So we decided to head out for the weekend. We have not officially gone anywhere "far" yet. So York it is, in honor of New York at 9-11. We were not sure of what to expect, but we have heard it is a nice place. Looking at the weather, it looked liked we'd be soaked a bit, but we brought our rain boots or wellies. ;)
No rain on Friday. We spent the day going straight into town 1st to find parking. We headed right behind the Minster church and thought we could park there. Needless to say, a young woman said we aren't supposed to- an American. We asked her where we could and she said for us not to worry about it and go ahead and talk to this particular police man and he and she gave us the OK. 1st freebie! Hallelujah! So I get to talking to Lisa- the American who now resides in the UK and her job is working at the gigantic Minster- as a rep. She was not only a Lisa, but from Ohio and she went to Miami U in Oxford- small world! We struck up a friendship and then she escorted us into the Minster... getting us in for free to be kind. 2nd freebie! Double hallelujah! God was so good! She told us to be back by 5 to hear the men's choir sing. So we were back and enjoyed hearing this group of men sing as well as stay for a real English style service. We met a man named Daniel as we walked through York- he had the joy of the Lord all over his face. We enjoyed talking with him... Daniel not only a scientist, but a pastor as well. Great guy- we parted ways. Then while we waited for the men's choir to begin, a blind man approached us and was the most humble and kind man ever. Originally from Australia, he shared his wife was from the UK and that is where they currently reside. So we were able to share with him about Emily doing missions over there and we realized he was a true born again believer. He is a retired 'solicitor' which we got a kick out of. I'm thinking there is no way this guy did any kind of door to door stuff or phone stuff... he is a retired lawyer- or solicitor. HA! Anyway, what an amazing spirit.
We enjoyed our 1st day in York seeing so many ruins and hearing a lot of history. Day 2 we got up and had our devotions and set out. We were heading to Menwith Hill to get gas which was about 30 miles away when we stumbled on some incredible Abbey ruins! I was so excited to get over and walk in time and wonder what on earth and who are earth resided in such a place. Then we drove off after photos to a place called Plumpton Rocks- and saw a young woman there. We realized this place was basically a park with some water and rock formations and decided not to pay for that as we really wanted to see Fountains Abbey. So we left but before we did this girl shared with us that she loved America and Lucky Charms cereal. We went on to Menwith Hill and were so thankful to be able to get gas cheap!! We decided to head to the commissary and buy this young woman Lucky Charms. 5 boxes to be exact- and Nathan put tracts in each box. We went back and saw this girl and shared that we had something for her and you would have thought she won the lottery. She was so shocked! We made her day- a little God thing. It made our hearts glad. On to the Abbey. We get there and realize that the friends who let us borrow their passes and parking sticker had their names on it and we didn't feel right. So Nathan shared that we needed to forget it and just honor the Lord by paying for this stuff- and to our shock and amazement... when we went in to pay- it was National Heritage Day- our 3rd freebie! No cost period! A huge savings! We truly felt overwhelmingly blessed. Nathan had found a very cheap deal at the hotel as well which was beautiful! After the ruins there was a red coat re-enactment that we got to see with them shooting their muskets. Amazing day, amazing photos. No rain! On the way back to the hotel... there was a storm brewing and we saw the most incredible rainbow we had EVER seen- EVER! Not only incredibly wide, but so colorful and vibrant- bold! We got photos and were thanking God for being so good to us- as we are so undeserving! I got a little weepy thinking that because we gave those stupid Lucky Charms cereal away to a needy girl- that God let Emily perhaps paint a rainbow. Sappy- silly. Nathan felt it was just giving the Lucky Charms to this girl and God ended our day beautifully. On day 3 Sunday... we got up and had our devotions before heading into York for the last day. We were trying to find cheap parking and one place was 16 pound - huge money! Another place was 7 pound but was completely sketchy- and God literally told us not to go there. We're so thankful we didn't! We see a fire dept. where Nathan went to ask one of the guys where a cheaper and trust worthy sight would be and they let us park there for free- 4th freebie! Not only that, we struck it up with a firefighter who Nathan gave a Jax FD shirt to, so this guy gave him one from York FD. They all wanted us back for the remembrance of 911. We came back and got to hear them ring the bells, pull out the trucks and remember the men and women who bravely lost their lives. They flew an American flag in honor of those brave police and firemen. It was a humble and wonderful experience! Jesus made this past weekend one to remember for a long time! Nathan and I feel so blessed to say the least- and it was awesome!
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