Greetings from Cambridge,

I know some of you probably think that I have passed away with the lack of correspondence but rest assured I am well fed and feeling fine. Things here in England are great.  Cambridge is an exciting little city with adventures and culture around every corner.

 On Mondays we have pericope where we discuss one of the lectionary readings in one of the original languages.  Then we have classes throughout the week on and off at the divinity faculty.  You see here in Cambridge, the Colleges are usually where you are living and the Faculties are where the classes are taught.  So, I live in Westfield house, which is part of Fitzwilliam’s College, but I go to classes at the History and Divinity faculties respectively. This term I have English Reformation, World Religions, Pauline Epistles and Synoptic Gospels or at least I have lectures for these.  Some of these lectures I am attending won’t actually be part of a class until next term.

 Along with that, I am doing my own personal research on Bach and his Lutheran liturgical context. I know it doesn’t seem all that exciting but it is interesting to me.  Along with this personal study I try to take in as many concerts as I can get to.  Recently, I went to Mozart’s Mass in C minor at Kings College Chapel and then to Mozart’s Requiem at St John’s College Chapel.  Both venues were outstanding but the music was even better than the locale. I do particularly love Mozart’s Requiem.

 We as a school are also training to play soccer against our archrivals Oberuersal Seminary in Germany. Every year we play a game and they usually beat us but nevertheless we train.  I think this year the game will be in Germany. What a treat!

 With vacation around the corner, I am making plans to travel while school is out of session.  It will hopefully be a fun time filled with memories and lots of pictures.  So far my traveling in England has been fun and very stimulating. We have seen a lot but my favorite cathedral is Wells and my favorite town thus far has been Bath. I will share more about those places with you in my journals.

 The environment in the house is great.  We all get along real well. We often cook for each other and spend lots of time with one another besides. The house is cozy at times but all that means is that you spend a bit more time in your room to get some privacy.  So far, living with this large group of people has been grand.

 As for me, I must say that living abroad has opened my eyes to the enormous world around me.  The history and warmth of the people and the area makes me long for home.  I miss all of you and the true depth of my homesickness is beginning to set in.  Nevertheless, England is a place where one can live comfortably and find plenty to do.  Resurrection Church is a great parish to be part of and I regularly assist by ushering, singing and making cookies for teas.  In fact I cooked my Grandma D’s molasses cookies last weekend and got rave reviews. 

 Sometimes on the weekend, I head into the market in town and purchase local fruit and baked goods and to rub elbows with the locals. Some weekends I head out on a trip to a nearby destination such as Canterbury, Durham or Ely. Sometimes I head to a concert or a demonstration of a craft or even to an additional lecture. There are always plenty of things to do.  My only regret is that I wasn’t able to get on the sailing team due to the fact that it was already full.  Bummer.

 For those of you who don’t know, I have entered the Rome Marathon.  In March I will be running 26 miles through the city streets of Rome. In the house, we have a few people who have run one in the past and they asked me if I wanted run with them. I am very excited about it and think it could be a great learning/life experience for me. I have already run 26 miles albeit on separate days but hopefully one day I will work up to 20 in a single run.  Pray for me and my trip. 

 For those of you who don’t know I would like to tell you about my sister Erin.  She has moved to New York and is trying to make it as an actor. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must be to move to NY and try to make it. I am so proud of her.  It seems as though she is having some success to as she has been cast as the Baker’s wife in “Into the Woods.” I know that at one point I thought about being a professional singer but I never had the guts to really put it all out there and risk everything. She is a true inspiration. What is even better is that she has found a great little LCMS Church in NY with what my mother says is a great pastor and interesting and vibrant parish.  Kudos to lil sis.

 So, here I sit in my room in front of my computer.  I wonder what will become of my time spent abroad.  I keep expecting some large life lesson but have yet to find it.  Being apart from my friends and family is difficult but I imagine it is similar to what it will be like when I become a pastor and I am obligated on every major holiday.  I am often surprised what the political and social climate is here in England. In fact, it challenges my beliefs on a daily basis.  Thankfully, my beliefs have been built on a stronger foundation than convenience or preference but rather on tradition, research and understanding.  My family placed in me a set of values and beliefs that are hard to shake.  My seminary education has instilled in me a true faith based on the biblical witness of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. Point being, things here are different and difficult but it will not shake my faith in my savior Jesus Christ.

 We are near Thanksgiving and I thought I would take some time to discuss how blessed I am as an individual.  I was speaking to a friend recently and he told me how lucky I was to have a family that was tightly knit.  I miss my family a lot and am so thankful for them but in reality you are all part of my family. You are part of my Christian family. A family that has seen fit to help me and pray for me and take care of me financially.  For all of this and more I say thank you. I am sorry that I haven’t been better with giving thanks to those of you who deserve it but know that even though the correspondence isn’t as good as it should be I am thinking and praying for you as often as I can.

 Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday here obviously and isn’t a holiday in many other places either which is why we try to remember the true meaning to the holiday. Thanksgiving is a time when we can all look to our God and thank him for the people and wonderful gifts he has put in our lives. What do we have that is not given by God?  Sometimes our things can own us as easily as we own them.  But when we place our joy and riches in heaven; when we realize that this place is fleeting but eternity with Christ is forever, well then we can really enjoy our things and possessions that God has given us. When we aren’t afraid to part with them they become that much sweeter.

 When I was in Scotland, my camera was stolen. I spent a few hours sad and upset and even cried a little.  I then sat up and realized how ridiculous I was being.  When Christ comes again, how much difference is it going to make that my pictures were of grainy quality or not.  I lost sight for a moment about what was truly important. I probably will again. We live as sinners who fall.  And when we fall Christ picks us up and sets us back on the road to try again.  This Thanksgiving take some time to try and count your treasures in heaven. I am sure they will be too numerous to count. Then look at your treasures here and realize that you own them not the other way around.  Do not be afraid to lose it all for the sake of Christ. He will take care of you as he always has!

Your seminarian,

Ryan A. Drevlow