The autumn leaves.

The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hand I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

Fall has arrived here in Saint Louis. The leaves are changing colors, the air is cool, and yesterday I broke out my fleece. I think I shall make a big pot of soup and bake some bread for dinner. I love this time of year.

I miss you most of all, my darling when autumn leaves start to fall.

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Why I love my job.

Reason # 237 Students come into my office and decorate my walls
Reason #362 I get to hangout with cool Godly young women and talk about theology and the M.O.W. (mack of the week).

Yeah, it doesn't get much better. 

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Preaching in Lairg.

This weekend I was up in the Highlands, preaching in Lairg Free Church. Lairg is an hour north of Inverness, which means it is 4 hours from Carnoustie, so I went up on Saturday night to stay with my friend Jeremy Ross, who is in my class in College, and his family in Conon Bridge which is on the north side of Inverness. On Sunday morning I drove up to Lairg, and it was the most beautiful morning - not a cloud in the sky, and crisp autumn air.

Lairg Free Church has recently joined with Bonar Bridge Free Church, which is 10 miles away, and so I had to preach in Lairg at 10.30 and then drive to Bonar Bridge to preach there at 12pm. I got a little lost and so, after having to ask at the local Church of Scotland where the Free Church was, I arrived at around 12.05, so not too bad. After preaching there I drove back to Lairg to have lunch at the elder's house (I got lost trying to find that too.). On the way I past a couple hitchhiking at Lairg station which is 2 miles outside the village. I passed them initially, but then realised that they could well be there all day, so I turned and went back and got them. It turned out that they were from London and were holidaying in Lairg for a week. They had just assumed that the station would actually be near the village, but alas thats not the Highland way! And as it was the Lord's Day there were no taxis running, so their trip was not getting off to the best of starts!

In the evening I preached again in Lairg, took a quick Youth Fellowship and was on the road at 8.15 to come home. I arrived home at 12.15 on the dot, which was pretty good considering that I had stopped twice for petrol. It was a tiring weekend, but good to be with them.

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Fall Yummies.

It seems that Fall is making an appearance here in Saint Louis. The weather has been cooler and pumpkins, apple cider, and other autumnal food has arrived in the groccery stores. I was inspired by all the fall ingredients and some recipes on Minismith. So, I headed to the kitchen and prepared, according to my family, a culinary masterpiece. On the menu was acorn squash soup, roasted fingerling potatoes, balsamic roasted asparagus, and sauted pork with apples. Mmm. It was delicious. We sat outside on our porch and enjoyed the cool weather, a good meal, and excellent company.
The aftermath.
The Pork had a tasty apple cider mustard glaze.
Still to come: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie. 

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The song stuck in my head.

"Oh, It Is Love" by Hellogoodbye
Oh, it is loveFrom the first time I set my eyes up on yours
Thinking oh, is it love?Oh dearIt's been hardly a moment
And you are already missed
There is still a bit of your skin That I've yet to have kissed
Oh say please do not go But you know, oh, you know that I must
Oh say I love you so But you know, oh, you know you can trust
We'll be holding hands once again
All our broken plans I will mend
I will hold you tight so you know It is love from the first
Time I pressed my hand into yours
Thinking oh is it love?
Oh, dear, it's been hardly three daysAnd I'm longing to feel your embrace.
There are several days Until I can see your sweet face.
Oh say, wouldn't you like to be older and married with me
Oh say, wouldn't it be nice to know right now that we'll be
Someday holding hands in the end
All our broken plans will have been
I will kiss you soft so you know It is love from the first
Time I pressed my lips against yours Thinking oh is it love?
Your heart may long for love that is more near
So when I'm gone these words will be here
To ease every fearAnd dry up every tear
And make it very clearI kiss you and I know
It is love from the first
Time I pressed my lips against yours
Thinking oh is it love?
Oh it is love from the first
Time I pressed my lips against yours
Thinking oh is it love?
I kiss you and I knowIt is love from the first
Time I pressed my lips against yours
Thinking oh is it love?

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And the final year begins...

I had my first day of the last year of College today. It is funny to think that I am 2/3 of the way through my College course, and that in a matter of months I will have more letters after my name and will be liscensed as a Minister, Lord Willing. I expect this will be a busy year, but I am more or less looking forward to it. I am sure, as always, I will learn a lot.

Starting College means starting the commute. Having moved back home from Edinburgh to stay with the parents for this final year, I now have a 3 1/2 commute every day. In the mornings I have to get the 0659 train from Carnoustie which arrives in Edinburgh at 0828, which gives me time to walk up the hill, get a cup of coffee (instant...mmmm), and get settled for the first class of the day which starts at 0905. It wont be too bad though. I'm glad I'm not doing it for the whole 3 years, but for this one year I can do it.

So, the end is rushing towards me, soon College will be finished and I will be moving onto something else, which is a bit nerve-racking. But its okay because next summer I am getting MARRIED!

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