the one with {london calling}

Today was one of those overcast, misty, nearly-spring days that make you want to sip something warm and stay in a cozy house all day. But the weather also served as a perfect reminder of our trip to England a few weeks ago....and also the perfect motivation to actually share about our experience abroad! One of our best friends, Steve, recently moved to the United Kingdom to serve as a missionary and he invited us to speak at two spiritual retreats - one for teenagers and another for university students. We were there for the fastest 5 days of our lives. Our visit was a joyful blur of lush English countryside, deep conversations with students and ministers alike, LOTS of tea, sermons, jet-lag, laughter, and even some London sightseeing. Meeting Christians from the UK was such an honor and even though we went to bring encouragement to our family in England - we ended up receiving far more than we gave. But isn't that the way it goes? I'm reminded of Proverbs 11:25, "those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." Per usual, the Bible says it waaay better than I can!

Seven years ago, I had the chance to study abroad for a summer in London and be apart of the church there. It was an interesting time for me in my faith. I was wrestling with desperately wanting approval from the world but also wanting to honor God. I'll never forget the conversations I had with British disciples that summer. Hearing their deep convictions about holiness challenged me and I returned to the States much stronger than when I left. During my study abroad, I also remember being struck by the hospitality of the disciples in England. They were so generous, so welcoming and so warm to the annoying American with a whiny accent and a terrible sense of direction. But they opened up their homes and their hearts to me in such a memorable way. I felt that same spirit of hospitality this visit but I was also struck by the fervent faith of the students we met. It was amazing to see the ways God has moved in the UK over the last few years. To see 75 teenagers come to the winter retreat and over 100 students be apart of the university retreat - we were so inspired! 

Jesse and I did our best to bring some of their zeal and faith back to Boston -- and I also did my best to bring back proper tea etiquette.

Here's to a faith-filled, tea-riffic weekend. 

Cheers 

A+J

Teenager Retreat

Student Retreat GIANT/blurry selfie

Reunited with Steve in Trafalgar Square

Officially a big fan of prayer walks in the countryside

Westminster Abbey

Making Friends Part I

Making Friends Part II

Staying Friends Part III

Friends Forever Part IV

A+J's {semi} sarcastic guide to cruising

Earlier this summer, Jesse and I got to take a special vacation all over the Caribbean with two of our best friends. When we got married, we always planned to take a special trip in Year 3, so after much consideration - we decided on a cruise! Originally, we wanted to go to Europe but quickly realized that with our particular line of work, the idea of packing 7 to 10 days with walking and exploring and cutlure-ing was far less appealing than lying on a beach and eating a LOT of food. What can I say? We know our strengths. 

After one week-long cruise, I am definitely not an expert. However, I do have some basic insights to offer.

And I give you,

A+J's Semi-Sarcastic Guide to Cruising

1. Go with friends and enjoy the constant laughter that will ensue when trapped on a boat in the middle of a beautiful ocean.

2. Take advantage of the unlimited food option...meaning, order three appetizers, two entrees, three desserts every evening. This is not a drill!

3. Work out at overly-mirrored gym (for motivation, see above).

4. Frequent the nightly the Dive-In-Movie (movies, under the stars, by the pool, need I say more?). *We may or may not have watched The Fault In Our Stars and may or may not have sobbed uncontrollably.*

5. Realize that you NEVER have to wait in line for a buffet meal - you can go to the dining room and feel fancy every single day. 

6. Plan your own on-shore excursions. Except when you're in Belize... 

7. DO dress up for formal nights...or risk feeling awkward around some of the people taking it waaaay to seriously.

8. Allow your husband to graciously treat you to an afternoon at the spa! Life. Changing.

9. Take far too many photos on your smart phone and try not to mock those who insist on prom-posing for the on-board ones with the fake backgrounds.

10. Take naps. Because all that eating and doing nothing is really SO exhausting!

setting sail from Miami

adventuring in Honduras

Grand Cayman

So thankful for a wonderful week with incredible friends and a wonderful husband! In summary, I highly recommend cruising. We had a really great time:) 

xoxo

A+J

{the one where he was ferris and i was sloane}

I'm currently surrounded by moving boxes and a to-do list so long that I can't really think straight. But instead of telling you all the things I need to do, I want to tell you about something happy. Because happy things are the best. After Jessica's wedding, J and I drove into Chicago to stay with my sister-in-law's parents for the night. First off, it's amazing when you can build relationships with the family of your brother's in-laws. Like who gets to do that?! I feel so lucky to have such a welcoming extended-extended family:) But anyway, we arrived at the Staten's gorgeous apartment in Lincoln Park on Sunday night. After several days apart during the wedding festivities (he hung with some guys while I spent time with the bride) we were easily convinced to stay in Chicago a little while longer. 

So, we did what any couple would do in our situation. We made the most of it. 

Millennium Park

Getting trendy at the Bean

Jesse channeled his inner Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Buckingham Fountain

The last-minute change-of-plans was equally amazing and sleep-depriving. We left Chicago at 4 in the afternoon with plans to stay at a motel and be back in Boston by dinner-time on Tuesday. But at 11pm, we were reminded of a work meeting we needed to be back for and drove through the night to make it back on time. Ah the joys of being young, in love, and terrible at planning. But all in all, it was totally worth it. Because how often are you in a new, sunny city with the man you love with free tickets to the Art Institute? Not very often:)

xoxo

Ferris + Sloane