After an amazing previous 8 days and about 20 hours of travel today, which went off without a hitch, we have landed in Los Angeles. Despite our weary bodies, the excitement to reunite with friends and family and the ability to share with them all of our amazing experiences (without the restrictions of whether or not we have wi-fi) has been what's gotten us through the last leg of our journey. Thank-you for partnering with us in prayer.
The England Team of 2013
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Day 7 in England (our final day)
I can't believe that this is our last day. We have had so much fun. This has truly been an incredible experience for everyone who came! I know that we are excited to get back home to our friends and family, but it's hard to accept the reality that tomorrow we get up to leave. A plane at Heathrow doesn't somehow match up with all the sites we've taken in.
We had a somewhat lighter day, but it was none the less impressive. After breakfast we took the Tube to the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church, Spurgeon's church. How fitting to visit the church of the man who has been our Spiritual tour guide on this trip. It was equally impressive to see our students picking up copies of his daily devotionals. Both Mrs. Wyllie and I are praying that this trip has not just filled the students academically but has also pushed them to grow in their walk with the Lord.
From there we made our way to the Globe theater! It was an absolute treat on our last day in England. We have been fortunate to have some of the best tour guides we could have hoped for, and the one we had today was absolutely great. After giving us a tour and lecture about the Globe, our tour guide took the students to another room where they rehearsed lines from Romeo and Juliet, learning more about how Shakespeare put together his plays and what actors as well as the audience should pay attention to in the writing/language of his plays. What a wonderful experience that connected to what our students have already been privileged to have in the classroom back at SCCS.
We then decided to give everyone time to get a little shopping done, so we headed over to Coventry Gardens for lunch and shopping among the many stores within the area. We definitely needed the time to get those last few souvenirs. :) Then we made a quick stop at platform 9 3/4 at the Kings Cross Station (we had to pack in as much as we could in our last day).
Before heading back to the hotel we went to St. Paul's Cathedral for Evensong and then headed out for our last dinner together at The Old Bank of England. The cathedral was (as is always the case) beautiful. The singing reverberating through the vaulted ceiling and dome of the cathedral was heavenly, a wonderful respite for our weary bodies.
Dinner was marvelous (most of us ate their famous English meat pies). Mrs. Wyllie had picked up a large loaf of bread (and I do mean large!). She had us go around the room sharing one thing that we liked the most from our trip while we symbolically took a piece of bread from the whole just as that one special moment was just one of many that comprised the whole experience of our trip. It was so sweet to hear what each person had to share and was even more special when each person started off by saying that it was too hard to pick just one moment as their favorite.
Our finale walk back to our hotel took us along the Thames. What a marvelous final sight...the Eye, our hotel, the Parliament Building, and Big Ben all lined up and lit up along the skyline. Now for some serious packing. We thank each of you who have been following along and praying for us. We look forward to seeing you all in person and retelling our experiences to you.
We were reminded in our devotions this morning that while the treasures from the trip (both the memories we have and the things we have collected) are valuable, they compare nothing to the treasure of Christ. Spurgeon said, "If Christ is not all to you, He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Saviour of me. If He be something He must be everything, and if He be not everything He is nothing to you."
Please pray that...
--MrB
By the way, I think you all may know this, but the incredibly beautiful pictures throughout this blog were take by Mrs. Brown, who I think is equally incredible and beautiful. :) What fun it has been to share this trip with her!
 |
| We're getting good at riding the Tube |
 |
| Yes...it is the coldest winter in England |
We had a somewhat lighter day, but it was none the less impressive. After breakfast we took the Tube to the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church, Spurgeon's church. How fitting to visit the church of the man who has been our Spiritual tour guide on this trip. It was equally impressive to see our students picking up copies of his daily devotionals. Both Mrs. Wyllie and I are praying that this trip has not just filled the students academically but has also pushed them to grow in their walk with the Lord.
 |
| Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle Church |
From there we made our way to the Globe theater! It was an absolute treat on our last day in England. We have been fortunate to have some of the best tour guides we could have hoped for, and the one we had today was absolutely great. After giving us a tour and lecture about the Globe, our tour guide took the students to another room where they rehearsed lines from Romeo and Juliet, learning more about how Shakespeare put together his plays and what actors as well as the audience should pay attention to in the writing/language of his plays. What a wonderful experience that connected to what our students have already been privileged to have in the classroom back at SCCS.
 |
| Outside the Globe |
 |
| Listening to our lecture inside the Globe |
 |
| Rehearsing lines from Romeo and Juliet |
We then decided to give everyone time to get a little shopping done, so we headed over to Coventry Gardens for lunch and shopping among the many stores within the area. We definitely needed the time to get those last few souvenirs. :) Then we made a quick stop at platform 9 3/4 at the Kings Cross Station (we had to pack in as much as we could in our last day).
Before heading back to the hotel we went to St. Paul's Cathedral for Evensong and then headed out for our last dinner together at The Old Bank of England. The cathedral was (as is always the case) beautiful. The singing reverberating through the vaulted ceiling and dome of the cathedral was heavenly, a wonderful respite for our weary bodies.
Dinner was marvelous (most of us ate their famous English meat pies). Mrs. Wyllie had picked up a large loaf of bread (and I do mean large!). She had us go around the room sharing one thing that we liked the most from our trip while we symbolically took a piece of bread from the whole just as that one special moment was just one of many that comprised the whole experience of our trip. It was so sweet to hear what each person had to share and was even more special when each person started off by saying that it was too hard to pick just one moment as their favorite.
Our finale walk back to our hotel took us along the Thames. What a marvelous final sight...the Eye, our hotel, the Parliament Building, and Big Ben all lined up and lit up along the skyline. Now for some serious packing. We thank each of you who have been following along and praying for us. We look forward to seeing you all in person and retelling our experiences to you.
 |
| The London Eye at night |
We were reminded in our devotions this morning that while the treasures from the trip (both the memories we have and the things we have collected) are valuable, they compare nothing to the treasure of Christ. Spurgeon said, "If Christ is not all to you, He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Saviour of me. If He be something He must be everything, and if He be not everything He is nothing to you."
Please pray that...
- our minds would be reflective on the right things
- God would give us a chance to speak of His worth to someone today, and
- we would not leave England without consecrating ourselves to the purposes God has for us back in CA
--MrB
By the way, I think you all may know this, but the incredibly beautiful pictures throughout this blog were take by Mrs. Brown, who I think is equally incredible and beautiful. :) What fun it has been to share this trip with her!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Day 6 in England
Have I mentioned that it's cold here? That it's the worst winter in 50 years? The blessing is that we haven't had a day of rain...snow,yes...but no rain. :) God is good! The group has been in good spirits, and it was fun to walk around London with the snow flurries swirling around us.
We started our day at Westminster Abbey. What a magnificent and historic building! The beauty inside and out is stunning and everyone marveled at the history. Numerous kings and queens of England are buried there and hundreds of memorials for prominent men and women of Britain are scattered throughout the Abbey. The girls were especially excited to walk the very aisle that Princess Kate had walked in her wedding. But, the highlight for our literary tour was seeing the Poets' Corner. We saw the tomb of Chaucer as well as memorials to many of the great British poets the students have studied in class. I thought I was the only one who got giddy over things like that, but this time the students beat me to that area of the Abbey and came back to get me so they could excitedly show me all the poets they had found. It was so fun to see their genuine excitement for what they were getting to see.
By the time we left Westminster, the snow flurries had begun to fall. Our walk to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards got colder and colder, but we had to move fast to see the event, so our movement kept us warm. :) We got there just in time to see the Men in Blue walk trough the palace gates led by a military band and followed by the helmeted guards in red riding on their horses. To take the chill off, we stopped for some quick hot chocolates and lattes on our way to Kensington Palace.
We grabbed a double-decker bus to get us to the palace and surrounding gardens. By the time we got to the park, the snow flurries had become large snow flakes, and we could truly say that it snowed in England while we were there. It even snowed hard enough to cover the ground for a bit--a truly beautiful sight among the flowers of the gardens. Some students went to see the Peter Pan statue, while the rest headed for the warmth of the cafe at the palace museum to grab some lunch.
From there we headed off to Harrods for some shopping. Actually, I think we did more looking at this high-end department store. Even so, it was fun to see and explore this giant and famous retailer of London.
We had just enough time after Harrods to head back to the hotel on The Tube to freshen up and grab a quick bite to eat before heading off to Les Miserables at The Queens Theater near Piccadilly Circus. This is a perfect way to begin the closing act of our trip. The kids absolutely loved the show.
Tomorrow brings us to our last day here. We can't believe it. Just a week ago we were boarding a plane to get here, and now it's almost done. What a wonderful time we have had! These will truly be memories that will last a lifetime.
We were encouraged in our devotions today to find our heart's delight in the Lord. As Spurgeon said, "I am sure, if you are a child of God you cannot be happy in the world, you cannot be content while leaving Christ, but you are in a miserable way. Grace has spoiled you for the world, and it is of no use your attempting to get comfort out of it. Your only hope of happiness lies Godward." Or as Colossians 3:2-3 says, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Pray today that...
We started our day at Westminster Abbey. What a magnificent and historic building! The beauty inside and out is stunning and everyone marveled at the history. Numerous kings and queens of England are buried there and hundreds of memorials for prominent men and women of Britain are scattered throughout the Abbey. The girls were especially excited to walk the very aisle that Princess Kate had walked in her wedding. But, the highlight for our literary tour was seeing the Poets' Corner. We saw the tomb of Chaucer as well as memorials to many of the great British poets the students have studied in class. I thought I was the only one who got giddy over things like that, but this time the students beat me to that area of the Abbey and came back to get me so they could excitedly show me all the poets they had found. It was so fun to see their genuine excitement for what they were getting to see.
 |
| Westminster Abbey |
 |
| Father and Daughter walking down the aisle :) |
By the time we left Westminster, the snow flurries had begun to fall. Our walk to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards got colder and colder, but we had to move fast to see the event, so our movement kept us warm. :) We got there just in time to see the Men in Blue walk trough the palace gates led by a military band and followed by the helmeted guards in red riding on their horses. To take the chill off, we stopped for some quick hot chocolates and lattes on our way to Kensington Palace.
 |
| Mrs. Bannerman trying to stay warm |
 |
| Mrs. Muxlow also trying to stay warm |
We grabbed a double-decker bus to get us to the palace and surrounding gardens. By the time we got to the park, the snow flurries had become large snow flakes, and we could truly say that it snowed in England while we were there. It even snowed hard enough to cover the ground for a bit--a truly beautiful sight among the flowers of the gardens. Some students went to see the Peter Pan statue, while the rest headed for the warmth of the cafe at the palace museum to grab some lunch.
 |
| Trying to stay warm in a WWII monument while waiting for the bus |
 |
| Walking through Kensington Park |
 |
| Kensington Palace (with snow) |
From there we headed off to Harrods for some shopping. Actually, I think we did more looking at this high-end department store. Even so, it was fun to see and explore this giant and famous retailer of London.
We had just enough time after Harrods to head back to the hotel on The Tube to freshen up and grab a quick bite to eat before heading off to Les Miserables at The Queens Theater near Piccadilly Circus. This is a perfect way to begin the closing act of our trip. The kids absolutely loved the show.
Tomorrow brings us to our last day here. We can't believe it. Just a week ago we were boarding a plane to get here, and now it's almost done. What a wonderful time we have had! These will truly be memories that will last a lifetime.
We were encouraged in our devotions today to find our heart's delight in the Lord. As Spurgeon said, "I am sure, if you are a child of God you cannot be happy in the world, you cannot be content while leaving Christ, but you are in a miserable way. Grace has spoiled you for the world, and it is of no use your attempting to get comfort out of it. Your only hope of happiness lies Godward." Or as Colossians 3:2-3 says, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Pray today that...
- we would be easily identified as a person set apart from the world because of our contentment in Christ,
- we would never compromise convictions or accommodate sin, and
- we would have a chance today to speak highly of God to someone who doesn't know of His worth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)