L'Abri

So my good friends I have just returned from my post exams 'holiday' on the 'continent'. This break for many students is a time to return home, relax, and see family. For those of us who have an ocean (the better ocean) between us and the ones we love it is the time to travel.

The break has been a slight source of anxiety as I really had no where to go or stay, but through many 'God' instances I decided that I would go to L'Abri. I place I have known about and wanted to visit of for as long as I can remember.

For those of you who have never heard of L'Abri it can best be described as a christian learning center for people of various ages and faiths (including non-existent faiths). It was started by Francis and Edith Schaffer in the 1950's, as a place where people with questions on the Christian God can seek answers (in a number of gorgeous Chalet's in the Swiss Alps!).

As I said, I've known about this place for years. Edith Schaffer wrote many books about Christian parenting and families that greatly influenced my mother back in the day...so I always had admired the work of the Schaffers. More than that, L'abri itself was a huge influence for Focus (fellowship of Christians in universities and schools) which was a great influence in my adolescent years.


So, not knowing exactly what I was getting into I signed myself and my friends Sheena up for the week.

When we first arrived it was night. We were tired from travelling, disoriented and in need of some good food. It was pitch black out so we couldn't tell what anything looked like. All we knew was that there was no snow, and we needed some major TLC. But we entered Chalet Bellevue (pictured left) only to be left standing in the hallway. Feeling awkward and surrounded by a commotion of students. I wanted out.


The place seemed like such a hippy fest, and everyone was too cool for school. Sheena and I received a quick tour, with many awkward introductions and conversation gaps. I was so tired that I couldn't even fake my usual cheeriness. Sooo we each downed about four pieces of garlic bread and headed to bed.

For whatever reason, the next day I woke up with a changed attitude. I was there for a week and I would suffer through it if I had to. I knew God had brought me there, and that was all I needed to know. From that point on everything changed for me. The whole week through I was blown away by the broken and loving spirits of the other students. Although I was so intimidated at the beginning all my first impressions were wrong, and humorously many of the people I had specifically written off as 'too cool' proved the sweetest and humblest of the bunch.

L'Abri has a rigid schedule of work and study. Everyday we would spend the morning working (often in a 'workers' home) and then have lunch together. Lunch would consist of a guided discussion. Then the afternoon was set apart as a time of study in the library; A gorgeous chalet, filled with books on theology and christian living, as well as lectures on tape.

Most of my study time was spent reading the books that had so inspired my mother. I loved reading Edith's works and comparing then with the work of my mother. The books talk of family as a work of art. Something that is beautiful, but must be laboured over. That's a quick synop, but just know I was left completely inspired by how my desire to have a beautiful life is completely part of God's plan and intent for me.



Pictured to the right is my sweet and dear friend Sheena. She was my fabulous partner in crime. She is a gorgeous Scottish Lassi, a lover of God, and a really true kindred spirit.


Well, about the view. The second day we were there it was completely foggy. Everyone kept laughing at the ridiculousness that we had no idea the enormity of the mountains that were right before us, but hidden from view. It wasn't until the third day that I saw the mountains for myself. I had woken up really early to have some time of prayer. It was still pitch black. But I could see that it had snowed about a foot. About 15 minutes into my prayer time I saw a faint light across the sky and I saw the outline of the Alps.

I can't possibly describe to you how incredible this scene was, and the photo doesn't begin to capture what it looks like in person. I was paralyzed by the awesome beauty of the mountains. I have never seen anything so powerful.

It was an incredible week. Set apart from God. Marked by simplicity and separation from the world (we had virtually no contact to the outside). I learned so much. I really was blessed and touched by God's individual love for me.

I left feeling like I was leaving a second home filled with family, and friends but with a promise of hope for the future

Joie de vive

What a joy to finally be free from the tyrannical grip of exams. I’ve been back in Scotland for about a week and a half, though it only feels like a day or too. For as soon as I got off the plane and was again trotting on British soil I had to begin to study for my final exams. For some unknown, and most likely sadistic, reason St. Andrews has exams after the Christmas holiday. I guess they expect students to be able to handle large quantities of John Headland lamb and figgy pudding, without it affecting their brain capacity to recall the minutia of lessons taught a month ago. All right, enough sardonic-ness. Anyways exams are done and over and I can finally begin to enjoy the beautiful St. Andrews around me!

This morning when I woke up it was snowing. So after my morning nose bag, and a quick word or two with the big guy, I charged into the white abyss. I was properly armed (with wellies and umbrella) for my task, which was little more than window-shopping and bookshelf perusal. Though I must say on my own behalf, this act can be somewhat of an art. I went to a few of my favourite spots: the interior design shop, the import food store, the fromage shop.

I popped into the bookstore to see if I could find a good biography for my ‘holiday’, but got delayed in the cookbook section. I love looking through cookbooks. It is such a joy to read about good food. One of my favourite chefs is Nigella Lawson. I started reading through the intro to one of her books, and gaining an understanding of her ‘cooking philosophy’. I learned she’s not a trained chef, but that she was once a food critic, and a food writer for Vogue, Gourmet, The New York Time, the London Times, and the list goes on. How inspiring! I woman who writes about what she loves, and gets paid for it! As I continued walking through the cobblestone streets I got giddy thinking of all the possible futures my life could bring. Whether it be writing for a travel magazine, or perfecting the family art of speech writing, I can always celebrate my Joie de vive!

BIG Request for Prayer!

Hello friends! I'm about to embark on a crazy journey. My friend Anna and I are about to leave (monday morning at 5.30 to be exact) for a trip to the continent! We are flying into Amsterdam, and from there onward via train to Brussels, Berlin, and finally Switzerland! I am very excited (while a tab nervouex) as this is a very big girl sort of thing to do. I would love prayer for a safe travel and also that we would have a fabulous time together.

thanks lovelies!

It's a God thing!

You see that sweet little doorway? Yeah, the one with the window looking out into the hallway. Well my friends, that happens to be my new room. "New room?", you ask. Yeah, remember at the beginning of the year when I wrote about my struggle to accept my living arrangement, (if you forgot, see picture of scary modern building below). Well last week I got a call saying that not only had my request (from over a month ago) for a new room come through, but that they had found me a single in McIntosh hall (my first choice, center of town, gorgeous, historic, perfect hall)!

I had completely accepted that I was going to be in Andrew Melville hall for the year. I had gotten used to the 1/2 hour walk to class everyday, and really started to click with my neighbors. It was the moment that I had let go that my circumstances changed.

This dorm is incredible. Right in the middle of town. St. Andrews consists of three major streets and McIntosh is in the center of them. The building looks like what I image to be Lord Peter's flat at Piccadilly.

(Take note...I was having issues loading up my own pictures, thus I got this image from the internet...from this picture you can see my room window, third from the right of the door on the ground floor. Craziness!)



Funny thing is, I really struggled with deciding whether or not to move. It seemed to good to be true...I guess it was hard to trust that maybe God just wanted to bless me with something that was over the top amazing.

And guys, this place is over the top. All I can say is "High ceilings Warren".

So take a good look at the picture to the left. You see that cabinet looking thing? It's a built in glass china case. Could it get more outrageous? Or more Perfect!!?!

This hall used to be an old hotel, and my room abuts the old reception desk, hence the window into the hallway. So I have this little closet that has a window and hatch, which used to welcome the hotel guests.

In the picture to the right you can see the door to the reception room. I don't have a good picture of that little room yet, but you can look above 'My Wellies' to see a detail of the door.

Not only is the locale fabulous, the room gorgeous, and the hall better than anything you can image, but my room is two (count them, two) doors down from Allison's!! Yes, Allison!! The first girl I met during orientation who I bonded with over God convo's!!

God is truly amazing...I can't praise Him enough. I don't deserve any of this, but He gave it and more to me anyways! How can I ever doubt his plan for me?

Toastie Bar!

So...what is there to do on a Friday night in the quaint town of St. Andrews? Clearly, the Toastie Bar.

For those of you who don't have the elite pleasure of knowing what a toastie is, well don't fear. The toastie is a quality British favorite. Not unlike the famous 'John Headland Waffle Iron Sandwich' the toastie involves white bread, smothered on the outside with butter, filled with various surprises and then thrown into the toastie grill, where the separate pieces that create the sandwich are then congealed into a solid form. It is heavenly!

Last night, I went to a brilliant meeting at the Christian Union. A man speaking was a guest from New Zealand who had attended St. Andrews as an undergrad about 10 years ago. His talk was moving. I won't go into full details, but at one point he addressed the christian students in the crowd and pleaded 'do not kid yourselves, this life is not about your comfort. Don't miss God's purpose' or at least something like that. I really felt like it was addressing me. I have been more and more desparate to understand the reality that it is not about me.

Thus, you won't be surprised that I then spent the rest of the evening (till past 2am) cooking toasties for crazy drunk students who were out partying last night. The best way to think of the toastie Bar is as a soup kitchen for drunk people. The hope is that by cooking these kids good food...which they are desperate for after a night of drinks...we might be able to strike up a few good conversations.

I had a blast.

My Highland Tour!

Ohh, the highlands! You can't imagine them till you see them for yourself. This past weekend I went on a tour of the upper country of Scotland. What a joy to see a terrain so different from anything else I have every experienced! Much of the weekend we were in a coach bus. Being on the road brought back so many memories of the road trips of my childhood. All the Headlands would pile into our station wagon and drive to the Shenandoah mountains, gazing at the countryside as George Winston's December played reflectively in the background. This weekend, I also listened to December (I was cheating since it is an old family rule that December can't be played until after Halloween). At first, driving through the highlands only made me miss home, and the joy of sharing Fall with the people who share the same passion for it as myself. But after a while looking at the land which was so undeniably different from any that I have seen I realized that God has limitless passions and joys that He wants me to experience just between the two of us. In that way I will find a new experience of security and beauty that is just between me and God, creating a truer bond between us, even truer than the bond I have with my family.

The first day out, we had the opportunity to watch a Shepherd herd sheep with his sheep dogs! It was incredible! You can't imagine the loyalty and obedience of these dogs. All the tourists would try to get the attention of the dogs through whistles and kissing noises, yet they would not flinch. They only heard the Shepherd's voice.

To the left you see me trying my hand at sheering sheep. What a natural! I went ahead and got the Wellie's I've been dreaming about over the weekend because I've decided when I become the Lady of the manor, sheering sheep will be one of my favorite pastimes, and a proper set of green wellies will be an intergral part of that experience!

During the tour I had the pleasure of sharing a room with 5 other fabulous girls! We all shared a love of travel, dorky behavior, and a proper night of sleep! We were laughing the entire weekend. On the far right you can see Allison (my roomate from orientation who I talked about! A fellow lover of Jack Lewis, and Oswald!)

And here I am out in front of my future home!

Scone palace was wonderful! There we watched a falconry display and viewed the Stone of Scone where the Kings of England were crowned! I think I fit in pretty well if I do say so myself!

Below you see me on top of Perth mountain. It's the highest spot in the UK! We took the funicular railway (which unlike Gondola's has no ice picks), and when at the top of the mountain enjoyed a splendid cuppa hot coco!

This picture cannot capture the absolute splendor of the peaks! The view was to die for.

On our second day we took a tour of a whiskey distillery. This picture is about two seconds before I took my first (and last) sip of whiskey. The picture of that isn't so pretty.

On our final day we took a boat ride on Loch Ness in hopes that we would be the ones to find Nessie! And though I may not be a cryptozoologist I think I have the best proof yet! (see image below to locate Nessie!)

Take that Sasquatch!

Thanks so much for reading! I must go write a huge essay on ancient Anglo-Saxon archeology! Any prayers would be greatly appreciated!

lots of love...

and cheers!

The Opening Ball

The Opening Ball. What a beautiful tradition here in St. Andrews. Last night I attended the Kate Kennedy Charity Opening Ball with two other girls. The Kate Kennedy Club is a society of the sixty most elite boys in the Uni (university) and has been around since 1926. They throw a ball every October to mark the beginning of the social year here at St. Andrews.

Just picture the scene. We walk towards St. Salvators Quad. At the entrance of the ancient stone archway are bagpipers beckoning students to enter. Once in the Quad you walk past fire jugglers and various KK members (I don't think the Brits see the issue with this abbreviation) who are all dressed in full Kilt attire. The Quad is lit up with yellow search and blue flood lights. And this is all before you have even entered the Ball floor.

As we entered the Ball tent each lady was handed a white rose and every guest a glass of Champagne. The Tent, covered in roses, balloons, and lights, was also filled to the brim with students, all in their very finest attire.

Ok now. Onto reality. Although the ladies are in ball gowns, and the gents in kilted suits, we are still the youth of the 21st century. We might be surrounded by ancient ruins, be at the University of Princes, and hear the faint groan of bagpipes, but lets not forget to prove that in the new millennium entry into adulthood (and the according behavior) doesn't happen until at least the age of 35! (see picture of dancing kilts)

That being said, it was a fabulous night. I had one heck of a time with my new friends (Allison and Emily). We danced the night away in good fashion, and ended the evening with the ceremonial (and experimental) tasting of a Scottish delicacy, namely the deep fried mars bar!

Thanks for reading...more soon to come.

Cheers!