Amazing Beauty

To be fair, I really did walk by the bus station 3 times in Edinburgh. If it was any closer, it would have reached out and bit me. We made the best of missing our bus by going to the castle in Edinburgh and having a great (albeit, overpriced) meal on the Royal Mile. Thanks Louisville Institute!

Once in the Highland village of Killin, we landed softly and warmly at the Old Smiddy, a Bed and Breakfast run by a wonderful man, Michael and his family. We got connected with him through another pastor in Chico who has spent time in the area on his sabbatical. What a gift to our family! We spent our days hiking, canoeing, eating great food compliments of Michael (I mean AMAZING food!), and even a little fishing for me! Yes!

The high point by far was when the sun finally came out one evening and we found ourselves reclining on the deck looking out at the deep green highland hills, playing Farkle (our favorite dice game), and being treated to a fabulous BBQ dinner by Michael and his staff. Great wine, great steaks, beautiful company, the best chips (fries) ever, followed by a sticky-toffee pudding to die for. We laughed, we prayed, we recounted the sabbatical thus far, and took lots and lots of pictures to remember the moment. Thank you, God! It was one of those moments when I felt that we were fully leaning into our sabbatical: full of meaning, rest, and joy.

My day of fishing met every expectation and hope I had. Again, my friend connected me with some local fly fishermen who took me up to a remote hill loch to fish for wild brown trout. A pristine loch of about a quarter mile round, the trout were jumping all over. They weren't big, but they were full of color and fight. We kept the fish and transplanted them into another loch up the hill. As Davey, an older, experienced guide said, "You know, Jim, you've gone down in a bit of posterity. Each time we fish the upper loch, we'll think of you." It was a joy.

We are off to London tomorrow, staying at my brother-in-law's flat and taking in the life of the city. We were given several insider tips from people we've met. Get this: if you go to Westminster Abby at 8:00 in the morning for morning services, you get in free! Bonus! We get to see where the royal wedding was and get our kids to church!

At the end of our time in England, we'll take the chunnel into France to catch the first 3 stages of le Tour. Can't wait!

Our sabbatical has been beautiful thus far! God has been faithful, allowing us time and places to rest and create new, life-long memories.