Of Scotland Adventures and Learnin' Lots...

I had to post a family picture!  <3

Wow! This trip has been such a blessing! Yesterday we had the privilege to join Airdrie Reformed Presbyterian Church for both their morning and evening services. I was struck by the power of the Psalms that the fifty or so of us who were gathered were able to sing together. The community at ARPC is so welcoming and hospitable. They made us feel very comfortable and provided lunch and dinner for us and then welcomed us back to their evening service.

 In the morning service we studied from Romans 9:1-10:4 which speaks to the great sin that we commit and the great patience that God has with us. The language that is used in this passage is so powerful. I would encourage you all to set aside a little time to read it as well as Psalm 119:129-136. The evening service continued in the same thought with Romans 10 and the theme of weeping over our sins and rejoicing in God's great patience with us. 

In between the services we were able to go to the Glasgow Cathedral where we were able to walk around, take some pictures and see a memorial that was set up for John Knox, all before we got to sit in to hear a little bit of a choral concert by the cathedral choir that was held there that afternoon. While walking the grounds of the cathedral we saw a mound that came up the side of the wall. We stopped and were told that it was a mass grave where the bodies of martyrs and criminals alike were thrown. Bodies of Christian reformers were placed there by the corrupt Catholic powers because they were seen as criminals. That was such a horrible thing to hear. We all seemed to cringe when we were told what we were standing on.

Today, we traveled to St. Andrews beach which many of you might know from the opening scene of Chariots of Fire where Eric Liddle ran on the beach. (Which some of our boys did today...) 

We were able to learn so much today! I'm sure you have read Rebekah and Ben's entries, so I will not repeat, but will add what we learned at St. Andrews castle. This castle has seen many deaths. It was sobering to stand there and look over the ruins that remain. The bishop that stayed there ordered the burning of George Wishart as well as several others. However, he had so much evil in his heart against him that he sat in his room and watched out his window as George Wishart was burnt at the stake. Later, when the reformers seized the castle and captured the bishop they killed him by hanging him out the very same window. A very unique thing about this castle is that because the reformers had seized it and were inside, and the French catholics were attacking with no advance, a battle was fought UNDER the castle. We were able to go down in the tunnel that the French started on the outside and the Reformers started on the inside and saw where they met and fought underground. It was astounding to look around and think of the lives that were claimed on the very ground on which we were standing. 

As I continue to learn more about my faith and those who preceeded me, I continue to grow in respect and admiration for the strength that God supplies to His people and their trust that is given to us only by Him. 

With love from Scotland, 

Grace

The seniors at the castle ruins.