Some of you may know that Linda and I are seeking God's direction as to whether He wants for us to have a permanent position here in Scotland or not. What origninally seemed like an easy decision has turned out to be quite complicated. We certainly do not want to be here if it is not a part of God's plan for us. When it seems like to us He is saying, "Which ever you want to do is OK" are the times when it is most difficult to discern what His will is. I believe that God has a place where He wants us. I don't really believe that it is a toss-up and which ever way the coin falls is ok. But, it seems like that. I can see God using my gifts and calling, both here and stateside. I want more than anything for His will to be done...and I know that He will ultimately make that clear, for that is what He wants: me doing His will.
One of the bits of this puzzle is that I have a meeting with the Credentials Committee of the Church of Scotland on Wednesday, September 17th, at 10 am. If the C of S does not accept my credentials, the rest is a moot point. But, if they do approve me, that is when the fun begins.
Would you please pray that personal preferences do not get in our way. Though we don't even like to think about leaving family...including a new grandson, my 95 year old mother, our children, Linda's "ancient" parents (a family joke), siblings...and freinds, following God's direction is what we must do. We ask for discernment and peace. Our delight is in the Lord and we know that He will make clear His purpose.
I am putting together some more of the pictures taken during Linda's and her family's stay in Scotland. Will make every attempt to post them soon.
May each of your feel the warmth of God's embrace,
Robert
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
I'm Back
Linda at Cawdor Castle
This is the road, several hundred feet below where this picture was being taken that leads to Applecross on the mainland. Skye is seen in the background across the bay.
The Qiarang in the northern part of Skye
Linda...on our way back to Dunvegan from Inverness Airport
I’m Back…
The past three weeks…has it been that long?...has been a blur and a quite impossible task to get anything done on this blog!! From the time that I picked up Linda at the airport, until we picked up her parents, sister, Paula, and her husband, Steve, Linda and I only had three days together. And I must confess, the blog was the furthest thing from my mind. Not that I don’t love you guys and enjoy the blog…well, you know what I mean. Linda and I picked up her family on the 14th and then went on a nine day trip through the Highlands of Scotland, touring Culloden (the last battle decisive battle over the Jacobites), Nairn, Cawdor Castle, Forres, Elgin, the cathedral ruins at Elgin Lossiemouth (a family joke), Craigalleghie, Crieff, which included attending the Highland games (a kind of Scottish Olympics (races, hammer throw, bike races, shot put, telephone pole toss, tug-of-war,etc.), Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-buro), Edinburgh Castle, the highlight being the Tattoo (the finest Pipe and marching bands from around the world), Stirling (the home of William Wallace), which included the Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, St. Andrews, Andrews Cathedral ruins (and, yes, the Old Course at St. Andrews), Dundee, Arbroath, the Arbroath Cathedral ruins, and theDoune Castle.
Included in all of that were all the oooohhhhhhs and aaaaahhhhhhhs pertaining to, what I consider, the most beautiful and stunning scenery in all the world. In the nine days of sightseeing on the mainland, we stayed in the most incredible self-catering bed and breakfast. It is owned by a home builder and remodeler. It had everything and then some…hot tub, outside deck, beautiful gardens all around the house, three bedrooms, each with their own full baths, two family rooms, fully equipped kitchen, a stocked fish pond, wireless internet, and a dry sauna. We used this B&B as our headquarters while we did our day trips to all of the places mentioned.
After seeing the sights of the mainland highlands, we moved on to Skye. The weather was not all that cooperative here (of which I was most disappointed in because they did not get to see all the things that are so dramatic in the sunlight). But, all-in-all, we had a marvelous time. We went to see one of the light houses on the western coastline. However, the wind was blowing so hard I could hardly stand up…I am not kidding. It had to have been gusting to over 60 miles and hour. Add to that a blistering rain, and you know we were not able to stay there long. We saw the last remaining tannery on Skye…the complete process of tanning sheep skins. If anyone would like, I would be happy to have them send you one. They run between $60 and $90 dollars. They are beautiful. Let me know. We toured Dunvegan Castle, which is the longest standing inhabited castle since the 1400’s. The Clan MacLeod has never not had a Clan Chief in residence there. Amazing. We saw Kilt Rock and the waterfall beside it.
I am not through, but I have to get my loan car in for an inspection this morning. So, I will finish tomorrow with lots of pics.
Sola gratia,
Robert
This is the road, several hundred feet below where this picture was being taken that leads to Applecross on the mainland. Skye is seen in the background across the bay.
Linda...on our way back to Dunvegan from Inverness AirportI’m Back…
The past three weeks…has it been that long?...has been a blur and a quite impossible task to get anything done on this blog!! From the time that I picked up Linda at the airport, until we picked up her parents, sister, Paula, and her husband, Steve, Linda and I only had three days together. And I must confess, the blog was the furthest thing from my mind. Not that I don’t love you guys and enjoy the blog…well, you know what I mean. Linda and I picked up her family on the 14th and then went on a nine day trip through the Highlands of Scotland, touring Culloden (the last battle decisive battle over the Jacobites), Nairn, Cawdor Castle, Forres, Elgin, the cathedral ruins at Elgin Lossiemouth (a family joke), Craigalleghie, Crieff, which included attending the Highland games (a kind of Scottish Olympics (races, hammer throw, bike races, shot put, telephone pole toss, tug-of-war,etc.), Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-buro), Edinburgh Castle, the highlight being the Tattoo (the finest Pipe and marching bands from around the world), Stirling (the home of William Wallace), which included the Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, St. Andrews, Andrews Cathedral ruins (and, yes, the Old Course at St. Andrews), Dundee, Arbroath, the Arbroath Cathedral ruins, and theDoune Castle.
Included in all of that were all the oooohhhhhhs and aaaaahhhhhhhs pertaining to, what I consider, the most beautiful and stunning scenery in all the world. In the nine days of sightseeing on the mainland, we stayed in the most incredible self-catering bed and breakfast. It is owned by a home builder and remodeler. It had everything and then some…hot tub, outside deck, beautiful gardens all around the house, three bedrooms, each with their own full baths, two family rooms, fully equipped kitchen, a stocked fish pond, wireless internet, and a dry sauna. We used this B&B as our headquarters while we did our day trips to all of the places mentioned.
After seeing the sights of the mainland highlands, we moved on to Skye. The weather was not all that cooperative here (of which I was most disappointed in because they did not get to see all the things that are so dramatic in the sunlight). But, all-in-all, we had a marvelous time. We went to see one of the light houses on the western coastline. However, the wind was blowing so hard I could hardly stand up…I am not kidding. It had to have been gusting to over 60 miles and hour. Add to that a blistering rain, and you know we were not able to stay there long. We saw the last remaining tannery on Skye…the complete process of tanning sheep skins. If anyone would like, I would be happy to have them send you one. They run between $60 and $90 dollars. They are beautiful. Let me know. We toured Dunvegan Castle, which is the longest standing inhabited castle since the 1400’s. The Clan MacLeod has never not had a Clan Chief in residence there. Amazing. We saw Kilt Rock and the waterfall beside it.
I am not through, but I have to get my loan car in for an inspection this morning. So, I will finish tomorrow with lots of pics.
Sola gratia,
Robert
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