Adios Aberdeen

Have you ever had movers come in and ask immediately for a cup of tea? I put the kettle on and fixed their 'white' teas. Now I am hiding out in the bedroom trying to stay out of their way as they are so friendly they just talk and talk if I am in the living room. I think I'm going to miss the British more than I know.

This past week has been difficult saying goodbye to some truly great friends. Well, I honestly don't like to say "goodbye," so it was more of "sees-you-laters". This probably has less to do with some nice idea that we will all meet again, but more to do with my denial that we are actually parting. I get so weird emotionally during times of change. I want to cry, I feel like crying, but something inside can't grasp that this is actually a goodbye moment. It won't be until I have actually gotten on the plane at the airport that I'll actually realize I won't see everyone again for a really long time. Sigh.

Overall I am extremely torn about this transition. One the one hand we have had an incredible time this year in Scotland, have been included into a great circle of friends, and have experienced so many new things/ways of doing things. But on the other hand we have had a really hard time adjusting to the weather, the 6 hours of twilight in the winter, and coping without our close Texas friends and family. In Aberdeen everything is close, the countryside is all around you, and you have to drive for hours to find a 6 lane highway. In Houston we certainly don't have that but we do have incredible food, diverse cultures, and affordable clothes. One side doesn't necessarily win, but being a bit closer to family does tip the balance. But even that is hard to get as excited about as we will still be 5 hours away from most of our immediate family. My sister and her husband have moved to Houston while we have been gone though, so I am excited to see how that helps.

Our leaving "dos" have been really fun, so that has helped alleviate some of the sadness. Scott MacDonald gave us a Quaich, the Scottish cup of friendship. You fill it with whisky and then pass it around, everyone taking a sip as you go.

Mmmm…Famous Grouse is the only whisky I've been able to stomach yet.

We also had a great dessert party to say goodbye to all the friends we made through the Hebrew's Study, Breathe, SNAC, and YA.

As you can see, we had fun. Too bad I forgot to bring out the camera until half the people left. Well, that just tells you how much fun we had.

Our last Sunday at IBC (International Baptist Church) was difficult too. Sander and Chris played one last time in the band and we had a nice time to say farewell at the coffee fellowship. The church "family" there has been so welcoming to us and instantly let us jump in and serve in the band, Sunday school, and the youth. It was our first experience in a small church and we loved it. When we said goodbye it was wonderful to know every family's name and have a connection with each one. We will really miss that.

Elspeth, Me, Valerie (my neighbor), Kirstie, and Val. These, minus Valerie and me, are the girls that just started SNAC this past year.

The band.

Sander and I with pastor Andrew and his wonderful wife Laura.

Adios Aberdeen – We'll miss you!!!!