See you Monday!

My friend Mary and I are off to the Lake District for a (can you believe it?) GIRLS WEEKEND!!!

We are planning on seeing the area the Bronte sisters lived in~and then are heading up to the Beatrix Potter area in Windemere and Hawkshead. I look forward to showing some pictures on the blog when I return. Pray for my husband~Mr. Mom for the weekend.

The Patience of Faith

Patience is more than endurance. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says--"I cannot stand any more."


God does not heed. He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God's hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship with Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. "Though He slays me, yet will I wait for Him."


Faith is not a pathetic sentiment, but robust vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is Holy love.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, May 8

Robots and Wisteria

The children and I took a walk after school to get a treat. It was such a beautiful day here in Cambridge we had to be outside! We ended up at the "Buttery" which is a university snack shop not too far from our flat.

On the way, we needed to take a few pictures. These pictures are all in Selwyn College:

Wisteria

Back at our place, here is Andrew demonstrating how his robot "Husky" works (he made Husky today at his playgroup.)

Cinco de Mayo~

About a week ago I lamented to some friends

how much I missed Mexican food.

Along with the quintessential British pub,
there are tons of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Italian establishments around town,
but alas, the enchiladas and burritos are a bit scarce.

Fortunately, these same friends (one grew up on "the border" in Texas)
invited us over to celebrate "Cinco de Mayo."
I was thrilled!
Finally, great salsa, enchiladas,
chimichangas, chips, guacamole, etc.
(And ALL homemade!)

In the course of the evening we asked ourselves, "What is Cinco de Mayo?" Doesn't it have to do with independence from France, or some such thing? Since we couldn't remember exactly, I am very thankful to my friend Mary who was able to enlighten me, see below:

There are many stories related to the sinking of the Titanic. Some have just come to light due to the success of the recent movie.
For example, most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellman's mayonnaise was manufactured in England. The "Titanic" was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment scheduled for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after New York City.
The Mexican people were eagerly awaiting delivery and were disconsolate at the loss. So much so that they declared a national day of mourning which they still observe today. It is known, of course, as Sinko de Mayo.

Thank you Mary~

The Master has come

The Master has come, and He calls us to follow
The track of the footprints He leaves on our way;
Far over the mountain and through the deep hollow,
The path leads us on to the mansions of day:
The Master has called us, the children who fear Him,
Who march ’neath Christ’s banner, His own little band;
We love Him and seek Him, we long to be near Him,
And rest in the light of His beautiful land.

The Master has called us; the road may be dreary
And dangers and sorrows are strewn on the track;
But God’s Holy Spirit shall comfort the weary;
We follow the Savior and cannot turn back;
The Master has called us, though doubt and temptation
May compass our journey, we cheerfully sing:
“Press onward, look upward,” through much tribulation;
The children of Zion must follow the King.

The Master has called us, in life’s early morning,
With spirits as fresh as the dew on the sod:
We turn from the world, with its smiles and its scorning,
To cast in our lot with the people of God:
The Master has called us, His sons and His daughters,
We plead for His blessing and trust in His love;
And through the green pastures, beside the still waters,
He’ll lead us at last to His kingdom above.

This is one of our favorite hymns, Jim printed this out for our children to learn this week

Tea in the orchard

We walked into Grantchester to the orchard today for tea. What a beautiful day it was! We had a collection of their large scones, replete with jam and Devonshire cream~


My friend Fiona and her girls came with us, and in doing so, 'made the day.' The apple trees are now in full bloom, and absolutely lovely.


Collections of "Meadow Sweet" (a.k.a. Cow Parsley) were collected on the way home~


To create beautiful maidens~(like our friend Rachel)

Julia's spelling test

I got a kick out of one of Julia's spelling tests. Her teacher told her that she might want to write a "bit bigger."