20) Fall in love. No specifics.

As I ventured homewards on an A33 jet plane this past Thursday, I tried to remember each step of my amazing Scottish adventure. In between groggy sleep and turbulence, I came to realize that, it’s true, I love Scotland.

I love, love, love Scotland. Although I never expected to fulfill this final task on my list in quite such a Platonic way, there it is. Even more than falling in love with Scotland, I think I’ve fallen in love with life, fallen in love with the LORD - each one complimentary to the next.

Scotland, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love the way that, after days of dreich and miserable weather, sunshine makes anyone forget the gray days before. I love how Scotland is the only country in the world where haggis is actually considered a delicacy. I love seeing men in kilts. I love hearing the drone of the bagpipes. I love eating bread-and-soup in a proper pub full of blokes. I love IRN-BRU adverts. I love a good, thick, Scottish brogue. I love how devoted Scots are to their rugby teams, with the same zeal of a Jacobite at Culloden. I love that, despite their stiff-upper lips, Scottish music could make even the roughest Glaswegian shed a tear. I love that, even though Scotland has been a part of Great Britain for over 300 years, most Scots would cheer for any team except England in the World Cup. I love that Scotland felt the need to have their own pound sterling.

I love the way that the Highlands just appear before your eyes as you drive into Perthshire. I love how virtually every hillside in the North Country is covered with bleating sheep. I love solid Scottish preaching. I love tearing around Ross-shire in a Land Rover and zipping over a loch in a speed boat. I love minding the gap and alighting. I love old drafty castles and charming cottages.

I love knowing that cups of tea are never far away. I love the hospitality of the Highlands and Islands. I love the closes of Edinburgh. I love the beauty of the Fife Costal Path. I love the rugged wildness of Skye. I love how the grass really is greener on this side of the world. I love the ever-changing idea of Scottish national identity. I love the creative way that lines between Scottish history and ledged are blurred. But, mostly, I love that Scotland seems to love me too.

How do I know that Scotland loves me? I know because Scotland has given me so many precious gifts. During my semester abroad, I’ve learned so much about myself and about the purpose of my life. I’m not afraid to be daring. I’m comfortable with my independence. I’ve kindled a passion for traveling, for meeting new people. Scotland has taught me to slow down a bit, take time to have a friend round for coffee.

More eternally significant, Scottish churches as taught me to be serious about my faith, to engage in a dynamic relationship. As I said, I feel my relationship with God has blossomed in this country. That change will be the most important, the most enduring, and the most important I’m sure. This blog has already followed my spiritual development; my prayer is that the most evident symbol of my transformation will be in the way I life my daily life in the future. Please, keep me in your prayers and rest assured you are in mine.

Until we travel again next time, this is Victoria’s Scottish Adventure, signing off!