Mind the Gap

Hello, lovely people who read my blog! If you're reading this, just know that you are my favorite.

So, it's been just about 2 weeks since I landed in Florida. So far, everything has been great! I've finally met my new niece (adorable, by the way!), had more waffle fries from Chic-Fil-A than one should normally consume in a two-week period, got to see friends at Florida Christian College, taught a lesson in Route 56 (my old stomping ground at Christ's Church Mandarin)...I have such a surreal life right now! I have to keep reminding myself that life in the US doesn't always involve people shrieking your name in high (happy) tones while running towards you in the prepare-to-hug position. Who else in the world gets to take a month out of life to travel around and see all of their favorite people?? I'm the luckiest girl in the world, and that's the truth. Remember: If you're ever feeling down in the dumps, just leave for a year...come back, and see how dramatic people get, going out of their way to make your life wonderful.

As for my schedule while I'm here - - I'm in Jacksonville now, but soon will be in Port Richey. Then, a week of Mount Dora, Orlando, Cocoa...then on to Tallahassee, Panama City...Woah doggies! I'm already knackered (haven't used that British-ism in a while), but obviously very excited to see my supporting churches in these areas, and hoping to add a few new churches to my repertoire as well.

Right now, I'm sitting in the living room of one of my favorite families in the whole world: the Davis family. It's really strange being back in Jacksonville, and hanging out at the church that I worked at for the year before I went to England. I was sitting in my old cubicle today, working away at the computer. It almost feels like this past year was a dream! Or, like I had gone on one really long summer break, and now I'm back to normal life. It's a strange reality.

One thing I'm really excited about is getting the chance to tell my story to so many people! I've been asked if I'm already annoyed with answering the same questions over and over again, and I can honestly say "no way, Jose!" I am finding that more and more, I LOVE talking with people about what I get to do in England. God is doing some amazing things, and I just want to tell the world. So, to those of you who I'll be coming to see soon, get your questions ready...fire away. Bring it.

I'm also very excited about my new "campaign slogan," if you will. I'm no Sarah Palin, but I think I came up with a pretty creative way to promote our ministry in Nottingham! It's simple: "Mind the Gap." "Mind the Gap" is used in public transport around Britain, most famously at the Tube stations in London, to warn travelers of the gap between the platform and the train. I think this phrase quickly sums up what my team in England is doing - "minding the gap" that exists between the youth of Nottingham and the church. Our team is working each day trying to bridge the gaping chasm between culture and Christ (you can tell I went to Bible college because I can throw out spiritual alliterations like nobody's business). I'm so used to being around teenagers who have no concept of Christ or the church, which makes being in Jacksonville that much more encouraging. The youth that I left behind here just over a year ago are still able to inspire me with the way they grasp and refine their own faith. I love these kids - and can't wait to see what adventure God has planned for their lives.

Well, another day is up...one less day filled with sunshine and waffle fries. One day closer to being back in the land of tea and monarchy. I am torn between two wonderful worlds, and I love it :)