GR8 Thoughts and Musings

Today was a full day of London exploration. We easily burned the calories from our 6:30 Breakfast of fruit, warm rolls, toast & marmalade, wheat cereal, coffee, tea and juice. Everyone was on time so we didn’t get to hear any sleepy renditions of “The Sound of Music”, the agreed upon penalty for tardiness. Our day began with a coach ride from Croydon to downtown London. Bicyclists and motorcyclist were all around the coach like mosquitoes. I’m surprised these ?brave? gentlemen, and yes ladies, made it to work. We picked up John, our excellent ‘Blue Badge’ Guide who regaled us with for the remainder of the day. He was knowledgeable, entertaining and a true host in every sense of the word. His focus was our Delegates and he impressed on them the stories behind the history they were witnessing by the minute. We all listened with interest as we attended summer school without even knowing it, we were having such a good time!





The Delegates were beginning to loosen up and not only enjoy their program, but each other.

We explored the old Roman gate and St. Peter’s Cathedral.

We walked downtown through the history of the British Empire continually enlightened by John. We crossed the Millennium Bridge, past largest collection of Modern Art to the fully replicated Globe Theater, down to the straw roof.
Here’s one for Jodie


We learned the stories and influence of the Great Fire of 1666 and how ‘creative’ people all around the world can be to avoid having their pockets picked by the government. Avoiding the ‘Window Tax’ used as one of the ways to raise funds to fight those rebels in America.

Here is our Delegation at Buckingham Palace:

We of course had to see the daily changing of the Palace Guard at Buckingham Palace, too bad the Queen was elsewhere. Here are two of our great leaders and Rebecca unable to distract the guard from his duties protecting the Queen and her palace.


We watched as the old guard marched in and the new guard took over. The Dragoons (Horse Brigade) changed at the same time. They were down the street a bit so I didn’t get a good picture, but a few more of them up close and personal later.
On to a Medieval banquet with King Henry VII for lunch, who had some very complimentary words for our delegates and People to People Delegates in general. In a private ‘audience’ he confided to me that he won’t allow British teen groups in his establishment, but has received nothing but respect from our delegations. This speaks very highly of our delegates, their parents and the People to People Program and leadership


On to the tower of London to visit the Beefeaters, Ravens and The Crown Jewels (We were not allowed to photograph the Jewels) wouldn’t want to upset this guy,

or…

Our delegates learned the gruesome details of the English kings and their tower guest from our Blue Badge…


We went back to downtown London and experienced ‘The Sound of Music’ the London way at the Palladium Theater. Bravo!!! It was excellent, as good as any Broadway show I’ve seen.
I’m a day behind because time is premium here as the leaders perform the last bed check at about 11PM, then we meet and up again at 5:30 or 6 for breakfast and to organize the days activities.
We are heading to Warwick castle today, so it will be a few days before I will have an Internet connection to update…Until then, Cherrie O’ !
I put many of the pictures in this gallery. I took about 2-300 pictures a day, but mostly included pictures with people in them in the gallery. If anyone wants pictures of the art or the architecture , which was amazing, email me. I’ll eventually put the art and architecture pictures in a gallery connected with this one.

We made it here with no incident after being rebooked on British Air, which I’d recommend to anyone who flies here. Even the food was good

Sleeping on a plane is never good, unless you’re in 1st class. But my travel partner Rebecca took advantage of 4 open seats in a row

I put many of the pictures in this gallery. I took about 2-300 pictures a day, but mostly included pictures with people in them in the gallery. If anyone wants pictures of the art or the architecture , which was amazing, email me. I’ll eventually put the art and architecture pictures in a gallery connected with this one.
When we arrived, Wendell picked us up and connected us with our delegation…unfortunately it was after they’d finished the tour of Windsor Castle. It was magnificent from the outside and much bigger and more spacious then I’d imagined (No Pics as we were headed out to the birthplace of democracy…

On our way to where the people of England forced their King to sign the Magna Carta giving power to the people and setting the stage for democracy around the world, including those 1st rebel state of our good ‘ol USA

Then we hiked off to one of only two parcels of ground in the UK owned by the United States…

Delegates & Leaders remember John F. Kennedy and enjoyed budding friendships.


We returned to the ‘Coach’ to motor to our hotel and the end of a very full 1st day that startede in the USA!


There were too many views of London to post, but here are a few…

The leadership team we get to observe is GR8!

Of course, if you know me, you’ll know why I had to put this in

Here’s the view from my hotel room for the 1st few days..

I truly think we’ve started down the path to understanding England and eachother

So our flight to Newark, which was to connect us to Gatwick in London was cancelled.
The Continental Staff & my team @ work were GR8 though!
They got us rebooked on British Air, so we are leaving SeaTac @ 8:55 PM & will arrive at Heathrow @ 2PM
That’s 11hours in the air & 6AM PST, my home time…International travel sure does involve a lot of math

So I’ve gotten to explore the SeaTac Airport…You could spend a lot of money in the shops…
I found this plane hanging from the ceiling near the British Airways ticket counter pretty cool.

Hey, if we never make it to the Louvre, at least we go to see the artwork @ SeaTac
I put many of the pictures in this gallery. I took about 2-300 pictures a day, but mostly included pictures with people in them in the gallery. If anyone wants pictures of the art or the architecture , which was amazing, email me. I’ll eventually put the art and architecture pictures in a gallery connected with this one.

So far so good. Beautiful sunrise as my girls drove me to the airport. Kisses & hugs all around.
I put many of the pictures in this gallery. I took about 2-300 pictures a day, but mostly included pictures with people in them in the gallery. If anyone wants pictures of the art or the architecture , which was amazing, email me. I’ll eventually put the art and architecture pictures in a gallery connected with this one.

My partner was delayed so she took the 8AM flight & I assume she’s here by now, better go find her.
Sat next to a cute little boy who was going to Alaska with his little brother, sister, dad & friend.

Mt Baker out my window as we landed @ SeaTac

Clouds highlight the air flow as we descend into SeaTac…See you in Newark Freedom International Airport

I have taken a new position with People to People Ambassadors. This organization was started in 1956 by President Eisenhower as part of the State Department. We have grown a good deal in the last five decades and are now the Premiere Global Education Provider for Citizen (Adult), Student & Sports Ambassadors. At the time of this writing, there are about 18,000 ambassadors traveling in delegations all around the world. I will be traveling to London & Paris to observe one of the Student Delegations. This is the program I’ll be observing. I’ll post observations and pictures here over the next couple of weeks

GOD IS…!
Exodus 3:14

Life is not fair…God Is!
We are not in Control…God Is!
We are not Who we Live to Please…God Is!
We are not the Giver of our Talents…God Is!
We are not the One Who Makes the Rules…God Is!
We are not able to See the Whole Picture…God Is!
The Devil is not Going to Win…God IS!

-Gregory W. Naker

So I’ve been an on-and-off reader of Oswald Chambers over the years, but I didn’t really connect. Recently a friend quoted something quite impactful that he wrote. This caused me to pull out my copy of “My Utmost for His Highest”. God has been really working on my heart lately, for which I’m thankful…most of the time. I think my lack of connection with Chambers has/had more to do with my heart then his writing. I am beginning to think he was/is a fairly spiritually mature man. God has used this book to speak to me lately (Of course He is faithful and merciful enough to use whatever tool you provide☺). His May 9th thought from Proverbs 29:18 is particularly applicable to me. He is discussing the difference between vision & revelation and principles. In this discussion he says, “A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything.” I am convicted by how that has characterized my life. I have not ‘done nothing’, but I have been more concerned with idealistic principles. When I focus on getting the principles right by mere discussion, thinking and analysis, I am using worldly wisdom and am in danger of ‘always learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth’ (II Timothy 3:7).
In James 3:13ff the Lord’s brother defines and discusses Godly wisdom: “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show it by his good behavior, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Godly wisdom comes from and is expressed in doing. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22). In the last 20-30 years I have focused on understanding, defining and expressing the way things should be, the principles. I attended Bible/Preaching school and got A’s because I was able to understand and express the principles fairly well. There is nothing wrong with knowing the principles of God, but I had deluded myself. I’d convinced myself that what I taught could be separated from what I did. After all, not one is perfect and I am covered by grace…right? I taught principles I’d never practiced and deluded myself into thinking that was OK. I focused on knowing the word and expressing it persuasively…that was easier the doing it. When I did this, I was complimented and praised for my good teaching and preaching. I am fearful of James’ exhortation to teachers…thank God for His grace and His faithful work in my heart! I will not teach mere principles again, I will teach from the experience of God’s work in my life. I want my life, and any teaching God allows me to do, to spring from the moral inspiration of trusting God and seeing Him come through! (And boy does He come through!) This comes from first obeying and trusting Him…completely, in everything, no exceptions! I can make no provision for the flesh and its lusts (Romans 13:14). I am not God and as I have started to do this, it is amazing how God works! He is so very faithful and I can’t wait to see what He will do next! I will spend the next 20-30 years (God willing) focused on doing the word, His word, not mine. I pray that He develops Godly behavior expressed in the humility of wisdom in me. Lord help me be a man of action, not merely a man of principles. Help me to prove myself a doer of the word!

This is a post card that I’ve scanned, at the writing it’s 97 years old!
I was given this post card by a friend of mine from Toast Masters.
I have lost touch with him and don’t recall his name.
I grew up next door to Manito Park
so this is especially fascinating to me.
I’m guessing that this is looking east and a little North from what is now the picnic area just west of Grande Blvd.
I’m going to have to do a bit of research now!
Feel free to comment and add your insights as to where it is.
Also, I haven’t taken the time to try to read the writing on the back…feel free to help us there as well
(Click the picture to enlarge to full size)