My First Thanksgiving

Well, the first one that I cooked. And the first thanksgiving for the majority of my guests. The last few days have been all about planning, shopping, and getting ready for The Big Day. Monday was cranberry sauce (homemade, yum!), tuesday was pies and jello (the jello was a failure), and wednesday, our Thanksgiving, was for everything else. Thankfully, I was not alone, but had help from my Alaskan friend, Ashten, and my Wisconsin roommate, Heather. Still, I don't think I have ever been more exhausted. The first three hours of preparation were pretty fun. Christmas music, mash potatoes, toasty kitchens. After the 2:30 mark though, everything started to get a little old. Let me tell you, I have a much bigger appreciation my family now. And the idea that everyone brings one dish. Even being tired though, I have to say, it was definitely worth it. It didn't exactly feel like a real thanksgiving without family and a cozy living room, but it was still pretty great. If you can't spend a day about family with your real family, why not spend it with great friends? Plus, the food was a hit. Here it goes:

Cranberry sauce- I loved it. Who cares if the others did? 

Gravy- never thickened. It definitely did not live up to its "Its so Simple!" advertisement.

Stuffing- not as good as Stove Top, but with cranberries and apples, definitely passable. 

Turkey- had major potential, but was extremely dry. 

Mashed Potatoes- delicious, thanks to Ashten's mashing and numerous taste tests. 

Biscuits- all Heather. And sooo good. Weird fact though: British people don't have biscuits. They only have scones. What kind of life is that??

Pies- Apple, berry, and chocolate pecan. Yum!

And to all of you back home, Happy Thanksgiving!! Someone, in the memory of Bailey and I, watch the dog show! 

Sharing over Tea...kind of

Tonight I went out with a few friends to do some outreach. The plan was to offer people standing outside of pubs and clubs tea, engaging them in conversation with the ultimate goal of sharing God's love with people. Sounds good, right? When tonight came though, I was exhausted and totally not in the mood. Still, I dragged myself out of the apartment, knowing this was something God wanted me to do. It was raining, cold, and my tights and flats were getting increasingly wet. Because of the insistent rain, not many people were outside of the pubs. We talked to a few people, but didn't even give out a full thermos of tea. The only people who wanted it was a homeless man, Colin, and a student who thought tea was some kind of code word for alcohol. Needless to say, the night didn't go as planned. At all. But as we walked back from town,  I think we all realized the faith that evangelism requires. I will most likely not see Colin or the lesbian pub owners again. All I know is that God wanted me out in the rain. Sometimes, lots of times, we don't see the end result. But isn't it beautiful that we get to be a part of what God is doing? 

Questions

Why would a good God allow suffering? 

How can heaven be a perfect place is loved ones aren't there?

How can Christians reconcile their belief in an all-knowing God with the idea that people have free will?

I am just know starting to realize how great questions are, and how much I like discussing them. I am sooooo far from knowing all the answers, but that is part of the point. Yes, I know that I have been saved by an almighty, loving God. But shouldn't I be able to answer questions about him better? Today I went around with some people from the CU, doing a survey for next semester's topics. The question we asked was: If you could ask one question of a Christian, what would it be? We got one or two semi-hostile responses, a few joke ones, but also a good number of serious ones (see above). For Christians reading this, I encourage you to look into these. For non-Christians, what would you ask? If you have something, ask! This is too important of an issue to keep pushing it aside. 

On a lighter note, I went to see 2012 last night. It was a typical end of the world film, kind of cheesy, but still entertaining. For me at least. While I was pulling my hair out from anxiety over who would make it and who wouldn't, Rebekka was curled up sleeping in the chair next to me. 

A Birthday in November

Since the second or third week of bible study, I have taken on the role, and joy, of baking some form of dessert. It is a great way to fulfill the desire of measuring, mixing, and tasting, without having to eat it all yourself. Though I have to admit, thinking up new recipes is starting to pose a problem. So, sidenote, if anyone has a good recipe that is semi-simple, let me know. Anyway, this week Mari and I made oatmeal chocolate chip cake. Yummmmm. I had to come late, so I sent the cake with Mari and Rebekka. After arriving and eating "tea" with the group, Ros (one of the bible study leaders) came out with the cake. Everyone started singing happy birthday, and after me commenting on how I didn't know it was someone's birthday this week, I cluelessly began singing along. It took me way too long to realize that the cake was for me, and it was my "birthday." Ros decided that since I won't be here in June, my 21st would have to be celebrated in November. This is a long way of saying that I have been blessed. By a Godly woman that cares for me. With friends that look on laughing as I sing along to my own birthday song. With cozy fires, light "banter," and honest heart-to-hearts. I love bible study :)

On a lighter note though, I'm desperate for recipes! 

Too Much?

Today was a depressing day. After Bailey left, I just kept on dwelling on the little time I have left here. I can't help but think that I didn't really think the whole study abroad thing through. Don't get me wrong, it's great. But how did I think it would be a good thing to get attached to a place so far away? I am falling in love with Scotland. And the people that I have met and gotten to know here. I came expecting tartan and Gerard Butler and bagpipes. But I got so much more. I got tea with milk and Hobnobs and Digestives. 3:11 Bible study and afternoon talks at Phil and Ros'. There is Mari and Rebekka and Ashten and Colin. Kendra, Julia, Aaron, Cath, Fraser, and so many more. There is constant cold, talks in pubs, and tea in kitchens. Stressful essays balanced out by lots of laughter. I love home. And I love slo. And friends from back home reading this, there is NO WAY you could be replaced. But I am growing to love Scotland. It's a good thing most days, but right now it just feels like a little too much to handle. 

Blue

I love getting to see Bailey, but afterwards, it is just so lonely. So this afternoon has been a little blue. But I get to go to a birthday party tonight, and I am sure I will feel cheered up after that. 

A Very Lazy Day in the Life

So I am being a total slacker and not going to class for the mere reason that it is rainy outside and I can still miss 2 class periods before I get punished. Instead, I have decided to write a blog. A much better use of my time, don't you agree? And not just any blog. I am finally doing my day in the life post. Pretty exciting, right? I will say though, I do actually work here. It just happens that I turned in my last essay for awhile on Monday and therefore have  a good amount of free time. 

After waking up around 10 (I'm still recovering from a very tiring week of traveling, haha) I putted around until 12, and then went to get my hair cut. It was slightly pricey, considering the exchange rate, but it came with a 5 minute head massage. I always love watching the people that come into salons as well. The vast majority are just ordinary, slightly worn women looking for a little pampering. And Rainbow Room International does a pretty good job at that. 

Afterwards, I walked back to my apartment, debating on whether or not my hair was too short. I had lunch, putted around some more, and then went for a chat at my bible study leader's house. Ros is one of those Godly women that you just want to talk to and listen to, trying to soak in as much of their love and wisdom as possible. So for the next 4 hours, that's what I did. Of course, with two little girls, it wasn't exactly the peaceful image that I might have just painted above. But I walked away with a warm heart and a priceless portrait drawn of me by her 5 year old, Gracie. 

I headed onto campus and joined in on a discussion on why God allows pain and suffering. If anyone reading this is interested in hearing reasons, give me an email, or check out the book "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller. The discussion ended around 7:30, so some friends and I went to the pub on campus so they could get something to eat. It was Guy Fawkes Night, so there were fireworks and bonfires going on around town, but we were a little late for them. Instead, we walked back into town (a nice 45 minute walk) and ended up at this great pub called the Settle Inn. It's adorable. I ended the night talking about languages, accents, and movies. I am learning two languages (unfortunately, neither of them is Spanish). Norwegian and Scottish. (Sidenote: for that one reader who I will keep nameless, remember, there is no Scottish language- well, besides Gaelic. I'm just talking about their accent.) My sentences I am working on:

Norwegian: Det er kaldt ute i dag/kveld. It is cold today/tonight. Mari had to text it to me so I could remember it.

Scottish: The broad bricht moonlicht nicht. I think that one is coming on quite nicely. 

Anyway, I have made this a very long post. Sorry. I just have nothing else to do, and am in quite a blogging mood. And guess what?? I see Bailey tomorrow!!

Pictures of the Tour

1. The "walk" we took through the mountains of Skye. 

2. At the start of the walk, thinking the rain was bad. I had no idea how much worse it would be. By the time I was back in the tour van 2 hours later, I looked like I had fallen into a swimming pool.

3. The Skye coastline. 

4. Me after dipping my face in a fairy enchanted (freezing) river. Those seven seconds of cold will supposedly bring me a lifetime of youthful looks. 

5. Me deciding I love whisky....at least the way it warms you up! 

A Week Off

Mid-semester break was great. Saturday to Thursday with Bailey, Friday to Sunday on a tour of the Highlands and Skye. Busy bee! Everyone keeps asking how Ireland was, and honestly, it was wonderful. I didn't really feel like a tourist. Instead, it was more like I was just visiting family. Which I was...but you know what I mean. It just made for a much more relaxing trip. Bailey put together a one day tour for us, to the cliffs of Moher, which was...interesting. The cliffs were beautiful, though I will admit that I was a total wimp and wouldn't let Bailey go near the edge. (People fall off!!) Besides that though, we had this really pervy leprechaun guy as a tour guide. Still, I couldn't get over the fact that I was with Bailey again. It was amazing. 

The tour of the highlands was pretty great as well. We had this very very Scottish Scot as a tour guide, some great fellow travelers, and beautiful scenery. There are some great stories, but honestly, I don't really feel like writing them out. But if you want to here more, I love emails ;)

All the traveling was great, but I am happy to be "home." Leaving Bailey was pretty difficult, but getting back together with friends here quickly reminded me why I love Scotland so much. So yeah, that was the week in a nutshell!  I left a lot out, so skype or write if you want to hear more! Here are some pictures of Ireland, and I'll post some of the Highlands as well. 

(sidenote: the second picture is where people fall off. scary!)