THE UPDATE

Wow, I have so much to tell you. As you begin to look at my pictures you will see an array of beautiful things. I got the opportunity to visit the grounds of the last British and Scotland Battle. It is an amazing site that is taken very seriously. Nearly 10,000 Scots gave their life on that day. I also got to see one of the most beautiful remnants of a castle while at Lochness. The castle was extraordinary. I then arrived at my home for two days, Farr Cottage. It is a wonderful little hostel/bed and breakfast. The food and the entertainment were wonderful. It was here that I really got a chance to bond with the group from the US. The following day we hiked to some falls in the biggest mountain in Scotland. It was beautiful. I got to cross a wire bridge. It was exhausting, but well worth the hike. I forgot to mention the weather thus far has been wonderful and rather warm for Scotland (today is rainy and cold). That evening we played a game called quizzes. It was quite entertaining. It would be a 21 and older game in the states. The last day of the trip we packed up and left for a few more destinations on our way back to Aberdeen. One of those is the site where Haggard's cottage was filmed and the train for Harry Potter. I am not into it myself, but I got pictures for those of you who are interested. I arrived home only to go to sleep and try to comprehend all that had happened.

As I mentioned this trip was really the opportunity to begin to get to know the guys and girls from my trip. They are quite diverse in opinions. However, there are a few guys and a couple of girls that I had wonderful conversations with about everything from academics to what it means to live as a Christian in this world. I can tell it will be an amazing semester for us all. There was one night I had a long conversation with one of the guys about why we were here in Aberdeen. What is it that God has us here for. I thought I knew. However, we later were discussing a book I have been reading and he made the comment that he knows what it means to live as the Christian he is, but has not yet figured out how to just give all of it up and live fully for God. (despite the fact he seems to have it all very together). It dawned on me that by thinking I knew why God had called me here I had instantly limited what he was going to do with me here. Maybe I am here for my flatmates, maybe that fellow student, and maybe even more that I am yet to know about. It just makes me so excited.

Also I have finally finish Velvet Elvis. It is not a bad book, but it is certainly not my favorite. Rob Bell has a pretty good writing style, but he clearly has a universalist outlook on things and that really bothers me. The introduction is good and I absolutely loved pages 97-120. However the section titled Our Turn on page 50 all the way to page 90 or so drove me crazy. This man has such a great understanding that the church must spread its wings and learn to just love people and that as we demonstrate God's love then Christianity will happen. Unfortunately I honestly think he believes that custom and tradition only hinder and hold no value for Christians. This is scary to me. I would suggest someone read it, but please remember it is just a book, not the BOOK. Well, I will leave be for now. Remember as always if their is anything particular you want to know or you want me to write about just let me know and I will update you. Adios