Well, I'm back safe and much more sound from Scotland. What a wonderful time! It was so relaxing and refreshing.

I stayed at a really nice bed and breakfast which was a first for me. The food they fixed was great - I tasted my first Haggis which I liked and my first Black Pudding which I could learn to like but it would take some work :) I learned that Haggis is made from oatmeal mixed with sheep's innards and black pudding is pig's blood mixed with various grains - all of which I asked AFTER I ate it. :)

The bed and breakfast was a mile away from the main street in Edinburgh called the Royal Mile. That road has Edinburgh Castle at one end and Holyrood Palace at the other end. Most days I headed out after breakfast and walked down to the Royal Mile where I spent time just exploring everything. There is so much to see and do and I didn't get it all done by a long shot - hm...guess I'll have to go back again :)

The first day I went to the Edinburgh Castle. It was really neat to see all the historical things inside the castle. The way they used to live and things from as far back as the 12th century. The castle itself is beautiful and as it's up on top of a hill, it has a beautiful view overlooking Edinburgh out to the ocean.. There are several museums in Edinburgh as well. I got to see my first ever real Monet. I also took a one day tour up into the highlands which were beautiful even though there was a snow storm three weeks before so it's still sort of winter there. I attached a couple pictures of that also. We stopped at Loch Ness and I took a boat ride on the lake - no monsters but it was really pretty scenery. We then drove back thru Inverness which is a beautiful town with lots of rich history.

On one day I took a tour of a place where they distill whisky - they gave samples of the whisky - that was definitely an experience. It was a little obvious that I hadn't tasted whisky before by the amount of coughing I did when I tasted it. I told Mom and Dad I think my tongue was numb for an hour after that! It was interesting though to see the whole process. I also toured a place where they weave tartans with the various clan plaids.

Most of the stores on the Royal Mile have information and souvenirs for various clans - I was able to buy myself a scarf that was made with the Ross plaid and to discover a little of the history of our clan. Something I've always wanted to do and learn. I love history and I loved exploring more about my family that came from Scotland to America (Dad's grandparents). I learned that we are highlanders and used to farm and most likely fish some as we were in the northern part of Scotland in the hills but also close to the ocean.

There is a hill/small mountain (at least it feels like a mountain when you're climbing it) at the edge of town called Arthur's Seat. One day I spent climbing to the top of it and it also has a beautiful view not only of the city but also of the ocean and fields below. It was so wonderful. The wind was really strong that day - strong enough to almost lean into. The grassy areas were so soft to walk on - all that peaty soil. I can't explain how refreshing it was to see all that green grass. The sun was shining but with the wind, the temperature was just right. It was nice just to sit and relax once I got to the top of the hill - had to rest my legs before I started down :)

It rained two days while I was there but one was the day that I went to the Highlands and every time the bus stopped, the rain had stopped as well so it was fine. The other day, I actually really enjoyed walking around in the rain - it's been a long time since I've seen a rain like that where it's kind of like a thick mist. Just like an Oregon rainy day :)

So, you can see the days were mostly spent taking long walks and lots of exploring while relaxing in the evenings. Can't tell you all how much I needed that time away. This has been quite a stressful term in many ways both at school and personally. School is hard. I'm not as young as I used to be (grimace) and it takes longer for things to sink into my brain than it used to and I can't stay up as late as I used to. Many of my close friends/support network from home are in crisis right now and I can't be there to help them. Medical school is stressful and living in another culture is always somewhat stressful. When I went to Scotland, part of the reason I wanted to go was to spend time just talking with God about how frustrated I've been feeling lately. It's important to be honest with Him about what I'm thinking and feeling since He knows it anyway. It was exactly what I needed.

I've come to realize a couple of things:
1. I've let my focus slip. I've been so focused on school that I've not been staying focused on my relationship with Him. Even though I'm doing this because I want to serve Him, I must not let that interfere in my relationship with Him. A friend of mine once told me that sometimes our virtues can become the very things that separate us from God. I didn't really understand what he was talking about - especially since I don't think of myself as virtuous but I think I understand more what he meant. It's easy to think that since I'm doing this for God - that's all I need to do. So, does this mean I'm not going to study hard? No, of course not. It just means that I'm not going to let studying take priority over my time with Him which I had let happen. But I need your prayers so that I will remember where my focus should be.
2. As for my friends - well, I'm reminded again that God is God and I am not. Which is a good thing but it is hard to remember who is in control. So, you can pray for me that I will remember this as well..

I got these verses this morning and wanted to share them with you all:
Isaiah 46:3-4;9;10b
Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all of you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.
Even to your old age and gray hairs,
I am He, I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you.
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
...Remember the former things,
those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
...My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

These were an encouragement to me in many ways - one, He's upholding my friends from the time they were conceived even to their old age and gray hairs. He is the one who sustains us - He made us and He will carry us.. He is God and there is none like Him. So, once again, here I am asking you all to continue praying for me because I cannot do any of this without your support and encouragement. Thank you for loving me and praying not only for me but also for my friends. I wish there was a way to truly express how important you all are in my life. Do know that I love and appreciate you.