That last bit was courtesy of Lyndi. She's a keeper. Onward!
SUNDAY:
The Clan (Lyndi, Brady, and I), Strab (Shelby), Aaron, Joey, Chris, Brantly, and the Crackens came with us to St. Andrews. Lyndi and I went to see Mary and Joy again because they said that's where they attended. We told them that day in the park that we would come see them the next day and we did! Mary was there and we sat behind her, but she said that Joy was sick. The service was very interesting. We had little cards with which we would respond as a congregation to something the Victer (preacher) said. Then, we all got up and took communion which was very different. We weren't really sure what to do and so I asked Mary if we could go with her. We followed Mary (very slowly) up to the side/front of the church and participated in communion. There were three people there, two with a goblet of wine and one with a loaf of bread. As a person approached, the person with the bread would tear off a piece and hand it to them saying, "Take and eat, this is the Lord's body" and then the person would step to the right or the left and then they would receive wine (this was un-alocholic and it was REPULSIVE) with them saying, "Take and drink, this is the Lord's blood." Then we went and sat back down and there was a moment of silence. It was so awe-inspiring to hear and see the reverence with which these people spoke and moved within their sanctuary. Even though it was something I wasn't used to and made me a little bit uncomfortable, I realized that one can find beauty in everything, even in the things that are different and uncomfortable and that there are other ways of doing things that are just as memorable and meaningful as the ways I am normally used to.
After church, Mary gave us her address to her flat and her phone number and told us to come and visit her! Lyndi and I will probably do that tomorrow after our little boys go off to climb a mountain in Scotland. They are very prepared. Brady and Joey (the two on the right) look especially ready because they are sporting my scarf and matching beanie hahaha
MONDAY:
Lyndi, Brady, and I went to Blackwells (bookstore in town) to see how long a walk that was on our classy pedometers. And then, we did Brady a HUGE favor that probably changed his life. We took him to Primark. As you already know, Primark is my and Lyndi's new favorite store. Cheap, cute clothes. What more could a girl ask for. Well, we practically run to Primark and then run into Joey, Chris, and Aaron! They were looking for scarves and gloves to take on their mountain trip and Brady needed some too. And so, as any good friends would, Lyndi and I started looking at clothes for our boys. And we came across...colored pants. We got Brady some salmon (the masculine terms meaning "pink/redish" colored ones and Joey got some red ones. Aaron was very distraught because they did not have his size in his desired blue ones. In addition to all these wonderful colored pants, I found a fantastic shirt with a mustache and glasses on it and so of course I bought it :) SCORE. Brantly came home Wednesday night with green ones. Lyndi and I both have some colored pants. And so, we started a trend :) Picture of colored pants day to follow shortly.
TUESDAY:
We actually started school on Monday, but Tuesday was a real clincher. We were in town from 9:30-20:00ish. SUPER long day. I had English, which I LOVE, Bible, and then we went to Dorchester Abbey at around 15:30. That place was pretty cool. We saw a lot of mind blowing things, one of the coolest was that they had a UK flag from WWI, that was awesome. My only favorite picture from that trip was my one with Strawb, and she's maybe one of my favorite people (I hope that sufficed Shelby haha)
After the abby, we returned home. Nothing more to report about that day (mostly I can't remember haha)
WEDNESDAY:
AH HA! We went to class. That wasn't the exciting part. We went to the farmer's market for the first time and it was wonderful! Everything was super fresh and just a pound. Lyndi and I spend 20ish pounds on two things of raspberries, some corn, some ham, three things of cheese, some fresh bread that is AMAZING, some strawberries, some peaches, and some potatoes. LOTS OF FOOD. It was great, we are making it a weekly thing :) Oh! We made friends with the bread man, his name is Mic. He asked us where we were from and we said Texas, but that we were staying till December for school. He told us that California must be sheer empty because everyone he had met was from there haha We went back home and hung about and watched Aristocats (solid choice, I know). Lyndi and I braved the laundry room for the first time and came out with only one causality, one of Lyndi's shirts did not take well to the fabric softener. BUT we had a good long chat and lots of laughs while doing laundry that was really nice. After that, Lydni and I went and played bastketball for a bit and ended up just sitting down and talking, as all girls do, about boys. Brady meandered out and joined us shortly after that and we all had a good long chat which was great :) The Clan for life!
THURSDAY:
We went to class in the Quaker church again, which is where we have our Tuesday/Thursday classes mostly. It was kind of strange to be sitting in the Friend's Meeting place and be using it to learn about the Old Testament and English literature haha After classes, Brady, Lyndi, and I went to a cafe and had lunch. Then we came back home and had a bit of a photo shoot with the boys as they packed up to go off to Scotland. We had some awkward run-ins, reminded them to pack deodorant, and then sent them off on their way.
They are gone now and will be back on Sunday and we cannot wait for their return. Because we miss them. And because there are four semi-fully grown boys going on that three day trip armed with a 3 man tent, two sleeping mats, and one blanket. They will return with stories galore. But mostly we miss them :) Later that night Lyndi, Strawb, and I watched the always wonderful Bridesmaids in the classroom which was like our own private movie theater because the common room was being used. And then we watched Easy A until my computer died and then we parted ways and went to bed. I recently became addicted to Pintrest, so I looked for recipes and cool things to put into our house once a few of my friends and I get one back in Abilene. Living here, in community with everyone is really exciting to think about back home. Just because all these people are fantastic and I love having my own kitchen!!
FRIDAY:
Today was a super lazy day. I don't have any classes on Friday, but Lyndi has French at 14:00. So, we both woke up really late and laid about for a bit and then Lyndi came over and made us some "egg in a hole" breakfast (piece of toast with the middle cut out with the whites of an egg placed there instead. Wasn't too bad and I'm not an egg person), and then we went into town for a bit, did some shopping, got some quality jackets, browsed Primark again, and headed home! We chilled for a bit, but then Laynie, Strawb, Lyndi, and I went down to one of the local theaters and saw Lawless. Lemme tell ya. THAT MOVIE IS FREAKING INTENSE. We were all emotionally drained afterwards and couldn't stop talking about it. It's really great. We have plans to go see it again haha After the movie we went to G&D's for some ice cream and laughs and then headed home! It was a really great night!!
Tomorrow Lyndi and I plan to go out to Port Meadow, take a lunch, and just explore out there. Maybe take some homework, DEFINITELY take some books, and just enjoy our 76 degree weather :) That's all for now folks, sorry it's been a while again, I'll try to blog more often, it is really hard to remember what all we did after a few days haha I love you all and am thinking of you all often! Be praying for everyone here!!
Cheers from across the pond,
Mallory Jean
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