A Caileigh 8-18-15 and A Cozy Gentle Rain 8-19-15

9-27-16

Here I am in Edinburg still blogging about my trip last year. Never expected to be doing this!

                                                                                                            

Last night Bobby & I attended a caileigh. (a Scottish country dance event). It was hard to describe the exhilarating fun of it. Obviously, this was a tourist event, because most of the people in attendance were tourist like we were and it cost 7 lbs.

A guy with a head mic took us through the steps which were basic and easy to pick up. Bobby and I danced 3 dances. When you messed up (and everyone did) you just laughed and kept on dancing.

There was a kind lady who agreed to video Bob and I. If you click on the link, another link will pop up. You should be able to click on that link and watch the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoLKXXscvM0&list=UURSnA9xNLLCVjln3UiC-qkw&index=4

It was a lazy rainy day on the Isle of Arran. We were tucked into our cozy little cottage, enjoying the ambience of the comforting fireplace. But rain in Scotland is unlike the rain we experience in the States. Accompanying rain in the States is usually thundering and lighting, but here in Scotland the dark clouds just simply let go of their rain without much ado. And the rain may only last for a short while, then people spill out of their dwellings and carry on with their adventures. And some may not be deterred by the rain at all. 

The boys packed up and set off to town so Shep could play at the playground. This boy loves playgrounds. I caught up on my journaling and organized my suitcase and souvenirs and straightened up our cottage. 

As Maridith was fixing lunch we noticed the rain had begun. It started after the boys returned and it's been a slow steady drizzle. I resisted the temptation to take a walk as the air was sumptuous; not really sure why I did that! Maridith's chili and potatoes was the perfect accent to this cool rainy afternoon.

Today was my granddaughter, Macey's birthday, so I was able to video chat with her. This is why I am so grateful for the technology that keeps me connected, no matter how far away I am, to my family. 

Our LORD goes before us!

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

   There remains a week of adventures and events that I intend to describe for you of our final days in Scotland.  However, something has occurred recently that took me quite by surprise. Therefore, I feel I must take a break in my posting to this share with you!

   As you may remember from earlier post, the family of my e-pal friend, Ruth, who had passed away a year prior to our visit, opened their home for Bob and I to spend the weekend. And a couple from their church, Kate and Marcos, volunteered to house Bobby & his crew. An immediate friendship was formed and before we left, we felt like family to each other. They assured Bob and I that when Bobby and his family returned the next year they would do whatever they could to help get them settled and to be a support to them during their time there. 

   Now that time has come and at the writing of this post my son is enjoying the hospitality once again of Kate & Marcos, and has reconnected with Ruth's family.  It warmed this mother's heart to know that Kate and Marcos were there to meet him at the airport and that he will be spending a few days with them while he gets settled at the university. 

A photo from last year's visit. 

In Kate's words: He's back!

The Unexpected Event!

   It had been decided that Bobby needed to go over first to take care of details having to do with school and getting details for their residency in Edinburgh established.

  Then Maridith and the boys would follow about 2 weeks later. Originally, a friend of Maridith's was to travel with  her to help with the boys and to help her get set up in their apartment. 

   However, changes occurred in Maridith's friend's life that closed the door for her to be able to carry out those plans. But the need was still there and it was looking like they weren't going to be able to find anybody to take Maridith's friend's place. I thought about offering but I was already making my plans to go visit them in January of next year and two trips in a few months time of each other was all but impossible to make happen. Or so I thought! 

   As it turns out, I will go over with Maridith to help her with the boys during the flight. Then upon arriving in Edinburgh, I will help them get settled in their apartment. Afterwards, I will board a plane in Edinburgh and fly home on my own. (Something, I am not fond of doing but by God's grace I know I can do it. Besides, I flew back from Africa by myself and Scotland isn't nearly as far!) And the fantastic part of this tale is that I am still able to make plans to return to Scotland in January!

  As I dreamed of traveling to Scotland someday, I was motivated by the hope that somewhere on my ancestral tree there would be a branch of Scots. And upon returning from Scotland last year, I even signed my mother and I up to have our DNA tested to see where it originated. While it's a slim possibility, I was a little disappointed that it didn't prove to be as much of a possibility as I had hoped for. 

   Yet I realize now that my e-pal friendship with Ruth set the stage for the close friendship we now have with her husband, Stuart, and daughters, Sarah and Rachel, as well as with Kate and Marcos. So perhaps my enthusiasm for Scotland wasn't to lead to a much hoped for Scottish ancestry, but to put into place a much needed support group for Bobby & Maridith during their time spent at the U of E. 

If that is the case, then I certainly stand in awe of God's foresight.