Babes in Britain: Wizards, Mystics, and Archdeacons

This weekend, we went to Oxford. And GUESS WHO I SAW THERE!

I am sooooooo proud of Chris! He is so so so so smart!

We got to see him in his matriculation robes. Don’t be fooled by the graduation hat. He hasn’t done anything yet.

Chris is living in a tiny room with a slanted roof and a sky-light. The romantic in me is so jealous.

But Oxford is so fun. Tons of harry potters running around. wizards. And Chris is one too!

The Rainy Cliffs of Dover:

Other News:

We had a refreshing visit from two of our friends from Europe Semester last weekend (Kylie and Hayley!). Seeing new faces after six weeks is like a large drink of cold water (and believe me, that would be really nice—the Brits have the absurd idea that when I order tap water, a shot glass should be enough for an entire meal...I am constantly thirsty).

We had a long talk about some of the hard parts of this semester. Honestly, a group of twenty seven is challenging. Also, this semester has been just as much (if not more) about God and the church as it has been about Dickens and the Victorians, and I think I am dealing with a lot of things under the surface that I can't quite name yet.

We recently went to Julian of Norwich's cell. Julian was a medieval mystic who had visions of Jesus and who devoted her life to solitude and prayer. Her writings are famous for both their theological and literary significance. The chapel, though, was understated. A humble, two-room place, rebuilt after being bombed.

Here’s the thing about Julian: she prayed to identify with Christ’s bodily sufferings. And when people would come to her with their questions, and as she struggled with seeing sin and sickness and death all around, Julian experienced God in a very real way. As we sat there, I was reminded of how much I, too, want God’s presence.

The Canterbury weekend crowned that experience. Friday night we took a candlelight tour of the Cathedral. We 27, the archdeacon, the dark Cathedral, and the flame of Thomas Beckett’s shrine. I’m not sure if it was knowing how many people have traveled here, or if it was hearing the story of Thomas’ martyrdom, or if it was the striking art piece made of nails—or if it was just the simple, poised way the archdeacon brought Christ’s gentle presence to our tour as she invited us to pray—but we were absolutely riveted.

And the lighting of the candles—I have to admit, it was a little bit of Christmas Eve in my heart. And, in that way, a little bit of home. And I didn’t expect that of a Cathedral.

Julian writes: "Lord Jesus, I have heard you say, "Sin is necessary, but all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." We say amen.