Autumn Half Term, Part 1

If you're visiting my blog for the first time, click here to see what I'm doing this year!

Word Comparison:
English: rubber. American: eraser.
The first time a child asked me for a rubber, I almost had a heart attack!
English: pants. American: underwear
Don't compliment people's pants. They'll either laugh at you or think you're incredibly rude.

Sorry, I'm a bit behind on my blogging; so much has been happening! My apologies about the length of this blog.

Colchester Castle

Two Wednesdays ago was rehearsal for Boxted Methodist Silver Band. Finally beginning to read treble clef! (a little bit) There is actually a song we played that I could read the whole piece of music except for one phrase! WOOT!
Thursday, I met with Colchester Youth Outreach (CYO) in the morning for a prayer and planning meeting. They're a great bunch of people :) We talked about the possibility of me going into one of the secondary schools this year to work with the kids! We'll see how this pans out. Thursday evening was the Point youth club, and we made paper mache globes and talked about creation!

On Friday, we had the Edge youth group, and we had a lovely evening of worship and prayer. We sang some of the songs we are considering using for our contemporary worship after the new year, to get a feel for the songs we'll be playing soon :) We also took turns reading prayers and scripture, and doing activities in between! We did stone washing, where you write your sins/fears on stones with chalk pastels then wash them off, symbolically washing your sins away! This is an idea that Heidi suggested and we did during worship at our last TFG conference, and I decided to use it with my kids :) Also, we did watercolour psalms, where we read a psalm and painted our interpretation onto watercolour paper. The pictures that came out of this were absolutely beautiful, and many of the kids gave me their paintings! I will have such a beautifully decorated room by the end of the year :D

Kathleen and I pointing to the Roman tiles

On Saturday, Kathleen came to visit me! :D :D :D We cooked lunch together, then went into Colchester and walked around the town! Colchester is the oldest recorded town in all of the UK, and has a big stone wall surrounding the town, though it's crumbling. The wall was rebuilt sometime this millenium, but still has red Roman tiles from the original wall which was built around 0 AD! When Jesus walked the earth! Gah :D We also went to Colchester Castle, and saw some pieces of the oldest mosaic in the UK!

The Inn at Stratford St Mary

Afterwards, we looked around the shops in the town, including a music store where I bought tuba sheet music! and a charity shop (like a thrift store in America, but smaller, better organised, with better things) Kathleen and I both got new jackets for under 10 quid! We then went to Dedham for cream tea! Dedham's Essex Rose tea shop definitely has the best cream tea, which Kathleen confirmed. We drove down to the river, and saw a bunch of mallard ducks as well as a swan sitting in the middle of a car park! Swans are so mean weird. I then gave Kathleen a little tour of our two villages! I think she enjoyed the sprawling English countryside.



When we got home, Kathleen asked to play the tuba! :D :D :D Girl after my own heart. It's hard to explain how to play the tuba, and even if you can explain it, it's hard to do something you've never done before! It was totally fun though, and Kathleen did a great job! She even played different octaves, and I helped her play a Bb major scale! She's a true musician :) Patsy-Ann made us supper when we got home, and then we had a game tournament! We played mastermind, boggle, some pig game, and an intense game of Checkers! Luckily, Kathleen got impatient and I won! She's a better checkers player than I am, so I was very excited to win ^_^

On Sunday, I took Kathleen to church! I was happy that she got to meet my church family :) When I introduced her to Rev Tim, he immediately recognized her, because she had been initially placed in my placement, but had to be moved because Langham and Boxted weren't sure they could take on another volunteer this year! Once they did solidify the need for a volunteer, they were given me. Poor guys :P

Canoeing! Kathleen, Becky, and Lawrence

We went to my buddy family, the Sheils, for Sunday dinner afterwards. We had a bite to eat, and then since it was Lawrence's birthday, I took Kathleen, Becky, and Lawrence to the river for CANOEING! We had soooo much fun!! I was a little worried at first because Lawrence was talking about flipping the canoe and going for a swim, but he stayed still the whole time! And no one seemed to like it much when I rocked the canoe... I thought it was fun! XD

Patsy-Ann helped us strap the canoe onto the roof of her car, and we went to Stratford St Mary and canoed to Dedham, then turned around and came back. I sat in the back and steered, Kathleen was in the front paddling, and the kids sat in the middle and behaved well ^_^

Swans closing in, Cygnets behind them

We passed a bunch of fishermen, and also some swans and cygnets (baby swans). If cygnets are around, swans get very territorial and will attack you. We came very close to this happening...  I steered us to the other side of the river, but the swans came over and ruffled up their feathers and came less than a foot from the back of the boat where I was sitting. It freaked me out! Luckily, we got the heck out of dodge and when we passed the second time, they were gone. Thankfully! Near the end, Kathleen and Becky switched and Becky got a turn to paddle!

Having a blast canoeing!

After canoeing, we went back home and had Sunday roast at the Sheils, and it was soooo good! Kathleen doesn't have a buddy family in her placement and I think we need to sort one out for her. I have no idea where I'd be without mine! After dinner, Kathleen headed back home. Totally wish she could've stayed longer, but I'm so glad she visited and can't wait til she visits next :)

Linda feeding an eager goat, Lawrence taking a photo

On Monday, the Sheils took me to Jimmie's Farm which was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!! We got to see and pet a bunch of different animals like pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, emus, turkeys, peacocks, rabbits, hamsters, etc.

Becky and Dominic on our nature walk

We also went into a butterfly garden, we went on a nature walk, got food, looked at the farm shop, and Becky and Lawrence got wax hands made. It was such a great afternoon!

Then in the evening, the Sheils took me to see Despicable Me in Colchester with the Butlers! It was a pretty cute movie. I still cannot wait til Harry Potter comes out, though :)

Afterwards, we went back to the Sheils for a casserole dinner! Linda makes the best beef. Seriously. Sooo tasty.

Afterward supper, we played charades which was brilliant! The kids were so silly acting out their parts, but the adults were a whole other form of hilarity. Seriously, they were just... indescribably funny. It was spectacular getting the families together for supper, such a fun bonding experience!

Honestly, after a brilliant prayer service with the kids at youth group on Friday night, shopping, exploring and tea with Kathleen on Saturday, canoeing and Sunday roast with Kathleen and the Sheils on Sunday, and Jimmie's Farm, Despicable Me, supper and charades with the Sheils and Butlers on Monday, it was like the best 4 days ever! I don't know if I could have had a better time. I hope everyone can experience such joy from work and friendship as I have :D

The Future Looks Promising :)

Oops, forgot this section in my last blog! Here we go:
If you're visiting my blog for the first time, click here to see what I'm doing this year!

Word comparison:
English: stroke. American: slash.
English: full stop. American: period (punctuation)
Example: If you want to Facebook me, just go to facebook dot com stroke tricia fullstop ernst. (facebook.com/tricia.ernst)

Saturday was a great day; the evening before, my host family's daughter, Sophie, came for the weekend because she was having a checkup at the dentist (dentists are much less expensive outside of London, where she lives). She's really nice and bright, and we went blackberry picking, which has become one of my favourites hobbies now! What will I do when they go out of season? Anyway, that evening Sophie concocted some lemon/blackberry soufles with the blackberries we picked, Patsy-Ann made a lovely pork dish, Roger got some wine from California, and we had a lovely meal with great conversation! I love having a full table of friends :)

Sunday, church and Sunday school in the morning. I sat in a little kids chair made out of plastic, and it broke! lol. Teach me not to use things that aren't intended for me ^_^ Sunday dinner at the Sheils, little nibbles for snack and then chicken for dinner! We also stopped by the Sims for a cup of tea, and got to meet their kids and talk to Sue. Then Becky and I went to contemporary service at St Johns in Colchester! Met a bunch of other Americans who are volunteering for the semester, who are part of a cell group at St Johns. I've missed being around people my own age!

On Monday, I did some planning and reading, as per usual, and went over to the Rectory for dinner with the Bulls. We had proper Shepherd's Pie for dinner! Very tasty. Then apple strudel, then berry crumble, then cheddar and crackers... Boy, do they feed me well here! Then Alice played her newly revised self-written song on the piano... and she is amazing :) Great voice, clever lyrics, talented piano player. Potential star? :) Then afterwards Pippa, Alice, and I took some pictures of ourselves on the computer webcam, which turned into a crazy/acting/American southern accent filled time! I haven't giggled so much since uni :) Afterwards was our homegroup, and it was our last session on worship. I'm really enjoying the homegroups, because I always learn something new, and hear perspectives I would've never thought of myself.

Tuesday I met with Rev Tim for PPB (prayer, planning, and Bible study) instead of on Monday, and that was great, as usual :) Tim and I discussed plans for the Edge youth group, and came up with some ideas that I think the kids will really like! We shall see :) Then I went to Tesco to pick up some supplies for youth group and youth club, and bought myself a new scarf and purple tights! I hope they're cute on me ^_^

Right now, I'm preparing for my friend Kathleen to visit me this weekend!!! I'm on half-term this next week, which is like a periodic school holiday, so Kathleen coming to stay with me is really perfect timing :) She's in YAGM and TFG as well, and she's serving in Sunningdale, England which is near Reading. I'm tossing around ideas in my head of fun things for us to do with weekend! I can't wait to see her :) This is a picture of myself and Kathleen at Waterloo tube station in London!

Also, 3 girls from my Bible study back home and I are convening in Paris for New Years!!! We've just confirmed our dates for the trip- 29 Dec through 2 Jan. I cannot wait!!! Looking at hostels right now :)

That's all for now! Cheers!


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TFG+ Conference in London

I had a spectacular week! That's the best way to describe it, because words aren't enough :)

On Saturday, I went to a seminar called "Walk Through The Bible" and the session we did was the Old Testament. It ran form 9:30am to 5pm. I learned a lot! It was a nice overview of some of the Bible stories I know, and it put them into perspective in terms of their order in the Bible, as well as where geographically they took place. Not only that, but it made me realize that there's so much I don't know about the Bible and that I want to learn... It really renewed my desire to read the Bible.

On Sunday, I went to service at St Peters Boxted, and Julie ran the Sunday school with the kids. I really really think the older kids should start going to service, rather than Sunday school (which runs at the same time as service, and is focused primarily on the younger kids). But, I can't force them to do something they don't want to do. After service, I want to my buddy family, the Sheils, for Sunday dinner, which was little nibbles like cheese and crackers and chicken bits and such. After that, I went back home to the cottage. My host family and I strapped a canoe on top of the car, drove to the river in Stratford St Mary, parked, unloaded the canoe into the river, and we were off! Roger, my host dad, and I canoed to Dedham, where he switched with Patsy-Ann, my host mum, and we paddled to Flatford Mill. Sound familiar? That's where John Constable painted one of his most famous paintings! It was a clear, sunny day and there were families out in paddle boats and having picnics along the water and it was perfectly lovely. After that, I went to supper at the Sheils again, and had roast beef and yorkshire pudding. Yup, you heard correctly, beef! I am broadening my horizons :) Then contemporary worship at St Johns Colchester afterwards. Fabulous weekend.

On Monday, I headed out to London for our prep for service conference for TFG. I got to see the other TFG+ (aka YAGM UK) volunteers, who I haven't seen since orientation in Chicago. IT WAS AWESOME!!! I can't even properly describe to you how wonderful it was to see them again. Apart from that, the conference was great. We talked about culture differences and vocation for a pretty big portion, as well as planning and running three worship services for our group. We'll also be doing worship for our TFG Big Conference in January, with ALL TFG volunteers attending (100+ people)! It was just fantastic. We stayed at Guy Chester Centre in north London; the accommodation was great, the food was superb, and the company was spot on! I also got to meet my field officer, Chrissie, in person, and she is lovely! We talked about some of my goals for the year and for the future in general. My goals for the year: for my kids to increase their desire to worship, pray, and become active members of the church; to bridge the gap between the older members of the congregation and the youth; and for me to read the Bible. It was nice to have a clear view of my goals.
We also went out to the church pub each evening for a pint of beer, and luckily I had budgeted enough money to have a pint a night for the whole conference week! It worked out quite nicely, and it was soooo great to just... be... with my YAGM people again :) I feel like they're family now. Farewell on Thursday was bittersweet; it's nice to come back home to the cottage and my host family, yet I will surely miss my friends. I didn't take many pictures of the conference because I was just so wrapped up in experiencing everything! However, I did take this video while at the church pub: it's our group, plus Alan, who's a former field officer for TFG.

Friday was a bit of a chill day for me, unpacking and relaxing after the busy conference. It was nice to get a full night's sleep too :) I met with Tim for PPB (prayer, planning, and Bible study) in the afternoon and stayed for dinner (Julie made yummy Thai food again!) and then The Edge youth group afterwards. It was Game Night! Tons of fun. We spent most of the time playing different card games that the kids taught was, as well as Jenga and Pictionary. Brilliant evening.

In conclusion, this week has been a fantastic affirmation of my service in England :) I am so happy. I truly love serving the Lord and I hope to be able to do that the rest of my life!

Conkers :)

If this is your first time reading my blog, please read what I'm doing this year!

Word Comparison:
English: pavement. American: sidewalk. I always mess that one up!
English: Squash. American: fruit drink, similar to juice.


This will be a short entry, because I'm pressed for time.
Quick recap of the week:
Saturday I went into London and met up with 3 of my friends from YAGM, serving in other places in England. It was spectacular. I am becoming so close to the other 8 YAGM UK volunteers... love them!

Sunday was service. I did Sunday school with the kids at St Mary's. The kids collected conkers! The Sheils took me into Dedham for Sunday dinner and I had cream tea :D Went to service at the Methodist church to be introduced to their congregation. Then went to Evensong service at St Peter's, and supper with the Sheils again afterwards. Yum.


Homegroup on Monday was awesome! We talked about the importance of worship, including different kinds of worship. The adults, including the ultra-conservative-never-want-to-change-anything adults, agreed that the youth should be supported in doing a contemporary evening worship service fortnightly! :D

Tuesday, hung out with Pippa and Alice and taught them Mao!

Wednesday was my first practice with Boxted Methodist Silver Band! I can't read treble clef. This is a huge problem lol

Thursday was the Point and it was very fun :)

Meeting with my supervisor, Denise, and the Edge youth club tonight both were very good and productive.
The youth are interested in doing a service project! Whoot!
Now, bed :)

Harvest Time

If you're visiting my blog for the first time, please read about what I'm doing this year!

Word comparison:

English: diary. American: planner/agenda.

example: "Let me check my diary to see if I'm busy that day or not."

English: prawns. American: shrimp.

example: "My favourite flavour of crisps used to be Prawn Cocktail, but now it's Salt & Vinegar crisps."

Yup, the most popular flavour of chips among the kids is Prawn Cocktail. Weird, huh?

Highlights of the week:

Saturday was the Boxted Primary School Fair, which was tons of fun! I didn't win anything, but I got 3 books for 30p each (about 50 cents) and got to hang out with some of the kids. Saturday evening I went to a Jazz Concert at St Peters, which was fantastic! A local Jazz band called Phoenix from Ipswich performed, and there was an intermission with a complimentary drink and little nibbles. Very lovely evening!

Sunday was the Harvest Service, and I saw a Christening at the church for the first time! I cannot believe how packed the church got, with all the family members of the baby being baptized that came to watch. Apparently, most families in England bring their children to church to get them Christened, but only attend for that service, and usually don't come back.

If only church attendance were always that high :-P Afterwards, I went over to the Butlers for Sunday dinner (yuuuuuuuum) and then went to St Johns Colchester for contemporary worship with Ben, Pippa, Rebecca, and Alice. A young adult called Ollie preached about the eighth commandment- do not steal. He made good points about stealing time, effort, things we believe we're entitled to, etc. Here's a picture from last contemporary service of my kids going up to the front to pray together :)

On Monday was the Boxted Primary Harvest Festival at St Peters, which was a great service! All the kids from Boxted, from Reception to Year 6, packed into the church for a service of thanksgiving for a successful harvest and many skits, songs, and prayers. They did such a wonderful job! Monday evening, I met with Patsy-Ann and Julie for a prayer session, where we talked about our lives and the problems we face, and pray for each other. Never before in my life have I seen the power of prayer so in action, and the peace of the people who partake in it, more than here. I wish I could show everyone this precious jewel I have found!

On Tuesday I met with Rev Tim for PPB (prayer, planning, and Bible study) and we had a great discussion again. I'm really starting to enjoy looking up passages in Greek to see the different meanings in the words, and what the exact translation from Greek is! Good tiding for seminary? Possibly :) After that, I met Rachel Brett, who is the Area Youth Advisor for the Church of England, which means she supports and looks after the Youth Workers in all the Anglican churches around the Colchester area. She's pretty great :) She took me for tea and then we went shopping at Tesco! I went to the Bulls for dinner that evening and had more yummy Thai food (^_^) and learned how to play Pinochle! Pinochle is basically like Uno, and it's quite a fun game!

Wednesday was my day off, so I did laundry, read books, and watched TV :) That evening, cell group was cancelled so I went to Boxted Methodist Silver Band practice to listen to them... AND THEY GAVE ME A FREAKIN TUBA!!!!!!!!! Am I the luckiest girl in the world? Yes. Most definitely. I came to listen to them, and they asked a bunch of questions about me and if I played an instrument, and whether I wanted to play with them! :-D I told them I didn't have a tuba to use, and they said they'd try to sort it out. At the end of practice, the conductor Victoria and one of the leaders opened up the back room and unearthed an old E flat tuba and told me to take it home and see what I thought. Gah!!!! I've never played an E flat tuba, and the fingerings and aperture for all the notes and the music clef are all completely new to me. Basically, it'll be like learning a new instrument for me. But, gonna try to make it work! I'm so excited!!

Yesterday, Thursday, I went with Tim to both the Boxted and Langham school assemblies. We did a quiz game with them showing that God's grace isn't just for those who deserve it, but for everyone. I hope to start working in the Primary schools within the next 2 weeks, but that all depends upon when the paperwork for my CRB clearance comes in. Please pray for me that those come soon and that the process is smooth! That afternoon was the Point youth club, and it was held at the Boxted community centre. It was a very fun afternoon, though when I talked to the kids about the different characteristics of God, I found out many kids believe He is not real. So, guess what we're talking about next youth club? Whether God is real or not! Afterward, I went to supper at the Sheils. Love hanging out with them. They've proposed a trip into Dedham for Sunday dinner this weekend to get Cream Tea! YUM!!!

Something that's been weighing on my heart heavily this past couple of weeks is my relationship with Jesse. Before I left for England, we decided to see where things go, because it's such a time of change for the both of us. We left our options open to see if this relationship is what we truly want, and this week, we've decided that we want different things for our lives. This change has been very hard on me ( the wind outside is starting to pick up and rain is starting to fall as I'm typing this; this is exactly how I'm feeling inside right now, turmoil brewing). Jesse and I have left the relationship mutually (how often does that happen!?) and are going to stay friends, which I am so grateful for. If anything, I've gained a lifetime friendship. However, I hate this feeling of loneliness; I thrive on companionship. I know the Lord is always there for me, and I take comfort in His compassion and nearness in my life, but I am having a hard time laying this all on Him. If you could pray for healing and peace within me, I would really appreciate it.

Tonight is another meeting of the Edge youth group, and we're discussing what is Christianity, or maybe more aptly, what isn't Christianity. I'm going to go finish planning the session now. Hopefully, the kids will get something good out of this!

Ta ta for now, folks!