Our final day in Scotland was a sacred exhale — a moment to pause, reflect, and anchor deeply in God's goodness before heading home. The morning began at Carberry in a semi-silent retreat space. We were invited to enter into God's presence with a posture of openness, contrition, and longing. In that silence, we didn't try to empty our minds — we quieted our souls. It was about returning again and again to the God who meets us right where we are.

We spent time in Mark 8:34-38, wrestling with the question: What does it mean to let God lead — not just in the big, defining moments, but in the small, everyday ones? From that place of reflection, we loaded into the van and drove to The Law — a large hill that overlooks the seaside town of North Berwick.

The hike was mild, but the wind was wild — almost symbolic of the week itself. We climbed through gusts that tried to knock us off balance, yet when we reached the summit, the views were stunning: golden fields stretching out one way, the Scottish coast unfolding the other. It was a vivid reminder of perspective.

As Shannon reflected, "We all live in-between mountain top moments in life. It's in the valley, the village, the everyday places that we must remember the perspective gained at the top." Life, like the hike, brings its challenges — but in faith, we find moments where we can breathe deeply and remember who walks with us through it all.

This week, and especially this final day, reminded us that Jesus is not only the Lord of our mountaintop moments but also the Friend who walks with us through the valley. He is with us in the laughter of community, in the aching silence of waiting, in the unknowns of life transitions, and in the whisper of peace during fear.

For some, like Savannah Goodman, this day was a moment of surrender — letting go of hurts, fears, and the need for control. She shared how powerful it was to hear God's voice through Jill and Andrew's prayers. "It was like a little whisper of God saying, 'I know you're struggling. Here is My voice.'" She found the courage to lay down grudges and walk in forgiveness — reminded that Jesus died for those who hurt us just as much as He died for us.

For others, like Savannah Howell, the reflection time brought clarity and growth. "I want to be more open to anything people have been through," she said. "We are all unique in our own way… I want to encourage that uniqueness." Through worship, conversation, and prayer, she found reassurance and joy, sensing God's hand on her life as she prepares for a new season.

Christina Surcey found in the retreat space a quiet, holy connection — a space to simply be with God. She left this week with a renewed sense of how deeply God loves people — a desire to pursue a relationship, not just a routine. "Instead of checking boxes," she said, "I want to live fully and pursue God wholeheartedly."

For Tzunami, the morning was a space to breathe. The trip stirred subtle but significant growth — in patience, authenticity, and reverence for the present moment. Her takeaway? "Nothing is promised… it's our job to take each moment with appreciation." A powerful reminder to all of us.

And for Shannon, this day — and the entire trip — became a symbol of hope forged through surrender. After a deeply personal season of fear and waiting, she shared how God met her in the ache, long before the good news came. "Praise is a beautiful weapon," she said. "I realized I wasn't going to let my life circumstances make my praise conditional." That kind of faith — faith in the storm, faith on the climb — becomes a lighthouse to others.
In the evening, we returned to Carberry's chapel, where Jill and Andrew led us in conversation, worship, and prayer. Andrew, a gifted songwriter, guided us through songs that felt less like performance and more like communion. It was a space where our hearts opened, where tears mixed with praise, and where the Spirit of God felt undeniably near.

As we sang, prayed, and were blessed, something unspoken knit us together — not just as a team, but as followers of Jesus, connected by the kindness of God and the hope we share in Him.
We leave Scotland carrying more than memories. We carry perspective. We carry the gift of reflection. We carry the kindness we received and the encouragement to be that kindness to others. We carry the truth that God cares deeply — not just about the big, dramatic life shifts, but about the quiet moments, the hidden aches, and the small, faithful steps.

Wherever you are as you read this, we invite you to consider this invitation as we all return to our homes, schools, and routines, may we hold on to what we learned on that windy hilltop: God sees us all. He desires to walk with us all. And whether we're on the mountain or in the valley, we are not alone. 

Let's keep climbing. Keep communing. Keep praising — not because everything is perfect, but because He is faithful.
Much love, Lipscomb Women's Golf
 #IntoTheStorm (with Him)