London, England

Our time is coming to a close in London. We have been enjoying all the typical tourist sights. Our hotel is beautifully situated on the South Bank of the Thames in the Southwark district - has a wonderful view of St. Paul's across the river:

Observed the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace along with every other tourist in London. Took a hundred pictures, but here is just one:

And what is more iconic for London than a red telephone booth:

 

 

London, England

Arrived in London safely and the past three days we have enjoyed extraordinary weather. Every Londoner is out on the streets basking in the the sunshine after a long period of cold, wet weather. This city is full of youthful, vibrant energy.

 

After a vist to St. Paul's cathedral, we visited Steve Woodworth, a fellow MPC'er who has been working in London all year and will be coming home June 30. He can hardly wait! Steve was impressed that we came all the way to London to make a pastoral call. Well, actually, Steve knows we didn't just come to see him, but he certainly became an important part of our itinerary!

So far, I have taken a couple of bad falls, and I am fortunate not to have a broken arm, hip or ankle. Extra-strength Tylenol has kept the pain at bay. Too much gawking and not enough "minding my steps."

Today was a big day - toured the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. The highlight of the tour so far: attending the evensong service at the abbey and sitting just a few yards away from the very spot where kings and queens of England have been crowned since 1066, beginning with William the Conqueror. It brought tears to my eyes - such amazing history and such a spiritual place!

 

 

 

Boston, Mass

The last few days we have been enjoying the city of Boston. Walked the Freedom Trail on an absolutely beautiful day, and took jaunts to Atkinson, New Hampshire (where my ancestor was pastor) and Lexington. For a history buff, this was heaven! Valynn, especially, was keen on taking a tour of Fenway Park - baseball's oldest park - celebrating it's 100th birthday. Here is Valynn with the Green Monster behind her:

On our way to London this evening!

 

Worcester, Mass.

We are in Worcester, Mass. where I have spent the last three days in the American Antiquarian Society pouring over the diaries of an ancestor of mine, the Rev. Stephen Peabody, who was a pastor in Atkinson, New Hampshire, during the last half of the 18th century. There are twelve volumes of his diaries dating from 1767 - 1814. He was pastor in Atkinson for 47 years - a lot longer than I have been in Mukilteo!

Parson Peabody's handwiting was tiny and therefore laborious to read. Here are some pages of his diary of 1777, where he expresses his astonishment at the American defeat at Fort Ticonderoga by British forces led by General Burgoyne:

Some day I hope to write a book about him. His last entry of his diary: My fleeting time is passing fast, My minutes hastening towards the last, May I improve them as I fly, and ever be prepared to die!"

 

Happy Graduation

Congratulations to our daughter Jill, who graduated from Whitworth University on Mother's Day. Best Mother's Day present ever!

Smith Itinerary

Here is a general outline of our itinerary: Boston (May 15-22) England-Scotland (May 24-June 14) Belgium (June 15-22) Northern France (June 23-30) Sancerre, France (June 30-July 28) Paris (July 28-August 4) Southern France (August 5-12) Italy (August 13-Sept 2) We are pretty excited, as you can imagine! We are glad to have all three kids home holding down the fort.

We're Thankful

Valynn and I want to express our gratitude to Mukilteo Presbyterian Church for giving us the opportunity to take a four month sabbatical. Very nice!  We were also very pleased to have received a very generous grant from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program. The Endowment annually provides as many as 120 grants of up to $50,000 each directly to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their pastor. The grants make it possible for pastors to step away from the pressures of daily ministry to do whatever "makes their heart sing."  For me, that means heading to Europe to visit cathedrals and places of historical significance to the Christian faith. We will also spend some time learning French and enjoying French culture.