Scottish Banter

It's been a while since my last blog post and I'm sorry on keeping you waiting! I have been here in the beautiful city of Edinburgh for around 3 months now! Which is hard to believe, it feels like I have only blinked my eyes and now I'm here. I'm glad to share that I have become familiar with city life. I feel confident on the bus, My walking shoes have been put to very good use, and I been able to get some what comfortable with being in a congested area. In hindsight my transition has been actually pretty smooth, besides the usual mistakes of moving to a new place this included getting on the wrong bus or even better getting on the wrong train, getting lost and not having my smartphone to save me. There are things I do miss of home. Like What-A-burger (especially the honey butter chicken biscuit), Tex-Mex (I could go on about food so to cut to the chase I miss food... not saying food here is bad but its not the same), I miss football, I miss the feeling I get when I'm driving in my truck down a old FM road with the window down blasting my music (Not because I like loud music, but so I could hear it over the wind) with one of those Texas sunsets, that I can't even describe, off to my side. And of course I miss my family (Hi mom!) and friends!

But besides all the things I miss of home I still feel, in a different kind of way, like I'm home here in Edinburgh, specifically at Bethany House. Like I have said in previous posts the staff and residents at the house made me feel welcomed. The biggest way they made me feel at home here is a thing called "Scottish Banter" or in other words giving each other a hard time. Now if you know me well then you know I love to give people a hard time, Not because I don't like people, but actually for the opposite reason because I love them. Now the Scottish have mastered this art and if your not trained in this form of communicating you will get your feelings hurt, you will think that people don't like you or be confused as to why people would talk to each other like that. The beautiful thing about it is everyone as a different way they play the game. Now I like to think I play fairly, can be a little cut-throat at times, but for the most part I play fair and I can hold my own. Which, for the most part I have held my own. I will admit that I have "lost" or a couple of time been lost for words (Usually has something to do with the news of whats going on back in the States, but that's for a different post for a different time). But overall I have held my own. Now for some back at home or others reading this you might find this fact that, partly the reason why I feel at home here is because people make fun of me, is just a little weird. Let me explain the best I can. When i'm on the picked on or (winded up is what they say here) it lets me know that they notice me and in a strange sense that they care. It is the same way that comedians get a way with making jokes that normally people would be disgusted with or think it's inappropriate, and if you think that the comedian doesn't care about what they are making a joke about then you are sadly mistaken. It is also a way for me to check my own ego to know that I'm just a small piece in this world that God has created, But that I am still loved and important!

For those who don't know this is the beautiful
Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit... Your welcome!

Quick update!!

  Well its been about three weeks so far here in Edinburgh and two weeks working at Bethany house. Here is just a quick update on what I've been doing and what I will be doing and how the house functions.

 For those of you who still aren't exactly sure what I will be doing or what Bethany house is i'm now able to give more details cause now I have a clearer picture in my head. Bethany house is one the services a organization called the Bethany Christian Trust provides. They mainly work in Edinburgh but have a couple of different services in other cities in Scotland. Bethany House (I will more than likely refer to it as the House when I talk about it in my writings). Is a hostel for people who suddenly don't have a place to sleep with a roof over their head. (I will talk more about homelessness later). Sometimes residents stay for a couple of weeks or sometimes as long as a year and everything in between. There are two groups of four project workers that rotate two days on two days off 12 hour shifts. Myself and the other two Volunteers who are with me (Simon and Dana) will be working with both groups. Sometimes we will be working one rotation with one group for a week or so or work 9-5 or something like that. Pretty much my schedule will be different each week. My job is to pretty much help out wherever they need help. That includes doing waking people up, help doing lunch or help clean after lunch. holding the office, doing window checks, Cleaning a room after a resident moves out so another person can stay there, and holding devotions. There is a wide variety in each day that I could be doing.

I'll go through a typical day that I have been doing so far. At 845 a.m. we all gather into this really small office. Sometimes I don't see how we can all fit but we do. One of the people who worked nigh shift goes through the list of residents and tells us what happened the night before. We then have a prayer. Then we have time for people to get tea or coffee. I will say now that I have taken a liking to hot tea and milk (Don't worry I still love my Sweet iced tea). We then go downstairs to a much bigger room. If its the first day of that groups rotation we listen to a recording that the other group made telling us what has happened in the last two days at the house. Which I have found out could be a lot. We can have several people move out or move in or other things that kinda happened. Then we go and wake up residents. Then go back downstairs and have a short staff devo and another prayer. Then who ever is on shift lead tells the other people what they are doing that day (Which could and does change all the time depending on other things coming up). Then we break and get to it. In the mornings we go to the flats to make sure that the common area's are clean. We have six flats total which all have around 4 or 5 rooms. They all have a lounge area a small kitchen and bathroom and shower. The residents rotate who is supposed to tidy up each area. Checking the flats can take any where between 20 minutes to an hour depending if you get caught up in conversation with one of the residents. This takes usually one person to do. The others are either cooking lunch or in meetings with a resident or just in the office. then at 12 we have lunch and after lunch one of the staff members helps clean up. Each flat is on a rotation on kitchen help to clean up. After that there is break time which could mean a short nap or a nice walk around the city. Then a staff member holds a devo for residents if the want to come. Then around 3 we have tea break for the residents. Then sometime after that one person will go up and do window checks which is kinda like flat cleaning. We have to go into each room everyday and make sure their window isn't open to wide. Sounds weird I know but its a government rule. This could also lead to talking with residents. Then dinner at 5 and then I go home.

This is a very short summary of a typical day here. I'm sure I'll dive deeper into different aspects of my work here throughout the year. Here are some pictures so far!

My fellow volunteers/roommates Simon who is from Germany and Dana who is from North Dakota and is also in the YAGM program

Fellow YAGM UKers We have Maridith, Libby, Dana, Jessica, and Mycah

The Eagle Has Landed!

This post is over my travels and first couple days in Edinburgh

As I sit here at the airport along with come of my fellow YAGM UKer's. I reflect on the past week at orientation in Chicago. In just one week I met new people who pushed and challenged me. The people, whom asked me these questions that made me look deep into myself, come from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures all of which are beautiful and unique in there own way. Some of the people I met I could relate to very easy and others I couldn't. Some of the people I met shared interests and hobbies and others liked totally different things. Some of the people were more stoic and reserved like myself others were more energetic and talkative. But one thing we all had in common was the fact that we were about to start writing a new chapter in our lives. For some of us that chapter will be the chapter of our lives that totally could change us. It could be the chapter were we see our selves slowly start to change and mold that could transition into later chapters. The possibilities for what can happen in this chapters of our lives is endless! And that is both exciting and terrifying. And it was one thing in common that made us come together as a family. We shared stories about ourselves (I personally told things that I usually don't tell people whom I just met). We were there to comfort each other when we shared things about ourselves that brought us pain. And we were there to laugh with each other when we shared the funny times in our lives. After a week of these very special times, I found myself having to say some hard Goodbye's to some very special people. A couple of months ago I was interested in this concept of Goodbyes so I wrote down some words about what goodbyes mean to me.

"Goodbye"

"Goodbye's" suck! there is no other way to say, no reason to sugarcoat it. 

"Goodbye's" usually involve tears and stuffy noses and are very difficult to say.

But when saying "Goodbye's" that are difficult and hard that makes it that much more special. When we say "Goodbye" we mutually agree without saying a word to each other. To forget about the bad memories and to cherish the good memories. We decide to not let bad arguments or fights get in the way of how much we can care for each other. When we say "Goodbye" we are allowing the person either be with God or letting them share their gifts with the world. And to share their love with strangers who might really need it. Even though I'm scared to death of the day when I say "Goodbye" to my parents for the last time. I know that it will be my responsibility to to celebrate their life by how I live and instill the values they raised me on in everyday life. When we really look at "Goodbye's" they are actually one of the most selfless acts we can do.

I've been in Edinburgh for a  couple of days now and they only thing I can say that place is beautiful. Every time I leave my flat I'm left in awe and feel like I am in a dream. Today I had the opportunity to accompany some of the staff members from Bethany house (which is were I'll be working) and some of the residents from the house on a BBQ to a local beach. I was humbled by how I was welcomed from the staff and the residents. They asked me questions about where I was from and we joked about how the BBQ's where a whole lot bigger in Texas. Then the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing by the beach and playing a game of rounders ball (I'm not 100% sure that's how you say it) On the way back I couldn't help but feel a total sense of peace. As I look back again I can see just why community is so important. Today I broke bread with people who came from totally different backgrounds then I do. And yet we came together and we were all able to forget about our worries and frustrations and enjoy one an others company. I have a feeling that will be a common theme for me this year. breaking bread with people and sharing life together as we go through this thing we call life. I know this year will bring many challenges and frustrations but after today I feel just a little bit more comfortable facing whatever comes my way.

One psaml that I know that I will read a lot this year is Psalm 121

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence my help comes from? 

My help comes from the Lord! Who made the heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber not sleep.

  The Lord is your keeper: The Lord is the shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserver you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserver you going out and your coming in. From this time forth, and forever more." Psalm 121

Whenever you need help look up and find peace. I know that's easier said than done haha. 

P.S. Sorry I don't have any photos yet. I will have some soon!!

Drum Roll Please!!

After many weeks of praying and discernment I'm pleased to announce that I will be going to the land of Kilts and William Wallace, I will be spending the next year in Edinburgh, Scotland. I will be working at a place called Bethany House. They are a homeless hostel! My work will contain being at the hostel and help in daily activities. Such has helping people move in and out of the hostel as well as cleaning up and getting ready for someone else to move in. I will also help with meals if needed and do daily devotions with those willing. A big part of my job will to just be there to listen, talk, and pray with those who I will be interacting with daily.

I am beyond excited for this opportunity! I will admit I never thought I would be working with homeless people.  I would be lying to not say that I'm also nervous. I'm nervous, because I'm going to be pushed outside of my comfort zone in totally different ways that I have ever experienced before, or in ways that I have ever imagined. I'm nervous, because I know that I will be pushed more mentally and spiritually than I have ever been pushed before.

But with every nervous or worried thought that goes through my mind I am reminded to remain calm "And know, that I am God" psalm 46:10. I know that when I feel worried or depressed I know that I will find comfort in God “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Mathew 11:28 and again “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3.

I continue to ask for your prayers, not only for myself but for the 78 others that will go on there own adventure with God in the next year. If you have something you would like me to pray for please email me! Also I will be writing another blog soon on the big question WHY I decided to do this year of service and my hopes and goals for the year.

Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to read my blog!
God Bless!
David Roulston

P.S. if you want future blogs emailed right to you then click on the follow button next to the picture of the very handsome man in a yellow shirt (Yes, I am the ridicules handsome man) in the top left of the screen. At least I think that is how it works....

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16

Just a little taste of what my main attire will be!

I'm going on an adventure

I'm new to the blogging world and I don't really know what I'm doing haha. I was told blogging is just a way of getting out what I am thinking/feeling. Which I will admit now I am not the best at sharing what is on my mind or what I'm feeling. I hope this blog will help with that....

If you are reading this blog you may or may not know I will be spending the next year living and serving with the people in the United Kingdom. I wish I could tell y'all more about what I will be doing, but as of right now I don't know what I will be doing or what I will be doing. I'm working with two separate programs to make this year possible. The first one is called Young Adults in Global Mission or YAGM for short, and the other group is a UK based program called Time For God or TFG. YAGM is programm for young adults ages 21-29 and they send people to Mexico, Cambodia, Rwanda, Argentina/Uruguay. Madagascar,  Jerusalem, Hungary, Southern Africa, and the United Kingdom. And they work with TFG for people who are going to the UK.

The plan is to share my experiences through this blog to anyone who wants to keep with me on my little adventure. I can't wait for the upcoming year. I can't wait to get out of my comfort zone. Not only can't wait for the good times but also for the rough times (I know that sounds weird but that is when we truly grow as human being and children of God). I also can't wait to share those experiences with you!

If you ever have a comment or want to talk with me, please don't hesitate! shoot me an email! I also ask for prayers for the next year, not only for my self but for the 78 other young adults that will be also going on their adventure.

Thank you and God Bless
David Roulston

Proverbs 20:24 The steps of a person are ordained by the Lord— so how can anyone understand his own way?

P.S. I'm also really proud of the title of this blog, I thought of it myself There and Back Again: A Texans Tale. Yes it was inspired from the LOTR and Hobbit series.

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