Letter to 2012

Dear 2012,

It has been a very long and difficult year. And I wish I could say that I am sad to let you go, but I am relieved. It is about time for us to say our long awaited good-byes. You have brought some goodness with you, but unfortunately the bad outweighed the good this year. I am trying to be as positive as possible because there really have been some good things that have happened, but nevertheless I am ready to see you go. But somehow the greatness of my year and all my accomplishments are somewhat clouded by certain events in life that have changed me and pained me.

I promise you though, that I will remember you and all the things that I have accomplished in 2012. The best thing that I have accomplished this year was moving to England.  I never want to forget the opportunity that I have to be here.

I have travelled to some of the most marvelous places, and seen the most stunning things. But I believe 2013 holds greater and happier times for me. I can say with great happiness and pride that I survived 2012. The world didn’t end, despite what so many believed. So good-bye 2012 my old colleague, for I do not feel like I can call you my friend. I toast you.

Cheers,

Natalie Xx

Bye Bye Christmastime!!



 

Platform 9 3/4... Need I say more?



Christmastime has come and swiftly gone. Now comes the end to my first holiday season away from home. What a bittersweet holiday season it was too. On a side note that is completely unrelated to Christmas: who knew bittersweet is a type of plant... I am completely baffled, I definitely learn something new everyday!! Anywho back to the festive topic of my English Christmas.



My English Christmas was amazing. I will be the first to admit that the closer we got to Christmas, the more I wanted to just go home, but I got over it. I stayed busy and ended up having a really good Christmas. On the Saturday before Christmas I went to London and spent all day walking around with one of my friends. The highlight of my trip was definitely going to King's Cross Train Station and getting my picture taken at platform 9 3/4. Yes, I know I need a life. That is already quite apparent.

St. Paul's Cathedral

London is a beautiful city in general, but at Christmastime it's almost like a dream or a  wonderful fairy tale. The only thing that could have made my London Christmas experience better would have been snow, but why dwell on the little things. I have decided that someday I have to live in London for atleast a year. I love it so much. My favorite thing about London is Saint Paul's Cathedral at night time. It lights up to perfection and is a complete breathtaking vision.



Christmas tree at Covent Garden in London



My Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were very good as well. On Christmas Eve I went to my first Midnight Christmas mass. It was a lot of fun and a really good experience. And on Christmas Day I had a great time. But how can you not have a good day when it includes the Doctor Who and Downton Abbey Christmas Specials? My English Christmas exceeded my expectations in a good way. Even though I couldn't be with my real family this year, I got to spend Christmas with my friends and English family... In England, how epic is that?! 

I hope you all had an amazing and blessed Christmas, and may you have a blessed New Year.

With all the Love and Twinkle Lights in the World,

Natalie Xx

The Lone Lip Balm

Today I went into my suitcase (which doubles as my storage case for my unneeded toiletries) to get out a new tube of lip balm. To my shock and horror I saw that after I opened my new tube of lip balm there was only one lip balm left. The lone lip balm. It was a sad moment. Now if you know me at all you will know that I am a girl who loves her lip balm. I may or may not be a little addicted to it. I can’t survive a day without it. You may be thinking, "just go to the store and by another lip balm." But if you know me really really really well you will know that I do not love just any old type of lip balm… oh no no no… I am very dedicated to Natural Ice Medicated Lip Balm in cherry flavor. God bless those Natural Icers. They make the best lip balm. Ever. But never fear Christmas is coming up in 23 days and my mommy is sending me a package, and I have requested a boat load of this lip balm. Sometimes it's the small things that mean the most.

With all the Love and Natural Ice Medicated Lip Balm in cherry flavor in the World,

Natalie Xx

My English Thanksgiving

Last Thursday marked my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. It also marked the first holiday that I have ever spent away from home and my family. To be completely honest I was dreading Thanksgiving. It is tough enough being away from family for the holidays, but it is even tougher to be in a country where the people don’t even celebrate the holiday. I was working as the receptionist at the church on Thursday and I took to wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving just to spread the American holiday cheer. I do not know if that was the greatest idea, because I ended up having to explain numerous times what Thanksgiving is all about. I also had to explain that Thanksgiving isn’t feasting because the pilgrims killed the Native Americans, My favorite conversation that I had was the following:

Anonymous English Person: “Don’t you Americans celebrate Thanksgiving because you killed all of the Native Americans?”

Me: “No, it’s because the Native Americans befriended the Pilgrims and helped them plant their harvest, so when the first harvest came they had a huge feast to Thank God for their harvest and their new friends.”

AEP: “Didn’t you guys kill the Native Americans?”

Me: “Can I just remind you guys that the Pilgrims were not American but English. They came from Plymouth, England.”

AEP: "Ok."

I had that exact conversation so many times.

****

I decided to make the most of my English Thanksgiving. I made my English family a (delicious) Thanksgiving meal. It turned out really well, and the meal was well received. I am so thankful for my English family. They are amazing, and they did so much to make sure my English Thanksgiving was amazing. I think my English Thanksgiving was one of the best Thanksgivings I have ever had. I loved being able to share my favorite holiday with them.

I am so thankful for so many things. I am thankful for an amazing God who loves me. I am very thankful for my family and friends back home. I am also incredibly thankful for my new friends here in England, and the amazing opportunity that I have to be here in England. Not many people have the chance to live in a different country at 19. I feel so very blessed, and I am so grateful.

With all the love in the world,

Natalie Xx

Crimea

Words cannot describe the time that I had in Crimea. While I was there I met some of the most amazing and gentle people. God did some amazing things in my life. I was stretched, challenged, and taken further out of my comfort zone then I would have liked, but that is how God works.

I wish words could adequately describe my experience in the Ukraine. But they cannot. I have tried, to no gain to write something that would give you at least a little bit of a summary of my week in the Ukraine but to no avail. All I can do is share with you a collage that I created of some of the highlights of my time in Crimea. It still does not do it justice, but where words cannot describe pictures must show.



Collage of some of the highlights while in Crimea



With all the Love in the World,

Natalie Xx

SURPRISE!

I want to share with you something really exciting that God is doing in my life. God never fails to surprise me and throw me things that I never ever expected. Not only am I living 4938 miles away from home, but in five days I will be traveling another 1400 miles (or so) to go to Crimea for a week. I am going to Crimea on a missions trip with a group from my church. I am so thrilled and blessed to have this amazing opportunity. The most exciting thing about this opportunity is that as of last week I had no idea that I would be going on this trip. I do not know exactly what we will be doing while in Crimea, but honestly, that’s the fun part about missions trips. I love waiting to see what God wants to do through us and relying completely on him.

Mark 16:15

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

 

With all the Love in the World,

Natalie Xx

On Which Side of the Road Do We Drive?

You would think after two months of being in this country I would be able to remember the direction of traffic. Unfortunately I have a bad memory. I am currently living in a constant state of confusion when I cross the street. The confusion has gotten so bad that I cannot even remember the direction of traffic back home. On which side of the road do we drive? But don't worry; I have gotten into a routine when I cross the street. I first look to the left then the right then left then right then left then right then left then right, walk out a little bit to see if there are cars coming, and if so, what lane they are driving in. Then look left then right, then run cross the street as quickly as possible if no cars are coming. But the depressing thing is I will eventually remember the direction of traffic. But once this glorious occurrence happens it will be time to go back home and I will be so completely confused that my mom will have to drive me around until I recover. But for now I will take extra caution when I cross the street and I will eventually remember the direction of traffic.

With all the Love in the World,

Natalie Xx

Glorious Goodness... It's Autumn in the UK

Good News people!!! This autumn season Starbucks UK introduced Pumpkin Spice Lattes into their stores. Queue hallelujah chorus! And today I consumed my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season!!! It was glorious and yummy. If you read my blog about the lack of Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the UK, you will understand my excitement when I was informed of this glorious goodness. The autumn season can officially start for me now. I am one happy coffee consumer!

With all the Love and Pumpkin Spice Lattes in the World,

Natalie Xx

11 Things I love (and miss) about Oregon

I miss home, and I thought that I would compile a list of eleven things that I love and miss about home.

11 Things I love About Oregon…

1)      Multnomah Falls

2)      Mount Hood

3)      Leopold’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

4)      Hood River County Fruit Loop

5)      Powell’s Books

6)      Burgerville

7)      The Red nose on the stag on the Made in Oregon sign during Christmastime

8)      Fred Meyer

9)      Joe’s Donuts

10)  Birkenstocks

11)  When it’s raining and not using an umbrella because true Oregonians don't use umbrellas!

If you haven't been to Oregon, I highly recommend you take a trip! <3

With all the love in the world,

Natalie Xx

My Adventure at the Palace

On Sunday I had the amazing opportunity to go to London and take a tour of Buckingham Palace. And while I was there it occurred to me, that one never truly grows out of believing they are a Princess. Being at Buckingham Palace was one of the best experiences that I have ever had. I cannot truly describe the excitement and true awe that I felt. I long to be back in the state rooms looking at the thrones, gazing at the Queen's diamonds, and being in the ballroom dreaming of someday being invited to an event at the palace. It is truly like being in a fairy tale, and even though you know that you have paid £18 to be there, you feel like a Princess who belongs in that palace. And let me just say that when I was in the ballroom the song from the movie Anastasia "Once Upon a December" may or may not have popped into my head, and I wanted to dance around.

With all the love in the world,

Natalie Xx

Pumpkin Spice Latte IS BACK... Exclusions: ENGLAND!

Summer has come to a close and fall has made its entrance with a vengeance. Fall is one of my favorite seasons. But, it’s this season that has only been around four days so far this year that has made me feel the most homesick. I long to smell pumpkin spice candles in my house, and sip a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte. I miss walking around the Mount Hood Community College campus in my wellies during a downpour. I miss my lunch group people, you all know who you are. I miss the smell of Oregon in the fall. The past two days I have been so very homesick. But coincidently the day that my homesickness grew to the maximum I received a letter in the mail from an amazing and inspiring woman who has been a family friend for my whole life. The letter that she wrote me had everything that I needed to hear. It was so encouraging and uplifting, and I felt so blessed to have received that letter when I was feeling so down and alone. It didn’t even dawn on me until a half an hour ago that God totally knew that today of all days, I was going to feel overwhelmingly homesick, and that I was going to receive that letter today to lift my spirits. I think God’s timing is pretty amazing.

With all the love and pumpkin spice lattes in the world,

Natalie

Fall is here!

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

(Picture taken in the New Forest, England)

The trees have started to turn colors. The days have turned crisp. And it is getting dark pretty early. Yesterday was the first day of fall. But today it is officially fall weather here in England, and it is as amazing as I had ever hoped it would be. 

Today I had a walk in my first English rain and it was absolutely perfect. There's just something beautiful about the combination of rain and fall colors.

With all the love and tea in the world,

Natalie Xx

Observation of the day: Tea

I always believed that people were exaggerating how much the English love their tea. I have learned these three weeks (almost four weeks… Whoa) that this is not an exaggeration.  I think the English are more dedicated to their tea than Americans to coffee. According to my observations I would hazard a guess that the people of England drink at least (the absolute minimum) six cups of tea a day. This is a habit that I have gladly adapted to my life. At present I can only drink three – four cups a day, but, I am a work in progress. By the end of my time in England I am sure I will be drinking at least six cups a day just like everyone else. When in Rome… Right?

With all the love and tea in the world,

Natalie <3



Retro Phones, Mary Poppins, and Idyllic England

I bought a British phone... Yay!!! I wanted to get a cheap phone just so I could call my mom and so I could be reachable for the next ten months. I went out searching (with a lot of help from my friends,) for a cheap phone to suit my needs. For just £14.95 ($23.64) I bought my phone (which cost only £4.95 ($7.83)) and  pre-paid credit. Pretty awesome. I pretty much am rocking the retro 1990's phone.

Today I went to the Portsmouth Kite Festival. It was actually very awesome. As I was walking around looking at all of the kites, I couldn't help but singing the song, "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins in my head. You know the one, where they are all flying kites and singing. I think that a kite festival is pretty idyllic of England. Everyone should experience a British Kite Festival. Now I just have to share the song!!

I am doing very well, and having a great time. I love you all and miss you lots. Keep in touch.

With all the Love in the World,

Natalie <3

Three Weeks and Three days!

It’s been exactly one month since I last blogged, and I feel like a lot of things have happened since then. First of all, there are only twenty-four days (Three Weeks and Three Days!) until I board an airplane to fly across the big pond, which is a little bit intimidating. I really do not know where the time has gone.

I was approved for my charity worker’s visa (PRAISE THE LORD!) and received it in the mail, so, that is super-dee-duper exciting. That whole process totally taught me a lesson in faith. I realize that a lot of the time, I do not have enough faith, and having to apply for my visa and just wait for God to work everything out, was a humbling experience, that once again, reminded me that God is in control.

I finally got to go shopping with my Tessie for my trip/for her college dorm room. It was super fun to be able to go shopping together for the next seasons of our lives even though we do not get to be together for TEN WHOLE MONTHS!

This summer has gone by so very fast. I cannot believe that tonight is the final for my Statistics and Probability class. It doesn’t feel like five weeks has gone by. I guess the old idiom is correct; time flies when you’re having fun! I will definately blog before another has passed because I will be in England by then, and will want to update you on everything!!

Hope you all are having an amazing and blessed summer.

With all the love in the world,

Natalie <3

My Visa...

My Dearest Friends and Family,

I am uncomfortable asking people for prayer, but, today I am going to stretch myself, and ask if you guys would please pray for me. In the next few days I will be applying for my visa. Please pray that it will go well. That I will be able to answer all of the questions, and ultimately that my visa application will be processed and approved in a timely manner. I am worried that they will take too long to process it. The whole issue now for me is to have faith in the one who has given me this opportunity. He has allowed everything else to work out up to this point. I just have to have faith that my visa application will go through quickly and efficiently. I have several verses on prayer that I would love to share with each and every one of you. They have been a comfort to me today and will be a comfort to me in the days to come.

John 14:13-14 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Matthew 21:22 “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

And also on the subject of faith, this verse came to me, as a reminder:

Matthew 17:20 “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to thee’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  

Thank you for your love support, and I cannot wait to be able to share my experiences with you while I am away.

With all the Love in the World,

Natalie

The Countdown Officially Begins.... NOW!

Psalms 20:4
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

Well, it’s official.

I am leaving for England on the 20^th of August of this year. Yep, that is pretty much in two month and two days. I bought my plane ticket about three hours ago. I'm still shaking a little bit. I can’t quite believe that this is actually happening. I have been hoping, praying, and planning this trip since 2006. Since I was thirteen years old, and I finally get to go. God is so good and he is so faithful! A couple days ago I started getting the essentials set aside and/or pack. I picked out the five or so books to take with me. Grabbed my travel books, and shoved them in my red and white polka dot suitcase. Took all of the pictures out of picture frames and put them in photo albums so I can take them with me. I Have been making my shopping list, and trying to get things ready so I do not leave all of the little things to the very last second. THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING!!!! I can't believe this. I feel a little whimsical... And very very VERY blessed!
Thank you each and everyone one of you for your prayers and love!
And Now.... The countdown can officially begin...!!!!
<3

Three Months... SAY WHAAAAA?!

August is coming so fast! Did you know that August is only three months away???? Well, I can’t believe it, and I secretly (and maybe not so secretly) wish that it was December again and August was eight months away instead of three months away…. Can I say it ONE MORE time for posterity sake…? AUGUST IS THREE MONTHS AWAY…. OH MY GOOD GRAVY!!! These next three months are going to fly like the wind….(Does the wind fly?) I end the spring term of school in about three weeks, and then start accelerated Statistics in the summer term… WOW!

I am moving away from my home country in three very short months for ten very long and amazing and blessed months. But, I am so very excited. In the next three weeks my certificate will be processed and then I can apply for my visa. Time is truly flying. Every single day I feel more excited and a little bit more nervous! I am so very blessed for this AMAZING opportunity that I have the blessing to be a part of.  

THE COUNT DOWN WILL TRULY START IN JUNE!!!!!!!!!! I will be setting an exact fly out date in the next few days and will hopefully be purchasing my ticket in the next few weeks!! Life is exciting and gets more and more exciting every single day!!!!!!!

I just want to thank every single one of you for your prayers. They are so very appreciated!!!! I love you all!

With all the love in the world,

Natalie <3

I Left My Heart in Portsmouth, England

Psalm 37:4-5

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

I am leaving for England soon-ish! In about 5 1/5 Months I will be leaving on a Jet Plane returning to the country that I left my heart in, 6 years ago. I know I say this all the time, but, my Dear Ones, I am SO excited to go to England! I was thinking about it yesterday and I realized that in less than six months I will be living out the dream and desire of my heart that has been growing for the past six years. The dream that, when I was in Jr. High and High School I shared with my closest friends; to someday live in England, and marry the members of McFly, (honestly, I don’t think the latter dream will come true but, it was fun dreaming about it when we were younger.) But now, not only do I get to live in England for ten months; I get to follow my six years in the making dream of going to Portsmouth, England and helping out at the church and getting involved in the community. I am sad that my friends do not get to come with me, but, I know that God is doing amazing things in their lives, and they are exactly where they are supposed to be. Psalms 37:4-5 is the verse my mom blessed me with while we were in England, and it has become one of the verses that has greatly impacted my life. I hope it does the same for you!

With all the love in the world.

-Natalie-

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

ENGLAND!!!

It’s been quite a while since I last updated this blog. I’m not much of a writer so this whole thing is a challenge, but, I figured it would be good for me.

My England trip has drastically changed since the last time I blogged. Fret not Dear Ones, the trip is still on, and I am as excited as ever. But, instead of a sixth month absence, it has turned into a 300 day absence (do the math… 300 divided by 30 equals 10, yes that means a 10 month long absence). The church has an Internship program that I will be going through. I knew that they had the program but I didn’t think that I would be going through it… Well come to find out I am going through it, come September, and I would have been leaving the program prematurely if I only stayed for six months. I felt God nudging me telling me that I needed to stay in England for the ten months and see this program through. ten months is a very long time to be gone, I know, almost a year, but I can’t help but be excited for this new upcoming season in my life.

Psalm 107:1 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

<3