Music.

I love Christmas music. 

I get quite upset when Christmas passes and I have to start listening to "normal" music again. 

(I do occasionally sneak in a cheeky, wee Christmas song!)

So I have been listening to Christmas music since November. 

And I don't mean after Thanksgiving, I mean like November 1st. 

I know the rule - no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.

I'm sorry, but not really. 

I am from Scotland and we don't celebrate Thanksgiving, therefore I can start whenever I like.

Glad we cleared that up! 

That is 2 months of solid Christmas music. 

(which is basically 2 months of solid joy!)

If I listen to anything else during this time I feel really bad and feel like I cheated on Christmas. 

I realise that this sounds like I have a problem, but this girl just really loves Christmas and celebrating the birth of her Saviour!

The other wonderful thing about it is that because I haven't listened to other music for a while it now feels like I am hearing it for the first time! 

I have been listening to a lot of Kari Jobe. 

If you don't know who I am talking about please go and look her up. 

She has some beautiful songs.

Her words really speak to my heart. 

Over the past few days I have been listening to one of her songs over and over. 

I find it really hard to listen to her music and do anything else because I get so lost in her words. 

You are for me. 

You can find a link to this song below. 

I don't know about you but sometimes I have to remind myself that God is for us.

You fill me. You see me.

You know my every move

and You love for me to sing to You.

God knows our every move, and knows what lies ahead. 

Lord, I know that You are for me. 

I take great comfort in that. 

p.s. I will share what else I have been listening to soon. Some of it hilarious, well not really but it is stuff that my brother listens to and we he had it on when we were driving all over the world last week! It is not at all what I would normally listen to but I got a kick out of it! 

Tyres and slippers.

Last was my baby brother's last week home before he goes back to sea. 

His 5 weeks went very quickly. 

So he was trying to divide his time between everyone, we all know that is hard! 

His girlfriend started back at Uni so he was driving back and forth to Glasgow during the week. 

This is really his story but we were all feeling it with him so I am going to write about it. 

He was on some back road going to Glasgow on Tuesday and he saw a lady with her car pulled over at the side of the road. 

He stopped to see if she was OK. 

(He really is a good egg)

She had got a puncture and was waiting for the road recovery people to get there. She said they were going to be another hour yet. 

Fin said to call them and tell them not to worry about coming, he would change the tire for her. 

See, GOOD egg. 

She showed him this massive pothole in the road that she had driven through and that was what gave her the puncture. 

She was going to get in touch with the council and let them know about it. 

So all was good, Fin changed the tire and they both went their separate ways. 

Fin was the hero! 

He had a good couple of days in Glasgow with Corrie (the GF)

He was coming back from Glasgow to hang out with me.

I got a call from him to say that he was late in leaving Glasgow. 

He was on that same back road coming home. 

You might see where this is going. 

He hit that pothole and got himself a puncture.

He was so mad, and mad with himself.

He said that as he was coming down the road he suddenly thought 

oh, I better steer clear of that pothole

Almost as soon as he thought that he hit the pothole. 

Poor kid. 

So he changed the tire and went on his way, a little annoyed to say the least. 

He had just got a new car too and this was going to be an expensive tyre to replace. 

I don't know much about tyres, in fact I don't know anything really. Except that they are round and they turn.   OK, I will stop being a girl.

But I do know that it shouldn't look like this! 

I am told that this is buckled. 

(The one below I just put in because you can see my cute Christmas slippers on the left!)

Fin took these photos, in case you were wondering. Not me. 

He managed to find a guy in Crieff that would be able to fix this for him. 

At first he wasn't going to be able to do it because Fin needed it before he drove back to Plymouth on Sunday. 

The guy called back and said that he would do it in his own time. 

He did it on Thursday night and called at 9.30pm to tell Fin that he managed to fix it. 

He was such a good guy. 

So Fin was going to pick this up when we were on our way back on Friday. 

This is not the end of the story...

On Friday, before he set off home, he got another puncture. 

I didn't believe him when he called to tell me this. 

My poor baby brother sounded so disappointed. 

I think he was just done with spending money on tyres and wanted to get home. 

Looking back now we laugh but at the time it was far from funny. 

I don't think I can talk about tyres anymore.

But I wanted to share that story for a couple of reasons.

My brother has such a big heart.

When we were driving home in the snow a few weeks ago there was a car stuck in the snow and this old many pushing the car up the hill. 

Fin pulled over where he could and got out and helped the man. 

He makes me a very proud sister when I see how he is growing up. 

Also I just loved that this man really helped my brother out by working during his spare time. 

I was encouraged that this guy would go out of his way to help someone that he didn't know.

It challenged me to think about how much of my time I give to others. 

You will be pleased to hear that he made it safely back to Plymouth with NO punctures. 

I was almost expecting to have a phone call saying that he got another puncture and that I would have to laugh at that. 

When I told him this he wasn't too happy!

Miss you already, Fin! 

Thanks for a fun 5 weeks filled with lots of laughs and love. 

Love you.

Now, I have told you before how hard it is to get a nice photo with Fin.

This was after a long, busy week and we were both tired.

Fin was no cooperating at all, he wasn't actually sleeping though! 

I have quite a few interesting photos that I will post sometime this week. 

But will leave you with this one just now. 

And I know that you all want to see a better photo of my new slippers. 

They are so pretty, I know! 

1 Corinthians 10:31

My Friend.

I had such a busy, blessed week last week! 

I think I will have to do a couple of posts to cover everything.

On Tuesday I got to spend the day with my dear friend, Ciara. 

She is lovely and has such a big heart. 

Ciara is a few years younger than me, but she was always much older than her years. 

We went to the same School and Church Youth Group.

It has probably been a couple of years since we have had a chance to catch up properly.

We talked for hours, and hours. 

It was wonderful. 

I didn't realise how much I missed this girl until we spent time together. 

We talked about everything that is going on in our lives, which is why we were up until 3am!! 

But everyone stays up that late catching up with good friends, right? 

In between our talking we did have time to watch our movie, Love Actually. 

When this movie first came out we went to see it at the cinema with our mammas and it has now become "our" movie. 

We try to watch it together every Christmas. 

Last year I think we fell asleep during it! Actually, I know that we fell asleep. We must be getting old! 

But we managed to stay awake the whole way through it this year. 

I learn so much spending time with this girl. 

She challenges me to be a better person and to think differently. 

She is a wonderful, committed friend who gives you her full attention. 

She is a Godly woman who knows her Scripture. 

She is just such an encouragement to be around.

On Wednesday we went for a long walk. 

It was so nice to go on walks that I had gone on as a child. 

We both have a love for the area the we grew up in. 

It is pretty beautiful. (I didn't take many photos so I will have to take some another time and post them for you)

We walked around the estate at Taymouth Castle. 

It is pretty spectacular. 

We also did a bit of exploring around an old, beautiful house. 

I think I will have to go back on this walk and take some photos of all the beautiful places that I am talking about! You need to see what I am talking about. 

When we got back from our afternoon of walking we were a wee bit cold! 

So we spent the rest of the afternoon drinking tea and watching movies.

Perfect. 

Ciara is going to Holland in a week, actually it is probably sooner than that. 

She is going to study over there for 6 months. 

When I was with her before Christmas I had lots of questions for her. 

Her response went something like this.

I'm not really sure where I am staying yet, but I'm not at all worried about it. I really feel that the Lord wants me to be over there and know that He is going to work out all the details perfectly so I am not even going to think about it. 

I tell you, this girls faith would challenge you!

I can totally relate to that in that I feel exactly the same way about California. 

It is in the Lord's hands and He has a perfect plan.

Such a comfort knowing this. 

So through all my rambling I hope you know that I had a wonderful couple of days with my dear friend.

She is such a blessing to me.

Ciara, I will be praying for you as you set off on your little adventure. 

I know that you are going to do great things there and I am so excited for you. 

You are a beautiful, talented, faithful, thoughtful, Godly young lady.

Love you.

(this is the best photo that I got of sweet Ciara, and I think it's pretty cute!) 

Philippians 4:6

p.s. I will fill you in on the rest of my week later. 

Full heart.

I spent the day with the baby brother today.

I had such a great day.

We talked serious stuff, and laughed about some not-so-serious stuff.

We talked about our big sister, who is in Australia just now (we miss you Luce)

We had lunch.

We had a quick visit with Granny and Aunty (Granny's sister)

It was just a great day.

I did get a bit sad when I thought of him going back to Plymouth next week.

But I write this more thankful than sad.

At one point today he said to me

"I've spent more time with you since I've been back than anyone else, except Corrie"

(Corrie is the lovely girlfriend)

"No one else spends this much time with their siblings"

I said to him "You should be happy that we get along so well and that we are so close"

He told me he was.

Yup, my heart was pretty full today.

The Lord has absolutely blessed me with great relationships with my big sister and little brother.

We have so much fun together and I am truly thankful for that.

I love laughing with them.

I am missing my sister just now.

But we manage to speak often.

Skype is wonderful, when it works!

Even when it doesn't work it still makes us laugh.

I printed off a calander from Under the Sycamore

I wanted to look at each day differently this year.

It is easy to get caught up in "pity party" and feel sorry for youself.

There are so many ways that the Lord blesses us and I want to be thankful for those things everyday.

So I will not be sad that my brother leaves on Sunday but thankful that we have had 5 weeks together!

Today I am thankful for a great relationship with my brother, and getting to spend precious time with him before he goes back to sea.

Sick of being sick.

I have not been feeling well since December 9th.

That's right, one whole month.

I am soo done with feeling crummy.

It started off as a cold- sore throat, running nose, sore chest, ear-ache..the works.

I had this when I was flying back from California.

Yup, I was that person on the plane that everyone hates.

That you hear coughing and think "you'd better not come anywhere near me with those germs"

(Em, sorry bout that folks)

Sometimes I feel a bit better but most of the time I still feel terrible, like every morning when I wake up.

So today I had a lazy day by the fire watching movies

(and maybe feeling a bit sorry for myself!)

Chariots of Fire was on TV - gets me everytime! Great movie.

Then I watched the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Enjoyed that too. (bit freaky though)

And now I have just finished watching The Curious Case on Benjamin Button. I have mixed feelings about that. I laughed at first at the weird-looking-alien baby. Then I felt a bit sorry for him. Then it was a bit weird. Then I didn't relaly understand it. Then I wondered if it was a true story. So I still haven't made up my mind about that one.

Best part of the day though.

Getting me some snuggle time with Brindle (our cat)

I never let Brindle sit with me and snuggle. She can get quite vicious (well, only when I push her off me - her claws come out)

But today it was just nice.

We'll see if I let her do that tomorrow.

I am thinking that I probably need to go to the Docs on Monday and ask them to make me better.

Well, ask them if they can give me some drugs so that this lovely cold/flu/horribleness can leave my body.

I think it has had it's fun now.

I thought I would share this with you today.

You're welcome.

At least I didn't tell you how many times I sneazed today..and it wasn't pretty, let me tell you! ;)

Here's hoping tomorrow is a snot free day for everyone.

(Sorry for getting grose. I am delusional. I have watched a mix of movies today and I need some sleep)

Little brother.

If you have read my previous post you will know that my baby brother is home.

When I say baby, I mean 18 year old.

Not sure when he grew up!

Sorry Fin, but you will always be called baby brother, get used to it.

I wanted to get some photos of us together while he is home.

I will now show you the photos I got.

Try not to laugh.

Now let me explain how difficult it is to take photos with this kid.

All posed and ready for the perfect photo and just before I take it he says something to make me laugh.

Great.

Hello 4 chins and winking action.

When I first saw this I thought it was horrible.

I think it is slowly becoming one of my favourite photos.

I have a feeling that I will look at this when he is miles away from me and really cherish it.

And probably laugh a little bit!

I tried to get another photo...and this is what I got.

Nice face Fin!

It makes me laugh too.

I'm linking up with the lovely Emily today.

You should too.

Have a wee read at why it is so important to take photos with your loved ones.

It doesn't really matter what they look like, they will be treasured.



2012 (resolutions).

Already?

Ok, so I feel like I need to say something about the last post.

I guess when you read the title you would think that there would be a list of all the best parts of my year.

And I really should have said that the singing and dancing with my brother was one of my favourite moments of the year.

The Lord blessed me greatly last year.

He blessed me with more friendships,

deeper friendships with old friends,

 time with my American family,

precious time with my sister and brother,

allowed my "spiritual batteries" to be recharged,

and many more blessings.

Glad I cleared that up. Phew.

Anyhoo, onto this year.

I am excited for this year.

I have no idea what it will hold but I do know who holds it!

Of course, just like last year, I have a page full of New Year Resolutions.

Why do we do this? I don't even know where my list is from last year let alone the goals that I wrote down - woops!

This year my list looks a little different (I think, from what I can remember of my list last year)

I wrote on New Year's Eve (you know if you don't write it before the 1st of Jan you have to wait until the next year do make resolutions. Yup, there are rules.)

Some of them would make you laugh, like my mother did when she glanced at it and read the first few.

Ok- I will share that with you.

Lose weight.

Eat healthier.

Exercise.

You're not laughing too much I hope.

I am sure that these appear on nearly every list of resolutions.

Thankfully there is more to my list than these 3.

Here are a few of them.

I have a list of books that I plan to read this year (2 of which I have already started reading - I get points for that right?)

I am excited to get into these books. They are all Christian books and my hope is that they will challenge me in new ways.

Watch less TV. - I don't really watch an awful lot now but it is so easy just to turn the TV on and watch whatever nonsense is on. (annnd..I won't have time to watch TV with all these resolutions I have set!)

Write letters. - I used to write letters all the time. I love receiving letters. Something about someone taking the time to write to you is so special.

Be a better friend, sister, daughter, cousin. - It is so easy to get caught up in everything and forget the people that are so important to you, and who you are important to. I want to be intentional with my relationships.

Work on my attitude towards others. - There are some specific "others" that I am talking about here. It is my prayer that the Lord would on my attitude towards these people, that I might be the person that He uses to speak to them.

Buy less - It is so easy to buy things now that we hardly give it a thought. You can go online and buy everything you want. You end up buying things that you don't need, material things. I want to change that this year.

Be intentional about prayer - I already pray for friends, family and others. But I want to make a point of asking these people I pray for, exactly what they need me to pray for.

And that's all. Yikes.

Not unachievable at all.

I can do this, and I want to do this.

I plan to e-mail this list to a few friends so that they can hold be accountable.

Even with all these resolutions there is one the comes above all of these.

That is that the Lord's will be done in my life.

Praying that your 2012 will be greatly blessed!