3 years, 3 countries, 3 pieces

Three years ago I began a painting.

2010

I lived in Germany

I moved to Italy

2011

I tried to work on it in Italy

I moved to the UK 

2012

I finally finished it in the UK 

This three piece painting that I was inspired to attempt when I saw Van Gogh's Almond blossoms painting and heard the story of when he painted it.

2013

It is finally hanging on a wall in my place of dwelling. 

feels good.

getting a Christmas tree

My lovely roommate, Tiana, and I went out to fetch a tree on Sunday...

 we looked and looked and drove a bit until we spied this lovely sign.

by then the rain was coming down sideways and as we hiked through the mud to look at trees we laughed about what me must look like. Tiana in her pearl earrings, me in my leather jacket... We were not expecting the rain.

The wonderful man working the farm, cut down the tree for us and helped to attach it to Tiana's car. and we drove back to our duplex..

 by the time we got back... it had essentially stopped raining... and here is Tiana with the tree. 

 We had fun. it was good bonding time. :) 

 and now we have a tree in our duplex....

Advent readings

I am so excited to share an opportunity with you.... no it's not the latest gadget. :)

It is an opportunity to intentionally enter into this season of Advent. First week of Advent is this Sunday! Lighting the first candle! I am so excited to begin this intentional time of eager expectation. 

Here is the opportunity:

 reFresh is offering a short, devotional reFlection via email each Sunday during Advent. We hope to help you create unhurried space to linger with the blessed reality that God lives WITH US - even in the messy, scandalous, and inhospitable places of our lives.

If you would like to receive these, sign up on the reFresh website: mysoulrefresh.com

Thanksgiving and Advent

I am super excited for next Sunday when we begin the Advent Season....

...maybe this is because I have lived outside of the USA for so long, but Thanksgiving is not as big to me as the Advent Season.

Oh I am thankful for the religious freedom that the pilgrims endured hardship to achieve. I am thankful for the harvest times and the food that we can marvel at God's creation of. I am thankful for a holiday to get time with busy friends and family. I like Thanksgiving and being able to honor it in America again...

But the Advent Season is coming!!!!

A season that points us to the reason we can have eternal life.
A season that prepares us to spend time rejoicing over the birth of our Lord
A season that gives foundation and meaning to an otherwise commercialized time of year.

I love pausing each Sunday and reading what the current advent candle represents.
I love watching the light of the Advent wreath increase each week

This was last year's advent wreath set up.

Even living alone, I enjoyed taking time to light the Advent candle, spending some time with the Lord and thinking about how I am approaching the season.

reFresh will be sending out Advent reflections and I am so looking forward to this. I will share more on this later.

anyway.. Happy Thanksgiving and I pray you are able to prepare for Christmas without the chaotic rush.

Tuesday 19, November

Here I am.

Just as I am. 

I am here.

This past weekend we each had time with the Lord to listen to what He is calling us to. 

Have you ever done that? 

Walk

Sit

Run

Cycle

No headphones

Just asking the Lord, 

"here I am Lord, what are you calling me to today?" 

and listen

You may be startled by the response you hear

You may wonder if your own mind is conjuring up things

You may just marvel at the silence

But

maybe 

you will hear

that

God 

is 

calling you

to some one

or some place

or some thought

or some thing

LISTEN

Authentic Community in Transformation

click on either link underlined to read more
ACT Journey
(I wrote about it in my Musings that went out today.)

begins today

As is normal when you begin something that God can use to draw you closer to Him

life is chaotic

things don't work

BUT

I go to engage with others in authentic community

and

to see how God wants to meet with me

the light of home

i found two  table lamp stands in the Ikea "As Is" area back in February.. and this weekend, I got to put them to use. There is something beautiful about a light shining in a new place. Of course, it is not feeling like home yet. My shipment of belongings is in LA and not on its way here yet. But slowly and eventually this lamp will be part of the bigger picture of home.

storms

When I woke up this morning 

I heard the stormy winds blowing outside

 before 

I actually saw them. 

And I thought how grateful I am 

to be inside right now

Yesterday

Actually most days 

since I returned to the states

storms have been swirling around me

not rain storms

Life storms 

of

unsettledness, sadness, grief, joy, loneliness, connections

transition

When a missionary returns to their home culture, 

it is 1 year back for every 3 years away that it takes them to fully adjust to their "home" culture.

I have time...

God is faithful

God is gracious

God is sovereign and He is Holy

oh how grateful am I

to be inside God's arms in these storms

rainbows in the storm

expectations vs reality

I think I have written about this before, but it is so appropriate in so many areas of life.

Currently, I am dealing with my unmet expectations about the duplex I hope to move into. 

It was originally supposed to be ready the beginning of October, but with the amount of work needed, it was pushed back to the 14th of October. 

At that point, my future housemate moved in... but she has been living in a kind of glorified camping situation since then. I was hoping/expecting to move in this weekend, but the duplex was not ready enough for that to be feasible. 

So here I am again, 

in another temporary situation

I re-shuffled my suitcases and bags again

I'll carry my things to and from the shower when I need to use the shower

honestly... 

I'm excited for the day when I can pull jeans from a dresser 

and use my shampoo that is already in the shower.

when I open the freezer to pull out the marinara sauce I made ahead

when I have food in the fridge to pack for lunch on Monday

Normalcy...

I am weary of feeling homeless and at the same time, grateful to dear people who let me sleep in their spare bed or on their spare couch. 

More lessons and learning about resting my expectations on the Lord and letting the reality be enough. 

Salvation, Sovereignty, Holiness and Wrath of God

The first five books of the Bible each expound on one of these themes. 

I am thoroughly enjoying studying the Bible in class again. 

I  have missed it. 

Can you imagine what life would be like to serve a god who was not the author of Salvation? 

Who was not all Sovereign? 

Who was not all Holy? 

Who was not consistent in his justice and Wrath? 

I find so much hope and comfort in the fact that I am a child of GOD. 

Yahweh. 

The God who made a plan of salvation, the God who made covenants with Moses and Abraham and has not ever wavered on them.

This is the God I trust. 

This is the God I want to glorify above all else.

Come to Me

Matthew 11:28-30 is on my mind this morning. I have a moment this morning to sit with The Lord. And with the cats...who want in on the "action". 

Psalm 86 is where I am pondering this morning. 

Psalm 86:3-10 

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. 

Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 

Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. 

In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. 

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. 

The transition feels overwhelming at times. I cry out to The Lord, for His perspectives. 

on leaving and being left

Leaving and Being Left

I have been thinking a lot about leaving and being left.

Going overseas as a missionary meant a lot of leaving people I love. 

Returning from overseas meant a lot of leaving people I love. 

I have left a lot of dear people and this breaks my heart. 

I feel like pieces of my heart are scattered all over the world. 

So here I am back where I came from, mourning the loss of people I have left overseas and longing to reconnect with people here.

I have heard from some dear people here, that they are cautious about getting close to me because I may leave again. 

I understand.

I have been left a lot too. 

It hurts being left. 

It leaves a hole in your heart. 

Leaving and being left is really hard.

companions as I live in transition

So, many of you know that I love animals... but also that cats are not my favourite animal. I am hanging out with a couple cats these weeks who are restoring my faith that cats can be cuddly and nice...

Clyde, the darker one, immediately decided I was special and now won't leave me alone. Lucy, took a bit longer but even as I tried to sleep after the 6 am feeding time, she ate and came back to snuggle with me.

No, I am not going to become a cat lady. Dogs are still more to my preference. But it is nice to have cuddle buddies in this transitory time. :)

ETA...

So.... Praise The Lord with me... 

My things are in process to be shipped from the UK to Portland! 

The estimated arrival date is 08, November, 2013. :) 

Urgent

 The cost to get my things shipped from the UK to here grows with each month that it is not shipped because I am paying storage there.  Each month it grows by about $90.

Support is coming in to meet this need but at this point, $300 remains. Any help in this is greatly appreciated. If God allows you to help financially, click here Donate. And whether or not you can help financially, please pray with me! 

In other news...

I have begun school and I am adjusting to homework.
I am seeking out prayer and financial ministry partners for the work I do with reFresh.
I am blessed to have temporary housing situations this month but it is hard to not have a place to call home.

"home"

Yes, I am moving again. 

I am so grateful for the apartment I was able to use these past 5 months. 

It provided a restful space. 

The next month I will not have a "home".

 I will be housesitting, highschool student transportation, cat care and who knows what else. 

I came to the realisation a few months ago that I need to stop trying to get settled here. It is hard to be settled when you I am in the houses of others, living out of a suitcase. 

I am so grateful for the ways people are helping me find places to stay in this transition. 

I hope I can settle in early October when, Lord willing, the place I will live in for a time is available. 

I look forward to making a home again. To having a place where you can come over for coffee, dinner, games, chatting, hanging out. But that dream is on hold. 

On hold for two reasons.. one is that the place is not available yet and the other reason is because my home things are in storage in the UK still. I am walking one day at a time in this desire to settle into a place and make it "home". 

That will help Portland feel like home too.

Festa Italiana

Each year, for the past 22 years, Festa Italiana has come to Portland, Oregon. 

I have been to it 3 times. 

A couple times before I lived in Italy and last night. 

I had so much fun! 

The collection of Italians, and many other cultures was refreshing.

The music was delightful and even better was all of us just dancing together. 

Besides having fun, 

I was reminded of much I enjoy dancing with men who know how to lead.

I was encouraged as Italian flowed out of my mouth from time to time

It was so lovely to have an evening of not thinking about all the things currently in my life. 

And just to be in the moments.

At one point I stopped to take it all in and tears welled up in my eyes with the joy I felt in the moment. I miss Europe. 

But I also know that I am stateside for a season, and I want to be intentional about this season.

new tab

You may have noticed... maybe not... :) 

There is a new tab called "Current Needs"   

Often missionaries are asked what they need so I am going to keep a list here as things come up. 

Your prayers are so vital!  

For those who pray-Thank you! 

For those who also give financially-Thank you!

Though my heart may cry

Yesterday I cried a lot. 

I cried because I am weary of transition. 

I cried because there are people who think missionaries who are based in the USA don't need their financial or prayer support. 

I cried because I am weary of being single.

I cried because so many people in missions and ministry are weary, overwhelmed, exhausted, burned out and want to quit.

I cried because unborn babies have less value many places here in America, than trees or animals

I cried because I don't know where I will live

I cried because I don't know how God will provide

I cried because I miss Europe and my dear friends there

I cried because I am still overwhelmed when I enter Fred Meyers. 

and

then

I

cried

because

God

IS

My provider

My restorer

My deliverer

My joy

My comfort

When life is stormy and unsettling, God IS my foundation.

and

so

I lean into HIM

to live

One of the things I am passionate about is living how and where God wants me to live. 

For now, I know the city, 

Portland, Oregon

There are many great things about this city. 

I desire to live close into the city centre.

where the people are

I want to rub shoulders with people in all ages, stages and walks of life.

Right now I am looking for a place to live in this city.

House or Apartment

a kitchen I can call my own

space to host small groups for dinner (this is so life-giving to me!)

one...or two bedrooms (two bedrooms means I could have a housemate)

space to grow herbs and have flowers (outside space would be amazing!)

a place with light spaces...nothing dark and dreary

washer and dryer included

in an area that is safe to walk around by myself or with a friend

neighbours who are friendly and a mix of ages/stages of life

for less than $600 if a 1 bedroom and less than $850 if a 2 bedroom

before the middle of September. 

I look forward to what God will do. If you know of anything that fits... please let me know! :)

Authentic Community in Transformation - ACT

reFresh has asked me to take part of the next ACT Journey. It begins in November. I am so looking forward to this Journey. I will learn and grow as well as learn how to take people through such a journey. When I think of all the ways God is allowing me to learn and grow and care for those in ministry now, I am amazed!

I have been really struck with the spiritual battle that is raging around me as I make this transition and enter this new stage. Member care is so strategic to the health and longevity of those in ministry!

The ACT Journey is training and experience that I am very much looking forward to.

This is from the reFresh website:

Authentic Community in Transformation - ACT

In one study, 70% of Christian leaders polled admitted to having no place to be their authentic self. Most are encouraged to solve this problem by doing things like memorizing more scripture, writing elaborate goals and strategic plans, and organizing and/or attending a lot of good, well intended workshops. If you have discovered that these things do not quench your deeper heart thirst for more, then you are likely ready for the reFresh Authentic Community in Transformation (ACT) Journey.

At the core of "doing" ministry is our first order calling - to "be with Jesus" (Mark 3:13ff) and to love the Lord our God... (Lk 10:27). Being a part of the ACT Journey will help you attend to this vital relationship first and foremost, from which will flow a healthy, natural, irrepressible love for self and neighbor. Jesus calls us to be with Him and our spiritual authority (and longevity) in ministry (our witness) flows from that "with-ness."

In the reFresh ACT Journey you will discover, recover and deepen your devotion to Christ so as to more effectively and passionately serve God's people and minister to those in need of His touch of love. You will, in community, learn how to tend to your own soul so you can tend to the souls of others. There is no greater investment for a minister of Christ.

Because Christianity is primarily about relationship, this two year sojourn will be in a small group community. As David Benner writes, "Once we commit ourselves to journey and grow together, those people that we might never choose as friends but who we encounter in community offer us a chance to deal with the precise issues we need to confront if we are to become whole, not merely holy. And let us never forget that wholeness is one of the best measures of anything worthy of being called authentic spiritual development."

Click here to read more. ACT Journey 

 

The mountains declare...

I was so thankful today that hwy 550 is a fairly consistent 25 miles per hour through Ouray, CO. Even with the rain and loads of clouds, I was in awe. I had tears in my eyes as I gazed at the splendour.

 

As I am trusting God to provide for my needs. As I enter this new stage of life. As I call on The Lord to fight this spiritual battle... I was just reminded that God is really really really big! 

On trusting The Lord.

God is faithful. He has never failed me or you. His unchanging love means always, nothing can separate us. 

I am privileged to be part of what is called Still Waters Retreat. It is the retreat for people who are or have served overseas with Cru. Everyone here has spent significant time sharing the gospel to the world. 

Everyone here is in some sort of transition. Between assignment, between countries, back to the USA, etc... 

We all understand the challenges that these transitions bring to our lives. 

The only thing that is the same in my life from last year at this time, is that God is still God. 

I am so grateful that He never changes. Through my moves, finances, ministry changes, etc... I have a different car, different daily schedule, different language, different living situation. 

But God is faithful. 

In awe of God

Yesterday I got to go up into the Rocky Mountains with my extended family here in Colorado. 

It was so fun to just hang out and enjoy God's creation together! 

I recall the Swiss Alps and am reminded of God's great design across the world. My heart is full! 

Tomorrow I head to my last Cru function. It is a debriefing and rest time. I am looking forward to that! To seeing dear people and processing some of the last years in Europe. 

On the road again...

I am on day three of this trip, so far, I have spilled sunscreen and coffee, I have driven through mountain and dessert, I have cried over relationships lost, I have prayed, sang and listened to great speakers via podcast, and... I have spent quality time with dear ones. 

11 corvettes were driving alongside me yesterday. Random. 

And this quote from CS Lewis. "Love forgives the most and condones the least."

Trusting The Lord to continue to protect, lead and guide me. 

Entering mountain time! :) 

Resting in the Lord

This past week I was at home sick for most of the week. I don't like being "stuck" at home sick. But the good thing is that I had loads of time to pray and listen to the Lord.

It is amazing to me how stopping and resting in the Lord brings perspective to life. Perspective on what is really important. Perspective on how God is my provider. Perspective on who He calls me to be.

I am continually hearing of how much what I want to do is needed in this world. I hear of how missionaries are burned out, worn out, weary and afraid. My heart hurts as each time I wish I could have stepped in and helped them be healthy.

I am excited to get more training on how to help missionaries be healthy, mentally, emotionally and most importantly spiritually.

In reFresh, we talk about our First Order Calling...  to live in and from His embrace...loving and delighting in Him and letting Him love and delight in me.

From this, all other things flow. And often the challenges of our life keep us from resting in the Lord. Oh how I long to help more people see healing and growth in their life!

fall in love with Jesus

As I ponder the waiting I have done over the years for various things.. I came across a blog post today that someone posted on Facebook. I Don't Wait. Please read it. :)

I grew up in the time when the purity rings and necklaces were first becoming popular. And I resonate with growing up and as I became 27, 30, 32, now 38, I find it was so long ago that I made that promise... it almost seems irrelevant.

Not that it is irrelevant to keep pure for marriage.. but rather that falling in love with Jesus is more my goal. I find that the more I know and love my Lord and Saviour, the more easily I value who He has made me and the less willing I am to follow what the world says is important for relationship and love.

Broken I run to You

You know the song by Kathryn Scott,  "Falling on my Knees"?

Hungry, I come to you
For I know You satisfy
I am empty, but I know
Your love does not run dry

Broken, I run to You
For Your arms are open wide
I am weary, but I know
Your touch restores my life

So I wait for you
So I wait for You
I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You’re all this heart is living for

On Friday I was helping with a reFresh retreat and Paula was lead the group in worship to begin. This was one of the songs. I was thinking about the words. This song has spoken to my heart for various reasons over the years. 

As the day went on, I was struck with how taking time away to rest allows us to run to Jesus. It allows us to lean into His love that does not run dry. It allows us to melt into His arms. 

How often do you step away from the busyness of life to melt into the arms of Jesus and just be there?

Delights and Sorrows of Life

One of my greatest delights is being with my friends for big life events.  

It is also one of the greatest sorrows I experienced while being overseas. 

The missing out of these big life events

This weekend brought the delights and sorrows to the forefront of my mind. 

The wedding of my dear friend Kristin Gibb to Wes Gorton

and Mother's Day.

praying for Wes and Kristin before their wedding

Kristin getting married! God's amazing story!

Bekah Tucker giving an amazing speech for Kristin and Wes's wedding

Dancing at Kristin and Wes' wedding

My dear brother Matthew and my dear niece Ava

cool scenes on the farm

on the farm.. what beautiful views

Ava chasing chickens

Ava, meet Sunny. :)

Ava's first ride on a horse!

The Farm is where my sister in law's mother and step-dad live. They are great. We spent Mother's Day with them on the farm. 

I look forward to getting to know them as I am back in the area again.

Almost 8 years...

3, October 2005. 

It was almost 8 years ago that I moved to Germany and began working with Agape Europe (Cru).

Today 2, May 2013, is my last official day as Cru staff. 

It feels a little strange. 

So much has happened in the past 8 years. 

I have learned so much about who God is and who God is making me to be.

I am processing those changes this week... I hope to give you a little photo journey next week. :)

Transition and Peace

Ah transition... this word has defined my life for at least the past 4 years. 

Rakel (dear friend) shared that her favourite picture of transition is when you are in a little boat, tied securely to a dock and then someone slashes the rope and you are sent in your little boat into the stormy waters not knowing where land is or when you will get there. 

SO true! 

I am okay in these stormy waters because Jesus is in the boat with me.

For all the ups and downs that I am experiencing, I am at peace in Christ. Do you ever have those times where you are experiencing the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding? When it is not logical that you would be at peace?

It is not logical that I would be at peace when in the past 4 years I lived in 3 countries and returned to my home country seeing that it is a foreign country to me now. 

It is not logical that I would be at peace when my belongings are in the UK, I am in temporary housing and I don't know when or how that will all come together

It is not logical that I would be at peace when everything in my life is changing at the moment.

But I am. 

I am at peace because I know that God has always provided and guided me.

I am at peace because God will continue to provide and guide me.

So, my soul rests in the Lord.

reFresh

I am so excited to join reFresh. It is a ministry of Artists in Christian Testimony that has been around for over 40 years.

I am excited to pursue a masters degree in counselling and to have the opportunity to use the administrative, mentoring and coaching abilities that God has developed in me over the years.

I have applied for Western Seminary with the hope to begin classes this Autumn.

I will be learning a lot from the team which leads reFresh as they all come from years of church, ministry and missions experiences.  Read about what I will be doing under the To Lead tab. :)

Spring and Easter!

 I am sitting by Mt. Tabor Reservoir pondering the sounds of Spring that I hear and the Spring flowers that I see.

This weekend we celebrate Easter! I love this physical reminder of the amazing gift of new life that God has given us! New creations. Similar to the new flowers that I am seeing today... But on a much larger scale! :)

Amazing!!!

Snow and Sun

I was just pondering how amazing my job is... Because you partner with me, I am on this trip that has taken me to Denver, Detroit, Dallas and more.

I have had sweet time with those I have spent time with. I am so grateful for the friendships which time and distance do not destroy.

I drove through snow in southern Michigan, sat in a Chicago airport because of rain storms in Dallas, and now I am sitting in 80+ degree weather.

I love that God has connected me with dear ones whom I have not seen for about three years. And I am grateful for the numerous conversations with people on the planes.

I am thankful for the confirmations from people who have known me for years that this direction of pursuing counselling for member care makes sense.

And I am loving the snow and the sun... Two things I have not seen much of in the past year. :) God is good!

Travels

It is such a joy to have ministry partners who are dear friends. God has intertwined our lives over years of this journey!

 some of my cousin's kids. So fun!

 My dear, dear friend Amy...friends for almost 20 years now... crazy. 

Thank you Mayers for the excellent duck tape to repair the hole in my suitcase. :) 

Lake Ontario. :) looks more like the sea... so amazing!

Fun with Terra in the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto.









It is such an honour to share life with people. As I see where God it taking me, I am more and more excited about it!

12 days after last post

Thank you for praying for me... 

I am seeing God move mountains and calm storms. 

 The mountains of what is next

 and the storms of how to proceed in this transition

I am in the beginning of my 5 week long trip. 

And as I got to Denver, Colorado, I was greeted with snow and last night it snowed a lot and is still snowing. 

I love snow. 

I love the reminder that God covers our sins so that we are white as fresh fallen snow.

please pray for me.

These week and next are fairly full emotionally for me...

On Wednesday I am going a partially directed day with the Lord. http://mysoulrefresh.com/ 

Please pray for me Tuesday evening going into all day Wednesday. I want to take this time and just be with the Lord. There is so much in my life that is up in the air right now, but I want to remain grounded in Christ. 

Please pray for me to focussed on Jesus. We are asked to not bring things to do but instead to be with the Lord. I do not want to be distracted from what God wants to tell me and show me on Wednesday.

Please pray for me as I narrow down the choices for where to attend to obtain a counseling degree. I have decided that I do not want to be very far from Portland, as it has been so good for my heart and soul to dig into life and relationships here again. 

Please pray for me as I prepare for my upcoming 5 week trip around the USA (21 February to 26 March). Details of that next week and also in my upcoming Melissa's Musings.

Please pray for me as I adjust to this "new" culture. I am finding myself often at a loss for knowing what is to happen, or where to look for something or where to look as I cross the street. :) By God's grace, I am making it day by day. 

Please pray for me that my joy would be in Christ! I am so loving getting re-acquainted with people and making new friends here. Even while my heart misses my friends in Europe.

Airport thoughts

I am sitting in an airport again. This time because I am flying standby and there was not room on the first flight I tried. I love airports. I love the brief glimpse into the lives of the other travellers.

Going through security the woman in front of me lamented how slowly the line was going. I said, well the good thing is that it gives us time to take everything out and off. J She smiled and said, “well that is a positive way of looking at it.” I explained that I have found not being positive does not help the situations. J later I was reflecting on this and thinking how amazing it is that God has opened my eyes to the positive side of things. I don’t see everything as good. But everything is not bad. :)

At the gate, waiting for the possibility of the first flight, there was a group of orthodox Jewish men. I watched them interact with each other. Older and younger men all combined by a common faith. It was beautiful and it was sad. I was sad that they are not combined by the knowledge that the Messiah has come!!!!! 

As the other standby passengers and I waited to find out if we had a seat, I shared a sigh with another woman. She was on her flight at 6:15 this morning when she realized that she had not remembered her passport to apply for her visa in San Fran. So she was on standby. I began to wonder about each person’s story. I am not in a hurry today. I do not have any pressing appointments to meet. Thankfully. :)

I watched the gate attendants try to graciously respond to everyone with their requests. That is a tough job!

As I wandered around, I chatted with the people working in one of the news shops… they were delightful.

Then sitting down for lunch I just got to watch all sorts of people.

The band and their groupies… apparently they were in Europe last year… according to one of the tags on one of their rucksacks. 

 

The man who looked so tired but was all ready for a long flight ahead. :)

The tired waitresses who were short staffed and worn out. :(

I wonder what else this day will hold as I wait for the next flight.

goodbye

sunday morning i had time to say goodbye to the places and things that have become to familiar to me these past 9 months. 

Goodbye to Bus 99

Goodbye to Victoria Square

Goodbye to the Floozy in the Jacuzzi statue in Victoria Square

Goodbye to Colmar Row

Goodbye to St. Martins in the Bullring

Goodbye to St. Philips and the lovely view of it from the Agape office

Goodbye to Newhall Street

Goodbye to New Street

Goodbye to the alternate exit out of the New Street station

Goodbye to the Bull Ring

Goodbye to the Canals

Goodbye to Gas Street Basin

Goodbye to the Mailbox

Goodbye to the starbucks that overlooks St. Martins in the Bullring
Goodbye to Harborne High Street
Goodbye to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Goodbye to Edgbaston Girls school where City Church meets
Goodbye to the BT tower which always showed me where I was in the city centre

I shall miss you normal sights of Birmingham, UK.