John, The Captain, and The General, and I had a delightful 24 hours in Chicago this week, relaxing in our hotel, peering through shop windows at the lovely, twinkly holiday displays, and sharing a deep dish Chicago style pizza at the famous Pizzeria Due. But those delightful activies were not the real reason for our trip. The real, really exciting reason was that I had an appointment at the British Embassy, where I took an oath and became a British Citizen. That’s right–me, Avonlea Q. Krueger, an honest to goodness British Citizen, subject of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.
Now let me ask my American friends not to panic–I still am and always will be an American. But for entirely practical reasons, John and I would like the entire family to have dual citizenship . . .
Okay, okay, those of you who know me well are probably sitting with raised eyebrows, saying to yourselves that there are probably one or two other reasons that have nothing to do with practicality which probably induced me to become a British citizen. And while I could begin to argue the benefits of all of us having passports from the same country, I must admit that you’re right. Some of my reasons are entirely fanciful and sentimental. Short of being adopted by a member of the royal family, or travelling through time and book-world to become one of Jane Austen’s characters, living in the UK and becoming a British citizen is the next best thing.
While other teenage girls daydreamed about New Kids on the Block or the captain of their high school football team, I was pouring over Victorian homemakers’ guides, decorating my room with lace, and telling anyone who would listen that I really was born in the wrong century. Nineteenth century Britain seemed to me the most beautiful, romantic, and inspiring places to live, and I knew that much of the history and culture had extended into the next century. And so in the background of all my dreams was the hope that one day I would step foot on the mistiest, the greenest of all isles, home to Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Shakespeare, Eric Liddell, Helena Bonham Carter, George MacDonald, the Wesley brothers, and a host of other authors, poets, actors, scientists, and hymn writers on my list of people I’d like to meet.
The teenage years can be difficult ones, and I wish that I could go back and tell myself some of the blessings that would come to me in my grown up years. Knowing that I would not only visit the UK, but spend eight years of my life there and eventually become a citizen certainly would have put a sparkle in my moody teenage eyes!
John and I have had so many challenges and uncertainties over the past few months, and I keep thinking that I wouldn’t mind having a bit more certainty about my future life back here in America. But I know that we aren’t meant to know too much of our future before it happens. God’s strength is enough for today, and it’s good to reflect on His blessings, which are new every morning.
What would you like to whisper to the teenage you to give yourself a little giggle? What positive blessings and suprises have happened in your life? If you are feeling a bit discouraged or anxious right now, make a list of some of the surprise blessings that have come to your life over the past 10 or so years. They may have been the harderst 10 years of your life, or they may have been the best, but I know that you will find some blessings if you look hard enough. The birth of a child? The purchase of a home? The introduction to a dear friend? An unexpected trip? A new pet? Time spent on a favourite hobby? The aquiring of a new skill? A new business started? Provision in time of need?
I’d love to hear about some of your most blessed blessings if you’d like to share them with me!
I know it’s been a looong time since you’ve heard from me, but moving continent and starting up a new business have kept us more than a little busy. But I’m hoping that beginning with the new year I’ll be able to post more often, for I have so many reflections, ideas, and inspirations to share with you all.
Till then, let me wish you all a very cosy, sparkly, Merry Christmas and a very, very happy New Year.
Avonlea x
happy little sigh 