And since I’m sitting here in Starbucks this gloriously cold afternoon in Aberdeen, I feel almost compelled to write at least a few lines! Although I must confess my writing muse is cold and I don’t think I’m up to my usual standards of wordiness today. We shall see. I just knew I couldn’t let this opportunity to write a brief entry pass! I currently don’t have internet in the flat, so my online time is quite limited as of late…so this morning I trudged down George Street(making my customary doughnut stop) to Starbucks where I’ve been catching up on correspondence ever since! Oh and before I came here, stopped by the music store and picked up Imaginaerum, latest Nightwish album!! I’m sorely tempted to listen to it now, but will wait until I can listen to it properly at home. One amazing advantage to living in Europe…I was able to get this album now. You know when it’s released in the US? January 10th. Yep, there are certainly advantages! Anyways, I’m expecting this album to be epic, even more so than Dark Passion Play. (Other random note, now that I’m talking about Nightwish…Laura got me their “End of an Era” live DVD – watching that at home together with her was simply awesomeness)

And while my writing will hasn’t deserted me yet, I’ll continue, just touching on the highlights of the last few weeks! Last weekend, where was I, you may ask? Well, not in Aberdeen. I was in Glasgow, seeing Coldplay in concert! They kicked off their Mylo Xyloto tour in Glasgow and I WAS THERE. Sort of odd thinking that back in 2009, I snobbishly thought that Coldplay couldn’t possibly appeal to me since they were too mainstream. Ah how foolish was I. Anyways, Rosemary, Beth, Bree and I all rocked out and had a most amazing time. I’m not a big concert person in general…but I wanted to see them at least once! And they played all my favorite songs, so I was most satisfied. Yellow, Scientist, Fix You, Violet Hill…mmm, aural loveliness.

And seriously – enough about music now! I do enjoy good music so, but never may I let it subvert my worship to the King. Never.

On to my other highs for the month(year!) – home in Florida!! Of course it was awesome. Of course it was amazing. And of course I wasn’t quite ready to leave. And of course I am far too blessed. Besides watching far too much 24 and eating food far too delectable and buying far too many books to bring home(seriously, I had to bring an extra bag just for my books!! Hunger Games trilogy plus Lord of the Rings plus Towers of Midnight paperback plus a couple Joel Rosenberg books…YES), I simply loved relaxing with Dad and Mom and Katharyn and Maryanne and Laura…love you all, always.

And no, I did not limit myself to Tampa! Spent a day in Gainesville early on in my trip to catch up with RobG(yeah, we may or may not have spent over five hours together talking and playing frisbee and praying and…yeah) and awesomely got to see Deanna too! And after Thanksgiving and Christmas(yes, we celebrated Christmas on November 25th, since I won’t be home for real Christmas…), Maryanne and Laura and I drove up to Gainesville for the UF/FSU game! (Which I will not comment further on for the duration of this entry) But the most lovely part of the weekend(by far) was simply being with my sisters and the whole Lebo family, where I stayed a couple nights. What was included in this weekend adventure? Of course, classic awesomeness. Disc golf, epic board games(MUST get a copy of Shogun!!), delicious food, ping-pong and fun times talking and talking…yeah just amazing times. And I hadn’t seen Becca in nearly *two* years. So being able to talk to her again(in person!) was just glorious. Of course, my Gainesville trip had to come to an end eventually, so I bid farewell to Maryanne and Laura and the Lebo fam…I shall return, someday!

But all I can say about my Florida trip was that God has blessed me exceedingly…knowing I needed a time like that with the people he’s blessed me with so. And now, I worship him in humble adoration. Why do I deserve such extreme and everlasting love? I know not. I simply exalt my God and lift up His name – Him do I worship. Always.