We'll we've started "classes." It's actually been a wonderful week of settling into the mission, goals, and culture of the community here at OCCA. We've gotten lots of community time. There are 28 of us in the program, 21 guys and 7 girls (can you say the opposite extreme of JMU ha). So far we've cooked together, walked to town together, gone to pubs together, and many things in between. We are each so different- and when I say that, I say it with 100% sincerity. There are so many different stories and personality traits here, so many ages, and different walks of life. And we have one thing in common: Jesus, and wanting to make His name greater. How unifying that can be!
It has been humbling and such a blessing to be surrounded by, what i consider, some of the greatest evangelists and apologists I have heard. to be training with and learning from individuals who i listened to on you- tube and read articles from is a beautiful gift. thank you God!!!
Our lectures thus far have introduced us to what we are getting into here at OCCA- and instead of being intensely overwhelming, it has actually been quite refreshing. Everything is centered on prayer. Everything is centered on the grace and love of Christ. During our first lecture, our senior tutor stated two main things 1) you dont deserve to be here and 2) you will not meet your expectations. He elaborated- that we don't deserve to be here, but God has called us here to give us a good gift. To take part in His grace. We don't have to earn the right to be here, we don't have to prove that we were good enough to get in, we are here because it is the plan God had since the beginning of time. refreshing, right? definitely lifts the pressure off. We are here, individually, and as a community, for such a time as this. I keep thinking of that line from Esther 4:12- we can trust that God has weaved together this course and this community, this group, for right now.
The next lecture we talked about expectations, specifically attitude and attendance. We discussed different characteristics and elements of attitude: humility, transparency, charity, loyalty, and worship. We broke up and talked in groups and talked about which we think would be the hardest for us, and prayed over it. it was amazing- literally getting together, confessing a part of weakness, and getting to lift it up to the God of the universe. we can't do this without Him- and this course understands that, knows that, and wants us to lean into Him and His strength. It isn't showing up for the first day, being intimidated, and saying toughen up and good luck. it's honesty, transparency, and being able to make all of this centered on the love and strength of Jesus.
it's been wonderful. I am praying for the sense of community to continue growing, for each of us to be part of a communal body, and for each of us to be challenged, stretched, and deeply loved. we all recently got our placements for the year- which is a 5hr/ week volunteer placement in the community focusing on apologetics and evangelism. we are all spread out. I was placed at the NOOC (where I live) to do one on one conversation and evangelism with a book of the Bible. right up my alley. you can be praying for my time there, and for whoever I am placed with!!
I'll be keeping you updated.. and will probs write more later! :)
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
cheers!
well.. I'm here!!!!!! cant even believe it. it's real!!!
here is some updates!!! i promise i will get more structured/ linear once i get some sleep in me and once i am adjusted!
1. oxford is beautiful. i mean were talking beautiful. there are old buildings everything and almost everything around me is old style english. its amazing. i have never seen such beautiful buildings! and they are all spread about.
2. my room is cozy.. aka suuuper tight. trying to make it my own. good thing i brought pictures! i got some card stock and markers today and i'm hoping to put verses on the walls...
3. i have met 2 of my hallmates. i cant pronouce any of their names. they are from asia/ the middle east. they only talked for like 30 secs! definitely different from freshman in college who want to talk to everybody all the time. i think this will be a lot of time to myself when i am here... but who knows hopefully i will meet some new friends soon. tonight i met daniel! from spain- and when i said i was from maryland he thought i said ireland.. so he thinks im irish. woops. he wants to talk theology soon. woo!
4. the place i am living is so rustic. all the furniture looks like the stuff you see in beach houses in bethany/ obx that people obviously dont care what is tehre.. is out of date? thats the only comparison i could think of... ha. the bathroom and shower are in two different rooms. i have a sink in my room. oxford is really crammed for space.. everything is tight.
5. they dont use rolls of toilet paper. its tissues that are in a box that you pull out. weird.
6. my boots that i bought wore through in one day.. womp.
7. its good to be with my dad. he really wants to help and wants to make sure i have everything i need! we've discovered poundland (the equivalent of the dollar store- heck yes!!!) the bank and the phone company have been a whirlwind.. we've had to go back and forth so many times and we never have exactly what we need
8. to get places we have to walk. its about a 2 mile walk from where i live to the "city centre" picture the avenue times 100. its like a mall but outside. cars can drive on some roads and not others. the roads are cobbletsone. its really cool. they are so trendy here!!! no one wears work out clothes during the day.. i'm the odd man out!! ha. and lets just say i will be getting my legs in some serious shape! the closest grocery store is probably a mile... and shops for other supplies are further. but all the roads are intertwined and the schools for oxford and different colleges are all dispersed throughout the walk/ city centre. its breathtaking. also buses are the real deal here! lots and lots of bikers! looks like im turning into lance armstrong in these next 9 months...
9. they love beer here. its funny.
10. everyone says cheers all the time. when you are leaving a store, or after you pay for your food, or when you finish a conversation, they always say cheers. they say "jolly good" and "bloody good" they also use brilliant as a synonym for wonderful. its so funny!
11. I LOVE THE ACCENTS.
12. i'm overwhelmed. there is so much change going on in such a short amount of time and i dont even know what to do! im trying to take everything in... i think i miss being comfortable somewhere.. the comfort of being with the fam and being home. but knowing that God is the God of comfort!!!
13. my stomach has been ok, hurting at times. but i have been eating some bread!!!!! YEAH! i tried eating some lettuce...my stomach told me to stop going crazy.
14. i only slept an hour last night- hoping my body adjusts soon. you can pray for that :)
15. you can be praying for my health, adjusting, and just keeping my eyes on the Lord. sometimes it is so easy to put our eyes back on our circumstances. on things that i need to do, and the pressure of performance. resting in Him! and trusting that He does equip us for every good work!! Romans 15:13 has been my jam.
well thats 15 new things you didnt know!! ;)
here's my address for all you writers...
Rachel Wallick
Room 33
North Oxford Overseas Centre
117 Banbury Road
OX2 6JX
UK
:) cheers!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
the undercurrent.
ok so.. it's crunch time!! one week to go! it's WILD. my visa came in today... PTL. everything is ready!
so although there seems to be so much to write about, and so many things to fill in, there are just some moments and lessons i want to share. many things have happened...i have seen more doctors, i found out i am now really allergic to nuts (peanut butter may or may not be my favorite food.. don't worry about it) i have a visa, i have seen friends, i've babysat, went on a shopping spree, i have spent time with my family, i've gotten to paint, do crafts, and read read read.
through the undercurrent of it all.. i've been learning a lot. and it's about the personality of Jesus. it's about His love and not how I love Him. about His personality, and not some of the stereotypes or misunderstandings i've had. and it's come in quite a few ways.
it started with a letter. from a dear friend sharing some of the things she has been learning this summer. she wrote about how she had been learning a new perspective of God's love. that we can be a reflection of God's love to others. that by knowing how much we are loved by God, we can see that our love comes from Him. fast forward a few days- i'm in starbucks with my aunt. it was a great time to just be honest and share our hearts and talk deep. talk about fears. talk about relationships. talk about Jesus. talk about how we can learn from each other. fast forward a few more days (stick with me here i'm almost done) and i' talking with a friend about God's love, and how I am learning more about it. how it is so hard for me to grasp it's unconditionality, His heart for us. that i'm starting to learn as i can be open and honest with others, and still be loved. but that it's also hard for me because i feel that if I don't "do" (meaning pray a lot, be in the Word, ie disciplines) that God won't know that i love Him. i didnt link that together until that conversation.
then, she framed it in such a way that i am still amazed. she asked me how long it had been since i had a coffee date with my aunt. i said probably a few weeks...and then she asked me, did you doubt that anne wanted to have coffee with you? did you doubt your relationship going into it because it had been a few weeks? or did you doubt that anne knew that she meant a lot to you or that you loved her even though it had been a few weeks? i answered no very quickly with a laugh. and then she said... well if that is how it can be with a family member, a human, who is only able to show a fragment of love that God has for you, how much more do you think He has that capability? if God has given us the ability to love each other that way, and that much, isn't that also one of His qualities? i was speechless. i never considered connecting those things to God, but they are from Him! and He loves perfectly. it doesnt matter if it's been a while, God knows us, knows our hearts, and loves us. i've been trying to soak that in for the past few... it's pretty freeing to come to understand more and more about God's love.
the third way it's come is through the book Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge. please read it!!!!! it is all about Jesus, and His personality. it shows you His heart. he also does a great job of calling religion for what it is, spotting out misunderstandings, and letting us get to know the true personality and character of Jesus. it's been such a great book and is actually allowing me to see that Jesus was awesome!! He does have a sense of humor, he is intentional, he really does know how to love, and was so human. He can totally relate to us. we just have to be able to see it. and trust it. i really really recommend it. it's been one of the most transforming books i've read, and a favorite for sure. and you don't have to know a ton about God, the Bible, or Jesus to read it. are you just curious? do you want to learn more about His personality? i am benefitting from it more than i expected. it's been great.
the last thought i will leave you with, is another thought from a friend. she reminded me that when Jesus died, He died with no guarantees. He did not die because He knew He would be loved in return, He died because He loved. He did it anyway. His love is really that big.
I'm praying that for readers, and friends, and just people in my life. that we can have our eyes open to how big God's love really is. we don't need to and can't fit it in a box. and He wants to show us His love and continue to open our hearts and eyes so that in the undercurrents of life, He can keep showing up and keep loving us, and keep transforming us.
so although there seems to be so much to write about, and so many things to fill in, there are just some moments and lessons i want to share. many things have happened...i have seen more doctors, i found out i am now really allergic to nuts (peanut butter may or may not be my favorite food.. don't worry about it) i have a visa, i have seen friends, i've babysat, went on a shopping spree, i have spent time with my family, i've gotten to paint, do crafts, and read read read.
through the undercurrent of it all.. i've been learning a lot. and it's about the personality of Jesus. it's about His love and not how I love Him. about His personality, and not some of the stereotypes or misunderstandings i've had. and it's come in quite a few ways.
it started with a letter. from a dear friend sharing some of the things she has been learning this summer. she wrote about how she had been learning a new perspective of God's love. that we can be a reflection of God's love to others. that by knowing how much we are loved by God, we can see that our love comes from Him. fast forward a few days- i'm in starbucks with my aunt. it was a great time to just be honest and share our hearts and talk deep. talk about fears. talk about relationships. talk about Jesus. talk about how we can learn from each other. fast forward a few more days (stick with me here i'm almost done) and i' talking with a friend about God's love, and how I am learning more about it. how it is so hard for me to grasp it's unconditionality, His heart for us. that i'm starting to learn as i can be open and honest with others, and still be loved. but that it's also hard for me because i feel that if I don't "do" (meaning pray a lot, be in the Word, ie disciplines) that God won't know that i love Him. i didnt link that together until that conversation.
then, she framed it in such a way that i am still amazed. she asked me how long it had been since i had a coffee date with my aunt. i said probably a few weeks...and then she asked me, did you doubt that anne wanted to have coffee with you? did you doubt your relationship going into it because it had been a few weeks? or did you doubt that anne knew that she meant a lot to you or that you loved her even though it had been a few weeks? i answered no very quickly with a laugh. and then she said... well if that is how it can be with a family member, a human, who is only able to show a fragment of love that God has for you, how much more do you think He has that capability? if God has given us the ability to love each other that way, and that much, isn't that also one of His qualities? i was speechless. i never considered connecting those things to God, but they are from Him! and He loves perfectly. it doesnt matter if it's been a while, God knows us, knows our hearts, and loves us. i've been trying to soak that in for the past few... it's pretty freeing to come to understand more and more about God's love.
the third way it's come is through the book Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldredge. please read it!!!!! it is all about Jesus, and His personality. it shows you His heart. he also does a great job of calling religion for what it is, spotting out misunderstandings, and letting us get to know the true personality and character of Jesus. it's been such a great book and is actually allowing me to see that Jesus was awesome!! He does have a sense of humor, he is intentional, he really does know how to love, and was so human. He can totally relate to us. we just have to be able to see it. and trust it. i really really recommend it. it's been one of the most transforming books i've read, and a favorite for sure. and you don't have to know a ton about God, the Bible, or Jesus to read it. are you just curious? do you want to learn more about His personality? i am benefitting from it more than i expected. it's been great.
the last thought i will leave you with, is another thought from a friend. she reminded me that when Jesus died, He died with no guarantees. He did not die because He knew He would be loved in return, He died because He loved. He did it anyway. His love is really that big.
I'm praying that for readers, and friends, and just people in my life. that we can have our eyes open to how big God's love really is. we don't need to and can't fit it in a box. and He wants to show us His love and continue to open our hearts and eyes so that in the undercurrents of life, He can keep showing up and keep loving us, and keep transforming us.
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