Our Time in England is Off to a Lovely Start!

We have had such a wonderful time just in the few days we've been here.  Hope you don't mind me giving you a run down of the last two days (yesterday and today) and sharing some pictures! 

Yesterday we slept in late and then walked to a nearby park where there was an outdoor "act of worship" (that's how the Anglicans refer to it...we would call it a worship service).  All last week a group was here that went around the city of Poole sharing the Gospel.  This act of worship was a little finale to the week.  It was very special to me because the Salvation Army Band was there. Watching them play was great fun...it sounded beautiful.

That afternoon we walked around Poole and then came home to eat a quick bite of lunch, take a shower and then head over to our host family's house, the Martins.  We are not staying in their home this visit, but we definitely depend on them greatly!  It's so wonderful to have such sweet friends who are willing to help us live over here.  Dinner was scrumptious.  For dessert Mrs. Martin fixed us a very traditional English dish: the Trifle.  It was delicious! 

Mrs. Martin with her trifle

After dinner we had a rousing game of spoons!  That was lots of fun!  Mr. Martin was the winner and Mom was second place. :)

Here's a picture of all but one of the Martin kids:

Anna, Lizzy and Tim.  Tim looks like he's asleep, but he's really not :) I have not met Daniel yet.  Lizzy is taking Mom and me out shopping this Tuesday and tonight they are having Mom and me over for cream tea!  (Dad and Mr. Martin are flying to Scotland this afternoon.)  

Mr. Martin and Anna with her jolly good kitty Timmy Cat

The girls and me.  Lizzy and Anna are such sweet girls.  I'm grateful to have friends over here!

Today we went to three church services.  At the first church I got this picture before a lot of people got there:

The church itself (not the church building) is 115 years old!

They had all sorts of pretty little flowers set in the window sills.

The next church we went to I didn't get a picture of.  But, Dad and Mr. Martin are officing in that building so I should have one soon.  Mr. Martin preached at both services.  For the second service I helped Mrs. Martin with the children during the service. They were so cute with their mini English accents!  The third service was at a senior day center right next to the church.  We were served a scrumptious meal with the elderly people and then went into another room to have a small service with them.  Next month our family will be leading this with Dad speaking, Mom singing, and me playing the piano.

Now, for a few random pictures:

The view from one of the windows of our flat.

Unpacking one of my suitcases thinking, "I just got all this stuff in here, why do I have to take it all out again?"

Walking around Poole...we walk a lot.  At least two to four miles a day (that's a lot for me:)

Gorgeous flowers!

A lovely little English cottage garden packed full of beautiful plants!

Well, I am dreadfully sorry this post is so long.  I hope it's not too time consuming!  I'll try to make them shorter in the future. 

Cheerio! (And yes, people really do say that!)