Roots.

Oct 02, 2005 19:47

Coffee, tea, cafes, downtown areas, good friends, old buildings, cobblestone streets, and well-written books are some of my favorite things in life. This lifestyle really could get expensive financially--but it certainly is satisfying! I've decided that a good conversation is well worth the £3 (and consequential $6) I might pay for my tea and scone.

Friday evening near dusk I walked through the darkening Seaton Park towards the Mission, fearing to be late, but fearing more to arrive before my friends and not know anyone. Sometimes I feel quite a different person than I once was--I am not as outgoing, enthusiastic, or fearless as before. In fact, I did arrive well before my friends, and spent a few awkward moments looking for a seat or someone to talk to before I ended up sitting with Ruth (who knows Caryn) and Mike (from California). If being here has taught me anything (which it certainly has) it has taught me to care much more about people who are new, different, or both. The people at the Christian Union have taught me this in a positive way; they genuinely care for the freshers, and make a particular effort to make international students feel welcome, to feel the love of Christ. It's beautiful to see and feel this--the body of Christ working as it should. The service was much like Lighthouse or the Gathering, except that it is much smaller and entirely student-led. They invited a pastor from a church to speak, but the whole club (which seems quite active and involved) is actually run by students. Well, eventually, my dear American friends did show up. We had a wonderful time after the service laughing and hanging out with each other and some new friends from around here.

Yesterday, I became a paid member of the Aberdeen Unviersity Ultimate Frisbee team. However, that did not actually happen until the end. I got back to my room from a short excurision and (long) walk down the beach to Footdee, and quickly got ready for practice. I wore one of my favorite running shirts, my black DC shirt that one of my groups made last summer. But I almost didn't. It has a verse from Matthew on the back, and, truth be told, I was still afraid of what people would think of me. However, by the grace of God, i threw aside my inhibitions and wore it anyway, counting my fears unworthy and deceptive. Through the course of the practice, I did receive some attention for the shirt on my back, but it was not at all the kind I expected. Rather, somehow, because of the shirt or not, I came to realize the strong Christian presence on the team. I talked with several people who talked about church, the Christian Union, or just being a Christian in general. It seems that much of the leadership (and the rest) of the team follows Jesus wholeheartedly, and it is evidenced by their actions and their words. After the practice I had completely made up my mind about joining. I gave John my information and my money, and I received my own UKUA (United Kingdom Ultimate Association) disc. I was (and am) thrilled.

The day continued to get better. Last night we (Scotland Program girls) had our much-anticipated (ok, we planned it for maybe 3 days) Bake-Off. A few of us were talking one day and realized our similar craving for home-baked cookies and other such American food items, and the Bake-Off was born. We gathered in Sara's flat and made the most wonderful baked goods. But you really must imagine the picture--at one point we probably had about 9 or 10 people in the kitchen (there's no living room in the flat), which is almost definitely smaller than my bedroom at home, and has two ovens around the size of microwaves. What can I say, it was incredibly fun and delicious :) Some of our friends from around here (er, England, Scotland, South Africa, and Italy) joined us as well, and we played the game Mafia and laughed very hard and very long! It was a most enjoyable night.

Everywhere we go, we grow roots. Our roots grow deeper and stronger in some places than in others--that is quite dependent on the fertility of the soil and the length of time given in which we can grow. I find it rather curious that, although I have a strong community of friendship at home to return to, I am digging my roots here as well, trying to find a similar community. Perhaps relationships are actually that important to survival. A tree cannot grow in topsoil for months on end. It needs to dig down deep where the water is. It’s what we were made for, and, it seems to me, one of the only ways that we can begin to feel complete and satisfied. Even with the knowledge that I will be uprooted again in a few short months, I am finding my footing and trying to establish community here in Scotland.
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