Settling into Dore

We have had a lovely first week in Dore! We have been enjoying meeting our wonderful church members, having "tea", and learning our way around. Dore is a community in the larger city of Sheffield--the local saying is, "Sheffield is built on 7 hills, just like Rome!" It is VERY hilly, making for interesting driving for Wade (stick shift, driving on left, narrow lanes, curves, hills, and fast drivers); I have not made an attempt yet!


Our first night here we were treated to tea, fish and chips, and a gathering of new friends--I can't emphasize enough how kind and genuine the English people are! We have been invited to several homes and are amazed at how fast the time flies with lovely conversation. We had our first day at Totley Rise Methodist Church on Sunday--also Garry and Dawn's last Sunday there. Joel, Davis, Brooke, and Mikey played together as if they had always known each other--we were wishing for more time for our families to spend together!

The Exchange Families!


Totley Rise Methodist Church

Totley Rise is a vibrant church, and we had a lively worship service. There was a gathering afterwards to say farewell to the Dawson-Jones, and hello to us--I will tell our church family at home that Garry appeared as one of the Beatles, and you may want to request a reprise!

On Tuesday, our new friends Matt, Juliet, Jessica, and Katie invited us to join them on a Rainbow and Brownies (girl scouts) outing to go "pond-dipping". Who could refuse such an invitation? We drove out into the countryside and hiked to a creek to find "critters"!


Katie and Brooke pond dipping!


Davis, Jessica , and another Brownie climbing the rocks

Davis wasn't so sure about this group of chatty girls at first, but the attraction of a rocky stream pulled him into the fun! It was so cute to hear all the girls with their British accents: "Look! I got me bum all muddy!" They were very friendly and wanted to know all about Tennessee.

Last night we had our first "house group" meeting--a fellowship of men and women who meet in our home once a week--it was a special evening of sharing and praising God, and we are looking forward to the relationships we are forming within the group!