The Land of the Scots
Come with me on a photo journey as we meet up with Chris’s family and friends in his home country of Scotland. In March 2023, we had a fabulous time in the land where Chris was born and in which he hopes to retire. (Chris and I are still in negotiations about that, haha.)
As I consider spending more time in my husband’s home country, it is a special gift that I have found friends in Scotland–connections from my childhood in Nigeria as well as new friends from the writers’ community.
But first I want to explain that vacations are overly exciting (and somewhat traumatic) for me as a homebody. Weeks in advance I start to get anxious while planning for every eventuality. Even daydreams of happy times can overwhelm me. Then I look ahead to returning home and know when the vacation is over I’ll mourn as if I’ll never be coming back again.
In part, my anxiety stems from my childhood. Each year my parents placed me in a single-engine Piper Comanche airplane and sent me to a boarding school. I had no choice. At the school for missionary kids (MKs), everything about my life was regimented. I didn’t feel loved or cared for by the school staff or my parents. Even happy times were chaotic for this introverted child. Looking back, I had good reason to be anxious.
How do I revel in each moment, soak it all in, and embrace the full experience–without anxiety? Do you have tips you can share with me?
The Purpose of My Blog
Through my writing, I’m seeking above all else to find where God was in all of it. Have you experienced similar stresses? Were you able to see God helping you make it through?
Recently I’ve been learning to change my self-talk and tell myself phrases like these: Everything will work out in the end. I’ll be able to buy a replacement for any item I forget. The memories of time spent with friends and family will fill my soul for months to come. (Next week, I’ll be taking an online course on Self-Talk with Dave Hill whom I know from my high school in Nigeria. Does anyone care to join me?!)
Photo Tour of the Family
middle row: CaroleAnne (Chris’s sister), Cousin May, and Cousin Lenny
back row: Chris and Cousin Jim. Photo credit: Lenny Warren
And me, the selfie fairy.
Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh
Well, I guess the exterior is rather stately.
Photo Tour of Debbie’s Friends
he’s behind the camera). Lorna and Gordon host the whole clan
whilst capably catering to all gluten and dairy allergies.
Three Artists Among Us
I’m in awe of the talent of these three artists! And so grateful for the time spent with all these wonderful people in the land of the Scots.
In a future story, I hope to include photos of some humorous signs we saw along the highways and byways.
17 thoughts on “The Land of the Scots”
High anxiety! I am familiar! I remember standing alone on a train platform in England waiting to take my first solo train trip from London to Taunton in the southeast part of the country, telling myself “Anxiety feels a lot like anticipation anxiety feels a lot like anticipation” over and over.lol! I survived and arrived safely at the correct station!
My dear friend ~ we understand each other so well. Having both survived childhood trauma, we’ve had to battle with chronic anxiety. I love your mantra, “anxiety feels a lot like anticipation.” I will use that on this trip!
Thank you for sharing the pictures of your family and friends – your Scottish Family, and of Charlotte Chapel! Beautiful!
Though I am not a MK, I can relate to anxiety around traveling that stems from childhood fears. Thankfully, based on God’s healing work in my life, I can also offer tips that have helped relieved some of that anxiety. In the past when traveling, my mind imagined that the most unusual of disasters (the bridge I was driving over would collapse, or the plane would crash). I forced myself to travel in spite of my fears, but my time was filled with dread. As God’s healing has taken hold in my life, I am able to recite Bible verses that speak of God’s care and protection, and know at a deep level that they are the truth. Ah, peace:)
Something else that created anxiety was a sense of guilt that I was taking time off of work. I didn’t have a sense that God’s love and care extended to such an extravagant gift of relaxation and pleasure. Again, as God’s healing has taken hold in my life, I see time away from responsibility as a gift from God.
Thank you again for sharing your pictures and your story. God is good, and He is faithful.
Thank you, Robby, my friend, for sharing how you have found healing from similar fear and anxiety. That really blesses me to hear how you’re able to recite verses about God’s care and protection–and really feel it. I need to work on the “feeling” part! You mentioned a sense of guilt and I really struggle with that too! I meant to mention it in this blog post, but I will use it in a future one.
I loved seeing your photos of your Scottish family. It reminded me of the time we lived in Edinburgh for two years when our children were small. We liked it so much, we almost stayed there permanently, but it didn’t work out for a lot of reasons. I believe now that the Lord wanted us to return to the States and resume our lives here. I can understand your conflict a little about living there after your husband’s retirement because of that experience.
I can imagine it was a tough decision after two years in Scotland. But it sounds like you made the right move. I appreciate your understanding of the decisions Chris and I anticipating!
How wonderful reading about your family and extended family! I especially loved seeing the Charlotte Chapel!
I’m so glad you “saw” Charlotte Chapel! The chapel was first built on Charlotte Street, which is where it got its name. Charlotte Chapel has since moved into the city centre to have a more vibrant ministry.
Lovely! Regarding trip anxiety, I flew to Poland this year – my first international trip since well before COVID. I was nervous beforehand, but reminded myself that in remembering previous trips, those memories and experiences were wonderful highlights of my life. That actually helped me look forward to the trip and trust that there would be highlights to remember in Poland as well. And there were!
That is so true! How important to remember previous trips when God gave me beautiful, amazing memories. When I do think like that, it helps calm me down. Thanks so much for that reminder!
Beautiful photos and a wonderful account of your trip!
I’m glad you were able to join me through the pictures and descriptions!
Rich, rich, rich with wonderful new stories to keep the past stories in perspective! God pays attention to the smallest details of our lives that will matter later. I am so humbled by this and the gift of aging is a larger collection of these “God dot” moments that connect us to the comfort God is always in control. Thank you as always, Debbie, for putting life into words we can all enjoy
Joyce, you are such an encouragement! As I put my thoughts down on paper, I don’t often know how the essay is going to turn out or what impact it will have. So I just write. And your words spur me on to write again, seeking the perspective that time and advancing years often bring.
Lovely
Thank you!