Happy Birthday to me

Well, it is August 27th. That should be a good day, right? Then why do I feel so lousy? Regardless of the fact that my ear is feeling a little better (I got a few more hours of sleep last night) and I am not entirely drugged up on miracle pills, I am not having a great day yet. Like Ryan said this morning, birthdays should be good days that you spend with family and friends and have cake and presents, and I am not getting to do any of that. Plus I am sick, and I am so tired of being sick. So far in this country I have been sick more than I have been well, and what fun is that??

We went to church this morning at a little baptist church down the street from our house. We have walked by it many many times since we moved here, and we thought it would be convenient. It wasn't unconvenient, but it was all older people, so we probably won't be going back. The pastor was nice enough though, and he had a good sermon, but we really need a place that we can make friends and fellowship with people (preferrably our own age!) They did sing hymns though, which made me kinda happy. Except I couldn't sing them between the tears. The pastor must have thought I was nuts!! The last song they sang was "Trust and Obey" which was especially touching since neither of us really want to be here right now. We are homesick, and lonely, and surrounded by a million people who don't know or care that we exist. And we keep hearing horrer stories about teaching the kids here, and that doesn't ease any fears about starting next week!!! I am sure life will get better once we know some people (we have yet to have any roommates move in) and once we get our internet installed. And maybe once my ear stops hurting all the time!!! Please pray that we make it through the next couple of weeks. They will no doubt be the hardest of all our time here.

We did go to London yesterday. The bus passes that we bought are good for all of London and it's surrounding areas, so our home is on the farthest outskirting region of what is included. So it didn't cost us any more to go to London for the day than it did for us to ride the bus to the mall at the end of our street! That was a bonus. I wasn't sure I wanted to go, since I haven't been feeling well, but I sucked it up and went anyway. We didn't get much sightseeing in before I insisted that we go home. My pain from the ear had travelled to my jaw, and I could barely talk let alone eat something. We did see Buckingham Palace though, which was cool. I pictured the Queen standing at one of the windows wondering who all the people were outside her gate. There must have been hundreds of people milling around. It really makes you feel small and insignificant. We do have pictures, and I will get them up soon. I really can't wait to get internet at home. Having to go to a cafe everytime is starting to suck!!

I think I am almost out of time, so I will say farewell for now. We love you all very much and look forward to talking with you soon!!