Monster Cat

When I left the U.S. I really missed my two dogs, Ole and Lena.  Even though I still really miss them, I have a new little friend here.  When I got to England I was surprised to find out that there was a cat who sometimes would hang out around the house.  I was so excited!  The previous director called it Monster Cat because it was so big.  I didn't know what to expect.  About two weeks went past without any sign of Monster Cat.  I was starting to think she wasn't going to come.  Then one day I was looking out the window and I saw this huge cat going through the garden!  I was so excited that I ran outside to see the cat, forgetting that cats can get scared easily.  As you can guess the cat heard me, took one look and ran.  It was about a week before I saw her again.  The next time I saw her I let her come up to the house before I went outside.  She was still very timid so I just sat with her for awhile so she could get familiar with me.  After that she let me pet her.  She was the softest cat I ever felt!  She was very big and furry!  She was a well trained and gentle cat with a really soft meow like a kitten.  After awhile she was coming almost every day.  My dad says he doesn't like cats but I know that's not true now because he lets me bring the cat inside our home.  Here she is:

I would say she is at least two feet long.  She's a big cat!  I think she is a Norwegian Forest Cat.  When I'm older I think this is the kind cat I want to own. =)

Islam

Every Tuesday we get a speaker to come and talk to the college students.  A couple Tuesdays ago we had a speaker who talked about Islam because a lot of Muslims live in Nottingham.  It was very interesting so I thought I would share it with you.

One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern Philippines to Nigeria - are united by their common Islamic faith.  In the UK, home to 2 million Muslims, the Muslim culture has become a familiar part of everyday life in many of their great cities.  In Nottingham there is a thriving Muslim community with its mosques, schools, shops and social and welfare organizations.

A Muslim is a follower of a religion called Islam.  They believe in one unique and incomparable God; in the angels created by him; in the prophets sent by him; in the day of judgment (after death); in God's complete authority over human destiny and in life after death.  Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the baptist, and Jesus.  But God's final message was revealed to a prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.

For Muslims, Islam isn't just a religion, but also a way of life.  Islam teaches moral values such as justice, honesty, kindness, patients, and respect for others.  The Quran, the sacred writings of Islam, says: "act justly.  Truly God loves those who are just." (9:9)  and: "and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice.  Be just: that is nearer to piety..." (5:8) and: "And likewise we have made you a middle nation (i.e. not extremists) in order that you are witnesses (for the good) over mankind" (2:143)

Muslims put a high value on family life, as illustrated by:  "And be good to your parents and to relations, orphans and the needy and speak highly to mankind: and establish worship and pay the poor-due." (2:83), and:  "If one or both of your parents attain old age and then do not say to them even fie!  Nor repulse them, rather say to them a noble word." (17:23)  The prophet Muhammad said in his farewell sermon, "The best among you are those wh are best to their wives."

Islam teaches that all faiths come from the same divine source - God.  Muslims therefore believe in Jesus, Moses, David, Abraham and many other Biblical prophets.  Jesus in particular has a special place in Islam.  Muslims respect Christians and Jews as 'people of the book'.  Since Islam teaches freedom of religion, every person is entitled to choose his religion.

A commonly asked question of non-Muslims is "Why do women have scarves to cover their heads?"  Other than the fact that Allah commands it, reasons include the requirements for modesty in both men and women.  Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skill instead of looks.

Stonehenge

Who built Stonehenge?  Why did they build it?  How did they build it?  Why are the rocks in a circle?  How are they still standing?  Stonehenge is one of those sites that has been puzzling people for years.    There are many legends behind the huge circle of rocks but none of them have been proven.  Some say it was built for religious reasons.  Others say that some giants were dancing in a field one day and were turned into stone which is why the stones are in a circle.  What you believe is up to you but let's talk about what we know for sure about Stonehenge.  Stonehenge is about five thousand years old and one of the top tourist destinations in the UK.  The original structure of Stonehenge was believed to have looked like this all the way around with another smaller circle like this in the middle.

Today some of the rocks have kind of fallen down and some stones are believed to be missing but it's still in pretty good shape for how old it is.

When I went there I was really surprised at how big the stones were!  It made me wonder how on earth five thousand years ago someone could have put those stones on top of one another and why they did it.  Maybe some day scientists will come up with the answers to all my questions, but until then we will just have to keep wondering and coming up with more and more crazy legends that may very well be true.

Speakers Corner

Speakers Corner, on the northeast corner of Hyde Park by the Marble Arch, is a place where anyone, even you or me, could stand up and talk about whatever they want.  They could talk about their religion, political view, or even just stand up and sing.  There was actually a guy singing when I went there!  There were about three people standing around him.  The rest of the people were either standing around an American dressed in a southern preachers outfit or a Muslim talking about his religion.  However, don't get the idea that the people talking are invincible.  There are plenty of people around heckling the speakers.

In this picture you can see the American talking and how many people are around him either listening, video taping, or heckling him.

Nottingham has a Speakers corner too but it's obviously not as popular and only one person can be speaking at a time.  I've walked past a couple of times and seen someone talking but I've never seen anyone heckling the speaker.

The Speakers Corner in London is one of my favorite things we've done in England so far and I can't wait to go back!  It's just fun to stand and listen to all the people talking and heckling each other.  It's definitely a must do if you go to London. =)

Students

The Luther students are now here!  They're all totally awesome and fun to hang out with!  It's like having seven more sisters and one brother. =)  Here they are!

Phil

Aimee and Marissa

Aubrey

Erika

Marin

Regina and Angela

The students got here in early September and we've had lots of fun travelling!  Monday - Thursday the students cook dinner for us and so far the food has been really good!  On Sundays we all have pizza together.  I do have to say that Sundays are my favorite since I love pizza.  I especially like the meat lovers pizza!  It's really good!  I am very much looking forward to hanging out with the students some more and can't wait to see what we're having for dinner tomorrow!