London/ Christmas time (Kristin/Rudolf’s wedding)
Day 117
Wow Day 117, that’s a little ridiculous. These past ten days have been yet another whirlwind, starting with my trip to London, England.
I was really excited to be visiting London a) because they actually spoke my language there and b) because I would be staying with some good family friends.
Me and a friend from my program, Sarah, headed out on Friday evening. I was listening to some songs on my iPhone (R.I.P) on the train that night and as I randomly shuffled through some songs, I stopped on a song by Stephen Curits Chapman that talks about how all of this earth is God’s, and no matter what kind of craziness is going on, He’s got it all under control. I almost skipped the song and went to the next one (I’m not the biggest Stephen Curits fan sadly) when I heard the first line of the song and it made my heart skip a beat. The song starts off and says…
I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Something that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry
Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm reminded
That every street in London in Yours
I smiled as I was reminded that my God has it all under control. It’s his. And no matter where in this crazy world I end up, It’s HIS. Anyway, we arrived in St. Pancras and headed to the nearest local trainstation, Waterloo to stay at my good family friend’s house, Tara Allen. I have known Ms. Tara and her family since I was born (She and her husband Jim were friends with my parents in college), and I was so excited to see a bit of Texas in Europe!
After two trains and a couple of moments of getting lost, we arrived at Ms. Tara’s beautiful home in the countryside suburbs of London. Mr. Jim and Ms. Tara picked us up in their car; my only issue with this whole thing was that Mr. Jim was driving on the wrong side of the car. I remember at one point someone asked me if I wanted to sit in the front seat, which I promptly said NO Thank you to…I’m pretty sure if I sat in the front on the wrong side (where the driver is supposed to be) I would start act like I’m driving, with hand motions, feet stomps and weird noises. To save everyone that trouble, I sat in the back and enjoyed the beautiful sights of England.
We got to their beautiful home, and all I kept saying was wow I feel like America is in England…there home is HUGE and wonderfully decorated…and definitely had an American feel to it. Me and my friend Sarah walked in their house around 11PM, but Ms.Tara refused to let us go to sleep without making us something to eat or getting us something to drink…such southern hospitality. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be eating chips and drinking cold ice tea (with sweet n low) and hearing Ms. Tara tell me all aobut her adventures here. I thought maybe England had changed her a little bit, nope…still the wonderful, hospitable, Texan women who taught my Prims class so long ago. Felt like a found little bit of my childhood in the middle of London, England.
The next morning, Mr. Jim drove me and Sarah back to the local train station and told us how to get downtown. From there, we headed to the London Tower and saw the crown Jewels, the burial places of several of Henry VIII’s wives, and where they were beheaded. Not the “kindest” of stuff, but growing up a history nerd, I was ecstatic about this. We had one of the “Yeoman” tour guides who made jokes about Americans the whole time. I guess the liberty bell was once held in the Tower of England before it was given to us in Pennsylvania…and at one point our tour guide said, “You know Americans…when we gave it to you it wasn’t broken, but you guys broke that AND our language as well”. Quite funny mister.
After that, I used a tour book Mr. and Mrs. Douque had given me about London and headed off to see as many sights as I could (Sarah went to see Stonehenge for the rest of the day). I ended up seeing the London Eye, the House of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Churchill War rooms, St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, Picadilli ciricus, Hyde Park, the Marble Arch, Covent Gardens, and the Fortune theatre. Wow. Lots of walking. Lots of seeing where old people were buried (Westminster Abbey), and lots of “ooing and ahhing” at everything. Westminister was so cool because not only did I get to walk right where Prince William and Kate had just walked for their wedding, but I got to see the burial places of Queen Elizabeth and Queen “bloody” Mary. My AP European History teacher, Mr. Schulz would’ve been very proud. As I walked around all day and read history about the different places I saw, I could hear him in the back of my mind giving loud lectures about the deaths of Anne Boleyn and the world changing decisions of the Elizabethean era. So neat.
The Churchill War rooms were also incredible. I have always looked up to Mr. Churchill and what he did for the Allied forces in the war. His quotes like ,“Never, never, never give up”, have kept me going at times. The war rooms are underneath one of the government buildings outside of the House of Parliament. They are located in a basement of one of these buildings and many of the rooms inside haven’t been touched since the war. It was so eerie and neat to see the rooms where the cabinet of Mr. Churchill would gather at all hours of the day and night to talk about huge events in history. They also have a spectacular museum there about Mr. Churchill that about brought me to tears. I love his honesty, his frankness, but also his desire to persevere and see good in the world. One of the quotes on the wall of this museum read, “I think we are all worms in this world…but I do believe that I am in fact a glow-worm”. I love that. I am definitely a worm, but through the grace of my savior I can be a glow worm!
That night I joined back up with Sarah and went to Fortune theater to see “the Woman in Black” which is one of London’s longest running plays. It only shows in London and has been going in the same theater for over 20 years and is being made into a huge feature film with Daniel Radcliffe this spring. The theatre was so small and quaint, I was kind of confused about how this play could be so famous and occupy such a small space. Well as soon as the play started, I realized that the small quarters made the play so much more intimate and gave it the star quality that some huge productions are lacking. It was so scary and jumpy, but such a fun and different experience.
Sadly, that night…I lost/got my phone stolen. I was on the tube (subway), standing next to a thousand people and I remember crossing my arms most of the time instead of putting my hands in my coat pocket…which is when it probably got snatched (my phone was in my front coat pocket). I realized about ten minutes after not touching my phone that it was gone and even went back into the tube to see if I had dropped it. I definitely think it was stolen. I was really bummed that night; I had such a great day in London with such wonderful pictures and now I have nothing to show for it.
I was super bummed, but as soon as it happened it was like something inside me said…ok this is for a reason. For those of you who know me, I LOVE my phone. I have had an iPhone for about three years and claim that I wouldn’t be able to function without it. I bet God heard that phrase and laughed at me. I definitely remember feeling kind of naked without it…but someone told me once that whenever you “CAN’T” lose something, that’s when you know it’s a problem in your life and you need to know you can go on without it. Well that may explain why I lost my security blanket…uhh I mean my phone. J
The other day I even freaked about not having my phone. I told my mom that I had to have a new one upon exiting the plane. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I was like SHOOOT, I kind of want those back. God is definitely teaching me a lesson by not having it, and that lesson definitely doesn’t involve yelling at my mother and telling her that if she loves me at all I need a new one the second I see her. So sorry mom, again.
After getting some kind but heart-checking words from Rudolf, I realized once again how much that stupid thing has a hold on me. It’s so funny…I feel like so much in this life can become a stronghold; I always thoguth that people just got addicted to alcohol or drugs or shopping or other “serious things”. Well, I’m pretty sure I got addicted to an inanimate object. It’s really nice now to not have it and know that for right now I’m not supposed to have it! (Mom this doesn’t mean at all that I don’t want one eventually if by any chance you were possibly thinking about maybe getting me one for Christmas or something). Hahahah anyway. iPhone’s can be addicting, who knew.
Well the rest of the trip to London was wonderful. The Allen’s took me to see Windsor castle on Sunday and have a proper British lunch which included tea, fish and chips and lots of fun British accents J It was so fun hanging out with them and seeing parts of their new homeland with them…Ms. Tara thank you so much for your hospitality and all your love! I will always remember my wonderful trip to England!
When I got home from London, I had a wonderful treat waiting for me at the train station! One of my best friends from home, Kristin Walker, was waiting for me. She flew in from Barcelona where she was studying to see me for a quick visit in Brussels. I have now gotten to see this girl in four different countries and have been thankful for our friendship in each one of them! Seeing a friend from home made my heart so warm, but also let me relax so much because we know each other so well. Rudolf picked us up from the airport ( so I got to see two of my favorite people at once!) and that night we watched a chick flick and ate pizza in bed. Typical Bailey/Kristin night that we’ve had since we were ten. Just in Belgium.
The next day we spent exploring Belgium, seeing the beautiful Chrsitmas market, eating frites, drinking warm drinks, buying presents, and just enjoying each other’s company. I also got to meet some of Rudolf’s South Africa friends that evening who were visiting for a few days. It was so cool to hear some stuff about their life…made me really excited to visit someday.
The next day I took Kristin to see the headquarters of EU and then she headed off back to Barcelona for a few more days before we both head back to the states. Our first flights actually both land in New York and we take the next flight together to Chicago. Another popular city we will be in together J
The rest of the week was filled with school work and finishing my last assignments. Friday me and my roommates threw a Christmas party at our apartment. It was so fun seeing everyone again and celebrating the season…it makes Belgium feel more like home. We also had a few “family” dinners last week where all four of us girls make a differnet dish, eat it together and then watch a girly movie. Those are some fantastic nights with four girls I am beyond blessed to know.
Friday night after the party me and Rudolf headed to Antwerp to stay at his parents house before his friend’s wedding the next day. The next morning we got ready for the church service that was around 11AM. It was so funny seeing the similarities and dfifferences between a Belgian and American wedding that day. First of all, the service is usually in the morning, then a long break in the afternoon, then the reception and party at night. So different from the typical US wedding. The processional of the bride and bridal party was different too, everonye walked in the church at the same time right behind one another. Also, the bride and groom and the whole party sat in pews in the front during the whole ceremony and only stood for parts when they recited their vows. It was neat to see the different cultures and how we each celebrate such an incredible event in our different ways.
That afternoon I got to take a long wonderful nap and then got ready for the party. When I walked downstairs all ready to leave, Rudolf’s parents were so sweet and kept telling me how fantastic I looked (Rudolf did as well)...then they took a ton of pictures of us, which I loved but my man, who looked amazing as well, didn’t seem too fond of lol. We finally got to the reception and I got introduced to most of Rudolf’s high school friends who were all so kind and welcoming to me. I was kind of nervous about this whole night because most of his friends speak Dutch, but I never realized how great their English was as well….All of his friends would speak in English around me to let me get involved with the conversation and they were so warm and welcoming with everything they said. Such a fun night.
We had a wonderful dinner filled with lots of speeches and lots of me leaning over to Rudolf and asking what was being said and being answered a lot with …ummmm well they love each other a lot. Lol. I probably asked him to translate a million times, he was such a good sport trying to explain to me everything that was going on.
After dinner, we began to dance the night away. We danced to everything from Grease Lighting, European 90’s techno, to slow romantic classic songs. Such a great night, you can see some pictures from that night on my Facebook page. We danced until around 3 in the morning and let me tell you…I never knew that a whole bunch of Belgian boys could dance more than I could. At several points of the night, many of the wives, girlfriends and fiancées of these boys would be sitting on the side of the dance floor resting our feet for a song or too while these crazy but wonderful Belgian men danced their hearts out to their favorite songs. It was so fun seeing Rudolf like that, so happy with some of his best friends. Definitely a night I will never, ever forget.
The next day I got to relax and spend some quality time with Rudolf’s parents at their home. I got to see Rudolf’s dad’s amazing miniature train set collection. He has basically turned their attic into a little German town that has little trains running all through it complete with lights, sounds and little cars and people. Rudolf and his dad have been working on this train set since he was very young, but they both claim its still “not ready yet”. But it looked FABULOUS to me.
We had a wonderful dinner that night and I realize that I’m going to miss Rudolf’s parents more than I will miss him! Hahah Just kidding, but I am going to miss them a lot; It’s so neat to meet and get to know two people who are so warm, loving and have set such a Godly example for their son who makes me smile more and more each day. It’s evident to me the love for Jesus these two people have and how they have instilled that love in Rudolf, which is one main of the reasons why we are together today.
This week I have taken a few finals, which hasn’t been a big deal to me (Shocker!)… I guess some things are more important than a finals grade J (I bet my mom wishes I understood that fact a long time ago). Anyway, last night me and Rudolf got to celebrate Christmas and he surprised me by taking me to a beautiful restaurant downtown, when I thought we were going to a small place by his house. The night was wonderful and was a perfect way to continue my Christmas season.
Alright, well I probably should start studying for my final. I leave here in two days. Which blows my mind. I don’t really want to think about it. I know that God has a plan for back home, just excited to see what that entails. I know that if I continue to put my trust in Him, He will lead me down the right path. So cool to see what God has done in my life in the past few months. We serve a big God! Remember he can surprise you out of your wildest dreams every single day. Just know that he’s got a plan and a reason behind what he’s doing…and even if you’re far away from home, He’s still watching, loving and smiling down you every single step of the way.
Love you guys,
One more blog post on the way home.
Bails
Here's some pics from the wedding :)
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