Dear Friends,
It has been such a joy to write to you all, during this long journey. I’ve been honored to be given the privilege of your company and concern, even though we’re thousands of miles from one another. Thank you so much for you love, your prayers, and your encouragement which has continually allowed me to know that I am in your hearts and our Heavenly Father’s, as well. You are all deeply appreciated, and I wanted to take one more opportunity of writing to you, before I begin my journey homeward.
I’ve safely returned back to Glasgow, late this afternoon. The past several days, leading unto this one, have been truly blessed and very wonderful. The last time I wrote, I was mentioning some of the remembrances of our time in Ireland. God brought us back to Dumbarton, through a surprisingly uneventful trip. After the past many passages, this was an unusual blessing, indeed. :) We remained in Dumbarton, only a few hours; Aimee’s mother had arranged for us to stay with family in Montrose, and we were due there by evening. The following three days were such a gift to us.
Once in Montrose, we were hosted by a caring and elderly widower named John. He took especially great delight in cooking warm, homemade meals for me, my brother, and my friend, Aimee. He and Brent got along famously…they both love to talk. :) John was so gracious and made me feel, for once, as though I’d actually come to a place like home. It was a tremendous blessing just to be loved. This sweet man was so thrilled that we had come and given him company. Yet, I was simply glad that we could bless him, in some way.
Montrose became a haven to me…a place full of life and joy. On Friday, we walked the mile’s length into town and visited the Continental Market. The market had come to the city for only two days, and we found it during its last day here. Peddlers had come from all over Europe. There were stalls full of fresh-baked Parisian bread, candies of every color under heaven, huge rounds of Italian cheese, a vendor with delectable Spanish food, fragrant soaps from the South of France, cookies from a small bakery in Brittany, and so much more. I so loved the sights and scents of the central square’s tented crowds and wares.
The next day, Aimee and I traveled with Brent to Edinburgh. Earlier in my tour here, I had already gone through this wonderful city, so rich in history and significance. All throughout Brent’s stay here, I had so wanted to bring him to Edinburgh, and I was blessed, indeed, that everything finally worked out just perfectly so he could journey there. The weather, that Saturday, was uncommonly lovely. For hours, we walked the streets…reading plaques, tracing history, finding special gifts, and taking in the beauty of hundreds of years’ testimony to faithfulness, dignity, and conviction.
On Sunday morning, I had the great joy of going to the Kirk (the High Kirk of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church) with a sweet family member of Aimee’s, Aunt Mary. This aged woman was so precious and afforded my heart such encouragement. So greatly I’ve missed the opportunities to be in the house of God, and Aunt Mary brought us to her own sanctuary. We sat together in the hundred-year-old oaken pews, sang absolutely gorgeous songs of worship, and heard a sermon rich in truth from the aged Reverend. It was really a sweet highlight of the whole trip.
Later on that afternoon, I took Brent with me into Arbroath. This town held the glorious abbey in which was signed the Treaty of Arbroath, the Scottish mirroring of our Declaration of Independence. This abbey is little more than ruins now, but to me, it stands as a silent prayer, a plea to Heaven for another rebirth in this nation…a liberation of souls unto the Lordship of our precious Christ.
One of the only areas still standing is the sacristy. This certuries-worn room endured years, completely unsheltered from either storm or sun. The stone walls are eroded deeply, and the carvings are not so fine as they once were, but there is a certain peace and holiness that has come to dwell within its expanse. In this special place, one can sing, and a voice reverberates, seemingly without end, as though it were to reach unto the very throne of God.
Today, I’ve been able to make a lengthy passage from Montrose to Glasgow. We stopped for a little while in Dunfermline. It was a lovely place, but there was more that drew me to this city very near the Firth of Forth. Forty years ago, one of my grandfathers pastured a large church there; I wanted to return to a place that had held such significance to him. I found the glorious, granite building and found myself standing there, asking that the Lord would bless me with even a portion of the godliness that is so beautifully rooted in the heart of my blessed grandfather.
Tonight, after checking into our hotel very near the Glasgow airport, I set out on my one, remaining mission of the heart…I longed to return to Hinshaw Street. This is the place in which one of my dearest instruments was made, a beautiful violin. It was made fashioned there by John M. Crindle in the year 1875. As long as I can remember, I’ve desired to return to the place in which was birthed a instrument that so fostered a love in my heart, a love for worshipping my Savior. It was not very long until I was standing on a quiet street corner of Hinshaw and Maryhill streets, reminiscing over the many years that have brought me to this place of such gratitude to my Heavenly Father, thinking over His faithfulness that has borne me thus far. How good He is to His children!
In just a few hours, I’m to rise and begin my flights homeward. I’ve been richly blessed during these many weeks…whether through the struggle of “loving-in-spite…” or in the sweetness of knowing I am the one who has been loved, I’ve learned such a great deal. God has brought my heart to the realization of so many wondrous truths of His character and compassion, and I pray He will give me the strength to continue onward in the path to which He’s set my feet—may I forever be faithful in carrying the fragrance of His beauty wherever I go.
I’ve so missed you all. God has kept me close to you in heart, but I long, once more, to see you, face to face. Pray that the Lord will guard me, during these final hours of my sojourning and bring me safely home to you, once more. May Christ be ever near you and richly bless you in all you do. I will be forever grateful for your prayers and concern, and I send my warmest greetings to each of you. All my love, dear ones…
Blessings Always,
Amy E. Salter
It has been such a joy to write to you all, during this long journey. I’ve been honored to be given the privilege of your company and concern, even though we’re thousands of miles from one another. Thank you so much for you love, your prayers, and your encouragement which has continually allowed me to know that I am in your hearts and our Heavenly Father’s, as well. You are all deeply appreciated, and I wanted to take one more opportunity of writing to you, before I begin my journey homeward.
I’ve safely returned back to Glasgow, late this afternoon. The past several days, leading unto this one, have been truly blessed and very wonderful. The last time I wrote, I was mentioning some of the remembrances of our time in Ireland. God brought us back to Dumbarton, through a surprisingly uneventful trip. After the past many passages, this was an unusual blessing, indeed. :) We remained in Dumbarton, only a few hours; Aimee’s mother had arranged for us to stay with family in Montrose, and we were due there by evening. The following three days were such a gift to us.
Once in Montrose, we were hosted by a caring and elderly widower named John. He took especially great delight in cooking warm, homemade meals for me, my brother, and my friend, Aimee. He and Brent got along famously…they both love to talk. :) John was so gracious and made me feel, for once, as though I’d actually come to a place like home. It was a tremendous blessing just to be loved. This sweet man was so thrilled that we had come and given him company. Yet, I was simply glad that we could bless him, in some way.
Montrose became a haven to me…a place full of life and joy. On Friday, we walked the mile’s length into town and visited the Continental Market. The market had come to the city for only two days, and we found it during its last day here. Peddlers had come from all over Europe. There were stalls full of fresh-baked Parisian bread, candies of every color under heaven, huge rounds of Italian cheese, a vendor with delectable Spanish food, fragrant soaps from the South of France, cookies from a small bakery in Brittany, and so much more. I so loved the sights and scents of the central square’s tented crowds and wares.
The next day, Aimee and I traveled with Brent to Edinburgh. Earlier in my tour here, I had already gone through this wonderful city, so rich in history and significance. All throughout Brent’s stay here, I had so wanted to bring him to Edinburgh, and I was blessed, indeed, that everything finally worked out just perfectly so he could journey there. The weather, that Saturday, was uncommonly lovely. For hours, we walked the streets…reading plaques, tracing history, finding special gifts, and taking in the beauty of hundreds of years’ testimony to faithfulness, dignity, and conviction.
On Sunday morning, I had the great joy of going to the Kirk (the High Kirk of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church) with a sweet family member of Aimee’s, Aunt Mary. This aged woman was so precious and afforded my heart such encouragement. So greatly I’ve missed the opportunities to be in the house of God, and Aunt Mary brought us to her own sanctuary. We sat together in the hundred-year-old oaken pews, sang absolutely gorgeous songs of worship, and heard a sermon rich in truth from the aged Reverend. It was really a sweet highlight of the whole trip.
Later on that afternoon, I took Brent with me into Arbroath. This town held the glorious abbey in which was signed the Treaty of Arbroath, the Scottish mirroring of our Declaration of Independence. This abbey is little more than ruins now, but to me, it stands as a silent prayer, a plea to Heaven for another rebirth in this nation…a liberation of souls unto the Lordship of our precious Christ.
One of the only areas still standing is the sacristy. This certuries-worn room endured years, completely unsheltered from either storm or sun. The stone walls are eroded deeply, and the carvings are not so fine as they once were, but there is a certain peace and holiness that has come to dwell within its expanse. In this special place, one can sing, and a voice reverberates, seemingly without end, as though it were to reach unto the very throne of God.
Today, I’ve been able to make a lengthy passage from Montrose to Glasgow. We stopped for a little while in Dunfermline. It was a lovely place, but there was more that drew me to this city very near the Firth of Forth. Forty years ago, one of my grandfathers pastured a large church there; I wanted to return to a place that had held such significance to him. I found the glorious, granite building and found myself standing there, asking that the Lord would bless me with even a portion of the godliness that is so beautifully rooted in the heart of my blessed grandfather.
Tonight, after checking into our hotel very near the Glasgow airport, I set out on my one, remaining mission of the heart…I longed to return to Hinshaw Street. This is the place in which one of my dearest instruments was made, a beautiful violin. It was made fashioned there by John M. Crindle in the year 1875. As long as I can remember, I’ve desired to return to the place in which was birthed a instrument that so fostered a love in my heart, a love for worshipping my Savior. It was not very long until I was standing on a quiet street corner of Hinshaw and Maryhill streets, reminiscing over the many years that have brought me to this place of such gratitude to my Heavenly Father, thinking over His faithfulness that has borne me thus far. How good He is to His children!
In just a few hours, I’m to rise and begin my flights homeward. I’ve been richly blessed during these many weeks…whether through the struggle of “loving-in-spite…” or in the sweetness of knowing I am the one who has been loved, I’ve learned such a great deal. God has brought my heart to the realization of so many wondrous truths of His character and compassion, and I pray He will give me the strength to continue onward in the path to which He’s set my feet—may I forever be faithful in carrying the fragrance of His beauty wherever I go.
I’ve so missed you all. God has kept me close to you in heart, but I long, once more, to see you, face to face. Pray that the Lord will guard me, during these final hours of my sojourning and bring me safely home to you, once more. May Christ be ever near you and richly bless you in all you do. I will be forever grateful for your prayers and concern, and I send my warmest greetings to each of you. All my love, dear ones…
Blessings Always,
Amy E. Salter
posted by Amy | 10:14 PM
2 Comments:
So sorry about my brevity of comments lately. It's always quite a race to check into my email and blog before my purchased wireless time expires. Most of the time, I've also been running to catch a flight...such was the tale today. I checked into the Glasgow airport for my return flight home at 4am. That just shouldn't be legally allowable. :) I'm a night owl being forced to live the life of an early bird; it's killing me. :) Anyway, I'm glad I'll soon be home and back to my talkative self. Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers; they're all so greatly appreciated!
Hello, Deb!
No worries, dear... Part of the beauty of God's Spirit is the way that It speaks to us all in different ways, in different times, through different words, etc. I really do pray that God gave your heart something lovely and good from the sermon on Sunday. I always search for the best to be found, even when other things may make little sense. I know you meant no wrong, and I didn't even consider any blunder as having been committed...so rest easy, my sweet sister, and know all is well. We love you, too! I'll look forward to worshipping again with you soon, Lord willing. :)
Blessings Always,
Amy
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