Ole Joe

Famous as the tallest free-standing clock tower in the UK (they have a LOT of clock towers here...), 'Ole Joe' as he is affectionately named is one of my favorite parts of campus. I finally decided to take a picture of him as I was waiting on campus for a special lecture on Friday evening. It was about 3:30pm, so I now have proof of how early it gets dark here.

Create

My Primary lesson tomorrow is on the Creation, and I re-watched this in preparation for it. This is still one of my top 5 favorite Mormon Messages. It makes me grateful for even the limited imagination I have, but even more grateful to know that I have the capacity to become just as endlessly creative as my Heavenly Father.

#nailedit

I briefly mentioned that I had to make a video for one of my school projects--about what my group thought should be the next development goal for the international agenda after 2015. I'd never even opened the Movie software on my computer before, let alone tried to make anything with it. But the venture wasn't a total wash because it won first place in the class competition (if you recall my previous post about the miraculous blessings of tithing... this was DEFINITELY one of them!). So without further adieu, here is my award-winning video.

The Blessings of Tithing

"...prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." -Malachi 3:10

Sometimes that blessing is more literally fulfilled than others. A few weeks ago was one of those times. I'm still not really sure why, but one night I had someone show up at my house with several bags of groceries for me, a Christmas gift from the ward he said... Words really failed me, and they still do when I think of it. I really don't like to ask for help, and it's hard for me to accept it (control complex, pride, or maybe both haha), but I was so thoroughly humbled by this kind and generous gesture.

I won't deny that I've pretty much been living off of rice and beans and toast for the last several months... not because I CAN'T get other food, but because I'm budgeting as carefully as possible. So I tried my best to talk them into taking this food to someone else who really needed it... but for some reason they were under strict instructions to force their generosity onto me. So I finally just gave in, expressed my gratitude as profusely as possible, and then went inside to try and find a place for it all.

We have a small kitchen, and I have 2 cupboards as my designated space for food... I therefore had to stack food on top of the cabinets. Luckily the fridge was mostly empty as my housemates were preparing to leave for holiday, and I was able to cram the rest into our tiny freezer. But literally, if they'd brought even one more item, it would've just had to sit on the counter because there was NO MORE ROOM!

Why yes that is Mint Cookie ice cream. The deluxe version.

And this one is called Chocolatina, which I thought was a fabulous name.
This was my first ice cream in MONTHS, which is basically like denying my soul of its lifeblood. I mean, I AM a Blackburn for heaven's sake. This was just the tender mercy cherry on top of an already magnanimous miracle. 

This happened on a Monday. And every day for the rest of that same week, the blessings just kept on coming. An extension for my job, a mark of distinction on my video project, my video winning 1st place in class, completing all my research and papers with plenty of time to spare, etc. I really felt so strongly all week that each of those blessings was directly related to my paying tithing the previous Sunday.

I know that the Law of Tithing is for OUR good, not because God wants or needs my measly money. But He does want my whole heart, and He does want to bless me... because He LOVES me! Not because I earn His love or His blessings with each pound I pay in tithing, but just because I am His daughter and He wants to make me happy and bless me with all that He has. I love that about Him. And I'm grateful that He loves to exist even in the smallest details of my life. Gracias Padre Celestial.

A traditional British Christmas Dinner... American style

My roommates wanted to celebrate Christmas together before they left, so we decided to have a traditional British Christmas dinner. The only problem was that they were both out of town all weekend, so I was the nominated chef. Of course I made it all up like I normally do when I cook... 

...except for these bad boys. I had never even seen one let alone tasted one before I made them. But I'm pretty sure I nailed it. Perfect Yorkshire Puddings, first try.

It really was as delicious as it looks, if I do say so myself.

After dinner we watched a Christmas show and just spent some quality time together. It really was a great Poole House Christmas celebration.

But now my housemates have both been gone for 3 weeks and I'm ready to have them back. But I'll probably be alone for another 2 weeks. Let's hope I can be productive since I have no excuses not to!

Preston Temple Trip--yes another one!

The path to the temple through the gardens... can't wait to see this in the spring!

Although obviously some plants have missed the memo about winter...

The little beauty was in the pond by the distribution center. Never seen a swan up close before.  Enchanting!

For those who've been complaining I don't take enough pictures, I had perfect lighting on the way home from church a couple weeks ago so I got a few from along my route.

Grove Park, Harborne
Yes, that is the sun already starting to set. At 3:30pm. Tragic truth.

Harborne Park Road, with Ole Joe (the clock tower on campus) in the background

A better shot of Ole Joe--the tallest freestanding clock tower in the UK, and he's on my campus. What a beaut.

All of the trees and fences are covered in a bright green lichen or something. Don't know what it is, but it's beautiful.

I walk this path through the park multiple times a week on my way to/from the chapel, which is about 1.5 miles from my house.

Just listening to Lamb of God as usual on my way home from church.
It was a gorgeous day but freezing cold!

I love how English these houses look. They remind me that I REALLY live here.

The PERFECT climbing tree. One day I will sit on that branch. He calls my name every time I walk by him. 

Quinton Road

My street... one of the better-looking signs into the neighbourhood.

My street. Completely charming.

My home. Not much from the outside. Or the inside to be honest. But it's Home, and I love it!
The two windows on top are both my room

Angels We Have Heard on High (Christmas w/ 32 fingers and 8 thumbs) - Th...

Every. Day.

This truck drives by doing this every day. At least once, if not two or three times. Part of me hates it. The other part of me is reminded of the Latino produce trucks on the mission that broadcast the last lines of "La Cucarracha" over their loudspeakers every day...

But don't ask me what he's saying. It's not English.

Made My Day