Devotions

Today was a nice day. I have officially graduated from Newbattle Abbey College's 'Prescribe Nature' course, which is the Forest and Outdoor Learning Award at SCQF Level 4. The little celebration today included being presented with my award and lots of cake and coffee! ​This journey has been really nice, connecting me more with nature and the outdoors. Even with others also, which can be a challenge as an autistic with social phobia.  I loved the buildings of the college, from the forest classroom to the old Abbey building. I also enjoyed the meals.  The certificate shows I completed 4 SCQF Credit Points, delivered in partnership with Forest College and accredited by the SCQF. ​A big thank you to all the kind and helpful staff at the college. ​I am looking forward to using these new skills as an outdoor Early Years Learning Assistant and with my own kids. I'm also now enrolled in another primarily outdoor course at a riding stable in Edinburgh. This course...

Happy Father’s Day to all those celebrating today! ​As we move through another week of the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award, it’s a good time to take a breath, reflect on the progress made, and get organized. This weekly ritual—my "Sunday Five-Minute Check-in"—is essential for keeping track of the evidence needed for the award and ensuring I’m staying balanced. ​Here is the breakdown of my progress for Week 22 . ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​ Status: Completed previously. ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk Some time with family at Porty Beach.  ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Prayer ​ Activity:  Prayer and exploring vocations. Working on my Muddy Church idea and exploring Monk in the world concepts. Writing things here on the blog.  ​4. Personal Challenge ​ Status: Previously submitted. ​5. Lifestyle: Sensory & Advocacy ​ Focus: Self-regulation and active advocacy. ​ Tools: Using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, v...

Welcome back to the weekly roundup! It’s Sunday, which means it is time for our quick 5-minute evidence check-in for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. I am officially at Week 19 , and things are progressing beautifully across all sections. ​Here is how the checklist is shaping up this week, along with some exciting new developments in nature connection and pioneering ministry. ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​ Status: Completed previously. ​ All evidence for this section has already been successfully logged and submitted! ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) & Prescribe Nature ​ Status: Active ​ Evidence:  ​This week's fitness and nature connection overlap beautifully. I've wrapped up Week 5 of the Prescribe Nature program at Newbattle Abbey College . It was another incredibly enriching week of nature-based activities. The outdoors continues to be a profound source of healing, grounding, and joy. ​ I have also...

Lately, life has been all about finding balance—nurturing the body, mind, and spirit while holding onto our steady family routines. A massive source of that healing and grounding has been my time at Newbattle Abbey College for the Prescribe Nature programme. Today, I want to take you on a journey through two very different, yet deeply connected weeks in the woods: Week 4 and Week 5. ​So, take a deep breath, leave the rush of the world behind for a few minutes, and let's step onto the trail. ​Week 4: Deep in the Dirt ​Week 4 was all about the foundation of everything beneath our feet. Fittingly, the theme was earth and soil. ​If you remember from our earlier bushcraft sessions, we recently carved our own wooden tent pegs. Well, we put them straight to work, using them to pitch tents under the shelter of the trees. It’s amazing how a little practical outdoor skill instantly makes you feel more connected to the land. ​Once camp was established, it was time for a proper woodland ...

Welcome back to the blog! It has been another busy, fulfilling week of routine, growth, and reconnecting with nature. As Sunday rolls around, it’s time to check in, reflect, and share my Week 17 evidence for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award , alongside updates on my other weekly activities. ​Here is how everything shaped up this week: ​🌟 Mencap Gateway Bronze Award: Week 17 Checklist ​ 1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism): Completed previously. ​ 2. Fitness (Nature Walk): Kept up with my steps and physical activity in nature.  ​ 3. Hobby (The Digital Parish & Prayers): Continued my rhythm of praying and documenting my reflections on faith right here on the blog. It remains a grounding anchor for my week. ​ 4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted and completed. ​ 5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): I have been actively managing my daily regulation using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, fidgets, and sensory snacks. ...

🌿 Prescribe Nature — A New Beginning This week something exciting started: I enrolled on the Prescribe Nature course, an 8-week outdoor wellbeing programme at the beautiful Newbattle Abbey College woodlands. The course is designed for adults who would benefit from time in nature — to improve mental health, reduce social isolation, and build confidence through therapeutic outdoor activities. There's also the opportunity to gain a recognised award at the end. For me, it's about reconnecting with nature, improving my wellbeing, and growing in a calming, supportive, and empowering space. This week we learned to slow down — to explore, collect, and identify things in nature. We set up tents, tied knots, and put up hammocks. It was a beautiful reminder that life doesn't have to rush. There was real creativity, real joy, and real peace in just being present outdoors. 👉 Read more about my first session here: Slowing Down — My Journey Begins ✅ Evidence Summary for Week...

There is something transformative about the air at Newbattle Abbey College. This week, I took a step that feels like a deep breath for the soul: I officially started Prescribe Nature . ​If you haven’t heard of it, Prescribe Nature is an 8-week outdoor wellbeing programme designed for adults who need a little extra support—whether that’s improving mental health, reducing social isolation, or simply building back lost confidence. It’s held in the stunning, peaceful woodlands of Newbattle, and honestly, the setting alone feels like medicine. ​ Why I’m Here ​We all go through seasons where life feels a bit too loud or a bit too heavy. For me, this journey is about reconnecting with nature on a personal level. I’m looking to improve my overall wellbeing and grow through an experience that feels calming, supportive, and empowering. ​And as a lovely bonus? It turns out this journey also leads to a recognised award! 😊 ​ Week One: Learning to Breathe Again ​The focus of this ...