As you can see, I am deeply embedded in Blackwell's Books doing some serious research -- only things that are good for my soul. Some of the world's best authors are there, as you can see. I, of course, have chosen a Greek text in this case.


And then there are the other marvels ...




The Oxfordshire countryside reaches out and slaps you awake every once in a while, and should you be tempted to focus on the magnificence of human achievement in this town of auspicious spires and thousand year old buildings, the simple beauty of a lowly blossom draws you back to the truly magnificent One.



There have been many quiet moments that we have received as gifts, whether sitting in the University Church of St. Mary's in front of the pulpit where Wesley and Lewis, among others, preached ...


... or floating in a paddle boat on the Cherwell River, under Magdalen Bridge. On May 1st we will return to this site to hear the Magdalen Choir sing from the tower at dawn.

This week Tina was able to connect with her old friend, Geetha, and later we shared a wonderful Indian dinner with her and her husband, Venu. Eighteen years ago, both of our families were new to Oxford and we bonded.

I was able to get my reader's card for the Bodleian Library and spend a few hours in the Radcliffe Camera familiarizing myself with the new computer system. I was able to find two of the four books I was looking for, research for the book of prayers I am working on, and reserve them from the archives for next week. Just being in the Theology section, world class and extensive, was both deeply gratifying and intimidating, and it took me a few hours before I felt comfortable and at home there.

We are subsisting mostly on soup, bread and cheese as the exchange rate is two dollars for one pound. Today, neighbors in our village invited us to coffee. Donald is a retired lecturer from Oxford Univ. in Arab Studies, and is currently translating a 13th century Islamic text referring to the crusades. His wife, Pamela, just finished writing a history of Eynsham (the village we live in) and gave us a copy.

Next week we hope to walk from Eynsham to Oxford along the Thames River (about 5 miles).

In a moment we leave this internet cafe to attend a concert at the historic Sheldonian Theatre where we will hear Handel, Vivaldi, Pacelbel, and Bach. Needless to say, our heads and hearts and souls are being stirred in multiple ways.