A Walk In Faith: The Wynford Farm

Wynford Farm

Today I finally woke up thinking, what can we conquer today. Last night we got all of our phones worked out so now I feel like I can talk to the other side of the pond. We are still working on how to make it affordable for us, but at least I can send a text here and there and say "HI!"

We are still in the hotel with AWFUL Internet service, but when it is working it is AWESOME!! We have attempted face time and it works off and on, but it sure is fun to see the faces of everyone! I can't get skype to work so I am hoping that will work when we get in our house. Trying to stay hopeful on THAT ONE!!! So I can see a light at the end of the communication tunnel. :)

As I get ready for today, Natalie comes in to remind me that I "pinkie swore promised" to take her to buy some "silly puddy" today. Oh how I love her memory. So at 8:00, oh yes I said 8:00, we are off to find this silly puddy. We left that early because I know she reminded me at least 30 times between 7 and 8. She said that she saw it in one of the 50 stores that we went in last week. So, "Off we go!" to find her silly puddy that I just know will take all morning to find.

We had to go first thing because I have another driving lesson today that starts at 10:30. Now this wasn't going to be just another driving lesson for me today. I decided that I needed to use my resources...aka Mr. Jim! He mentioned last week that if I had trouble finding something to let him know and we could drive to it during our lessons. Soooo, that is exactly what I decided to do. I picked out two places of interest, got the addresses, and kept them just for Mr. Jim. :)

As we walked into our fifth store for the morning, we FOUND THE SILLY PUDDY! Hallelujah! Natalie was so excited. She was even more excited when we got to the counter and it was half price. Being the sweet sister she is, she said "OH, Yea, now Denman can get one too." So we headed home in the POURING rain with two tubs of silly puddy and a jigsaw puzzle that I just had to have. Even though the rain was coming down hard, I had two VERY happy kiddos. Natalie leaned over at one of the crosswalks and said, "Mom, I am so glad Denman got one too. Now, I don't have to share mine." :) As we are going into our third week of living out of suitcases, ALOT of sharing has been going on. I am so proud of how Natalie continues to give and share with Denman because of how limited we are on toys and entertainment. It shows us all how much we are all growing every day.

We made it back just in time to play with our silly puddy before driving lessons. When Mr. Jim got there we were in the car and ready to go. The kids were very excited about lessons today. We were going to get Mr. Jim to help us find Hazelhead Park and a place called Cadonas. When we informed Mr. Jim of our plans he was on board and ready to show us the way. I told him he was my new best friend, and he laughed. I'm not sure if that scared him or made him feel special so we just left it at that. LOL!

Now, one MUST HAVE in a new country is a Tom Tom aka GPS! Each time we go to a new place, I set it as a new destination on the Tom Tom so next time when I type it in, it finds it for us. It is just the smartest thing ever. THANK YOU MR. GPS!!!! Hazelhead park was amazing. Tons of playground equipment and a petting zoo. Then we headed to Cadonas, and you would think that we just entered Disney World. It had a theme park, indoor and outdoor pool, bowling, movies, eating places, and tons of other fun things for the kiddos. Plus, it was right on the beach. The kids were all giggles and screaming what they saw on "THEIR" side. It was hilarious watching Mr. Jim. He only had to grab his ears TWICE. I told him, "Sorry, but we haven't gotten out much lately." He said, "Oh, no, I enjoy the excitement, just unexpected." LOL! Poor Mr. Jim will never be the same. I must admit, I was pretty excited too. I couldn't wait to get a day planned to go down there and see what all they had. Now that we used all of the time driving finding our new locations, it was now time to head back. We got back and Denman yells, "Thanks MR. JIM!" Mr. Jim grinned and said. "You are most welcome YOUNG LAD!" Denman then looked at me very confused, but I explained that meant young man. He shook his head and gave Mr. Jim a thumbs up. HE CRACKS ME UP!

They were so excited to drive today!

So now, we are ready for the CRAZIEST part of the day. We are headed to meet a complete stranger that I met on facebook for a playdate. She too just moved to the area and has a little boy and a little girl. She knew of an indoor playplace called Wynford Farm and wanted to know if we could join her this afternoon. So, of course we said, "YES!" Now, I didn't tell Mr. Jim or the kiddos that we were headed on this little excursion just in case I got to scared to try it.

Not sure where the strength and courage came from but I was determined to find this place and make it there safely. After calling all prayers on deck, we were off. It is such a good thing that I was so determined because I got BEYOND lost on this little voyage! We left the hotel at 3:30 to meet them and didn't get there until 4:30. Not a fun drive AT ALL!

One rule in the UK is that you can't use your phone in the car while driving. Now I know that makes PERFECT sense seeing how 50 percent of the people on the road here are like me and have NO idea what they are doing, but right now, it was NOT a good rule for me. The Tom Tom decided to take us to some random road that left us at a red light that stayed red for 15 minutes. Natalie and Denman were both telling me to just RUN the red light. I kept telling me they had cameras up and I would get in big trouble so I couldn't. Well after 20 minutes, a bus comes behind me and passes me with the light still staying red so what do you do???? YOU FOLLOW THAT BUS as Denman said. So we followed the bus. As I am leaving that road I see a HUGE sign that says BUSES ONLY on that exact road that I just got off of. OOOPS! Pretty sure that might be my first ticket in the UK.

So with no phone use, Kids being back seat drivers, running red lights, a Tom Tom that I wanted to throw out the window, and time ticking away... I was just about to loose it when the phone rings. Now I know I can't pick it up so I am now looking for a place to pull over and try to chat. I then see the Hazelhead Park sign. WOW....Thanks to Mr. Jim, I now know where I am. So I pull in there and it was Sofia calling me asking if I was having trouble finding it. I just laughed and she laughed too. She starting driving here one week ago too but NO driving lessons for her so she had even better stories to tell us about driving.

With her help, we found our way to Wynford farm and the kids had a BALL! We only played for 30 minutes because it closes at 5:00. We got a discounted rate thank goodness, and the kids were sooo good about having such a short time to play. The kids got along great. She has a four year old that will be in Denman's class at school and a two year old that is super cute. I KNOW God brought us together that day!

She has moved around a TON! This is her third expat move which completely puts fear in my heart. Everyone that I meet here is on their third or even fourth move. I know this move will change our lives, but I don't know that I was meant to do this as our lifestyle.....JUST SAYIN!!!

After we exchange emails and numbers, she tells me about the gym David Lloyds. It has kid's activities and tons of workout classes that sound just like the YMCA in Houston. So, I convince Rusty as soon as we get home to take us there this weekend and get us all signed up. :)

Now during all of this chaos, I did NOT have a camera on me so no great pictures that match the day, but I do have a few pics to share. :)

After today, I look and think about all the friends that were placed in my life. I have the most AMAZING group of friends!!! I feel like God put each one into my life and just the right moment that I needed them. I truly believe that Sofia will be one of those friends that I keep for LIFE!

We all meet a ton of people during our day. Some we connect with, some we smile at, and some that we keep running into. I am here to tell you that if you keep running into the same people, it is NOT a coincidence....

Some WISE OLD WOMAN...LOL once told me that there are NO SUCH THINGS AS COINCIDENCES.... those things that just keep happening right when you need them to happen are called GOD WINKS! So if you don't remember anything else... REMEMBER THAT!!!

I am on the OTHER side of the world and I keep seeing people that remind me of friends and family that have made MAJOR impacts on my life. Today I saw five of my dearest friends and family...I saw Ann Patterson who always told me to BUCK up and do what is right for my family. I saw Amy Hargett who tells me to pray about everything no matter how little it may be. Mr. Jim who is totally MY DAD who encourages me and helps me find my way through a VERY scary task. I saw someone who reminded me so much of MeMaw who gave me directions twice when I couldn't find my way back to the hotel. Then a Young Pastor at our church that reminded me of Brian Dunn who always goes out of his way to make strangers feel welcome! So, as you can see, I am surrounded by my very own village of people who were put here to help us find our way!

So today, don't walk with your head down minding your own business. Take a look around at who is right there with you to help you through your day! God put them there for a reason so don't miss the chance to see what that reason might be.

The verse that I see after today....

Jeremiah 29:13 When you search for Me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.

I plan to spend my day searching for the path that we were meant to follow!