PTL!

well, people, God is good! the church i went to 2 weeks ago, Glenabbey Church, would appear to be a winner! the first time i went, i ended up talking to a woman called Alyson. she would be about my mom's age, maybe older. she invited me for lunch, and i went this past Sunday! she and her husband, David, also invited some other people: Claire (a different Claire than the one i already know), Helen, Gavin and Louise, Mark, Philippa and their daughter Eve. there were 9 of us all together, and it was great! David and Alyson seem to be the kind of people who invite people over quite frequently, and i'm really grateful that they felt the need to include me! i had a really lovely time with everyone. Louise really reminds me of our cousin Tanya: the dark hair, and the genuine, easy way about her, so i felt very comfortable and open with her. her husband Gavin was also super nice...they live in Ballyclare, about a 5 minute drive from me, so i was pleased to hear that. it never ceases to amaze me when people are so kind and welcoming to me, a stranger! makes me think of how i would act in that situation...if a strange person came to my church from a different country, would i be as welcoming? i am always nervous to talk to new people, but now i know how much i need people to talk to me, so hopefully i'll become a more welcoming person to people who need a friend. so anyway, the Sunday lunch was fab! Monday night i went back to David and Alyson's house for home group. i think there were at least 20 people there; and a variety of ages. i met lots of people and felt very welcomed there. the pastor of the church was there, speaking about Christianity vs Religion. i find that topic interesting, but somehow, he made it boring. oh well. can't win them all. i guess at this point i am looking for friendship, and the pastor isn't so important right now. is that bad to say? i don't think so. next Monday is Cell Groups...the guys and girls split up and meet separately. then, they split into smaller groups of 4-5 people and do their bible studies like that. i am excited for this, as it will be easier to get to know the ladies of the group. so they have Home Group every other Monday , with the Cell Group nights in between. in October they are having a movie night, and also we're going to a rugby match, which i'm quite excited about! don't know a thing about rugby, but it's always fun to do something new! maybe i'll take it up on my off time?? so i just wanted to share this with you, and that your prayers worked and i am thankful! i feel that this church, and this group of people who i've gotten to know might be my base for the year that i'm here.

on friday i'm going to frankfurt for the weekend to see my wonderful and dear and sorely missed friend leslie! leslie and i met at TLC in south africa, and i haven't seen her for 2 1/2 years, so i am very excited for the coming weekend! i think we're going to do some shopping and of course, some sightseeing. leslie also has a daughter who was born in January, so i'm very excited to meet her too! so yes, i think the weekend will be great. it will be so nice to talk with someone who actually knows me, and not just a stranger that i have met here. although i guess everyone is a stranger before you become friends...

some interesting news: pumpkins in England are mostly green this year! no one knows why. farmers are trying to use heat to turn them orange. the British people demand orange pumpkins for Halloween, and pumpkin farmers don't know what they'll do with their green ones...an inquiry about Princess Diana's death has been started, 10 years after she died.

What Your Underwear Says About You

You tend to throw out your underwear after a few months. It gets used and abused! You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.

The Underwear Oracle