JOY :D

I'm am so thankful for the sun!  The past week has been beautiful, and I have found myself enjoying the surroundings of the King's Lodge, basking in the sun, and working on my tan (AKA SunBURN!) :)  The warmth is healing to my body, and to my heart.  So to those who were worried about what in the world would become of me over the course of 4 months in miserable weather: thank God for making the sun shine down on me :)  I think I'll be okay!  Below is the King's Lodge... notice the BLUE sky!

Not only will I be OKAY, but life is GOOD.  I spent today, Saturday, enjoying the sun, and giving thanks for all the wonderful people in my life, and amazing experiences that I have had.  Reflecting back over the years of travel, of work, of family, friends, and fun.  Life is good.  Life is great.  I can't complain, but I am filled with JOY at the memories of each precious moment.  

A couple of weeks ago I had a class about joy and healing (from trauma).  Probably one of the best weeks of teaching that I have ever had in my life... The principle was simple and clear, and essential to life, applicable to any and all situations: we were created for connection, for relationship.  The human brain experiences JOY when someone is glad to be with us.  The key to recovering from addiction, from trauma, or from the stresses of life is JOY, which is released in the brain when I engage in positive relationship with another.  We can experience true healing when there is a joyful connection with another person.  I believe in a personal relationship with Jesus, that is the foundation of connecting to God and experiencing joy, because He is glad to be with me.  His love is constant, and unconditional.  How easy it is to get caught up in a lot of activity, in much to do, and lost in many thoughts; but when I stop to connect with Him, ask Him questions, and feel that joy, suddenly I can cope with all kinds of other situations.  That's what I did in the sun today: I connected with Jesus.  I spent time with Him.  Now I feel refreshed, I feel invigorated with new energy, and heaps of JOY.  God is GREAT.  Life is good.  Thank You Jesus!

(So that I don't forget... it's all about joy!)

It is SO COLD!

A week ago yesterday I arrived at the King's Lodge in England.  I have to say that so far, it has been everything I expected it to be: cold and miserable!  It's cloudy, it rains intermittently, and it's FREEZING - even inside the building!  The weather aside, it's nice to be in the middle of nowhere, but ONLY because it's helping me to get stuff done (notice how I'm updating my blog for the first time in quite a while)... That's because there's nothing else to do around here!  The base is located in the country, about a 45 minute walk from the nearest town, Nuneaton.  Although in any other country that might be a nice walk, the cloudy skies and brisk temperatures keep me from wandering out beyond the absolutely necessary.

My neighbors (as seen here on the right) are COWS.  Down the road we have some SHEEP... my favorite... NOT!  I'm just not really a country girl, and the whole farm-animal thing... not so much.  But hey, for some people, this feels like home.  Personally, though, I miss the CITY!

What I did for "fun" this weekend: walk to town. Nuneaton at least shows signs of life... there are PEOPLE (versus cows and sheep), and a few places to sit and have a good cup of coffee (necessary in this weather!).  It's a good change from lectures, dancing, and sleeping... All my other time has been spent desperately trying to catch up on 2 months worth of emails and messaging... Getting there!

Did I mention how the British drive on the WRONG side of the road?!  Just wanted to point that out :)  Not only do I have to walk 45 minutes in miserable weather to get to town, but I almost died in the process because cars are coming from all the wrong directions..!  They weren't very keen on hitchhikers either... not quite sure why not :)


Anyhow, those are my first thoughts from this wet little country... It's nice and green - quite the contrast from Amsterdam.  It's peaceful, and quiet, and I have been going to bed earlier this past week then I think I ever have before!  I suppose that's good.  But still, the lack of sunshine is hard to bear... especially knowing that Amsterdam, and even Bellingham, are having much nicer weather... of all the places I could be right now... Aaaah.  HOWEVER, I am in a new place, meeting lots of people, and that's always an adventure, of course!

Now that I'm stuck here for the time being, I'll try to update my blog more often... What I'll find to write about, I'm not quite sure, but there is bound to be something exciting going on :)  If you're reading this and the sun is shining wherever you are, count your blessings!  Chances are, it's not shining here!  :D

In dire need of SUNSHINE, yet thankful to be alive,

Steph :)