It's hard to believe that only a week ago, I was in a room, in Australia, surrounded by a jumble of the clothes and books I would soon be carrying 9128 miles across the world.
I kissed my dog, hugged my parents and stepped eagerly into this strange 'in-between' place of adventure; filled with question marks, oat cakes and unsuspecting future friends.
Pretty exciting stuff!
A day and a half later, and I was there! Edinburgh, Scotland. I was welcomed by a wonderful Baha'i couple, who kindly hosted me during my 5 day stay. We had a BBQ in the yard (alas promptly crashed by a flock of uninvited seagulls), shared stories of 20m crocodiles (that I'm still convinced are out there) and wandered casually through the most amazing museum I've ever set foot in. I also had the wonderful opportunity to visit the places Abdu'l-Bahá spoke and stayed during his time in that wonderful city. But to cut a VERY long story short, I really did have a wonderful time. :)
Now I'm in Orkney, a little island community in the north of Scotland, and its just a hunch, but I'm pretty sure this next year is going to be amazing. :D
I wanted to start this blog so you all might join me, as I take on this new path of service. For the next 360 days, I hereby vow to go through every effort possible to make a positive impact on this community in whatever ways I can. Be it rain, hail or the best kite-flying weather you can imagine! PROJECT SERVICE: 2013 edition... let it BEGIN! :D
For those interested, here is a quote I was reading earlier today, which I hope to reflect in my words and doings during my year of service in Orkney. :)
"Such must be thy steadfastness in the
Cause of God, that no earthly thing whatsoever will
have the power to deter thee from thy duty. Though
the powers of earth be leagued against thee, though
all men dispute with thee, thou must remain unshaken.
Be unrestrained as the wind, while carrying the
Message of Him Who hath caused the Dawn of
Divine Guidance to break. Consider, how the wind,
faithful to that which God hath ordained, bloweth
upon all the regions of the earth, be they inhabited or
desolate. Neither the sight of desolation, nor the evidences
of prosperity, can either pain or please it. It
bloweth in every direction, as bidden by its Creator.
So should be every one that claimeth to be a lover
of the one true God. It behoveth him to fix his gaze
upon the fundamentals of His Faith, and to labor
diligently for its propagation. Wholly for the sake
of God he should proclaim His Message, and with
that same spirit accept whatever response his words
may evoke in his hearer."
- Baha'u'llah (Gleanings from the writings of Baha'u'llah, pg. 346).
