In two weeks, just two weeks! We will be leaving for England. A lot to do between now and then but I am so excited for this adventure. For time with my colleagues and friends. To see the birthplace of this denomination. In the midst of all of the pain in this denomination, it will be nice to go back to basics, to where it all began and imagine the hope that was held by those called Methodists.

Less than a week until we leave!

Excited and nervous, I still have so much to complete before I leave. Just taking it one day at a time.

Two days! Just two days until we leave. It has been a whirlwind of a few days and the next two days are going to be the same. Over the past few days I have been sending random facts about England and in the process I have learned a few random things. Like you can’t put a stamp on upside down because it is considered treasonous and the English drink a lot of tea.

My dogs know that something is going on. They are not happy with me and have been a bit clingy but I know that they are in safe hands and they get a little vacation at home.

As the days pass and the trip is just on the horizon I am reminded of the

Tomorrow! We leave tomorrow! So much to finish, but so excited for the opportunity to be in England and to share the experience with friends.

Today, I have a lot to finish. I hope I get it all done!

It’s the night before leaving and all through the house. We are all stirring and hope we don’t find a mouse. Now Ro-Ro is wondering why the vacuum was used. He just wants a night in which he has snoozed.

There’s so much to do, so much has been done. Just a little more work before lots of fun. Time for me to keep cleaning for there’s packing to do. The hours for me to finish are becoming few.

So down goes my cell phone and up comes my list. I must keep working and I will persist. And I say to my dogs I love you so, and I’m just a few hours I’ll be ready to go. Dash away all, happy evening to you and a happy Sunday eve.

It’s today!!!!

I’m a bit tired but the excitement is starting to kick in. I’m at the confeeence center waiting to be picked up to go to the airport. I hope I packed enough clothes and that I didn’t forget anything.

Well, we are sitting on the first plane waiting for our take off. It is only a 49 minute flight but our wait is 30 minutes. At this rate we will spend more time on the ground than in the air. My dog sitter has already shared a picture which gives me a good feeling. I’m glad that my fur babies have her this time away.

I’m going to read for a bit and soon we will be on our way. First stop Philadelphia!

On a layover in Philadelphia. It is quite peaceful just sitting and playing Dog Pile. Working on my spacial visualization. ;)

It is late and the lights are out in the plane cabin. I’m a bit, ok, I am a lot exhausted. I wanted to be tired so I would sleep on the flight only I think that so made myself too tired. My in seat screen isn’t working, but thankfully a flight attendant took the time to create a solution. He covered the screen with a plastic bag so the flashing lights won’t bother me.

I’m going to try to sleep. Music should help and I am amazed at the leg room I have underneath the seat in front of me.

Well, time for me to go. The last time a map was up showing our location we were flying over Canada almost to the Atlantic Ocean. Just a few short hours and we will be in England. As long as I can not be cranky it will be a good day. As a few people are prone to tell me...stop whining Megan! ;)

We have arrived and have completed a small walking tour of York.

The first night has arrived. Time to get some sleep before we head to Epwortg tomorrow. A member from the trip said today that this is where we are supposed to be, even though we would like to be walking with our families and churches back home. We need to be here, we have been called to serve but we also need to take care of ourselves to feel our hearts strangely warmed in this experience.

So as I lay down to sleep. I say my prayers for my loved ones back home. I pray for those who are mourning. I pray for those struggling. I pray for all those who need to find joy in their lives. I also pray for those on this trip as we go forth with love and hope. As we go forward seeing God at work in each of our lives.

Good Morning!

I slept! I put on the album Mozart relax and unwind but I was asleep before the first song finished. I slept all night and woke with my alarm.

Today we are headed to Epworth. A few months ago, I was walking down the hallway at church and discovered a flyer on the floor. It was outside the one room we use a lot so I just thought someone had dropped it. I asked and no one had dropped the flyer so I took it back to my office and looked at it. The publication was about Epworth. I still have no idea why that crossed my path, this was before the invitation to the trip, but I remember thinking maybe one day I will get to see in person what that publication/flyer is talking about. Today is that day.

I’m ready to go!

Today has been a good day. A day filled with history and amazing food. Plus the people I’m with are so loving.

We went to Epworth to see the home of the Wesley’s. We heard the stories and were given a tour of the home. For children they hide mice in each room, I found all the mice.

We walked through the town and to the church that Samuel Wesley once served. We saw Samuel Wesley’s grave and the Bishop spoke of John Wesley standing on his father’s grave. A man of order and honor but yet John \240stood on his father’s grave to preach. He was not welcome to preach in the church just feet away from the grave because of his father. \240John Wesley created a movement for us to share the Gospel without limitation. Even if it is hard we share the Gospel.

We then went to the Wesley Memorial Chapel Methodist church where we partook of communion and then sat down for a meal. We fed both our souls and our bodies. The ladies who created the meals were so sweet. They took the time to tell me how to make sausage rolls...looks like I need to figure that out!

This afternoon I was reminded why I love being me. I love to talk to people and hear their stories. I love to learn from those around me. Interesting things today included the collection of Scottish provincial spoons, dost in Turkish means friend and there is a really friendly golden retriever named Dost in a shop that sells loose leaf tea. I also was reminded about the importance of friends, sometimes that is hard when we are separated for long times. But I know they are always there.

We also went to evening vespers at York Minster. Amazing cathedral with beautiful standing glass and carvings in stone and wood. Just breathtaking.

Well, almost time to eat!

Good night. I’m reflecting tonight on emotions. What am I feeling, why I am feeling, what am I feeling, how I am feeling.

I get asked often, where do you find joy? What is joy?

Theopedia describes joy \240as “a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope.”

I’m figuring out my joy.

We have arrived at the Shakespeare Hotel in Stratford upon Avon. It has been an exciting day has we have left York, visited Coventry, and are now here. Our room has a name As You Like It. Very fitting as it is my favorite Shakespeare Play.

More to come later as I journal tonight.

I wanted to take time away from yesterday before I wrote. We went to Coventry on our way to Stratford Upon Avon. Coventry was bombed during WW2 and the cathedral is a shell of what it once was. Out of that shell there has come new life. They have built a new cathedral but the shell of the old cathedral still stands as a testament to never let that happen again.

We had a service in that bombed out cathedral and sang Let There Be Peace on Earth. The words “And Let it begin with me” end the song. May it be so that we let peace begin with each of us.

It has been wonderful just enjoying this trip. Today, we went to Oxford, we saw the place where John Wesley studied. We walked the same paths he would have walked.

A week ago I was in the sunshine at Covent Garden. Sitting and listening to an orchestral quartet as they performed. Today I’m sitting outside in Pittsburgh. Though it isn’t as warm and there isn’t a performance, I’m enjoying the breeze and the occasional burst of sunshine. England was an amazing experience, I can never fully replicate the trip but one day I would love to return. Each experience is another opportunity to see something new.