england

The British Are Coming!

Oh, wait. They’re Irish.

Close enough!

Our friends from England, who actually hail from Ireland (stay with me here), are arriving tomorrow for a quick and fabulous holiday. And they are bringing their children! My kids haven’t seen them since we lived in England 9 years ago. Well, except for the two who came and visited us a few years ago. We are over the moon and making final preps for their visit. I can’t wait to see my dear friend, Angela. I look forward to the reintroduction of Peyton and “little Daniel” who is a year older and twice as big as her. {Side note: when we lived in England, Daniel was the youngest of their family. Peyton called him “Little Daniel” even though he wasn’t. She was 4. And they were best friends.} I’m sure that we will all have a snicker or two about those memories.

Okay, so this verse is taken {way} out of context. But this is how I feel.

So, I have been racing around getting things caught up and ready for the British Invasion. With a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

Next week, I hope to write about my Hazardous Journey, which is not to be confused with my Husband’s Hazardous Journey.

And hopefully, I will be drinking my favorite tea while I do so.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Many Lord’s blessings be on you and your family.

Filed Under: Hospitality Tagged With: england, friendship, hospitality, memories, rejoicing

It’s pretty cool…

27 May By Tonya Leave a Comment

Today, I had Emma and Faith with me as we were driving to a friend’s house. I was flipping through the radio stations trying to find something suitable to listen to, when I came upon a station that had a familiar Christian song playing. As the song played, Faith noted, “Isn’t it cool that this is on the radio?” The song was full of God’s grace and the fact that His Son came to die for sinners. Yes, it’s pretty cool that we can turn on the radio and find the gospel sung to us, or preached to us on several stations at any given time. What is equally “cool” is that Faith recognizes what a wonderful gift that is.

When we lived in England, they had no such stations, at least broadcasting where we lived. It was shocking to us to find that when we lived there. From our understanding, it isn’t easily permitted because of “items that may be offensive to people of other, non-Christian beliefs”. Makes me wonder about whether or not the radio authority is concerned about whether or not Christians are offended by some of the other things that are broadcasted.

So, while we may despair at how our country is sliding away from our Christian heritage, let’s be thankful for these things we often forget to be thankful for. I love it that Faith reminds me of them daily.

Photo credit: Brandon Christopher Warren / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Filed Under: Faith's Corner Tagged With: england, faith, insight, music

Tea

3 May By Tonya 2 Comments

I have to admit it: I’m a tea snob. Does that sound bad?

I seem to have a reputation of liking tea. But, in all honesty, I’m really picky. Some people call it “particular.” Anyway. I like to host little teas, and big ones. But, I’m not a huge fan of most of it.

However, I have a tea that I love. If you come visit me, I will offer you a cup. Those who accept are never disappointed, as far as I know. I have it imported from England. Seriously, that Boston Tea Party thing was a huge mistake. Why couldn’t they have dumped Marmite over or something? We would have never known. Who in the US, who is actually from the US, eats that stuff anyway? Those guys really sacrificed for us, and we are still paying the price.

Whittard Vanilla Tea

See that crumpled up box? That is liquid velvet, as my dear sister in law described it. It was brought across the pond, sent from my dear friend, via a young lady who was headed our way. I feel so loved. She sent a few boxes for me. When we travel to England, I snatch up the entire inventory in the local shop. I asked the sales lady last time if she had more in the back, and she told me no. She didn’t even go look. I think she’s still holding a grudge about Boston. When my friends visit me from England, they bring a suitcase full for me. I reason that they need an empty one to head back from here to there with all sorts of American things, like guns… kidding. But, they do like to shop here as well.

Enjoying a cup of tea with a new or old friend is such a sweet thing. I love the conversations that ensue. The way the warmth just fills your body. I can feel my body warm up as I drink it. I’m a snowball most of the year, so the tea helps me cope.