Happy Christmas
Our Christmas day was quiet and relaxing. We carried on my family’s tradition of sleeping by the light of the Christmas tree in the family room on Christmas Eve, woke up to exchange our gifts for one another, watch movies and snack on yummy food! While the traditions are fun, it was so helpful and reassuring to know that we are celebrating the same Christ that you, our friends and family, are celebrating. That is what connected us to you this year since we couldn’t be with you in person. No matter where we are geographically, Christ is to be praised and glorified at this time of year and always. It’s so easy sometimes to get pulled into the materialization of Christmas rather than to focus on Jesus and His birth, death and resurrection. Since we’re so far removed from family and long-known friends, it was particularly a Christmas of reflection on the one who is the same yesterday, today and always. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.
Happy Christmas from the Naylors!
Christmas Eve
I did have to work on Christmas Eve, but thankfully I was off by 2:30 so I could prepare for our evening out with friends at a fun new spot called Zizzi’s, which is an Italian Restaurant. We shared a lovely meal with the Keiths, Browns and Crowe’s.
We enjoyed celebrating with you all!
Birthday Festivities
I was able to enjoy a lovely birthday here in Edinburgh with some great friends! Cheryl, Katie and I went out for dessert and coffee to a fun little spot called Hamilton’s in Stockbridge……..here we are enjoying some Bailey’s Cheesecake, Raspberry Panacotta and Apple Crumble along with lattes and americano’s! Thanks for sharing in my day ladies and for making it special with fun personally made stationary and a lovely scarf!
When I got home from being out with the gals, Mike had an amazing meal prepared for me of steak with a Blue Cheese crust, shrimp in pasta, peas and garlic bread! So yummy! Here are a few pics of our fun….
And then to top it off we had two very fun skype calls from family! Mike’s parents now have skype and so we got to chat with them and my sister in law gathered all the troops into PA and sent their birthday greetings as well! It was great to see everyone!
Thanks for a great 2007!
Meet the Starbucks Crew
Just a few nights ago the Starbucks Crew had our Christmas staff night out! We went to Ecco Vino, which is where our store manager, Laura’s, husband is manager! We had a great time with them! The gang, from left to right around the table is:
-Sylvain from France
-Lukasz from Poland
-Mike and I
-Laura (store manager) from Spain
-Erica from Scotland
-Danny from Scotland
-Maria from Spain
We also have a new partner that couldn’t make it to the party. Her name is Zane and she is from Latvia! What a fun and diverse group we’ve got!
Laura had gone to a 3D film on the day of the party, so Erica needed to try on her cool 3D glasses. Ain’t she cute?!
They’re a fun group of people and it’s an honor to work with them! We love you guys!
St. Andrew’s Day
On St. Andrews Day, the last day of November, visiting the castle is free! We took advantage of the day, but didn’t stay long. It was kind of gloomy (kind of like my mood that day, honestly) and the camera batteries gave out half way through, but we did get some shots before leaving. Here are some pictures of the Edinburgh Castle that we hope to visit again soon!!
The couple that you see here are getting married. Notice the grooms traditional Scottish kilt! The piper was playing as they exited the castle. Getting married at a castle….romantic. However, getting married on St. Andrews day, at the castle, with tons of tourists….not so romantic, but cute nonetheless.
Above is a view of Princes Street and the German Market that is taking place for another two weeks! It’s great fun to walk through and see all the little gifts! Haven’t done the rides yet, but it’s great fun!
Christmas Decorating
We have to admit that decorating for Christmas was certainly not the same this year. We don’t have our usual ornaments and such, but we made the most of it upon our return from Spain two week ago. Just yesterday, however, we received a beautiful package from the Gushiken family filled with fun things! They sent stockings and an oven mitt, kitchen towels, decorative plates, cups and napkins and all kinds of great stuff! Even a tree skirt, which is around the tree, but has yet to be photographed…..that will be in an upcoming post, I assure you! Here are a few Christmas pics of our flat!
Welcome Charlie Alistair Crowe to the world
On Monday, December 3, 2007 Charles (Charlie) Alistair Crowe joined the world in Edinburgh. He was 7 lbs 5 oz, 20 inches long, and almost 2 weeks early!
We are thrilled that Cheryl and Brandon Crowe gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. We had the opportunity to met him when he was only two days old. Here are some pictures of our first meeting! What a sweetie he is!
“Our Church”
Some of you are probably wondering how our “church shopping” has been going. After looking at several churches and sitting under their teaching, worship, prayer and sensing the presence of the Spirit working at some and not so much at others, we have decided to land on a church called Carrubber’s Christian Centre. (Their link is below if you’re interested in taking a further look). Carrubber’s was the only church that we visited where we left feeling like both of us were worshiping while we were there, we were taught from the Bible (and actually opened the Bible unlike our visit to some other churches) and felt a warm welcome from the people.
Mike and I are both used to being the “regular attenders” at the churches we’ve grown up in and then were committed to (shout out to HAEFC folks!). We weren’t used to being the newcomers and that is just a tough place to be in. Anyway, I’d like to encourage all of you who go to church and welcome newcomers to really reach out to them. It’s a vulnerable place to be in to get yourself out there. More likely than not, the new folks will not feel comfortable to be the first to introduce themselves and will need someone to kind of educate them and guide them on how things are done at your church and have someone to sit with or go to lunch with after the service. That just makes all the difference in the world. At least it has made a huge dent in our decision upon a return to some churches and not to others. Sad, but true. Phil Landers, you are GREAT at this and are a wonderful example of how to be intentional with new folks. Our hats go off to you!
Enjoy meeting Carrubber’s through their website!
www.carrubbers.org
