Another Chapter Begins

It's official. I'm not old enough to be 30, yet that's what they tell me I am. The day I've dreaded for at least 365 days has come. I'm trying to embrace the fact that I'm now in my 30's rather than my 20's. At least it's been a first good day in them! I got the present I wanted most today: SUNSHINE! God is so good in His gifts isn't He? Mark and I were able to get out to the countryside for the afternoon/evening, which is something I'd really hoping we'd be able to do. Thanks to all of you for the many birthday wishes! Thought you'd enjoy seeing a couple of pics of me when I was wee, plus one Mark took today that I really liked.
I think I was 6 months in the one above, not sure about the one below.

That Chapter Closed

Whew! What a long haul. Mark and I are both relieved that the "obtaining-a-UK-license" chapter of our lives is OVER! Forever. I'm pleased to say Mark overcame the driving-Nazi examiner this afternoon and walked out qualified to drive in the UK for the next 35+ years! I am so proud!

I am not sure who had more torture during the 40 minute long test - me waiting at the test center and praying like crazy for him, or him actually taking the test. As soon as I saw his examiner walk out to start the exam I knew he needed every prayer we'd prayed and a few extras! She was all you wouldn't want an examiner to be, especially a bit gruff and grumpy looking.

Thanks again and again for lifting us up through this chapter of our lives. We are still trying to grasp the reality that it really has closed!

Driving Exam Update

Thanks to those of you who have been remembering Mark in your prayers this week as he has prepared for the practical driving exam. It was supposed to be tomorrow morning, but the test center had to cancel for some reason. It has been rescheduled for Monday at 2pm. Unfortunately that means he has to drive in more traffic :( Please keep praying for him and that God would enable him clear thinking and favor with the examiner.

If you'd like another crazy driving exam story, go here. Will wonders never cease?!

A Love-Hate Relationship

What more can be said of the play "Sunset Song" that I saw last night than, "It was brilliant"? In case you haven't been keeping track, Sunset Song is the first book in a trilogy by a Scottish author that I was encouraged to read. It took me several months, but I finally got through it. It really is a masterpiece, and seeing it on stage (a masterpiece in its own right) made me remember how much I enjoyed the book. It also reminded me I really want to finish the other two books.

Aside from listening to thick Aberdonian accents drenched with archaic Doric for over 2 hours trying to discern exactly what was being said, there was not much I didn't enjoy about the play. I am so glad I had read the book or I really would have been lost! The music, the movements, the short dances, the dialogue, the scores of music -- all of it pointed to the song of life, the rhythm, the cycles we all go through as we live our lives. One of my favorite parts of it all is the theme that runs throughout the book about loving the land, and yet hating the land. It all makes sense since the book is set in a rural town in early 1900 Scotland. Farming was the way of life. It was both a joy to farm the land and a hardship.

I think I like it because I can relate. Many days I absolutely love Scotland. It will be hard to leave some day. It's gorgeous and fresh and full of life--I can't get enough of the countryside.
Other days I absolutely despise this place (today may count!). The grey, dreary, dark, windy, cold, rainy (known here as dreich) weather blankets the land I love....and sometimes, it seems, my entire being with it.Yet in the end the love seems to always triumph the hate. In the light and beauty the dreich seems to fade away. The book and play ended with a sunset over a stone circle (which plays a significant part in the novel), so I will leave you with an apt photo so you too can imagine your own song at sunset.

What a Relief!

I passed my practical car exam :) Whew. So glad that is over!! Now we just have to pray Mark will also pass his next Friday.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. It didn't rain, I was amazingly calm, was able to think clearly, didn't do anything stupid and passed solidly. Praise the Lord for hearing our prayers!

I can hardly believe it's over. Months of thinking about this and preparing. I'm so glad I can lead a normal driving life again :) And I do have to give credit to the UK. They put you through the ringer, but on the whole I feel like a better driver all the way around. Maybe everyone should have to go through a mid-life crisis by going through a second driving exam.....nah......

You Know You've Adapted to Aberdeen If.....

What a year it has been! A year ago today we left Charlotte to venture into the unknown. It's been a busy week mentally for me as I have thought often about various thoughts and feelings associated with moving here. I look back and see God's hand of faithfulness guiding us so clearly, providing all we've needed, offering His grace when we've made mistakes and overall just blessing us as His children. How can we say thanks enough to those of you who have faithfully prayed for us this past year as we've adjusted to a new home and city?

In light of our being here for one year we thought we'd leave you with some fun, though it may be more fun for those friends who actually live/have lived here.

You know you've adapted to Aberdeen if....

1. Part of your daily/nightly ritual is hanging clothes out to dry in your living room.
2. You tell people how far something is based on how long it takes to walk there.
3. Your idea of something being close is if it is 15 (maybe 20) minutes or less to walk there.
4. You brag to your friends if you washed and dried 2 or more loads in one day (usually only if there's a sunny day and you've hung it out on the line).
5. You open your windows just about every day, even when it's cold out.
6. You write the date in the day/month/year format even in your journal now.
7. You have said to another UK person "yeah, it's warm here today" and it's only in the 60's (and you actually meant it)!
8. You take your own recyclable bags shopping.
9. You have answered "Aye" to a question you wished to answer in the affirmative.
10. You can understand most/all of what is said to you by the Scots.
11. You can say to a co-worker asking about another co-workers' whereabouts (with a straight face) "out for a fag/having a fag." (If you are confused about this, see this post.)
12. Scottish oats in some fashion comprise part of your daily intake of dietary fiber.
13. You perfer a walking commute to work over driving and hope you can even do this when you return to the States (okay, for fairness' sake...not always the case, but I do love the refreshing 15-20 minute walk to work in the mornings! So much less stressful than driving 15-20 minutes!)
14. You've given up hoping your towel will be soft and fluffy when it comes off the drying rack.
15. You are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live in this city for this season of life!

And, how to know you've still got some adapting to do....

You don't hate the seagulls as passionately as the locals. In fact, you still think they have some charm.

You still slip up and say "pants" when you really mean "trousers" and unfortunately people laugh wondering why you are talking about your underwear :(

Newest Member of the Family and Prayer Request

Sorry to those of you who thought maybe we were expecting...maybe next time :)

So here in the UK your car has to undergo a yearly test called an MOT. It's similar to emissions testing, but is way more extensive. Basically, if your car needs any work done, this test will find it. Call it a mandatory yearly car maintenance check-up. It's a good idea since it involves making the roads safer, forcing car owners to take care of their cars and removing those cars from the roads that need help. Enter our dear old Green Nelly. She was a '93 or '94 Ford Escort whose value didn't not come anywhere near the work she needed when we were told she needed a new suspension system among other things. So sadly we had to decide to get rid of her and purchase another one. A '99 Kia Shuma. We have no idea what a Shuma is as we've never heard of it before.

She's a decent car so far. We haven't named her. Mark thought of Silver Bullet (though she's not quite silver). I said it would have to be "Silver Bullet Rides Again" because I had a Silver Bullet in college. So far I'm uninspired other than that.

So the prayer request is this:I take the practical part of the driving exam on Friday morning (9:37am to be exact. That's 4:37am for all you East coast early risers). Finally, the last stage in getting my UK license. It's about a 40 minute (YIKES!) exam. I was just getting to the stage where I felt confident enough to pass the test, then we got this new car. I have been more than a little flustered at the new clutch, gas peddle, gear shift, different view out the back window for reversing maneuvers, and the windshield wiper and indicators being in opposite sides of the wheel as they were in Green Nelly (and perhaps all the cars I've ever owned). I can just see me during my test turning the wipers on as I am entering a roundabout instead of indicating the direction I'm going. The examiner would love that :)

After a rough driving session yesterday, tearful conversation with Mark about my struggles/fears, and another conversation with our instructor I just about changed my appointment for another month out. But then I had some time with the Lord and was reminded of many things, such as "cast all your cares/anxiety on Him, for He cares for you." He has brought me thus far, He will help me forward. I desire to pass this test Friday if at all possible so I can quite having it hanging over me. It's been a long journey!

Will you pray with me that....
--I can continue to be faithful to prepare as fully as I need to in the remaining days I have.
--It won't rain Friday morning when I take the test (that will help with the wiper situation!)
--I will be granted favor with the examiner
--I will have a calm heart that is resting in the Lord this week and on Friday morning
-- I will fully demonstrate my skills and pass my test

You can also pray these things for Mark. He takes his exam on Friday the 12th.

Thanks in advance!