When my oldest son, Tom, was applying to college last year he was asked to come up with adjectives that described him. This was fun for the rest of the family as we tried to help him, adding our own suggestions. Perhaps we can never really describe ourselves accurately but I will try: friendly, faithful and bold. These are the only three that nearly always describe me. I could say focused, but I would have to add “only on some things” as my focus on one aspect of life causes me to totally ignore another. Although I like the word “balanced” it does not describe me.

My husband, Martyn, came to my rescue and added many more adjectives: enthusiastic, energetic, talkative, smiley, attractive, slim, Caucasian. What this really means is that I am fortunate having a husband who still loves me after 22 years of marriage. He is quieter than me and more reserved . He is discerning and encouraging and very intelligent.

I will not add all of my children’s contributions! Tom (17), James (15) and Alice (13) would agree that I have strong opinions and at times I disagree with them. James added that I am energetic, opinionated, fun, talkative, decisive and power hungry…Collectively they are fun, opinionated, messy and loud, but individually they are much more complicated and as apples do not fall too far from the tree we have some things in common!

We live in Poway, near San Diego in Southern California which is very different from England where we come from. We have been in The States for 9 years and Poway for 6. We belong in two countries or perhaps that means that we do not belong anywhere. This cultural confusion often develops greater humility than when you are totally embedded in one culture.

Punting on the River Cam, Cambridge

Coming from a piece of British culture that encouraged leadership and superiority (left over from our imperial days), I think that the humility that has resulted from moving continents has been good for me. I am sure that many people in the US arriving from all over the world have been stripped of their status when they melt in the American melting pot. My accent, education and background are nothing here. These are subtle and are unnoticed in California where what money can buy is regarded highly. In England I could be living in a tiny home, without a car and using the bus, but still be recognized as cultured and respectable…

Living between two cultures makes it easier to see changes when they occur. I always compare Britain and The States and I react when changes develop that could damage a value or way of life that is worth preserving. I care deeply about both countries and want to cry out “stop” when a beautiful tradition is discarded in favor of one that looks benevolent but leads to confusion and pain. My Christian faith and my confidence in The Bible help me determine what is right or wrong. I believe that God cares deeply about our lives, and his word, the Bible helps us understand his plan for us to live fulfilled lives.

My website www.womenrespond.com is a call to women to care about issues around them and to at least respond at some level. The response could include having a discussion with your children about the issue. It may involve writing a letter to a newspaper or politician, donating money, or praying about the victims or the problem. This blog offers an arena where you can express your concerns and opinions. The site is intended to show what social pressures push people into making certain decisions and a look at the past as well as the present will help us see our own situation clearly and wisely. I enjoy intelligent discussion and responses and questing after truth. News programs on the TV tend to focus on the trivial. There is a need for informed reflection.

I am interested in how values, parenting, education, faith, employment and life expectations shift and change over time in different cultures, especially in Britain and it is interesting comparing these shifts with my observations living in California. I am intrigued to see how the word of God as well as Jesus’ power can change lives and values in the face of different cultures. I came from a traditional British family where education and traditional values and attitudes were important. My life has been changed and some of these attitudes have shifted . I studied history and education at Homerton College, Cambridge and I remain interested in education and social history as well as religion.