Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to ALL the Father's we know!

May Bumps

Last night we headed over to the Cam River to watch the 'May Bumps' a regatta race between all the colleges of Cambridge University. The May Bumps are similar to the May Ball in that both are University events that take place in June. (I don't know why~ it might be because it comes at the end of May Term, or it might be to mislead people like you and me, or maybe a little of both...)

We needed a map to get there, and Andrew drew one for us, see below. He is pointing to the river in his map~


We were able to park right in a field on the Cam River (all right, that's our van, not the other car~)



This swan wasn't very happy to see us and he was quite territorial. Who knew swans were so mean?? We all gladly gave him his space~


We saw several different races, men and women, and the whole concept of the "Bumps" are fascinating. Basically, each crew (or boat) is separated at the start by a distance of about 1½ boat lengths and the point is to bump the boat in front while not getting bumped from behind!

Here are some crews heading downriver toward the start~



Here's how Wikipedia describes the Bumps:

Once the "go" signal is fired, a crew must attempt to catch up with the crew ahead of it and bump (physically touch or overtake it) before the crew behind does the same to them. A crew which bumps or is bumped must pull to the side of the river to allow other crews to continue racing. A crew which neither bumps the crew ahead nor is bumped by the crew behind before crossing the finishing post is said to have rowed over.

A crew which bumps then swaps places with the crew that it bumped in the following day's racing. A crew which rows over stays in the same position in the following day's racing. If a crew finishes at the top of a division, apart from the first division, then it may row at the bottom of the next division to try and get into that division. This crew is called the sandwich boat. The process is repeated over four days, allowing crews to move up or down in the overall order of boats. The finish order of one year's May Bumps are then used as the starting order of the following year's races.

The ultimate aim is to try and finish Head of the River (also said as gaining the Headship), i.e. 1st position in division 1. This is only realistically possible for crews starting in the top 5 places. For other crews, the aim is to rise at least 4 places to try and set themselves up for an opportunity to take the Headship in future years."

OK, so why were we there, you ask? Beside enjoying the races, our friend Hunter rows for Selwyn College so we went to cheer him on

Here is Hunter (waving) as they warm up, going downriver toward their starting place~




Hunter & Laura's two boys were there to see their Daddy race!



Fifteen minutes later we heard a cannon boom in the distance and we knew the race was on!!

Here they come up the river... it looks like they're close to the boat in front of them!



Sure enough, they were right on the heels of Gonville Caius College (btw., Caius is pronounced "keys").

They're closing in!!


We were all yelling and shouting from the shore! Even the normally reserved Brits were cheering and screaming.

They did it! The coxswain's hand goes up to acknowledge the "bump."


And now the victors from Selwyn start off slowly home.


Notice the greenery in their hair. When you pull over after a "bump" the tradition is for the winning boat to decorate themselves and their boat with branches from the shrubs along the shore (a bit like laurel wreaths.)

A fun evening at the May Bumps!

Salad

Fresh from the Tyndale House garden comes this lovely lettuce. I continue to be amazed at all the women who live here, so diversely gifted and ready to serve. This fresh spinach and lettuce came from our friend Stephanie, who is growing it in abundance. Thanks Stephanie! It was delicious~

Update~

Three weeks from Friday we leave to return to America. Ironically we are returning to the States on July 4th; which is simply a coincidence! Our British friends, however, find this amusing and have given us a hard time about "fleeing back to the Colonies" or some such rot. In actuality, we will really miss England~

We will fly into Chicago and stay with friends for a few days, and our girls are thrilled that they will be back in time for a night of fireworks~I will give you an update on how long they will be able to stay awake for them~*smile*

Jim is back at the library for another late night of writing. He is now done with editing all his chapters, has finished his introduction, and is working hard to finish his conclusion by this evening. Once this is done he will send the whole kit and kaboodle into his advisor, and while waiting for his final response, will finish the bibliography.

Can it be? Could we really almost be done? After 9+ years of working on a doctorate, we see the end in sight, and both Jim and I feel like we are finishing a marathon. It isn't quite the euphoric high that I expected, instead, we feel like with the Lord's help we will just make it.

I can tell that God has carried us securely through this process. The unique stresses and challenges of this year have stretched us often to the limits of what we thought we could do, and then He has shown us more of Himself, and we have been sustained. We praise Him~He is GOOD.

And now, I look at our calendar where events are written in this month for England and next month for America, and I chuckle to myself to see one leg planted here, and one leg running across the Atlantic. The inevitable merging of two lives again~

The girls and I packed away most of their clothes today, much to their delight. Comments like: "Just lay out two different dresses for Sundays" "Remember it will be warmer in America" "Don't forget a sweater for the plane~" and "Who can we give this too?" resounded through their little room today, and made the reality of leaving just a little stronger for all of us.

When you think of us, please pray for this transition for all of us. We covet your prayers~

Walking buddies

The nights are very short here now~in fact it is close to 10 before darkness arrives, and the sun comes back up at 5:30 (or earlier, I just haven't noticed!) I can tell our children are tired, because it is SO hard to fall asleep while it is still so light out.


Julia and I took a walk last night to take some pictures around the colleges before her bedtime. The students are out and about celebrating as exams are now wrapping up, and you can tell the relief in their faces!

Newnham College

Right now the flowers are beautiful~Here are a few pictures of Clare College, I personally think they have the most beautiful gardens!

Here's one Julia took of the Cam River. The students are out in full force on the river, you can catch a peek if you look to the far right of this picture.


Next, Selwyn College~



Almost home, here is a picture of our neighbor's roses~


A lovely evening~

for Anne

Psalm 84

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise!
Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Selah

Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

Summer is here~

The roses are in full bloom all over Cambridge now~in fact I just saw a two story house with a rose bush growing all the way up to the peak of the roof! I will try and take a picture next time I go by it~

Here are a few of the Tyndale House roses bushes; they always make me smile~





A few other little "roses" enjoyed the hot weather and a new pool yesterday~


Is it summer for you yet?