Hey everyone from the lobby of the Celtic Hotel! It's hard to believe that we've been here in London for almost two weeks! It feels like we've been here forever yet such a short time as well. The past week has absolutely flown by!
Last Sunday, the whole group went to St. Paul's Cathedral for the 11:30 service. It was beautiful beyond description. As we walked up from the tube stop, the bells were chiming, calling everyone to come and worship. Outside, I was awed by the size of the building, but that was nothing compared to the inside. We worshipped under the dome, and everything was just gorgeous. Around the inside of the dome (haha whenever I saw the dome, I keep thinking "Headed to the Dome," for all you Passion-goers) are images of the apostles and prophets and stages of Christ's life. The dome stretches high above, letting in light from outside and filled with light from inside. The service was very formal but I could definitely feel the presence of God. The boys' choir sang that day. Because St. Paul's is stone inside, the acoustics are incredible. Every time the boys or the organ cut off, the sound would remain for about ten seconds or so. So beautiful! Every time that happened, my breath would catch as I just reveled in the beauty of the service. The reverend spoke about Peter bringing Nathaniel to meet Christ. She explained how Peter did not try to explain everything about Christ or give Nathaniel a list of good works to do; he simply told Nathaniel to come and see Jesus. The sermon was much, much different than I expected (in a good way). The reverend challenged the congregation to simply invite people to come see Jesus, because that is all that He requests. We don't have to provide all of the answers (and who has all the answers?) or perform a certain way to earn His pleasure; He accepts us just as we are and He delights in us. We took communion, and I tasted wine for the first time. Altogether, it was a beautiful experience and God touched my heart. Not because it was in a famous building, but because God was there and I was praising Him, even here in London, across the ocean from my usual church family. I have a Christian family here in London, too. :) Praise God for His Church! Worshipping at St. Paul's has been my favorite experience in London so far.
That afternoon, some of us returned to St. Paul's for an organ concert. It was phenomenal, but I fell asleep :/ Also that afternoon, I watched kids play with their dads in the park. If you've never seen that, come to Russell Square and just sit and watch. It was adorable :) We had a walk through Bloomsbury (even though I just had to go find everything Dr. Parks pointed out again for myself) and I went to All Souls Church with Dr. Parks for the evening service. It was hard to believe that All Souls and St. Paul's are both Anglican because All Souls is so....American, I guess. But their hymns are more real somehow, and they sing all the verses of every hymn. The preaching is so scripturally based and very to-the-point. I think that I'll try to attend this church regularly.
We have now completed a week of class. I am taking History of Science, Art History, British Literature, Introduction to Theatre, and London History and Culture. We already have so many assignments, and I'm trying not to go crazy over it. I know that I'll get all of it done, but having 4 papers (though 2 are really short) assigned in 4 days is crazy! Slightly overwhelming. Class can involve anything from sitting in the classroom in St. George's for 3 hours to exploring the British Museum's Parthenon and ancient Egyptian exhibits to taking a walk around the Inns of Court taking notes frantically while our hands freeze. We've been on a backstage tour of the National Theatre; seen "Comedy of Errors," "Twelfth Night," Wicked, "The Importance of Being Earnest," and Guys and Dolls; toured the Cabinet War Rooms; witnessed the Changing of the Guard; experienced the longest walking tour EVER (about 3 and a half hours) through Cheapside; been to Portobello Market; listened to Mozart's Requiem by Candlelight at the church of St. Martin in the Fields; and been rained on incessantly (to make up for the beautiful first week we had, I guess). The group's doing great, and it's hilarious to see all of us battling over the internet connection when we get back to the hotel at night.
On my own or in a small group, I've done several interesting things including (but not limited to):
-finished Mrs. Dalloway (much more impressive than it sounds)
-gone onto the roof of the National Theatre and taken pictures of St. Paul's at night
-used my binoculars for the first time in a theatre
-developed and recovered from a shin splint
-had Tex Mex (and they gave us ICE in our drinks!!)
-pinched my finger in the handle on the toilet
-attempted and failed to apply for a library card
-discovered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and desperately tried to get to Hogwarts
-been saved by the same James who tried to kill us all on our Tube Rallye
-discovered the Mighty Box
-almost had my purse picked by an 8 year-old boy at Portobello Market
-found the most amazing bookstore EVER across from the ULU
-watched Micheal re-inact Singing in the Rain by running up to a lampost and jumping up on it with his arm and leg thrown out, singing :)
-eaten at a pub
-listened to a David Platt podcast about fear vs. faith
-seen a second sun in Trafalgar Square, complete with free orange juice from Tropicana
-ridden the longest escalator in London
-shopped at Primark for super cheap clothes
-played piano for the first time since I left for London
-been lost and re-found my way in London
-ridden on the top of a double-decker bus
-had the biggest pancake covered in fruit and ice cream in my life :D
Today I got back from class to discover that I had a letter AND a package!!!! Yay for my roommate and my family!! :) If you want to make me happy, please send me stuff. Like peanut butter. Not even kidding. But my family and my roommate are amazing :) Tonight I did laundry for the first time in the sink and promptly knocked over my full laundry detergent bottle, and it all spilled onto the carpet. So now we have blue towels instead of white, and our room smells like soap. I also explored the Disney store today. I could live there, I think. :)
As always, Jesus is faithful. He's teaching me so much in my reading and throughout my days. I'm being reminded again and again that no matter what, He is with me; He is faithful to His promises. I'm continually amazed by the love of my Father and His devotion to Israel and to His people. Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue praying for my friend who does not know Christ, and for healing for another friend. Please also ask for all of us to have energy as we live our days in London and that we make the most of every opportunity that He gives us. Please also pray concerning First Baptist Church Clinton's Disciple Now this coming weekend--for youth, the speaker, the band, the leaders, the media team, Kenny and Julie and Taylor, and the church family as a whole. I hope that students are open to receive whatever God has to tell them through this experience and that they come away determined to rely on His strength and change the world. Pray also for summer missions interviews that will take place this weekend--for the team of students and ministers who will prayerfully consider all of the applications and place students where they believe God is sending them, for Mrs. Beverly while she oversees all of this, and for the students who are interviewing. It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was beginning preparation for the hardest yet best summer of my life. I can't wait until this summer!! Until next time,
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador [currently in London]. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20
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| The front of the Celtic Hotel |
Last Sunday, the whole group went to St. Paul's Cathedral for the 11:30 service. It was beautiful beyond description. As we walked up from the tube stop, the bells were chiming, calling everyone to come and worship. Outside, I was awed by the size of the building, but that was nothing compared to the inside. We worshipped under the dome, and everything was just gorgeous. Around the inside of the dome (haha whenever I saw the dome, I keep thinking "Headed to the Dome," for all you Passion-goers) are images of the apostles and prophets and stages of Christ's life. The dome stretches high above, letting in light from outside and filled with light from inside. The service was very formal but I could definitely feel the presence of God. The boys' choir sang that day. Because St. Paul's is stone inside, the acoustics are incredible. Every time the boys or the organ cut off, the sound would remain for about ten seconds or so. So beautiful! Every time that happened, my breath would catch as I just reveled in the beauty of the service. The reverend spoke about Peter bringing Nathaniel to meet Christ. She explained how Peter did not try to explain everything about Christ or give Nathaniel a list of good works to do; he simply told Nathaniel to come and see Jesus. The sermon was much, much different than I expected (in a good way). The reverend challenged the congregation to simply invite people to come see Jesus, because that is all that He requests. We don't have to provide all of the answers (and who has all the answers?) or perform a certain way to earn His pleasure; He accepts us just as we are and He delights in us. We took communion, and I tasted wine for the first time. Altogether, it was a beautiful experience and God touched my heart. Not because it was in a famous building, but because God was there and I was praising Him, even here in London, across the ocean from my usual church family. I have a Christian family here in London, too. :) Praise God for His Church! Worshipping at St. Paul's has been my favorite experience in London so far.
 |
| St. Paul's Cathedral |
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| St. Paul's from the roof of the National Gallery |
That afternoon, some of us returned to St. Paul's for an organ concert. It was phenomenal, but I fell asleep :/ Also that afternoon, I watched kids play with their dads in the park. If you've never seen that, come to Russell Square and just sit and watch. It was adorable :) We had a walk through Bloomsbury (even though I just had to go find everything Dr. Parks pointed out again for myself) and I went to All Souls Church with Dr. Parks for the evening service. It was hard to believe that All Souls and St. Paul's are both Anglican because All Souls is so....American, I guess. But their hymns are more real somehow, and they sing all the verses of every hymn. The preaching is so scripturally based and very to-the-point. I think that I'll try to attend this church regularly.
 |
| the fountain in the middle of Russell Square |
 |
| Watching the Changing of the Guard |
We have now completed a week of class. I am taking History of Science, Art History, British Literature, Introduction to Theatre, and London History and Culture. We already have so many assignments, and I'm trying not to go crazy over it. I know that I'll get all of it done, but having 4 papers (though 2 are really short) assigned in 4 days is crazy! Slightly overwhelming. Class can involve anything from sitting in the classroom in St. George's for 3 hours to exploring the British Museum's Parthenon and ancient Egyptian exhibits to taking a walk around the Inns of Court taking notes frantically while our hands freeze. We've been on a backstage tour of the National Theatre; seen "Comedy of Errors," "Twelfth Night," Wicked, "The Importance of Being Earnest," and Guys and Dolls; toured the Cabinet War Rooms; witnessed the Changing of the Guard; experienced the longest walking tour EVER (about 3 and a half hours) through Cheapside; been to Portobello Market; listened to Mozart's Requiem by Candlelight at the church of St. Martin in the Fields; and been rained on incessantly (to make up for the beautiful first week we had, I guess). The group's doing great, and it's hilarious to see all of us battling over the internet connection when we get back to the hotel at night.
 |
| the group headed to Wicked |
 |
| pretty chapel in Lincoln's Inn |
On my own or in a small group, I've done several interesting things including (but not limited to):
-finished Mrs. Dalloway (much more impressive than it sounds)
 |
| with my binoculars at Wicked |
-used my binoculars for the first time in a theatre
-developed and recovered from a shin splint
-had Tex Mex (and they gave us ICE in our drinks!!)
-pinched my finger in the handle on the toilet
-attempted and failed to apply for a library card
-discovered Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and desperately tried to get to Hogwarts
 |
| Off to Hogwarts! :) |
-discovered the Mighty Box
-almost had my purse picked by an 8 year-old boy at Portobello Market
-found the most amazing bookstore EVER across from the ULU
-watched Micheal re-inact Singing in the Rain by running up to a lampost and jumping up on it with his arm and leg thrown out, singing :)
-eaten at a pub
-listened to a David Platt podcast about fear vs. faith
-seen a second sun in Trafalgar Square, complete with free orange juice from Tropicana
-ridden the longest escalator in London
-shopped at Primark for super cheap clothes
-played piano for the first time since I left for London
 |
| In case you didn't know, this is the sun suspended on a crane. |
 |
| the longest escalator in London: @ Angel tube station |
-had the biggest pancake covered in fruit and ice cream in my life :D
 |
| My DELICIOUS pancake :) Complete with fruit and ice cream. |
Today I got back from class to discover that I had a letter AND a package!!!! Yay for my roommate and my family!! :) If you want to make me happy, please send me stuff. Like peanut butter. Not even kidding. But my family and my roommate are amazing :) Tonight I did laundry for the first time in the sink and promptly knocked over my full laundry detergent bottle, and it all spilled onto the carpet. So now we have blue towels instead of white, and our room smells like soap. I also explored the Disney store today. I could live there, I think. :)
 |
| my clothesline complete with (hopefully) clean clothes |
As always, Jesus is faithful. He's teaching me so much in my reading and throughout my days. I'm being reminded again and again that no matter what, He is with me; He is faithful to His promises. I'm continually amazed by the love of my Father and His devotion to Israel and to His people. Thank you for all your prayers. Please continue praying for my friend who does not know Christ, and for healing for another friend. Please also ask for all of us to have energy as we live our days in London and that we make the most of every opportunity that He gives us. Please also pray concerning First Baptist Church Clinton's Disciple Now this coming weekend--for youth, the speaker, the band, the leaders, the media team, Kenny and Julie and Taylor, and the church family as a whole. I hope that students are open to receive whatever God has to tell them through this experience and that they come away determined to rely on His strength and change the world. Pray also for summer missions interviews that will take place this weekend--for the team of students and ministers who will prayerfully consider all of the applications and place students where they believe God is sending them, for Mrs. Beverly while she oversees all of this, and for the students who are interviewing. It's hard to believe that a year ago, I was beginning preparation for the hardest yet best summer of my life. I can't wait until this summer!! Until next time,
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador [currently in London]. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20
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