All My Love, Gennavieve

Thirty minutes North of Oxford lies Blenheim Palace, tucked amidst a small village. The palace hold over 300 years of history of the Marlborough family and the lives that intersected theirs. From the outside, you know upon entering your eyes will have many extravagances to behold. The palace was preparing for an event when we toured. So, there were workers arranging giant bouquets of fresh flowers, which smelled lovely. Nearly every room had a chandelier, illuminating the the art work within the palace, which to be staring down at you with watchful eyes. I could not help but think, I wonder how many different stories these eyes have witnessed, passing in and out of the palace? The palace landscape took my breath away. The manicured gardens are lovely, organized by curling hedges and cascading waterfalls but the open grounds are far more exceptional. The original landscaper designed over 2,000 acres to look natural. Exploring, you can tell that each path and tree is aligned wit

This is an event the Christian Union (CU) at my college puts on. The CU is a small group of students committed to following and serving Christ on a college campus. We meet every week for bible study, prayer, and fellowship. There are often other smaller events throughout the week as well. One event is Text a Toastie, in which we open the doors for all students to ask any question they have about Christianity or God. The questions are text to us, along with a toastie order... hence Text a Toastie. For those who do not know, a toastie is essentially a British Panini. We then make their toastie and hand deliver it to their room with an answer to their question. Questions range from: If God was a football fan what team would he vote for? and Is God like me and you? TO How can one justify God when children in third world countries die every day? and Why is being gay bad? This event represents the academic nature of Oxford because people seriously question faith and either want

God is faithful. I could really just leave that line on this blog and not write another word. The simple fact of His faithfulness is continuously evident within my experiences in Oxford. On Friday, His faithfulness shone in my meeting with my two tutors, who I met for the very first time. I was extremely nervous going to meet them! The tutorial system in Oxford is unlike any education system in America. It is a one-on-one interaction between student and tutor (professor). In most cases the tutors are experts in the fields being studied, having achieved doctorates and read all of the books on a certain topic, or even being the major author within the field of study itself. For each tutorial, a student is required to prepare a 2,000 word essay and come prepared to defend/discuss their essay. This contrasts the American system, in which we receive information from a lecture in a top down sort of way. Tutorials open the doors for discussion, for dialogue and debate. Tutorials al

Term has officially begun and intensive academics are in full swing. I am discovering how to take advantage of all 103 libraries in Oxford! I have also discovered a secret, underground tunnel that connects two of the main libraries. The city buzzes with life as students whiz down the streets on bikes headed to lectures and walkers attempt to avoid tourist traffic by taking the backstreets. Essay deadlines are weighing upon the shoulders of students, sports trials are creating nervous butterflies in our stomachs, events, balls, debates, and seminars all demand for a little piece of our time, and so the term's business begins. Sometimes, I feel swept up by the hectic whirl of events. Then I remember to pause, to breathe deep the peace of God, and to acknowledge His presence, which is always with me. Before the day starts, I like to enjoy the peace the morning offers. This morning, I walked through the city to capture some photos of the calm before the business storm. Prior

As part of New College, I was cordially invited to a welcoming dinner in the JCR Private Dining Room at St. Catherine's College. This invitation is considered an incredible honor and, after talking to the presidents, many students never receive the privilege of a formal dining experience in a college hall. The evening called for black tie attire, which meant tuxes for the guys and formal dresses for the girls. Luckily, I packed my sister's pink cotton candy gown. The evening began in a welcoming chamber. We entered and, having been handed a glass of sherry, began making small conversation. After a social bit, we were lead to the dining hall, where we were seated at a table purposely designed higher than the other tables in the hall, symbolizing its importance. The plates had individual name cards, designating seats. I sat to the left of the special, middle head-chair which seated, Deepak Mukhi, our program director. I took one glance at my place setting, noting the multi

I have discovered more mint candies to enjoy! Last year, when I studying in South Africa, I became attached to Turnbull mints, a sort of butterscotch flavored mint that found itself in my pockets often. In Oxford, I enjoy a mint from a store called, Marks and Spencer’s with a similar taste as Turnbull , only with a softer texture. The mint is like a lozenge, you suck on it but it gets softer after a while, making it more fun to savor! I am sure these will come in handy when I need some study candy. May you know that God delights in loving His children, and even the smallest joys are blessings from His holy hand. All my love, Gennavieve

I just returned from a journey to Ireland this past week. The program I am involved in Oxford includes time dedicated to travel. I chose to venture to Ireland, the land of friendly folk and sheep covered farmland. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some images that inspired me to snap a photo. Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 All my love, Gennavieve