castles and mean girls

Today I went with my family to see a castle called Arundel Castle. It was incredible and awe-inspiring. I love castles. I walked into one room that was like a chapel inside the castle, and I looked up at the soaring ceiling and the stained-glass windows and it took my breath away. It was like the artists were trying to describe God with carved stone and colored glass, and they hinted at the amazing majesty he possesses. But then I looked down and I saw the rows of seats and I felt sad. Because there were three distinct types of seats - the ones in the front were very elaborate and covered in red velvet. Then there were in between seats, and farther back, plain wooden pews. And I immediately thought of...James, is it? where he talks about favoritism and not saying to the rich man, "sit here, in the best seat," and telling the poor man to sit on a stool at the far end. So many thoughts entered my mind after that. I can't type them all up.

And do you know what the English think of when they think of Americans? Mean Girls. Like the movie. They literally think all Americans are like that movie. Oh my gosh. I asked my cousins what they and people they know think of Americans and they said, "Mean Girls. Or they're all obese and at McDonald's 24-7 or if they're not they're anorexic. And they all have blonde hair and are really tan." I must have been a disappointment as I'm none of those things! But isn't that ridiculous...and kind of sad too...that that's the movie that defines us as a country? I really hope we're not literally those type of people! I think there's a lot of truth in Mean Girls, but I think they made it in an exaggerated way so as to not seriously offend, but hit home their point. So I don't think it was meant to portray Americans in a realistic manner.

I have so many stories already, and I haven't left England yet! I can't wait for the next few weeks. Tomorrow we take a train to Paris, and then drive. On the right side of the road, thank goodness. But soon I will drive on the wrong side of the road. It's a life goal of mine, haha. But tonight we're off to the Shimoyamas' for dinner. So please pray for whatever God wants to happen with these sweet and welcoming relatives to happen. And also pray for safe travel and not too much culture shock as we'll be in countries of different languages!