Now, I have been lucky enough to visit this place once before, and loved it then and expect to do the same again. I am so excited to be going back to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh gets the best award for airport design. It's well organised and straight forward. The customs or lack thereof is still a bit of humour for us. Compared to Australia and New Zealand where it is pretty much an interrogation, tick the box, check all your luggage and swear with your hand on your heart you are telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God. These northern European's have simplified the process just a wee bit.
You walk off the plane, fill in no forms, read the red and green sign... I want to declare goods or no I don't.... and off you go into the wild blue yonder. The magic sliding doors open up and let you go, mingle with the general population. Of course you'd declare any illicit product - wouldn't you? Really, they are the most honest people I have seen. But for speed and efficiency in getting through the airport, I am all for it. Sorry, if we have bought in some new bug. Didn't mean to.
But in Edinburgh you walk straight out the doors, take a hard left, trail along the sidewalk with the rest of the sheep (sorry, keen tourists), then about twenty metres down the track you jump on the Airlink bus. Best thing ever!!! Six pounds gives you a return trip to the city centre. Even the pilots (and the air hostesses - don't even think that...) caught it with us. Then it was just a quick taxi ride to our abode.
Which we then discovered was up four flights of steps. (I'll tell you more about the steps later) It was a wee bit chilly, but the warmest place we have been so far. Yep, big shock for us too. But still, scarf and jacket on and then we headed straight out to the Royal Mile. Love this spot. Typical Scottish street - darn near veritcal, (It's no wonder they built Dunedin and stayed, when any sane person would have gone over the hills before building) and wandered our way up. Started at World's End pub. They have this wee sign which gets you searching for the brass plates on the cobbled road (yep be careful doing this one) but these lovely markers designate where the city gates used to be, 5oo hundred years ago. And tells you how the inhabitants of the Royal Mile considered anything outside of the gate at World's End and not worth going to and competely uncivilised. Gorgeous history.
There is so much going on as you walk up the street. There are entertainers, cafes, pubs, the same somewhat tacky souvenir shops selling the same kilts, cards and knickknacks, but the charm is still there. It's light and busy at ten p.m. and the stone five hundred year old buildings make you gloss over the bits you wish weren't there. We popped in and had a late tea at the Rabbie Burns cafe. Loved it. One of the small cafes which had seating out on the street and then inside had white plaster and delectable dark oak beams in the roof. I'm going with the Tudor look, might be wrong, but think that and you'll be close. There were shelves with rows of spirits, and along each edge there were dollar notes from all the patrons who had eaten there. So many nationalities were represented, and their flags, some small, some big were on the walls, along with chirpy sayings. But the best things were that one, we got to have some fish and chips, and two, we had a guitar playing guy who really knew his Irish and Scottish ballads, singing off and on as we ate. De-lish. I love live music, especially when they really can sing. It was an awesome way to eat.
Bought a couple of water colours and showed Jayllee the Dean's cafe where Shane and I had a meal seven years ago. This little place has been serving food for over four hundred years. It's tucked down a little alley, and in the basement basically, but so nice and cosy.
We did have a tour planned the next day, but darn it, I had a bit of a nasty migraine which kicked in for two days and laid me very low. The only good thing is Jayllee will be able to go back and do the tour, but I was so looking forward to touring through the highlands and visiting Nessie's lake. Oh well, such is life. Next time. You see now I have to go back again. And that's not to mention the Mary King's Close tour, which is inside the wretched hill we've trudged up and down. Where they have alleys dug and homes and shops and anything you can imagine underneath, and as old as the buildings above ground. That tour has made my bucket list!
I've got to say too, that I am so impressed with Hop on Hop off tours. I can't recommend them highly enough when you are being a serious quick tourist in a town. We did one around Edinburgh. You whisk past their government buildings, you get all the juicy gossip and info. I can tell you all sorts of fascinating facts on Edinburgh. Did you know they used to have their country houses in Leith, which is just over the hill from the main town bit of Edinburgh. The Chinese government came and borrowed some of their plants back when they wanted to rejuvenate their gardens after that civil war they had a few years ago, because in Edinburgh they have a mighty big collection of these plants. That the Dynamic Earth centre is well worth a visit. That there is an extinct volcano on the town's door steps. Fascinating isn't it.
But apart from the usual collection of shops, the fabulous buildings which make you consider whether or not a lending institution would consider a generational loan, so that you can buy a irreplaceable piece of history, and around every corner and every lane which you see and want to disappear down to explore, I can say the word wee. I can go a wee way down the road, get a wee bit more and take a wee while to make a decision and no one thinks it is strange, unusual or rather confusing. It's a marvellous moment when you've been a kiwi in Aus for so many years, and one I will savour for a wee while.
And as for the aforementioned blasted steps - not only were they an absolute curse to lug my luggage up, I ended up falling down a flight of them on the way to the airport. Entailed with bags and pressies, I was not a happy chappy. But was only bruised, not broken, so off we went to the airport.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
The Wrap Up
Hip hip hooray! Let's hear it for British Airways, no rush guys but finally Jayllee's luggage arrived, we picked it up on our way out of the country. Such a relief. So we have finished our lightning tour of the Emerald Isles - So let's see, what are the gems we left with.
Oh and funniest conversation on the plane:
Jayllee, with nod of her head to the guys in front of us: "Mum, what language are they talking?"
Me: "Scottish accent aka English Jays."
Jayllee: "They are talking, English? No way!!!"
Oh dear it is going to be fun in Scotland.
- you can park either way down a street. It's like someone has pranked every street. Let's park this way, nah that way, ooh what about nose to tail all the way down here. Cool! Truly, some thing that my head did not enjoy processing. The biggest worry I found was that when you entered another narrow street and gave a quick check of the parked cars - no help. You're own your own buddy! Drive and pray and act very confident. Of course, you're going the right way.
- 'Drum roll please.....The most diligent workers in the world - and the award goes to 'The Dublin city Traffic Wardens'!!! People if there is one word of advice I can give you it is - TAKE THE PARKING WARNINGS SERIOUSLY! because they sure do. You don't get a chalk mark on your tyres, a ticket under the wipers, oh no baby they go in for the kill. Rules are made to be followed! Every morning they slapped on those lovely yellow discs to wheels outside the hotel. Ten minutes over and sweetheart I have news for you, and it's all bad. Phone and pay...and don't do it again. But HI FIVE for us, we rocked. We fed those overpaid parking meter every day, with a religious fervor which the pope himself would have been impressed with and as such, enjoyed a friendly relationship with the local council. But you have been warned, don't forget.
- smoking is a popular past time. If you are tired of being barred and bannished and treated like a piriah in Australia or New Zealand, then I suggest you pack up and move to Ireland. It's all the rage there.
- their radio stations are a million times better than Britian. (sorry Britain, but your radio stations have to be heard to be believed. My suggestion when travelling in England - take an ipod!) Oh and the best thing for me -sorry personal info here - they played 'the only way is up' TWICE..wow.. and then to top it, today, they played "I would march five thousand miles..." Ah made me smile, then sing.... Unlike the fact that I did not hear one Ronan song. Not a one. Tsk, tsk!
- Great roads, courteous drivers...no honking or road rage. All very civil and allow you to swap lanes with a seconds notice. Big plus.
- Riverdance - is a must.
- International airport - actually a real treat. (Made up for the shopping there) So many shops, I was really surprised. Very nice sales people, who, because we are leaving the EU at some stage, made sure we paid the cheaper price. We had a great time. Only do suggest you order burger king takeaways if you have say, an hour or two to spare, speed was not their forte.
Oh and funniest conversation on the plane:
Jayllee, with nod of her head to the guys in front of us: "Mum, what language are they talking?"
Me: "Scottish accent aka English Jays."
Jayllee: "They are talking, English? No way!!!"
Oh dear it is going to be fun in Scotland.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
A little gem
Dublin, Dublin, Dublin....what can I say, after tonight it deserves two posts today. You see, we decided to go and see Riverdance. I figure not only is it a good show, but watching a story about Ireland, in Ireland, with Irish dancers is probably the best way ever to view it. And they did not disappoint. But first, let me say, we have finally discovered the shopping district!
Ireland, Dublin, wow we nearly missed it and what a loss it would have been. Not only is there this seriously cool, quaint, part-with-your-money I am worth it theatre show, there is a drop dead whip-out-your-camera shopping area. What a treat. Even more, what a surprise. We have driven in numerous circles round the city centre, which isn't as easy as it sounds. Ireland must be a world leader in lining up buses and taxis down their main street, but they have their own lane and appear rather well behaved so it isn't too bad trying to follow where four lanes become two, and left's are ok and right turns are not and tram lines are there just to make sure you really are on your toes. But tonight, when we walked, with a positive attitude and no map (we had viewed one dot on the map, so it had to be that way somewhere) we found ourselves in the midst of a secreted shopping centre. Okay, I figure everyone in Ireland knows it is there, and probably even most tourists, but I kid you not, in our many eventful treks through the town we had not seen one tiny reflective light, glass dome or sign which indicated that there were hallowed halls to walk down and tempting merchandise decadently arrayed to tempt even the staunchest of shoppers!
Gorgeous is an understatement of what we found. A huge shopping centre with glass panelled ceilings, wrought iron framework, clocks which had me out clicking away to record. Flowers, in pots and stacked in red and white layered pillars, lining all the walk ways, people milling about, talking, busking and fire juggling. It's devine. So, so many people all out enjoying it. I felt like a little kid late to a party. There is a smattering of cafes, night clubs, pubs, churches and art studios, with artist's painting in them, late into the night. The place is a Mecca which it is your duty to visit. At least, once in your lifetime.
Luckily, we still have one morning left. The shops open late, but we will make it.
And just a couple of other unexpected things. One, I know it is the Northern hemisphere, but I am really surprised at how light it is late at night. Eleven pm and it has just got dark and then the same is true for the morning. It's light when we get up. I can only imagine what it will be like in Stockholm.
Two, Jayllee has discovered that some stereotypes have been well earned....more on that later.
Ireland, Dublin, wow we nearly missed it and what a loss it would have been. Not only is there this seriously cool, quaint, part-with-your-money I am worth it theatre show, there is a drop dead whip-out-your-camera shopping area. What a treat. Even more, what a surprise. We have driven in numerous circles round the city centre, which isn't as easy as it sounds. Ireland must be a world leader in lining up buses and taxis down their main street, but they have their own lane and appear rather well behaved so it isn't too bad trying to follow where four lanes become two, and left's are ok and right turns are not and tram lines are there just to make sure you really are on your toes. But tonight, when we walked, with a positive attitude and no map (we had viewed one dot on the map, so it had to be that way somewhere) we found ourselves in the midst of a secreted shopping centre. Okay, I figure everyone in Ireland knows it is there, and probably even most tourists, but I kid you not, in our many eventful treks through the town we had not seen one tiny reflective light, glass dome or sign which indicated that there were hallowed halls to walk down and tempting merchandise decadently arrayed to tempt even the staunchest of shoppers!
Gorgeous is an understatement of what we found. A huge shopping centre with glass panelled ceilings, wrought iron framework, clocks which had me out clicking away to record. Flowers, in pots and stacked in red and white layered pillars, lining all the walk ways, people milling about, talking, busking and fire juggling. It's devine. So, so many people all out enjoying it. I felt like a little kid late to a party. There is a smattering of cafes, night clubs, pubs, churches and art studios, with artist's painting in them, late into the night. The place is a Mecca which it is your duty to visit. At least, once in your lifetime.
Luckily, we still have one morning left. The shops open late, but we will make it.
And just a couple of other unexpected things. One, I know it is the Northern hemisphere, but I am really surprised at how light it is late at night. Eleven pm and it has just got dark and then the same is true for the morning. It's light when we get up. I can only imagine what it will be like in Stockholm.
Two, Jayllee has discovered that some stereotypes have been well earned....more on that later.
Mapless
Today we took the big step of driving without a map. Keen, crazy, overconfident or just plan adventurous? Not really sure which adjective describes us best today. But I think it is safe to say that after a week, I am feeling just a little tired. Okay, maybe more than just a bit.
yep - this is pretty much how I feel.... And every step I take today, my thighs are seriously protesting - that castle descent has darn near crippled me. In my head I keep hearing...'if I could walk ten thousand miles, then I would walk ten thousand more...nah na na nah...." playing out - probably just to torment me, since I think we have clocked up enough steps to march to that song for a good month non-stop.
So, what did we see while we were out being Indiana Jones in Ireland?...Firstly..... the little seaside town of Brae - which was sweet as, had a family fair happening, which Ethan couldn't have been dragged away from for a whole day, I would expect if he was here. Lovely esplanade hotels, stone beach, cross at the top of the highest hill and heaps of keen people wandering around pretending that as it was a summer fair, it was warm! Lots of jewellery, knits, food and sweets. These people take their sweet/fudge making seriously! Every other stall was 'pick-your-own lollies. WOW they looked good. Today, though, we contented ourselves with just looking - but I had to buy a hotdog. Yep - kiwi hot dog. I was so excited, we can never find these in Aus. Also learnt that they are called corn dogs in America - as it was an American stand we bought it off, I didn't argue. Just loved every bite.
I also learnt that I can back down a one lane street very quickly and accurately when there is a hedge mowing tractor blocking the road. That a truck, parked car and me can just fit down a two lane street, if I slam the brakes on and close my eyes. Also discovered that when Jayllee says, 'Left! I mean that left." When I have just passed the turn off - means that you count the off ramps better the second time around.
Also, I must mention the Castle hotel where we are staying. The reception ladies have been absolute dolls to us. They have managed to scrounge up a room for us each night, since we were only booked to stay one, but have now tallied up three. And today, they said we could have an attic room. Some rather serious images conjured up when she said, " We can't advertise these as they are smaller rooms. You will be in between floor one and two!" Yep, you read that right. IN BETWEEN floors one and two. I suddenly imagined that we were about to have a Harry Potter moment. I figured we were going to have to step out of the lift, and then throw ourselves at the wall. If we got it wrong...well...thudd!!! Sorry, how sad, next time get it right, no 9 3/4 opening for us! But much to my relief, somehow, and I'm not even going there to work it out, there is a separate floor in between floors one and two, and wallah, here we are tucked into what they call the attic room, which isn't in the attic, and on floor well... 1 1/2...
Fun really, isn't it.
Oh, and just in case you are wondering why we went mapless....we had no maps! Jayllee has bought and lost her new phone credit..we haven't been able to top up the ipad with our dearest friend google maps....so.... we were heading south and west.... lovely thing is we ended up east and on the coast. Gotta love travelling.
yep - this is pretty much how I feel.... And every step I take today, my thighs are seriously protesting - that castle descent has darn near crippled me. In my head I keep hearing...'if I could walk ten thousand miles, then I would walk ten thousand more...nah na na nah...." playing out - probably just to torment me, since I think we have clocked up enough steps to march to that song for a good month non-stop.So, what did we see while we were out being Indiana Jones in Ireland?...Firstly..... the little seaside town of Brae - which was sweet as, had a family fair happening, which Ethan couldn't have been dragged away from for a whole day, I would expect if he was here. Lovely esplanade hotels, stone beach, cross at the top of the highest hill and heaps of keen people wandering around pretending that as it was a summer fair, it was warm! Lots of jewellery, knits, food and sweets. These people take their sweet/fudge making seriously! Every other stall was 'pick-your-own lollies. WOW they looked good. Today, though, we contented ourselves with just looking - but I had to buy a hotdog. Yep - kiwi hot dog. I was so excited, we can never find these in Aus. Also learnt that they are called corn dogs in America - as it was an American stand we bought it off, I didn't argue. Just loved every bite.
Also, I must mention the Castle hotel where we are staying. The reception ladies have been absolute dolls to us. They have managed to scrounge up a room for us each night, since we were only booked to stay one, but have now tallied up three. And today, they said we could have an attic room. Some rather serious images conjured up when she said, " We can't advertise these as they are smaller rooms. You will be in between floor one and two!" Yep, you read that right. IN BETWEEN floors one and two. I suddenly imagined that we were about to have a Harry Potter moment. I figured we were going to have to step out of the lift, and then throw ourselves at the wall. If we got it wrong...well...thudd!!! Sorry, how sad, next time get it right, no 9 3/4 opening for us! But much to my relief, somehow, and I'm not even going there to work it out, there is a separate floor in between floors one and two, and wallah, here we are tucked into what they call the attic room, which isn't in the attic, and on floor well... 1 1/2...
Fun really, isn't it.
Oh, and just in case you are wondering why we went mapless....we had no maps! Jayllee has bought and lost her new phone credit..we haven't been able to top up the ipad with our dearest friend google maps....so.... we were heading south and west.... lovely thing is we ended up east and on the coast. Gotta love travelling.
Friday, July 13, 2012
The Black Cat
We were about half an hour out of Dublin and a black cat diced with death and ran in front of the car as we zipped down a nifty little lane... I made a joke about Friday the 13th, then I realised that it WAS Friday 13th...so I slowed down.... Which wasn't such a silly reaction when you know that before the cat...A guy had already driven into the back of my rental, Jayllee's luggage was still no where to be seen and we had no accommodation booked.... So, to deal with these little life issues, we did what any self respecting tourist would do, we opened up a map and choose a spot then discovered, when we got there, that we were visiting the "Braveheart' castle! Oh yeah... go Mel...!!! Yeah big surprised to us too, try not to reason out why the Scottish freedom fighters were filming in Ireland... but there you go, our gain.
I learnt numerous facts about castles today; cold, drafty, old, roofless, norman-built, stone stairwell castles. Main thing was, yep, much to my daughter's delight, I am still terrified of heights! Especially ones, four stories high, with walkways along non-existent castle rooves, with nothing bar a measily 2mm steel fence me between me and certain death. I don't care how many years and battles these roof tops have survived, or how many bad guys Hugh de Lacy decapitated or swept away with his sword as he came down his right-hand designed stumbling stone stair case! My legs were still jelly two hours later and should I have lived 900 hundred years ago, and been coming down that staircase as some marauder was trying to come up, there would have been no contest, anyone in my way would have been obliterated in a flash. Luckily, I managed not to kiss the ground when we got back down to it or the wooden rack thing which Mel was killed on in the movie!
Then we hit up our next 'building we have got to see' and trundled off to Belvedere!
All I can say is......MEN.... get over yourselves! What a history. Total historical romance plot!! (which is a good thing, when you are writing it, not such fun if you are living it)
This lovely bit of history has the typical alpha male, marries, leaves wife to be bored and good at the country house while he is having fun in the town (and we are talking years, not just a night or two!) Then gets shirty cos apparently she has begun visiting then, sleeping with his brother (gee I wonder why)...so that gets her in all sorts of trouble, divorces then bannishes her completely- eleven years before she can escape back her to her father's house, who won't even open the door to her.....so after risking all, what happens, she's back to square one: bannished only now, no one talks to her..if she goes for a walk a crappy maid rings a bell so anyone around can leave...17 years later - when she is nearly mad, the tosser alpha dies and she can leave..... and all the time he has been living in luxury down the road.....wow scary stuff....
And the best news of the day was... we drove back to Dublin and didn't get lost once, not once. I love Ireland. Ireland is mellow. They have shops we recognise, movie theatres, roads you can actually drive down without risking the paint on your car! friendly locals and a tiny winy bit of sunshine.
I learnt numerous facts about castles today; cold, drafty, old, roofless, norman-built, stone stairwell castles. Main thing was, yep, much to my daughter's delight, I am still terrified of heights! Especially ones, four stories high, with walkways along non-existent castle rooves, with nothing bar a measily 2mm steel fence me between me and certain death. I don't care how many years and battles these roof tops have survived, or how many bad guys Hugh de Lacy decapitated or swept away with his sword as he came down his right-hand designed stumbling stone stair case! My legs were still jelly two hours later and should I have lived 900 hundred years ago, and been coming down that staircase as some marauder was trying to come up, there would have been no contest, anyone in my way would have been obliterated in a flash. Luckily, I managed not to kiss the ground when we got back down to it or the wooden rack thing which Mel was killed on in the movie!
Then we hit up our next 'building we have got to see' and trundled off to Belvedere!
All I can say is......MEN.... get over yourselves! What a history. Total historical romance plot!! (which is a good thing, when you are writing it, not such fun if you are living it)
This lovely bit of history has the typical alpha male, marries, leaves wife to be bored and good at the country house while he is having fun in the town (and we are talking years, not just a night or two!) Then gets shirty cos apparently she has begun visiting then, sleeping with his brother (gee I wonder why)...so that gets her in all sorts of trouble, divorces then bannishes her completely- eleven years before she can escape back her to her father's house, who won't even open the door to her.....so after risking all, what happens, she's back to square one: bannished only now, no one talks to her..if she goes for a walk a crappy maid rings a bell so anyone around can leave...17 years later - when she is nearly mad, the tosser alpha dies and she can leave..... and all the time he has been living in luxury down the road.....wow scary stuff....
And the best news of the day was... we drove back to Dublin and didn't get lost once, not once. I love Ireland. Ireland is mellow. They have shops we recognise, movie theatres, roads you can actually drive down without risking the paint on your car! friendly locals and a tiny winy bit of sunshine.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Soap Box
Rights and Responsibilities
Just for once I am going to start this with a disclaimer :- if you are under thirty you probably won't want to read anymore!
Right, now that that has been said, let me say in very clear words - I am over it! OVER IT - in big letters. Will someone please tell me how this generation seems to be so well versed in their rights they have forgotten, that the laws of the universe (I would say chemistry, seem to think it's physics - but since I only did Biology, I know it isn't that- so universe is going to have to do!) say that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Under thirty's who didn't heed the warning, what does that mean???? It means that you cannot have rights, without having responsibilities. And, trust me, I know all about responsibility. I am a responsibility queen.
But what I see, far too often to make me happy, content, pleased, relaxed or even slightly jovial about life - and what is being thrown at me is... "I want.. I need.. It is my..."
And why I puzzle because it is not what I have taught my children. Or what I say to others around me. So, what I want to know, who is teaching and over ruling what I teach my children? Actually, I know, and right about now - I am seriously considering become a hermit.
My only conciliation is, I am not alone:
"Teenagers these days are out of control. They eat like pigs, they are disrespectful of adults, they interrupt and contradict their parents, and they terrorize their teachers." Aristotle, circa 350 BC
And I think that perhaps this would be the best advice, I could offer a few people at the moment:
"Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing." - Anon
Okay, am off my soap box.... until next time...
Just for once I am going to start this with a disclaimer :- if you are under thirty you probably won't want to read anymore!
Right, now that that has been said, let me say in very clear words - I am over it! OVER IT - in big letters. Will someone please tell me how this generation seems to be so well versed in their rights they have forgotten, that the laws of the universe (I would say chemistry, seem to think it's physics - but since I only did Biology, I know it isn't that- so universe is going to have to do!) say that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Under thirty's who didn't heed the warning, what does that mean???? It means that you cannot have rights, without having responsibilities. And, trust me, I know all about responsibility. I am a responsibility queen.
But what I see, far too often to make me happy, content, pleased, relaxed or even slightly jovial about life - and what is being thrown at me is... "I want.. I need.. It is my..."
And why I puzzle because it is not what I have taught my children. Or what I say to others around me. So, what I want to know, who is teaching and over ruling what I teach my children? Actually, I know, and right about now - I am seriously considering become a hermit.
My only conciliation is, I am not alone:
"Teenagers these days are out of control. They eat like pigs, they are disrespectful of adults, they interrupt and contradict their parents, and they terrorize their teachers." Aristotle, circa 350 BC
And I think that perhaps this would be the best advice, I could offer a few people at the moment:
"Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing." - Anon
Okay, am off my soap box.... until next time...
Sunday, February 05, 2012
A Lighthouse moment
Now that school is back my life has shifted from pleasantly busy, to just a little out of control. However, the first week is over and the second should be easier, Lord knows I have spent all weekend peering at a computer trying to make progress on English, SOSE, History and Maths.
The good news is I think I am winning. The bad news is, well really there isn't any, however, last week as I was chasing my tail, trying to get it all together before Tuesday and I had to face a new class of 28 faces, I was quickly searching for a clip art picture of a lighthouse. Nothing too unusual, really. But what I discovered was a few things.
One: our lighthouse in Bunbury has black and white checkers painted all the way up it. I never really thought it was that unique, however, I can say that there are no other pictures out there, which are just like it. So my affection for it has grown.
Two: What some people think are wonderful lighthouse, bright shining life concepts are quite different to what I wanted to represent with the light shining from a light house.
I was left for the first time in my life thinking that I might just have to cyber-share Christian ideas with a stranger. Now, on the whole I am not someone who would do that. I know what I believe and why, and I fully believe that God brings us into relationship with people and we may be the person he uses to sow the first thoughts or knowledge about him, or we may be the last one, who has the privilege of hearing their pray of commitment or even their last breath.
I loved what our pastor said today. Basically, it was sometimes we go and shine our 'light' like to full beam car lights onto some, and really a gentle small candle of light would be more appropriate. But we are often insensitive to what he wants and we scare someone half silly or make them turn and race in the opposite direction. And I really agree with him, which is why I now find myself waiting to confirm what the right approach is.
This person who had a lighthouse on their website is so hurting, confused, desperate with the gender they have been born with and the lifestyle they are living that the drastic changes they want to make to themselves they think will appease that hurt. As a mother reading the site, a woman, a teacher and a Christian I felt shattered for this individual and I have no idea if anyone is saying to her ...stop.
'You want to help others, but your life is so pain-filled you have little to offer that is real hope, real healing or true positive instruction."
And now that I have found a lighthouse clipart graphic for me to use, no not from her site or really what I pictured in my head, I am still left wandering just what my role could be for this person. Does she need a candle or something brighter?
The good news is I think I am winning. The bad news is, well really there isn't any, however, last week as I was chasing my tail, trying to get it all together before Tuesday and I had to face a new class of 28 faces, I was quickly searching for a clip art picture of a lighthouse. Nothing too unusual, really. But what I discovered was a few things.
One: our lighthouse in Bunbury has black and white checkers painted all the way up it. I never really thought it was that unique, however, I can say that there are no other pictures out there, which are just like it. So my affection for it has grown.
Two: What some people think are wonderful lighthouse, bright shining life concepts are quite different to what I wanted to represent with the light shining from a light house.
I was left for the first time in my life thinking that I might just have to cyber-share Christian ideas with a stranger. Now, on the whole I am not someone who would do that. I know what I believe and why, and I fully believe that God brings us into relationship with people and we may be the person he uses to sow the first thoughts or knowledge about him, or we may be the last one, who has the privilege of hearing their pray of commitment or even their last breath.
I loved what our pastor said today. Basically, it was sometimes we go and shine our 'light' like to full beam car lights onto some, and really a gentle small candle of light would be more appropriate. But we are often insensitive to what he wants and we scare someone half silly or make them turn and race in the opposite direction. And I really agree with him, which is why I now find myself waiting to confirm what the right approach is.
This person who had a lighthouse on their website is so hurting, confused, desperate with the gender they have been born with and the lifestyle they are living that the drastic changes they want to make to themselves they think will appease that hurt. As a mother reading the site, a woman, a teacher and a Christian I felt shattered for this individual and I have no idea if anyone is saying to her ...stop.
'You want to help others, but your life is so pain-filled you have little to offer that is real hope, real healing or true positive instruction."
And now that I have found a lighthouse clipart graphic for me to use, no not from her site or really what I pictured in my head, I am still left wandering just what my role could be for this person. Does she need a candle or something brighter?
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