Ghent & Brugge... and a whole lot more!

I was too exhausted to blog last night... Serge and Nancy have been such fantastic hosts!

This morning, I was up early and after time with Jesus, I was off for a short run. We had so much planned for the day!

After a quick shower, we were off to the local open air market. I love these when I was living in Heidelberg! Food trucks, stalls... Nancy bought cheeses and olives and snacks... And we also had a Turkish wrap at one of the food trucks for breakfast! Then we walked back to their apartment as we were headed to Ghent and Brugge. Yes, hitting both town in one day.

Serge drove and the freeways were quite nice. No traffic.

Ghent is such a quaint little town. There were lots of people at every square. We went to Gravensteen Castle and the audio tour was absolutely refreshing and entertaining. The castle is small but filled with such stories. There we had to try the famous fries! Oh wow... fries topped with Flemish stew... Fries with an assortment of dips! 

We also bought iced coffee and walked around to different cathedrals. 

Then it was off to Brugge... there we had to try the Belgian waffles and rabbit stew! I'm telling you... we are eating our way through Europe! Yes, we also went to a few cathedrals and a convent... Serge and Nancy had visited this place in 1993, a year before they were married, when Nancy came to see the future in laws. They keep treating us... before I knew it, they paid for the canal boat tour. Again, the weather was fabulous... and it was nice to see the town through a ride in the canal.

Dinner was amazing... That's one thing I love about this place -- people are more laid back... servers aren't rushing you to order... food is served at a slower pace... people are to sit and chat through a meal. I like that!

Serge drove us back and we were at their apartment by 10pm! After downloading my emails and checking my messages, I was in bed by 11:30!

Tomorrow will be church in the morning... Paul Reuben Museum in the afternoon, plus a tour of their house that is being built, and then dinner out as we leave for HEIDELBERG on Monday morning. Yes, that will start our 7 days in Germany! 

How can this vacation be going by so fast!?!?!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Hosea 6:6

Seek Him First!

What An Awesome Day...

So... just to add to the list of mistakes... Here is another one:

We thought that our Eurostar train was at 9:01 and we were in such a rush. But the time was actually 3:04pm, so we had a lot of extra hours to sit and wander around. I even had time to go for a run, which was absolutely fun!

While walking around, there was a piano to play. Abby sat down and played and a man came over. He turned out to be a YouTuber and uploaded a video of them playing some Boogie Woogie. 

Going through immigration and customs was easy and the train was fast. We then had to rush to catch the train to Antwerp! Wow... we were there at the platform just as the train pulled in.

We got off a stop too early, so we had to hop back on and were at Antwerp Central. Nancy and Lucas were there and we walked back to their house. She had made a most delicious stew with rice! So we had a feast! We all took showers and chatted. I went to bed at 11pm and slept so well!

Today, Friday, September 1st, I was up early... went for a run! And then we went to walk around town, trying all kinds of things. The list of food to try here is just too long. I need seven stomachs!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Hosea continues to be beautiful. 

Seek Him First!

Mistakes Made Thus Far...

Well, we're here at St. Pancras International... where we are to catch the Eurostar to Brussels and then a train to Antwerp.

I've realized all the mistakes we've made thus far:

1. booking twice for the bus to and from Edinburgh -- wasted 78 pounds. Once booked in June another booked in July. I saw the double booking and we should have canceled... and maybe would have received a refund. But now, it's too late.

2. forgetting the passport -- wasted 60 pounds and time. Isaiah had it mailed, priority, but the postal service went on strike. So, it's now stuck in Coventry. Isaiah then had to buy train tickets to Coventry and another train ticket from Coventry to London.

3. reading the incorrect ticket -- wasted half a day. The Eurostar booking and ticket were not printed out, so somehow, Isaiah and I thought we were to catch the 9:01 Eurostar. We rushed to get here and then when we checked, we are to take the 3:04 Eurostar and won't be arriving in Antwerp until 7:23pm. WAHHHH... a day gone.

Well... I have to keep rejoicing... keep giving thanks... for that's the word of God! And this trip has been such a joy... even with these detours and mistakes... Isn't that true with life?

So, for our last day in Edinburgh, we went to Sir Giles Cathedral, and attended the noontime simple service. We also went to the Museum on the Mound and cracked the safe, which meant we got a set of free postcards. The sweet lady also gave us a pence so that we could do the penny press! Then we crossed the street and was at the Writers' Museum. I also had the chance to pray with one gal whose back was in pain. I helped out people who were trying to decide what to buy for their loved one. And we hung out with Duncan and Lily more... 

The bus ride is not that great... I've decided that next time, I'd splurge and take the train. The time on the bus is long and you really don't sleep well... plus I didn't get to see much of the scenery!

Today, I will go and run around while Isaiah and Abby stay here with the luggage. We will most likely buy something before we get on the Eurostar. Nancy has been so kind... she says she will have dinner ready when we arrive this evening. I will sleep well tonight!

Until my next blog... God is good... God is faithful... Stay focus on God... not on the circumstances. Rejoice always... Abide in Him!

Daily Lovely Insight:

I read Hosea this morning while on the bus for my time with Jesus. It was a short time of prayer, reading and journaling... but God wanted to use Hosea to share with us His heart of love for those who stray. And traveling through Edinburgh or the UK, I've seen how far we've strayed from the heart of God. And still, God reaches out to His straying people and pays the price to buy us back. Glory Hallelujah... 

Seek Him First!

Last Day Here! No Passport!

OK... first, I will blog about yesterday... that's August 30th... Tuesday... 

We went out at around 10:45 and headed down towards Sir Arthur's! We had planned to hike two hills! The weather was a bit cold and sprinkling. We stopped at a few small museums and then at the Parliament, and started the hike! It was absolutely splendid! Beautiful and lots of trails to explore! We didn't have enough time to go to all the trails. The reason that we didn't have the time was because we had set dinner to be at 6pm with Lily and Duncan, hoping to pick up the passport that was to be sent to their house.

At the top, we get to see the view of the whole city, but it really was the hike that's so worth the time!

We came down by 3 and went to Carlton Hill. That was very disappointing and filled with trash. If I had known, I would have stayed at Sir Arthur's for the rest of the afternoon. We were early and went straight to Lily and Duncan's after getting a dessert and some fruit for them.

Lily had prepared a huge dinner for us! Chicken soup, salad, salmon, rice... everything! We stayed until 9:30 and then walked back to our hostel. All beds were filled and everyone was asleep. So, I didn't try to get the lap top until this morning to block.

Ok... the bad news... no passport! The Royal Postal Service went on strike as soon as Isaiah's housemate had posted the passport. It's been shut and the strike will continue at least until August 31st. We don't even know how we are going to get the passport now! So, Isaiah booked a train ticket to Coventry, pick up the Taiwan passport, and then take the train to London on Thursday early morning and meet up with us at the St. Pancreas International so that we can take the Eurostar to Antwerp! And pray that somehow, the passport will get to Lily and Duncan's and then they will have to mail it back to Coventry, which is our last stop. Or else, Isaiah will have to take another train back up to Edinburgh from Coventry to pick it up as we don't trust the postal service of the UK.

August 31st

Today's plan is to check out from our hostel, wheel our luggage to Lily's store and then start walking around. We still have a few places to visit here around this area. Isaiah will have to go to the train station at 2pm. We will pick up the luggage at 6:30 and go to the bus station. I'll stay with the luggage and hopefully find WiFi to do email and blog, maybe! Our bus is not until 10:25. Everything closes up, so staying up at the bus station won't be too bad!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Daniel was encouraging... God is the sovereign One. He has control of nations and events. So, I will choose to rest when I don't see the way! God will work this out... We will move forward in faith!

Seek Him First!

Still Here in Edinburgh!

We are having so much fun that when we got back last night, I had absolutely no time to blog... And since it's not yet the 'next day' in the States, this is my entry for 'yesterday'. Actually, I just realized after posting, that I'm in the UK... not in Taiwan. So, it's already Tuesday, the 30th! I will write about Tuesday tonight!

Monday, August 29th:

We were off early... I always get up to have my time with Jesus and a quick run to explore the area. The weather is so cool... my legs and lungs are happy!

We had to catch a train to St. Andrews. It was an easy ride and then a short bus to the Saint, where we met up with Claire, Eric and Mark. The food was a bit expensive, but we put it on James' tab! YEAH! Then we hit all the spots... the university, the cathedral, the castle, the coffee shop (where Kate met William), the gelato shop with 100 flavors, the thrift stores, the bookstores, the pier (a traditional for freshmen at the university to walk down in their red robe)... and of course, the east and west end beaches and the GOLF COURSE! (where golf started!) 

Abby was nice enough to record and do the sound for the Chariot of Fire 'run' remake... ha, ha, ha... If you're interested in watching it, I can send it to you for your enjoyment!

We got back to the Hostel at around 9pm and one of our 'roommates' was there. We started chatting with him and 'kidnapped' him to join us for our evening trek! It was so much fun! Jack John Brady from Los Angeles! We will definitely keep in touch with him.

I was asleep by 12midnight... but the kids kept talking with him until who knows when.

Daily Lovely Insight:

A Prayer Found at A Church in St. Andrews

Seek Him First!

It's Me... Again in Edinburgh!

It's Sunday... No run... but I still got up super early!

Had my coffee... and went back to bed instead of walking around since I knew the kids would want to walk around!

So, I got them up and we had breakfast at the Hostel. We walked to church... and it was a wonderful service. Duncan and Lily treated us to lunch... and then Lily walked with us as it was an afternoon of thrift and book shopping! It was fabulous! We also hit two more museums! We will visit the castle on Tuesday!

I found an old copy of John Bunyan's book... but did not find a devotional. 

Abby found a pair of boots... but they were at TK Maxx! 40 pounds!

Duncan and Lily invited us to their home for dinner, but we opted for fish and chips and haggis at a small place and ate outside!

Then there were so many "fringe" performers, so we walked around some more. Abby and Isaiah had missed a lot of that as they were asleep all afternoon!

We went to Lidl to buy some groceries and went back to the hostel. Isaiah stayed in the room to watch the Padres game! I went down to the dining room to blog and Abby went out to listen to another guitarist! These performers have been fabulous!

I took a shower and went to bed early... It will be an early morning tomorrow as we are heading to St. Andrews.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Proverbs 4:23-27, that was the main text for this morning's message on, Gird and Guard Your Heart!

Seek Him First!

It's Me... At the Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel!

What an adventure... It's not as fun when we have so much of Abby's stuff! I am now even more of a believer that traveling light is traveling right!

It was a miracle that with only one carry on, Abby was able to pack 28 kilos of things! Amazing... plus a 10 kilo backpack! They never weighed it and the flight attendants were super nice to her. When it couldn't fit in the overhead compartment, they found a space for it!

And we survived the overnight bus ride! It's not for the faint of heart! Abby and Isaiah didn't sleep much. Since I'm so used to not sleeping, I felt fine! I was up at 5am to have my time with Jesus! YEAH! Then the sun was out and I enjoyed looking out at the scenery! What a beautiful ride with sheep and diary cows dotting the hillside... and small quaint cottages! In all my travel, I never made it up this far north... We arrived a bit late and our friend's husband was there, waiting for us! SO AMAZING! Even though he is handicapped, it was great to have his help with one of the carry ons! We made it to our lodging! We left our luggage and went to have breakfast! Then I repacked the stuff, giving the items that we had brought for them. He had work to do, so he took the bus home. We went and walked around... so many places to explore. We went to the National Museum of Scotland, and to see "Bobby", the faithful dog... It was marvelously fun... there were food stalls and performers everywhere... It is presently the last two days of the Edinburgh Festival!

When we checked in at 3pm, we found out that we were on the top floor... it was a lot of climbing with a lot of luggage and NO ELEVATOR! Abby and Isaiah were exhausted! They went to rest, while I went and walked around some more. 

There were too many people on the streets, so I didn't go for a run. Otherwise, I think it would have been fun to do a run around Edinburgh. Now, the roads outside of town looked marvelous for running!

What will we do tomorrow?

Who knows!

But we will definitely attend church!

Daily Lovely Insight:

While walking around, we went to the St. Columba Church by the Castle. And on the wall, they had posted questions of reflection with chairs to sit and just to think on Christ. Let me paraphrase and share one of the questions:

Where are you on your journey with Jesus?

Seek Him First!