Today was a good day. A ridiculously good day. Possibly the best day I’ve had here so far, and that is saying a lot. Here is why:

1. I woke up and didn’t feel that sick. This is only relevant because I had spent the past three days waking up with a crushing headache. But I’m better now! Thanks Jesus.

2. Church. The church I attend in Oxford is part of a large family of churches called Salt and Light, which my church back home is a part of as well. Oxford Community Church hosted their leaders’ conference this weekend which meant that church was packed full with pastors from literally all around the world. Worship was so powerful as one person after another came up and led us in lifting up Jesus’ name in Danish, Russian, Swedish, German, and Swahili. I was reminded of a really important truth: church equals family and I am proud of my family.

3. I went out for lunch with Charlie and Zoë. Some people refresh you just by spending time with you. I feel refreshed.

4. I stood in line in the cold for rush tickets for a concert I really wanted to go to that was sold out. Just six people from the door, they announced that they were completely out, but if we came back in two hours there might be a slim chance that they might have some. 

5. I killed those two hours in the Ashmolean Museum looking at ancient Chinese pottery. One urn dates back to 3000BC!

6. Came back to the box office and that slim chance had grown into a fat chance, had grown into me having a ticket.

7. The concert was in the Sheldonian Theatre, built in 1664 so that ‘rowdy’ graduation ceremonies wouldn’t have to be conducted in the university’s church. It was designed by Christopher Wren, who is something of a hero here in England. There are only benches. The posh seats in the bottom rung have cushions. The cheap seat section up top consists of four rings of unforgiving wooden bleachers upon which economically minded families and students are packed onto.

The concert was by the Oxford Philomusica orchestra. There first half was Dvorak’s lush and entertaining 9th Symphony. I knew I liked it, but I had forgotten just how much I liked it. The second half was Tchaikovsky’s 1st Piano Concerto, performed by none other than Lang Lang. I lucked out and had an unobstructed view of his hands. I am still in shock. It was stunning.

8. I came home, had a hot shower, poured myself a cold glass of homemade horchata, and than had a nice chat with my parents which is a sure-fire way to make a good day even better.