Iona, Scotland

 Ok, so we have been on Isle of Iona for a couple of days...it's been beautiful and amazing.... It's quite small but yet not at the same time when you have to walk everywhere :) Our bed and breakfast was the absolute best place we could have ended stay...the owner, Richard, was the best hostess...incredibly accommodating and very nice and an amazing cook.  We have definitely loved staying here.  Especially, because it's right on the water also. Our first day here we hiked up a mountain on the east side of the island...it didn't take too long but it was totally worth it...it was gorgeous.  It definitely took my breath away and I couldn't believe the beauty that God made...although, I don't put anything past Him, but He always surprises me.   We ate a at nice restaurant called the Columba.  It was amazing....it doesnt get dark here until like 1am... It was weird. Yesterday, we slept in a little...I did a devotional and then we both just explored the beach.  Mostly sun bathing and just admiring the views. Just incredibly low key.  We ate at the restaurant again and it was just as amazing. The services here are really awesome...they treat you like s celeb!!!!! As we were walking back to our b&b we hear bag pipes. We walked up on what they call a ceili... We followed the bag pipers from across the bay up to an abbey and they had a concert.  It was amazing!!!!!  The way they play is just incredible.  Other people got up and performed and sang...some older man sang about cholesterol and it was hysterical because he can't have it but he wants it hahaha..then they did some readings and then we took a break for some tea and snacks. Afterwards, they do dancing... There was this little girl in front of me during tea time who was on a bench throwing her arms back and forth like she had  sword and was yelling, "I will make you walk the plank you pirate!" omg it was hilarious.. She was so loud but I thought I would die laughing.... Well, we didn't stay for the dancing.... It was incredibly unorganized and it was funny but everyone was just genuinely having a good time...it was awesome. At midnight you are supposed to follow out the bagpipers as they get on the ferry and cross back over and they continue to play until they reach land. The main bag piper was a very talented man.  Only a people are asked to play at the tattoo military esplanade in Edinburgh and he has done so twice!!!! Anyways, some lady was talking about the sun rise and that it comes up at 4am... So, I get this awesome idea to get up to take pictures... Well, 4am until 5:30am, nothing hardly...I was absolutely freezing!!!!!!  It was just me and the rabbits and birds on the beach....But I was able to get some decent pictures but I was frozen...  Had to rub my feet and then take two hot showers at two different times on blazing hot to just thaw out my feet...man, was it painful!  But I was finally able to fall asleep. So, on 3hrs of sleep I wake up and we eat breakfast...it was awesome! The guy who cooks (Richard who owns it) is amazing... It's all solo good. Anyways, we go to the abbey and we sit thru s service there and walk the grounds. It's really, really old... It was so amazing to touch the walls of an abbey that kings walked in.  They are also in the graveyards... But you couldn't read most of them because the tomb stones are so old. Anyways, afterwards....we headed out to go hiking to see where st. Columba discovered the island. On our way out, I was dumbly texting and walking down the steps...yeah obviously not so smart...I missed the last two or three and face planted and my backpack went flying over my head onto the floor, my phone slung across the foyer, and I landed on my knee and shoulder...I just laid there...meg was like 'what the heck just happened' and obviously laughing once she knew I was ok... It was quite comical.  I am too old for this...my hips hurt, my back...hahah just too much. Well, when we were walking up the hill we passed two people and asked if we were going in the right direction... They said yes and that it was 'quite boggy'....well, that was an understatement!!!!!!!  First we were scared that the goats were gonna pummel us...they just stared and ran and then stared some more. Haha. At first it was fun....Well, after an hour of trekking in the awful poop and mud and wetness we were quite over it.... I was getting so mad I just wanted to turn around.  30mins later we finally came upon an open enough part between the mountains that seemed to be a path...but no, it didn't lead to the st. Columba shore but to the marble quarry they have here...ugh we were over trying to find his beach. But, we ended up rock climbing and hiking instead...it was awesome fun.  It was sort of dangerous given the crevices and the ocean with rocks was on the other side if we fell off...but we found a cove and stuff it was cool. By the time we finally made it back up to the top to cross over omg our muscles were killing us.... But hey it's a good work out. Anyways, we finally made it to the shore and it was totally nothing but rocks.... And there was really nothing much to it.  Idk what they hype was about. So, we started back home from there and we were already 2.5hrs in.... What a treat we were in for...all up hill...mostly boggy poo and mud. Freezing wind and lots of hills.  There is this bush that is so rough and prickly but it looks like broccoli...we joked that it was broccolis dried up ancestors.  Boy did they hurt! And then.. An hour later, we were so over it that to my shock, meg tested out an old cow patty to see if it was strong enough to hold us over some mud...I couldn't believe it..it actually did. As gross as it sounds, we used it to step on. Hahaha. Finally, we find the fences and know that the end is near...and we run up on our goat friends... It was lovely to see them again. Finally, after hours of grossness and fun adventure we made it back...frozen and a mess. Now to get some sleep for we leave for Dublin tomorrow to end our last couple of days there before we fly home!!!!!!  I can't believe it's almost here...I am sad yet excited at the same time.  Ready to see my family and my max but I will miss Europe and all that it has to offer...well, mostly just Ireland and Scotland. So, I will blog once more before we leave... But until then..cheers :)

The streams of our heart...

So.... I am walking the ocean this morning for my quiet time...and I couldn't quite find a spot just right for me...and then I noticed a stream flowing pretty strongly from up to the small dunes I guess you could say and well...if no water is flowing up from the ocean, how can such a strong, steady stream be flowing down back into it??  I investigate.  Well, as I am sure there is a scientific reason for a phantom stream coming from no where....I got a spiritual one out of it. It's like...Gods love keeps flowing.  His mercy keeps flowing.  His forgiveness...his patience.  He replenishes our strength and will to press on..always flowing.  We might not know where it comes from...how if you aren't getting waves of encouragement or love from someone...or from work or from anything..if it isnt coming into us, how then can we have a continuous flow of all that is good come from our hearts? It is almost unfair it seems to constantly give, give, and give...especially, when you get nothing back.  And when you think you've run dry...God replenishes you...when it seems like you're out, you have no more to give, God is still flowing. You aren't sure how, where, or why you are experiencing His continuous showering of love and strength...but you are thankful for it. I am thankful it never stops...I am thankful my well never runs dry.  I stumble... I make mistakes...I am so very far from perfect and yet God see's it fit to keep me flowing from a small stream into the bigger picture...the ocean. The beauty of God unveiled...in the smallest of places...Oh, how His love is not withheld...Oh, how ever flowing His grace is. Where does my help come from?  It comes from the Lord. A broken spirit and a contrite heart You will not despise, You will not despise You desire truth in the inward parts A broken spirit and a contrite heart... Lord, my heart is prone to wander Prone to leave the God I love Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it Seal it for Your courts above...

Budapest...Prague...Dublin...Edinburgh...

If I was able to jot down every memory and every little thing that has happened on this trip it would definitely be mind boggling. I honestly don't even remember the last thing that I blogged about was...or where I was. I don't think that I wrote about Budapest....hmmm, probably my least favorite place I went.... It was so hot there and I just didn't relate to anything that they had to offer. I mean, the architecture was pretty but it just seemed really hot and run down to me.  I thought I was going to have a heat stroke.  I mean, the hi lights of being there was probably the fact that I was able to see different cultures and lifestyles....and able to finally go around without my jacket attached to me.  People weren't incredibly friendly there and the money was very, very confusing. I was very happy to leave... On the train ride over to Prague we were first class...although, it didn't feel like it because the air in the little space wasn't really working.  But we sat with 2older couples that were really nice.  They played cards and we just chatted of random stuff...riding by tons of fields of sunflowers was incredible. Making it into Prague....it was also not what I was expecting....I was expecting amazing architecture as well and I guess since we were staying in a different district that is why.  But, Sir Toby's hostel where we stayed was amazing....the brick work and intricacy of the inside was awesome. The guy who checked us in (Richard) was really nice..he had a strong accent and spit a lot..well, I didn't really notice it but meg did.  I just kept looking at his really small mouth and tried to figure out what he was saying... He always ended with a 'yeeah' like I was supposed to understand every word.  I just shook my head, sure, and went along with it. I was really excited to be in the room.....albeit, no AC again but it was nice.  I had a skylight over my bed and I was very excited about that because it stormed so good that night.  And everyone who knows me knows that I love a I good storm with a tornado or two... I could listen to the thunder and rain all the time. Anyways, so we get up and we decided to take Richard up on his offer to do a guided tour of Prague.  I, of course, wanted to look cute being in Prague and all, I wore my new flats.  Well, earlier on in our trip like the first week I think...I dropped my suitcase on my foot and it has been giving me trouble ever since...so, the swelling that day made my pour left shoe a little tighter than I anticipated (thanks meg for the band aids!)...definitely gonna get it looked at when I get back... Anyways... So, we go on this tour and he wasn't kidding about it being off the beaten path....we hiked up hills and walked thru stone and gravel I thought I was gonna die...but it was really gorgeous.  You can definitely still see the old city vibe they have kept alive. The next day we just walked around ourselves.. We sprinted to catch the tram going into the 'old town' as they called it and as soon as we got on it stunk so bad.. I will never understand why Europeans do not where deodorant....ugh!!!!!! Anyways, at the next stop we jumped off and meg walked away gagging to death while I walked in the other direction plugging my ears and humming a tune so I wouldnt join her.  Anyways, because of all that we ended up walking what felt like was forever....but only an hour or so to get into the city.  It was a lovely walk but definitely a hot one.  More beautiful work in the buildings and bridges.. I don't quite understand the draw to Charles bridge because it looks like the others...but I guess it is a night thing. Anyways, so as we walked for hours and hours around Prague I probably took about 60 pictures and I went to delete one as we were heading out and I accidentally deleted them ALL!!!!!!!!!!!  Sad day.... I really felt sick to my stomach. So, we decided to walk around a little bit again so I could get at least a few pictures....lucky we did, because we came up on this festival thing going on in Prague square and there where this older people behind stage bouncing on yoga balls... I thought to be sure it was just a warm up exercise to their dance routine...and no. It wasn't. They literally got up on stage and rolled around on their yoga balls and what not. It was absolutely hysterical...and to think we would have missed it!!!!!!!! So, we decided to fly back to Ireland instead of taking all these dad burn trains and ferries... Thank goodness.  We made it back to Dublin and it felt like being home. The hostel we were staying in is the sister hostel to the one we stayed at in the beginning. We went to a movie that night (the amazing spiderman in 3D to be exact!) and the theaters are amazing here... They are huge.  Usually you have assigned seating because it is full but sadly the older man told us that it's never full anymore due to their economy. I think we could have fit 3theaters in the states in that one room.  Like I said...it was gorgeous.. All red velvet seating and big red curtains. Felt like the oldies. So, the next morning we get up and walk around Dublin again.... I feel like I know that place better than Raleigh haha.... We went to a wax museum and it wasnt really that good. After we went to the Jameson Distillery again for food and hot chocolate with whiskey....it came highly recommended to us so we thought we would try it out. Well, it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be...it was incredibly strong!!!!!!!!!  Anyways, we walked back in the pouring down rain.... Probably the hardest rain we have had the whole trip and my blasted umbrella flipped inside out...it was worthless...I was drenched. That night we went out with a bunch of girls from our room in the hostel...it was loads of fun!!!!!!! We met a couple of real Irish people who definitely live to drink.... Kind of sad but at the same time, that's their way of living.  Anyways, these two guys kept calling us 'yanks' and me definitely NOT being a yank, I was offended... I told them to get it straight but they just consider everyone from the states a yank....oh geez. So, after a long night, the next day we all slept in...then we went to s church since it was Sunday. It was gorgeous.  I thought it was going to be a long service because the booklet was like 5pages.  Now the choirs here are much more different (and, no offense...sound way better) than back home....I kept thinking that we were on the seventh verse only to realize we were still on the blasted first verse.  They go thru a melody and range of tunes and what not in just one word that it goes on for ages....but, no matter... I could have listened to it for hours. I so wish church's back home looked like the churches they have here.... They are so beautiful and it's definitely a holy place to go worship.  You don't have to even have a building to have worship I know, but the feel of it and the reverence that comes with it is just amazing. So, now we are in Scotland..... We started our first two days being in Edinburgh...it is absolutely amazing.... Probably my favorite city so far.... I mean, you are freezing, and getting rained on and there are people walking and you just can't help but look up in awe at everything... Really... The hostel we stayed at was also probably the nicest place we have been as well.... Everyone was really nice.  We got up the next morning and walked around... We went to the Castle of Edinburgh and it was gorgeous...the history was incredible and the things they had preserved was just wow...they had the queens crown and jewels...the birthplace of kings and important men of Scotland...war heroes and veterans...it was breath taking.  I bet back then when they made the 'castle in the air' (as they call it) they didn't realize that thousands of people would be flocking there to see it.... To them it was just a place they lived... A place to lay their head and to us its grand and magnificent. After being wowed by the castle we went to this cafe called the elephant cafe... I guess that's where the Rowling lady wrote Harry Potter...anyways, it was cool because my parents logged onto the live webcam there and saw us standing there and drinking our hot chocolates in the cafe. My parents, my sister Anna, my grand parents, and even megs parents and friends logged on to see...it was really cool...  Ok...now to the fun part.  We had to catch a bus today to get here to Oban, Scotland... Which was an amazing view (well the second half).....our two hour bus ride I thought would be the death of me.  It smelt like someone has been cooking a porter John in a steamy oven and left it sealed until we started down the road and then opened it up to let us all smell it...oh my gosh it was foul!!!!!!!!  I had to spray perfume and bury my head into my jacket for two hours.... I definitely had to pray for control because i thought I was going to se my lunch... It was awful.  I am definitely reporting them... Nobody wants to smell death for two hours...I would have rather of smelt anything else!!!!! Anyways, so now we are here...in our hostel on the coast and we are preparing for the last leg of our journey to the isle of Iona.  It is supposed to be a very spiritual place and boy do I need it.  I am very excited and hope it is all God wants it to be for me in my heart and life.  Until then... Cheers!!!!!

The gifts....

So....we are on the train to Prague...it's first class and much nicer than what we have been used to.  Thank you Jesus that we were put on the right train....I was so scared that we weren't going to make it but we did. As I am sitting here...I keep thinking of all the things that has happened in the last few weeks...and I can't believe all of the places that I have been to...but Ireland still is my favorite place....I can't wait to get back.. However, the other places have been good...Venice was probably my favorite so far aside from Ireland.  The beautiful vineyards... The sea smell.. The sunflowers..well, only a few but they were quite big.. Everything is so fresh there...the eggs were from the chickens out back, and the milk was so fresh I was looking for the cow outside too :)  Riding a bike that morning and heading to the water taxi area to wait for the boat was probably one of my favorite things. It was so simplistic and the breeze was lovely.. I really felt young again and just felt like it took me back...the simple things in life are the best.  I don't need extravagant things...just give me a bike with a basket, a good view, and lovely weather and I am happy....just being in my own place and my thoughts... Over looking the ocean and the vineyards .....it was awesome. I wish sometimes in real life, in those special moments that you have in life that there would be music playing in the background like movies.... Sometimes it might make the moments a little better and more memorable. And also, give me an ocean and I would be very happy...walking along the coast of our little Venetian island (island of San Erasmo)..the little waves trickling up to my feet and feeling the salty breeze on my skin... I love it.  Being at the beach makes me feel closer to God more than any other thing in this world.. Well, besides Ireland of course ;) Seeing everything that God has created in the world...the different parts..He really is an incredible artist.. The difference between each place and definitely different from North Carolina.. The way the mountains have come up from the ground and the way the trees are...the flowers...the smells of the flowers... The difference in the flow of water and the colors.. The sands are different.  Th way God paints the sky at night and the different times in each place.  The different faces and languages....the ways of life are different.  The things we take for granted..  Like a cup of ice for instance...not free and not freely given.  Bathrooms in places are not free and not easy to find where as in the states they are everywhere. I am so glad that God decided to make us all different...the different places.  It's an amazingly frustrating and awesome experience all wrapped in one. We need this from time to time to have our souls refreshed and to also see the differences...in Life....in ways of living.  God has ordained and designed every part of this earth and it is all so magnificent. We were born and designed to experience it all....it's good for us.  I think it is good for our relationships with Jesus and with finding your own.  I feel like I have come to realize my own things in life that I need to check.. The pressure I put on myself and the things that I do and don't do..the chances I take and the chances I don't.  How will we ever know or live if we just let opportunity after opportunity slip by.  Yes, you may be nervous...yes, you may regret...no, not you may regret it...YES you will regret it...life can be a mundane and boring one...or you could live.  Be the person that e everyone wants to be.  Stop just admiring others for what they do and seek to do what you want so you can help inspire others to admire you and do their life...live out their dreams and adventures.  Help them have the strength and courage to get out...to smell the roses in Venice... The walk the coast of France..to see the amazing green beauty and cliffs of Ireland... To touch some of the most pure waters in the world..to taste the different foods of the world..the delicacies.   Live people... Live your life.  Do it for yourself...do it for others..do it with God..he made it all for you.  Enjoy his gifts to the fullest..the ones in the world and the ones within yourself.