Nothing on Earth...

Not the Austrian Alps.
Not the Sistine Chapel.
Not the Yorkshire Dales.
Not the sculpture of Michelangelo.
Not the Scottish Lochs.
Not the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Not the islands of Greece.
Not the paintings of Monet.
Not the Pacific Ocean.

I have seen some beautiful things on this earth, but "nothing on earth is as beautiful as You."

Capern-versary

One year ago today I embarked upon a grand adventure.

Searching for my seat, lyrics ran through my head: "I'm leaving on a jet plane; don't know when I'll be back again." The words were literal. Untold hours later, I had flown across a continent and an ocean. I was in England.

I spent the next nine months studying at Capernwray Hall Bible School, learning, building friendships, growing, traveling, and having adventures. How can I express in words all that occurred during those nine months?

Today, another group of students will have arrived at the castle, jet-lagged but excited. What a year they have ahead.

"Remember the wondrous works that He has done..." -Psalm 105:5.

German Time

Because every time I see a clock tower, I think of my cousin.

Heidelberg

Friedrichshafen

Konstanz

Lindau

Neckarwestheim

[plus a few more]

Sunshine and the Sea Revisited

Kintyre, Scotland

Kilbrannan Sound

Kildalloig Bay

Atop Davaar Island

Atlantic Ocean

Sunshine and the Sea

Six hours of driving (north, then west, then south) along winding roads might be worth it.

Kintyre, Scotland

Clock Towers of Edinburgh

This is for you, Lady Greenleaf. Every time I see a clock tower I think of you.




Actually, just about everything makes me think of you. Tea, knitting, slippers, houndstooth coats (and goats), detectives, swords, cowboys, squirrels with accents, firearms, castles, books, boots, Texas, etc.

Morning and Evening

The castle I live in technically isn't a castle--it's a manor. This, however, is a real castle.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

Student Visa

As you probably know, I'm attending Bible School in England this year. Because I am going to be studying in the UK for an extended period of time, I need a Student Visa.

After sending in my Visa application around three weeks ago, I received an email from the British Consulate last Thursday stating that it had been received. They said the application had been entered into their system, but that it might be ten business days before it was assessed--due to the high volume of applications, it might be longer. Ten business days from last Thursday is the day my flight leaves for England.

Needless to say, I've been praying about it for the past several days and seeking to trust Him in the midst of my worries.

On Sunday, the elders at church and several friends joined me in prayer about my Visa. One prayed that it would come "tomorrow" (Monday), but I don't actually need it until the 24th and didn't expect it. Upon arriving home from work yesterday, however, I discovered another email from the British Consulate. They said that my Visa had been issued and would be sent to me directly. This evening, I opened a package with my approved Student Visa.

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!" - Psalm 34:3

The Lone Star State

I have not posted in quite a long time. I am, however, doing so now. Although I generally reserve this blog for rather serious topics, I have considered for some time deviating from this pattern. As the name of this blog denotes, it is a place to record remembrances. As stated before, I am doing so now.

Bicycling home from school thirteen days ago, I discovered a message on our answering machine. In typical extended-family style, my grandma bought—unbeknownst to me—a ticket for me to fly to Austin the next Tuesday.

"Why?" you may ask.

A few days earlier, I had learned from my cousin’s blog that she would be accompanying our grandma from California to Texas for a week to visit our aunt and uncle. Naturally, I commented asking if I could come too. The cousin mentioned the comment to Grandma and Aunt. Apparently the answer was yes, as I’m sitting in Austin at the moment.


Doing something one has hoped for a long time to do can sometimes be disappointing as the imagination may create higher expectations than can be feasibly met. Not so now. Contrarily, I am more in love with Texas since visiting than ever I was in the past. The last few days have been some of the best I can recall.


This week has been filled from boot toes to the brim of a cowboy hat with such adventures as long drives to Fredericksburg, lobbying at the state capitol, attempting to whistle on lilac leaves, Texas Two-Steppin’ at the Broken Spoke, drinking tea while watching ridiculous movies, trying on $1,000+ cowboy boots, remembering the Alamo from within its walls, attending Cowboy Church, and eating barbecue. Lots and lots of barbecue.


I pretty much have the best family ever. Also, really cool boots.

The History of an Old Rock

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4).

As I meditated on Isaiah’s words this morning, I thought about the ancient rocks I saw on my trip to Europe.

In March of this year, I visited an old rock known as the Areopagus or Mars Hill.

This rock is the location of several well-known events. As recounted in Acts 17, the apostle Paul addressed the Athenians from Mars Hill in around 50 A.D. Hundreds of years earlier (in 399 B.C.), the philosopher Socrates’ trial took place on this same rock. In addition, Aeschylus, the Greek playwright who lived from 525-456 B.C., sets a portion of his drama The Furies on the Areopagus. The tragedy details the trial of Orestes on this rock shortly after the Trojan War ended in 1184 B.C.

Rocks last a long time. They do not, however, last forever. Near the Areopagus is the Odeon of Herodes (which is not nearly as old, having been built in only the second century B.C.). After more than 2000 years in use, this theater is showing evidence of wear—mainly from the stiletto heels of many visitors.

Although millions of feet are wearing away the rocks of Greece, God is the rock that will never erode.

He is Risen!

"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive."
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23


Although I prefer the more life-like style of paintings I saw in the basilicas of Rome, this is my favorite mural in St. Andrew's Church in Patras, Greece. Victorious, Christ rises from the dead, crushing the gates of hell. Keys are strewn beneath Him, as graves are unlocked and their captives set free. The thought of His resurrection, and my own future resurrection to life, excites me!

"'O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?'
. . . But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
- 1 Corinthians 15:55, 57