I am really ashamed as to how little I have blogged during this busy summer of mine.
My summer started off in London.
We got to see all the sights in London: Big Ben, Tower of London, Westmister Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Wimbledon. Just so you know, I started to write a post about London when I got back and had all these pictures to post, too. However, I could not get the pictures to work they way I wanted, got frustrated, and deleted it. Sorry.
We also went to Paris one day. That was when we felt like we were really in a different country. I got to put my HS French to use though. Bonjour! Qui! Haha!! We literally ran to each landmark. We only had about 6 hours in Paris. We went to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower (where we climbed to the very tip top!), the Arch de Triumph, and the Louvre. By the time we finally got to the Louvre, we were so worn out and didn't have time for an actual tour. Not everyone wanted to go in, but I said I would like to see something. So me and two others went in, ran past all this beautiful, priceless artwork until we reached it. The Mona Lisa. It was small, but amazing.
Our mission was terrific. We partnered with a family in Grantham (about an hour north of London). They run a summer camp and are also working with the government housing in the town. We did some door to door knocking. That was an adventure. For three days, we had a kids' club. SO many kids came, which was such a blessing. They were so excited and attentive. We played games, shared the gospel, sang songs, and had a memory verse. The kids there are living in such a dark place and they don't even know it. We got to love on them, which they don't get enough of at home. The kids actually learned the memory verse. Such a great and simple way for the Word to get into the homes. We had one child accept Christ that week. Beautiful.
I would love to tell you about every story, child, activity we were able to do, but I'm sure you don't want to read it all. If you see me, you should ask me about it sometime! :)
Oh, one story I'd like to share: There was a teenager at the kids club. He was, how would you say it, rough around the edges...he was also deaf. I was able to use sign with him. It was an amazing experience. I was on a sign language team back in HS at FBC. So incredible to see how God can use past experiences to communicate the Gospel.
My next stop was Washington, D.C..
Will Simmons and I went to see Tara Morgan. It was a really fun get away trip. We got to do and see a lot of sights. It was even better having Tara there to guide us.
Arlington Cemetery(where we got to see the Changing of the Guards), the Air and Space Museum, the Holocaust Museum, went to a Nationals game, all the memorials, got an inside tour of the Capitol, went to FBC on Capitol Hill, the Botanical Gardens, American History Museum, the White House. We went to Maryland to eat dinner one night. Cracked crabs on the Chesapeake Bay.
After that (can you believe there's more?!), we went to Gulf Shores, AL.
So this stop wasn't as extravagant as the first two, but who doesn't love the beach? I went with my family and we haven't been in about 4 years. It was wonderful being there, soaking up the sun, not worrying about a thing!
Once we came back, we loaded up my Jeep, two trucks, and two trailers and moved to Brandon, MS.
So here I am, sitting in my new house with one of my two new roommates. I think I have finally gotten my classroom finished. I have New Teacher Orientation Monday. Which means, once Monday hits, summer is officially over! Kayla and I are leaving tomorrow to go to Atlanta. We're going to Six Flags, which I am super stoked about because I've never been before. And we're going tubing down the Chatahoochie River. Gotta have one last hoorah before school starts!
Hopefully, next time I'll be able to post pictures of my house and my classroom!!!
