The Outback

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So I do not have too much time to write now! But thought I’d write a quick paragraph as I sit here at home – home in Tampa! Back in the USA, y’all!! I still can’t really believe it, and still don’t think I’ve fully comprehended that I won’t be traveling back to Scotland in a few days. But it’s true. One saga of my life has ended, a new one is about to begin. And so now, as I listen to the Rays/Twins game in the background and get ready to eat ice cream with Mom and Dad, I will say no more. Just ever so thankful for the love of God! I love you, my friends, always.

Also – happy 27th anniversary to you, Dad and Mom!!!! You’re the best parents anyone could ever dream of. I love you so.

Glorious

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And now I sit at work with my coffee, a few minutes before eight. Time to start work soon, but I wanted to write just a bit. I’ve been meaning to write more for a while now, but I simply have no time!! I’ve been spending all my free time with my dear friends. And this is not a bad thing at all.

And as I begin my final day here in Aberdeen, I do not know what to say. Other than I must and shall praise my God for all that He has given to me. Praise Him with great praise!!

I think on the past few days and all the glorious times contained therein. A most lovely dinner at Lairhillock with John and Ruth – friends eternal. Hanging out with John on Friday night, watching Batman(oh no, now Batman music is stuck in my head…) and just relaxing together. Glorious.

Sunday. Would take far too long to describe now, but being in my church. Being with my family. Saying farewell, but never forever. Praying and thanking our God and Father for his boundless blessings to us. Worshipping together and hearing the Word of God preached. Saying goodbye to far too many dear friends and being crushed by the kindnesses and encouraging words lavished upon me. Yesterday stopping by Chris and Jo’s for one last cuppa and chat. Oh how I’ll miss them. Then being with John and Andrew Wilson last night, enjoying some classic frozen pizzas(baked in our shiny oven – finally clean after what John aptly named the Great Calsayseat Oven Cleaning Debacle of 2013!).

And I’m just writing what I’ve been doing, not what I’m feeling. Because I don’t quite want to delve into my emotions at the moment, but suffice it to say that I feel my heart swirling in a maelstrom of love and longing and joy. So so happy to be going back to America – to see my family!! So so sad to leave so many friends back here. But what can I say? I am blessed. I am blessed.

And today, driving to work for the last time, listening to Classic FM and watching the blustery skies and the brilliant sea flash by as I pondered these last few beautiful years…

And now, it’s time to go and take cakes out to the guys in the shop, say my farewell to them!

Peace, my friends. Always.

Sleepytime

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Should I write anything in here now? Almost definitely not, since I am far too sleepy to write anything coherent. This much is true! I did want to write an epic essay in here, but alas. Not to be! Just know this – today, my last Sunday here in Aberdeen for…quite some time – has been most amazing and most awesome. And I have far too good of friends. Far far better than I deserve.

And hopefully I write more later about these past few days I’ve had…with my friends, with such dear brothers and sisters. But for now, I just praise God for what He has given me. He has blessed me with so much. Saying goodbye to so many people today was not easy. But as I think of the times I’ve had with my friends…my heart sighs in joy. Thinking of the chat and laughs, my times with John and Ruth and Alec and Pip and Caroline and Joel and Graham and Ben and…I won’t go on naming everyone else. But just thinking now, of how much I am blessed. My Father and my God – thank you. Always.

And now, I really need sleep! It is almost midnight. Oh dear.

Last Train Home

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Hello my friends! I sit here this morning, as traditional, at Books and Beans! I’ve been here far too long, but now I’m waiting for John so we can grab lunch, so hopefully he turns up soon!

Ok – so John got here like ten minutes ago and we’ve been looking through my newest music playlist, Calsayseat – he approves! And now it’s lunchtime. Peace y’all!

Swift Sunrise

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A lilting laugh and fields of green,
and all the clouds dance triumphant –
morning light and friend so sweet,
how can we not praise the King?

Upon a mountain, flowers lush,
and grass bending gently under
the kiss of the wind and
only the song of the birds
touch the silence.

Once upon a time,
Once upon this earth,
there was a man
and he was called from
a far country,
and he looked to the heavens
and he let his gaze linger upon the stars.
And he walked on and ever on.
The road was long and rocky yes,
and it led him he knew not where,
but his heart was full of love endued
and his eyes glinted grey in joy.
The road led him he knew not where,
and he walked in weariness at times,
but he walked not alone.
Once upon a time,
Once on this dear earth,
there was a man
and he was called to
a far country,
and he looked up to heaven.
And his eyes reflected back the stars.

Fingal’s Cave

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So, sitting in Books and Beans, halfway through my mocha at the moment. Pretty soon, Graham’s going to turn up, so I can’t write too long! But for now, just thought I’d let my fingers dance over the keyboard for a few minutes and get a small update in!! Am still a bit sleepy this morning, even with my coffee. But that’s probably due to the fact that I did not get home until a ridiculous hour of the morning last night. My bad! Last night was my work leaving do – yes, the end is upon me! So was out with the gang at Revolution for dinner and drinks and good quality fun!! We were there for hours, and obviously since it was my party, I couldn’t just leave early. Yes, excuses, but a good excuse I say! Eventually Caroline came and met me at Rev, and we hung out for a bit before it was home time…at some hour of the morning I will not specify. Good times were had though!! I’m going to miss my work friends…they’re a good group. And we actually have fun together too, shock! And Caroline…I’ve only known her for some four months, but definitely going to miss her a lot! Oh why do we have to leave friends behind? But again, I can only bless the Lord my God for giving me such precious friends. And that’s all I can say.

And now, this update is turning from an actual update into an emotional musing! Ah well.

And Thursday night – ever so lovely! Me and Chris and Jo hit up Cosmo’s – where lots of yummy food was ingested and lots of delightful chat was had. Oh such good times!! And then afterwards, when I suggested we have coffee, Jo had a much better idea – rather than pay for coffee at Cosmo’s…we could have it at their place! So we drove over to their house, where delicious late-night coffee was enjoyed to the tune of a couple episodes of Spaced. Ridiculous. Hilarious. Such such a good night. As with Chris and Jo, it always is. Y’know. Any tiredness the next day was so totally worth it.

Anyways, Graham is going to be here any minute, so going to close this out. Maybe write more later!!

Peace.

Thirteen

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Thirteen days that is. Thirteen days from now I’ll be flying home, y’all. What.

But now this nice Thursday, I’m simply at work eating my lunch and reflecting on the love of God. Looking forward to this evening – dinner at Cosmo’s with Chris and Jo! But first, I need to get some more work done. Because, y’know – work is sort of important. Have a most awesome day, my friends!!

And the Sun Rises

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So – I had planned on writing a much more elegant post this night, but I still haven’t had dinner. And it’s ten minutes to ten. Oops! But I do have burritos ready to eat. I’ve just been very silly and spent most of evening making my burritos then watching University Challenge with John(at which I was victorious, 35-25!) and just now posting my Northern Ireland pictures on facebook. And currently I’m getting distracted by watching the end of Return of the King!

So no more writing – I’m going to eat my burritos and watch some more RotK. Peace!

Love, Unbounded

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Hello my friends!!

This night, I am sleepy and thus cannot write as much as I would like. I’m also hungry and should probably make dinner at some point! Frozen pizza? Yes.

But a few words before I do turn the oven on. This weekend I’ve been having a most marvelous time in Northern Ireland! And would that I had all the time in the world to properly do it justice, but alas, the clock ticks ever on. And my heart is too full.

I really cannot chronicle this trip as it deserves. Maybe I’ll write more later, when my mind is less sleepy and my heart is ready to give up its song? Maybe. But now – just know that this weekend was beautiful. Seeing my dear friend Zara again and spending time with her and her family…climbing mountains and seeing the beauty of the earth laid before my feet and knowing how our God cares for each and everyone one of us as He looks out upon His earth…exploring the grand north coast and marveling at the beauty of the waves of the sea crashing against the cliffs jutting out into the ocean proud…eating lunch in the burning sunshine and luxuriating in the goodness of our God in giving us far more than we deserve…talking of the majesties of our God’s staggering creation and worshiping our God in word and prayer and song…and being with friends who remind me what a great God we serve, one who watches out for us and cares for us and holds us close to Himself. Always. And so.

I was right, I really can’t adequately write about this weekend, at least not tonight.

Maybe tomorrow. For now, simply think on the love of God. Think on Him who loved us when we were but sinners – and decided to save us from his terrible and righteous wrath. Think on Jesus – Him who made the universe – the glorious stars above and the swift seas and green fields below. Think on Him who made us His own. This is our God. Remember this, my friends.