A Spot of Tea

A Practically Perfect Sunday Afternoon

I already anticipate that this adventure is going to by far top the charts as a highlight of this trip. 

Dear friends, delightful scones with clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam, a casual stroll through the English Countryside, and finishing the day off in the worship of our King with new friends and siblings in the body of Christ....what more could a girl ask for?

Feeling supremely British, these lovely ladies and I decided that today was the day for a traditional English tea time, and what a delightful decision that was! After being recommended to the Stanmer house by some of our new friends in Brighton, we were excited to find that it was just a pleasant walk from our school! Well worth the allergy flare, walking over the crest of that hill through the countryside was absolutely breathtaking. 

And of course, the cream tea and scones at the other end were only the cherry on top. 

We were so delighted that we are already making plans to come back :)

My dear friends Emily and Rachel

A view of our dorms, Northfield buildings, from the countryside. Not a bad view to wake up to in the morning.

A casual Sunday afternoon strolling through the English countryside :)

The ladies and a gorgeous view over Falmer

Friends, I think this is the beginning of something great!

Isn't it just gorgeous?! 

Thank you God for beautiful scenery like this!

The hills are alive with the Sound of Music :)

And we took the road less travelled by

After only a short hike, we rounded the top of the hill to see this gorgeous site. 

Did I get transported straight into "Pride and Prejudice" or am I dreaming?!

Stanmer house, an old traditional English mansion

Stan = "stone"

Mere = "pond"

Thus, Stanmer is "stony pond"

Tea and scones, this foodie couldn't be happier!

Positively delightful! Soft and fluffy, yet perfectly crispy exterior = best scones I have ever had!

The beautiful church built on the property :)

Why take a bus when you can walk to town?

Our amazing new friends we met at Church of Christ the King. We were connected with Rachel, Beckie, Abi, and a few others by our friends Emily and Kevin in Campus Crusade who came to Brighton last year and have been raving about CCK ever since! Truly, the community and church lived up to its name: the worship was moving and the pastor delivered a powerful and convicting message (going through Ephesians 5 about submission, one of my favorite passages--he laid out the gospel and Jesus Christ's character so beautifully!)

We spent a good deal of time talking and enjoying their company afterwards. Little did we know that God would bless us with such a beautiful community overseas! 

Truly the Body of Christ knows no bounds :)

We are all so very excited to grow and nurture these new friendships and bonds.

God is so faithful in providing His children with fellowship!

Desperate times call for desperate measures....the city shuts down past 8pm and so we took the excuse to splurge on some good 'ol fashioned McDonalds to snack on on the ride home. 

Tossing up the golden arches with pride ;)