To be found worthy of my calling

We left Spain on Friday. As we flew above Madrid the landscape was all browns, dotted with bits of green which are the olive trees or grapevines. But, mostly brown. Loads of sunshine. Clear skies for a long time as we gained altitude.

Then, an hour and half later, we started to descend. London was covered in a thick layer of clouds. Thick layer. But when we broke through, it was all green, like a patchwork quilt of greens, dotted with sheep. Cloudy, rainy and cool. And I was happy to be back. Happy to be in my own home, but also happy to return to this green lovely place, despite the weather.

Last night we had to sleep with all the windows closed as it was downright chilly! This next week the high is to be 65 F. The high! Sounds good if you are in a heatwave, but in reality, it feels quite chilly. We are all sitting around in sweatshirts and sweaters. We went from 100F in Spain to 64F.

All this difference in temperature reminds me how different this home is from my other home- Alabama. How different the culture is - how I miss my friends and church. I figure this land needs a little warmth - and a lot of Jesus. Can I be salt? Can I, as broken and sinful as I am, convey Christ to those around me? Luckily Christ is in control, not me. His name will go forth, unhindered, despite my mistakes and distractions. How I pray to be found worthy of my calling.

Goodbyes to Alabama

While I was in Alabama I tried to live in the moment and really see and feel things that were distinctly "home" to me.
I listened to the crickets, frogs and cicadas. Each morning I would look out the window and all except one day were sunshine, blue skies. I sat out on Jenny's front porch in her porch swing and felt how the humidity truly wraps itself around every part of your body. (I wish I could save that feeling for the middle of the winter here. It is just the opposite here - there almost always seems to be an underlying coolness to the air. Our house in England is almost always on the cool side.) I also napped on Jenny's porch swing after eating a red Popsicle. I drove in Alabama with the windows down (when possible) to smell the trees - the pines. I took in the dogwoods and crepe myrtles, as well as the kudzu. I listened to the birds -(very different from England's grumpy crows and magpies.) I walked barefoot in thick cool grass. I slapped mosquitoes. I watched salamanders. I stood still in the dark between the Boykins and Claytons houses and saw a lightning bug. I loved the loud dramatic thunder storms. I also loved the sweet familiar southern drawl - especially in the children. I loved being somewhere where I sound like everyone else.

So I say goodbye, Alabama and all that it is to me.

I will miss my friends, my church, my family.
I will miss spicy BBQ, homemade fries, onion rings and sweet tea refills.
Cold watermelon. Fresh tomatoes.
I will miss lunch at the Summit, giggles by the pool and Sonic happy hours.
Swimming like a kid. Swimming with my kids - all five of them together.
The music at our church. Elizabeth at the cello and Connie on the violin. Beautiful worship.

Yesterday I had to go by the doctor's office next door to my house here in England. I was talking to the lady at the desk and when I was done, I turned to leave and the three people in the waiting room were looking at me. At first I was puzzled, then I remembered. My accent. I am different. I smiled and left. Sweet home Alabama.