Day 78

Monday, June 22, 2015

New Kent County, VA

After allowing for rush hour traffic to calm down, I repacked my suit case and heading for home.   I arrived in New Kent a little after 3 p.m.  Instead of taking exit 205, I stayed on I 64 a little longer and took exit 211.  I drove into the church parking lot but did not go into the building.  It was so good to see Emmaus again.  Thanks for the message on the sign which read: Welcome Back…Pastor Vallerie.

I came home and began the unloading processing.  I have collected a great deal over my 12 week journey.  Some of which I had forgotten about until I opened my suit cases and packages.

The Quinton Poat Office had a large overflowing postal box waiting for me.  It took many hours to sort through all of my mail.  I  want to thank Robin Johnson, Cliff Kowal, Tom and Eileen Kirby and the New Kent Sheriff’s Department for watching my house for me while I was gone.  All was well and it is a very good feeling to know my home was safe and secure.

It is wonderful to be back home.  However, I  two more stops to make before my Sabbatical journey ends.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 77-Part II

Sundsy, June 21, 2015

Northern VA

We were scanning the TV channels in our hotel room in Paris when we found a British version of CNN. The newscaster was reporting the story about the church shooting in South Carolina. They actually reported it as being in Charleston, North Carolina. The details were sketchy. It was not until we reached the USA that we learned the account of this senseless tragedy.

Because Mary was flying out on Sunday morning, I missed church. I hate missing church. So I came back to the hotel room and started flipping through the remote looking for a televised worship service. What I found was the Rev. Goff preaching from the pulpit of Mother Emmauel Church in Charleston, South Carlolina. His text was Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength; Our ever present help in time of trouble.

His sermon was powerful, redemptive and healing. He called for all Christians to stand together against hatred and evil. He pointed those listening to Jesus Christ who is greater than any weapon or demon on earth or in hell. His practical application was that when we hold on to the hand of Jesus, we can endure any circumstance that comes our way.

I join with my brothers and sisters in Christ in praying for those who are grieving. I pray that Christians will stand together to end hatred, racism and violence. May God help us.

Thank you Rev Goff for pointing us to Jesus. Jesus Christ is our refuge and our strength.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Mary and I in front of the Embassy Suite Hotel

Day 77-Part I

Sunday, June 21, 2015-Father’s Day

Northern VA

This morning we headed back to Dulles International Airport to drop Mary off.  She flew back to St. Loius and and then drove back to Carbondale, IL.  After a minor glick (plane maintenance) she arrived safely for which I was very grateful.

I am thankful for Mary’s comapanship and for her practicality.  Every morning she would carefully look at the map of whatever city we were in and plan out our means of transportation for the day.  Because of her, we became familar with the London Underground and nagivated it  extremely well.  She studied the Oxford bus system and we rode the bus almost ever where we went while there. She was never without a map in hand.  She kept this directional challenged preacher on course.  In additon, she had to pull me out of the street more than once because I looked the wrong way.

Most of all, it was such a joy to spend time together in places we both enjoyed and appreciated.  I am truly thankful for my dear friend.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerei

Day 76

Saturday, June 20, 2015

From Paris, France to Northern Virginia, USA

We left Paris shortly before 9 a.m. and we were at Charles De Galle Airport before 10 a.m.  At the airport we encountered a few more minor bumps on our way to getting back home.  The first bump was slightly comical and typical of me.  I guess I really did over stuff my suit case because as the taxi driver was pulling it out of his car, one of the wheels came off.  He went and secured a luggage cart so we could to manage our cases reasonable well until the airline sent them up the conveyer belt.

Our next bump was not quit so comical unless you were looking at my face at the time.  After going through secuirty, both Mary and I were “padded down” by a French woman security officer.  This was a very thorough search and I must confess somewhat disconcerting.  Mary took in stride a little better than I did.  I felt like I was being whisk off to prison.

Having seen a Starbuck’s in the ariport, I was sure there would be one somewhere near our gate.  WRONG!  The design of the Chales De Galle Airport is very different from a typical American airport.  Our choices in the confined circularly gate area were very limited.  We could purchase duty free perfume or candy or buy a drink from a machine.   However, God bless Mary.  She managed to find a small counter cafe where she kindly purchased me a cup of tea.  I have developed a real love of tea while we were in England.

Although instructions about where to line up for boarding are given in both French and English, we had trouble understnading exactly where we to go and when.  This was in part because they used two gates for boarding one plane.  Fortunately, an American, who was apparently a seasoned traveller, helped us out.

We had a wonderful eight hour flight.  I watched two movies and four episodes of the Big Bang Theory, which kept me all the way laughing back home.

I know I am repeating myself, but I am so profoundly grateful for everything I have experienced.  We were blessed in every way possible.  It is also so very good to be back home again.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Continue reading “Paris in a Day” →

The Eiffel Tower

Day 74

Thursday, June 18, 2015

From London, England to Paris, France

Mary and I took the Chunnel from St. Pancres Station in London to Gare du Nord in Paris.  As we were going through security, my suit case had to be placed on the xray belt.  The security guard jokingly asked me: “What do you have in that case, a dead body?”  Apparently I have been collecting a little too much stuff on my trip.  I hope they let me on the airplace on Satuday. 🙂

The Chunnel ride was a very smooth trip.  It was safe and extremely efficient.  We arrived in Paris by early afternoon.  Our hotel is located two blocks from the Louvre.  We walked over to see the “gigantic” museum and Mary took the above picture of the Eiffel Tower from the plaza.

We enjoyed dinner at a wonderful French cafe one block from our hotel.  The fresh bread and well prepared meal was a lovely ending to our day.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

The Cyrus Cylinder-Mid 6th Century BC

Day 73

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

London, England

After careful consideration, Mary and I decided the best way to spend our last day in London was to visit the British Museum.  It was twice the size of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.  Perhaps a full week might do it justice.   It was be impossilbe to see the entire museum in one day.  So we did as we did in Oxford and visited the Top Ten Exhibits.

The British Museum is filled with artifacts dating back as far as the Bronze Age 4.  It was rich with the treasures of civilization from every continent. As we were visitng the Top Ten, we passed through many rooms and saw so much beauty and history.  Steve Law advised me that if was able to visit the British Museum to make sure I saw ther Cyrus Cylinder. (pictured above)

The Cyrus Cylinder dates from the reign of Cyrus the Great who ruled between 550 and 530 BC.  The text, written in script called cuneiform claims that Cyrus restored temples in neighboring cities and returned deported people to their home.  A reference to Cyrus granting permission to restore the Temple can be found in the book of Erza

This was a great way to end out time in England.  God has blessed us with grace upon grace and we remain truly thankful for all of our experiences.  We thank each of you for your prayers.

Next stop..,Paris!   We will be taking the Chunnel to Paris in the morning.  I don’t know what the WiFi situation will be Paris.  I will blog as soon as I am able.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

  
Big Ben

Day 72

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

From Cambridge back to London. England

This morning Mary and I boarded a train and came back to London. We left Cambridge at 10:15 am and we were in London by 11:00 am.  Can you believe that?  The time and the train seemed to fly. 

We are back at the Lancaster Hall Hotel and staff recognized us when we walked in the door which gave us a nice feeling. After checking in, we headed to Westminster Abbey. 

When we were talking to the Verger, Mike Stranks, at Holy Trinity Church, we learned that church members and friends of C. S. Lewis had raised money to place a stone in his honor at Westminster Abbey.  It was placed there in 2013 on the 50th anniversary of his death. We had not seen it when we there and decided to go back to find it. It is in a prominent place in the poet’s corner of the Abbey and a fitting tribute to Lewis. 

More Importantly, the stone points all you see it to Jesus Christ   Around his name and dates are his words: “I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen. Not only because I can see it but because by it I can see everything else.”  It is a timeless quote. 

After Evensong we left the Abbey by the Great West Door.  As soon as we rounded the corner, we saw Big Ben. This is the most famous clock in the world. Seeing Big Ben  reminded me that our time in England will soon be coming to end.  We will endeavor to make the most of tomorrow, our last day.  

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Day 71

Monday, June 15, 2015

Cambridge, England

Today Mary and I walked to the Cambridge University Botanical Garden (third picture) where we spent the morning and afternoon.  We were blessed with a beautiful weather.  The garden is 40 acres and is the second largest in the country.  It was a feast for the senses.

Our eyes gazed on gorgeous flowers and trees.  We saw Palm, (common in England) Cedar and Copper Beech trees and so many others.  We also saw an apple tree which was a “descendant” of the apple tree where Isaac Newton discovered gravity. The various flowers were bursting with color.

Our ears took delight in the laughter of children, the music of the wind and leaves, the sound of water flowing from fountains,  the language ducks and sweet songs of birds.

Our nose was treated an array of wonderful fragrances in the Scented Garden (first picture). There we enjoyed the sweet smell of creeping savory, hyssop, lemon thyme, lavender, mint, sweet violent, clary and my personal favorite, the Gold Finch Rose.

After our time in the garden we went shopping for souvenirs.  After shopping, we treated our taste buds to  tea and a Chelsea bun at Fitzbillies (second picture). This is one of the 15 things one should do while in Cambridge.  It was a delightful, relaxing day.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie

Adoration of the Magi by Rubens                           King Parade Street Cambridge, England

Day 70

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Cambridge, England

Today, Mary and I worshiped at King’s College Chapel.  It was a glorious service which included a brass ensemble. The full choir of Men and Boys sang.  The Dean of the King’s College delivered the sermon.

This is the 500th anniversary of the completion of the stone work at the chapel.  To commentate this occasion the Dean has been preachng a series of sermons about those who served the college in the past.  Today he told the story of Eric Milner-White who served as Chaplain to the college after WWI. He began the tradition of opening the chapel to the public on Chrsitmas Eve for a  Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.  This tradition contiunes to today and the service is broadcast annually by the BBC.

Milner-White was known for his beautiful prayers.  The Dean used his prayers in his sermon and during the celebration of communion.  This is one of Milner-White’s prayers: “Lastly, let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore, and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh and with whom in the Lord Jesus we are for ever one.”  As we worshiped with people from all over the world, these words reminded me that we will all gather in adroation around the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ one day, as one body.

King’s College was founded by King Henry VI.  He commissioned the building of the chapel but did not live to see it completed.  King Henry VIII commissioned the organ.  The handprints of these Kings can be seen all around the building which include crowns and royal insignias. The fan-vaulted ceiling  is the highest of this type in the world,

At the High Altar there is the painting by Rubens, The Adoration of the Magi (1634).  This painting is a vivid reminder that all people, including royalty, will one day kneel in adoration to Jesus Christ.

Today I was glad I joined my voice in praise with all those present in worship. Adoraton will be the work of heaven.  Every time we praise God, our voices join with those who continually praise the Lord Jesus Christ on another shore and in a greater light.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie