One Step at a Time

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Thanksgiving in London, Christmas in Texas, and New Years in Dubai!

Wow! We've had a busy last thirty-eight days…and loved every minute of it! Except the jet lag, I'm writing this at 2:00 A.M., as I can't sleep!

We were so excited to meet Emily and Luke in London for Thanksgiving! It was the perfect time of the year! The weather was a little bit chilly, but there were not near as many tourists as in the summer! We met Emily on Monday, November 25th. She was able to take off work, so was able to come earlier. Luke finished finals, and came on Thursday, the 28th. We had been to London with Luke three years ago, so Emily planned our itinerary for this trip! We visited some of the same beautiful places…Buckingham Palace for the changing-of-the-guard, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, London Tower, a boat tour, the National Gallery, Hyde Park, Harrod's, and Churchill's Underground Bunker. But then, we did some things that we were not able to do before because of the crowds or just running out of time. This trip we went to Westminster Abbey! This cathedral is absolutely gorgeous! The outside is so majestic, and the stain glass windows are beautiful! We also visited St. Paul's Cathedral. Emily and I walked the 500 steps to the top! What a view! One of my favorite things to do as we have been able to travel is to find the highest spot to view the cities! St. Paul's Cathedral did not disappoint! The view was amazing! We also visited Shakespeare's Globe Theater. We learned so many things, very interesting! Emily arranged for afternoon tea that was delicious, and really nice!

Luke arrived on Thanksgiving Day! We met at the changing-of-the-guard, and then walked over to Garfunkel's for Thanksgiving Lunch…not turkey and dressing! Emily and Larry had fish and chips, Luke had a burger, and I had chicken. We did some walking after, and went "through" a Christmas festival. Larry and Emily trekked down to a market…Luke and I waited at Starbuck's! :)

The next day, which was Friday, we did a bus tour! We visited Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath. This tour allowed us to see the countryside outside of London! Windsor Castle was beautiful, and reminded me of Buckingham Palace. The Queen was at Buckingham Palace, and then I guess heard we were going to Windsor Castle, because she arrived the same day we did! Ha! Stonehenge is such a puzzle, and so fascinating…to imagine how the heavy stones were placed there, how they were placed in such an intentional pattern, and for what reason they were placed there. No one knows, just much speculating by many! Bath was amazing too with the warm springs. The town was also beautiful!

Then Saturday, we went to the Museum of Natural History. It was huge, and a little too "sciencey" for me! Ha! We also walked through Hyde Park. The fall leaves were gorgeous, and I loved seeing the fall season! Not much fall in Dubai! We also found the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park. Fun! Then, we walked and walked and walked to Abbey Road. Luke and Emily got their picture crossing the street, just like the Beatles album! That evening, we had our first and only experience riding the "tube!" I wish we would have done it sooner! We were on our way to a performance of "Stomp," and there was a huge traffic jam. The taxi driver suggested we take the subway, so we did! Emily found out the ins-and-outs, and off we went. I wish we would have ridden it to Abbey Road! "Stomp" was very good!

Sunday, we all left to go our separate ways. Emily and Luke back to San Antonio, and us back to Dubai. But, in two weeks, we were back in Houston ready for Christmas! We were able to see my mom, Leon, Helen, and Jack in Seminole. Then, went to New Braunfels and enjoyed time with Luke and Emily, and Christmas Dinner with my sister and niece, Mom and Leon, Emily and Luke! We were missing Ben, who was not able to join us this year as he is busy finishing his last year of school in California. We had such a good time just being with family!

The night before New Year's Eve, we arrived back in Dubai, just in time for the New Year celebrations! We have been in Dubai all three years for New Years, and love to spend it here! The fireworks are always spectacular, but this year was exceptional! Dubai set the record for the longest fireworks display in the world! It is Dubai, after all!!!

It was a busy time, but such a special time with our family. We have missed David terribly, but Heaven seems to have become more real for Larry and me. We were talking about what a fantastic birthday party for Jesus they must have in Heaven! We have our faith, and the hope that one day, we will unite with Dave, and he can show us the sights, far more grand than we can even begin to imagine! As on all of our trips, and each day of our lives, God leads us, and will continue to lead us…One Step at a Time!

Westminster Abbey

Tower Bridge

View of London from the top of St. Paul's Cathedral

500 steps down!

Thanksgiving lunch

Afternoon tea

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Harrods decked out for Christmas

Windsor Castle

Stonehenge

Bath

Hyde Park

Abbey Road

"Our" hotel

Larry's mom, Helen at Christmas

My mom, Leon, Tyra, Laura, Larry, me, Emily and Luke Christmas Day

Emily and "Santa"

After Christmas Eve Service

Happy New Year!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

We Love You, Uganda!

Such an amazing trip! I always say Uganda is just a short distance from Heaven. I forget how much I love it until the plane sets down, and then that wonderful "coming home" feeling returns! We met the mission team from Metropolitan Baptist Church, as we did last summer. They are THE BEST group to do missions with. Zack and Dana did a great job leading us!

There is a young man, Samuel, that was adopted from Uganda, and he returned with the group to see his Ugandan family. We went to his village. Happy times watching their reunion!

We also painted and fenced a church! We painted the inside and outside of the church at Wakisi, and built a fence around the property. We did not finish the painting, but accomplished LOTS of painting. The fencing was completed. We cleaned brushes at the local water well. The children seemed to think that was quite entertaining to watch! It was a wonderful time of working alongside the Ugandan church members on their church. Of course, they worked circles around me! They also showed me how to scrub cement floors, and get the paint spots off. Hard work, but I loved learning from them!

Our group split up on Sunday, and attended five different churches. Larry and I attended Pastor Mathias's church. This is the church we helped with a children's teachers' workshop in October. I was so blessed to go to Children's Church and hear them singing, and reciting passages from the Bible. It doesn't get better than that!

We had a birthday party for the kids at Mashah, complete with cake, drinks, party hats, toys, and dancing! They loved it, and so did we!

Then, the next week, we visited eight schools! We played games...tug-of-war was a hit; made a craft, and presented the Gospel message. We were joined on the mission trip by KKREW, a young Christian music group. They are outstanding Christians, and have a great rapport with the kids. I loved being with the kids of course! Nothing better!!!

One evening, we held a service at Elevare for the Wakisi community. Through a fund-raiser event, Elevare was able to buy clothes for each child that came! They each received a "top and bottom" outfit! Their faces were such a blessing! They were so excited! This same fund-raiser allowed us to hand out shoes at some of the schools. Too fun!!!

Larry and I have fallen in love with Pastor Mathias and his family. They have become part of our family. We were able to go to Junior's Visitation Day. It was a special time visiting with the whole family, including meeting sweet Petra, and precious Mitchell.

We have learned so much about faith from our African family and friends. They depend on God completely, and it is such a blessing to see them live out their faith. My goal is for my Heavenly Father to say I have that kind of faith someday. As Pastor Mathias said, "God is the only one who does not make mistakes and can not be questioned." We loved, as always, being in Africa! God led us there, just as He always leads us...One Step at a Time!

Samuel (in blue jacket) and his Ugandan family

Larry and sweet Mildred, with the Nile River in the background

Wakisi Church before paint and fence

Fiona, my painting buddy!

Gideon painting, and Marcia holding the ladder still...very important job!

Washing brushes at the well!

Fence construction

Work that was accomplished the first day!

Sweet, sweet family!

Precious...both of them!

Birthday Party at Mashah Orphanage

This just amazes me!

Children waiting to enter Elevare

The chalk board!

Students waiting for instructions for fun times to begin!

Shoes! Yay!

Tug-Of-War!

School "cafeteria"

Be still my heart!

Giving my testimony!

Mashah girls!

Mission Team from The Met

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Perfect Prague!

We had THE BEST time in Prague! It was absolutely beautiful! Notice in the pictures how high the water under the bridges, due to flooding right before we went. Restaurants and parking lots down by the riverbank were completely underwater. The Charles Bridge, which is a walking bridge, was closed because authorities were concerned about its safety. There were no boats allowed on the Vltava River, which runs through Prague. I would like to go back and see the differences when it is not right after a flood! (Sounds like a good excuse to go back to me!) During World War II, Prague was one of the only large city that was not damaged by bombing. The skyline remains so awesome, with old, wonderful buildings. Old Town Square is fun, with sidewalk restaurants, food booths, bands playing, and gold/silver sprayed “human statues.” It is where we spent lots of down-time! We loved it! The people-watching was great! On the Square, were the Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, and St. Nicholas Cathedral. The clock has small stained glass window panels at the top. On the hour, the “windows” open and the twelve disciples rotate through the windows. We climbed the clock tower, and got a great view of the Square. The churches are beautiful! The Jewish Quarter is also on the same side of the river as the Square. In that area, there are several synagogues to tour, and the old Jewish cemetery. Notice the picture below of the cemetery. We walked through it, wondering why it was in such disarray. Then we found out! The headstones were turned every which way, tilted, backwards, forwards. During the time the Jews were confined to this area, they were given only this small space for a cemetery. There were so many deaths, that bodies were buried ten deep! Hence, the “disarray” in the cemetery. What a sobering thought to think of the prejudice and injustice that occurred on these cobblestone streets.

The next day we visited the Prague Castle. The castle area is located up on a hill, which has an awesome view of the city. It is not one castle (which is what I pictured before we went), but several buildings, and multiple churches including the beautiful St. Vitus Cathedral. There is also a section that is set up to show the way the street looked in its early years, called Golden Lane. There are model shops from that time: an herb shop, dress maker’s shop, tool shop, model kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Very interesting! We also visited “Lesser Town” that day, which included the Lady of Victory Cathedral. It houses the famous wax Infant Jesus of Prague. This is another beautiful area of Prague!

The third day we climbed up Petrin Hill! It seemed way higher than a hill to me! There is a cable car that you can ride, but because of damage from the flood, it was closed. So, we walked! At the top, is an “eiffel tower” look-alike. You can climb the 300 steps for an amazing view! BUT, we did not! The hill was enough for me! It was an absolutely stunning walk though: trees, flowers, shrubs, GREEN!!! The desert has made us appreciate the green so much more.

We had time to visit two open markets, and spent time just walking down the beautiful cobblestone streets, past the wonderful, old buildings. Prague is a great walking town. The temperatures were in the 60’s, and no rain! Our hotel was small and intimate. Our room was on the fifth floor in the “attic.” The ceiling was sloped, with a rollout window. The view was amazing! It was a perfect holiday of walking, people-watching, and relaxing. When we were planning our trip, and heard about the floods, we considered not going. I am so glad that we did! We took many steps, and God was with us, One Step at a Time!