Sorry for the delay everyone. I promise to do a better job from now on. Let me try to catch you up. I think the last time I wrote, the in-laws were just leaving from their visit.

Not long after they left, our car started making a funny noise, so I took it to the shop for a servicing and to check that out. They called a few hours later telling me that they couldn’t tell me what was making that noise as there was too much wrong with the car. He also told me that he wouldn’t even try to give a quote to fix anything because the car “wasn’t worth putting any more money into”. Every car in the UK has to undergo an annual road-worthiness test. Our was due around that time and there was no way the car was going to pass. Although I knew that we’d have to get a newer car eventually, I’d hoped to make it a few more months. Fortunately, we stumbled into the perfect car for us. It’s a 2007 Ford Focus. I’d driven a Ford Fiesta in the states, so this was basically like driving its big brother…with the steering wheel on the wrong side. It only had 70k miles on it and was in immaculate condition for under £2000. Or course, we immediately had to add a TARDIS sticker.

The girls are continuing to do well at school. Lizzy just finished SATs, a standardized test that’s taken at the end of Year 6. She stressed about them for weeks beforehand, so we were glad to see the end of them. Molly continues to smile her way through each and every day.

Kyla continues to love her job. As I’ve mentioned before, nursing is very different here than in the states, but she’s thriving in the differences.

My job is fine. While I don’t see myself doing it forever, I’m at least connecting with people and doing what I can to be a good friend.

I’ve gotten to preach a couple of times. Once at London Street (our home church) and then today, for the first time, at another church. This one is in Tadley, a small town just north of Basingstoke. It’s shares our minister in a manner similar to what is call a “dual-charge” in the Methodist church. Except, instead of doing both churches every Sunday, she does 3 weeks at London Street and then one at Tadley each month. That leaves Tadley to fill the pulpit for the other three weeks. Our minister has asked me to fill one of those weeks each month.

It’s a small church, but the people were wonderful. The building itself dates to the 1600’s. I’m looking forward to having a continuing ministry with them.

On the way back, we stopped to eat at a pub called the Queen’s College Arms. It has an Oxford college theme (not really sure why), but the pub dates back to the late 1700’s.

Speaking of Oxford, I get to preach there! I’ve been invited to fill the pulpit at a number of churches throughout the synod. So many, in fact, that I had to start putting a limit on it each month to make sure that we still get time to worship at our home church.

I think that brings everyone up to date. We’re all on a bit of annual leave this week, so I’ll have a few pics to share later on in the week. In the meantime, I’ll close with a picture of Molly looking cute in her new school dress.