According to His Riches and Glory

A Long Awaited Update

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:00:00 +0000

It has been quite sometime since I have made any one-way correspondence with my readers, although they probably don't frequent my site any longer since my absence. However, lives change so much in a week and it has been a year or more since I have relayed my happenings. The best news I must share is that on September 13th, 2008 I was married to the love of my life, Benjamin Shockey. The wedding day was absolutely magical and serene. I am so thankful for Benjamin and the love he bestows. He brings me joy each day!

Currently, we are living with Benjamin's parents and attempting to grow our wallets. Benjamin's current profession is that of a baseball player. He is a pitcher and to say that he works hard at what he does would be an understatement. He is out on the field everyday throwing, working out, tweaking his mechanics, running, and completing 400 lunges every other day! It makes me weak in the knees just pondering it! Yes, that was me attempting a little repartee. This is a great example of why he received the Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award from the Golden Baseball League. I'm allowed to boast! I'm his #1 fan and that's what people do when they talk about their heroes! :)

So, you may be asking yourself what I have been doing? Nothing. Again, attempting a little humor. We'll see if you catch on by the end of this post. On the contrary, I have been working part-time (because there is nothing else to be had) and teaching art to a young autistic girl one day a week. I have been painting canvases left and right (please don't make me say, "get it?") and assuming the very difficult job of reading from the Lord of the Rings to Benjamin each night. Yes, you guessed correctly, that's not a difficult job at all! It's been great to discuss the writing with him since I have to put off Graduate school a while longer and I feel as though my brain is turning to mush. My part-time job lacks challenge and therefore I feel utterly useless. Woe is me!

Change is about to happen though and it's received with open arms! Benjamin and I will be moving to California in the beginning of May so that Benjamin can play another season with the California Chico Outlaws! Please don't blame me, they didn't consult me with the name! If they had, it would have been much more literary and fans would have diminished due to lack of understanding. No, that was not a cut on the fans, merely a cut on people who think reading is stupid (cause they're stupid). I'm sorry, that was really boorish! :) I never waste an opportunity to stress that reading is important and I'm not talking about magazines, because we all know that people don't care about politics, literature, and the world, they just care about how they're supposed to look and what Brad, Jen, and Angelina are up to! I'm talking about a book, essay, or manuscript; something that awakens all the brain cells I know you're all storing somewhere in there!

How do I get so off-topic (and don't reply that it's because I'm a girl)? So, Benjamin and I are about to embark upon a mini adventure, but let's hope it turns into much, much more! Let us hope that Benjamin will continually improve in baseball and that he makes it all the way to the majors. That would be something, now wouldn't it? What a ministry that would be! Baseball is quite a different culture of its own and there are definitely men there that need the Lord. I'm thankful that the Lord decides our course and will use us where He needs us most.

Well, I hate to disappoint you all, but that's really all I wanted to relay. I know it's a far cry from being descriptive but really, I think short and sweet is best. Yes, I'm being funny again. Blessings to you all and most definitely keep us in your prayers!

Rachel (Snow) Shockey

This Is How It Goes.

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:14:00 +0000

I've been sitting here in the exact same spot and pretty soon this cushion will have my rear written all over it. Watching videos on YouTube of my long-lost home. I'm meloncholy and cold. How does one describe it, this feeling I have? I remember excitement coupled with fear and anxiety. The damp air and the burning back. I remember the sleepless nights, the tears I cried, and the miles I walked. Oh but the sounds and the sights, the familiarity. The people, the cobblestones, the never-ending supply of hot brewed tea. I imagine myself sitting there in my room, at the kitchen table, on the sofa with a book, walking to church each Sunday night; I want that back.

Life's full of choices aye? Wish I could have it all. Wish I could find myself holding onto that pole on bus number 7, climbing that same large hill, and coming home. Guess I'll never be the same. It's so hard to let go...

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:40:00 +0000

Yes, I've typed in my journal

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:17:00 +0000

I am sadly disappointed in my lack of writing over the course of these two months. I believe that December 15th was my last post and that, my good friends, is a tragedy indeed. I barely find time to convey to my parents the happenings of my life, let alone sit at a computer and type. I promise that I will not bore you with the little details of my life that I so aptly find myself stressing over, but instead I will say that this semester back at Warner has been an adjustment. It is drastically different from my previous semester abroad. The challenges are different, actually-I wouldn't call it different-I would call it all fluff. That's right, fluff is the best word I can come up with at the moment. Instead of reading and writing continually I am working three jobs, have 15 credit hours (and Communication classes require many additional hours for projects), and balancing my church duties as well as my relationships with others. So, there's a lot of stuff, a lot of fluff, or as some like to call it-busy work! Basically what I am saying is that the challenges are much different this semester and drives home even more the desire for graduation! Oh that glorious day! Hahaha

Well...this was a very informational five minutes of typing. I promise it will be better next time, I just wanted everyone to know that I am still alive and kickin'! To be continued . . .

My Continued Life After Oxford

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:17:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 22:24:00 +0000

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!!!!

Life on the run

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 14:40:00 +0000

I'm sorry that I haven't been posting anything lately. I am so overwhelmed with work that I have only enough time to write for my papers. I will be done in two weeks! I am very excited to be done and say that I survived a semester at Oxford! :)

I have some more photos, so please follow the links to my new facebook albums:

This is my album from the weekend trip to Austria with my friend, Danielle:

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001577&l=c768a&id=186300065

This is my album of my baby nephew, Hayden Michael Snow, born on my birthday!!!:

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001587&l=d7f1c&id=186300065

This is my album of SCIO's Thanksgiving celebration (11-25-2006):

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001631&l=ab7b5&id=186300065

I hope you enjoy the photos! I will be able to tell you about the events later, either in person or through my journalling. :) Love to all! Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!!

Always in Christ Jesus Our Lord,
Rachel

Harvest Masquerade

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:34:00 +0000

Recent photos...journal will come soon!!!

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001447&id=186300065&l=4c83a

Oh, the agony

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 13:08:00 +0000

*crying* "I need Orbit gum!"

Busy-ness is not fun business!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:50:00 +0000

After a long absence, I have returned to report to my loving readers that I am still alive! I apologize for the lack of writing and I appreciate your patience on the matter. The past week has included two all-nighters and moments of freakish misery!!! Also followed by moments of insanity and pacing. Not to worry, I am still somewhat my sane self. Although, the level of that sanity is up for debate. My friends have found it comforting to know that I am ALWAYS this crazy and that I do not have a split personality. Relief abounds. Please do not anxiously ask the screen about what I am referring to because I will elaborate in some detail on the matter, later on in the post.

I suppose I should start at the very beginning because that's a very good place to start. Hehehe. Well, I will begin by explaining a little about what kind of semester I am up against. This term is called the Michaelmas term and it starts the first week of October. For schools in the States, semesters normally begin the third or fourth week of August. The SSO (Scholar's Semester at Oxford) began the first week of September, in order to balance out our regular semester. This past month we had the British Landscapes course. In the beginning, my fellow students and I would meet every day at Wycliffe Hall for this course. There are colleges and halls that are a part of Oxford University, Wycliffe being one. Wycliffe is a school of theology, and somewhat like a seminary except for the fact that you do not have to go into priest-hood. So, until the students started arriving, we met in the Lower Common Room (LCR) and watched the BBC History of Britain by Simon Schama. Each day we looked forward to humming along with the theme song and anticipated what animals Schama would use to depict a story. We are all amazed at his ability to put emphasis on anything by simply moving his head and shoulders. Wow! I must admit, we love you Schama! We will miss you. You brought delight to each of our days.

After we had our Schama fix, we would go into the dining room and have a spot o' tea! My favorite is the Earl Grey or the Cranberry. A little bit of cream and some sugar is how to do it! Next, we would all return to our seats in the LCR and hear a lecture given by one of the SCIO staff or a guest speaker. It varied on different days. We would then have lunch in the dining hall and most often, it was followed by another lecture. Some days we would have a field trip with Dr. Baigent to locations within Oxford. Those trips were made to Oxford Castle and cathedral, Broad Street, St. Michael in the Northgate, Martyrs' Memorial, St. Mary Magdalen, Pitt Rivers Museum, and The University of Oxford Museum of Natural History. On Thursdays we went on field trips with Simon Lancaster, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, and sometimes Dr. Baigent. These field trips were outside of Oxford. We went to St. Albans, Winchester, Bath, and the Imperial War Museum. On two Saturdays we had the option to go with Simon and Jonathan on field trips. They went to London (I did not go) and Dorchester. You can see photos from almost all of these trips on the links to my facebook albums, from previos posts.

Normally for the British Landscape course we would write three, 6-8 page Case Studies. But, since there was a delay on obtaining our University Library cards, we were instructed to write two, 9-12 page papers. We were given a little over a week to familiarize ourselves with the topic we chose to study and gather up all the information we would need to write the paper. The only drawback is that many other students were doing the same case study and although Oxford has over 8 million books, there may be only one or a couple of copies of each book. The other drawback is that Oxford's library system is split into several private Libraries. Some of these Libraries can only be used by certain halls or colleges within the university. Also, only two libraries, the English Faculty Library (EFL) and the History Library allow you to check out books. The others like the Old Bodleian, the New Bodleian, and the Radcliff Camera did not allow books to be checked out. If there was a book that I needed to read, I would have to go onto the online library and request it from the stacks. Books requested from stacks are put on a conveyor belt and sent to a reading room of your choice. I would have that book under my name for a week. Some books were easily pulled from the shelf but, it's first-come first-serve. So, that freakish misery that I spoke of earlier was my newfound experience with the library system. Thankfully, many of my books were at the EFL and I was able to check them out. For some, I had to go to Blackwell's or Borders and buy them. Searching for the right information while trying to educate yourself on the subject is no easy task. For me, writing the papers was so difficult. I tend to be a slow writer because I am so critical. After days of reading and research, I took three days to write my first paper. The paper was on Shakespeare and was due September 25th (Monday). I almost pulled an all-nighter. I had about 2 hours of sleep. I went through a stage of narcolepsy later that afternoon after I finally ate something. My stomach was so messed up from not eating and staying up so late. I had to begin right away on my next case study because it was due Friday morning. I wrote my second paper on Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn. I really enjoyed what I learned. I pulled an all-nighter on the second paper. That was not fun! I finished it about 5:15 am and then the printer wasn't working. First it wasn't printing at all and then we found out that the ink was really low. My paper was a little faded in the middle, but it was still legible. I was of course panicking because I had to be ready to leave with my group to go to Scotland at 5:45. I hadn't showered or packed and we had to be down at the bus stop at 6:00. Jennifer, one of my friends that was also going with us, was experiencing the same problem. We were frantic!!! Hahaha. Our group ended up waiting on another person to be ready because they had slept in, but we still made it to the bus stop in time to make the Oxford Tube. It was a CRAZY day!

I felt better about the second paper than I did about my first one. We all got our papers back yesterday and the comments look good. We don't find out what our marks are until next week. We had the orientation for the actual term yesterday. I found out who my two tutors are: Jonathan Kirkpatrick for my Primary Tutorial on Classical Literature and Emma Plaskitt for my Secondary Tutorial on English Literature from 1740-1832. I have to meet with them to arrange when I will be meeting with them for the term. I meet with my primary tutor once a week and my secondary tutor once every-other week. I will be getting advice from them on what lectures to choose. I have to attend a lecture per week for each tutorial and two lectures a week for the Integrative Seminar. So, about 4 lectures a week and 32 total for the term. That's a lot! I have an essay assignment each time I meet with my tutors. The essay will be based on a question that the tutor will ask me and I must research, compare concepts, and write a decisive answer. Sometimes tutors will assign a number of pages to write and some want you to answer the question in however many pages it takes. One semester, a student from SCIO that was studying History was made to write 20 pages a week!!!! Outrageous! I must meet with my Seminar Leader, Dr. Santha Battacharji next week and present a proposal for my long essay. The long essay must be written over the course of the term and turned in near the end. It must be 3,000 words or more and I must come up with my own question or idea to address. I will be deliberating over that today and this weekend. The last week of the term is reading week, when I will be writing an essay for the final. The final will be a question that I will pick and write on. It has to be 1,300 words in length. Needless to say, I will be doing quite a bit of writing. But, as you all can see, I have no problem writing to great lengths. Yet, it is obviously different writing a journal than to write scholarly works.

I hope to write soon about my experience in Scotland. It was absolutely beautiful! But, until then, please enjoy some of the photos that I have put up on facebook:

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001375&id=186300065&l=2673d

If I could ask anything, I ask that you would continue to pray for me. There are so many things I have to remember and so much work laid upon me. I know I will make it out of this alive but I need the prayers of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to continue to uphold me! Also, I want to hear from all of you. I would love to get mail! I may not be able to reply as quickly as I would like, because of how busy I am, but I will always take the time to read letters! Look below for my mailing address. I continue to pray for my family members, for my dear friends in Ohio, and for my friends in Florida. I love you all so dearly! Choose to see God's blessings! :)

~Rachel

My mailing address:

My name
SCIO
2 Frewin Court
Oxford
OXI 3HZ
United Kingdom

Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 15:35:00 +0000

I have more pictures from Oxford, for those of you in my family that are not able to have access to facebook. Please follow the links to my photo albums:

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001272&id=186300065&l=3c142

http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001239&id=186300065&l=fd5d8

I will post a journal soon!

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's occurrences.

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 10:29:00 +0000

It's the morning of the 9th, a beautiful Saturday. My vision of outdoors was blurred this morning from the precipitation on the windows. The thought of staying in my nice warm bed and looking out on the cold of Oxford, England makes me exceedingly glad to be able to relax today. The entire group, save but some, have gone with Simon Lancaster and Jonathan Kirkpatrick on a trip to London. Therefore, apart from the boom from a circuit breaking, the house has been extremely quiet. This is the perfect atmosphere in which to write. I assume that you would want to know more about the circuit, but let's just say that Danielle and I discovered the limit that our British plugs can take. Being made apparent by the blue burst of a flame and as I said before, a loud "BOOM." Danielle, eyes wide open and feeling that she came within an inch of her life, and me...inhaling what smells like a powered, race car track. Some of you know what smell I am referring to. After these events, we came to discover that it had blown out the circuits throughout our room. But, thankfully we know what to do in a case like this: write a maintainance report! Haha. Soon, Jackie came to our rescue and pointed us to the circuit breaker panel and our room is up and running normal again!

It is time for reflection on this week. I can sum it up in one word: tiring! We definitely met the first week of orientation in full force. Walking to Wycliff Hall each morning takes about 45 minutes or more, depending on traffic, which is about 3 miles. Then we walk around the city of Oxford to scope out what's around us. By the time we've made it home, we've walked near 10 miles. It's like that every day, so needless to say, my body has been aching. I have been consuming a banana a day, trying to make sure that I have the necessary nutrients. Water is a constant companion as well. My calves are becoming HUGE! I don't think I've seen them look this way since highschool! Haha. So, due to the rigorous week we have experienced, Danielle and I chose to skip the group trip to London today. We have opted instead, for a day of relaxation and organization. It's nice to finally take a break to breathe.

Now that I finally have time to journal, I thought I would give you a summary of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's occurrences, as stated in the title. Please prepare yourselves for a long post. I will have photos to include as well.

Wednesday:

Today's lectures were about Anglo-Saxon Literature, led by Dr. Santha Bhattacharji. As well as a lecture on St. Albans: Celts, Romans, and Christians, led by Jonathan Kirkpatrick. Both were equaling fascinating. Dr. Bhattacharji led the class through an old English writing called The Gospel Book:

Some enemy deprived me of my life
And took away my worldly strength, then wet me.
Dipped me in water, took me out again,
Set me in sunshine, where I quickly lost
The hairs I had. Later the knife's hard edge
Cut me with all impurities ground off.

Then fingers folded me; the bird's fine raiment
Traced often over me with useful drops
Across my brown domain, swallowed the tree-dye
Mixed up with water, stepped on me again
Leaving dark tracks. The hero clothed me then
With boards to guard me, stretched hide over me,
Decked me with gold; and thus the splendid work
Of smiths, with wire bound round, embellished me.
Now my red dye and all my decorations,
My gorgeous trappings far and wide proclaim
The Lord of Hosts, not grief for foolish sins.
If sons of men will make good use of me,
By that they shall be sounder, more victorious,
Their hearts more bold, their minds more full of joy,
Thier spirits wiser; they shall have more friends,
Dear ones and kinsmen, truer and more good,
More kind and faithful, who will add more glory
And happiness by favours, who will lay
Upon them kindness and benefits,
And clasp them fast in the embrace of love.
Say who I am, useful to men. My name
Is famous, good to men, and also sacred.

This is about a lamb who has given up its life for a manuscript. At the time this was written, lamb skin was the best to use because it was whiter than other animal skin. The skin from the manuscript was used from the back of the lamb, because it had a natural crease from the spine with which it was folded. It could then be folded twice again and bound with wood panels and leather, in this case it says "Now my red dye and all my decorations," red leather being the best kind of binding. This could be kept in the coat pocket. The quill pen was the "bird's fine raiment." The "useful drops" are the marks of the pen and they would look like bird droppings from the consistent mattern. The part about how the quill "swallowed the tree-dye" is being symbolic of a bird drinking. The quill would be dipped in an animal horn, which would serve as an inkwell. Needless to say, this was extremely interesting to me. I took Dr. Sheneman's History of English class and he led us through several Old English works in the same manner.

We also had our first seminars with our department tudors. The rest of the English majors and I studied/discussed Chaucer's The Parson's Tale. This was also a very exciting meeting.

Thursday:

Today we went to St. Alban's Cathedral and to the Roman Verulamium. The Cathedral was beautiful beyond words! Never in my life have I beheld something so huge and incredibly detailed! It was breathtaking! Many of us from the group ate at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, which is the OLDEST pub in ALL of England. See the photos below. I was so hungry, I ordered their famous cheeseburger, and it was HUGE! I ate all my chips (fries) and finished off Danielle's sorbet, because she was full. Those sitting around me couldn't believe that I had actually eaten it all. I sure packed it in, and walked it off in an hour! Haha

When we returned, we went to the Crick Road House and had a very deep discussion about God's work in our lives with Nicola (a graduate of Oxford and staff member of SSO) and some other girls. This was enjoyed over a nice cup of hot tea. Yumm!

Friday:

Today we had our Library orientation. It's very confusing, so I won't attempt to explain it to you all. It would be better to do that when I return. We got out from seminars early today, so Danielle and I went walking around Oxford city. I purchased a drawing book and conte crayons from a little art shop. That made me very happy! Then, Danielle and I shared some very delicious raspberry icecream. :) We bought post cards at Clinton's, which I will send out soon. Then we came home and crashed upon our beds. I had a long relaxing shower and took care of beautifying myself. Haha. Because my feet have been so sore, I lathered my feet with cocoanut oil and put my cotton socks on. It was bliss! Haha

This catches you all up on what I have been doing. I'm sorry it's so terribly long. I hope you're all doing well and don't forget that I love and miss you all! :) Cheers!

Pictures from the Tea at Crick Road

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 20:43:00 +0000

So, I have pictures from the tea from Sunday. Please follow the arrows to where Danielle and I are. :) I am sorry I am not posting a journal today, we have a field trip tomorrow and I need sleep. I have SO much to write in the next journal though! I can't wait to tell you all about the English Seminar discussion that I had today with the other English majors! It is being led by Dr. Santha Bhattacharji and it was so stimulating!

Tea at Crick Road house.

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 20:37:00 +0000

Today Danielle and I had our own little worship time. We sang several worship songs, ate our new cereal, and took videos with my camera of The Vines and its grounds. Soon, you should be able to see them on YouTube, for those of my family that care to see them. They're funny!

At 2:30, Danielle and I, and a large group of the students from the Vines, walked 45 minutes to the Crick Road house for afternoon tea. It was delicious! I had two cubes of sugar and milk in mine! I will never drink tea the same way again. There were cheeses, cakes, fruit, and little British made snacks. It was all very good. I spent a good hour talking with other English majors about British literature and linguistics. So fantastic! Can you all imagine a bunch of English nerds getting passionate and excited about British literature? I could not have been happier today! I spoke with Mr. Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Junior Dean of the Crick house and SCIO lecturer for the Classics Tutorial, I believe. It was completely fascinating! He might very well be my tutor for the Classics Tutorial that I am taking. I am so excited to study the Greek and Latin texts! Although, that won't begin until about a month.

Then we all traveled to St. Andrew's, Evangelical Anglican Church (www.standrewsoxford.org), where Mr. Kirkpatrick attends. The service was the contemporary service, geared more toward youth. It was led by the Curate, Will Pearson-Gee. It was wonderful! Very spirit-filled and we all took communion together. We walked up to the front and knelt at a huge altar and the Vicar, Andrew Wingfield Digby, broke our bread and two women held up the cup for us to sip. They took a handkerchief and wiped after each person sipped. I almost choked because I wasn't expecting wine. The alcohol was very strong and very bitter. But it was only a sip. No, I am not tipsy. Hahaha

Then, after the service, we all walked back, another 45 minutes to The Vines. Our feet called for freedom! Danielle and I, who had acted as normal college students, forgot to eat and so opened our new bag of kettle chips and ravenously ate the whole bag within minutes! And now, as I sit here and write of all the day's occurrences, I am delightfully looking forward to tomorrow's events.

For all of those who care to know my schedule for the first week, here it is:

4 September Monday: Wycliffe Hall

8.15 Vines students leave to go to Wycliffe Hall
9.00 Coffee and Tea
9.30 Orientation commences
10.50 Morning Break
11.15 Orientation continues
12.30 Lunch
1.30 Orientation continues
3.00 Afternoon tea
3.45 British landscape programme commences
5.00 Finish

5 September Tuesday: Wycliffe Lower Common Room, the Frewin Court

9.30 British landscape programme
10.30 Break
11.00 Bibliography session
11.30 Editing session
12.00 General Q&A
12.30 Lunch
1.15 Introducing Wycliffe Staff
1.30 Tour of Wycliffe
2.00 Chapel
3.00 Frewin Orientation and afternoon tea

6 September Wednesday morning: British Landscapes: Wycliffe Lower Common Room

9.30 British landscape programme
10.30 Morning tea
11.00 British landscape programme
12.00 Lunch
12.45 British landscape programme
2.30 English Seminar
3.30 Afternoon tea
4.00 English Seminar
5.00 Finish

7 September Thursday field trip

8.45 Field trip to St. Albans
5.00 Return to Oxford

8 September Friday morning: library orientation, then British Landscapes programme: Wycliffe Lower Common Room

10.00 Library orientation
11.30 British landscape programme
12.30 Lunch
1.15 British landscape programme

9 September Saturday: London
Field trip to London with Simon Lancaster and Jonathan Kirkpatrick

So, that's it for now! I'm going to go eat and get much needed sleep! Love you all! Cheers!

Four hours of walking around Oxford! What Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 23:57:00 +0000

Today is Saturday. I woke up around 10:30 and ate breakfast. The Tesco brand of bran flakes. Very good, I might add. I assisted in the chopping of bananas for our 2:00 lunch with the Crick Road residents. So, I met some more new people today. I am afraid I haven't been very sociable. It's been a lot to take in. I've been contemplative and quiet. Observing has been my choice activity. Haha. There has been a game of Mafia in the living room and it has been going on for the past few hours. I'm not even playing that, so you know that I'm being shy. Haha.

Danielle and I left at about 4:30 and went walking to the center of Oxford city. We walked about 30 minutes and found the Tesco grocery store that we were looking for. We spent about an hour inside and we were busy reading labels, checking prices, making a mental list of the things we could buy and how to budget. We were given 150 pounds each and we have decided that since we eat the same food, we would join our money together and share the food we buy. We are given this food money once at the beginning of each month. Jackie and Clint, our Resident Directors, told us that two students lived off of 60 lbs a week and ate very well. We think we can do it too. Maybe even better! A lot of prepackaged things are expensive, but we prefer to buy plain things like rice and pre-bagged veggies and make our own things. Especially because Danielle is allergic to wheat, gum, and stabilizers. Interestingly enough, she knew coming over that her type of allergy is more common in England than in the States. So, there is a section in the groceries all for her kinds of foods. Praise the Lord! Also, on packages in England, there is lots more information on the ingredients, there's an allergy notice about gums and wheat. So, that helps Danielle not eat something that will cause a reaction later.

So, we walked and walked today. We stopped to eat at Mando's, a Portuguese restaurant. We shared chicken, corn on the cob, and chips (fries). It was so good. I got the chicken down to the bones! I've never done that before! Haha. So, we walked back about 8:00 and got home safe and sound....and tired. It was a good, four hour walk. :) We took pictures again today. So, I hope you enjoy. There are pictures of houses and things along the road we live.

Okay, so the photos are taking a while and I am going to go to bed. So, I will post the rest tomorrow and if there are any spelling errors, I am truly sorry. I can't bring up the spell checker right now either. So, bear with me. :)

Our Lovely home!

Walking along Pullens Lane, the road we live on!

Can you believe that C.S. Lewis walked past this house??? Ahhhhh!

Ahuh, another back shot! Please look at the beautiful scenery AROUND me!

There's Nell!

Gorgeous scenery!

I've Arrived!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:54:00 +0000

So, I have safely arrived in Oxford, England and I am comfortably situated in my room with my other three roommates, Gina (20), Hosanna (19), and Danielle (20). Danielle and I had a very tiring day travelling but we managed just fine. No troubles at all, thank the Lord! We didn't have to pay for our bus fare today, so that is a huge blessing! It just so happened that something was broken so that we didn't have to pay a fare. The driver just put our luggage on the bus and told us to get in. There were several other Best Semester students travelling with us at this point. Danielle and I were thankful that we were able to save the money for the one hour bus ride. Otherwise, it would have been expensive!

So here are just a few photos from the first day:

My sweet Benjamin and I before I left Lake Wales. Parting is such sweet sorrow. :(

Danielle and I at the Orlando Airport. This is where our journey began. :)

Representing Warner Southern College!

With Daddy and Momma, just finished eating some yummy Chick-Fil-A! :)

Sitting on the plane, awaiting the take-off!

And, along the bus ride we saw...

The bus driver forgot to stop at the Gypsy Lane bus stop so we ended up getting a taxi to take us straight to The Vines. Pictures of The Vines will be coming soon. It's gorgeous! For now, just enjoy the pictures of our lovely room:

Saturday will be much more exciting and eventful. We are going around and looking at different grocery stores. We should be pretty sore of walking by the evening. I plan on purchasing three phone cards tomorrow for a very good price!

I have been very contemplative today. I am a bit overwhelmed with the course load but I look forward to all the challenges I am determined to overcome! :) Continue to pray for Danielle and me! I love you all!

The Journey Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:32:00 +0000

The time for my departure is quickly approaching. In less than 8 days, I will be walking up the steps of a plane that will fly miles and miles, across the sea to England. I cannot believe that it is almost here. It seems impossible somehow. I woke up today, feeling it become more real than the morning before. There is no backing down now! While I am undoubtedly certain that there will be an ample amount of things to capture my attention, while I am in England, I will nevertheless miss my family and friends greatly. That is indubitable. I will have thousands of new experiences of my own, but I will miss being a part of the experiences at Warner. All the funny things my friends will do and the many class lectures by Dr. Sheneman, these are just a small part of what I treasure about my college life.

This year has brought about new and exciting things into my life. One of which is my relationship with my boyfriend, Benjamin. He already knows how much I will miss him. It has been a luxury to be able to communicate by phone with him while I have been away this summer. While I am in England, phone conversations will be few and far between. I keep reminding myself that it is only for three months with which I must bear the separation, and that time will fly by due to my intensive studies. Three months of separation have already been a wretched time to bear. At least I am granted a few days of visiting before I must rip myself away again. Haha.

I am excited though. I want to walk toward this experience with an open heart and an open mind. I want to look back on this time in my life as I look back on my experiences in Peru. I want to recall these times over and over. Treasure each opportunity, and each day, be thankful for what the Lord has given me.

This is the beginning of my journey to Oxford. Remember to visit my blog frequently, as I will be writing often of my experiences and posting many pictures. I hope they will delight you and entertain you! To all of those who have contributed to my education overseas, thank you! I hope you will all be reading and seeing how your contribution is furthering my higher education. Thank you.

Until my next post, be blessed! :)

~Rachel

Inspiration from Christa Wilson

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 16:55:00 +0000

Go to this site: www.earnestlyseeking.blogspot.com This is a site belonging to my friend, Christa Wilson. Read her blog from Tuesday, August 08, 2006. She and Dan inspire me! :)

Spiritual Quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 17:35:00 +0000

O Love, that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. ~ George Matheson

One thing I of the Lord desire, for all my life hath miry been -- be it by water or by fire, Oh, make me clean, Oh, make me clean! So wash me now, without, within, or purge with fire, if that must be, no matter how, if only sin die out in me, die out in me. ~unknown

If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad. ~Ruth Stull

Prayer:

Almighty God, you alone can bring unto order the UNRULY wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to LOVE WHAT YOU COMMAND and DESIRE WHAT YOU PROMISE; that among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever! Amen.

Gap Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 16:43:00 +0000

The image is kind of small, so click on it to see a larger view. :)

Hehe, you know how much I love Gap!

Scripture: The Lord's Goodness

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:15:00 +0000

Micah 6:8
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Nahum 1:6-7
"Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Psalms 25:8
"Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way."

Psalms 33:5
"He loveth righteousness and judgment; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."

Psalms 34:8
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him"

Hearty Bean Soup!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 02:10:00 +0000

Washed Kidney and Gorbanzo beans....yumm

The finished product!!!

Hearty Bean Soup:

So, can I serve you up some?! Yumm!

More Drawings

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 02:47:00 +0000

More pictures for your enjoyment.......

"Stylish"

"Thoughts"

England approaches

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:48:00 +0000

As July comes to a close, I am in awe of how quickly it has flown by. I await August with deep anticipation of all it will bring. I am so thankful to God for this opportunity! It has always been a dream of mine to travel to England. Growing up and watching classics like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice (the older version), Emma, Princess Bride, Ever After, and other films set in the English countryside- these are just some of the stories that have written this dream within me. When I first read C.S. Lewis', "The Chronicles of Narnia" I was so obsessed! Anyone who has ever been near me during or after I read a very good book, knows how engrossed I am in the story. I can go for weeks thinking and talking about it. England holds a mystical, magical feel to me. Great writers such as: Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Ernest Hemingway, H. G. Wells, Charles Dickens, as well as countless others- they have given me appreciation for the written language. How can anyone argue that anything (aside from the Bible) is more beautiful, more genius, than British Literature?! I am so thrilled to be able to study Literature in the country where such geniuses existed. Just think, were it not for the gift of printed word, writers' works, such as Shakespeare, would be lost to us! What a very boring world that would be. :) But, that being said, I am so excited to study at Oxford University! Although it has been many years since C.S. Lewis walked its halls, I know I will be overcome with the brilliance of it all. I can't wait!!!

Failed Attempts

noreply@blogger.com (Rachel) — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 23:50:00 +0000

Guitar: the first instrument I attempted to learn. I quit my classes after a year because I was sick of playing the same children's songs. If the Barney theme song had been our next piece, it might have prompted me to continue.

Piano: the second instrument I attempted to learn. I quit my lessons after a year because my teacher wouldn't teach me fast enough. I believe that I learn quickly and I want to know everything!

And now, I regret that I didn't stick with it. I wish I knew how to read music easier, play the piano, and have a better understanding of the components of music.

Karate: quit after a year and a half because I was bored. I wanted to kick some booty. Hehe

Volleyball: two years in highschool and still love it!

But, the most important thing that I could stick with is my relationship with Christ. I will never be bored or give up on my Savior. :)