Since arriving...

Ok so I've officially given up on filling the blog in with every detail but here is a quick update before I head off to bed. Yesterday we went to the quaintest little town called Petersfield and I just loved walking up and down the cobbletstone streets with markets flanking the sides with antiques, flowers, old books, etc...
I've been to three lectures now- all so stimulating that I spent half my study time today just trying to process it all. The first was on the "Universe" -HA! This was like astrology one oh one with eternity and why God is a bad ace sprinkled all over it, one from a lady who does mission work everywhere (not really able to go into all of this but it definitely reaffirmed my desire for Kenya and Sudan), and then tonights was on Lewis and his desire to show us reality and have it to take our breath away. The lectures have all been so intellectully stimulating that I walk away with so many doubts often because it all just seems so grandiose. I was telling one of my tutors this today. I was talking about this last year and how I have worked through so many doubts, hurts, etc but more questions keep rising out of me and that makes me feel so guilty. She responded with this: 'It should be the most natural thing to feel safe and loved by God while also constantly asking Him questions. Think of a child in their relationship with their father. They feel safe and loved but their entire growing up they are constantly asking: "Why this?" or "Why that?". this made so much sense to me and is something that i've spent a great deal of time thinking about since.
Last night we all went to the local pub for a drink after supper. Its one that I have really grown to love. Its so funny because pretty much every time I have either walked past it or walked in it the same people from the little community are all sitting around in it. It was really fun to get off of the property and just have fun and relax. We definitely spend time together at the Manor House itself but it is mostly over intellectual conversations and then the other time is individual study so when we are all just hanging out and relaxing it is really fun and a great way to get to know one another in a new way.
I think about all of you often! The difference here than when I have gone away before is that life is soo slow. Which is a gift in one way but for a worker bee like myself it is quite unnerving to just sit, think, reflect, study, and to have to really look INSIDE myself rather than all around me. Suzanne- I do think about you every time I read Jesus Calling in the morning, Jamie Duff I think about how you would LOVE it here- all the conversations are so intriguing, I think about Joshua every time we get on a train, I think about Aunt Jee Jee everytime I take a shower bc of the shower gel. OH the showers! They are so FREAKING small. Dad- the cave's shower is literally gigantic compared to the ones here. Some part of my body is always touching one of the walls. But the water is always hot and great pressure which is way more important to me. Krista I think about you for so many reasons why you would laugh the entire day- can't wait to tell you about these later.
My friend Joanie from Scotland and I sat last night in our beds and traded different words from our countries. We were rolling listening to each other trying to pronounce the other's words. I think I might go and try to visit her for a couple of days. I've gotten to be really close to two gys from California- Garrett and Chris. One of my best friends from the get go Annalise from Seattle leaves on Thursday and I'm really bummed about this but new people literally come every day.
I'm reading the book "Abba's Child" by Brennan Manning right now as part of my study course and it has been really eye opening. This guy named Ryan from Memphis and I pulled weeds together this morning for several hours. It felt nice to get dirty and work hard. I feel like with every day I'm getting more and more aquainted to this lifestyle but I still feel like I'm really having to rely on the Lord every day to be enough and to teach me to look inward.
At the pub last night the main guy's son who is 19 came with us and told us crazy stories about all the people who have come to L'Abri over the years. We were rolling! He is truly one of the funniest people I've ever listened to and it seems that everything is funnier in a British accent.

Well that is very scattered but the best I can do for now. I can check my email so please send some updates my way I just am awful at actually responding becase of my limited internet time.

love you guys