Hello, dear readers! If anybody is still hanging on...
I apologize for my lengthy absence from blog-land. What a busy season this has been! Lots of good happenings, lots of tough happenings, but overall just lots of GRACE happening. : )
I will keep this quite brief, as I must get back to some work for pre-placement requirements, but I wanted to at least update you on life here in lovely Aberdeen.
Let's see. This past semester of school was rough in a number of ways, mostly to do with the assignments and my continuing lack of good time management. The three months flew by before I could catch up with anything, personal time included. But I will not focus on the negatives! I will simply say I am thankful for God's nearness and his provision of friends and family, especially in times of angst and difficulty.
I somehow managed to fit in a few driving lessons during that time, and I will soon take a test to obtain my UK driving license. I must switch over to this since I've been a resident here longer than a year now. Kinda silly, I know, but it has actually served me well to take these lessons and better acquaint myself with the system here! I didn't realize I was doing a few things incorrectly, and almost dangerously so, until observed by my instructor. So it's probably for the best! My first test was cancelled due to the massive amounts of snow we've had over the holidays, so I am waiting, not very patiently, for my rescheduled test to take place. I was hoping to be driving again before my second placement starts, but I must let go of that idea. I do have a car now, though, which God provided me a couple months ago! It has been nice to have something to practice with and I'll be set once I obtain my license. I shall be careful not to hurt my foot while tapping it and watching the clock...
Speaking of my placement...I am STOKED about it! I will be working half the time in a primary school and half the time in an adoption/fostering office here in Aberdeen. The second part is what excites me most! I have anticipated some experience in that area of social work, and, praise God, I will get it. I am really, really looking forward to this placement, even if it will mean more busy days.
I had a wonderful Christmas with the Mings and James out in Elgin. It was quite difficult to be away from my family for the first time, but I enjoyed the presence of such sweet friends who are like family. I guess it's part of growing up, but it was still tough to not experience the typical family Christmas traditions- namely, Mom's breakfast casserole : ) but also the Christmas Eve service we have attended for years. I felt such a void without that experience this year. However, I greatly enjoyed the laughter, the card games, the yummy food, and the relaxation found in my time there. I rediscovered what reading for pleasure is like!
James and I took a little day trip up north one day, and I can't help but share a few photos to display the beauty of the less traversed parts of Scotland...wow! Thankful to see more of this wonderful country.
We landed in Achnasheen, popluation: 50. Although it's quite remote, I would highly recommend it to anyone if you're up that way! : ) Gorgeous winter wonderland, it was! And a couple other photos from our time around Elgin, to finish up. I have missed getting to take photos of beautiful scenes since I've not had much down time or driving capabilities. So here is a portion of the Elgin Cathedral at sundown and a lookout from the Portsoy harbor. I still love being here. : )
Until next time!Jess
