We Are Actually, Finally Here
It almost did not happen, but it did, and we're thrilled.
England Is Glorious.
Want to know how I know? We’re here!
And getting here was quite an adventure.
Did we know that traveling in the times of Covid would be difficult and unpredictable? Yes we did. But man. It was a whole thing—between rapidly changing UK entry requirements (recent negative Covid tests required as of 2 days before we left), Covid test (un)availability, and ambiguous (and yet seemingly unflinching) government & airline protocols—we arrived at the airport in Tampa on Monday morning with our whole life packed into 4 suitcases, unsure as to whether we’d make it to Chicago. Then we arrived in Chicago Monday afternoon unsure as to whether we’d make it to London. Then we arrived in London on Tuesday morning unsure (because we had an Antigen test instead of a PCR test) as to whether we’d be denied entry and put on the first plane back to the States.
But we weren’t!
We walked right through Heathrow Airport like bosses. How, you ask? Was it because they accepted the right Antigen test? Oh no. It’s because the one person at Heathrow in Passport Control (Truly just one—one of him, four of us, and that’s it. No other travelers, no other workers. Crazy.) didn’t ask for our Covid test results. Didn’t mention them at all. It’s also because when we walked through Customs, there was no one there but us. No staff, no one at all. So after scrambling to get tests, breathing a sigh of relief when they came back negative, and then wondering if our tests were going to be accepted……..no one ever checked them. Crazy.
As we drove the rental car from London out here to the coast, we kept wondering if someone would pull us over or stop us or something—it felt like we’d robbed a bank.
So here we are, joyfully quarantining in beautiful Weymouth, England for 10 days.
We prayed many prayers (and so many of you prayed as well) that we’d be able to get here and get in, and God was so faithful to answer those prayers. Thank you for joining us in asking for Him to enable this craziness.
Quite a Drive
Our drive from London to Weymouth was unexpectedly scenic, thanks to a couple of missed turns and Google’s artful rerouting. No complaints, though, because we ended up on roads like this:
So quaint. So drizzlygorgeous. (Yes, drizzlygorgeous is a word. I say it is.)
And the view in the backseat was quite lovely as well:
Because we knew we wouldn’t be getting out for our week-and-a-half of quarantine, we got out of the car at a couple of deserted spots where there was no one around to potentially infect. You can see why we had to hop out for just a moment:
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and all that fills it resound.
Let the fields and everything in them celebrate.
Then all the trees of the forest will shout for joy
before the LordPsalm 96:11-13
5 More Days
Holy Ghost Stories launches on Monday! If you’re not aware, this is the podcast I’m launching next week. I think you’re going to dig it bigtime, and here’s why:*
It’s fun - Good storytelling, a spooky vibe, and the moments God wanted the world to remember forever?? That’s a winning combination if you ask me, and it makes for a whole lot of fun. You’ll love it.
It’s a new way to experience the Bible - Whether you’re an avid Bible reader or not, hearing the stories of the Old Testament this way will awaken your senses and help you to enter those texts with fresh eyes. I loved Stranger Things because it managed to feel both familiar (that glorious 80s motif) and fresh (an exciting new story with a ton of great characters). I think Holy Ghost Stories checks both of those boxes.
It’s like dating - You know how they tell you to never stop dating your spouse? It’s because intentional time spent together helps you to stay connected to one another, heightening your intimacy and strengthening your bond. Might be a weird metaphor, but I’m wondering if you and God could stand to go on a couple of dates—maybe your relationship is all business (obey this command, provide this salvation) and He’d love it if y’all could just hang out sometime. My bet is that after every episode of Holy Ghost Stories, you’ll feel like you spent time with your Heavenly Father. You’ll like him more and feel closer to Him. It’ll be good for your relationship. :)
*My wife, after reading this list, shrugged and said that listing these reasons is like describing a really great dessert—it sounds good and everything, but when you taste it…Mmmmmmm. Shut up and give me another bite. So there’s her endorsement. :) Wish I could let you taste it, but for the next 5 days, talking about it will have to do.
Next week I’ll have 3 episodes up for your listening pleasure. You can subscribe here so they drop right into your favorite podcast app first thing Monday morning.
3 Cool Things
Caravaggio, Master of Light - If you haven’t watched Evan Puschak’s YT channel, The Nerdwriter, I highly recommend it. Video essays on film and painting and science, each around six to nine minutes long and done really well. This one’s a quick, fascinating look into Caravaggio’s work. I heard an incredible lecture on Caravaggio during a conference this year—what a fascinating, heartbreaking life.
Ironclad Coffee -This coffee is really, really good. Ironclad sources Specialty Grade coffee from reliable farmers and roasts the beans at their roastery in Richmond. The owner is a church friend of mine from high school and he’s one of the most fastidious folks I know—you’d be hard-pressed to get a more intention-soaked product than this. I recommend the Bare-Knuckle Espresso.
The Bible Is Funny - If you like funny things, follow this account. If you don’t, do not click the link.
Who Else Could We Tell?
Know someone who might dig Holy Ghost Stories? Send this email to them and lets get them on board.
Or maybe you’re reading because someone shared this with you. Jump in and subscribe if you’d like more info about what my family and I are up to and what’s happening with Holy Ghost Stories.
Gratefully,
Justin