This morning.

The Little Things: New mornings.

The last couple of days haven't been the easiest. I'm not a huge fan of living alone, and it seems the more I settle in the more I miss things about home. If I were to be specific, I would tell you that my heart aches for people like the wonderful women in my life, my family, and my fiancé. And then there are things like queso, chick-fil-a, Starbucks, and Lookout Mountain in the fall that I would just love to have.

But here's the thing. It's all in my thinking.

For the past year or so, I've been learning to find joy in the little things. The things that happen throughout the day that just make my heart want to burst because I know that God loves me and although I'm one of billions of people, he pays attention to me.

Psalm 107:9- For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

This morning was a new morning.

To continue with my Little Things lists:

175. I woke up and looked out the window to a snow capped Ben Nevis. It's beautiful. (Let's ignore what it probably means for the weather in the coming months.)

176. I was doing dishes, and found a spider in the sink. Spiders are my least favorite things in the world, and Scotland has big ones. The last couple I've found in the house have been when other people are here, and they are happy to take care of them for me. (No, really. These people have no fear of spiders. Lucky them.) But this morning, I was all on my own with this big guy. All that was necessary to take care of him was some hot water. If he had been crawling up the wall, it would have been a bit more challenging and there would have been a lot more squeals coming from this girl.

177. Last week, I helped Ishbel paint a bedroom in her house late at night. This meant good music and even better conversation as we tried to avoid paint hitting the carpet and our hair.

178. Isabel took me to Oban, and we stopped at the best coffee shops along the way.

179. New Mumford and Sons- SO GOOD.

180, I went on a walk with Joanna and her kids along the canal and fed the ducks. I hadn't fed ducks since I was probably 4 or 5, maybe younger. Apparently, if you throw a whole piece of bread in the water, ALL of the ducks will go after it. Watching the "war" is a favorite with these guys.

181. No matter where you are in the world, give women good food and good tv and they are happy. Spending time with new friends, eating Indian food and too much chocolate while watching Downton Abbey. Hopefully this will become a weekly occurrence.

182. Lunch with Moira and Lynne is refreshing every time.

183. Live Scottish music.

184. Wednesday night dinners at Fiona and John's is guaranteed good conversation.

185. The MacRae's are in Harris, and before they left they gave me flowers that would have died if they stayed in their house. They've managed to stay alive for over a week here, and I am loving them. Also, can't wait for that family to be back.

186. I couldn't sleep the other night. Since it was early evening in Chattanooga, Josiah read the Bible to me until I feel asleep. Seriously?! This amazing man is going to be my husband!!

187. I've gotten iMessage updates from Caroline on how Fall Break 2013 in Dallas is treating my wonderful friends. So thankful they are having time to be refreshed.

188. Emails and FaceTime with my family, getting to hear how they are and what's happening.

189. Catching up with Josiah's mom/soon-to-be-my-other-mom.

190. Cozy evenings are perfect for coming up with wedding ideas.

191. Starting tonight, I am watching the Murray's dog Jess while they are on holiday. Looking forward to having some company and a reason to go for a run each morning.

So. Today, I will be thankful. I will remember these little things, and rest in the blessings that God is providing. I will choose to let these outweigh the little things I am missing from home, and I will praise Him for bringing me back to this place that has my heart.

Engagement Photos.

A few days before I headed across the ocean, Josiah and I had an engagement photo session with Annie Huntington. She did a fantastic job capturing "us," and we could not be more excited to have these! She sent them to us the day after I arrived in Scotland. Pretty perfect timing, considering I was missing my man too much already. Only 77 days until he comes for a visit!

All photos taken at Sunset Rock.

The Big Free Rally

During the summer, the Free Church of Scotland hosts camps in various places throughout the UK. Each camp is in a different place and has a different focus. There are football (soccer) camps for guys, all-girl camps for girls, co-ed camps, extreme sports camps... basically there are all kinds of options for camp. Regardless of the camp activities, the Word of God is always taught, giving teenagers the opportunity to be refreshed and encouraged in their walks with the Lord. 

Last Saturday, we took a mini-bus of 15 teenagers from Kilmallie Free Church up to Inverness. We were meeting up with 200 or so other teenagers to fill Smithton Church for the Big Free Rally. Countless hugs and squeals of excitement erupted from throughout the church as camp friends were reunited. They came from churches all over the country for a few hours of fellowship.

They sang, they played games, and they listened intently as a speaker reminded them that Christ loves them more than any person in the world ever could.

In between sessions, the teenagers were asked what their favorite part of camp was. When “friends” was offered as an option, hands shot up all over the room. Aside from coming together to worship God, this was why they were there. They had come together because they were given the opportunity to be with their friends.

Kids in Scotland attend huge public high schools, where they would be lucky to find another Christian in their grade. For most of these teenagers, the majority of the people in their close circle of friends are not Christians. If they were asked, the teenagers that attended the Big Free Rally would probably say that some of their closest friends were those that were sitting with them in that room. These friendships that I had the privilege of observing are strong because they have a common bond. Yes, the camp experience is great and there are tons of inside jokes and a shared experience can always bring people together. But this bond, this bond that is stronger than any other, is the bond that they share as a result of being brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Fall in Scotland - according to my iPhone Photos

Fall in Scotland feels like winter in Chattanooga.

Frosty mornings.

Caledonian Canal.

Welcome Home!

View from my front door.

British money fits together!

I went on an adventure the other day with a friend from church. She took me to all kinds of beautiful places on the way to Oban. When we got there, I was too distracted how beautiful the town was to take pictures. Oops. Next time.

Glencoe Lochan.

Trees.

Glencoe Lochan.

Glencoe Lochan.

Stalker's Castle.

Don't even remember where this was but it's beautiful.