the phrase.
I glance down at the gap-hmmm, a portion of my small body could indeed slip through that gap, or my shoe or glasses. . .

by and by the phrase looses its intrigue-I hear the words, charming words, but just a pleasant voice and words-

then I wonder about other words-life changing words, which after awhile trickle into my mind and heart-

like my favorite old shoes, good and comfortable, no more.

like. . .

"the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me. . ."(Gal2:20)

the Son of God- loved me and delivered Himself up for me.

Do you have eggs?

Ed and Dinah-Caroline, Wyatt, Melanie Kate, Jefferson- we've been friends for 15 years. The United States Air Force is the ticket for world travel for our friends-mainly we've kept in touch long distance, but sometimes we meet, like in an airport or a restaurant. . . two years ago John and I stayed with Ed and Dinah in D.C.- the boys remember our visit to the Air and Space Museum; I remember that Dinah's washing machine was broken-she was gracious and cheerful. Most of all we remember the deepest conversations shared about our Lord and life.

Last year our friends lived in Hawaii, next year Alaska. . .but for a 6 month interlude they reside in central London, Imagine that?

So, on the day of our arrival in London, after a bit of refreshment and still wobbley from jet lag, we boarded the train again at Bromley station along with Nathaniel and Abi. . .oh, so thankful for young ones to lead the way! We found Ed and Dinah's flat just a glance from Victoria Station. Jefferson came down the elevator to meet us-cute Jefferson barefoot in chilly London, "I'm use to Hawaii," he announced.

And after dinner Ed passed around the box of chocolates-a big box that Nathaniel had picked out at the train station-mmmm, English chocolates. . . another pass around the table-and worthy talk.

Dinah told Abi and me about her hospitality opportunities in London.

"I want to get better at hospitality," she said.

Really? I thought, you're leaving at 4 A M for France tomorrow, and here we are at your house for dinner tonight!

but I love her heart's desire to excel still more. . .

Then Dinah shared a memory about our mutual friend, Amy-one that I've tucked away. . .a memory of a morning years ago when Dinah and Amy were together with their children-it was lunch time but no food for lunch.

Do you have eggs? encouraged Amy, we can make egg salad and still be together. . .

hmmm, just eggs- and simple wisdom.

So, if you drop by, I'll have eggs. . .

(Ed and Dinah, we love you all-thanks for sharing yourselves, always)

timid in the tube and more

Did you know I love train travel? 6 days in London and I know a little more of the challenges (and charm) of public transport. . .
We landed at London, Heathrow on the first day of our trip-and there was sweet Abigail.
John and I hadn't seen our daughter in a year and a half- he recognized her from a distance, briskly walking towards us in her red coat! Abi had kindly offered to meet us at the airport on our first day of adventure with public transport-she had even purchased our all-day transport passes. Oh My, how our girl charged fearlessly (Me, timidly) through crowds and ticket gates to get us on and off the London tube. . .
so nice to follow a seasoned public transporter. . . finally we deboarded the train in Bromley and hiked the mile through town; up the hill and around the bend-and at the crest of the hill, there was Christ Church, Bromley-and a sign which seemed a perfect greeting for John and me. . .

the church offers lunch to local seniors each Wednesday-

we had just missed it. . .

Church. . .and the amazing race

So, I cherish time spent with Christ's body, the church- Sunday, our last full day in Europe, God multiplied the opportunities. . .
early, we were together with the church in Pamplona, over breakfast, the Lord's table, prayer, the Word. What can I say. . . but the beauty of the physical food displays the richness of fellowship in the body- our final good-bye provoked emotion, you know how that is. . .

then a travel adventure. . .curious as it sounds, I miss sharing life's routine with our children living across the ocean.

unbeknown to us, Joshua had a seat on the same flight from Spain to London. . . so we traveled with our good son-in-law to Bilboa, two hours through the mountains and quaint towns, and we talked. . .
next a crazy dash through London- maybe once in my life I've watched The Amazing Race-really, this time it was Me in the amazing race.
imagine Me in the London tube. . .a portion of the tube shut down-off the tube and onto a bus-searching, searching for the right line, Victoria Station-hauling bags up and down stairs, lots of stairs. . . and finally the train to Bromley, a hike up the hill to Highland St.
And right about 7 PM we pulled our luggage through the little rod iron gate to Nathaniel and Abi's flat - there was Abi in the kitchen window, making us apple tarts!

and we were in time for evening worship at Christ Church Bromley, imagine that?

So, we walked a block to the church building and after the service while Abi served tea and cake, I met Cathy and Jemma-So, you're Abi's Mum! they said-and we talked about worthy things.

hmmm, a good day to remember. . .

the pleasure of a coat. . .

winter's waning in northern Spain. . . so, I offered to wear Rachel's brown coat back to the States, the lovely coat with the fabulous lining.
yesterday we left London, and I wore the coat-on the train, the tube, the plane. . .with delays, a missed flight, an unexpected overnight-
I wore the brown coat and took extra pleasure in the lining-cream and paisely, blue ribbon accent, a tiny trimmed pocket hidden inside.
and I thought of Rachel (did you know that I love to wear my girls' clothes!) back in Spain. . .
we got home this morning-John arrived in school just a wee late.
sleep sounds good. . .then the stories.

anticipation

I love the picture- my little grandsons, peering through the mail slot in this great door in France.
Tomorrow John and I will catch a plane to London to visit Nathaniel and Abigail; the next week we'll fly to Spain to visit Joshua and Naomi, Rachel. . .and the grandchildren.
sometimes it's hard to set aside today's life, to open the door to an anticipated adventure- excited to go, reluctant to leave, you know how it is.
And it will be wonderful-with lots to tell . . .

observations of a 4 year old. . .

s0-at the park, she was driving the ship to Dallas and Spain; I was the cook, serving sea rations.
next the swings. . .all morning I was Marmee and she was Meg.
"gran", she said, "don't kiss me as a 3 year old any more. . .now you can kiss me as a 4 year old."
that was random. . . "Okay, lamb," I said.
"gran, when you say three you stick your tongue out-when you say four you stick your teeth out."
hmmm, what a girl. . .