Off to the mountains we go, to lose our minds and find our souls..

December 6th 2024.

Packing, setting off, a glorious anticipation of a few days nestled in the moutains.

A walk near Loch earn, the peace encompasses us, the forest is dark, still, silent. Ah breathe. Day light, misty views and so much gratitude starts to rise up from inside.

Holly cottage in Glencoe, our little haven for the long weekend. We raise a glass to where we are at and so much to look forward to.

"Hello Glencoe!" I exclaimed as we stepped outside this morning. We saw the view for the first time in daylight, a mountain towering above, with a beautiful dusting of snow

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Then a day of spectacular sights, layers of wintery looking mountains and sea scape views, We hopped across to Aardnamurchan on the Corran ferry. Really special to see Hopscotch, 20 + years on, A wee cycle and then braved a coffee sitting outside at the new brewery, it was lovely to chat to some other customers.

We had a cuppa and both read for an hour - I loved this quote from my Dallas Willard book, speaking about the discipline of solitude:

"the great holy men, where they might, fled men's fellowship and chose to live to God in secret places One said: As ofttimes as I was among men I came back less a man, that is to say less holy........if in the beginning of thy conversion thou keep thy cell and dwell well therein it shall be to thee afterwards as a dear and beloved friend and most pleasant solace. In silence and quiet the devout soul profiteth and learneth the secrets of the scriptures........Leave vain things to the vain.......Shut thy door upon thee and call to thee Jesu they love dwell with him in they cell for thou shalt not find elsewhere so great peace"

On the second full day we pedalled from Kinlochleven to Lock Eilde. Snowy mountains all around, it was quite a climb. We turned round and enjoyed the flowy downhill when we realised how wet the constant light drizzle was making us! Our hands starting to go numb we got back to the car glad of the exercise and outdoors time, happy to be heading to a warm coffee shop! Craft and things cafe was ideal, with stunning views of the snowy mountains out the window, we watched the warm glow of the light on the mountains , chatting, laughing and just enjoying being together.

Then waking up on the last morning, a yummy fish and chips at the Laroch had the night before, we listened to Timothy Keller speak about Ephesians 4 and contemplated this verse particularly:

"everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. "Ephesians 4 v 21 -24 in another version it translates as being renewed in the spirit of your mind....I love that. I know that. And I long to know it more, its a day by day kind of thing. Stinking thinking, sinking thinking has to go. It is connected with my "old way of life". It tries to puff me up, it tries to keep me down, it discourages, it compares, it fuels fear and regret. I don;t want it in my mind anymore. Instead setting our minds of what is above, which then looks like the sieving out of those thoughts that lead to unhelpful places & day by day contemplating Jesus. Contemplating his life his teaching his character, his heart. What did he think about, what was he like to be with.

Monday was utterly glorious weather! Clear blue sky , extensive views as we climbed up the pap of Glencoe , what a gift! So glad we took Monday off work!!