I was not expecting to write this post this month. Of course, I had not ever expected to be writing a post from this beautiful corner of the planet in the first place. I serve a God of surprises, one after another. And He has delivered a whopper in the last week.
This summer I will be writing to you from another country. Again.
Curious? Let me give you a hint. What do all these things have in common:
(royals pic from Defence images)
Don't let my glasses throw you lol. It was all I had of me lately. And yes, I will be reporting from the beautiful British Isles come summer. There had been hints over the past several weeks. There was also potential new opportunity here locally. We were just getting so ready to KNOW that we beseeched St. Joseph to join us in that intention last week. Amazingly, the day after the novena word came down on both fronts. The opportunity here was definitely not to be, and a wonderful new door opened in England.
I have no idea what that will end up looking like. We have been researching housing and have seen bright, open, gallery white spaces as well as stately old Miss Potter style homesteads. Tudor copies to townhouses. Remains to be seen what that will come down to in the end. My head is still spinning.
For this Anglo-phile it is a dream come true. I was a charter subscriber to Victoria Magazine and still own every one of them. While my high school friends were caught up with Madonna, and long before people had personal computers, I was enthralled with biographies of old English royalty. There are books on chintz and china, lace and needlepoint on my bookshelves. I have never even needlepoint-ed. (is that a word?) My daughter and I have developed strong opinions on variations of black tea. I was born for this <g>
Still, I would be kidding you if I didn't say that rapturous joy over this prospect is the only emotion we have experienced. I will be honest, when things are going well in my life I rarely rock the boat. In fact it would be more accurate to envision me huddled at the center – in my lifejacket – holding very, very still. So it was a conscious act of faith to step out of that hull and consider that there might be even more opportunity and possibility someplace other than the pond on which I was floating. Big leap of faith.
The train of thought went like so…. This house is not particularly full of character, but for the first time in maybe ever, it works. What if the next one didn't? We have good neighbors. Even if it did take 18mo for the neighbor to speak to us on ground level. (ie instead of from her balcony, poised for a hasty retreat) What if the new ones are awful? I haven't had to use my GPS in recent months. I was enjoying that. I like knowing where the store is. We found a dentist. We have a groove.
What if….??
Let me tell you, you can 'what if' until you can barely breathe, which is why my dear Gram did not approve of 'what if' in the least. And that knowledge brought me up short with this 'what if' instead – What if God knows all these things. What if He knows the plans He has made for me, plans to bless and not to curse. What if I just step out in trustful surrender and enjoy the ride? Like I did two years ago…
It is in that spirit of adventure that will say goodbye to this tremendous valley and these great, Grimm forests to say hello to cottage-lined lanes and the white cliffs of Dover. I will say goodbye to summer winefestivals and hello to high teas. I will say goodbye to yellow fields of rapeseed and hello to hills of heather.
I hope you will join me.
Meantime, you can expect chatter about home organization and moving a big clan like ours. This isn't across town. It is across a continent. Across a channel. We haven't even worked out the details there yet, but we will. I am sorting through my pinterest pins and determining what has worked here and what could be done better next time. It is a fantastic challenge and I am truly enjoying it.
There are more countries on the continent to see before the move and a lot more pictures to take yet too. It is going to be a busy year indeed. : )
Starry Sky Journal 
Oh, how exciting! I am swimming in waves of nostalgia right now. Two of my children were born in England, we bought our first house there, we made special British friends, and I adored everything about living in that country. Did you say where you’ll be? What region? Or would you rather not mention that? I’m just so happy for you and happy that you’ll be taking and posting beautiful photos of a place that will always be a true home for me. England suited me well, and I know it will you, too, Kim!
Blessings and joy and can’t wait to hear more,
Susan
I’m happy for you and sad for me. I will definitely miss our weekly chats and now I’m going to have to find a new piano teacher. It does sound like another wonderful adventure and I wish you and your family the best.
WOW, KIM! I am so envious! And at the same time, I feel the trepidation. Moving just plain sucks. (oops. did I say that out loud?) But, I’ve so thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the continent so far with you guys — how awesome is it that we get to see the British Isles through your eyes now, too! Praying that everything goes smoothly in every way and that the new house and neighbors are the best yet. St. Joseph never points the way without coming along on the trip, so I know it’ll all be good. :0)
Ooohh, I can’t wait to see your pictures from England!! I never got to go while we were in Europe, but dh has been ( and to Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, from whence all of his and my ancestors hail) and he has promised to take me one day and swears I will never want to leave once we’re there. :o) What a great adventure you all will have!
The mental image of you siiting very still in the middle of a boat, clutching your life jacket, made me laugh. That would be me sometimes… LOL
I look forward to following you and your family on another exciting adventure!! All the best, I hope the year goes smoothly and hassle-free!
Wow. Yes, big move, but bigger opportunities…to grow, for the children to see more wonderful places, and meet new people…and for your beautiful family to be a great example of your faith and how God works through us. Praise be to God.
Yippee!!! God certainly has His plan worked out for us. I hope you find life in Great Britain a new adventure, full of promise and grace.
Oh! Oh!!! Oh my. How wonderfully exciting! I am thrilled for you and yes a tad envious! smile What a wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to peer over your shoulder through your blog. If I was going to live anywhere else, the UK would be my very first choice.
Wow! Can’t wait to vicariously join you on the adventure. Prayers for a smooth transition coming your way!!
I’ve enjoyed following you on your journeys and will look forward to seeing England through your eyes. I’ll probably never see it through mine! LOL
Why, what an amazing coincidence! I serve that same God of endless surprises. I’ll be watching with great interest. Please post the details of making a move sanity intact.
Love, Love, Love the UK! We lived there fro 2 years and that was over a decade ago, but I talk about it all the time. It was truly a fairy tale for us! I’m sure you’ll love it! So much to see, do and learn!
So, Libby gets home from dinner out with a friend, and is giving some leftovers to the dog. I say, “The Frys are moving,” and she runs to the dog’s bowl to see why the leftover “fries” were moving.
Anyway, when?? Looks like Libby will be in London, playing at the BBC Proms (Royal Albert Hall) on July 16th. I think she’d love to see you.
MacB.
Congrats! I am sad about it though – I have been following your blog for several months and was hoping to meet you sometime as my husband just took a civilian job at Lundstahl. You will still be an inspiration.
Oh my gosh! How exciting!!!! You’ve become quite the globe-trotter, haven’t you! LOL!
Ahhhhhhh! Hooray! Where in England will you be? We were there for just about three years – our Caroline was born there. Lovely!
I’m a lurker who lives in England, so let me know if I can be of any help?
I’m a lurker that lives in the UK too! We live in Worcester.