the old that is strong does not wither

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost."

-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Have you ever been to a place and experienced it filling your entire body - you are not just there but you are completely present body and soul, all senses ignited? (except taste, that would be weird). Experiencing beauty - more than just seeing and moving on. They don't happen very often but that is what I experienced when I visited St. James church in Shere. This church is 1000 year old, and surrounded by it's graveyard. It was fascinating and beautiful. I spent hours wondering around those graves taking pictures. Most of the grave stones were no longer readable and falling over. Weather and time have warped and changed them, but still they stand. There is something powerful about that. Just how we stand with Christ through life. The tests and troubles beat at us but Christ holds us firmly upright - we may bend and change but we don't break and we don't fall because He is powerful. 

And thinking about all of the lives of the ones buried there and their families. The things they accomplished and achieved, the struggles they faced. And how long ago some of them lived. I could digress in so many directions, but I figure I should just post some pictures so you can see the beauty for yourself, even though you can't 'feel' the photos but you can see them!

A bit of HISTORY: "The church is Norman, most being 12th, 13th, 14th, century, of ironstone rubble with sandstone buttresses, restored in 1895 by S. Weatherley. By the north chancel wall there is a 14th century quatrefoil window and squint - belonging to Anchorite Cell. There is 14th century glass in the east window and the chancel fittings were renewed in 1956 by Louis Osman." (via wikipedia). This current church dates to around 1190. In 1902, Edwin Lutyens created a lynch gate through which you pass under when walking to the front of the church. (Their is a famous shot of this gate in The Wedding Date). The walls are a jumble of different material - re-used Roman tiles, clinch, flint, Caen stone imported from Normandy, Tudor bricks, and local stone. The central tower dominates the surrounding area and draws attention, it demands to be seen. The spire was built between 1213 and 1300.The Norman nave was added south aisle and chapel added in the 13th century. The chancel is 14th century - sensitively restored by S. Weatherley. The timber west porch dates 1547 which leads to a worn west doorway from the 13th century and the door itself is from 1626 - this is all the front main entrance. There is a board on the north wall by the west door that has a list of the rectors as far back as they have record of - 1270.

The Anchoress of Shere: Christine Carpenter

There is a quatrefoil opening in the north wall of the chancel which once communicated with a small anchorite's cell. Christine Carpenter, 'The Anchoress of Shere' enclosed herself in this cell in 1329. She was given food through a grate on the outside wall and she could see mass at the high alter through the narrow squint, still there today. Her story sheds light on the phenomenon of anchorites in the medieval period. 

She petitioned the Bishop of Winchester to grant her permission to be walled within a small cell attached to the church, with a small opening allowing her to view the high alter during services. The Bishop called on the rector and parishioners of Shere to gather and investigate whether Christine was clear of any encumbrance, such as being legally engaged to marry. On July 19th, 1329 she was given permission to be walled in her cell. After three years she had, had enough of her cell - she left it, going back on her vow. This was an act of sacrilege. She had a change of heart and on November 10th, 1332 the Bishop agreed to her request to return to her cell but with conditions. She needed to serve a penance in proportion to her sin for leaving her cell, and if she did not come forward to receive her penance then she would be excommunicated. Beyond this I do not know anything. Why did she leave to begin with? What made her return? When did she die? Did she remain until her death or leave again? What was her penance? And did she come forward to receive it? We will never know.

I have more photos than I could possibly post but I hope you enjoyed a small taste!

-Carlie J

The "touristy" Thing

I have now been in England just over two weeks and it has been filled with so much. I have met students from all over the world, seen a church that is 1000 years old, met locals, seen a bike race, walked paths in meadows, and that is only one weeks worth - also a week I will share on after this post about London.

I arrived without trouble (about two week ago) flights were smooth, and I didn’t miss my connection, but came close to it. I arrived in London and stayed in Brixton, which was an interesting area a bit dodgy, I am glad I wasn’t staying there alone. But the accommodation wasn’t terrible and the location made it easy to travel into the centre of London. I stayed in London for 3 days and did all of the touristy things. I did a bus tour and saw Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the House of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral and everything on the road in between! We got out and toured around St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

SAINT PAUL’S CATHEDRAL:

Have you ever been to a cathedral? Notre Dame de Paris, Milan Cathedral, St. Paul’s, St. Basil’s, St. Stephen’s, St. Michael’s, St. Isaac’s, St. Mary’s, Westminster Abbey, Christ Church Cathedral? They are impressive! I have been to a small list compared to the number in the world but they have never ceased to amaze me. It has the second largest dome, only to the Vatican in Italy. It is a sight to see. I find it fascinating that people are buried in old churches the following is a bit about the famous burials at the Cathedral:

Nelson's Tomb: 
Lord Nelson was famously killed in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and buried in St Paul's after a state funeral. He was laid in a coffin made from the timber of a French ship he defeated in battle. 
The black marble sarcophagus that adorns his tomb was originally made for Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor during the reign of Henry VIII in the early sixteenth century. After Wolsey's fall from favour, it remained unused at Windsor until a suitable recipient could be found. Nelson's viscount coronet now tops this handsome monument. 

Wellington's Tomb: 
Lord Wellington rests in a simple but imposing casket made of Cornish granite. Although a national hero, Wellington was not a man of glory in his victories. 'Nothing except a battle lost can be held so melancholy as a battle won,' he wrote in a despatch of 1815, the year in which he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.
 The Duke was known as The Iron Duke and as a result of his tireless campaigning, has left a colourful list of namesakes - Wellington boots, the dish Beef Wellington and even a brand of cigars. He also coined some memorable phrases. He gave the expression ' . . . and another thing' to the English language and declared 'The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.' 
The banners hanging around Wellington's tomb were made for his funeral procession. Originally, there was one for Prussia, which was removed during World War I and never reinstated.

Sir Christopher Wren's Tomb: 
Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St Paul's, is buried in the south aisle at the east end of the crypt. His tomb is marked by a simple stone and is surrounded by memorials to his family, to Robert Hooke (Wren's associate and intellectual equal) and to the masons and other colleagues who worked on the building of St Paul's. The Latin epitaph above his tomb, written by his son famously addresses us: 'Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you.'
 In the same section of the crypt are many tombs and memorials of artists, scientists and musicians. They include the painters Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir John Everett Millais; the scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin; the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan); and the sculptor Henry Moore.

The Chapel of St Faith: Chapel of the Order of the British Empire: 
The original St Faith's was a parish church attached to the old cathedral destroyed in the Great Fire of London. During the rebuilding of St Paul's, this chapel was dedicated to St Faith close to the foundations of the former church and offered parishioners their own place of worship in the building. 
In 1960 this chapel became the spiritual home to the Order of the British Empire. King George V created the Order in 1917, in recognition of the contribution made by women during the First World War. Until then no woman had been eligible for an award, although an exception was made for Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern British nursing. The OBE was separated into military and civil divisions in 1918. Today, award-holders of the OBE and members of their family may be married and baptised in the chapel. 

BUCKINGHAM PALACE & GARDENS:

The next part of the tour we saw the State Rooms (public rooms) of the famous palace. Each year Buckingham Palace is open to the public during the summer months (mid/end of July – end of September). I got lucky; they were only open another six days after I was there. It was beautiful! Of course, we could not take pictures inside the palace, but it was truly immaculate. Each summer that the palace is open they feature some different; this year it was Royal Childhood. So, throughout they had photographs of the royal families with their children, or photographs of them as kids in various rooms (various but only the State Rooms or public places). They did also have a section that showed photographs of the children and then had the outfit also on display, or the same with baby blankets and cribs – most of which were gifts. They did have young George’s baby blanket – gift from President Obama and wife Michelle – for is christening. Little George probably never used the blanket but it was interesting to see the toys the young royal’s grew up with. (George is Prince William and Kate Middleton’s little boy, also the blue blanket can be seen by googling it). After the clothing-blankets-cribs room I saw a room full of play automobiles. Yes, that is right. State-of-the-art child’s play, automobiles, and campers…it was insane. I mean I can’t image how much each one cost! The audio tour may have told us but I got extremely nauseated in the clothing-blankets-cribs room and had to quickly finishing walking through the tour out to the back patio and bathrooms. Can you image “Yea, so today I throw up in Buckingham Palace.” Um, no! That would have been terrible – and also extremely original. BUT I didn’t, I sprinted to the end of the tour and after some tea and a sandwich and sitting around for about an hour I felt better. The Palace has 60 acres of “gardens” as well, which we walked through to exit but didn’t really get to see much of. Mainly I could see a large field, with trees and paths in the distance leading to some exiting places, and a few spots I am sure would be great to get married in, if only that were a possibility.

I have much more to report on but for now I will stop here so this post doesn’t grow to astronomical lengths! I have added in some helpful links below.

To try out the site I used to find my accommodation in London then try this site www.airbnb.com

If you would like to find out more about St. Paul’s Cathedral then visit either of these sights: http://www.stpauls.co.uk or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Paul's_Cathedral

More information on Buckingham Palace and photographs of the State Rooms that can be found online: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace

Here is a bit of Buckingham Palace history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_Palace

Also, who doesn’t love a bit more information on the royal family? Well that can be see here: http://www.royal.gov.uk or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Royal_Family

I hope you have a most blessed day,

Carlie J

3 Days, 21 Hours, 36 Minutes

Car almost sold, bags mostly packed, garage sale done. It is really happening! I am looking at three packed bags, just missing the odds and ends but nothing major and it is beginning to feel real! Up until this point it has felt so surreal, like this couldn't possibly be happening to me! What a dream! But with a plane ticket, packed bags, and plans made/paid for in England it is really sinking in! Mainly all I feel is complete excitement, shocked that I ended up with 9 of the 11 pairs for shoes, but excited! I am a nervous too though. Nervous for traveling around on public transportation and walking everywhere, I am so used to driving myself everywhere! And nervous about money issues/finding jobs, all the finical obligations. It is going to be hard and also completely worth it. 

I keep remembering that I'm not in control, God has it. And He is going to take care of me and it will all fall into place! It is so exciting getting to experience more of His creation, I have spent ny life in a small little area of what He has created and it is thrilling to be able to see and experience more of it--in nature and in culture! It is an adventure to be had for sure! 

Now it is a matter of getting all of the last minutes done! And finding a ride to the airport, minor detail!

To God be the glory! 

-Carlie J

Let the Final Preparations Begin

Today, and the past several weeks I have been making the final preparations for moving abroad. It started with finishing the visa application process and mailing that off. Then waiting, hopefully, for a visa to be granted to me (it was)! Now I have been reading travel blogs, moving blogs, and study abroad blogs as if it were going out of style! (Some of these that have been helpful I will post links for at the end of this post). There have been many helpful sites but they are all for 3-6 months studying abroad, or moving an entire family abroad to live and work. Which are both extremes that I fall in the middle of. I am moving about to live and work and study but not just three months, but three years. And I will be returning very little in those three years to my home town. It has been difficult, what do I pack, what do I not pack, what can be bought there, what must be bought there, do I really want to carry that many pairs of shoes with me? When did I become attached to shoes? I have never been one of those "shoes" girls and yet I feel I must take about 10 pair; brown riding boots, lace up black boots, lace up taupe boots, black ankle boots, oxfords in taupe, ankle flats in brown, blue converse high tops, sneakers (I am going to want to work out at some point), brown/tan heels, tan flats, flip flops for public showers, and then what about my beloved Chacos? Eek! What do I do! How am I possibly supposed to pack all of that! It has been slightly overwhelming to realise how much I have to take that you would never take on a normal vacation which is what I am used to packing for. Even moving around was different, I was always able to easily drive home and get what I left or missed and I had the ability to pack my car full of stuff! But my car can't make it across the pond!

The hardest part will be leaving behind the books and movies...I love both and there is going to be a problem packing those...far too heavy and will take too much room! That is my next task, figure out what do to with those beloved hobbies that cannot travel abroad! Drawing, painting, reading, movie watching, knitting, etc...

Have a blessed day!
-Carlie


Buzz Feed - simply random thoughts
infinite.nu - budgeting money
collegefashion.net - clothes
moreawesomerblog.com - looks helpful // haven't read it
blairblogs.com - random
theslenderstudent.com - eating abroad

Let the New Adventures Begin

Today marks the ending of one period in my life and the beginning of the next. 

Kanakuk Kamps has been a part of my summers for the last thirteen years! I was a camper for nine years and just finishes my fourth summer on staff. This place holds a special place in my heart. But as all things eventual end, my summer jobs at camp have come to a close. No more running the K1 office, or counseling 12 little girls. As one door closes another one opens and a new adventure begins! 

I am moving to the United Kingdom in less that two months. Now the preparations for this new stage must begin! I am continually praying for guidance as The Lord leads me down a new path! Thank goodness for His gracious love, unfailing goodness, and perfect plan! He is in control! And I can take heart in knowing that! Doors closing and opening can be hard, and overwhelming, but wonderfully, I don't have to worry about any of that!

God is good!

- Carlie J

My Blog is Changing

Hello, Good Day!

I am here to tell you that my blog will be going through some changes! The obvious, and probably already noticed change is the title - Simply Surrey! I will no longer be posting about anything and everything Under the Son, like before! But instead I will be writing about my upcoming adventures! I am moving to England and I will be posting all about this exciting time in my life! Of course, I will still have some random - less focused - posts about topics that fascinate me, but the general picture shall be about life in a new country! Anything and everything from paperwork and visas, to moving, culture shock, work, school, differences, challenges, people, food, and so on!

I look forward in sharing in this adventure with you!
Have the most blessed day!
-Carlie J

Genuine True Love

Yesterday, I spent the day with my father and wonderful grandparents at my great aunt and uncles 50th wedding anniversary party! On the way there we passed where my grandmother grew up, she pointed down a toad and said "I grew up about two miles down that road." And my granddad said "Ah, no it was three miles because when I would come to visit you it 18 miles from my place around the main roads, and 15 miles taking the country roads." How sweet is that! They have been married 56 years this June! 

But out of my parents generation there are only a few couples that will be able to make it to 50 years, and the said truth is most will probably end up divorced before that...isn't is so sad where marriage is headed. It isn't a date, it is a lifetime commitment made as a covenant before God. 

-the median for length of marriages in the US is 11 years

-in America there are about 6.8 marriages per 1,000 and 3.6 divorces per 1,000

-in Britain it is estimated that 42% of marriages will end in divorce

These are just a few shocking statistics! 

Love deeply through Christ.

-Carlie J