Lessons learned in the past two weeks:

There’s this thing called photography… 

Starting January 30, our GREAT friends Simon and Ally have been visiting from England. I say GREAT friends because they’re really more like family. We love them. We love their kids, who are close to the ages of their kids. Our kids love them. (They treat them like an aunt and uncle.) And we all spent a week at our house, enjoying the view of the lake and just hanging out together. And did I take a single photo? No, I did not.

British English is fun. 

“Flippin’ heck.” “Fancy a cup of tea?” “Would you please open the boot?” “Bollards.” “That’s pants, it is.” The last one translates, as far as I can figure, “That’s a load of $%#@.” (Maybe because “pants” is the word for underwear there?)

I’m still just a little bit shy. 

Who am I kidding? This was not news to me (or anyone who has to spend time with me.) In fact, when I saw this picture last week, I laughed unnaturally loudly, I related so well.

Anyway, when I go to conferences, like I did for the first half of this week, I’m reminded that I really have to work to be outgoing. And let’s just say that it’s more difficult during certain weeks of the month. I’m still kind of exhausted.

To feed my soul. 

This is the takeaway I got from the conference we attended with our Brit friends. It was the Global 2020 event put on by EQUIP, John Maxwell’s nonprofit, which focuses on developing Christian leadership around the world. A few times during the event, I was reminded of my need for more nourishment from God. And then messages by Bill Hybels and Brenda Salter-McNeill really cut to the heart of the matter and convinced me that God was speaking to me on this issue.

I love EQUIP events.

The conferences I usually attend for work are more secular, targeted at business people. John still speaks freely about his faith, but they don’t have anything like a worship service. This event, because it was designed for international Christian leaders (i.e. pastors), featured some amazing worship, led by Darlene Zschech.

It is still really true that you can’t get on a plane without a picture ID. 

For this trip to Florida, I inadvertently tested that theory when I chose to leave my wallet behind. (What would I possibly need it for? I had my credit cards…) (Where WAS my brain?) (Sheesh.)

Only a combination of a VERY kind babysitter who brought my driver’s license all the way down to me at the airport, and a delayed flight, got us to Florida close to the time originally planned. So just in case you were thinking of leaving behind your license the next time you fly, let me caution you: DON’T. The lovely folks in the TSA get their “pants” in a wad over it.

Have you learnt (see what I did there? Very British) anything new this week?