Well, it has come to my attention that I don't update enough, but life in England tends to be as undramatic as its weather, or its flat rolling landscape, or (no I won't describe my life by invoking the oxymoron that is English cuisine.)
God continues to bless me with significant spiritual growth, I’m still learning a lot, and I continue to have fun experiencing northern England with my friends from Bible school.
Some things that have been going on lately:
• I was picked by the school staff to lead a team of eleven others to help out a church in Leeds, which I believe is in Yorkshire (not that far from Capernwray). We’re going to do things like Sunday school, worship and other things in services, and outreach in the community. We’re really excited. This weekend we’re going for two days to get a better picture of the church and what we’ll be doing when we go for 10 days in February/March.
• We’re learning about the gospel of Luke in class this week. It is really eye-opening and thought-provoking. I like Luke’s eye for historical detail and the focus on Mary and Elizabeth. The lecturer described the beginning narrative as “two women, Mary and Elizabeth, sharing a miraculously conceived life. This is the essence of Christianity.”
• One of my friends learned how to play pinochle, so I’ve been able to play the best (underplayed) card game in the universe a little more.
• Planning my spring break trip around Europe. Unfortunately I won’t be coming home. I’m excited to go to France, especially since Anne-Sophie, a fellow student from Paris, taught me how to look French this morning. I raise my eyebrows, delicately squint me eyes, and rest my chin on my hand. I have yet to learn how to walk like a French man. She informed me that the French woman walk is a bit easier—just walking while holding a handbag.
• Reading a lot of Dylan Thomas) and Bob Dylan lately. One of the things I’m hoping to do this spring is drop down to Wales, to Swansea specifically, where Dylan Thomas was born or lived or something. I should know, but it is where his grave is, and a really good museum, and the sea that inspired the best poems of the 20th century.
• The other night we had to act out a Bible verse as 10-day outreach teams. We did something with the burning bush and Moses. I was the burning bush (my head specifically). My team is good capitalizing on their leader’s strengths.
• I’m praying a lot for my mom’s show (Always the Women: A Solo Performance of Jesus’ Encounters With Women in the Gospels) which she’s benefit-performing this weekend. Unfortunately I’ll be out of the country (Leeds, in fact) but it’s all very exciting. Check out my link to an article about the show on my facebook.
• Things are pretty busy, but on the other hand the weather has been very nice and sunny (not today though).

The lips of time leech to the fountain head;
Love drips and gathers, but the fallen blood
Shall calm her sores.
And I am dumb to tell a weather's wind
How time has ticked a heaven round the stars.
-Dylan Thomas

Today is my first day back at Capernwray. I had a great Christmas break and it’s good to be back. When I left school three weeks ago, I first went to Liverpool, where my uncle and aunt are studying. The highlight was my first Christmas panto, short for pantomime, which is one of the most English things one can do. It was a pretty legit one at that. Cilla Black starred as the fairy godmother (the story was, then, Cinderella). She’s a famous Liverpudlian (I know I misspelt that) singer from the 60s. Sung back-up to the Beatles in the Cavern and everything. They worked in many of her songs into the show. It was very funny and entertaining. I then went to London where I met my family, after some frantic driving (none on my part) around and around Picadilly Circus getting lost and such. It was good to see them. We did see some real theatre in London: Les Miserables, and another panto: Phantom of the Opera. J/k, although I almost prefer Cilla Black’s music to that of Weber. Again, j/k. Both were excellent and I have a much higher appreciation for the latter now that I’ve gone and seen it. And seeing Les Miserables is arguably my favorite theatre experience on or off stage. The cast was very good. On the 25th, we flew to Morocco. Marrakech was busy and crazy and market-y. Very exciting. I preferred going to Essouira on the coast. The beach was relaxing and the town slower paced. I had fun playing soccer on the beach with my family and some (maybe local) kids, and riding camels. The best part about Morocco, other than spending time with my family, was the food. I am in love with tagines, this sort of stew thing. They are incredibly flavorful, especially the rabbit and lamb ones. Some of my friends from Bible school went to Morocco as well and talk about eating goat faces and cow tongues. Unfortunately I missed out on that. But there was a lot of cous cous and the Moroccan mint tea was soothing and delicious. I really miss the sunshine and the slightly warmer weather. Now I’m back in foggy, rainy England. I’m in a new room. Only two roommates this time, and I am amazed about the amount of sleep I now get. I’m ready for two more months of school before I go traveling again.