happy first Scottiversary to us!

Today marks one year that we've lived in Scotland. Woah.

This time last year, we were arriving to Edinburgh, 4 suitcases + 4 carryons  + 2 deer-in-the-headlights looks alighting the train at Edinburgh Waverley, [unsuccessfully] trying to roll our bags across the bumpy stones, exiting onto Princes Street with all bags in tow, only to be told we needed to go back through the station and exit at the opposite side (Market Street) to find a taxi. If ever there were two people who stood out as newbs, WE were those people that day. 

Boy did we learn a lot in the 365 days following that one. 

Special shout-out to my adventure partner D$, who has made even the
tough times of our first year in Scotland some of our best times yet.
Love you my hubsby! 

Moving abroad changes you. Really, ANY move changes you. I think it shapes and develops your character, your endurance, and most certainly your patience! Both times I've moved I'm certain God used it as a way to show me that he always provides for our needs. So often I seem to forget how faithful he is. But he shows himself true to his promises every single time. 

Here are a few of my favorite, unexpected gifts from this past year in Edinburgh: 

- the amazing New College community that welcomed us with open arms

- BOOK CLUB!

- two adorable Hewitt children that stole my heart (and now a third!)

- being able to practice Spanish with students from Spain to whom I teach English. :)

- all of our amazing, fun, out-of-town guests

- ... and so much more. This list could go on and on.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to live in Edinburgh. The first year flew by, so I know I'll need to cherish and enjoy every minute of our remaining time here. Don't forget to come visit... you know you'll have a place to stay! :)

oh, by the way, we moved to Scotland!

Yes, it's true. Daniel and I relocated to Edinburgh [ed-in-bur-uh], Scotland on 4 September 2014. If you're reading my blog (anybody?) you probably already know this. Because I post (as both the French AND South-Louisianians say) "beaucoup" pictures. 

We really like love living in Edinburgh. We think it has the best of everything you could want in a city... the greenest parks, the cutest cafes, the cosiest pubs, the friendliest people, and the list goes on and on. We love being able to walk everywhere. We love our "wee" flat, our friends, and everything about this beautiful country. *except for maybe the weather* I strongly urge you to come visit while we are living here. We'd be happy to host, and you would not be disappointed! 

About 8 months into our Edinburgh life D and I visited the US for about a month. It. Was. Great! We loved seeing friends and family while home. It was comfortable being in the culture we were raised in. We travelled so much, visiting north and south Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas. I was thankful for that refreshing trip, seeing loved ones and eating too much Chick-fil-a. While we were home I spoke to several people about my #todayinedinburgh photos. It was amazing to see how many people were following our journey via social media. Helps me feel like my loved ones are less far away. People had nothing but nice things to say: "your pictures are so beautiful," "Edinburgh looks like an amazing place," "it's so neat to follow you guys in the UK." And also things like: "you guys are really living the dream," "how lucky you are to live in Scotland," "your life is like a movie." 

So, I'm writing this blog post to address the latter series of comments.

We feel so thankful that God chose to bring us to Scotland, because we really do love it here. We also trust that, no matter where we are, God will provide for our needs. And He most certainly has! Sometimes we'll say to each other (almost a year later) "Wow... we actually LIVE here!" because it's not something either of us would have ever expected. But, as the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. And in this case, while the grass LITERALLY is greener, I want to tell you that we have faced our share of hardships, but we are thankful for the hope we have that God will walk us through and provide for our needs. Take this, for instance...

When I post pictures of bright sun shining beautifully into our back bedroom it's because I've been inside all day and that was the ONLY 5 SECONDS OF THE DAY that the sun came out. What. The. Heck. Scotland?!?!

When I post pictures of tea and biscuits in bed, it's because I'm having hot tea under the covers in the middle of the day because it's FREEZING in our flat and we're too cheap to start using the heat in early October.

When I post pictures of romantic early-morning adventures with my sweet boo-thang, it's because the forecast for THE NEXT 36 HOURS is RAIN!!!!! So we better get out at 8am and enjoy the clear skies before it starts raining by lunch. 

When I post pictures of our roast chicken for #thanksgivinginedinburgh, I'm roasting a chicken because the only fresh turkey I could find was nearly $100. Heck to the no. 

When I post picturesque twilight silhouettes of church spires, just keep in mind that twilight in December was at 4pm. NOT. COOL.

Also 3:30pm sunsets in January..

When I post pictures of snowy fields, just remember that I usually WALK to work. about 2 miles, and yes, uphill. 

When I post pictures of gorgeous flower gardens, please know that it's the only 10 minutes of the day that the grey skies briefly shared with the sun.

When I post pictures of ancient castle ruins, bear in mind that the only reason we went there was because we won free train tickets and were able to enter at no cost. We packed a lunch. I don't even like packing my lunch.

The list goes on and on. Like, for example..
- Scottish Power is the UK equivalent of Comcast.

- I work 3 jobs, that, inconveniently, aren't close to one another. 

- Exciting things happen in the lives of our family members and friends back home, but we miss out. 

SO, what?

Here's the bottom line: most people nobody has a perfect/dreamy/movie-like life. We all have difficulties and hard times in life, regardless of what we post on social media for the world to see. And I've realized that, without meaning to, I've made my life seem like it's full of adventures and excitement. But in all actuality, it's probably a lot like yours! 

Love where you live, because God has put you there for a reason. Enjoy the little things, like sunshine, free day trips, bright colored flowers, delicious CHICKEN at Thanksgiving, etc., because they are so often the biggest blessings. And don't be too discouraged from the hard things in life [I'm preaching to the choir, here], but have hope and see it at work all around you.

peace & love

GiveThanks 6

On my last day of thankfulness blogging, there is one special person that God has graciously blessed me with that I am so grateful for: Mr. Walter Daniel Jackson. My words fail me when I begin to describe all the things I am thankful for in him. I am thankful that he loves me second... not above Christ. I am thankful that he is patient with me in my weaknesses. I am thankful that he corrects my papers for me. ;) I am thankful that he LOVES Wingstop and will gladly take me there any night of the week. I am thankful that he studies hard and works hard, doing all things for the glory of the Lord. But above all, I am thankful for his heart that yearns to know God and follow His will. That's a heart I can trust... that's a heart that will lead me well. 

Just FYI, I planned out my "GiveThanks" blog series before I started writing. I knew that my last day would be about D. For this reason, I've had a few days to think about which pictures I would use... hehe, sorry! I couldn't choose just one or two. (This is when Daniel would say, "see bec, we really take too many pictures.") He'll thank me later! ;) It took me FOREVER to figure out how to make this collage, so I hope it's viewable. Here are about 60 pictures of D and I since summer 2009 when we first met. I am thankful for each and every moment we are together... and I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together. (yes, blogger world... WE'RE ENGAGED!! -- more to come on this note in a future post). 

Daniel, if you're reading this, I want you to know that I am so thankful for you. You have been such a blessing in my life, and you encourage me SO MUCH in my walk with the Lord. Thank you for being such a great boyfriend, fiance, and future husband. I love you! :) 

Thank you, Lord, for WDJ.

#GiveThanks

GiveThanks 3

This week has been blessed, but it's also been EXTREMELY BUSY! I have wanted to blog every day this week as a testament to how God has been faithful in my life in all the things I am thankful for. Should time permit, I will continue to update with many thanksgivings.

Today I want to write about how thankful I am for my family: old and new, near and far, present and futuristic. :)

God has been so gracious to me from the very beginning. Clearly I had no choice in which family I would be born into before I entered this world. But even if I had, I couldn't have chosen a better family. God knew exactly what I needed when He brought me here, and I am so thankful for every single member of my family. I've heard this cute quote, and I think it applies perfectly to my family...

"My family: so many nuts we make a party mix!"

Here's a little glimpse of the beautiful people that make my heart overflow with love:

Conway cousins... there's just nothing like this crew. I love them so much!

My gorgeous sisters: Emily Michelle and Meghan Elizabeth pictured above, and Hannah Marie pictured below. Emily has recently been my wedding planner, and I am so glad to have her help! Meg is my co-college dominator, and Hannie calls me frequently to tell me how much she LOVES LSU! :) Now those are some girls after my own heart! hehe... love them!

My wonderful grandparents: thankful for the years I had with Grandma Connie (pictured above). Love Papa Frank dearly and how he took such good care of her. Also love my cousins Zack and Brett (Cuh Cuhh and Boat!)... we had such a great time visiting Grams. 

Below are my Grandma Mary and Papa Ted, with my 3 other Griggs cousins. :) I love to visit "the old man on the hill" and spend time with my sweet grandparents that love deeply. So thankful for them in my life all these years... for their love, care, and unending support.

And here are my Mema and Papa. I love these two so much!!! Thankful for Papa's tender care and teatime with Mema as she told me stories. I have truly been blessed with wonderful grandparents.

 Blog, meet mom and Thai. Mom and Thai, meet blog. I LOVE these two. I love them together so so much. I am so thankful that the Lord (recently) brought them together in marriage. I am thankful that God has graciously provided a sweet husband for my mom that cares for her better than anyone I could have hand-picked myself! :) And I am so thankful for a new stepdad that is so caring and willing to be involved in my life. Love you guys!!!

Along with a new stepdad came SEVERAL new cousins!!! I am especially blessed by this one: mi prima bonita Miss Erica Nguyen! I love her dearly and am so thankful to have her as a cousin, but also as a close friend. I pray that God would help us to encourage one another's faith and we grow in Him.

Above you see pictured one of the cutest baby girls that has ever walked this earth: Miss Molly Marie Jefcoat. Yes, she is a part of my *future* family. I am a proud *future* aunt Bec to this beautiful little girl. I love her and her mom and dad so so so much!!! :) I am also soon to inherit an outgoing and handsome nephew, Jackson... but we will have to take a picture next time we're together! :) Maybe he'll call me Aunt Bec too. :) I want to be the aunt that spoils... don't tell my *future* sisters. :)

And here is one good-looking wedding party. I love all the people in this photo.

This is honestly just a small glimpse of a large and full-o-love family. I am so thankful for my Dad and stepmom Jana. I am blessed to have them in my life for so many reasons. I wish I could see them more often... but it makes the times we are together that much more sweet. I am also thankful for my beautiful aunts and uncles (Phil, Paul, Deanna, Rita, Pat, Brenda, Renee, Dave, Julie, Rich, Donna, Jerry, Sarah, Craig, DeeDee, Wayne, Twin, Sharon, Butta, Truyen, Loan, Tony, Lin, Lee, and probably others I am forgetting). God has really blessed me with a large family. I pray that they will all know the Lord and live by His strength. I pray that God would unite our family and tie us together in love. That He would transform this family to do His will and work for His Kingdom. 

As for my future family... :) kee! I am so blessed to be a future part. Excited to be an "official" part of the Jackson clan, too!! 

Thank you, Lord, for your grace and mercy shown through family. May we love as You've loved us.

#GiveThanks

GiveThanks 2

In light of the Thanksgiving season I want to continue giving thanks. :) Here's what I am thankful for today:

Louisiana State University

It has really been a blessed 3.5 years at this school. I am so thankful for God's call on my life to follow His lead to LSU in August 2008. I am grateful that He's been merciful on me in my studies. I praise Him for helping me to learn a second language through this opportunity of an education. While I am sad that this season of life will come to a close in the next few months, I am forever thankful for how God has used this time of my life spent at LSU... using it to transform me more into His image. Praise the Lord.

Here are some of the many blessings that have come from being at LSU:

Freshmen friends: not a coincidence that we lived in three rooms RIGHT next to each other. 

Mike the Tiger: el famoso tigre de la universidad... the only cat I love.

Mission trips: the work done for the kingdom and the bonds formed by the Spirit.

LSU has taught me:

how to be responsible in a home away from Mom.

The importance of Bible Study as a daily part of our lives, and the importance of family (groups).

How to nanny four beautiful girls that were such a blessing.

How to study. (this one took a little longer than some of the others)

How to get a passport expedited when you accidentally shipped it off to be renewed the week before the Mexico mission trip. Yeah... 

How to love the nations deeply.

I've had fun at LSU, because:

Louisiana Saturday Nights in TIGER STADIUM. :) 

Johnny's FINALLY made it's way to Baton Rouge.

Death valley and the fighting tigers

These are just a few ways the Lord has blessed me during my time at LSU. I give thanks and praise to Him for His mercy in these ways. A few other blessings include:

1. Crosspoint Baptist Church and my home group there.

2. Special friendships made in this phase of life that will never be forgotten (see past post).

3. Knowledgeable professors

4. Flexible jobs 

5. Lunch dates

6. and so much more...

Ann Voskamp has written a book called "One Thousand Gifts." I read her blog regularly and just purchased her book so I can begin counting my blessings along with several other brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. It's amazing... as I am giving thanks in light of the holiday I am realizing how God has been so faithful in every way. I praise Him. May all glory and power be unto His name. Grace and peace.

#GiveThanks

GiveThanks 1

Hello blog. Yes, it's nice to be back. :)

In light of this season I want to make a few blog posts about some of the things I am thankful to God for. He's been so gracious and faithful in my life, and through thanksgiving comes joy from knowing that He really has been providing for me in ways I may not have even noticed. It is good to give thanks to the Lord. So here's my first one for this week: godly sister-friends.

There really is nothing like a sister-friend. These are the friends that stick closer than a brother. These are the friends that love at all times. These are the friends that sharpen you as iron sharpens iron. I am so thankful to God for His love shown to be through the friendships of these amazing women. There are so many blessed friendships He's provided me with, but here are a few I am especially thankful for: 

My dear friend, Miss Hayley Hollier. Hayley is now studying at RVC (Royal Veterinarian College) in London, England. Since she's moved a portion of my heart has been missing. God blessed me with this special friend over a year ago. I am thankful for the first night of our friendship: driving to home group. I don't think the drive could have been long enough, because we had SO much to talk about!! I am so thankful for this beautiful woman and her loving heart. Thank you, Father, for Hayley.

This little beauty is a new friend as of this semester: my sweet friend Lauren Armstrong. I have been blessed to be a mom/sister/mentor/friend to this amazing daughter of the Lord. She's been a tremendous encouragement in my life. I am so excited to see the Lord's work in her and her willingness to follow Him even to the ends of the earth. I am really looking forward to how He continues to cultivate our relationship. Love her!! Thank you, Father, for Lauren.

Thatianne -- what a SPECIAL friend. Since we first met we have been complete opposites. We don't think/act/look/talk/etc. alike... but we both want to seek the Lord and His kingdom. God graciously knit together our hearts while serving in Peru, and my life will never be the same because of this special friendship. Thati teaches me how to love deeply and care for others. I pray that God would keep us united throughout these next few years of change. I am thankful for our recent visit and pray for more of those! :) Thank you, Father, for Thatianne.

My sweetest Jess... oh how I love Jess so much! Miss Jessica Williamson has been tremendously used by the Lord in my life. As my friend and spiritual mentor in high school, Jess has really shown me God's call for us to forsake ourselves and life for His Kingdom... even if it means leaving what you know. And the best part is that she's shown me this by example. Jess is a walking testimony of God's love, and her strong-willed personality has made her such a great leader and adventurer on trips to bring the Word to the lost and lonely. I pray that the Lord would use me in the lives of others like He used Jess in my life. So grateful, Father, for Jess.

This is my beautiful friend Rebekah Lynn Maltempi. Beka has been such a sweet friend/roomie over the past few years. I like sharing a bathroom, the couch, and life with this sweet lady. I am encouraged by her faith and I LOVE her laugh. So thankful to have her in my life, even at times when our names get confusing! ;) Thank you, God, for BekBekBeka.

This post would not be complete without my two GIRLS!! Mary Elizabeth and Annie Elizabeth... I don't even know what to say. These lovely ladies have been at my side for everything, bad times and good. They are strong women in the Lord and have humble and servant-like hearts. Mary is so compassionate and Annie constantly seeks to show hospitality. What great women to walk beside as we strive to be more like Jesus. I am extremely thankful for these sisters, and I love them both DEARLY. :) Thank you, Father, for Mary and Annie (aka- Yary and Fannie/Mookie). 

There are so many other beautiful women that the Lord has placed in my life, like my cutie pie cousin Erica Nguyen, my little hand-me-down taker Ashley Magee, the lovely Sharon and Christina Hebert, and so many more. God is abundantly good. :) Yes, He is.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord. #GiveThanks

What are you thankful for?

thanksgiving

I suppose it's appropriate to blog about the things I am thankful for on such a day as this.

When I think, "What am I thankful to God for?" some obvious things pop in my mind that are very important to me:

1. My mommy, Ruth Ann, the best mommy in the whole world. I have been so thankful to hug her whenever I want for the past day, and I look forward to spending more days with her over this break and hearing about her trip to Israel. Besides being thankful for her awesome qualities as a mom and friend, I am also thankful for her good cooking during this holiday season. :) I love you, mommy!!

2. My entire family, being awesome and sweet and funny and encouraging, etc. They are the bomb.com, and I am thankful to see the ones that are in town now, looking forward to seeing the ones that aren't here, soon. I thank God that He gave me such funny relatives. hehe

3. My beautiful roommates, Mary and Annie. Not only are they my roommates, but they are my best friends and accountability partners. I cannot express with my words how thankful I am that God has allowed me to have such incredible friendships with these amazing women, and I look forward to how He continues to grow our friendships. Thank you, my beautiful friends, for being so wonderful and encouraging all the time. I love you both.

4. My sweet friends from home, Kristy, Jess, Sara, Skylar, etc. I am so glad to have such a strong support system here in Monroe that has helped me to grow in my relationship with Christ. I am thankful that the Lord has put these women in my life to show Himself to me. Love you, chicas!

5. Jordy and our Freshman Family Group. mmm... it's good. Thank you, Lord, for teaching us.

6. W. you know. :)

7. Home. One of my favorite places on earth to be is here in my home in Monroe, sleeping with my mommy at night, and smelling the homey smells. Thank you, Lord, for a home You have provided for me to come back to.

There are also some "smaller" things that happen every day I am thankful for:

1. That the Lord is guiding me to a church in Baton Rouge. :)

2. The 6 darling children I pick up from school 5 days a week.

3. Almost an A in Spanish.

4. Homemade cinnamon rolls.

5. Seeing the stars tonight and last night.

6. The beautiful weather.

7. The heater my mom just turned on to thaw out my ice-cube-like feet. hehe

I know that being thankful for things doesn't need to just happen one day of the year. But I am thankful that there is a special day when I can get with my family and talk about the things I am thankful for. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

But above all, I am most thankful that Jesus has made a way for me to know God. And I am forever grateful for His unending love and mercy, even though I do not deserve it. Thank you, powerful, almighty God, for Your grace. I want to walk in a manner worthy; live for You.

Happy Thanksgiving.