Christmas is Coming!

The Christmas Tree is up at our house, although Ann, the boys, and I have yet to spend time to put the decorations on the tree. Erin and I just finished up our last assembly of the term last Friday, so we're done with assemblies for 2011! Crazy! Tomorrow I am looking forward to the Potters Bar Town Carols, which are sure to be a treat. You have to work extra hard to make it feel like Christmas when the weather is cold and rainy and there's still a lot of green to be seen.

Things are slowly wrapping up in schools, the office, and around town as everyone is gearing up for the Christmas Holiday. For those who may not know, I am spending the holiday in Spain with Megan Mundt, one of my wonderful friends from Gustavus. We will be touring the southern coast for an entire week, spending Christmas in Granada. I'm super excited to say the least! :)

My diary for the past few weeks has been full of things to do, for which I am very thankful. Mondays I have been helping with a local Youth Club, which finished tonight. Erin and I joined our supervisor, Luisa, at Zumba last Tuesday to "be more American" and let loose. Wednesday I joined my host, Ann, to watch the boys in their school's Christmas Play, which was quite adorable to say the least. Thursday was Samantha's 14th Birthday (Samantha's father is one of Act 4's Trustees), so we celebrated with her and then went to her performance of Oliver, which was actually quite impressive. This past weekend, to finish up a great week, Erin, Emily, Bekah, and I went into London to check out the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Although we didn't get to see Santa, as he was on his tea break, we did enjoy some Bavarian bratwursts and English biscuits along the way!

Last but not least, on Sunday, Erin and I made our way to Christ Church Little Heath for service and lunch with the Vicar and a few others. I wish I could say I've taken pictures of the church building, but I just don't want to be a tourist so close to home. I have no shame snapping pictures in London, but not here in Hertfordshire. :) Life is becoming pretty normal and I continue to look forward to all the wonderful events that are yet to come! Happy Holidays!

Happy December!

Today is the official three month mark of being in Potters Bar! Hard to believe so much time has flown by!

Last night, I was fortunate to talk to one of my Bible Study groups about Christianity and my church in the United States. Thank you to everyone who gave me advice or information for my presentation! I spent a while making myself nervous about it all, but in the end, the small group was the perfect audience for my information. The group was blown away by the sheer numbers, how many children enrolled in GodZone and Confirmation, as well as the baptized membership statistics. I am so thankful for Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and for all the support they have given me in the past and continue to give me in the present as I live and serve in England.

At times, I'm beginning to forget I'm a foreigner, but then an off-hand comment or advert will remind me that I'm different. Last night, it was talking about my church back home, tonight, it was Zumba. I knew Zumba took off the in United States long before I left, but I hadn't realized how difficult it would be for Zumba to take off in the United Kingdom. The instructor, at the beginning of class, told us to lose our inhibitions and be more like an American. With such a reserved culture, my instructor later told me that some Brits struggle to get into Zumba with all the hip shaking and shimmying, whereas Americans typically have no trouble moving their bodies and letting loose.

Even though I may be an outsider, I really am starting to feel like Potters Bar is home. I even found a church! After a dozen or so churches, I am willing to make the two or so mile trek to worship at Christ Church Little Heath. Erin and I even went there on Thanksgiving for an event called "Come Dine with Me" where I managed to win the raffle! The event was filled with tutorials on how to cook Christmas dishes. During the breaks, we were able to go into the narthex to try out the dishes and sip on wines. I even managed to Skype with family both before and after, making my Thanksgiving a great one!

This past Saturday, I decided to make the most of my day and bought a return ticket to Cambridge! Although I managed to go on Graduation weekend, I still got some good pictures. Here's the river where students go punting. I also managed to check out the Fitzwilliam Museum which was gorgeous inside! Fitz!