Airmen Memorial

The same Sunday afternoon, Uncle Rob and Aunt Lynda picked us up to stay at their house until we left for Scotland the next day. Here's "the other family" we stayed with bidding us "Goodbye" LOL!

Aunt Jean, Grandma and Lisa hamming it up for a pic in the front window.
We stopped at the 158 Squadron Memorial for photos of the memorial and wind turbines.
Looking through the gate

Love the hazy evening light, with the trees slightly silhouetted. Two sisters ~ two points of view; Jenn's perspective.

Silhouette of airmen with wind turbines in rear

A 'certain' uncle in 'sil U ette'! lol

Brighter sun rays in silhouette

Silhouette of Sarah

Panoramic view

A dim, foggy panoramic view. Two sisters ~ two points of view; Sarah's point of view. I like how the camera caught one of the blades completely in line with the tower. We probably couldn't have planned it.

Two rear turbines in sync. Wish I could transport the mood of the countryside. So beautiful!

Jenn's Sunday Afternoon Adventure 2011

After we came back from our tour, Jenn decided to take a small jogging tour of the immediate countryside. Armed only with camera and cellphone, this is the loot she brought back.

Collie and Spaniel keeping guard
A family out for an evening stroll. Note the man's rubber boots. :) Love 'em!
Flock of sheep on a hillside

Self-portrait; where does the road lead? In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths... Proverbs 3:6

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:14

Golden sunlight on horses and riders

The entrance to a farm

I believe this was winter barley. Love the contrast of the vibrant green shoots against the rich brown loam!

Aglow with sunshine

Jenn enjoying the beginnings of sunset. Have we ever mentioned it's our favorite time of day?!

Reflection of light

Partridge footprints! Along with some other species...Lol! Note the photographer's reflection.

I figured this was a giant Queen Anne's Lace, but apparently it's a Cow Parsley. Anyway, it's absolutely gorgeous.

Silhouette of trees at a crossroads. The lovely thing about the English countryside is that the roads beckon you. Here in Canada, (at least where we live) the landscape is pretty flat. You can see miles in both directions on most any given road. However, in England, with all the rolling hills, you feel the urge to "just check and see what's over the next hill, or beyond the next turn".

Sunday Gallavanting in England 2010

The first day we arrived was a Sunday, but since it was midday and we were exhausted from traveling, we didn't go to church. When the next Sunday rolled around, Jenn and I were determined to go to church somewhere. That morning I was missing our church so bad; I longed to be singing in church! It was arranged that we would go with Dean to his church that met in an old Church of England. It was chilly in the old stone building, where the heat went straight up to the rafters about twenty feet above our heads, but it was a blessing to see the amount of college students who wanted to meet with God.

It was hard to get any sort of picture, since this gigantic tree mostly obstructed the view.
Church-goers coming from the tiny parking lot.
Afterwards, our cousin John met us outside the church and took us into York to see our dad's aunt Dora. She's over 90 years old and as sharp as ever. We had an enjoyable time talking to her, while Jon served up a great tea. :)
Jenn, Great Aunt Dora, and Sarah. It was so great to be able to get some photos together.
Waving us 'Goodbye' in the parking lot

Before we went back to Malton, John served as our private tour guide and took us around the outside grounds of Castle Howard. Here is the ornate top of the obelisk at the head of the drive.

Only one car can fit through the archway at a time, so... someone must give way.

A larger view

Looking from across the lake to Castle Howard.

John and Sarah

John and Jenn

Jenn and Sarah with the castle in the background

John-our great tour guide

Jenn's perspective of Castle Howard through a metal gate.

An actual Gypsy horse we saw on the road home! He was just picketed by the side of the road with no one else around. I've read the stories about Gypsies in England, but to actually see part of their existence for myself was amazing!

Old holding pens for a livestock market. I think we may have a photo of our dad as a little boy with a pig in one of these pens.

Unfortunately, they haven't the same use for them anymore, so they'll be torn down. I can only imagine the amount of memories this place has made.

Something To Pray About

What were you doing on July 26, 2009? Maybe someone cussed you out for sharing your faith, but did they attack you with a machete?

It happened to a lady named Monica in Nigeria. The story was in a Voice of the Martyrs email I recently received. I have shortened the story for typing's sake, but the facts and quotations are correct. I have no intention of breaking any copyright laws here (deepest apologies if I have). I simply feel that I need to raise awareness on this subject.

Monica said, "We had heard rumours all night that there were going to be problems, and now I could hear them walking and slaughtering people as they went." Monica and her husband, Daniel James, ran outside to escape the mob. But they "grabbed Daniel and hacked him to death with a machete."

"Monica began to run, with her Bible and hymnbook tucked under her arm. But members of the chanting mob grabbed her and began striking at her with machetes. Seeing a cross on a chain around Monica's neck, a militant began to chop at her neck, nearly decapitating her. By the time Monica got to the hospital, she could only breath through the gaping wound left by the lethal blade."

"'I thought, I am a Christian,'" she said. "'I am dying today.'"

Thank God, Monica didn't die. "After six surgeries to repair her throat and close the wound in her neck, doctors were able to save her voice. Through VOMedical, Monica, a poor widow with a 5-year-old child, received excellent medical care and post-op follow-up."

"Now that I have my strength back, I have forgiven my attackers," Monica said. "Now I have more courage to serve the Lord much more."

The point: "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (Hebrews 13:3) There are Christians all over the world suffering persecution for their faith. It's happening right now, while I type this and have the religious freedom to talk to the person sitting next to me about God. Please take a moment to pray for Monica, for her child; that God would continue to heal and give strength, courage, hope, and grace. Get this--as though it was you.

Burdened for my suffering brothers and sisters in Christ,

Jenn

Tis' So Sweet...

Wii Night @ Dean and Beck's ~ 2010

Saturday night, we went over to our cousin Dean and Becky's house. Every once in a while the folks have a get-together, which involves playing Wii, and eating pizza, fries and onion wings. Maybe it's just a North American thing to have pizza and "wings"? Anyway, it was all delicious.

Becky & Dean Olivia, their little girlWilliam, the babyWill-Wills!Kat, Neil and Olivia enjoying the action

Becky showing us how it's done.The Smith look of concentration... Dean trying to beat Becky's record.

Aunt Jean power walking her Wii session. Lol. Don't get in the way of those fists! Uncle Mike and Dean get more than one laugh out of the performance.Olivia, Kat and Neil
Aunt Lynda prepping for flight while Uncle Mike snickers.Neil making a "photoblock" while Uncle Mike and Dean watch Grandma flap her 'ittle wings.Grandma sitting on the couch with Lisa, while she plays with Aunt Lynda's hair.Jenn trying her stride at Wii. Dean trying to think of something smart to say while Lisa observes.Dean and Neil, the terrible two.Grandma and Aunt Lynda watching the spectacle.

Sarah attempting to fly to the next island. (It didn't work; the chicken ended up flying into the side of a building. Stunned, but staggering bravely...) Will, Kat, Neil, Olivia, Lisa and Grandma watching. Wish my videos would upload; they were so self-explanatory! ...and great for blackmail! Lol.

Farewell to our little borrowed Budgerigar

This is Cruiser:

Jenn and I took care of some properties while their owners were away on vacation, and bird-sitting this budgie somehow worked its way into the deal. It was easier to take care of her at home, rather than needing a key and going inside every day to feed and clean her, so she moved in with us.

Mom's dad used to have budgies, so she really enjoyed the bird. Cruiser was quite solemn and taciturn to begin with, but as she got to know us, the noise level increased....dramatically.

From squawking at us if we raised our voice in dispute, to warbling along with the kitchen faucet, she became rawther vocal.

I enjoyed pulling Jenn's leg, as I tried to convince her that we'd picked up a bird from down the street. No lies-and almost had her convinced. The look on her face when she came back from Camp B and saw Cruiser sat comfortably in our dining room was precious. Of course, I couldn't keep my face straight and started laughing, which gave it away.

I do raise question with her name. Somehow, the smaller an animal or human is, the larger their name should be. Something along the lines of Methuselah. Or in this case, Jemimah or Kerren-Happuch! LOL

Now she's gone home and the house is oh so quiet. I miss the little seed-scatterer, even if she did have the attitude of a cat!