I hope you all had a wonderful fast Sunday. I really enjoyed hearing the testimonies today from a diverse group of members. We also had a really great lesson wherein we talked at length about the “art” of living the gospel. Yes, this tied into our readings in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It sparked a great discussion. It was also nice to chat with folks afterward and start to make some new friends. I had the fun experience this week of running into someone I knew from here at the Tube. A first for me. So fun!

Here are some pics from our walk to church this morning through Hyde Park. It was cold but beautiful out today. The building is Kensington Palace where Queen Victoria grew up. It is sad it was more a prison than a home for her. She did love the gardens though. I learned that she was the first Monarch to live in Buckingham Palace, just a 20 minute walk away from where we are.

I am grateful for the blessing it is to be here and have these experiences. I hope I can accomplish and learn all that the Lord wants me to, and perhaps meet the people I am to meet as well. 🙂 Have a good week!

Yesterday we did our London walk in the cold, rain and wind, along where the London wall once stood. In a nutshell the building of the wall came as a result of Romans raping women who then rallied others to build the wall for protection. The amazing thing is that portions of it still stand today. The relics are woven into the fabric of the metropolis that has built around it. While on the walk, not far from the tower of London, we saw the location for the executions of nobody’s-meaning peasants, rather than royalty. Mind you, when it comes to  getting  your head chopped off I’m certain neither location is very desirable. We were very fortunate to be able to enter St. Olaves Church where Charles Dickens attended. A very small choir was practicing and I got to hear them for a minute. They were wonderful. The London museum was also wonderful, giving a very linear historical view of how London came to be, starting from prehistoric times on up to the present. I was also able to see St. Paul’s again just briefly when I went to pick up my reading glasses that I lost there. I was helped by the most kindly gentleman named Alex who has a love of theatre so we had a such a delightful little chat. He was able to point out some things to me that had meaning for me as a Canadian.

Yesterday, January 30, we went to The Banqueting House. It was the 370 year anniversary of the beheading of King Charles 1 whose belief in the divine right to rule clashed with Parliamentary Puritans. They were lead by Oliver Cromwell who became a general in the civil war that ended in the deposition of the King. The Banqueting House was chosen as the location for his execution because it was a symbol of the lasciviousness that Cromwell and his followers were against.  It was a place that Charles flamboyant father, King James I, used for great parties called Masques that became more elaborate in Charles day. They were basically dress up parties where people came to eat dessert, dance, and watch performances. The place was always packed. The building was a Renaissance style structure in the spirit of Palladio’s work, designed by Inigo Jones with the ceiling panels created by Rubens. It was revolutionary for it’s time and very different than the rest of Whitehall palace of which it was a part till the structure burned down in the great fire. Miraculously the Banqueting House survived.

For the execution, scaffolding was erected, and the King beheaded in a public manner.  Charles I last words were, “I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown where no disturbance can be.” Today he is considered, by some, a Monarch martyr. Cromwell himself proved to be a religious zealot who actually cancelled Christmas and anything else that was fun. After his death parliament decided they wanted a Monarch again and invited the charming Charles II, who had been hiding out in Holland and France, to come take the throne again. He was the playboy of Monarchs with many mistresses and yet still  loved by his people. 

After our visit I had a lovely, quiet dinner with our professors and a stroll around the West end before heading to the Shaftesbury Theatre where we thoroughly enjoyed watching Motown-the Musical. I loved it!

Last night I attended my first show at Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. It is a beautiful and intimate performance space lit only by candlelight. The play was Dr. Faustus, completed by the year 1592 by Christopher Marlow. His exploration of death and hell are fitting subjects for contemplation which one can only hope he reconciled. He was murdered just a year later, still a young man of only 29. Director Paulette Randall crafts the play for it’s 21st century audience by casting women for the lead roles. Both Jocelyn Jee Esien and Pauline McLynn give splendid performances as Dr. Faustus and Mephistopheles respectively.

Despite it being a bit rainy and chilly it was nice to be outside walking. My umbrella has pictures of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London on it. Naturally I had to get a shot of my umbrella with St. Paul’s in the background.

We all got back from seeing Don Quixote. It was a talented troupe with particularly good performances for the roles of Sancha and Don Quixote. I wish I had been more rested. I struggled to be conscious for the whole 3 hours. I am so grateful I got my research paper in before leaving. I would have missed my deadline otherwise. Just one more to send off tonight and I’m off to bed!

Well, this is our 3rd week here. Not only have we been going to the various places we have planned , but we have been writing about them. I did 7 papers this week and have another due tomorrow. We are very busy. I am learning a great deal about history and the monarchy, It is fascinating. I am also noticing so many tender mercies. We have opportunity to share them each evening before supper. This week I was treated to 2 extra shows. That was a blessing. I am grateful.

Our group is working very nicely together. There is a lot of service and kindness between all of us. Sundays are special because we all go in groups to different wards. Many of us have received callings. I have not. Emma and I are kind of oddities. Usually 3 or more go in a group. Only two of us were assigned to this ward and usually that does not happen, especially for this ward that seems to be quite self-sufficient. We have not been given callings. The discussion while walking home today was about our purpose. We know that much prayer went into who should go to which unit. We finally determined that perhaps our function will be fulfilled, not through a calling, but being who we are. I am determined to continue to look for opportunities to reach out where I can. I have offered my services but have not waited for an assignment. Opportunity did present itself though, and tonight, Lesley and I sang together at our weekly Sunday fireside here at the centre. Judy played the piano for us. It was nice to contribute in that way. I don’t need an assignment to be a light. I can do that all on my own:)

 

For our London walks yesterday we went to the West End Theatre District, strolled over the Thames, saw China Town, and hung out at Covet Gardens. We also saw the  Film Institute where one can go to view over 30,000 films for free! I could spend all day in this area. There is so much to see and experience. We listened to a fantastic group of classical musicians who danced as they played their instruments. It was a great performance. We also went to Burrow Market afterward. I treated my self to two truffles and a scone. Yum!

On Friday we all went to St. Paul’s Cathedral. What an experience. We are not allowed to take pictures inside so I only have outside ones but look it up. One can not really appreciate the immensity of the central dome without seeing it. The view from the top is amazing. Look for the shots of Shakespear’s Globe Theatre right by the Thames. Some of us went back again the next day. I loved the mosaics in the Byzantine style in the Quire ceilings. There is also a touching memorial to the US states and men who fought with England in WWII. A tribute to the Canadians is on the high alter right beside it. The British have a gift for memory and showing gratitude. I can learn from that.

A bunch of us went to see Mamma Mia this week. The end of the show was the best. It was like a rock concert! We were out of our seats singing along and having a blast! Note to self. It sure helps when writing a musical to have music that people can sing along to. That audience participation is gold.

 

“The Coronation” depicting the coronation of Elizabeth I.

This is a portrait of Katherine Parr, 6th wife of Henry VIII who took a special interest in Elizabeth I. It is because of her the young girl was so prepared to take the throne. Katherine saw to it the Elizabeth became highly educated.

“Supper at Emmaus” (1601) by Caravaggio, captures the moment the two disciples realizing that the man at their table breaking a blessing bread is their resurrected Lord. When I look at the detail, especially of the man just rising from his chair, I am reminded of the work of Norman Rockwell. It would not surprise me if Rockwell’s work was grealty influenced by Caravaggio. 

Front steps of the National Gallery

Outside by Trafalgar Square

The Milton Diptych is the oldest piece found in the Gallery. Once a common item for personal worship, these relics had almost all disappeared. This one sat in the house of Milton and was recovered and brought to the museum. The medium is egg on oak. It was created in the late 1500’s during the reign of Richard II after his marriage.

Beautiful domes and ceilings.

Monet!

The Canadian Embassy is right across the street from the museum. I finally got a shot with one of London’s iconic red telephone booths!

The Lavergne Family Breakfast by Jean-Etienne Liotard (1702-1789) was greatly influenced by Dutch art. I loved this piece.

Holbein’s “Ambassadors” is visually and intellectually stunning. The symbolism in this piece is such a commentary of life for the patrons and artist during the reign of Henry VIII. Though a catholic, the lucky artist remained in the King’s good books.

“Monsieur  de Norvins by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. I loved this work because of its vividness and his eyes. They look right into you and follow you where ever you stand. He reminds me of Mr. Darcy:)

 

Love the architecture.

I took so many more pictures but I’m going to leave it at this for now. It is wonderful that we can just walk in and see all this amazing art!