Tales of Whitby and Life at York St. John

Greetings all!

I hope this post finds you all well! I've had an exciting week and weekend since I last wrote. Life here has become easier as each day passes, and I've met many friendly people and learned my way around York and YSJ campus a little more. I am settled in an all-female apartment, I have my York id card, and I should be well supplied with food and other necessities for the next week.

On Saturday, September 26 I went on a trip to Whitby, England. Whitby is a quint little village on England's eastern coast. From the tallest hill in Whitby you can see the whole village with its many colorful rooftops and chimneys, the harbor opening towards the North Sea, and the ships traveling up the River Esk. My favorite place was at the very top of the tallest hill, Whitby Abbey. We explored the ruins of the Abbey built in the 1100s, but there had been a number of religious building on the same hill dating back to 657 AD. It was incredible to stand in the section where the sanctuary would have been, and imagine what it must have been like to worship there. One thinks of angelic choirs, monks' chants, and humble villagers filing in through the great front doors. We were blessed with beautiful weather, so we were able to see the ruins very well, and take some excellent pictures.

From the hill where the Abbey was, you can look out on the North Sea. The coastline was very beautiful and there were a number of sail boats and ships on the water. After a lunch of fish and chips, my group made our way down to the shore. I knew it would be quite cold, but I had remove my shoes and brave the icy waters of the North Sea! Even though I couldn't feel my feet after about 5 seconds, it meant a lot to be able to say that I stood in the North Sea. My grandfather was a navigator on a B17 in World War II and was stationed at Thorpe Abbott Airfield in England. He once spent 40 hours on the water in a small raft when their plane had to ditch in the North Sea after flying a mission to Berlin, Germany.

I really enjoyed my day in Whitby. I've been able to get a little more familiar with the city of York through various shopping trips. I'll do most of my grocery shopping at a store called Morrisons, which is about a 15 minute walk from where I live. If I have a large amount of groceries it is not difficult or expensive to get a cap to drive me back.

I had my first class on Tuesday from 1:00-3:00. It is a history course entitles Communities in Conflict. The class will focus on the First English Civil War which took place from 1642-1646. There are about 40 students in the class, but I feel like the tutor (or professor) will be able to offer help to individuals if needed. I am looking forward to learning a bit more about this part of English history because I am not very familiar with this war. I know that it was very significant because Charles I was beheaded after a series of Civil Wars, and his execution represents the first time that the British monarchy was abandoned. The other courses I am taking are Christian Ethics and Early Victorian England. Christian Ethics will transfer as a 300 level theology course, and I am very excited to study theology in a mostly Anglican context. It should be very enlightening! The class I am looking forward to the most is Early Victorian England because I have always loved learning about English culture during the reign of Queen Victoria. I am particularly interested in the literature and poetry from this time period (1837-1901).

Well, it's getting rather late here and I should get to bed. I will try to write more often over the next few weeks because there really is so much to tell! I would appreciate prayers for Maggie, Rachel, and me as we go to our classes for the first time, and begin learning what is expected of us as far a course work is concerned. Also for our continued search for Christian fellowship at the University, and in the city of York. Thank you so much for your prayers, and thanks for reading!

Until next time! Cheers!