Attended the Easter Sunday service at St. Aldate's with a few people from the houses, and it was fabulous. I just love the worship and talks that go on, and truly feel that this is my church home here in Oxford. I find myself being challenged to question and grow, and it's a good situation to be in. This semester has been work, but I know that it has been all for the better to strengthen my faith.
In the classroom of house 10, we worshipped together as a study abroad program. Dr Lytle offered some great thoughts on how Christianity has prevailed despite struggle, the religion where a man has called himself Divine. With this evidence, I find it even more convicting to see Christianity as truth-it has withstood persecution, questions, and the test of time. Mike (Jacque's husband) read the Easter story in such a compelling way that many of us became emotional. The way our time was conducted was such a fresh perspective on the story that many of us have heard countless times, bringing a new facet of meaning to the story of Jesus' sacrifice.
Then it was potluck time! My contribution was sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, and it was a delicious meal! Pretty impressed with everyone's cooking skills! Following the meal, we had a mini Easter egg hunt, each egg labeled with a persons name on it. Inside some of them were little sentences describing elements of the Easter story that we took a little time to reflect over.
Despite being away for a very family-oriented holiday, each of us enjoyed being the Oxford family that we are as a sufficient replacement for the time being. I think this day alone brought us closer together because of our time spent together spiritually, focusing on that common thread of faith and thanksgiving we have for salvation. What an immaculate day.
Friday, April 23, 2010
backyard barbeque
So Wyatt and Grant came up with this awesome idea to have a backyard cookout, since the weather has started to warm up and the sun has been making guest appearances.
The date was set- Sunday at 2 pm.
Since I got back from Amsterdam around midnight the night before, I rushed to the store in Summertown after my morning run. Frozen shrimp, mixed veg, onion, and lemon in a foil pack is a real good idea on the grill. While the afternoon wasn't completely sunny, it was beautiful and so relaxing! We stayed out in the backyard until 6:30 pm playing volleyball, throwing the football and frisbee, sitting on the lawn, and enjoying a barbeque potluck! It was so nice to actually enjoy the fresh air on a Sunday afternoon without freezing, and of course I always love the opportunities for group time.
The dynamic between us has really strengthened, and I absolutely love being in the company of all these great people I live with! God brought us together for such a perfect time, and I know that I will be sad when we no longer have the chance to be together exactly like this again. Reunions are a must.
The date was set- Sunday at 2 pm.
Since I got back from Amsterdam around midnight the night before, I rushed to the store in Summertown after my morning run. Frozen shrimp, mixed veg, onion, and lemon in a foil pack is a real good idea on the grill. While the afternoon wasn't completely sunny, it was beautiful and so relaxing! We stayed out in the backyard until 6:30 pm playing volleyball, throwing the football and frisbee, sitting on the lawn, and enjoying a barbeque potluck! It was so nice to actually enjoy the fresh air on a Sunday afternoon without freezing, and of course I always love the opportunities for group time.
The dynamic between us has really strengthened, and I absolutely love being in the company of all these great people I live with! God brought us together for such a perfect time, and I know that I will be sad when we no longer have the chance to be together exactly like this again. Reunions are a must.
Katie's Birthday
Pretend I wrote this the day before our France excursion. Continue
On the list of notable notes, yesterday (Wednesday) we visit the oxford university press in our Oxford Through the Ages class. You know, the largest university press ever that cranks out the renowned Oxford English Dictionary? We learned about how the book came about, and it's ridiculous. This man (his name currently escapes me) appealed to people in general, asking them to cite print references to words, in order to date them back to their roots. Slips of paper came flowing in, and it was the job of his eleven children to alphabetize all these scraps of information, binding them ad putting them into boxes for later use. The project nearly turned the press bankrupt, and a good number of 'new' words flow in daily. Seeing the print process and all the intricacies that formed books that are essentially works of art was mind-boggling.
After the tour, I picked up ingredients at the store to make molten devils food cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese icing for Katie's birthday! Finished just in time for dinner with the hall (minus a sickly Becca) at pizza express for Katie.
The rest of the night was pretty chill hanging downstairs.. And by the time I was all packed and ready for our 5 am departure time for France, I only got an hour of sleep. Today should be interesting.
On the list of notable notes, yesterday (Wednesday) we visit the oxford university press in our Oxford Through the Ages class. You know, the largest university press ever that cranks out the renowned Oxford English Dictionary? We learned about how the book came about, and it's ridiculous. This man (his name currently escapes me) appealed to people in general, asking them to cite print references to words, in order to date them back to their roots. Slips of paper came flowing in, and it was the job of his eleven children to alphabetize all these scraps of information, binding them ad putting them into boxes for later use. The project nearly turned the press bankrupt, and a good number of 'new' words flow in daily. Seeing the print process and all the intricacies that formed books that are essentially works of art was mind-boggling.
After the tour, I picked up ingredients at the store to make molten devils food cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese icing for Katie's birthday! Finished just in time for dinner with the hall (minus a sickly Becca) at pizza express for Katie.
The rest of the night was pretty chill hanging downstairs.. And by the time I was all packed and ready for our 5 am departure time for France, I only got an hour of sleep. Today should be interesting.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Hey, remember that time..
when I was a halfway decent, committed blogger.. when nothing was happening? Welp, my butt got kicked and life happened. It has been the most amazing thing. I know that I was insistent on not falling behind on this documenting thing, but that's so last month. Within the next week or so, I plan on catching up via Notepad on my iTouch. Thanks, Steve Jobs.
Here's a little taste of what is to come:
Italy (finally)
Easter
Amsterdam and Belgium
Our Spring Cookout
Swing Dancing
April Fools
..and really whatever transpires from now on.
Be ready, people. It's gonna be a doozy.
Here's a little taste of what is to come:
Italy (finally)
Easter
Amsterdam and Belgium
Our Spring Cookout
Swing Dancing
April Fools
..and really whatever transpires from now on.
Be ready, people. It's gonna be a doozy.
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