Sunday, June 27, 2010 - Going Home

This morning, like the others, I awoke around 4:30am, then dozed in and out  til 5:30am.  Mike, however, got up and readied himself to go with Adam to turn the car in at the care hire shop.  It was 5:35am when Adam knocked on the door for Mike.  Knowing that the care hire didn't open til 8am, I asked Mike why they were going so early?  He wasn't sure, but was out the door.  I got up to shower.  At 5:40am Mike returned.  The men realized it was too early to return the car, so had decided to wait.  I found this humorous.  I knew this happened because we didn't have clocks.  I used my ipod, set to USA time, and figured in the time change.  That morning Adam had glanced at Norma's watch (he didn't have a clock either), and had read it incorrectly, and with the sun shining over here at 5:30am, like it would in Tennessee at 9:30am, it was difficult to tell time by looking outside. 

I suggested they take the luggage on over to Derek's and have him follow them back to the car hire place to bring them back.  It would be better than them dropping off the car and having to walk 2 miles back to the Lodge.  And this way we could all fit in Derek's little car, and not be squished with the few extra suitcases that wouldn't fit in the trunk, as we had no more "fittin" room left in Der's car with all 5 of us in there.  So, after loading the luggage into the rental, Adam and Mike took off to Derek's. 

Meanwhile, Norma and I walked to the ATM in front of the Barclay Bank, and were off to find tea and coffee.  As we walked through the town, we realized that there wasn't one store open til 9am.  So we headed back to the Lodge. 

Desiring my morning tea, I found some soluble Nestea which I poured with a little sugar into my half empty water bottle.  As I was shaking this up, thinking how nasty it really looked, but was hoping for a decent taste, Ms.Chriss knocked on my door.  She was on her way over to the Cottage, and would be getting our bills for us this morning. She suggested Norma and I come on over to the Cottage this morning and have at least tea and toast.  Norma, as myself, was thrilled with this idea.  We gladly went - both acknowledging the blessing of the Lord on our lives. When you've been up since 5:30am, and it is going on 8:30am, and you haven't had morning tea or coffee, you know you are blessed when it is offered so freely and welcoming in a town that is still closed up for the morning. 

As Norma and I sat talking of the previous night's events, both grateful for the time we had with Derek and Nelle, the men came through the Cottage door, and joined us.  Ms. Chriss called to Norma and I to come to Jean Paul's Restaurant so she could ring our tickets - it was the only place they kept the credit card machine.  We followed her over, and at this time asked her if she would tell us her name and let us take her picture.  She was flattered that we wanted her picture, so chose the spot in her garden behind the restaurant, with the roses in the background.  Previously we had called her "the Lodge Owner".  Now we could call her Ms. Chriss, as spelled out on our billing statements.  She explained that her husband's name was Dan; they were the Arnolds.  They owned both the establishments here, as well as both restaurants.

Now Ms. Chriss, whose actual name was Christine--but she preferred to go by Chriss, had been so good to us all week.  We had enjoyed talking to her, receiving facts and information, as well as wonderful meals.  Now she was blessing us again.  She said because we had stayed 6 nights with her, and had skipped a few breakfast meals, she would like to discount a full nights stay, and each day's stay would be discounted 8 pounds as well.  So our stay in Brandon, along with the base hotel, had cost us less than $600.  This was amazing to us.  You don't find that in England!  Not with the exchange rate up to 1.85, as it had hit during the week, though now down to 1.53, as the blessing of the Lord goes on.  We felt so very grateful to have been in this lady's lodging - the welcoming service, as well as the beautiful grounds, and the English accommodations had made this a wonderful experience for us all.  God blesses those who bless His people, and we know Ms. Chriss is being blessed for all the kindness and care she has shown us this week.  So with our good-byes we left Ms. Chriss and her crew and took off for Derek's to await the taxi.

Derek and Adam caught a quick couple of video games this morning, while the rest of us took turns holding Drew and chatting with Nelle. 

Around 9:30am Mike wanted to pray for the kids and Drew before the taxi arrived around 10am.  He prayed for the parents to have wisdom and know what to do, when; and they would raise Baby Drew with a knowledge of God and a desire for God and for His righteousness.

 Oh, how my heart prays this for him too.  I pray the kids know how to teach him and have understanding of this most important task they now have before them. God's Word promises that me and my household shall be saved.  So I take Him at His Word and trust that Drew will come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I pray he be drawn by the Holly Spirit into a deep and intimate relationship with  the Lord; and experience God and His love at an early age, finding Him to be his dear close Friend; choosing to walk with Him, not join with the rebellious, as some do, but holding to Him during the rough days, as well as the good.  And finding supernatural favor where ever he may go, growing in the grace of the Lord.  I believe God hears and answers prayers (especially of Grandma's) so I take this as an answered prayer and thank Him for it , as it is all done in Jesus's Name., and so be it! Amen.

When the taxi arrived shortly after 10am, it was time to say "Good-bye" and depart.  Leaving was difficult, as good-byes can be with those you haven't seen in awhile and love so deeply.  Not sure when we will get to see each other again is the hard part.  With hugs around, and one more for Baby Drew, I rest myself in the peace of leaving loved ones in God's hands, and climb into the taxi with only a short moment of tears at this time.

The ride to the airport was long and quiet except for the sniffles which Norma and I made.  Cat napping along the way, we arrived at the Heathrow Airport at 12:30pm.  Quickly finding the ticket counter, and checking in for American Airlines, Flt. 091, we headed off to security for the final checks.  Once through security our quest was to find a place to eat before boarding our plane at 430pm.  TGI Friday's was the first we came to.  All agreeing this would be good, we stood in line for a short time before being seated.  As we ate, Norma shared some insight the Lord had given her concerning the week.  She understood the change of position from little girl, to wife and mommy Nelle had made, and was seeing what her role was to be now, as Mom, Mother-in-law, and "Normita" (Drew's Grandma).  This gave her peace and she was able to do some of that letting go that she had found so difficult.  God is so good to us to meet us where we are at - even in the London, England airport.  He always shows up for us when we need Him most.  My Padre (as Norma calls God) had come through for her, and she was grateful for the understanding and comfort He had given her.

While waiting in the airport, we made the quick stop at Starucks, then sat waiting on our gate number to post.  The gate numbers post only 30 minutes prior to take off.  Ours would be Gate 40, off in the corner of the far side of the airport terminal. So we walked quickly, taking advantage of the moving sidewalks which helped propel our walk along. 







As we boarded this fight, it was a welcome sight.  This would be the biggest plane we had flown in yet - not the ergy ER3, but a Boeing 767-300.  This plane had a row of 2 seats, an aisle, a row of 3 seats, an aisle, and then 2 more seats, for 48 rows back.  We sat in seats 38A and 38B (yes, I got a window seat again, thanks to Mike's letting me swap with him).  Norma and Adam were in the middle section in seats 38C and 38E.  The middle seats were labeled C/E/G, don't know what happened to D and F, unless they were the ones on the other side of the far aisle.  It was an unusual set up, but worked for them so they could sit by each other. 

Our next stop would be Chicago O'hare Airport.  We should arrive by 7:20pm, making this an 8 hour flight.  Then we go to Nashville.  I will soon meet another addition to my faimily - Lexi.  While we were gone, Bekah decided Darcy (our cat) and Gracie (our dog) wasn't enough fun in the house.  She got a 6 week old kitten from a friend.  Oh, what kids do when the parents are away.  And she is an adult kid at that!  Mike wasn't too pleased with this latest news, but said she would have to get her fixed and declawed if she is to stay.  So, he is adjusting to the staying part already.

We arrived at Chicago airport at 7:25pm.  After getting our passports stamped and reclaiming our baggage, just to turn around and hand back to the man at the next counter for checking, we moved toward the door for the tram that would take us to Terminal 3.  Boarding the tram we were surprised to see no seats, only belt handles hanging from the ceiling for customers to hold to as this tram zipped from one Terminal to another via a steel track much like a roller coaster would have. 

At Terminal 3 we cleared security again, removing shoes, placing everything in a tub, pulling out the liquid and perishables, walking through the security scanner and retrieving all items once they had been scanned.  This was a process that took 10 minutes.  Then we were off to find Gate G7 for our flight.  However, there was a delay - our gate was moved to G6, and we would have to wait for a new pilot and plane to arrive.  Better safe than sorry.  Our flight was to leave at 8:55pm and arrive in Nashville at 10:05pm.  However, we did not leave the ground again ti 10:15pm.  Our plane was none other than an ER3 - ergy!  We arrived in Nashville at 12:10pm, due to storms between Chicago and Nashville.

Once off the plane, Norma and I left the men behind to get the over-sized carry-ons we had brought back, and quickly headed to the baggage claim (USA wordage) to find Bekah.  She had been watching the screens patiently, having arrived in time to get us at 10pm.  We quickly showed her pictures stored in Norma's camera while waiting on the luggage to arrive.  The men now joining us, we gathered our luggage and headed home.  On the way, Bekah told stories of Youth Camp, and her week at the house while we were gone.  She bubbled over with news. 

We had such a wonderful time in England.  I would love to return there someday.  Even if Derek & Nelle are  stationed somewhere else, my warm memories of Brandon, Suffolk, England will draw me to the country again.  It isn't a land of conveniences, and I wouldn't want to live there long due to no Wal-Marts and the many luxuries we take for granted here at home, but I would love to visit again.  As for now, I close the journal and say - God Bless the USA!