Holy Island

“There are places I remember

All my life though some have changed”

-the Beatles, there are places I remember

In my life I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel many places. And I have been further blessed to see these places with people that I enjoy being with. Some of these places stand out more in my memory than others, some I hope to return to someday, others I don’t. One place that often comes to mind when I think of traveling or revisiting a place is Lindisfarne.

My Family on Lindisfarne some years ago.

 Lindisfarne is a small tidal island in Northumberland, England. It’s a beautiful place, and if I could encourage you to visit one place on this earth it would be there. I’ve been there only twice (I think) and both times I was quite young, but I can very clearly remember how much I enjoyed being there. Not only is it surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and home to the ruins of Lindisfarne Priory, which are stunning, but there is also a certain sense of calm and serenity there.

Now my parents may very well be laughing at that last statement about serenity, because once when we were there a wedding was being held at the Church and they played “You sexy thing” by Hot Chocolate on repeat for pretty much the entire night, so in that sense if might not have seemed serene in that instance. But there is still a peacefulness there, a sense of God’s presence. Perhaps that is why it is often referred to as Holy Island.

My sisters and I with a statue of St. Aidan.
Yet another reason I like Lindisfarne.

It’s hard for me to put into words why Lindisfarne is so special; I think it’s something you just have to experience. To stand in the ruins and be in awe of how stunning they are. Or to walk on the beach finding pieces of glass made smooth by the current of the ocean. To just look at the beauty that surrounds you and breathe in the fresh air.

God is everywhere and I know that if we try hard enough we can discern His voice no matter where we are. But in some places it is just easier to drown out the rest of the world and focus on Him. Lindisfarne is like that. To me, it truly is a Holy Island.

“And here we are

We have come this far

To say a prayer

On Lindisfarne”

- Iona, Lindisfarne

~*Magical*~

Snow is pretty magical, isn’t it? When I was little and it snowed I can still remember that my dad would stand in front of the window for so long just watching it come down. My mom said it was because he grew up in Brazil and snow was just such a strange thing to him. Yet, despite having grown up seeing at least some snow, I find myself situated right next to the window so as not to miss any of the delicate snowflakes falling down. It has the same effect on me as an open flame or the waves of the ocean, hypnotic almost, I can’t quite bring myself to look away. But that’s not the only reason I think snow is magical.

Snow brings people together. No joke. A couple days ago it started snowing here in Langley and my roommate and I ended up just sitting in front of the window for hours watching it come down. And as the layer of snow grew more and more people started to come outside and jump around, make snow angels, have snowball fights, make snowmen and go for romantic walks together. On what otherwise would have been an average evening with everyone doing their own things inside the dorms, people went outside and came together.

Something about snow takes you back to a childlike state I think; the sounds of sheer joy coming from the people outside, the sense of adventure or that everything is new. Because nothing looks quite the same when it snows. I’m not surprised that only the season of winter has ever merited the term “wonderland”, because there is nothing that really compares to when the world is covered in the soft white blanket.

Now, I realize that for a lot of people snow is nothing more than a pain in the butt. It makes it hard to drive, it’s tough to walk in and it is pretty chilly. But for me; someone who doesn’t drive, who doesn’t mind a challenge whilst walking and enjoys bundling up for the cold, snow is great. It makes the world quiet and perfect. And the beauty of how pure it is reminds me that God can make us whiter than the snow (Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18). That I, too, can be that pure.

So think what you will about snow, but I love it. And so I will sit here by my window, with my cup of hot chocolate and try to get some of my homework reading done… if I can keep my eyes from gazing out at the snow, that is. 

Auld Lang Syne

New Year’s Eve in my family has always been pretty much the same for as long as I can remember; the family would sit around watching silly shows on tv, eating olliebollen, waiting for the countdown and then watching the fireworks in the street, drinking champagne (when we were old enough) and ABBA’s Happy New Year blasting from the stereo. It’s a tradition I really enjoy, and even when our whole family isn’t together it’s nice to know that most of us are probably listening to ABBA either way. But there is another song that I love and as cheesy as it sounds always makes me tear up a little: Auld Lang Syne.

I’m not sure why I love this song so much, because it’s never been part of our family tradition, but there must be a part of me that just connects with it. It was written by Robert Burns in 1788, he was a Scott (perhaps my Scottish roots are the reason I love the song?) and the words of the song literally translated call for us to think of the days gone by. To think of the friends we have had, and possibly lost along the way. It talks about the trials that we have overcome in times past and that we ought not forget them, and that despite these trials we can share in kindness with one another. I don’t know but something about it seem to match perfectly what I feel on New Years. The sense that I’m not the person I was a year ago because I’ve grown and that with the knowledge of what has passed I can move forward into the adventures of the New Year. That there are always those who stand by you through the tough times and those who have helped you along the way. A sense of perseverance, camaraderie, and hope. I like that.

Here are the full English lyrics of the song and you can find the original Scottish version online. I wish you all the best as you start this new year of 2012, that you continue to grow into the person you want to be and that you remember the days that have past and have brought you to where you are now.

Should old acquaintance be forgot,


and never brought to mind ?


Should old acquaintance be forgot,


and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !

and surely I’ll buy mine !


And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,


for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,


and picked the daisies fine ;

But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,


since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,


from morning sun till dine ;


But seas between us broad have roared


since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !


And give us a hand o’ thine !


And we’ll take a right good-will draught,


for auld lang syne.

CHORUS