School started yesterday for our girls. I am sorry I don't have pic's yet; now our camera is not working! But, imagine if you will, three little girls in grey skirts, white socks, black Mary-Jane's and blue school sweatshirts (with their hair up) and you will get the beginnings of a picture of our three dear girls. Behind the scenes, you wouldn't know (if we didn't tell you) that one of them spilled her bowl of cereal on her lap, soaking her new skirt, and we just made it in time to school by rinsing it out and ironing it for 30+ minutes.
They had a great day of school. Sarah was very tired; I know because she told me, her teacher told me, and her sisters told me (she tried to lay down on the playground.) Today was much better.
Their school is a little English country school. 97 students total. When we visited several days ago we walked in and the lady in the office said, "you must be the Johnstons!" The principal had learned all their names by the time we left and she even gave us our tour. We are so thankful for their kindnesses to our family.
The school is located next to a farm. Today we parked next to a rooster. Really. But it left by the time we returned.
God is continuing to show His perfect plan for our family. He has brought us safely to England, He is providing for our children and ourselves with schooling and friends, and we are being stretched! Opportunities for the Gospel are EVERYWHERE. It is so exciting. I am meeting people constantly who want to get to know us better. (Lots of tea/coffee opportunities.) A lot of this is because we are American, also because we are wanting to meet people ourselves.
Please pray for us that we will be faithful with the opportunities that God is giving us here.
Jim is beginning to "get traction" as he told me tonight. I love hearing that he is loving his work. Every night one of the girls will go and knock on his window to remind him to come home for dinner. Julia has now learned to stand at his window until he packs up his computer and stands up, ready to come home. Otherwise, as she tells me, I wait 'forever!' at the door for him to come out! Jim and his deskmate Barry get the biggest kick out of her~
We went with Barry two weekends ago to "the orchard" for tea. About 2 miles from Tyndale House is a large apple orchard that is a famous mecca for afternoon tea. (C.S. Lewis used to walk down there from Magdalene College to have tea.) Tables and chairs are set up randomly throughout the orchard (nice lounge type chairs you can't possible sit up in) and you bring tea and scones to your table after purchasing them. Everyone is chatting or reading/writing even painting. I felt smart just sitting there. You sit and 'lounge' along with all the other tea drinkers while your children run about and climb trees. I had my first real clotted cream while debating with Barry and Jim whether you were to put the jam first then the cream on the scone, or vice-versa. This is serious business here in England.
This weekend we decided to drive to the North sea. (We are trying to see at least one new thing each weekend.) So off we went, weaving our way through little country towns until after about 2 hours we came to the coast. The tide was out when we arrived, and the children got on suits and swam (albeit a bit chilly) and then we made a huge sand castle. We also felt that to please Pappa King we needed to eat fish and chips. So we found a little place and ordered food--well, I chickened (or should I say 'fished') out and couldn't stomach the looks of the fish & chips but the rest of the crew thought they weren't too bad. (But, I chalk that up to the fact that they were really hungry!)
Tonight we had a wonderful retired couple over for dinner. He taught at Seattle Pacific and at Asbury Seminary for forty years and we were so honored to be with them. There are so many interesting leaders and scholars who study at Tyndale for a couple weeks or months--we want to get to know them and learn from these new friends.
Time for bed, so I'll have to stop. Keep praying for us. We miss you all.
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4 comments:
Lisa,
Don't worry about the photos, you are so gifted at writing that you paint a beautiful picture for us of life for the Johnstons. I can just see your girls lined up with pony tails and uniforms so excited to begin their adventures at an English school. Wondering, how goes the gardening? We are praying for you and we miss you too.
Chris
It sounds like you are making some lasting memories already! And that Jim is working hard at his studies.
We do miss you, and we know you are in His keeping.
I am thoroughly enjoying working for your father! He's a hoot! and a wonderful Christian man. I have learned that he loves bagels and cream cheese, oreos, date bars, chocolate chip cookies, raspberries . . . I guess he loves everything! Your mother is a delight. She, of course, is out West for a while. Your dad is busy trying to finish the "honey do" list she left him, and has invented a few other chores, as well.
May God continue to bless you all as you enjoy that part of the world! You really ought to try fish & chips some time!
Hi Lisa & Co.,
So great to hear about your early days in school--I can totally picture your beautiful children lined up beautifully, concealing things like milk spills and sticky spots in hair. A big hug from us to each Johnston child! (Yes, you too, Andrew!)
We were praying for you this morning--you are on our "year-round" list, as opposed to the "just today/this week" list. We've been praying specifically that God would send each of you a friend. Also, that the kids would enjoy living together in their spacious bedroom. :-D
We'll email and send pictures from our first week of school later. Love to you all!
Laura et al.
Hello Johnston's!
I am so glad to hear about all your travels and getting settled. I miss you guys all so much! I am sad I didn't get to come say goodbye, things got a little crazy toward the end of summer. Tell Claire, Julia, Sarah and Andrew that I have many more fun stories for them sometime and their is always gum here to spare! Tell them also that I miss them a ton! I look forward to seeing more pictures and reading fun stories. Thanks for keeping us updated! I am praying for you all!
-Danielle S.
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