Back to Cheadle...and then home!

It was hard to leave N. Ireland.....everyone had made me feel so much a part of things. I expect that it won't be my last visit. How could I not go back to visit my new little sister (and all her lovely siblings, the very large labrador, and of course all of my friends at Precept N.Ireland?



Mags was waiting for me when I de-planed and she spent the next three days treating me like royalty. I had so many special Christmas treats.....minced pie, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, etc., etc.....The Christmas markets in Manchester were so much fun to walk through.





Then the day driving through the Peak District really topped everything by way of scenery. It made all of the British novels I have read come alive in my imagination.

Sunday's early communion service at St. James was a very moving time. It sort of culminated the sense that I had been aware of for two weeks...God was blessing me with kindness after kindness. He loves us so much! It was so hard to say goodbye at the airport, but it was so good to be back home. One of those paradoxes (what is the plural form of paradox?) that we live with all the time.

On to Belfast

After visiting with Mags for 3 1/2 days, I flew to Belfast. Valerie Murphy, the director of Precept N. Ireland, had casually invited me to visit sometime, and I took her up on it! Because I was planning to spend a week, and it corresponded with lots of special Christmas events, I was honored to be able to participate with her and expernience the same position I am in, but in another context. It was a really special time in many ways. I also got to see lots of the beauty of N. Ireland, but I understand that there is still much more I need to see.



The rock formations on the Giants Causeway were so awesome, along with the wild wind and surf...it was worth freezing our faces and hands to see it.



Later in the week, I had the opportunity to share with many Precept leaders and students about what God is doing with Precept in Taiwan. I also had the privilege of introducing the 40 Minute Precept Bible Studies to the Mandarin fellowship of the Belfast Chinese Christian Church! That was so much fun!

A Fabulous holiday!

Per usual I have waited too long before posting.....there is simply too much to share. Dec.3 I left Taiwan to travel to Manchester, England.....well, actually Cheadle. My dear friend Mags (I have known her for more than 10 years in Asia) lives there now and I wanted to see her, and experience her new home. She is a fantastic hostess, tour guide,etc. as well as a good friend and I had a wonderful time "hanging out" with her.

We visited the old Roman city of Chester with its medieval cathedral and its old Roman wall. We also spent time with her good friend, Di, visiting an English aristocrat's home that has been left to the National Trust. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and really fun to walk through. The day was stormy, but we were met with a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness as we left.