So...this was odd

I was looking through Amazon.com today for a cash box to use at an event we have coming up.

I realize that many local stores sell cash boxes but we already own 5 and it goes against everything I believe in to buy ones that don't match. In fact one of the 5 we have doesn't match but I was going to use that one in a different area, so it has a different purpose and therefore is allowed to not match...it all makes sense really...sort of.

Anyway, amazon told me this piece of retail trivia to help me with my decision...
So if I understand this correctly, people "frequently" buy a cash box along with a Black Satin sheet set! Does that seem a little awkward to anyone else?!?

So...back in the Motherland

My first thought as I arrived back into London was how strange everyone's accent seemed, have I really been gone that long? I'm guessing so, nobody can understand what I'm saying! I'm used to getting that faintly confused look form Americans but not Londoners!

To my relief, however, many things seem much the same.

Brits are still obsessed by the weather either commenting on current weather, predicting future weather or discussing in great detail the weather pattern over this summer compared to previous years. I have been in the country for about 3 days and have counted 5 conversations regarding some element of meterology.

Brits are still genuinely excited by the concept of a bland cookie* and a beige colored milky hot drink.

Gas** is still ridiculously expensive

This year we have opted to follow the cricket coverage on the radio rather than the television. This is more like people merely having chat after a dose of NyQuil than it is about sport commentary. Here's a few moments that I listened to today
"here comes Trot, short cover, extra cover, mid shot on the short side and he's just scored 4. Great shot but marginal change of feel, 189 for 4. He goes again bowls on a full leg and just spooned of the outside edge, not the normal drive much more like short extra. They just can't hang balls on the off stump. Here comes Clark outside the off stump, it's a dire battle at the moment."
I'm sure being British I should be able to follow all this but it makes no sense to me whatsoever.

*british readers read "biscuit"
**british readers read "petrol"

So...Mystery Mobile Mission

Today we took over 40 Junior High students on a Mystery Mobile Mission. It's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. We go to a few mystery locations and serve the community.
Today we spent some time serving the elderly
being a registered nurse working with the elderly isn;t particulalry daunting to me (though it has been a while) but to a Junior High student it takes a little more work.

My favoUrite observations...

A group of students were playing cards with some of the elderly residents and I asked what game they were playing...the students replied that they started playing "21" but one of their opponents fell asleep mid-game so they started playing "war". The sleeping opponent never noticed.

Apparently old people enjoy guinea pigs...apparently guinea pigs enjoy peeing on students.

One team of students were given the "opportunity" to sing while an elderly lady accompanied them on the piano...she was a strict taskmaster and they did not meet the standard nor the dedication she was apparently looking for...even after she made them spit out their gum...but at least they now know the words to the "Sound of Music" soundtrack.

One lady told me she needed to be served corn bread about as much as she needed a hole in the head.

After playing chequers with a student for nearly an hour an elderly man asked the student if this is what he would normally play for fun...the student replied no...thank goodness the man said, I hate this game!

It's funny when old people cuss at each other...that's all I'm gonna say.

So...awkwardness

I do enjoy the odd awkward moment or picture so couldn't resist this one that Ryanne pointed out last weekend.

As part of Mother's Day we offered free family portrait pictures at various locations around the church campus. There was one in front of the waterfall, one by the baptismal, one in front of the palm trees and then there was this one... We have a multi-million dollar building on a landscaped campus and this was the best backdrop we could up with? An awkward pose just seemed appropriate!

So...another car post.

This week my car reached a milestone...it has driven over 250000 miles! It was such a poignant moment I had to pull over and take a picture! and just in case it was hard to read from that distance here's another...
I think this is pretty impressive, especially as it one point I wasn't sure that it would get that far!

So...you thought that was good

Last weekend Lisa, myself and Zack were featured on the church bulletin. Here is the picture for you to enjoy, it was at the beginning of the sunrise service on Easter morning.It was such a treat to be on the bulletin we thought we would recreate the moment at work todayWe sent our new picture in to be considered for the bulletin, I think it should make the cut!

And yes we are very cool and yes that emotion you are feeling is probably jealousy.

So...famous at last!

If you happened to see the front cover of the Saddleback Church bulletin this week you will see why this weekend was the best ever!! A few of us have a little competition to get our picture on the service bulletin. So throughout the week I take every opportunity to be in photographs taken by our "Pics" ministry. I particularly look for those "money shot" opportunities: I stand with minority groups, I shake hands with the elderly, face the camera while helping up children who have fallen over and smile and cheer around the baptismal. Every week I scan the bulletin to see if I made the cut.

This week over 22,00 people took the bulletin home with this picture on the front...Lisa, myself and Zack were rewarded for attending the sunrise service on Easter morning (complete with unbranded coffee cups).

I like to think there's a little something for everyone in this picture...an "amuse-bouche" of photographic delight.

Saddleback Church...You are welcome