In the process of running a few errands recently I needed the assistance of my British speaking GPS attendant to make sure I knew where I was going. Her British voice reminded me of the United Kingdom as we visited the UK in the past month.
Life at Camp Cross is now getting back to our normal day-to-day routine. I have had time to reflect on our three-week visit to the United Kingdom as we were with our daughter, Jessica, and her family in July.
It was our third visit to the UK with previous trips occurring in 2014 and 2022. Specifically, our time while in country was spent in Windsor and in the back yard of Windsor Castle, preferred home of the late Queen Elizabeth.
We took several walks on The Long Walk, which is picturesque walkway ending at Windsor Castle on one end and the Copper Horse statue adjacent to the Great Deer Park on the other end.
When we were not getting our exercise on The Long Walk, we took other long walks into town (between 1-2 miles) to grab a treat, watch the soldiers marching through town on their way to the changing of the guard, or to do some shopping.
We also attended the year-end ceremonies at our grandchildren’s school as well as took a day trip to Greys Court, a Tudor country house and gardens in the county of Oxfordshire, near Henley-on-the-Thames, where world class sculling races occur.
Jessica and Jeff arranged for a 5-day get-a-way to the Isle of Wight, an island off England’s southern coast. The village of Yarmouth was our home away from home during our stay.
We visited a very nice coffee shop, the Word of Mouth, on a daily basis and learned the owners had connections near our home town in Pennsylvania.
We toured The Solent, a straight between the Isle of Wight and mainland Great Britain, and visited Osborne House which served as Queen Victoria’s summer estate.
On the boat charter we visited The Needles, which are a row of three stacks of chalk-like formations that rise out of the sea off the coast of the Isle of Wight in the English Channel, close to Alum Bay.
We also toured the Alum Bay Glass Shop where we experienced glass blowing first hand. The cozy warm temperatures inside the building were highly inviting when compared to the mid-50 degree, rainy temperatures outside.
On the return back to Windsor we stopped at the New Forest National Park, an area in southern England known for its forest trails and wild ponies which roam freely.
On the final Sunday prior to heading back to the United States, we attended King’s Church International lead by our new friends (and kindred spirits), Wes and Adriana Richards.
Unbeknownst to us we were invited to an elegant British tea at the Richard’s home the day before our return flight. Their hospitality and words of encouragement were simply well timed and such a blessing to us. Their hydrangea garden was spectacular and full of color.
Most of all, we thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with Jessica and Jeff, and our grandchildren Danalyn, Garrett, and Teagan.
Their hospitality and generosity was over the top and as parents, we knew we were loved. We were able to meet several sets of their friends who came for dinner and enjoyed their company as well.
In our wildest imagination we never thought we would travel to England in our lives, let alone three times.
I am reasonably unaware of the intricacies of British politics. However, I get the sense that the political environment is similar to that we experience in the states. It made me wonder about the long term prognosis of the UNITED States and the UNITED Kingdom, given the chronic divisiveness which exists and contradicts the UNITED aspect of the country names.
I am reminded of the following verses:
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Mark 3:24-25 ESV)
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34 NLT)
The word righteousness in this passage is referring to a nation that adheres to God’s righteous standards as found in His moral law.
There is only one Kingdom which is eternal and it is UNITED under One King who will reign forever.
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15 NLT)
I am grateful to live in the United States. I am thankful for the opportunities we have had to spend time with our family in the United Kingdom.
Above all else, I am a citizen of a Kingdom which has eternal implications and importance.
Our prayer is that you get to experience this Kingdom as well.
