First Snow ...

Driving home on Thursday from Aberdeen through snow flurries -- it feels like we suddenly turned the corner into winter! Here are a few photos of the back garden from Friday morning before all melted.

This week has been about nursing the old lap top for long enough to get everything transferred to the back-up computer given to me by friends at home -- a Dell Inspiron Notebook that up until now I've only been using for research. Was soooooooo close -- turns out that while this Inspiron 1100 is faster, it only has a 20 gig of hard drive (my old one had 55) -- so my music files wouldn't transfer! No problem really. Just need to reload my music onto an external hard drive when I'm home in December -- I literally got everything off the old one just in time -- this morning it began sounding like a coffee grinder and won't start up ("unmountable boot volume"). All but 2 albums of the music were CD's downloaded before I left, and the other 2 are on my Nano, so nothing totally lost. And the Inspiron is a wee workhorse!

So that has been my weekend! Re-organizing the computer and also my study corner, notes, files, etc. That feels great -- the space really wasn't usable before -- Now I have a great dedicated space for working that also gives more floor space in the rest of the room. Should have thought of this new arrangement a long time ago, but spatial relations has NEVER been my strong point!

The Wed. night small group with my 20-something friends is going great -- we discussed simplicity this week. So getting down to one computer for everything and simplifying / reorganizing study area does match the theme! And Mary Haddow is home, so unlike the last 3 weeks, I wasn't leading Sunday morning worship at the East Church. Have turned attention back to the Family / Children ministry.

In other news -- I'm doing great. Can't believe in a month from now I'll be home again for Christmas. Am enjoying spending some more time with newer friendships here in Banchory, as well as seeing long time friends (dinner at the Brodies last night along with Audrey and Nigel Bowker just back from Peru).

On the research side of things, I'm loving the weekly seminar times with Francis Watson (supervisor) and my fellow 2 students who have also transferred registration to Durham. My own work has felt really, really slow -- so I'm hoping that the re-organizing this weekend will result in a week that feels more productive than the last few have seemed. I've a month to pull together the major argument of my second chapter before I meet with Francis for our next one-to-one supervision. Have hit the point where most of the primary and secondary research is gathered and now it is down to really, really focusing and writing for long stretches without distractions. We don't have seminar again until 10 Dec. so I have a good long stretch to hunker down and produce.

Still up Scolty most days -- the past couple of weeks, this week especially, my back has been in a lot of pain -- so some days require a walk around the hill instead of pounding up and down. Now that the sun is setting at 4pm, I actually have to get up and out in the morning to guarantee light!

Speaking of light -- its 10pm here now, and I need to be up in the a.m. to put this new space to work! Goodnight.

Guy Fawke's Bonfire

Here are some photos from the bonfire that neighbours Bill (far right, above, with Ian and Christine Mechie & Leslie and Doug) and Maddie (foreground with the sparkler below) had for Guy Fawke's night last weekend -- great fun!

Pet Peeves

So for years -- literally -- I've been mildly curious about where that term "pet peeve" comes from.

And for months I've loved the British term "peeving" for things that are irksome to me.

And a few months ago, I figured out that this is why J.K.Rowling used the name Peeves for one of her ghosts.

And just 5 minutes ago as I headed to bed with the thought that going to sleep in a freezing cold room because I haven't had my fire on all day is one of my pet peeves, the penny dropped.

Peeving.

Happy Halloween!

A quick update as I prepare to walk down to Sunday Night Live Worship. It is 5:20 pm here and PITCH BLACK out -- good-bye British Summer Time (aka Daylight Savings).

I went to Drum Castle today -- here is a photo of the centre piece on a wonderful art deco / arts and crafts sundial in the gardens there. The idea is to stand on the month and mark where the sun hits -- note that there are no months included from October through February. Lets you know something about our daylight hours in those months ... Has been a fantastic couple of weeks for getting well settled into a balance of study and community here in Banchory -- which means it is a terrible couple of weeks for communication home! But a few highlights -- numerous sunny autumn days, one of which included a walk with Bryonie around a nearby Loch -- note the standing stone and blue sky!


Worship leading at the East Church these last two weeks in October and first Sunday in November while Mary is on holiday. (These pictures are actually of the chapel at Drum Castle today. Much smaller than the East Church!) And have started a 6 week spiritual formation Bible Study with post-University students here -- really rich.

Today's afternoon at Drum Castle for a walk around was with friends Mark and Carolyn and two of their kids, Kelsey and Alex. The gardens there are fantastic even in the late fall.

Carolyn and her family are from New Zealand -- she is completing a thesis on George MacDonald / Systematic Theology. Carolyn has been and is a great prayer partner for me on this journey.

Who I'm listening to while I work on an analysis of the syntax of I Thess. 1 - 3 ...

End of a Good Run ...

Last night we met for the last of our three dinner conversations at the Scott's home. Once again, I did the main dish and Margaret the salads and desserts -- including the most incredible lemon meringue tarts I have EVER tasted! They were even better than this picture.

It was the end of a good run in two ways.

The frivilous is that my good run of recipes turning out ended with the Mexican rice I (attempted) to make to accompany the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos (which were FABULOUS -- recipe link here. A great vegan recipe -- no cheese or meat). The rice however ... I tried brown rice in place of white -- now don't give me that look -- I love brown rice. But you're right. Want to hear the silly thing? I'd specially bought a bag of white rice just for this recipe (don't usually have white rice in my cupboard) and changed my mind at the last minute. To be fair, the rice over here cooks up differently. You can scoff at that -- but its true. So I gave you a diferent rice recipe with the burritos -- its less fuss.

Did I mention I have 2 fridges in my kitchen just now? Long, tortuous tale -- they are the 2nd and 3rd in a line of attempts to replace the 30+ year old "Tricity Triumph" that finally went down in defeat. First replacement had a damaged door -- second replacement labors to freeze ice -- hoping thirds the charm. The 2nd one is being "uplifted" on Tuesday.

But -- back to the 2nd reason for a good run -- the hope in initiating these 3 dinners was to cultivate some deeper fellowship in the church. Personally, these evenings have entirely exceded all my expectations -- all 3 of which have both challenged and encouraged me. They've also felt like something of a homecoming -- this business of encouraging community is what I have loved the most about being a pastor. It was a characteristic in my calling at Church at the Center that I've missed, and the loss of which I've grieved since the debacle there put an end to my efforts in that direction.

The Tree of Life -- Klimt

The consensus last night, when I asked if this was a group that might meet again down the way, was that these sort of connections are needed throughout the church -- that there is a danger of being insular -- and in fact, they kind of wondered what would happen if I "took my show on the road" and facilitated these sort of gatherings for others, too.

Now that felt a benediction -- a homecoming of sorts. I know I've been gifted to preach the word of God. To be re-affirmed in my gifts to nurture more intimate places of relationships where conversations can take place about how to live out and be shaped by that word -- that feels almost more important to me. So I'm curious to see what God has in mind with all of this.

In the short term, the next small group is a 6 week gathering of the post-University friends here in Banchory for a spiritual formation group. We'll start meeting a week from Monday -- that will carry me through until coming home for Christmas. The dinner and gathering to discuss that was on Monday. I thought I'd prepared a mild taco filling -- but a few of my Scottish friends were still breaking out in a sweat ... recipes this week have had a "south of the border" theme. (That would be Mexican, not English...)

AND THE REST OF THE WEEK?

Tuesday night went to "Carmen".

Thursday had a "mini-seminar" with Francis Watson (my supervisor -- oh that's right -- I'm here to get a Ph.D.!) and the other 2 Durham transferees. We'll meet throughout this year to discuss Francis' latest book and also to work on German translation -- I learned ALOT this past Thurs. This is a great development as a result of the Durham transfer.

Thurs. eve had dinner at the Zieglers' -- Sharon and Gordie are American, just moved to Banchory while Gordie starts a Systematic Theology Ph.D. Friends Chris and Adrienne Hunt were also there -- great evening.

So it has been a full week! This Sunday night I will co-lead the evening family service (Sunday night live) and then drive to Edinburgh -- Monday in Durham again -- then Tues. back for a week that has only ONE THING on the calendar every day: studying!

Midvale school for the gifted...

So you remember this Far Side comic -- the one with the ubiquitous boy with the big head and crew cut, pushing against the entry door to the "Midvale School for the Gifted" for all he's worth, while the sign above the handle reads "Pull"?


I'm leaving Durham's library the other day, and the revolving door is making a terrible squealing sound -- something between a stuck pig and a low moan -- and it is really, really hard to rotate.

Just as I'm about to escape, I look up and notice that the sign on the door does indeed read "Push", as I'm doing -- but it is affixed to the other side of the glass and I'm reading it from the back.

Here's the best part though -- another student, exiting through the traditional swinging door on my left at the same time that I finally emerge, has witnessed my moronic exit -- and we burst out laughing together like long companions. "Atleast you made it out" he offers -- "Midvale school for the gifted" I quip. "Exactly" he replies. Then we part ways -- like those two dogs in "Go, Dog, Go" who meet and comment on the poodle's hats. It was a really nice moment. At my expense, mind you, but still really superb -- where the combination of the Far Side and basic human absurdity eliminates the "stranger" factor. I could use more of those in a day.

Tina and Bernie

Just put Tina and Bernie on the train to Glasgow -- they came in last night for a quick visit on their whirlwind "Tour of the Cousins" in Scotland -- I'm glad that I provided at least one cousin that Tina could claim over here! Their timing was perfect -- I'd been having my first genuine culture shock "I am sick and tired of being a foreigner" day since moving back to Banchory. They pulled me out of my funk.

We had a great time -- dinner at my cottage last night -- woke up to sunny / 60 degree weather (better, I note with satisfaction, then the weather forecast for Seattle today! -- walk up Scolty this morning with Bean -- then lunch altogether at Finzean, drive over the Cairn O'Mount and pulled up to the train station just as their train pulled in! Such timing!

I hope someone tells them they have to change trains at Dundee...

Officially Registered at Durham

It's official -- as of last Monday my registration is with Durham. Had a great day down there -- sunny and warm -- and the department very welcoming. I'll be down again on 15 October for seminar, and then not again until after the New Year.

Abbey House, on the left in the photo above, is the location of the theology and religion department at Durham.
Two highlights -- one was meeting a new friend Hannah who is doing a Ph.D. on eco woodland burials! Apparently the Church of England is funding it -- favourite quote in the BBC article (linked in the previous sentence) is from the diocesan secretary who distrusts satellite chip technology used to mark the graves because, "All you need is for the Americans to scramble their satellites, and you don't know where you are." Those pesky Americans and their satellites... The "you" in that sentence presumably refers to the dead. Do they know where they are before the satellites are scrambled? At any rate -- Hannah did her first 2 degrees at Durham and showed me to a coffee shop -- my kind of friend.

The second highlight was slightly more reflective -- it was nice to be going through the initiation rites with all the new folks but already have a year under my belt -- reminded me of where I started last year, and that progress has actually been made. At the same time this feels like a "do-over" -- a fresh start, knowing what I know now sort of thing -- and that's motivating to my type of personality that begins well but can languish in the middle stretches of things.

Away to Durham

I'm off to Durham for registration / induction on Monday -- I'll go via St. Andrews tonight (staying with Bruce and Linda Baker) and Edinburgh tomorrow (staying with Catriona Ribbons). I'm very excited to meet faculty and other students down there!

But just now it is sunny and inviting outside so I'm away up Scolty -- hope that your weekend is wonderful!

Another Friday Night at the Scotts'

Tonight I introduced jalapeno cornbread to 3 couples from the East Church. We're meeting for 3 Friday nights to eat dinner and talk 1 Thessalonians. Margaret made a lovely salad and two wonderful desserts (as usual) and I contributed black bean chili, cornbread and conversation / background on 1 Thess. Most of the evening was spent in conversation around the table along the lines of the Ignatian examen (high points / low points in life just now). It was a superb evening, and just what Mike and Margaret and I hoped for in pulling this group together -- prayerfully sowing seeds of deeper fellowship among the congregation at the East Church. Selfishly, I loved getting to share some of what I've been studying among a group of friends / fellow believers.

Which got me thinking that this blog is rather 2 dimensional if I only share events and never reflect with you concerning my work here. So here is one thing that has struck me very hard recently: it is the descripton of the Thessalonians as "examples" of the gospel throughout the region.

The Incredulity of St. Thomas

Caravaggio's painting captures the visual that I love for the word "example", which is from John's gospel, when Thomas declares that unless he sees the impression (the "examples") made by the nails in Jesus' hands, and puts his fingers out to touch the marks left by the nails and put his hand in Jesus' side, he won't believe the gospel that his friend has risen from the dead.

So I wonder if Paul isn't capturing this same dynamic, saying that the gospel has made its impression in the lives of the Thessalonians -- left its mark, by means of their suffering with joy, in the same way that the nails of the cross left their mark in the body of Jesus, who for the joy set before him endured the cross.

All this gets my imagination playing with the image of the gospel so penetrating my life that I'm now marked -- indelibly imprinted -- by the life and death and resurrection of God in Christ. That seems different to me somehow than merely "setting a good example" -- it seems less a matter of willpower and trying to live as a good Christian -- and more of a willingness to be marked by Christ's life, or maybe better yet, Christ's presence in my life, especially when this means self-denial or suffering.

In the book "Lying Awake" (which I recommend highly), there is, among a community of Carmelite nuns in Los Angeles, one sister who has been faithful to the "rule" of the community for so many years that the younger sisters no longer need to read about the manner in which they are to live out their vows -- they only have to watch her. The habits and practices of the community life dedicated to Christ have been impressed on her to such an extent that the other nuns refer to her as "the Living Rule". Similarly, the Thessalonians became a "living gospel", with the message so deeply marked on their lives that Paul doesn't need to preach anymore in Macedonia -- touching the brothers and sisters in Thessalonica is enough for belief.

Wouldn't that be something. This provokes in me the longing for my faith in this gospel to be something embodied -- not simply the gospel as a wonderful warm blanket that I crawl under for comfort -- or my Christian faith as so much decoration. I struggle with this, and find myself with just enough in the way of external marks to clearly demonstrate the religious catalogue from which I prefer to do my life shopping, but lacking a deep internal willingness to really and truly die to myself -- be changed -- be marked, scarred even, by the cross of Christ. These days, I'm facing the unpleasant realization that while I can believe in a crucified and resurrected Lord, I'm wary about that belief cutting too deeply into my own flesh.

And when the Son of Man returns, will he find faith upon the earth...

Welcome Autumn ...

Last night I started up Scolty far too late -- 6:30pm -- and without a rain coat, which means fingers frozen from the wind, rain soaked sleeves and a slow return in the dark!

AND WORTH IT -- for the view of the full moon rising, with the warm ivory glow that reflects a still setting sun on the other horizon -- seen against a twilight sky of deep blues streaked with pink / mauve tones -- which are echoed in the dark blue of the hills at twilight, and nearer at hand, the dusky mauve of the heather blossoms late in the season. Photos just don't capture these kinds of moments, so I wish you could have stood with me to soak it in, (with Johny Cash singing "Ghost Riders in the Sky" on the ipod), as the soul intones glory, whispering along with the Spirit of her Creator that it is good ...

If you don't know the answer ...

Watching "This is England" the other night with a group of friends -- opening scenes set the year as 1983 (think Boy George...)

So I ask ...

"How old were all of you in 1983?"

One person was 5.

The rest hadn't been born.

Sigh.

P.S. Mom -- it's not a documentary -- it's a film about skinhead subculture in England in the early 80's. Really well done, great soundtrack, but not a "Mom" movie :-)

Scolty in September

Promised friend Barb that I'd get some photos of the heather on Scolty hill --

here are a few shots of the heather and bracken I'm walking past on Scolty each day ...

Uncle Tom's Castles

With Tom outside of Edinburgh Castle

Great day on Saturday with Uncle Tom, in town for a work-related conference. After lunch with the Chalmers, we managed to tour both the Castle and Holyrood Palace -- as well as enjoying pizza at Mama's American Pizza in Grassmarket! A trip down memory lane -- Jera and I used to head for Mama's anytime we were in Edinburgh and order a Firehouse pizza, with jalapenos and pepperoni! Tom was a good sport...

Speakng of sports, Edinburgh was packed with kiwis in town for the world cup Rugby match between Scotland and the New Zealand All Blacks -- and just in case you hear anyone speaking about the 2020 Cricket qualifying matches, they aren't talking about a tournament 13 years from now. Apparently 2020 is a cricketing term. I was relieved to learn that the other 2 Americans at the table the other night were as confused as myself!

.

Holyrood Abbey and Arthur's Seat (Hill in the background)

Anyway -- back to Tom -- now BOTH of the Beck uncles have visited -- the aunts have some catching up to do... Haven't had much time with Tom since they moved to Wisconsin, so it was a real treat to have a day together.

Spent the night at Calum and Meg Mechie's. Meg is from Seattle -- we planned our Thanksgiving menu as we ate pancakes for breakfast. Had the chance to see Claire Marshall and Fizz Wann, too, before leaving town -- superb weekend away.

Will be down in Edinburgh again next Sunday on my way through to Durham -- hope to catch the Andy Warhol exhibit next time through.

"Surprise" Dinner Party

So last Friday was my one year anniversary back here in Banchory. Not that I've spent a full year in Scotland -- adjust for days spent out of the country, and day # 365 will be on 17 November ...

It was a momentous day, marked by a proper dinner party -- though not for me -- for friend Peter (on the far right...) as a send-off for his time in Florence. Craig and Paula planned the event --

my task was to blow the surprise (which by all rights I should have succeeded in doing. Default question from here on out with every invitation: "Is this a surprise?"). I found out Thurs. night just after saying to Pete "see you tomorrow at Paula's".

Second surprise was sprung on Friday morning -- discovered that I was in charge of appetizers! Which leads to the really momentous part of the day. For the first time since I moved here a year ago (figuratively speaking), everything that I made turned out as planned -- better even. Thanks to buttermilk. (Only time I've ever found buttermilk at Tesco!) The key ingredient to a perfectly magenta Borscht for the 3rd course! Also introduced wasabi to friends here -- most notably James, who decided he'd try eating all of his at once! Few things make me feel more at home than helping to pull off a fancy dinner party.

And please don't anyone tell Mr. Oliver that I STILL can't remember all 5 of the Great Lakes. Missed it in 6th grade geography AND Nicola's fabulous quiz. Only this time is was Erie I forgot -- not Huron.

Back to Uni...

Spent the day in at the University yesterday, finishing up the details of shifting registration to Durham. There are a lot of details to work out concerning library usage, travel down to Durham, etc. Please be praying that the details are all ironed out smoothly.

I'll likely travel to Durham the first time for seminar on the 15 Oct., since Prof. Watson is presenting on that day and it gives an opportunity to meet folks. May go down for registration on Oct. 1 as well, if details can't be sorted out from a distance.

So this week I'm diving into the research for chapter 2 of my thesis -- studying the co-sender relationships between Paul, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy in 1 & 2 Thessalonians and how these compare to co-sender relationships in other epistles. That's the first half of the chapter -- won't bore you with the 2nd half yet...

The hay in the fields is in bales now -- not the square bales we're used to seeing in Washington -- the round bales which is quintessentially Scottish to me -- one of my favourite sights here.

Nansato Update

Paula Scott and Stuart Glegg gave a wonderful presentation on Sunday night, reporting on the work they completed in Malawi over the past year. Paula began a trust to fund the building and operating of nurseries, which in the US are preschools, in Malawi. She and Stuart spent the past year living in Malawi to supervise the building and staffing of the nurseries. Link through to their website to see the photos.

I spent most of the presentation in tears -- Paula was one of our student leaders when I was a youth leader here years ago -- she's coming back to Banchory from Malawi at the same age that I was returning to Seattle from Scotland. Like watching a little sister grow up thriving in the Lord -- really a joy. Not to mention how fun it is to enjoy Paula's friendship now that she's home!

Settling Back into Banchory

TOP 5 things about re-settling in Banchory.

1. Your friends have stocked your fridge and your fruitbowl for you in anticipation of your return -- and hung a "Welcome Back" sign on your front door.

2. You can walk everywhere while your car is in the shop for its MOT -- and 2 friends stop to offer you a lift.

3. When you park on the high street to go to the post office, 4 high school / college students who know you start cheering "Laurie Wheeler!" At the corner you roll down your window to say "hi" to 3 other friends -- and stop to greet 3 different people on the short walk from your car to the hardware store. Where the owner meets you right away and accompanies you all around the shop to help you find everything you need.

4. You have 4 welcome home text messages within 1 hour of arriving, including a dinner invite for Saturday night.

5. Al (the toad) is still hanging out in the wood bin.


BOTTOM 5 things about re-settling into Banchory:

1. Paying $350.00 to MOT and license the car.

2. 20 degree Farenheit temperature difference between Banchory and LA (it is pouring rain today -- and last night I rcvd. a text message from friend Nicola that simply reads "It is perishing tonight." It was silly cold.)

3. Jet lag.

4. Three pairs of shoes lost to rampant mold. (They were in the back corner of my closet while I was away -- one pair must have been damp from when I last wore them...) Good news: the cottage itself is dry!

5. Being too far away from people whom I love so dearly.

Number five is the only one that really matters. After having lunch with dear friend Mary Haddow, I spent the rest of the day and early evening unpacking, dusting, cleaning out closets, etc. Very satisfying to get resettled.

The problem, however, with completing all of the household tasks that serve to distract is that there is nothing to stop the tears when you catch sight of the "We will Miss you" message in 4 year old penmanship on green construction paper. I miss you, too.

Next Time You Feel Like Complaining ...

about the cost of license tabs at home, consider...

First agenda item upon returning home was to renew my tax disc (license tabs in WA state) which required an MOT (emissions test at home -- here it is a full vehicle inspection by an approved mechanic.)

For the Miata, I recall the total for emissions and tabs came in under $50.00

The MOT and tax disc for my wee Ka just cost me $570.00 for the year (285 GBP).

And I'm not even getting a Monorail with that...

Leaving LA ... eventually

There was more excitement heading home to Scotland than I would have chosen -- one of the 2 engines on our Boeing 777 failed on take-off, so we circled and re-landed at LAX -- extra 24 hours and whole lot of hassle -- I really hate flying. Why couldn't there be an entirely different culture / community / climate that I love within an overnight train ride from Seattle -- like in Wyoming. We could replace Wyoming, couldn't we? Who'd miss it ...

But now I'm back -- it was a WONDERFUL visit home to the States -- little Garth (the oldest of Craig's kids, below) says to me on the phone as I'm boarding the plane (the first time...)
"Auntie Laurie, we forgot something."
"Really? What did we forget?"
"We forgot to pack me into your suitcase to take with you to Scotland."
"Oh -- you're right."
"Yeah -- so next time when you come home for Christmas, let's not forget that, okay?"

Two more Art Gala Photos ...

With Craig Watt -- giving out awards on the evening.

With Kim Glegg, Rachel Aberdeen, Craig Watt, me, Peter Chalmers and Laura Bond.

Not Quite Summer in Scotland Yet...

England is under water and we see blue sky once every seven days...

Even so, June and July have been especially wonderful for settling in more fully into community in Banchory -- and for recovering from an exhausting flu virus that's been making the rounds...

Had a superb visit from Kate Watkins in late June. Just before she arrived, we had our first Sundae Sunday at the East Church for the kids -- 8 metre long rain gutter filled with ice cream, toppings and goodies!

On 30th June I organized an art gala event in the West Church hall with friends here for students who had recently graduated from University / High School in Fine Arts -- incredible evening! Craig Watt did an amazing job catering the evening and staffing the event with students to serve wine and canapes, and Peter Chalmers (below -- one of the artists) was an excellent and generous curator -- not to forget Laura Marshall on jazz piano! One of my favourite events since arriving back in Scotland!

Left the next day for 5 days traveling through Mull, Iona and Skye with Amie and Barb from Uni -- wonderful staying on Iona, soaking in the landscapes, and looking through the small galleries on Skye.

Three Camuslusta Gallery on Skye -- accessible via a 20 minute walk along the beach! The artist leaves the screen door to her home unlocked, her apple notebook computer on the table and a note saying she'll be back soon. Wonderful.

Been gathering with the 20-somethings that are home in Banchory from Uni., travels abroad, etc. -- wonderful meals and discussions -- last week it was Genesis 1 until the wee hours of the morning...

Lots of preaching this month -- 3 weeks at East Church and last Sunday in Methlick with Matt and Julie Canlis. Spent the night Saturday and most of the day Sunday with their family -- what a treat.

And musn't fail to mention my new pal in the woodbin outside my front door -- I've tried to relocate him back "in the wild" next to our fish pond in the garden, but he makes his way home to the woodbin. So I've named him Al.

This Saturday 28th of July is Kyle Scott's wedding celebration up in Nairn -- then on Tuesday I'm off to London and on to Seattle! See you soon!