Joyful Journey

In the process of looking up some information on an area of Switzerland we were considering visiting, I ran across some historical and cultural information that I had not previously read. The site included the English translation of the Swiss National Anthem, written in the 1800's. Last summer, on a flyer for our town's annual August 1st celebration (similar to 4th of July in the US), it printed the Schweizerpsalm (in German, of course) on the back of the brochure and indicated that a special musical group would preform this, with Alphorns accompanying them. I wish I had realized then the words to this beautiful national anthem. May all the nations praise you! When the morning skies grow red and over us their radiance shed Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light when the alps grow bright with splendor pray to God, to Him surrender for you feel and understand that He dwelleth in this land. In the sunset Thou art night and beyond the starry sky Thou, O Loving Father, ever nea...

After having an early morning wedding for Steven and Dawn, it seemed very different to have the day spread out before us with the wedding not coming until evening. But it managed to be a full day! Sheril and Bob had initially planned to be around our place for much of the morning, but during the night, Sheril realized that it probably was best if they got up and were ready to leave for the day in the morning, and so that is what they did. "My Bob" and my brother took the opportunity to take a long run together on the American Tobacco Trail. Can you believe how similar Sheril's and my dresses were? We both had purchased dresses prior to Joel and Jenn's engagements. (Just wanting to plan ahead! It had been so hard trying to buy a dress when not being in the states!!) Jenn had seen the one her mom had purchased. I had actually purchased 3 dresses and she chose the one I wore. It looked like Sheril and I had gone out shopping together. Orig...

When you make a reservation at a Swiss hotel, you often have the option of choosing "half board" to add to the regular room rate. Half board simply means that you are adding dinner in the hotel's restaurant (breakfast is already included at most.) The first time we stayed at a Swiss hotel, we did not chose that option, figuring we wouldn't want to be limited to the hotel's restaurant. However, we quickly learned that half board is really the best option. Often in the smaller villages it can be hard to find an available restaurant, as most are associated with a hotel and have their tables filled with the hotel guests! But we also learned that the half board option is usually a cost effective way to go as well. For the same price as the typical entree, you receive an appetizer, soup, salad, main entree and dessert from a fixed menu, occasionally with a choice of main entree, but usually just one. By choosing this fixed menu, it has allowed us to sample more t...

This is another post that falls under the entry of "not sure if it was a 'lost in translation' remark." I met someone recently for whom English is not her first language. Between the poor acoustics of the room we were in, the high noise level that added to the difficulty to hear, and the accented English, I'm not sure if I was reading too much into her question. But it's always one that I find frustrating to answer. It is often asked in such a way as to insinuate that lack of competence or laziness or just general slowness of mind. At least it often feels that way. I am often unsure of how to answer that question. She asked, "What do you DO all day?" Now when a married woman has small children, it is at least begrudgingly admitted, that you have something "to do all day," that would not include a job outside of the home. But once your children are grown, why in the world would you "not work?" Now, it is true that in the st...

I LOVE wedding rehearsals. At least I greatly enjoyed Steven and Dawn's and Joel and Jenn's. Hopefully we didn't irritate the wedding coordinators too much with our love of laughter and fun. I think the real joy is that we get to "experience" the wedding ceremony more than once. Maybe not in its completeness, but we do enjoy rehearsing all the different parts. I think that's why you enjoy being part of a theater group or a production of some kind. It's not just a "one-time event" for those involved. With a wedding there is so much time and energy spent in preparation, even when you plan a simple wedding, that you don't want it to come and go in just a few moments. So much more fun to savor it over time. Now, you don't have to be around my hubby for very long before you realize that he loves to laugh. It was his witty humor that first attracted me to him and it is something I enjoy to this day. He can ...

After arriving Wednesday evening in NC, it seemed like everything began to happen quickly. It started off with getting the car inspected, lunch with Beth, some "power shopping" at Office Max, JoAnn Fabrics, and my favorite French boutique, Target. Jenn's family began arriving on Saturday evening and the final wedding preparations began. Of course that included getting Jenn's things moved over to Joel's place, finding a home for Toona, making meals, getting the programs put together, decorating the gym and the chapel and of course, some time for games. It was a real joy to be able to have Jenn's parents and her brother stay in our home, or should I say, Dawn and Steven's home! And to have Jenn's sisters, as well as brother-in-law and future brother-in-law at our for meals so that we could get to know them as well. Although the time was busy, we were able to get to know one another better. Jenn's mom and I had been corresponding via facebook fo...

When I was pregnant with Joel, the wife of my Dad's assistant pastor, Chris Maloney, sent me the book, A Mother's Heart (by Jean Fleming, NavPress). Little did I realize the impact that would have on my life. Growing up in a family with praying parents is an incredible blessing. As a young mom I had a great desire to pray for my children, but as Jean Fleming writes, I didn't always have clear direction on what to pray, beyond "God bless Charlie." Mrs. Fleming's book gave direction on things to pray for my children. It included things like praying that your children will become children of the kingdom, credits to the kingdom, and promoters of the kingdom. That's something I began praying for Joel at the time of his birth. I believe it was that book which suggested a mom pray that her children be caught doing wrong. A great mom prayer! I'll never forget the time Joel called me during his college years and in the course of the conversation shared ho...