We're moving...

...to England! Yep, that's right... England; the real England, not some fancy schmancy town in Texas that's called England just to fool everyone. Nope... I'm talking about the home of afternoon tea and the Queen (as in, THE Queen). So, basically, I guess we're going to be tea-drinkin', Queen-lovin' Brits! Just kidding... sort of. 

Earlier this week I 'officially' accepted an offer to study at the University of Durham in Durham, England. Candice and I have been talking and thinking about doing this for long time, though I never thought the day would come when we would actually be going. Most of you have probably heard us agonizing about whether we should stay at Baylor or go to England; but, in the end, making the decision wasn't at all like I thought it would be. It was like coming to the end of a path in the woods and choosing to go right instead of going left. Even though you know both paths are probably going to take you somewhere fine in the end, somehow, after walking a few steps down one of the paths, it just hits you, "Yea, this one feels right." It's like that's the path you HAD to take all along.

Here's a picture :)

So, as you can see, Durham is nestled in the middle of a magical forestland where gnomes and satyrs dance in the moonlight (just kidding... sort of). It's supposed to be fairly magical in its own way, though, and I'm absolutely sure it will be a step up from Waco, TX. Also, I'm a member of the College of St. Hild and St. Bede (Hild and Bede, for short), which sounds pretty cool even though I'm not exactly sure what it all means. In any case, the college grounds are situated on the beautiful and majestic River Wear, which couldn't be bad, could it? 

The plan right now is to leave Waco in May after I graduate(!) and move to Ardmore for the summer before moving to Durham in the fall. It feels good to be able to say, "This is what we're doing." It's been a long wait and I'm relieved to have the decision made. 

In case you're wondering... the program at Durham lasts a total of four years (1 yr. Masters and 3 yr. PhD). When I'm done, I'll have an M.A. in New Testament Biblical Studies and a Ph.D. in the same. 

Oh... one more thing: you (and by 'you,' I mean everyone) are officially invited to come visit us in the UK!