There is nothing like the present moment...

Hello everyone!

I hope that this post finds you all doing well and enjoying this spring time of year. I have enjoyed spring in Scotland and N. Ireland. My fellow YAV's and I just got home from our (sadly) last retreat together in Iona Scotland. It was truly a magical place. The natural beauty of this place was just stunning and the history that seemed to be in every step you would take on the Island was just fascinating. We got to hike and enjoy the beauty of the Island and we got to worship in an Abbey built by St. Columba thousands and thousands of years ago.

Below I have updated my slideshow to include some of the best pictures of the week in Scotland.

Since I last blogged I found out that I was accepted into one of the nations leading schools for social work. Washington University in St. Louis has a wonderful reputation for their Masters program in social work and I was honored to accept their offer and a scholarship they were kind enough to give me. I feel as though God is calling me to go and hone my skills as a social worker so that I can better serve.

As I started this decision process as to what to do after my year overseas I found that God was truly in this continuation of ministry. As I get closer to coming home, I find that I am trying to figure out what is next for me. I have and will continue to struggle every day of my life (and I know I am not alone) with the concept of when to act and when to remain still and wait. This decision to come to N. Ireland was one of the easiest ones of my life it seems. Likewise, this decision to move to St. Louis has been as equally easy. I feel a strong sense of call to social work and in particular finding a way to use the skills I have learned here in N. Ireland and apply them to life in the U.S.

Like the title of my blog says, there is truly nothing like the present moment. While I was in Iona Scotland I found much time to be by myself and I found that time, at the top of hills overlooking the sea, watching sun sets over the ocean, and below a cross that has been there since 600 A.D. to be so spiritually fulfilling. One day I was walking with my friends back to the place we stayed on the Island and we walked by a bench that simply read "Be Still". After finding my favorite places to reflect, read, or just look out at the beauty of the Island, I spent the next day on that bench. I enjoyed the coolness of the breeze that went through the Abbey walls, I enjoyed the birds building their nests upon the walls, I enjoyed the smiles and "hello's" I got from all who passed by. I was truly still. Still in mind, in body and in soul.

As I continue to struggle with this ingrained need to always be doing something, always be busy, achieving, doing...I am reminded that just being still, even if only for a time, is essential. I may always be a planner, I may always need to know what is next on my plate. But, I do see the good in being still, in finding the peace that lies in every moment of the day. To take time, be still, and wait, wait for God to call you. To listen, to act, and to serve.

Peace and love be with you all-

Melissa