YaY for AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE!

July 04, 2006
Happy 4th of July!
In Scotland there are no BBQs planned for the holiday. No fireworks. No giant watermelon. No red, white and blue jello gelatine desserts or blueberry and strawberry coolwhip cakes. Not even those cupcakes that are sort of airbrushed for the occasion...the same cupcakes that are airbrushed green for St. Patricks Day, red for Valentines Day, red AND green for Christmas, or blue, pink and yellow for Easter.
They're terribly creative at your local Piggly Wiggly, WinnDixie, or BILO bakery/deli department. Where else could one pick up a tray of airbrushed cupcakes?
Please excuse me, I have digressed from my original sentiment.
WOO HOO July 4th 1776! YEAH!
Rock on Second Continental Congress for unanimously adopting the Declaration of Independence.
Rock on for signing representatives of the fine state of South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward Jr., Thomas Lynch Jr., and Arthur Middletone. I would be remiss if I were not to give a shout out to the Reverend John Witherspoon, representative from New Jersey. Rev. Witherspoon was the minister of a church here in Paisley. He was Scottish and co-founder of Princeton University. You really should read over the Declaration of Independence, it's important.
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head of ayr farm park.

July 04, 2006
It's 23:21...I have no idea what time it really is because I still can't figure out how to tell the time that way without doing math...and I'm too tired for math.
Today I spent the day with some 6ish year old people at a farm park. I was imagining something like Charlestowne Landing for those who know what Charlestowne Landing is. For those who do not, just picture you rather ordinary, boring "farm" with "animals". I say "animals" in quotes because no one ever actually sees the animals, they're either well camoflaged or "sleeping" or their "habitat" is being cleaned. It's all very mysterious. But at this farm you see it all!!!!
It was Brilliant! I wanted to run around like the kids did! I was saying "hey! look at that!" more than the kids did. When you first walk in there are horses, then you go through this converted barn where all of the small animals were kept. There were gerbils, hamsters, a chinchilla, some snakes, some mice and rats, several different types of rabbits (yessss). Much to my dismay not a single hedgehog in the whole place. booo!
Just passed the giant lion head rabbit was something that I'll call Jethro's dreamland. Try to picture an actual combine harvester converted into a massive climbing frame/wee farmer fantasy. Whoever converted the monster machine was a genius in playscheme design. There are tubes and tunnels leading all throughout. A platform on top where weans could pretend to, in my mind they'd be harvesting the grain, but I think our weans were possibly driving a huge truck down through Ferguslie Park or steering a pirate ship across the seas. That's not even all! There were mini tractors that for £1 could be driven. There were also diggers to move sand and trampolines - ALL IN ONE ROOM!
Personally, I was anxious to move on to see the animals. But more fun was to be had on a rope course. Then lunch.....THEN THE ANIMALS!!! WOO HOO!
I don't know if you'll even believe the combinations of animals kept in the same areas....
Turkeys and some kind of chicken that looks like it's wearing bell bottoms. Groundhogs and goats. Shetland ponies and donkeys. Wallabies and peacocks (including an albino of each!). Squirrel monkeys and lemurs. A camel with a big goat. I made friends and sparring partners with the most adorably shy black and white goat kid (I'll have to save that story for next time) who lived with other wee goats and a GIANT ram.
Even by the end of the day the sun showed itself. I will sleep soundly tonight.

Next on my list of outings is a day out in Edinburgh with the teenagers followed by a boat trip on the Clyde River with the same group of weans from today. I love this! Quality time. Breaking out of the routine. Enjoying the warmth while it lasts. It's perfect.
Once I get the photos downloaded I'll post them. Until then, enjoy this


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for anyone considering living in community.

June 08, 2006
Put out of your head the thoughts of growing things in a communal garden and loads of people living gleefully in an old farmhouse having dinner around a long wooden table. All I can say to that is AYE RIGHT!!!!
That is not reality. We do have a garden but it's ultra wee. I think to really and truly enjoy living this way you must have a raving extrovert personality. There are people everywhere, and the noises that people make until usually after 11pm. At midnight it is sheer bliss. It's silent. I can't describe how much I love that silence.
No matter where you are in this house, it's loud. It's like people step and walk as loudly as they can as though it were a job. When one is in the office trying to work, especially if one is on the phone, forget about it. You couldn't work...even thought it IS your job!The volume of people's voices raise to deafening decibals as if in order to be heard they had to be the loudest!!!! Know that part in Austin Powers where he CAN NOT CONTROL THE VOLUME OF HIS VOICE as a side effect of the unfreezing process? Yeah. That's what it's like.
My bedroom is on the hall just outside the kitchen. It's also the hall that houses the girl's showers. It's also the hall that leads to the back door. There are two doors that can be shut to try to keep the noise on the hall down at least until I wake up in the mornings. But for some reason, even though there are signs, no one can seem to keep the doors shut. And I'm not even kidding....while I'm typing this our base leader is drilling a hole in the wall to hang of all things...A SHIP'S BELL!!!! I've never heard such loud drilling except at like a construction site!
A ship's bell! Like we need more noise in this house!!!!!! I'M SO MAD!!!!!
I NEED TO MOVE OUT OF THIS CRAZY PLACE!!!!!!
Besides the noise people are constantly talking to you! I don't want to constantly be spoken to. "Go to your room" someone might suggest. Um. NO. It's too loud!
I'm going to have to run away to our staff lounge with a movie...and earplugs. So that I could nap this afternoon I wore earplugs. If you're ever wondering what might be a nice gift for a girl like me. Earplugs. Often overlooked, very useful. Chances are that there will be at least one person in the staff lounge. Bah. alakjsdfkj.
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i stole this from lindsey smith.

May 05, 2006
1) When was the last time you went to the bathroom outside?
hmm...well, it's been maybe like 6 months.

2) Last time you saw your parents?
the beginning of march.

3) Which family member do you most resemble?
my mom

4) Do you own your own Bible?
yes.

5) Do you wear deodorant?
yeah. but it makes me sweat.

6) Do you clean up nice? my house?
so i've been told.

7) When was the last time you tripped and fell?
i trip all the time, but i think the last time i fell was on new years eve, i was playing with some boys. we were spinning....and i went down in a heap. that night could not have been more embarassing i tell you.

8) Where was the last place you slept besides your home?
every single night i sleep in this house, it is not my home.

9) What are you listening to right now?
beverly typing like a beast.

10) Have you ever started an uncontrollable fire?
no.

11) Ever run out of gas on the road?
i have. but i would like to say to my defense, that it was because the person who owned the car didn't tell me the gas guage was broken! thanks a lot andy!!!

12) Would you rather cut the grass or rake the leaves?
cut the grass. it's satisfying and it smells perfect.

13) Your middle name spelled backwards?
anailo. it still actually looks like a real name. curious.

14) What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
nothing, i've been removing loads of crap that someone downlaoded on to this computer...viruses came with it.

15) Last time you swam in a pool?
i can't even remember.

16) Have you ever been in a school play?
yes.

17) How many kids do you want?
one or two.

18) Type of music you dislike most?
trancey stuff. anything that plays the same beat over and over and over and over and over really fast to the point that you feel insane!

19) You registered to vote?
yes. well, not here.

20) You have cable?
no.

21) Ever prank call anybody?
not in ages and ages.

23) Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
sure.

24) Do you have a garden?
no. i kill plants and or lead them to their death.

25) What's your favorite comic?
i don't like ones in the paper. but as far as stand up comics go, i'm a fan of jim gaffagin, billy connolly and brian regan. they make me cry laughing.
hot pockets.

26) Bath or Shower, morning or night?
shower in the morning. or bath if i have hours to do nothing.

27) Best movie you've seen in the past two weeks?
nothing.

28) Best pizza topping?
cheese.

29) peanuts or popcorn?
popcorn.

30) Have you ever smoked?
yes. but not professionally.

31) Orange Juice or apple?
fresh squeezed orange juice.

32) Chocolate Bar?
yes please.
i actually really like the asda milk chocolate bar.

33) When was the last time you voted at the polls?
the last presidential election.

34) When was the last time you ate a home grown tomato?
never. tomatoes are sick.

35) What do you like to do on rainy days?
are you kidding me. it does nothing but rain here. so...i don't even remember what it's like on non rainy days.

36) Ever order anything from an infomercial?
nope.

37) Sprite or 7up?
flat sprite.

38) Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work/school?
no.

39) Ever thrown up in public?
ew. yes.

40) Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?
love.

41) Do you believe in love at first sight?
no.
lust at first sight however....

42) Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?
my sister-in-law and new baby neice.

43) Did you have a lot of hair as a baby?
heck yes i did. 44) What do you think most about?
oh please.

45) Favorite form of travel?
train.

46) If you could have one magical power what would it be?
to be able to do whatever i wanted whenever i wanted. so...if i wanted to read someone's mind i could. if i wanted to move stuff just with my mind, i could. if i wanted to teleport...you got it. i could do that too.

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yeah. i'm doing well.

May 05, 2006
It's so easy to get caught up in our every day things that life becomes a bubble.
Would you please excuse me for getting stuck in my bubble for a wee while there.
Here I am. I was just speaking to a couple of friends at home. I was in a much different state when I left home this last time. Things have settled down. Not to say that all of the challenging things have disappeared, it just seems that they are not all piled up at the moment, I can take a deep sigh of relief *SIGH*!
Can you believe that I will have been here a year at the end of this month!!!! In some ways this has been the longest year of my life, but at the same time I can't believe it's already been a year. Wow. SO much has happened.
I was reading through some of my journals from when I first arrived. I was practically horrified! Some of the things that shocked me before don't even phase me in the least. Rather than feeling completely overwhelmed by the children and youth I find that I have more and more love for these young people I'm working with. They really are extraordinary.
I think we've come into a special time. It's not all peachy keen, but it's going well. It is evident that I am well covered in prayer these days. Things just seem to be working out. For example, I've not had much of a solid routine since I've been back. Things just keep seeming to pop up to mix things up a little. I love that!
p.s. we even had a thunder storm tonight! Scotland doesn't have thunder storms, it was amazing! I felt like I was at home on a steamy summer night :)
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there's a murse in the hurse!

May 05, 2006
that's right!!! a murse!



yesterday julie saw a murse run through the kitchen into the dining room. so we knew there was a mouse in the house. i am the only one in this whole house that thinks it's wrong to kill it, everyone else are all for an inhumane end to this wee tiny life. but anyway..... at about 3 this morning i was awakened by the sound of rustling papers. i knew right away it had to be the mouse! if i had been in my right mind instead of barely able to keep from falling off my loft bed, i would have tried to catch it so that i could release it somewhere to save it from it's fate. i opened the drawers i thought the mouse might have been in, but i didn't see it. but then! as i was shutting the drawers the mouse ran out!!!!!!!!! i kind of shuddered and felt a little sick. i don't know why, i don't mind mice. i don't loove them. i wouldn't really like one crawling on me. but i would still rather have the mouse mousing around than kill it. and it's an especially teeny one too. SO at this very moment some of my housemates are out buying mouse traps and or poison. it's a shame. i am tempted to set off the traps in the middle of the night in order to save the little mouse. hopefully the murse will run oot of the hurse. this is a sad day for murses.
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i know what you mean lady.

May 05, 2006

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more proof of spring.

April 27, 2006
it's after 9pm and the sun has still not set. so yeah...winter has gone.
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ranch.

April 20, 2006
could someone please send a few packets of ranch dressing stuff, the dry mix??? there is none in the whole of the uk. thanx.
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so. it's spring?

April 17, 2006
Technically, it's spring. The flowers are blooming, there are daffodils and cherry blossoms all over the place. I've never in my life seen so many daffodils.
The foxes are quite bold in persuit of a mate. They've been showing up in town centre, I doubt they'll find another fox hanging out around the Abbey or in Ferguslie Park, but, what do I know.
Some days are sunny. Some days you will experience rain, hail, snow and sun all with in an hour!
Today and tomorrow the temperatures are in the 30s (f), but the sun was out until 9pm! You just never know what you're gonna get.
There are new photos in the photo section, including some of spring here in Scotland :)
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norway. england. northern ireland. usa. switzerland. germany. scotland.

April 09, 2006
Those are the countries that were represented at lunch this afternoon.
We weren't having lunch at the UN or anything of the sort. It wasn't a YWAM gathering either.
My wonderful Norwegian friend Thomas is visiting Scotland once again! He was here lecturing at the Seamill Centre where we did our Discipleship Training School. Thomas had about 10 days extra to spend here after his lecturing, so yesterday we packed our bags and met up with our Northern Irish pal Neal in Glasgow.
Thomas and I spent some quality time last night eating pizza and trying Irish cider. We talked and talked and talked. We also went walking around the ultra hip west-end.
Thomas and I went back to Neal's apartment to wait for him to return from a gig in Edinburgh. We decided to watch the Motorcycle Diaries. Che Guevara is one of my heros, and evidently one of Thomas' as well. But upon starting the dvd we realised, there were no English subtitles, so we watched it in Spanish with Norwegian subtitles.
Eventually it was time for me to head over to the flat of a girl called Michelle, where I'm staying for the weekend. I had to get a taxi because it's not so good to walk through Glasgow at 2:30 on a Saturday morning. The taxi took me a total of MAYBE 5 blocks and it cost 5 quid! SICK!
I got to sleep in this morning and catch up on the sleep I'd missed...I'm missing some right now...then the boys met me here at Michelle's. We went to a super fabulous teahouse for lunch and along the way we met up with two Judiths and a Jenny, all of whom joined us for lunch.
Sitting in a tiny cubby room called the Zen room we ate, drank and were merry. We tried guessing each other's ages...I got 21 at the oldest! Thank you very much!
I really enjoy spending time with diverse people, we had lots of laughs and just spent a bit of life together today. It's a wonderful thing to actually share portions of life with those you come across. I'll probably not see either of the Judiths again, but we got to know each other this afternoon, we shared stories, and laughter, and tea.

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celtic daily office.

April 06, 2006
The Daily Office - Morning, Midday and Evening Prayer - is at the core of the life of the Northumnria Community. A regular cycle of daily prayers constitues the essential rhythm of life around which other activities take their proper place. In this respect the Communtiy follows the rich tradition of monastic communities through the centuries.
The Office can be said anywhere, but, for Morning and Evening Prayer, it is recommended that a quiet place, as free from interruptions as possible, is chosen. Our lives are usually too full of noise, so this is the ideal moment of the day to experience real silence.
Daily Office is best begun and ended with a period of reflective silence: and by affirming that the prayers are said in "the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
This silence is followed by a Pslam reading or singing, then scripture reading and meditation. The scriptures have been compiled and are assinged for each day.
After the Scripture readings and meditations, there is an opportunity to pray whatever is on your mind and heart, offereing to God the concerns of the day, your personal needs and prayers for other people.
Here's the Morning Prayer
+ In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening sentences:
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Call: Who is it that you seek?
Response: We seek the Lord our God
Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy
Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?
Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy
br> Declaration of faith

To whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Scripture readings
Psalm
Old Testament scripture
New Testament scripture

Canticle
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.


Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
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i lost the keys.

April 03, 2006
I know I said I would post photos of the kids painting their sculptures, but....things got a little hectic that day.
See, both of the main leaders, Heather and Esther were away. So basically Beth and I had to do the 5-7 yr olds club on our own. I had to go pick up our volunteers and young leaders. While I was doing that Beth was setting up the tables for crafts and waiting for the weans to arrive.
While dropping the first car load off I realised that I'd forgotten to print the pictures that Ryan was going to need to illustrate his bible story for that week. I also had no time to run home to print them because I had another full car load to pick up!
I rushed back to the church with just a few minutes to spare before the club was meant to start. The kids started to arrive, while they were getting checked in I was running around putting out the art supplies and dashing across the street to get milk.
Things never really did calm down that day until our debrief time at the very end...but that didn't really even stay so quiet because then a group of women I'd never seen before came in and told us that they'd signed out the hall where we were meeting for 7pm. UM...well, "I'm still responsible to lock up and set the alarm. The person responsible for your group would have to let you back in at 7pm" I said. This was appartenly not welcome news as the leader woman stormed out!!!!
We were finally on our way out ourselves and I'd begun locking up the doors when I couldn't find the car keys. No. I REALLY couldn't find the car keys. As in, they weren't anywhere. We tore the place apart trying to find them, and remember I had 8 people to take home! We'd concluded that the keys must have been taken. One of the kids might have accidently picked them up or something like that.
The keys were gone. I tried to call someone who might have another set of keys, but couldn't get ahold of them. So I called the minister. He came and took the people home, then came back for me and the rest of the people.
See, it's not just like leaving your car in a normal church parking lot. It's leaving your car in a place that's all the more tempting for someone to come and...take it for a spin...and then set it on fire. Maybe to roast marshmallows or hot dogs....maybe not. So leaving it in the parking lot was risky business. We were meant to lock the gate, but the padlock was too small for the chain!
As soon as I got home I phoned the local police station and asked them to keep an eye on the car (the police station in Ferguslie Park is just across the round about from the church). Next I phoned our Roadside assistance company to ask them to tow the car to somewhere safe. It was all arranged and ready to go. Just before I was about to leave for the church to unlock the gate for the tow truck I got a call from the minister's wife. Someone found the keys, someone from the shop across the street. How they knew the keys were mine, or how they knew to bring them to the church I have no idea what-so-ever. So. I drove to the church with a different vehicle to pick up the keys. Drove home to drop off the other car, then got a ride back down to the church to pick up our car. Sheesh. It was soooome day I'll tell you. I finally in and settled after 10. By then it was too late for dinner.
The moral of the story is that I should not be given keys on days when I must remember more than 3 things....and they all lived happily ever after. The End.
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CLAN Gathering

March 27, 2006


I'm thinking about what to do this summer. Much of the time will be spent taking wee ones on outings to the beach, on nature hikes, and to playgrounds...maybe we can even go to the zoo this summer...
BUT! In July there is something a little different going on. CLAN Gathering. CLAN is an acronym for Christians Linked Across the Nation. Their goal is to see Christians and churches of Scotland alive with the joy of knowing and worshipping Jesus Christ, equipped to live out and proclaim His kingdom, secure in the love of God the Father and in the power of, and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Pretty cool, huh. I think the CLAN gathering has been, well, gathering since the mid 90s. I've just been looking at some of the photos on their site (www.new-wine-scotland.org), amazing stuff. Prophetic worship and graffiti, masses of Scots and those who wish they were Scots ;o) all meeting together in once place with one common goal. The call of this generation is unification I believe. CLAN crosses so many of the man-made religious boundaries. People of all denominations, backgrounds, ages, villages, clans and countries arrive ready to worship and hear speakers from all over the world deliver relevant words to encourage, empower and release.
The prayer for CLAN is that all who attend might find rest there and "may we then go home, ready to reach out into the diverse communities we represent, with the beautiful and fragrant love of God. May a day come for Scotland and beyond, when the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose".
I'm not sure that I will be able to attend just yet, but I really hope that I will be able to. The call of unification and worship and God's heart for Scotland grows ever stronger within me. I would LOVE to be a part of something not only larger than myself, but larger than YWAM as well! OOOOH MAN! The thought gets me so excited!
Well, that's me for today...I need breakfast and a shower...
love,
Felicia
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clay play.

March 22, 2006
Today in our after school club for 5-7yr olds. We played with clay. I realised soon after handing out the blobs of clay, that the children didn't know how to use it. The thought that they'd maybe never seen, touched or been tought how to use clay didn't cross my mind in the beginning. So today after playing an Isrealite sock puppet who was rebuilding an ancient temple, if you can imagine such a thing, it was off to play with clay. It was a special experience to see them learn to form it and shape it and how it works. They made some lovely and incredibly creative things. I'll talke some photos once they've painted them.
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snow day.

March 12, 2006
Well first of all, i keep accidently making blank journal entries....just ignore that....

Last night I was hanging out with some people, we had pizza with curry sauce and some rice stuff for dinner. And evidently I comitted a faux pas by using the toilet in an old man's pub. I don't see what the problem was, I really had to go. But the girl I was with said that I am a "pure brass neck" (a complete embarrassment). On the ride home it began to flurry.
It doesn't really snow much here in western Scotland, i mean...it's an island.
But it snowed alllll night. When I woke up this morning I pulled my curtain to expose a winter wonderland! There was like, 6 or 8 inches of snow!!! Cars were stranded, the children were out on sleds, even the dogs were having fun in it :)
Away we went to Saint Ninians for my first Sunday back at work. First things first, we made a snowman. Later on there was a one sided snow ball fight. And right now I'm trying to stay warm. It's supposed to snow tomorrow too! I have an early meeting tomorrow, and it's really taking quite a while getting around in deep snow in wellington boots...I might have to start my trek at sun up. Although the entire country is slowed down and frrreezing, it's so pretty. Check out the photo section for some photos of our snow day :)
Love, Felicia
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here.

March 09, 2006
Well, I'm now back 2 days. If you count Wednesday, but I don't because I slept through it. I slept until 4 in the afternoon. I don't think i've done that before...but who knows.
Anyway I've been trying to settle back in. I am taking a look at the bills, and making appointments. I start back to work on Sunday. Hmm...maybe I should go into Glasgow for a day....
Speaking of my appointments, I am sooooooooooooooo excited about a meeting that will take place next week. I'll be sitting down with the National Leader of YWAM Scotland. We're gonna talk vision I believe. That makes me extremely happy. I thrive on it! I'm giddy at the thought of everything changing.
Another thing I did today was to fill out my application for Paisley Uni! I'm hoping to take studio art class or illustration, maybe computer graphics, but I'd kinda rather get my hands dirty. Well, that's all for now. It's freezing in this office and I'm gonna go bundle up with a cuppa.
Speak soon.

Love,
Felicia
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leaving tomorrow.

March 05, 2006
It's my last full day in Charleston for a very, very long time.
It's sunny and cool, but not cold.
The other night I went out with my friend Lindsay. We sat in the health aisle of Barnes & Noble to talk because all of the comfy chairs were taken. I haven't had a sit down talk with her in at least a year. It was such a good time, for one thing she "gets" me. She understands where my thoughts come from. I don't have to explain myself, the background is there. We share passions, and we're vocal about those passions together. She's English, born and raised in Cambridge. It's so exciting to talk about Christianity in the UK with someone from Britian, but who is also an American. And it's even more exciting to hear someone say "I completely agree" to my vision and the cry of my heart! WOO HOO! Friends like Lindsay are treasures!

Last night my brother Chris and his wife Mandy had an oyster roast at their house. For those not familiar with ways of the South. You must, MUST, eat oysters in the winter. They must also be roasted outside in either 50 gallon barrel over a fire or more recently fancy oyster steamers have become an acceptable form of "roasting". Saltines and cocktail sauce help the oysters go down, hard cider doesn't hurt either ;)

In just a little while my mothe and I will go downtown to shop for additions to her sunroom. I have been employed as her personal interior designer while I've been home. I'd also like to have my last meal here at Jestine's kitchen if possible. Fried Chicken, fried okra, baked macaroni and cheese, the best sweet tea in the south, and Coca Cola cake. That is a true southern meal (it also upsets my stomach, but it's well worth it!). ANNND I think I'll rent a movie tonight, probably "You and Me and Everyone we know". It looks very sweet in a quirky way. Ben wanted to see it too. I need to pack my small (pffft) suitcase so that I'm ready to roll in the morning.
I think I'm actually ready to go this time. It seems like this extended time could have been a major inconvience, but it's been anything but that. I can't imagine having left until now. It's been good for my soul. I'll be in touch once I am back in Scotland. Speak soon xxx.
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funny how things work out...

February 17, 2006
I'm once again writing from Charleston, believe it or not. I was meant to leave on Wednesday, this is Friday.
I was getting all of my things together on Wednesday morning, for some strange reason I looked at my visa in my passport. I knew it was good until May. But when I looked at the date it was going to expire in MARCH! EARLY MARCH! Not four months away, but 2 weeks!
I got on the phone to Jodi, my missions pastor. I got online and started trying to get ahold of someone who knew what I should do. The UK consulate sent all of their visa matters to some company with a 900 number, I couldn't get them. I called several agencies who are meant to handle travel documents, they couldn't help. What a mess it was!
Finally, Jodi said I needed to see about changing my flight and staying here to sort out the mess. I could have renewed in the UK, but it would have cost an incredible amount of money and I'm not sure I would have had the time. I went to the church offices yesterday, Jodi and I processed my new visa application and sent everything off! It should be back soon.
SO here I am. Still in my lovely bedroom in Charleston. I have several more days of sleeping in my amazing bed. I am going to a bouncy castle indoor extravaganza with my neice tonight. My mom is as pleased as punch that I'm here for a few more days. It's just all positive!
I feel like I'm on borrowed time, and I'll savour every moment of it!
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what's the need, what's our vision to meet it.

February 10, 2006
The nation of Scotland is on God's heart. I believe He is calling an army into existence to re-evangelise this ancient land. How does God call that army?
Paul had a dream of a Macedonian, angels summoned others. Many like Joshua have to set foot in the land and as they walk it God speaks to them and bond them to the place. All of this has been happening in the past year; God is calling an army to Scotland by means both natural and supernatural.

I just found that paragraph in a folder of papers. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I was struggling to recall what in the heck I'm doing with my life and in the ministry I'm a part of.

What do I do as a member of the army of those called to Scotland?

• disciple children and young people in the ways of Christ.
• reach the lost and hurting children and young people.
• serve children and young people, who want to increase their understanding and lead them into their destiny

It is a journey from caring for children and young people through first contact friendship and evangelism to discipleship and mobilising them into their destiny.

Changing the nation by changing lives... One At A Time.

Befriending.
Loving.
Building trust.
Bringing hope.
Being a Godly influence.
Speaking truth and life.

The young ones I work with are desperate for unconditional love, boundaries, discipline, truth and encouragment. I think we all are. But I am in a unique position, I am able to bring some of these things.
I wanna be in a position to bring these things in the best way I can.
I wonder from which position that will be.
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