July Craziness and Coming Home

Hello Everyone!
Lots has happened so let's just get updating!!!
The month of July has been insane. Matthew and I have had many adventures we would like to Share with you!

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
That's right. We told you all we were going to throw a party and we did! We had a BBQ on our back porch and a bunch of people came and had delicious food and firework poppers and celebrated America's Independence with cupcakes.

ST ANDREWS

Matthew and I, along with some staff members, all drove up to St Andrews for the day. It was a misty kind of day but wonderful none-the-less. We toured St Andrew's Cathedral and cemetery, played on the beach, visited the coffee shop where Will and Kate had their first date, and ate at Scotland Best Ice Cream hop, Jannettas Gelateria.

       JOUSTING AT 
       LINLITHGO PALACE
Yes, that is right. Jousting. How cool is that!?!?! There was this entire Medieval Festival and Jousting Competition at the Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was born and raised. It was so dramatic and fun! We yelled at the bad guy, cheered unashamed at the good guy, and even got called "stupid peasants"!


CLIMBING CAMP IN POLAND

 We were given the opportunity to go and volunteer as climbing Instructors at a camp in Wisla, Poland.  It was so hot, humid and gorgeous while we were there. We easily hiked over 20 miles in 10 days, took a step into the Czech Republic, outran a Lightning Storm, picked wild berries, learned a bit of polish, shared our testimonies of God's Faithfulness, and just got to love to some polish teenagers. It was an experience we will never forget.

COMING HOME

We just realized that in the craziness of the last few months, we haven't told you guys whats next! Basically we have decided to come back to the United States and not stay another year in Scotland. While we are sad to leave the UK, we really feel that our time in Scotland is done for now. Our plan is to travel around Europe for about a month, then head back to Nevada where Matthew will begin a program to get his Elementary Teaching Certificate. We still have a lot to figure out and hoops to jump through but we feel that this will be the most beneficial for us as we move forward in our lives. We will both also be getting "normal" jobs, and working towards paying off a major chunk of our student debt. Thank you for all your prayers in this matter!

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Transition: As we leave behind friends here and try to adjust back in the states with all its uncertainly, would you join us in prayer for God's peace and wisdom.

2. Travel Safety and Our European Adventure: We are taking this opportunity to take advantage of our proximity to Europe to travel a bit. We have a lot of details to figure out and a limited budget so prayers and advice are greatly appreciated.

3. Abernethy: Pray for this organization that is so close to our hearts. Our organization/center will be going through a lot a transition of staff as we leave and needs the Lord's wisdom and grace.

We will try to keep you updated more as we pack and travel.

LOTS OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS!!
Matthew and Cynthia