Water,

and lots of it. Seems that all the 'good weather' that I'd supposedly brought from SD has seen the end of it's days. Rain seems to be more common than 'not rain' (clever phrasing, I know), and stormy weather in general is a bit of a regular. The prevalence of rainy weather however, has just so happened to coincide with some really significant and memorable experiences that I've had here in Scotland and, in the present, is (at 1 Am.) reminding me to write about these experiences/give a general update.

First things first, I want to apologize for my excessive use of back slashes (/). It's a habit I've developed in both my writing and speaking, and for some inexplicable reason, I find them to be appropriate and conducive to both of these communicative facets.

Secondly, I've noticed a tendency to address the weather in most of my postings, which I believe is both because I'm not use the the 'weather' concept at all and that British Culture itself is influencing me to make 'the weather' a regular part of my conversational discourse (as it is a 'go-to' topic of conversation here in the U.K.)

Now, onto my memorable experiences/general update (continued @ 10:45 AM, and still incredibly stormy):

Couple of weekends ago, I had an opportunity to visit the town and (county) of Perth(shire). It was an interesting opportunity largely because I was able to stay with the Williamson family (immediate family of George Williamson Jr., Director of Worship Ministries @ PLNU/my boss and one of my mentors). It was really awesome to feel very welcome and very at home in a very foreign place. I'm grateful for their hospitality and appreciative of Anne (one of George's sisters) taking me around the countryside... even if within the first hour of me being there, I had changed her 'brand new', though flat, car tire (or tyre if you are from here) in the middle of the poring rain, in just about absolute darkness, and at perhaps the sketchiest side-0f-the-road pull off I've ever seen (equivalent to that of some slasher movie). If anything, the latter is just a funny, sort of 'this had to happen eventually', kind of occasion that will help to stamp the point in my personal history in which I found myself blessed to be in Perth. Right now, I'll re-transcribe some of the stuff I wrote down in a little journal I've been keeping. I recorded these thoughts during my second night at the Williamsons' home:

"I'm sitting in Perth, or somewhere outside of the 'town' (not city) of Perth, in the Williamson Household. It's crazy to think about the how my connection back home has brought me to this place and it's been really lovely visiting with this family. I actually passed up a big hall party (puke!), a Celidh, and/or Ladysmyth Black Mombaso live in Edinburgh @ Usher Hall :'( for this weekend getaway. In all honesty though, I feel like I made the best decision. I basically have experienced here what it is I was just talking about with my Scottish friend Dave Kirk the other day over dinner: It's really the PEOPLE that make the place! Don't get me wrong, Perthshire is absolutely, visually beautiful on it's own, but I don't think that it would have the same charm had I not been here visiting warm and welcoming people. Again and again I see 'Life' much more fully reflected in community v.s. geography. Also, it's been really nice to see family life in a different context and further more, from the perspective of an adult! To see children and reminisce v.s. relate. Crazy! I really admire/envy/hope for the kind of family connectedness (as exemplified by the Williamsons) in my own family at some point down the road. I'm definitely not ready in life to 'start a family' and none of the stage has even been set for that. At some point though, I hope to strive to do what I can to keep my family together and close-knit! I'm thankful for my time here and am grateful of what I've learned, became aware of, and been reminded of. God is good!"

Moving along, the very next weekend I found myself getting on a bus (with one of my flat-mates, Ben Singleton), traveling for roughly 10 hours, and finally arriving in the town of Portree, on the Isle of Skye (in the Western Highlands). Words, and even my photographic attempts cannot capture the sense of wonder that I felt as I briefly explored this 'magical' place. Being from California, I've had my fair share of breathtaking views, overwhelming landscapes, monumental landforms, etc., but nothing really even comes close to (or at least is similar to) what I saw on the Isle of Skye. I've included a picture below of one of the many amazing things I saw, but again, it doesn't really capture what it was like to REALLY be there and experience what I did first hand: for more attempts at capturing the beauty of this place see my facebook [http://www.facebook.com/wshine427?ref=name] for photos and videos. I would recommend that if you are ever presented with the opportunity to come to Scotland, and specifically the Isle of Skye, don't pass it up! As I found in Perth however, coming to such a beautiful place would not have been as enjoyable or memorable had there not been someone else to share the experience with; I can confidently say that traveling with my friend Ben here, helped to give this place a sense of life and implanted in my mind a better memory for it, and all of it's visual wonders. Again community/relationship ultimately trumps geography.

In closing, I'll say three more brief things (all of which I find to be profound):

A wise friend of mine once said, "It's only in the context of relationship and those that we find around us; those influencing us, that we really begin to find and understand our own self."

Not to sound New-Age(y) here or over-the-top Neo-philosophical/spiritualistic, but to tie all of the things mentioned in this posting up nicely I've come up with the following - Our lives should be like Flowing Water:

*Each person dependent on those around them (as the very nature of water is dependent on a tight-knit atomic bond to maintain it's identity).

*Always going somewhere (literally or figuratively speaking).

*Both something that can be used to shape, and be shaped by all that is around in God's amazing creation.

and because I'm not trying to be presumptuous with the thought above I will include the following passage from Scripture, which in my own life, continuously humbles me and reminds me of where I sit in the universe (*note - I'd recommend reading Chapters 38 forward to help provide the context for the small passage I'm presenting)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2038%20-%2041&version=NASB

Job 42: 1-6 - "Then Job answered the Lord and said, "I know that You can do all things, and no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." 'Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.' "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."

I hope and pray that all of you continue, or begin to see and experience all of the wonderful things that God has equipped and enabled you to partake in.

Blessings,

- Will

Whirlwind

Speaking of whirlwinds, it has actually been quite windy here as of late; not to mention a bit more rainy, colder, and more and more everyday, darker. So anyway, I've sort of slacked with staying up on the blog, and naturally, I now have a plethora of different things that I could mention and discuss (well, discuss in a unidirectional/monological sort of way ).

I made a list of topics to talk about in a little notebook of mine the other day (yes, this is a little bit more formulaic and monotonous than the way I would usually go about things, but for our purposes today, bare with me):

1. VOTE FOR THE WILL SHINE BAND - this is pretty self explanatory: follow this link to both successfully vote and gain more information about what you are voting for

http://www.garagebandplayoff.com/main/

2. As some of you may have heard/read, I was recently pretty sick with some form of nasty cold (I doubt it was any type of flu because of lack of certain symptoms--sorts I don't think it is necessary to outline). I still have some (very slight) remanent congestion, but I'm definitely feeling much better. Thanks for all of your prayers and kind messages.

3. While I was sick, I took advantage of the absolute down time to do something that I don't really do to often: I read a book! (ha) Yes, I seldom partake in this intellectually stimulating activity, one of the sad facts of my life. The book I read is called 'The Shack', and it had been recommended to me by multiple sources. Well, I read it, and I have to say... THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!! READ IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN, IF NOT SOONER!!! Ok, that's a lot of hype, but seriously, it's incredible in every sense. It's a fiction that is not only thought-provoking, but un-like so many fictional works, this book has the potential to really rock your life, and could change your outlook on several issues; probably the most profound of those being your understanding of who God is and (in a very non-heretical and scripturally sound way) what God does/does not do in our world/lives. I suppose I would simply recommend that you just go read it for yourself to make that 'life changing capacity' call for yourself. I will definitely testify to the fact that it has revolutionized many of the ways I think about my faith.

4. With learning new things in mind, I recently sort of hit an educational jackpot. As most of you know, I'm not in Edinburgh just for fun, I'm actually studying abroad here. One of the classes that I'm taking (this one is my independent study one) is Music History 1, which basically covers the development of Western Music leading up the the Baroque Period (end of the 16th century). In my search for a specific research topic I stumbled upon "The Rosslyn Motet" (which was composed based on findings at the infamous Rosslyn Chapel, which just so happens to be in Edinburgh). I contacted the gentlemen who were behind the findings at Rosslyn Chapel, not thinking that they would really ever get back to some insignificant music student from California. Well, I was wrong! The day after I e-mailed Thomas Mitchell, one of the composers/specialists of the Rosslyn Motet, I received an e-mail back from his son and partner, who agreed that an interview and personal tour/walk through of their findings would be beneficial for my research. I couldn't have agreed more! For more info. regarding "The Rosslyn Motet" and the Mitchell's findings at Rosslyn Chapel, follow this link:

http://www.tjmitchell.com/stuart/rosslyn_news.html

5. Being in a small country with several friends in various places has opened the door to much traveling potential. In my remaining time here, I plan on visiting the following places:

*Perth

*Greystones/Dublin/perhaps a lot of Ireland

*Carlisle

*Inverness

*London

*Manchester

* and here's the wild-card - if things work out: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

but anyways, I'll keep yall updated on my travels if in fact everything comes together as planned.

6. Speaking of Friends, my friend Rachel Pomeroy (now alumnus of PLNU) is currently working for the Nazarene Church(s) in Carlisle (which is in the north of England). This means that she only lives roughly 1:30 minutes away from me by train. She swung into town the other day and stayed for a few, which naturally, led to the creation of several silly videos, many photos, lot's of sight-seeing, lots and lots and lots of walking, and in general a very nice visit with a familiar face on the other side of the world. It was this occurrence that reminded me how truly valuable friendship is and how much I'm really grateful that I have so many wonderful friends! It's been awesome getting to know new people here in Scotland and I regularly think about all of my friends back home and either reminisce about past experiences we've had, or eagerly anticipate what sorts of shenanigans we'll get caught up in in the future. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving living in the moment (and what a moment in life this is!), but I do appreciate my friendships in a way that every moment of everyday is influenced and inspired by them.

7. Lucky number seven, and I think my final numbered contribution to this list: I've had the privilege of playing music here in town a few times now in various places and have also been doing a lot of music 'discovering' and listening. As far was what I've been doing goes, here's another link to a youtube clip of me playing at 'Ye Olde Golf Tavern', singing the song I hope you all are passionately voting for (just dismiss all of the spoken banter before and after the song (ha):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfHgikY_CNg

There are some other videos from that performance that are available as well, so check them out if you have the time.

As far as 'discovering' and listening go, I'll break it down into the following recommendations and reviews:

-Derren Raser: Check this guy out! PLNU alum and originally based in SD, his new album "Home In This Direction" will strike a chord with anyone who has ears. He as already one the Hollywood Music award for best male vocal this year as a result of this album. The music is well written, well arranged, and features a collection of skilled musicians (in addition to Derren). The album is produced by none other than Chris Hobson, who was the Recording Engineer for the Will Shine Band EP!

- Toto: though a not so recent recording (2007) and DVD to boot, the "Falling In Between Live" album/DVD is perhaps the most spectacular sonic display of well crafted Rock'n'Roll that I've heard in a very long time. The band not only plays some of their timeless classics, but as substitute bass player Leland Sklar puts it, "continues to re-invent themselves and creates new and exciting music". For all you closet Toto fans, and for those of you who only know the song "Africa" because you heard it in a commercial or something, I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of this album and/or the DVD. It's a shame the band isn't together anymore; I would definitely have loved to see them perform.

Well, I think I've successfully written more than I've ever managed before (in this blogging context at least). Hopefully I haven't wasted your time or 'stolen 5 minutes of your life that you'll never get back', if you did in fact happen to read all of this rambling. I hope and pray that you are all doing well that you never cease to see the multi-faceted wonder in the world around you, even if it isn't half way around the planet!

Cheers!

- Will