On Preaching Assignment

I started this post weeks ago and am just now getting around to finishing it! It's been a busy summer and I've honestly felt a little scattered and frantic through it all. It's also been a great summer full of family memories - a few of which I want to record here over the next few posts.

The first week and a half of August we were in a little town near Bath while Robert was on preaching assignment. He was filling in for a pastor going on holiday. We stayed in the manse, made sure the church didn't burn down, and Robert preached in the Sunday morning and evening and midweek services.

It was lovely to say the least - lovely church, lovely people, and a lovely part of the country. Our time away was a mix of adventure and study time... I got most of the adventure and Robert got most of the studying =)

At the manse - Meg on a "rocking sheep"

At the manse - Samantha in her bed (we take this thing everywhere!)

We did venture out several afternoons - especially since we met the sweetest family (also with 3 girls) to tag along with! It was one of those magical times when you meet another family with similar humor and stage in life AND your kids just happen to instantly love each other!! When this happens, you make the most of it - and we did! One day we all went to Lacock, an English village with buildings preserved from as old as the 14th century. Lots of those beloved period pieces have been filmed here.

Inside Lacock Abbey, founded in 13th century

Picnic time at a nearby park

Another day we took the girls over to our new friends' house to play and for a long walk.

we found horses :)

I could have just eaten this little one up in one bite!

One night we got to have ALL the girls over while their mom & dad had a little date.

Lots of girls = lots of fun

Watching Frozen, of course!

Baby buddies!

At the end of our time there, we picked up some weary travelers:

Our long lost friends, Sarah and Tommy! Are they the cutest couple ever or what?! Notice Ellie in the picture... our girls couldn't get enough of these two!

We took Sarah and Tommy to our favorite places we found: The White Horse and Bradford on Avon.

The White Horse was just that... a huge white horse sculpted into the side of a mountain!

We felt on top of the world!

What a view!

Little picnic... in the wind and threatening rain!

Then on to Bradford on Avon, with 1,000 year old churches and just the most beautiful, historic tea room you've ever seen.

Then it was time to head back to the big city!

In front of Buckingham Palace

A little treat down by the river

All I can say is our time away was sweet and full. Robert was encouraged with the opportunity to preach and we were encouraged for the hearing. We loved making new friends and spending those precious moments with our old ones.

*** Quick edit - I wanted to record the passage Robert preached on:

Matthew 13:44-52

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had a bought the field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearly. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fisherman pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw then into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 'Have you understood all these things?' Jesus asked. 'Yes,' they replied. He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.'"

It's a glorious and sobering reminder of the treasure we have!