Sunday, March 17, 2013

And We're Back...

The time has come to end the blogging hiatus; so, today I will record my first blog in almost three months.  I have to admit that I probably won’t be apologizing for this longer than usual break.  Life decided that there were more important things to do and see.  So, now that I have some time as I am kicking back to watch the Ohio State v. Wisconsin Big Ten Championship game I can regale you with some of the wonderful things that have happened since Christmas. 

January flew by.  It was almost as if I was ringing in the New Year in Scotland, blinked, and it was February.  One thing to note from January is that the English have a very different idea of what “a lot” of snow is.  About half way through January I was told that a winter storm was coming.  Naturally, I became very excited because the most snow I had seen previously would have made Ohio weather scoff.  When I looked out my window I saw a respectable four inches; I was actually impressed.  And then the phone calls started coming in.  Everything seemed to be cancelled, and I mean everything. School, work, and practically all of the activities at the church.  I was incredibly confused, I thought the most I would have to alter my daily routine was deciding whether or not to cuff my jeans on the way to work.  As the week dragged on I began to notice why the English are so weary of the snow.  What happens to snow when you don’t shovel it and people walk all over it...ice, ice is what happens.  After about a week and a half to shuffling like an uncoordinated penguin to work everyday the snow and ice finally melted and the winter “storm” was over. 

At the beginning of February Lea Road was ecstatic, thrilled (and about a million other adjectives) to welcome and induct our new minister Reverend Susan Walker.  Our little church was filled with members of the Lea Road community, the surrounding URC synod, as well as visiting family and friends.  It was one of the longest days of work that I have had in a long time; however, I consider myself lucky to have been able to participate and support the congregation as they started a new chapter together as a church. 

Following a day of recovering from the induction festivities I began to make my next set of preparations...Packing for Paris!  After what had seemed like months of planning and waiting “The” Lisa Watson was about to make her way across the pond for a week of mother-daughter fun in Paris.  Our reunion in the train station could have been something from a movie...we made a scene (haha, get it?!)  There were tears and a lot of starring; I could have cared less.  There is something about a hug from one of your parents that can set your world at ease and after nearly six months I could have stayed in the hug for hours.  We tried to do as much as possible, or at least as much as our bodies would allow.  Mom came sick, I got sick (after having the immune system of a Super hero for the previous five months) but in true Wittenberg fashion, we “Tigered Up” and had a truly wonderful experience.  One of my favorite things we did was visit The Louvre, twice, and only made it through 1/12 of the whole museum.  We did get to see the good ol’ Mona Lisa, and to be honest, she is much smaller in person.  It was a wonderful week full of lots of love, laughter, smile, hugs, and a true reminder that I will never be too old for some Momma Watty lovin’.
Oh, I also never met a macaroon or a croissant that I didn’t like and probably never will!

With February being a short month it seemed like I blinked again and it was my birthday.  To be honest I had no real intention of making a big deal out of the day for a couple of reasons: one, twenty-three is not a significant birthday and two I really hadn’t had a chance to even think about it that much.  At work that morning I was surprised with two beautiful bunches of red tulips...a fantastic start to the day.  Add a bunch of cards, an afternoon out at lunch, and a bunch of people singing to me at dinner made for an unforgettable day.  I mean seriously, this girl is feeling incredibly loved...I honestly need to get a bigger mantel to display all of my cards.  On top of that, I received birthday wishes from all over the world.  From Malaysia to Madagascar, Mexico to back home in Ohio..it’s a pretty cool feeling knowing that people have taken a moment to think of you on your birthday. 

So, that’s all I have for you now...give me an hour and I will have a bit to tell you about the TFGs trip to Derbyshire for a residential week at Cliff College! Until then, I need to go make some popcorn and mentally prepare for the second half of this game and then the selection show afterwards! Here’s to a fantastic couple of weeks of March Madness and getting to April 8th so that my sleep schedule can go back to normal!

Life is Good...and as always, so is God!