My chosen destination? Loch Ardinning Wildlife Reserve. I got on the bus and thank God the driver was very helpful. He gave me a brochure promoting tourism in Scotland – a nice touch. I carried my food with me, which is my ultimate dining experience ritual: munching on the riverbank when the sun shines. It makes food taste amazing, you know?

However, this is where the drama began. The signs were clear, but the map? Not so much! I completely missed my stop, maybe by two or three stops. Thank God I had the intuition to ask the driver. He was exceptionally thoughtful, especially considering I had purchased a day ticket based on his previous recommendation (pro tip!). He asked me to cross the street and take the next bus that went back two stops.

The second driver was just as lovely, confirming the destination and dropping me off right where I needed to be.

But the walk! The bus stop was far from the entrance. I had my heavy school backpack (my mini emergency kit with water, my book, my phone and food) and I followed the map for what seemed like an eternity. I must have walked more than 10 minutes. The roads were local and lacked clear pedestrian paths, so I walked close to the bushy area, being very attentive to cars coming from the opposite direction on the curves. It was exercise, but I was very happy doing it because I knew where I was headed: the embrace of nature.

The first thing I did was take a photo of the sign (proof that I did it!). I kept walking until I reached the beautiful river, part of the canals here, which include the famous Loch Ardinning. It was a sunny day, the best feeling I've ever had!

I found a seat right in front of the water, surveyed my surroundings to make sure I was safe, and finally started eating breakfast and lunch. The tranquility? Unmatched. That sound of water, the calm… it is pure and great satisfaction.

I saw some people pass by: a family, an elderly couple, and a man and his son with a dog. But then I found a place alone and that's when I let my guard down.

I started to pray. I was feeling very heavy and I told the Holy Spirit exactly what I needed: “I need you to send me a comforter. I don't feel well. Comfort me.” I was literally talking to God outside because of the pain in my heart.

After a while, I sat down and stared at the views. And guys, what happened next… God is real, guys!

A woman just approached me. I didn't even see it coming! She smiled and started chatting, asking me about my photography equipment, I mean the tripod, and how long I had been in Scotland. She mistakenly thought my tripod was a golf club and wondered if a golf course had opened nearby, which made us both laugh. After a minute, he asked me: do you like this place?” I answered “yes” and explained that I was not happy, which is why I decided to take a trip to this place.

She immediately asked me to walk with her. S He had the most respectful dog ever and he was taking him for a dip in the lake. As we walked, she said, “Talk to me.” I just burst into tears.

She brought me so much peace and comfort. She shared her experiences, told me that I was young and beautiful and that I should not let these worries define my life. It was like walking with a friend I'd known forever! I felt so calm. She shared practical life experiences and that stuck with me.

The final blessing? She took me directly to my house. I told her I had a bus ticket, but she insisted on taking me home. It was the Holy Spirit coming to me in human form, a direct answer to my prayer less than two minutes after I asked for it. Sometimes God shows up exactly the way you ask him to and you just have to remind him of his word. That woman changed my entire orientation. I came home, slept soundly, and felt better than I had in weeks. May God bless her and her beautiful family.