Day Eight Survivor Day

We woke up this morning wondering if we had signed up for “Survivor Oxford.” In an attempt to cook, we stood; staring at the oven like it had dropped down from Mars. We absolutely could not get it to work. All three knobs were pushed and turned numerous times and ways with no success. Once again, we turned to the wisdom of Google, but this time, even Google was puzzled. I know, many of you are thinking “Chrys can’t work an oven in America, why did she think she could in Oxford.” Good point. But, I’ll remind you that I've always said I know how, I just don’t choose to. Eventually, we resorted to the microwave and resigned to asking the landlord, who is by now, most assuredly, tired of us.

Last night, with the washer still out, we decided to lay one towel over the heating rack in the bathroom for a morning shower. The towel was sufficiently dry; however, when we pulled it off the rack, it resembled a white sheet of plywood. Johnny was willing to scrape his body with it and proceeded to take a shower. “Screaming like a little girl” doesn’t quite describe the next sound from the bathroom, but there was a loud yep followed by, “There’s no hot water.” We added that to our growing list for the landlord.

We worked as usual in the morning and headed to college for lunch. To college is the correct way to say where we go every day. We are not to say “to the school” or “to the university” or ‘to class.” These facts, and such information, were given to us by Isabella Bunn (pictured above). Davis (her husband) and Isabella are the ones responsible for our trip here. They live about one hour from Oxford. Isabella is the Associate Director for the Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture. She does not tutor students, but occasionally gives lectures. She is responsible for bringing guest lecturers from all over the world to the center. Davis has been an author in residence at Oxford and is a full time author (was one of ours). They are both Americans, but have been in England for 25 (her) and 35 (him) years. It was great to sit down with her after a week here, now that we know enough to ask a question, and get some valuable information. We had planned to take a bus tour to Scotland this weekend, but she was adamant that we not do that. Listen carefully—she said, “You are too young for a bus tour. Those things cater to geriatrics.” Whew!! Just when I thought a bun and cane were right around the corner, I get this great news! So, we’re going to Scotland on Saturday on the train with all the “youngins.”

We got home today around 5:00pm and there was a note on our counter telling us the washer was now working. WOOHOO! We started it at 5:15 with two hand towels, three washcloths, and one dish towel (remember, it’s very small). It’s been washing since then and it’s 8:00pm. I figure by 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, we’ll get to the underwear.

As for the hot water and the oven……the hot water has a booster switch that has to be turned on occasionally and the oven has a switch on the wall that has to be turned on—in other words—the electricity was off. WHO KNEW???

In America, we often compare plugging in our electrical appliances with plugging into God. Both supply energy and are a source for strength and power. Without either of them, we are found lacking. As we touched the switch that would warm our water and the one that would heat our food, we were reminded of our greatest energy source. “No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” Ephesians 4:14

NOTE TO SADIE: Notice the umbrella that I never leave home without. You did a great job picking it out. I love it!!!

Hugs to all,
2 mama