My Continued Life After Oxford

It's hard to believe that in just a day it will be a week since I flew away from England. When I wake up in the morning, I keep expecting to open my eyes and see my blue comforter or the high ceilings in my room at The Vines. I went walking in the drizzle to Warner's campus and I donned my raincoat and flipped open my umbrella, but it wasn't the same. I expected to see the cobblestone pathways and the little narrow streets that wind up-and-down and side-to-side. Instead I saw the flat, bleached-out pavement and palm trees of Florida. I don't miss the crowds and the smoke but I miss the quaintness of Oxford, and I miss walking in the drizzle.

As it is, life goes on. I had a nightmare last night that I still had papers to write for Oxford. Thankfully, Benjamin had yummy pancakes waiting for me to cheer me up! :) It's been so nice to come and stay with the Shockeys for a while before Benjamin and I head for Ohio. I have missed them all so much. I don't think I've laughed so hard in one day as I did yesterday. Benjamin and Daniel are so hilariously entertaining and it's fun to join their stupidity. :) Benjamin gave me two birthday gifts today: runts (my favorite candy) and Leigh Nash's new cd, Blue on Blue (Benjamin and I love the song, My Idea of Heaven). He is so sweet; they were the perfect gifts! :)

I'm looking forward to this next semester back at Warner. I am taking an independent study with Dr. Sheneman on English Theory. I attended a lecture at Oxford called Practicing Criticism so Dr. S thought it would be good to teach me more. I didn't know what the lecturer was saying half the time, so it will be good to study it one-on-one with Dr. S. Please be praying for my living arrangements, I don't know where Warner can put me on-campus and I don't know of anywhere off-campus that I could live and it be affordable and pleasant. Well, I've spent enough time on the computer today, I will save whatever else I have to say for the next journal entry. May you all have a blessed week! :)

Reflections of Oxford

It has finally come: freedom from my studies at Oxford! :) It has been the most strenuous and the most unbelievable experience that I've had thus far. Easy will never be the word to describe my time here. It has been a stressful time, full of tears and sleepless days. The amount of work and the time in which to accomplish it has been my most challenging task; but the knowledge and experiences I take back with me were worth it. I must say that my scheduled professional massage sounds so amazingly wonderful! :)

One thing that I have learned this term is to truly glorify God in everything, even school work. Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord! I must say that I haven't always taken that approach, especially when I was literally shaking with stress. God wants us to glorify Him by being diligent students in our studies but there comes a point when it can detract from God. That point was my enemy. I desire to find my Lord in everything and I have found Him in prayer. On those nights when I was completely distraught and angry at my work, my only release was prayer. My favorite experience this semester was when I walked to tutorials and lectures and spent the time in prayer. I realize that you were all going on with your lives while I've been away; you were never far from my thoughts. Prayer was my most precious connection to all of you during this term. To my utmost sadness I hardly read my Bible this term; but my times of prayer and reflection were just as meaningful and encouraging. God has shown me again how communion with Him through prayer is just as important as the reading of His holy word.

I am so excited to hear what you all have done in my time away and I am excited to share my stories with you, whenever asked. I look forward to seeing you all soon! May you be truly blessed! Break out the lights and bring in the cheer for Christmas is almost here!!!!