EU: Scotland Tour

3/2 Note: Due to photo and computer technical difficulties, I wasn't able to get almost any photos posted before flying to London...so please review the post again! :) Thanks to David for most of the shots...

Quick Note: I found out this morning that we are actually only 8 hours different instead of 9.. so, when it is 7am there, it is actually 3pm here :)...I guess we went back in time. :)

Kilconquhar Castle (Pro. Kin-AH-cur)

George MacDonald trees!!!

With an unexpected turn of events, Daniel came down with the stomach flu 100% last night (he had mostly skipped it last week), so he ended up having to miss all of today's adventures...which was a terrible blow for all of us... :/

5 of our strapping men (yes, I'm biased... ;P)

Meanwhile, the men went off early to St. Andrews where they didn't golf but did walk the course and beach.

St. Andrews Golf Course

We girls slept in a tad more and leisurely got ready, before joining them to walk the sea shore, where Eric Liddell (pro. Li-'il) ran in real life... And, I found some seashells to scrapbook. :)

Happy Birthday Esther!!! (and yes, she IS the tallest female in our family!)
In front of Kilconquhar Castle

All of us, except Daniel and David

It is truly spectacular here!! There is nothing like water, and a vast sky!! What color contrasts too!

From there, our private mini-bus took us to the Glamis Castle (pro. Glaumz), where we had the honor of meeting the actual Earl, have tea, a private tour, and luncheon. This day might possibly be the best day of memories for all of us!! Glamis Castle was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother (current Queen Elizabeth's mother), and holds tons of history....

It fascinates me hearing the history of these castles, as they truly evolved over time, starting from just  a shack on the hunting ground, to an L shape tower (in the middle), to what it is today! And, it has been in the family for over 18 generations!

Talk about secluded and peaceful!!

We were greeted by a piper who piped at our entrance  and also before tea and luncheon.

What an honor to meet the Earl!

David and Samuel gave him one of their FirePower Pens, made of Cocabolla wood, gold, and bullet pieces, which he seemed to enjoy.. What a very nice man!

Having Tea (English Breakfast) in what used to be the kitchen fireplace! (Big enough to roast a large ox in, with the huge stone chimney going up above!)

Part of the old kitchen.

A lot of things were put into perspective.... I grew up loving the Millie Keith and Elsie Dinsmore series, but always laughed at Horace 's demanding Elsie to not run barefooted on the rug before the maid had lit the fire....well, there is a reason! Those castles and large mansions are drafty things!! Even with triple layers, I was chilly!

This doorway was just right for me!! Just a few inches over my head.....thus,
I'm a little teapot, short and stout.... :)

The Dining Hall (expandable to up 36 people...the family who was building the castle had 11 children--talk about fun..and work!)

The (drafty) drawing room upstairs...it takes 4 hours to heat this room up to any nice temperature at all.

Their 15' Billiards Table, which was gotten hundreds of years ago by that same man for his children...
During the WWI, their castle was used for a hospital and refuge for the soldiers...so there are marks and remembrances from those times in this room as well!

What a gorgeous piano this is! And it actually belonged to the queen mother, though it be out of tune!
PS...Rachel played this piano, while I played the piano in 2 pictures above....it was good to play piano again!)

Also, heard some awesome 'ghost stories', and some interesting superstitions from the earlier time periods... Their beds are shorter than ours now, which makes you feel quite sorry for any tall individuals sleeping in them... Well, they slept sitting up, for 'laying down is the form of a dead person, and who knows when the Devil might fly past and seeing you laying like a corpse mistake you for being one, and take your soul with him??!' ;)

The late Queen Mother's private quarters

Another one, is that they always turned their shoes upside-down, as 'the Devil might come stand in your shoes in the night, and when you put them on in the morning, some of his evil might possess you.' :)

Both kind of funny...but truly, it makes me sad to think about all the fears so many people had and still have... or that kings of old would accuse incredible healing women as witches, because they didn't like them...like poor Janet Douglas...and who was to go against the king??

The story goes that she still occupies a chair in the back of their private family chapel. :)

This room is amazing!! Lots of history here...including the family china--actually made in China hundreds of years ago, and it took 6 years to receive the order (in parts)...with 25% breakage expected during shipping (thus extra pieces)...
Also, the tapestries on the walls are actually hangings for a canopy bed, which were hand embroidered by the mother of those 11 children over a 14 year period after her marriage.... Wow!

How would you like this to be your "throne"?? Talk about a toilet!!

This was just a silly photo of the 3 of us, showing what camera angles and crouching can do... :)

 Luncheon time...the food was delicious--very Scottish too....

 HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY ESTHER!!!

You are growing up to be such an amazing young woman who loves the Lord with all your heart!! Thank you for your servant's heart, willingness, and sensitivity! I love you!

Take a look at that gorgeous fondant!!

Another shot of those gorgeous "George MacDonald trees" (as I call them)...

We ended up spending so much time there, that we didn't stop by any other castles, but went straight to the Pinkerton Barony...  I guess I didn't really mention why Scotland is beloved to us Pinkertons in my post yesterday....but, it is because 'Pinkerton' is Scottish....and those roots go quite deep...to the Pinkerton valley, outside of Dunbar.

I think the "Little" fits us just fine! :D

Standing in front of the Pinkerton Barony.....and I guess it looks exactly the way it did when my grandparents visited years ago!!

It started to rain...and we had a beautiful rainbow!! Look at that view!
Talk about ocean front!! (Without all the commotion or expense!)

You can't see the end of this rainbow...but I'm sure there is a pot of gold at the other end...
Any one wanna volunteer to help me find it?! :)

We had one dedicated bus driver--thank you Kevin!! (talk about tall...at 6'7"!)

My grandfather is very much into our genealogy, and it was so special to be able to go back to the actual area we Pinkertons come from!! What rich heritage, be it from 400 years ago... The folks staying there were so precious too...

A look at the land...their 17 year old daughter bundled all these...

Just for kicks...reminds me of The Wizard of Oz....

And, a factory down the hill from them...isn't the ocean beautiful (be it cold!)?!

Some interesting things I noticed about Scotland:
 - Mailmen actually deliver packages to the door slots!!
 - Toilets actually have handles on the wall, on the toilet side.
 - Rabbits are plentiful (and cute!)
 - Ring-necked Pheasants are also plentiful.
 - Scotland reminds us a lot of Virginia...rolling hills, many trees, moderate climate...it is gorgeous here! The biggest difference is that they have almost all roundabouts, and drive on the left side of the road.
 - They have hairy cows here!!!

Other notes of interest:
 - Samuel tried black (blood) pudding today, and decided he didn't like it... (I had something similar in the Philippines, and though it is tolerable, it is also downright disgusting...)

The Black Pudding is the dark disk just above...

 - We had the 'amazing' Irn Bru (pro. I-ren Brew), and it is truly delicious...much better than Old-Fashioned Orange Cream Sodas (which is the comparable American version), and up there with Root Beer and Ginger Ale.
 - Rachel and I are sharing a room, and found the bed's setup interesting... Especially upon hearing that our married grandparents slept like this for their entire married lives! I took a poll, and my siblings and I agreed that it is a tradition we shall not carry into our marriages...how would you like to have 10" separating you from your hubby every night? Nope...no way.

Looking forward: Tomorrow, we have to leave at 4am to fly to London, where we'll be be on our feet running for 2 days, before heading to Paris.. Hopefully we'll have internet at our lodgings, but if not, I shall post when possible.

Thoughts from today's devotions:
"Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.
Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people.  The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. I see you radiant in My robes of righteousness. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace."

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of Salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, a as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

~ Psalms 61:10 ~

Bring Me all your prayers and petitions with thanksgiving, saying: "Thank you, Jesus, for this opportunity to trust You more." Though the lessons of trust that I send to you come wrapped in difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost.
Well-developed trust will bring you many blessings, not the least of which is My Peace.  I have promised to keep you in perfect Peace to the extent that you trust in Me.
The world has it backwards--teaching that peace is the result of having enough money, possessions, insurance, and security systems.  My Peace, however, is such an all-encompassing gift, that it is independent of all circumstances.

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true...honest...just...pure...lovely....of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

~ Philippians 4:6-8 ~

EU: Beloved Scotland

Our flight to Amsterdam was uneventful, though we were spread by ones (except the little ones) throughout the plane, thanks to Delta.. ;P (Practicing my gratefulness already! =D) Our flight was less than 10 hours, which isn't bad at all.

Delta has this new Safety video, all on the '80s.... If you can find it, watch it! It is hilarious...

I sat in between a young lady from Munich, Germany who was returning from vacationing in Hawai'i, and a gentleman originally from Jordan, and returning to visit his ill mother. Though we exchanged pleasantries, it was a little difficult to carry on a full-length conversation because of accents and limited English... 

 A photo of our travels from Portland to Amsterdam--notice we flew over Greenland!!! Oh yeah, baby!

Mostly, I spent my time thinking, journaling, reading, praying, and listening to music... My cousin introduced Mama and I to the book 'Equipped To Love' by Norm Wakefield last year (about building idolatry-free relationships, including parents, friends, and God) and with my crazy Autumn, I only finished the first chapter, despite my carrying it with me wherever I go...thus, I brought it with me, and already have been so encouraged by the truths spoken in it. 

I look forward to sharing highlights when I have time...but not today. :)

Eating LUNCH in Holland!!

So....we arrived in Amsterdam (woohoo!! As Mama is Dutch), and ended up spending over 6 hours there because we ended up missing our connecting flight to Edinburgh.....which messed up our afternoon's plans of the boy's golfing St. Andrews, and the girls' horseback riding....but we were able to get some much needed nourishment and rest on benches instead!!

Just to make sure I remember....

Papa also checked on our return flights from Europe, as there was concern that they might have been canceled too, and sure enough, they had been!! This time however, they were able to get all of us kids on, but not sure for Mama and Papa...  However, I think it will work out just fine...still, talk about crazy communication!!

I love having a 2-time watch, so I can compare what all my friends and family are doing at home at such a time. We are 8 hours ahead of PST, so think if it's 7am PST, it's 3pm here--same day.

Saw this in the Edinburgh airport...

Quick prayer request....my forearm was doing pretty good this last week, but I think I strained it during travel, and with missing my chiro/therapy appointments for a few weeks + not having it taped, I would appreciate prayer that it wouldn't regress too much. I still don't have good finger coordination and can't lift much weight for even short periods, but I'm really trying not to push the limits...it's just hard not to.

We are spending 2 nights here in Kilconquhar Castle (pro. "Kin-i-CUR", who knew, right?!), before flying to London for 2 days there.

Bad light = bad photo, but at least we have it!
We didn't know we would need reservations, so the boys and Kiekah
camped out in the room eating their fish and chips.

Looking ahead, tomorrow is Esther's 13th birthday, and we are planning to visit a few castles (including Glamis Castle and Dundee Castle) and see lots of countryside...after Papa and the boys play a few holes at St. Andrews at 7am. =D

We all kind of feel this way about Scotland...I love this land!

God is so good and so gracious, and I am loving Scotland. It is late, so I will write more on that score tomorrow, Lord-willing.

"Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him."

~ Psalms 28:6-7 ~

EU: Travel Adventures

Travel truly is an adventure, and our trip to Europe has already proven that it will be another memory maker!!

Last night, we were told to be ready to leave at 4am. However, upon sleeping through my alarm clock, I found it was 4:28am, and I panicked... To make matters worse, upon heading upstairs, (for I've been sleeping in the basement--the germ-free zone, since the stomach flu made it's way through our home {except me!} this last week....), I found everyone was still in bed too!!

Meeting mom, I found out that we had accidentally looked at a different trip's itinerary taking place later this month, and we actually didn't have to leave until 8am!! (Now that's a record on both scores! Wrong time AND so late!!)

6 of our Bumps on a Log...
(apologies for the color....my computer uploaded it weird)

So...we arrive at GEG, and find out that after we confirmed our flight reservations yesterday, somehow, there was a miscommunication between the 3 different airlines, and all the tickets for us kids from Portland to Amsterdam were cancelled, and 4 had been given to others!!!
Praise God, since it was their fault, we were able to encourage them to reschedule the 4 other passengers to a different flight so we could all be together...otherwise, it would be chaos from Amsterdam to Edinburgh...

Filling out Lost and Found cards for all of us... :)

Meanwhile, us kids patiently waited...and I had an interesting conversation with the lady next to us:
Her: "Are you from around here?"
Me: "Yes, we live in Coeur d'Alene."
Her: "Are you all homeschooled?"
Me: (confused), "Uh, actually yes....... Is it that obvious???"
Her: (smiling) "Yes!"

Wow....I think that is a compliment?? :) Never in all our travels have I had someone ask that.... Oh, and yes, she was Californian.. ;P

So...then we get on the plane, and I just happened to have a seat next to a very nice lady....with a very big German Shepherd/Anatolian cross, sitting "in her lap"!!!! NOT good, as I'm pretty allergic to dogs--especially gorgeous big hairballs....
(And I'm thinking....wow! What a way to start out our trip!!!" Praise God, Rebekah volunteered to switch seats with me, and was able to encourage her in righteousness...

So, a good friend encouraged me to try the "pen experiment"...something I'd never done before while flying, which through gravity shows what angle you are in the air.... Kinda fun (even though I grabbed my camera kinda late...) (And...for the note, that is Rachel's bunny ears behind me....) :)

On a completely different topic, something I'm really trying to cultivate right now is a heart of gratefulness.... Sometimes, it is easy to take individuals for granted, and react instead of respond appropriately when they do things that you don't appreciate... So, instead of reacting, I'm purposing to focus on what they are doing right, and praise them for those areas....

PS....David just made my day....crystallized ginger!!! Woohoo!!!!!

Until next time!! :) (Probably in Scotland--in a day or two??)

From my devotions:

Keep your eyes on Me! Waves of adversity may wash over you, and you may feel tempted to give up. Don't allow your circumstances to consume your attention, else you lose sight of Me.

Yet, I am with you always, holding you by your right hand.

I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow. If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat.  You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present.

"Nevertheless, I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand.  Thou shall guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but Thee?  and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.

My flesh and my heart faith: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

~ Psalms 73:23-26 ~

Off to Europe....

So...since I was a little girl, my parents have wanted to take the entire family to Europe when Daniel turned 18. That was 5 years ago, and with the recession and life's happenings, it just didn't happen...

They have good reasons for wanting to go too....for my dad's entire family traveled Europe for 6 months when he was 7, and my mom backpacked around Europe with her Best Friend in her 20's for a few months.....lots of good memories.

Well, last year  we found out that this year's big business trip for my dad was going international!! To the country of Monaco!!! Usually they've been in Hawai'i, Mexico, or Puerto Rico, and with a few adjustments, he was often able to bring all of us...

Monaco

So, after much discussion, we decided to make it a family affair, and go early to do a History Tour....for we are very European...English, Irish, Dutch (and Indian) on Mama's side, and Scottish, German, French, and English on Papa's side.

We leave this Thursday, and get back in 2.5 weeks, and are looking forward to visiting places like the Pinkerton Barony in Scotland, the Putney Commons (in England), as well as spend a day in Paris, before visiting Munich, Germany, Venice, and Zermatt, Switzerland.

It will be a crazy, memorable time, to be sure...full of LOTS of traveling...but we are looking forward to seeing castles, the boys' golfing on St. Andrews (of course....), and skiing the Matterhorn, as well as so much more.

I'm hoping to be able to spend a little bit of time blogging while there, but we shall see... In the end we shall spend under a week in Monaco....so hopefully I shall have some time to compile posts there...if we're not trying to walk around the city 7 times.... ;P hehe

God is so gracious!!!  I am so excited to spend this time with my family, for what will be one of our last family trips together, as Daniel heads off to Full-Time D.O. school this Autumn....

I love Isaiah 42, and would encourage you to read the entire passage!! (Especially the first part!!)

 

"Thus saith God the LORD, He that created the heavens, and stretched them out; He that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; He that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

I am the LORD: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images........"

~ Isaiah 42:5-8 ~

Belize Mission 2014

Belize.....So much was accomplished there,...where do I start? God is so good!!! We were a team of 30 going down, including a family with 3 kids under 4...talk about fun!!

Originally, besides ministry, we went down there to renovate a poorly made building, plus fencing, and so much more...however, when we got down there, we found out that most of the projects we were originally asked to do had already been completed by other teams!! However, work never stops....and we were given a long list of things needing done, which somehow we got most of them done.....incredible! God is so gracious!!

During project hours, I was almost completely devoted to the tile laying in the laundry/bathroom/shower facility: 5 rooms.. However, this had a special challenge with it, as the inner walls were not built straight, nor was the concrete level, so it was time-consuming, to say the least...however, I LOVED it, and learned so much...and checked another thing off my Bucket List!!! (Feeling closer to being able to renovate my own home one day!)

Unfortunately, 1 week into being there, I pulled my right forearm's tendon, messed up the sheath and surrounding nerves (found out later I had just overused it...seriously?!)...which praise God I'd brought my handy brace, and was able to make a makeshift sling for the rest of the time there...coming back, healing has been slow, even now (6 weeks later), but praise God, I have an awesome Chiropractor-Therapist, and it has much improved...

So, for the next week, I tile layed and did everything else all with my left hand--talk about gaining more experience and coordination!! God is so gracious!!


Our schedule was interesting.....working all day on the different projects, and then quickly freshening for Bible Clubs in the mid afternoon, and often we had evening commitments too... However, during the Bible Clubs, 3 little girls accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and about 70 kids learned more about Jesus. We also had young men and women discipleships happening at the same time--about 30 or so there, and also Pre-K for the little ones.

Other ministry opportunities we had were 2 chapel services held in the govermentry schools (with around 700 kids each!); Marion's luncheon and outreach that she (a Belizean missionary) has every day for a bunch of poorer school kids, where evangelism is done; an evening at The Kings' Children's Home (where we hosted an ice cream social); Ladies and Mens' Seminars, and a Pastors' Seminar.

I found out that short-term mission trips are MUCH different than longer term mission trips, however, the saving grace was knowing that we weren't just leaving the people we encouraged to the wolves, but that there were pastors who were going to follow up with them....the biggest thing we all wished for was more time to disciple them..

When we first arrived, I had a really hard time not comparing everything I saw with the Philippines...and I felt that they were so much more well-to-do... I quickly realized that what I was lacking was compassion, and so I cried out to God to give me a compassion for these people, as all people need Jesus..no matter if they live in a 3rd world, 2nd world, or 1st world country...and praise God, He did!!

I found it fascinating trying to look through the eyes of the many teammates of mine who had never been to a 2nd world country before...in some ways, I felt they had an innocence and excitement that I haven't felt for ages...it was really eye-opening..even down to Palm Trees... :)

One of the biggest things I enjoyed was the closeness and restfulness I felt with God while there....something about the mission field..even though I went down with church-mates, it really is me and God...He is the One I utterly rely on, and trust my decisions to.. I miss that in the US, but praise God, He is showing me how to have that 'resting-ness and closeness' here as well, despite living at home and in crazy, fast-paced America!!!

What a wonderful thing it is to truly rest in our Saviour, and leave all burdens and cares at His feet!! There is no need to stress!! As my new mantra is.... "Don't worry, Trust Jesus!!"

There is so much more I could share...but honestly, I would rather ask you to ask me questions, if you want to know more...just ask them in the comment section!

I posted some pictures on my Belize Overview post last month, but I also created a slideshow for our church presentation, which you can watch below!!

"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children."

~ I Thessalonians 2:4-7 ~

Want to know something particular about our trip?
I shall try to answer all questions!