H is for Happy Days

Ex: Wow, that’s a lot of essays. But no exams? Oh nice, happy days.

Here’s a list of things I’ve done since we last chatted: 

1) Thanksgiving – had roast/Thanksgiving dinner for a fine fusion of cultures, like ya do.

2) Went to Oxford to meet up with the Khouri family (hi guys!) for Thanksgiving weekend. It was terrific and magical and yes of course we went to the Inklings’ pub.

3) Took a tourist day in Edinburgh, because I hadn't yet.

4) Sang in two carol services which were both delightful and a great reconnection with choir music.

5) Wore both of my garishly Christmas garments. Happy Christmas Season!

My “I’ve been busy” excuse is that I’ve finished two essays recently and have two more to write in the next four days, as well as clean up and write about a huge project due for another class. It’ll get done. End of excuse.

I worked out that I have less than a week’s worth of days left here in Edinburgh, though I am trying not to think about it. I know I’ve written a lot about being homesick or that the UK isn’t what I expected or whatever, but as timing would have it, now I don’t want to leave.

I haven’t talked a lot about people here on this blog because I’ve felt it’s been too personal to post on the internet, but the editor cleared it so here we go.

The place I’ve felt most embodies my experience at Edinburgh for me is my church. I’ve been attending it since my first Sunday here (for whatever weekends I’m actually here, which have been, admittedly, very few) and have also been a part of one of their small groups/the best small group (holla). The church is filled with the most genuine and wonderful people, and whenever I’m around them, my heart is full.

I’ve been a Christian for a very long time, and have always thrown myself into whatever Christian community I can, and that’s because, for me, community was the way I best connected with God – through the ways I saw him in other people. Honestly, I’ve never been a part of a community that so resembles how wonderful God is. From the first Sunday, as soon as they knew my name it was like I wasn’t just some new person they were trying to rope in, I was like I was already a part of the church. They knew I might still be looking for a church, but it didn’t matter. They welcomed me in and have been just as welcoming ever since. Real talk – last semester was really rough, spiritually, for a lot of reasons, and I came to Scotland in a state where I was questioning the reasons why I was a Christian and if wanted to continue fully committing myself to it. Through these people, I’ve been reminded why I do this. They are kind and compassionate and, most notably, they really meet God in their worship. It shook the way I viewed my interactions with God, and as a result, my life has been changed in big ways. I have been so incredibly blessed by this church and the friends I've found there, and I’ve learned so much about God and about myself. I’ve basically only been hanging out with them in the last couple of weeks, and it’s been great. They are the reason the thought of leaving is accompanied by this crazy crippling sadness. Well not quite, but I haven’t thought about it enough to analyze the feeling. Until then I’ll just enjoy the time I have left. :) 

Also, I realize I set out to make this blog about my adventures to fun places and it’s kinda turned into this weird introspective journey instead, so sorry about that. BUT I’m making it up to you all: adventure is coming. I promise. All I can tell you is that I’m going to a place where the only thing I know how to say in the national language is “Je ne parle pas francais. Parlez-vous anglais?”

…ADVENTURE!