This is me and Meg just after we finished dancing and being silly with Jules and Beth. It was SO much fun, and I miss those girls SOOOOOO much! =(
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The Escapade...Part 2
It was a dark and chilly evening! Three adventurous boys led four unsuspecting girls into the misty unknown. Wandering through the hushed streets of Merthyr, the troupe at last reached the outskirts of the park. Some attempted to scale the rather large wall separating the protected castle from intruding pedestrians…it didn’t work.
They ventured further and found a few rod iron bars that had been pulled apart…no doubt it was done by previous intruders. The seven managed to squeeze through one by one, some living more dangerously than others. Once inside, the girls clung to one another, as if somehow constructing a fearsome, stronghold by linking arms and trudging down the soggy, unlit path together. The boys led the way through the pitch-blackness, skillfully using their video camera light to…uh…light the path. They plodded down to the gloomy stage, stood on it and looked at the castle for a brief moment, then they all decided it was best to leave quickly.
The trek back to the gate seemed to take much less time than it did to reach the coveted stage. They had a close call though, as they neared the Trespasser’s Entrance, when they saw a figure darting about in the shadows and then climbing out the way they had gotten in. Soon after, they noticed a policeman strolling by, peering through the bars and into their souls…er, the park! This moment much reminded me of the scene from The Sound Of Music where the family is hiding in the cemetery from the Nazis. But the kindly officer continued on down the street, unaware that seven mischievous shadows lurked behind a cluster of trees. Again, one by one, the seven filtered themselves through the crude opening in the bars, but this time back into wonderfully lit streets! They all concurred that it was time to go back to their homes, as it was nearing the midnight hour. They began sheepishly walking down the streets, only to be stopped by the painful winces of one of the girls who had twisted her ankle while attempting to climb out of the park! Remorse quickly fell on the other six as they realized they had not cared for their sister in arms as they should have. The boys helped her walk gingerly down the slanted streets, only to realize moments later that they had no idea where they were going! The group searched for any familiar signs or streets, in hopes that something would jog their memory and they would be pointed in the right direction. But alas, none could be found. So one of the boys decided to attack…I mean, ask an older gentleman getting out of a taxi cab for directions. The poor man misunderstood the lad’s question and sent the troupe walking in circles, ending up in a dark alley in front of some foreboding houses. The six knew the invalid among them should not walk any further until they had clear direction of where they were going, so as not to agitate the girl’s ankle. Two of the boys were sent off down the street, with the daunting task of finding a way back to each home. The last boy was left with the terrifying responsibility of protecting four frightened girls from whatever lay ahead.
They sat and prayed for the poor girl’s ankle and for their safety, AND that the sent boys would return with the way home. They opened their eyes, and there were the two boys, waving at them to follow quickly! So the reunited troupe once again set off, this time, with a spark of hope that they would be home before midnight! But as they neared the first intersection, the boys realized they didn’t know which way to turn. They were just about to step into the intersection, when they heard loud slurring voices coming from the right. When they discovered that the noise was coming from a local pub and there were several drunken men staggering outside, they felt it best to stay in the dark alley they were standing in, rather than be discovered by the inebriated gentlemen. Once again, the two boys were sent off, only to be found quickly by Dave (the kind man that the boys were staying with), who was in his car looking for the boys! Dave picked up the two, who took him to the now panicking group, as the drunks were making their way down the street, closer to the girls and the last boy. The two jumped out of the car, and the five began to walk towards the car in relief. Then realizing that their identity had been discovered by the wandering drunks, and were now being hooted and hollered at, the girls dove into the car; the boys hung back ready to protect their sisters in Christ with a fight, if necessary! Fortunately, Pastor Garreth drove up right behind Dave to pick up the boys.
On the way back to the girls’ host homes, the girls pondered and grieved over the past few hours, wishing they could have been a better example, and less of a headache, to the Merthyr church. The four girls parted, and the two remaining were driven home in silence. They sneaked up the stairs, growing more sorrowful with each creaking step. Each fell into her bed worn-out, scared, and remorseful. They continued to talk about the evening, though; unable to rid their minds of the embarrassment they had caused their leaders…in both countries. Hours later, they drifted into a fitful, exhausted sleep, knowing they must face their unsuspecting fearless leader (Mike) in the morning…and dreading it!
They ventured further and found a few rod iron bars that had been pulled apart…no doubt it was done by previous intruders. The seven managed to squeeze through one by one, some living more dangerously than others. Once inside, the girls clung to one another, as if somehow constructing a fearsome, stronghold by linking arms and trudging down the soggy, unlit path together. The boys led the way through the pitch-blackness, skillfully using their video camera light to…uh…light the path. They plodded down to the gloomy stage, stood on it and looked at the castle for a brief moment, then they all decided it was best to leave quickly.
The trek back to the gate seemed to take much less time than it did to reach the coveted stage. They had a close call though, as they neared the Trespasser’s Entrance, when they saw a figure darting about in the shadows and then climbing out the way they had gotten in. Soon after, they noticed a policeman strolling by, peering through the bars and into their souls…er, the park! This moment much reminded me of the scene from The Sound Of Music where the family is hiding in the cemetery from the Nazis. But the kindly officer continued on down the street, unaware that seven mischievous shadows lurked behind a cluster of trees. Again, one by one, the seven filtered themselves through the crude opening in the bars, but this time back into wonderfully lit streets! They all concurred that it was time to go back to their homes, as it was nearing the midnight hour. They began sheepishly walking down the streets, only to be stopped by the painful winces of one of the girls who had twisted her ankle while attempting to climb out of the park! Remorse quickly fell on the other six as they realized they had not cared for their sister in arms as they should have. The boys helped her walk gingerly down the slanted streets, only to realize moments later that they had no idea where they were going! The group searched for any familiar signs or streets, in hopes that something would jog their memory and they would be pointed in the right direction. But alas, none could be found. So one of the boys decided to attack…I mean, ask an older gentleman getting out of a taxi cab for directions. The poor man misunderstood the lad’s question and sent the troupe walking in circles, ending up in a dark alley in front of some foreboding houses. The six knew the invalid among them should not walk any further until they had clear direction of where they were going, so as not to agitate the girl’s ankle. Two of the boys were sent off down the street, with the daunting task of finding a way back to each home. The last boy was left with the terrifying responsibility of protecting four frightened girls from whatever lay ahead.
They sat and prayed for the poor girl’s ankle and for their safety, AND that the sent boys would return with the way home. They opened their eyes, and there were the two boys, waving at them to follow quickly! So the reunited troupe once again set off, this time, with a spark of hope that they would be home before midnight! But as they neared the first intersection, the boys realized they didn’t know which way to turn. They were just about to step into the intersection, when they heard loud slurring voices coming from the right. When they discovered that the noise was coming from a local pub and there were several drunken men staggering outside, they felt it best to stay in the dark alley they were standing in, rather than be discovered by the inebriated gentlemen. Once again, the two boys were sent off, only to be found quickly by Dave (the kind man that the boys were staying with), who was in his car looking for the boys! Dave picked up the two, who took him to the now panicking group, as the drunks were making their way down the street, closer to the girls and the last boy. The two jumped out of the car, and the five began to walk towards the car in relief. Then realizing that their identity had been discovered by the wandering drunks, and were now being hooted and hollered at, the girls dove into the car; the boys hung back ready to protect their sisters in Christ with a fight, if necessary! Fortunately, Pastor Garreth drove up right behind Dave to pick up the boys.
On the way back to the girls’ host homes, the girls pondered and grieved over the past few hours, wishing they could have been a better example, and less of a headache, to the Merthyr church. The four girls parted, and the two remaining were driven home in silence. They sneaked up the stairs, growing more sorrowful with each creaking step. Each fell into her bed worn-out, scared, and remorseful. They continued to talk about the evening, though; unable to rid their minds of the embarrassment they had caused their leaders…in both countries. Hours later, they drifted into a fitful, exhausted sleep, knowing they must face their unsuspecting fearless leader (Mike) in the morning…and dreading it!
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Escapade...Part 1
Monday morning, Julie and I drove over to the Lloyds with Lynda to “regroup” before all the different teams were sent out to begin the work of spreading the word about the Fun in the Park day. =D There was a small group of Welsh and Americans that went to some local schools to put on a short skit and tell them about the Fun in the Park. The rest of us non-thespians were broken into 3 groups and were sent out to different neighborhoods to go “leafleting”. It was kind of weird, because I hadn’t done this in a while. But I quickly overcame my fear of dogs and…people…and was able to “press on” for the glory of God! Even though we did get a few door-slams that morning, I was so enjoying the scenery as we walked through the streets of Merthyr. There is so much that us “city folk” take for granted, living 10-20 yards from the next house and hiding midst the towering buildings constructed only in the last several decades. I LOVED walking only a block from the house we were staying at to an old catholic church that was just sitting on the corner of the neighborhood. ~This was just one of my few rabbit trails…I hardly EVER go on rabbit trails during my stories! Speaking of rabbits though…~
So after a morning of walking up and down steps, opening and shutting some really cool-looking gates, and knocking on doors till our knuckles bled (well, not really), we all drove back to the Lloyd’s for lunch. This was so much fun! Each of our families had packed us lunchboxes of some sort, and had made note of our likes and dislikes in just the last few days! It was so sweet! We all ate outside under this little garden area covered by a trellis. After lunch we went out to leaflet some more. That evening after we had “freshened up” at our respective homes, all our families drove us to this Chinese restaurant downtown where the pastors and their families met up with us and we took up the entire upstairs of the restaurant! You know, in the typical American fashion. I ate these little white foamy things that didn’t taste like anything. I tried a few other things for the first time too, but I don’t remember their names. It was a wonderful dinner and really fun fellowship with the church members.
Following dinner, Mike and Sharon (a couple in the Merthyr church) asked a few people to come over to their house down the street for a “sing night”. They ended up receiving the whole American team and some of their host family members! AGH! It was very enjoyable, with Nathan playing the piano, James playing the guitar, and Kyle and some of the other guys leading a time of worship. We sang some old traditional hymns, and some newer upbeat worship songs. It was a wonderful time of refreshing, and bonding with our spiritual family. But of course, we had to go out with a BANG that night! As they were finishing up, a few of us decided to go down to Cafarthfa Castle so we could view the castle from the stage we would be playing on in a few days. Some of the guys had already seen it all lit up at night and said it looked really cool. So we got directions from Andy and we were off!...at 10 o’clock at night….the time that the Cafarthfa park closes….without a native Merthyrian to guide us through the city…boy, we're adventurous!
So after a morning of walking up and down steps, opening and shutting some really cool-looking gates, and knocking on doors till our knuckles bled (well, not really), we all drove back to the Lloyd’s for lunch. This was so much fun! Each of our families had packed us lunchboxes of some sort, and had made note of our likes and dislikes in just the last few days! It was so sweet! We all ate outside under this little garden area covered by a trellis. After lunch we went out to leaflet some more. That evening after we had “freshened up” at our respective homes, all our families drove us to this Chinese restaurant downtown where the pastors and their families met up with us and we took up the entire upstairs of the restaurant! You know, in the typical American fashion. I ate these little white foamy things that didn’t taste like anything. I tried a few other things for the first time too, but I don’t remember their names. It was a wonderful dinner and really fun fellowship with the church members.
Following dinner, Mike and Sharon (a couple in the Merthyr church) asked a few people to come over to their house down the street for a “sing night”. They ended up receiving the whole American team and some of their host family members! AGH! It was very enjoyable, with Nathan playing the piano, James playing the guitar, and Kyle and some of the other guys leading a time of worship. We sang some old traditional hymns, and some newer upbeat worship songs. It was a wonderful time of refreshing, and bonding with our spiritual family. But of course, we had to go out with a BANG that night! As they were finishing up, a few of us decided to go down to Cafarthfa Castle so we could view the castle from the stage we would be playing on in a few days. Some of the guys had already seen it all lit up at night and said it looked really cool. So we got directions from Andy and we were off!...at 10 o’clock at night….the time that the Cafarthfa park closes….without a native Merthyrian to guide us through the city…boy, we're adventurous!
SLACKER!
Okay, I know. Sorry for the extreme delay. But here we go! I'm going to be posting one day right after another so I can be done with it! :) Feel free to ask questions, or let me know if you think I left out details.
Thanks, once again, for being patient...for the most part! ;)
Thanks, once again, for being patient...for the most part! ;)
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