back in the US of A

Oscar Duncan and Me

I'm in Florida. I arrived last night and I am wiped out. England was amazing. It was so hard to leave. I definately cried on the plane. It's wierd being back. Just going through the Ft. Myers airport and not hearing a gazillion differnt accents and languages breaks my hear a little.

I go home Wednesday. I really appreciate all the support I've had and all the prayers from back home. I could never have even gone if it wasn't for everyone who supported me.

God Bless You All
Mary Ellis

Last Week for Me

Wow. The last week. It's surreal. I've had such and amazing time. It's just flown by. I leave next Wednesday and the crack of dawn and will be back in the states by the afternoon. Oh jetlag here I come. I have been busy making christmas presents. I learned to crochet so I've been busymaking scarfs, and ornaments, and other fun things for the people here. All my schoolwork is done and turned in. Now just waiting for the grades.

The final countdown...

Omly one month left. Can you believe it? It's gone so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was getting off the plane and confusing immigration.

I've done some amazing things while being here. I've started a small group, I've preached, I've been a part of a prayer study, and I've been tackled with love by three year olds. That's pretty much just in the last month.

I've been to amazing places as well. Oxford, London, Liverpool, Coventry and more. It's been amazing living in a country with so much history.

It's going to be really hard to leave.

Happy Guy Fawkes!

Yesterday was Halloween in merry old England. It's a bit of a controversial holiday here. Many people still believe it to be evil others want to do what the Americans do and some still celebrate Samhain. I celebrated with Kyle and Mindy the old fashioned American way. We carved pumpkins, roasted the seeds, watch creepy movies, and passed out sweets. It's funny seeing trick or treaters here. There are no rules so anyone goes. Only some kids actually say Trick or Treat. Some just really fake their costumes while other go all out.

This week we are celebrating an only English holiday as well. November 5th is Guy Fawkes night or Bonfire Night. I believe the story is that ages ago Guy Fawkes tried to take control of Parliament by burning it to the ground; he was caught and was burned at the stake. Effegies of him were made and burned as well. People now just make bonfires and shoot fireworks off to celebrate. We plan on smores (only an American thing again sad...)and roasting sausages behind the church.

P.S. This is slightly exaggerated

Winter is creeping in. I walked out a saw that nasty puff a breath. Last week the roofs (or is it rooves)had a sparkly layer of frost. Suddenly I truly appreciate the need for a hot cuppa.

Looking over my posts I noticed I haven't really had a humorous post. So here goes... A quick cultural knowledge of England.

English Lingo

Cuppa - tea or coffee, must have milk, and sugar is simply counted in numbers
Biscuits (or Bickys) - cookie or cracker usually crunchy and served with a drink
Juice - not just from a fresh squeezed orange but highly concentrated syrup known casually as squash
Prezzies - Presents. I recently recieved a mug with the Bards face on it (The Bard = Shakespeare
Cheers - Thanks or goodbye still get a little confused with that one. Pften can be supplemented with Ta!
Holiday - vacation periods usually for a fortnight (two weeks). One week is not enough in England
Pudding - desert gets really confusing when you really are asking for American chocolate pudding and not just chocolate pudding
Fouling - the icky remnant that the dogs do in the park
Trousers - jeans or other pants but don't call them pants because pants are underwear. (This can become very embarassing in front of the younger crowds...trust me I know)

English forms of fun
Football - soccer same difference
Rugby - like American Football but brutalier and more polite at the same time
Snooker - pool + chess
Cricket - fancy pants men play baseball

English Foods
Mince/mincemeat - ground beef
Curry - Chicken Tikka Masala England's most popular dish
Tea - yes they really drink it, no they do not lift thier pinky's from the tea cup
Yorkie or Yorkshire Puddings - my favorite! A round pastry covered in gravy
Cornish Pasty - potatoes, mincemeat, carrots, all wrapped in a pastry and covered in gravy
Pork Pies - lard, pork jelly, ham pieces, all in a pastry pie
Fish N' Chips - the classic. Cod sometimes Haddock deep fried in malt vinegar batter with fries. Pour more vinegar and salt on top
The Sunday Roast - the ultimate in English dining a large meat portion (lamb, pork, chicken, turkey, or my favorite roast beef) new potatoes, goose fat roasted potatoes, peas or carrots or both, yorkshire puddings, all drenched in gravy

Things you should know

-Don't talk to people on public transportation. The paper they are holding is a prop; they just want to keep you out.
-They love the queen and they hate the royals. All at the same time.
-They know you are American as soon as you talk. Either you will be snubbed or interrogated about where you are form and why you are in England. Usually proceeded with I love American accents!
- They love their furry friends. Dogs often go to the pub as much as their owners.

Autumn in England

England in autumn is so pretty. The leaves are falling. The air is chillier. The kiddies are back in school. All I want to do is curl up in front of a fire place with a cuppa...too bad I am way too busy!

Our church celebrated Harvest on Sunday. Obviously, the English don't do thanksgiving, but they do have a harvest type celebration. We collected fresh fruit and veggies then auctioned them off to raise money for the church. We raised around 225 pounds. That's equal to about 400 dollars. That's good for a church with around thirty members!

CUs started and they are so fun. There are definately more kids this year. Praise the Lord.

I joined a house group that one of the local teachers hosts. I had a great time. We are gong through the book of Acts. I spent a good portion of the night talking about cultural differences with an English boy who'd spent time in Chicago. Small world!

It's funny knowing that most of friends are back in classrooms. Yet here I am in England. I feel kinda lucky! Too bad I am bit behind in my school work...time to play catch up.

So much to say ... so little time

First I apologize for not updating sooner. The last three weeks have been totally unbalanced schedule wise!

The first thing I will tell you all about was my parents' visit. It went great. London is amazing! All the history there. I saw everything from the Rosetta Stonein the British Museum to Anne Boleyn's grave to the Gherkin. Liverpool was probably my favorite. I got to touch a ceiling that John Lennon painted and run my hands across a piano that Paul Mccartney played. I even played on a piano in his home. Also it was just a beautiful city.

After they left Saturday morning, Mindy and I took a day trip to Oxford. I ate fish and chip at the Eagle and Child. This is the pub where the infamous Inklings met. The Inklings was a literary group of Oxford students and professors - namely J.R.R Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.

This past week I have been in a retreat center in Kiddeminster. It's about two hours from Leicester. I was allowed to be apart of a ICY conference. ICY is a University program specifically for international youth ministry. It was definately one of the best weeks I have had in England. I got to hang out with other youth leaders around my age, dive into God's word, and make real friends.

The next couple weeks everything will be back to normal. Care Club and Kool Zone have started. My small group meets this week. And it is Mindy's birthday on Friday!

Prayer Request:
That girls actually show up and engage in the small group Mindy and I will be leading. It is taking place at my home. I am really excited and can't wait to be apart of the spiritual growth of these girls and myself.