Stealing Away

Yesterday, i spent a glorious few hours of my afternoon on a bench in the University Parks, which is a two minute walk from my house. (The picture to the left is my shadow as I take a picture of the river in front of my bench.)

After I took a power walk/run through the park to work off the pancakes I ate for breakfast, I went back to the park for sit for awhile. Although I didn't really need to exercise, because I walk miles every day just getting around, it was SOOOOO beautiful outside. And even though I am incredibly sore right now, I am still glad that I got out and sweat some.

I joined the many Oxfordians who ran to the park, with their kids and dogs, to bask in the cold, windy, but still cheerful English sun. 

This afternoon was such a symbol of my time here in Oxford:

1. I have got to spend a lot of time thinking by myself. I have learned that it is not that scary, but rather empowering to explore and think on your own.

2. My flexible weekly schedule allows me to have such freedom with what I do every day. It is great that through this, I can find time to listen to what God is speaking to me, journal, read and talk with others.

3. Even though there are cloudy days (like today) a lot and sometimes I miss home, Jason and familiarity a lot, I am always excited to get up every morning and embrace the day. Each day is new and fresh, and God is teaching me to hope in the future instead of fear it.

And Everything Was Alright

And Everything Was Alright

Sorry that it has been so long since I have posted. My internet was on the fritz for about 3 weeks, but somehow, mainly by a miracle of God, it is working fine now, yeah!

Everything at Oxford is going splendidly! I feel like I finally feel adjusted and in my routine here. I am really being challenged/enjoying my tutorials, and I have had the chance to go to London twice. It was a blast to go to museums, shop and enjoy the city life there.

Also, I feel like I'm kind of getting the hang of this grocery shopping and cooking thing. Ok, so pb&js are always a great fall back, but I'm really enjoying all of the fresh produce and wednesday open market days.

God has been really inspiring me in so many ways, too. Especially through the cell group that I am in at St. Aldates. It is WONDERFUL to have intelligent and deep conversations about God there and think critically about life and justice. This is also the only place where I have been successful in meeting British people. It is sooo hard to meet Brits here, especially when they are only here for another 4 weeks. Lame.

I have been reading Romantic poetry for the last 3 weeks of my Lewis Tutorial, and that has been simply amazing. I have always written poetry for a hobby, but I never thought I would be studying it. 

Overall, God has amazing plans to reveal himself to me through every rainy or icy day, through every conversation with a new friend and through quite moments reading in an amazingly beautiful library or a local, cozy coffee shop.

As C.S. Lewis said, "The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisley one's real life- the life God is sending one day by day."

I only have 2 months left here, so I'm trying to live it up and relish every interruption in my day. This has also lately included learning how to be patient and how to get to know people who are different than me. This is tricky, but God is helping me through it.

Cheers!