The heavens declare...

Reading page p184 of the new Former Prophets booklet and I had to watch this video again just to try and grasp the magnitude of the "heavens". 

Next PCG Project...Edstone

How exciting to hear the announcement of the new PCG UK HQ and college at Edstone. As the video was rolling we sat anxiously waiting to hear the name and then afterwards we wondered was it Edgestone? Twitterland quickly gave us the correct name and a link to the listing website. This has since been taken down as the property sold! However, I was able to grab some info from it so here are a few pictures (not mine) and brief details for us to savor until we hear more from HQ. 

This outstanding property was built in 1939 by Percy Pritchard, a Birmingham engineer. Edstone Hall stands majestically in twenty two acres of grounds with stunning views across the Warwickshire countryside. As soon as you enter the hallway with its fifteen foot window resplendent with a heraldic design, you are struck by the superb quality of the interior, the American Oakwood beams and grand staircase, the mullioned windows and impressive fireplaces in the reception room.

The grounds around the house extend to some 22 acres and have a wonderful parkland feel. The breathtaking views over Edstone Lake are truly magnificent. The gardens effortlessly slope down to the lake and retain many enchanting trees including lebanon cedar, copper beech and oak. Within the grounds there is a five car garage, an all-weather tennis court, several storage sheds and extensive car parking, together with a further vehicular driveway.

Download a brochure of Edstone Hall - here

FOT 2014 - Stone Mountain, Georgia

Who would have thought that just 18 miles from big city congestion of Atlanta there would be an oasis just waiting for God's people to gather for the Feast of Tabernacles. We were certainly surprised as we live only 2 hours way and have visited Atlanta frequently!

This beautiful feast site is nestled in Stone Mountain Park with the majestic mountain reminding us of the great Rock that makes this feast possible.  

There are activities for everyone whether you want to relax and enjoy a scenic walk or walk to the top of Stone Mountain (or take the sky tram to the top), boat rides, pool, gym, or enjoy the adventure park. Then of course you can venture out to Atlanta for myriad of attractions such as the Aquarium. You will want to make Stone Mountain your feast destination for 2015!

View the full feast photo album here 

The Transformation of Colin Brinson

At the first service at this year's feast in Stone Mountain, Georgia I looked across the hall and saw a tall young man that looked vaguely familiar but he had a lot less girth than the person I was thinking of. The next time I saw him chatting to some friends in the hallway, I went up to him and inquired if he was the same one I had met at PYC in 2012? Yes he was. "So what happened? How did you lose all that weight? I hardly recognized you!" I was inspired by his story and hope you will be too. 

Colin Brinson is 17 and hails from Sanford, FL which became newsworthy for the Trayvon Martin shooting case.  He lives with his grandparents and has been home-schooled up to this year. Colin attended  PYC again in 2013 and it was after camp that he decided he wanted to change how he looked and live a healthier lifestyle. Doing that at any age takes a lot of motivation; Colin's was basketball. He started playing 3hrs a day (made possible by his homeschool schedule), reduced his food intake and replaced the meals he did eat with healthy options such as vegetables (even with a side of fries!) and drank more water. He also walked 2 miles to the basketball court and back. In  addition, he cut out evening snacking by going to bed early! Two years ago Colin wore a size 4X and now he is a lean XL and is still aiming to get slimmer.   

Colin is now attending public school. He doesn't know yet what career path he wants to pursue but whatever it turns out to be, I'm sure he will have the determination to achieve it. 

Next time you see Colin be sure and give him hearty congratulations and encouragement to keep up the great example he has set.

  

                   

Learning to Coupon

  

I keep flirting with couponing but it has seemed too time-consuming and complicated. However, it does seem like a waste not to take advantage of substantial savings.  When it comes to non-technology things I like to learn hands-on. The nearest couponing class is 1hr 20 mins away run by southernsavers.com in Columbia, a bit too far to go and drive back at night. So a quick web search and I found an online tutorial plus workbook. So I'm going to go through it and see if I get can the hang of this game!

Online course and workbook - http://www.southernsavers.com/free-coupon-video-class/ 

FOT 2013 Pictures posted

We have uploaded our feast pictures enjoy - http://www.judeone.net/p/photos.html

Visit to Windsor Castle

Today we took a trip to Windsor which according to the official website - http://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/windsor-castle-p43983 "Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and the Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Its rich history spans almost 1000 years"

We arrived after a 1h 40min drive which was only about 35 miles but traffic in London is heavy (you can also take a train and the station is right in the town). We made it just in time to catch the march of the changing of the guard through the town to the castle. Here is a video of the procession.

The castle is massive and you can take a tour inside for 25 pounds. We didn't have time for that on this trip but will plan on it next time.
 

Armed guards at the Castle

Statue of Queen Victoria in front of the castle

Victoria Barracks down the street from the castle

The town is small and has a lot of residential areas. If you think you'd like to live there - there's an idea of the real estate prices in a real estate agents office window below.

The local pub

Of course there are lots of tourist shops and a museum in the town.

I thought this restaurant was interestingly named!

There is also a canal ride that you can take at the lower end of the town. Eton school is close by too. We've lots more to see on our next trip!

London Life - Part 1

So I am back home where I grew up and lived for about 33 years. I hadn't really missed it in 14 years in the USA but now I am here I am enjoying it immensely and remembering the things I do miss. It also makes me appreciate Augusta, GA for the space, weather and friendly people.  Here's a brief tour of what London is like to live in.

Where is Lewisham? It's in South East of London considered Greater London meaning it's not in the center of London but an area about 15 mins train ride away.

 

London is very populated hence living space is at a premium and since I was last here there have been many more apartments built. Houses tend to be "terraced" or what Americans call "row" house. The streets are narrow and with parked cars on both sides of the road many streets give you just enough room for one car to drive by. Gas is

£1.36 a litre which is over $7 a gallon!

There are a lot of these micro cars on the road understandably

Space is tight for parking (the house is on a main road)

 

I rekindled my stick driving skills!

Public transport is very developed in a network of buses and trains and underground so it is actually easy to get around without a car.

 Buying last minute needed items is easy as there is a "corner" store close to every house - little grocery stores.

British money is an colorful array of notes and coins (not pictured 5GBP note)

 Shopping in the main part of town is fun at the open-air market which is available 6 days a week. There is also an American-style indoor mall right in front of these stalls.

 Fish and chips is a standard fast food favorite and those shops are also on every high street. You can see one above behind the stall "Something Fishy".

Entrance to the Mall is under the blue sign.

Here's the center of a neighboring town called Catford - notice the Cat above the shopping center entrance

The main supermarkets here are Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda. Lidl is also a chain similar to Aldi.

Beef sausages are much easier to come by than in the USA.

I was surprised to find that groceries tend to be quite a bit cheaper in the supermarkets than in the Augusta.

Maybe we are paying for the clerk to pack our bags - here you do it yourself!