Howdy everyone!

I know it's been AGES, and for that, I'm sorry! But tons has been on here, and I have been uber busy. I will give you a quick recap of the past few months:

December: A Scottish Cinderella... 

Destiny Winter Ball! (L-R: Joanne, Me, Noelle, Maureen)

Destiny Church turned 20, and for that, we had a ball

to celebrate! It was an ace night; an amazing meal, lots of ceilidh-ing and a disco (meaning regular dancing, for those unfamiliar with the term--don't worry, it wasn't in any way related to Saturday Night Fever!), and reminiscing about all the amazing things that God has done through Destiny ministries over the last 20 years! I'm so excited to be a part of the journey that we're going on here at Destiny!

The day after the winter ball, I went with some uni. mates to see the Scottish Ballet's rendition of 'Cinderella'. It was my first ballet, and a really interesting experience. The scenery and costumes were brilliant, and I had such a great time. Elice had jokingly called me the 'Scottish Cinderella' when I told her I was going to a ball, and it turns out that name is pretty applicable, hehe!

Playing Cranium in Onesies! 

The festive season was a blast! I missed my family and friends back in the States, but was so blessed to have my friends here surround me with love and plenty to do! To gear up for the Christmas season, Destiny held a Christmas Fayre, with stalls selling mince pies and warm mulled cider, and Destiny Angels gave out hampers, as well as toys to children, for families in need. For Christmas Eve, I went to a service at Destiny, and then went back to my flatmate's mum's (Jayne), flat for celebrations! Joanne and I stayed overnight at her mum's, and on Christmas Day, I went to church, then back to Jayne's, where we opened prezzies and had an amazing spread for Christmas dinner. I brought a little of the South to Scotland by making my Grandma's famed sweet potato casserole. It was a big hit! One of the presents was kind of a 'group present', as Jo, Jayne, myself, and our friend Maureen (Mo) all got it--onesies! If you're not familiar with this particular attire, it's usually found on infants, as it's an all-in-one sleepsuit. (See photo above for more clarification). We all gleefully put our onesies on and had a spirited game of Cranium, in which charades, sculpting clay, and general dancing about were involved! I am so appreciative of Joanne and Jayne for having me--it really made me feel at home. And it was ace to spend the hols with my Destiny family!

On Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), Jo, some of her friends, and I got dolled up, and headed off to a James Bond themed party hosted by Jo's old boss. We left the shindig to go to Destiny's Hogmanay service, where Jo and I were asked to speak about what God had done for us this past year, and what we were expecting and praying for this year. We were both really nervous, but plowed through it! The service was full of celebration, as so much has happened this year. After the service, I headed over to Pete and Dan's house (2 lads from the church), and we had a full-on party into the wee hours of the morning! 

Christmas celebrations! (L-R: Mo, Me, Jo)

I have to say, this past holiday season was up there with the top holidays I've ever had. I realise also that this post is really long, so I'm going to post it now, then come back and post about January-May! I'll leave you with some photos from the holidays!

Ice skating in George Square over the festive period!

George Square ice skating rink!

 

Hogmanay James Bond party!

December in Scotland: Brrrr! (Taken at Victoria Park)

Lydia and Phil's engagement party at Kushion

Christmas decorations on Buchanan St.

Dancing the night away! (L-R: Amy, Jessie, Yvonne, Louise and Me!)

Scottish Ballet (L-R: Felecia, Daniela and me!)

Sarah and I enjoying our Christmas cracker crowns!

Let it snow! And snow, and snow...

Winter weather update: Glasgow is officially experiencing inclement weather.

This snow business started on Saturday morning around midnight. It was pretty. Lovely, actually. While I was in my flat, that is. I headed off to my bed early Saturday morning with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head, nice and toasty with a hot water bottle on my tootsies. When I got up Saturday morning, I headed off to Balloch with Rachael and Zhen to see Loch Lomond in all its wintry glory. The trains were on time, fortunately, and the sky was clear, though crisp and cold! We got to Balloch just in time for lunch and Zhen had her first taste of haggis as we enjoyed full Scottish breakfasts. We had a fun romp around the loch and enjoyed watching people go sledding/sledging (UK), and tromped up a hill to view the highlands in the distance. This is where the trouble started. I recently purchased two pairs of boots. Apparently both pairs are not snow-savvy. Fall number one took place, but thankfully it was more of a slip than a fall, and we all laughed it off. All in all, it was a beautiful nature walk. We made plans to come back--with proper footwear! We all found the radiator on the train extremely useful (Rach used it to dry out her boots!), and even instant coffee seemed like a luxury at the point of unthawing our various extremities.

That night, after warming up a bit in the flat, I tromped into town for the Uncut movie night. I avoided falling on the way in, although there were a few close calls! I think I've invented a new sport: slush sliding. This involves me sliding on the slush where, during the few hours of sunlight Glasgow gets during the winter, some of the snow/ice has melted and then refrozen. The trick is to make it look nonchalant, as if you are slipping around and look like an idiot on purpose.

But it was definitely worth it to enjoy some popcorn, candy, yule logs (oh yeah!) and good company. :) Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Cool Runnings. Nothing better to warm your heart, right?

Sunday, the heavens opened up again and it snowed straight through the morning. But that didn't stop Destiny Church Glasgow! It was so fun to see the reactions of some of the exchange students who had never seen snow before. After church, I asked them what they were going to do, and they said, 'Go find a hill and roll down it!' Sounds like a plan.

Today, I woke up and told myself that if it was snowing when I was ready to leave for uni, I would skip it. Well, it didn't start snowing until I was on the bus. Typical. But it was good to see everyone, as it was our LAST Research Skills class! As anyone who took the class with me will know, this is good news. After uni, Zhen and Felecia and I went for a celebratory lunch and then headed to the library. The good folk who designed Strathclyde University were most likely laughing from their high-end offices somewhere as I struggled to get up the hill from Livingstone Tower to the library. As I was mid-way up the first part of the hill, I began to slide back down. I tried to master the hill again. No such luck. Finally, I thought, 'Churchill, if you try to force your way up this hill, you're going to fall--hard.' So, as I slid, I let gravity take its course, and ended up sliding down into a graceful falling position. After a few helping hands, I was directed to the road, where there was no ice, and was able to make it to the library practically unscathed.

As I look out the window of the library at the moment, it is snowing again. I guess this is what happens when the climate usually calls for rain, yet it's too cold. Normally, Glasgow is too far south to receive this much snow, but, of course, it knew I wasn't used to snow, so wanted to shake it up a bit for my benefit.

I wanted to leave you with some videos of the snow, but they aren't uploading correctly, so I will try again later!

Ta-ta for now! Stay warm!

Church x x

Beauty from Ashes...

'You make beautiful things out of the dust/you make beautiful things out of us.' -Gungor 'Beautiful Things'

A few of my friends who have grown up in the UK have mentioned that they like to spend time with me because I notice things around Glasgow that they haven't. Let's just face it, I'm touristy. I want to take photos of anything and everything that I think is unique in this city. There's plenty of that around! But I honestly believe that God has put me here to notice the hidden gems of Glasgow. Look up on Buchanan Street and you'll see the remnants of the 'last Victorian city' on Earth. The moulding, the sculptures, the stonework--it's all splendid.

Even the grimy bits of G-vegas appeal to me. The flower growing up between cracked pieces of pavement, the tiny hole in a fence in which a squirrel finds a hide-a-way, the grey clouds parting to make way for a foggy sunlight to peek through: they're all slivers of a pulsing city life that I have gladly become a part of.

God sees us that way. We are dirty. We are sinners. Yet he makes us beautiful. He raises us up on wings like eagles and gives us strength to not only face, but conquer each day. When I think of how much He loves us that He, the God of all the Heavens and Earth, would care enough to lift us to a place of peace and joy each day, and give us a destiny beyond our wildest dreams, I am filled with such an awe and gratitude that I have cried with happiness.

God has placed me here for a purpose. I have been so encouraged by all that's happening around me. People are seeking truth, fulfillment, rest. And they're finding it in the One who knows all mysteries, including the ones lurking in my own heart--in each of our hearts.


-C x

It's going to be an interesting ride...

Howdy all you guys and gals out there!

Today was my first day of uni. I had research skills class, which is training on how to write your dissertation. The lecturer hit us with, "Tell us your name, and what topics you're thinking of for your dissertation proposal, or some areas of interest that could be applied to the paper" right off the bat. Feeling very unprepared, I quickly thought up some areas of interest and thankfully didn't look like a fool when it was my go. She then went into great detail about supervision for your dissertation and also mentioned that we had to write a rough draft of a proposal for next week's class. Having never written one of those for undergrad (UK students have to write a thesis and proposal during their fourth year of undergrad), I felt a little like a fish out of water. I stayed after class to talk to the lecturer, just to let her know that I may ask questions that most people that are used to the UK system would know, and she assured me that it would be fine. I think it's definitely doable, but it will take a lot of grit and studying to accomplish. Jesus, take the wheel! And while you're at it, could you take the wheel of the First bus drivers as well? Some of them drive like crazies!

To back track a bit, this past weekend was fab. We had an Uncut barbecue for all new students to the various unis. around glasgow, and many people came round! It was great to chat to a lot of new people, and also met two girls from NC--one from UNC-Chapel Hill, and one from ECU; they were both on exchange. We lamented on the lack of real bbq food, but it was still a fun night, filled with acoustic delight provided by Sam Gallager and Alex MacDonald. I would be displaying photos of the night, but unfortunately, I dropped my digi camera onto the hard pavement. RIP canon. Looking to buy a new one, and one of the guys in my research class works at Jessops, so he said he might be able to get me a discount! After the bbq, some of us went out for my friend Carly's b-day! We danced the night away, and had a great time (although someone needs to give the dj at Campus some lessons)!

Saturday was brill, as I met up with a fellow Masters student from the states, and we met Jess and Rachael Stridge for lunch and a mosey around the West End. After a Beanscene visit for my daily coffee fix, Rach was off to work and Heather was back to town, as Jess and I scavenged around for some food before one of our legendary sleepovers. Actually pretty knackered, it was a low-key night filled with a gnocchi/mushroom/tomato sauce dish and the film Eagle Vs. Shark, a cute indie flick with Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords.

Sunday was amazing. It puts a smile on my face to see people, young and old, want to hang around church all day. Many people attend more than one service during the day. It's especially cool to see kids high school to university level, wanting to be around the church as well as serve in various areas. It's really a community. :) Andrew Owen continued his series on 'Astronomical Grace', and discussed having strength to do what God has called you to do. He never gives you more than you can handle. At the time it may seem impossible, but He takes you through it and you are strengthened as a result.

I met heaps of people on Sunday, and we all chilled out before and after service. Then some of us went to a pub after service. A fab day.

Monday was a bank hol, and after reading pretty much all morning and afternoon, my new friend Jenny came over and we hunted down supplies to make brownies for a wee get-together. That night, fun ensued over curry and brownie soup, a UK logo game (I was complete rubbish at it!), and some music provided by the very talented Owen and Jossy. I'm thinking that we should have a battle of the bands: their duo vs. the girl band that Lydia, Jess and I are forming. I'll keep you posted.

So I know I wrote a lot. But you know you love it.

Speak soon!!

-Church x

The Week in Review

Well, I've been here exactly a week. Wow! It seems like I've been here ages in some ways, but in others it feels like I just stepped off the plane. I feel right at home with all my old mates...I just wish the bus system and I were on as good terms. I have managed to get lost a 'few' times. Hah! So what's been going on...
Last Wednesday, I moved into my old flat and got a few things settled before I headed into the city centre for Uncut (the student and young adult Destiny Church ministry). It was a powerful time of prayer and a great word about extending our faith. Andrew Owen, pastor of Destiny Glasgow, actually gave many people words over their lives. Mine was spot-on; the pastor at my church in Rocky Mount, when he prayed over me before leaving, mentioned that I would be like an 'arrow hitting the target', and Andrew prayed the  EXACT SAME THING over me on Wednesday. Chills, eh?

The rest of the week has consisted of unpacking and tidying, catching up with friends, working with the Destiny GO team on Strathclyde's campus--helped students move in on Saturday, and chatted with students at the Fresher's fair on Monday--and trying to register. I'll leave you with a story about Strathclyde's, er, interesting, registration process, and some photos of the week...

Since I'm an international student, I can't register online. S-clyde has a 2-part reg. system; first, you register to put yourself in the actual system, then you go online and sign up for classes. I queued up on Monday, and long story short, didn't get the chance to register because there were too many people. I arrived pretty shortly after the reg. hall opened on Tuesday, and the queue was already round the block. Finally, I got to the front of the outside queue (there was another one inside), and had some questions about my form, which didn't have an adviser listed. No one knew the answers, so a student ambassador grabbed the head of registrations, and she moved me to the very FRONT of the entire second queue. I was thinking, 'Thank you, God!' at this point, as I had already been waiting 45 min and would have surely waited another hour to even be seen. It was quite funny as she took me down a back corridor and told me several times that she was 'only doing this because something was wrong with my form'. The security guards made sure to tell me to 'keep quiet and don't tell anyone about this preferential treatment' with a laugh. I got registered yet still haven't gotten my actual classes straight yet. They redirected me to another building to see the English Studies department. I wandered around various floors because they had moved the dept. to another floor, yet hadn't changed the signs, and then, once I had reached the right floor, realised that no one was there. Oh well. We have a postgraduate reception tomorrow, and I'm sure I'll figure it out then.  I'll be sure to keep you updated!
Love,
C  x

My flat! 

View out my window

  

Jack, who my flatmate and I are cat-sitting.  Amiably called 'Pirate Jack', especially when he nips at your feet and tries to bite your shoelaces. Going to miss him when he goes...but not going to miss his moaning at my door at half 4 a.m. so he can jump onto my windowsill.






 

Glasgow is where the heart is...

Hiya! You've found your way to my blog, where I'll be chronicling my adventures as an international postgraduate student at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, Scotland. I hope to give you a lens into my life as I make my way through the 'Literature, Culture and Place' course at uni., as well as share with you the amazing things going on through Destiny Church Glasgow, my home away from home. I'm sure there will be some crazy, awesome stories to tell, considering I'm a North Carolinian sussing my way through a Glaswegian atmosphere. I'm just here to enjoy the ride--and hope you'll find my blog a fun way to connect with what's going down in Glasgow, whether you're 5000 miles away or just round the corner. Cheers!

-Church