Days 14-16: Learning and Writing about Islam

Christ Church (Days 12 & 13)

So last night after my post, my housemate twisted my arm (Ha!) into going to the last concert in a series of events celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at Christ Church here in Oxford. It was absolutely a breathtaking experience. One more memory in an already overflowing mental treasury from this trip.

                 

 With my lovely roomie, Laura

 The sheer scale of these buildings is just incredible.

So today, after class and dinner, I went for a long walk in the meadows behind Christ church. Quite satisfactory!! :) 

Second Weekend: Study, Practice and Corporate Worship.

This weekend has been fairly leisurely overall:

Friday night: Dinner at the Bywater's, then violin practice, then a walk in the rain ending at Cathy's flat.

Saturday: Introductory meeting with Dr. Michael Ward who will be my tutor here in Oxford as I study the Philosophy of C.S. Lewis. Very, very exciting!! Evening: G&D's Icecream Parlor with OSAP folks.

Sunday: Attended Worship at St. Ebbes Church this morning. Message on the church at Antioch out of Acts 11:19-30. Afternoon: Violin Practice and lots of reading in Greg Koukl's fantastic book, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. And a tasty dinner makes today just that much better :)

Day 9: Inside the Umbrella

 Today was almost as rainy as yesterday was sunny, but a long walk was still in order. So after dinner, armed with an umbrella and lots of british soundtracks, I walked through the now quieter streets to the Royal Oaks Pub for a cup of hot chocolate and a bit of quiet reading time. Now it's more reading and then off to bed. Cheers!

Day 8: Blenheim Palace

Hard to describe today it was simply so gorgeous. The weather was perfect. The palace looked like it was straight out of a BBC Drama. Except way better. I've always dreamed of visiting the places where those films are shot and just slipping away into the gardens to read alone. Well, that's exactly what I did. I feel like a shaken up soft drink uncorked. Just so so beautiful. Even this many pictures don't begin to do it justice. 

Another real pleasure of the day, was that Mr. Bywater's two adorable little boys came along. They just melt me every time I look at them :) 

Patiently waiting in line with their Daddy 

 Checking out the waterfall with Laura

 The Girls: Me, Cathy and Laura. Love them already!!

Rose Garden

Where Winston S. Churchill proposed to his wife to be.  

Blissfully alone reading with the sky and green hills and wildflowers on the grounds.  

Then a tasty Dinner at home