As we continue to adjust to our life in the UK, the highs and lows are beginning to calm. We continue to be perplexed at how we ended up here, but we are thankful.

This past week our family visitied Kew Gardens and explored this lovely retreat away from city life! We enjoyed being apart from city life (except for the jet engines roaring overhead as the planes fly into Heathrow airport). The morning sun, the autumn colors, the perfect weather...what a splendid day!
First off, the kids wanted to see the Xsterra walkway, which is 18 meters above. Timothy and Ethan gladly left the stroller behind and climbed up 6 flights of stairs to walk the walkway around the trees. What a spectacular view! Tim and Ethan threw Conkers off the side. We could also spot the green Richmond Parakeets, which are as "British as Curry" . They came from the Himalayas for a theater presentation and escaped! We also loved exploring the temparate house, the children's play area, the lake and walkway. Ethan played under different trees while Timothy slept in the stroller. I was amazed at all the different trees thriving there--palm trees, a California Redwood, "monkey puzzle" from Chile, London Plane trees, and Sweet Chestnuts. There was a Sweet Chestnut tree that was over 300 years old, the sign read "survived 9 monarchs and bombing raids from World War II, please don't walk on its roots!". There was also an enormous Cedar of Lebanon. We all enjoyed it and stayed all day!

We are getting used to some things about living here---we call the toilet, the loo. Our stroller is a push chair. Ethan used the term "lovely" today. Seeing the cars on the left side of the road. Not giving eye contact and smiling as much to everyone we see. Realizing that everyone knows we are American before we even open our mouths.

Things that I still am not used to: the ease with which people unabashedly use words that in America would be considered curse words, the co-ed changing area at the swimming pool, people calling strangers "luv" (even men call men luv.) Knackered means tired, not something else...Paying with a debit card that you insert instead of swipe, and don't insert it until the cashier is finished ringing up your order!

We feel we are starting to make some connections, though we still are just beginning. I try to remember what it was like saying good bye to all our loved ones in America before moving here, wondering who of the people we are now meeting will we part with and miss dearly? I wonder for what reason have our lives come into contact at this point, what is happening in their story and my story that is all part of a bigger story?

We do feel that we are starting to relax and settle into a routine. We didn't realize how living in transition and the stress of the last year had affected us. We didn't realize how much culture shock would hit us like a wall in our face! So, I know that it will continue to be hard for the next few months but we do feel better, and we are truly thankful for all the ways God has provided and led us.