An Update
First published January 15, 2011
Hard to believe, but I am done. Work-wise, at least. It’s been quite a long time since I last posted. Since then I have experienced a plethora of incredible experiences. I visited the monastic community of Taize, attended multiple Orthodox worship services: Ethiopian (Oriental) Orthodox with singing, praying, brilliant colored umbrellas and all. I also worshiped at a French (Eastern) Orthodox church as well as with Russians, Romanians and Ukrainians at another. I also enjoyed a wonderful visit with my parents for 11 days during Christmas time. It was such a pleasure to share my current home with them and especially to have them meet and get to know the people (my international family, really) whom I share it with. I wish to share more about these experiences in greater detail, but that may require a personal call or email. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to hear more first hand. We are off to Rome tomorrow where I will get to spend time among a large community of Catholics (as you might expect) especially with the Pontifical Council for the Promoting Christian Unity. Though, we will also have a day with the protestant community of Waldensians.
More to come regarding that trip soon (I hope)! It’s very strange to think I only have two more weeks before I return to the U.S. I arrive the 29th and begin classes again the 31st…a quick turn around, but doable. I don’t really have any other choice... Needless to say, I have been looking at everything here in Switzerland with different eyes. I cherish each conversation more, each sunset (well, I probably cherish these as much as always), and each opportunity to stare out onto the cascading Alps resting majestically above Lake Geneva. I don’t think I will ever forget watching the morning sun emerge from between their peaks and break forth through the clouds as I make my regular walk to the morning chapel service. Every time it is new, brilliant, and breathtaking. Today I woke up to the sun penetrating through my curtains and flooding my room with light. You wouldn’t have known the thick, red curtains were even drawn. The day was beckoning me. So, I quickly got ready and headed out on my bike into the spring-like morning (I couldn’t believe it, wearing shorts in January!). I found a new beach I’d never seen before in Celigny.
Simply magnificent. I arrived to find two grandfathers with small grandsons returning from an early morning yacht cruise, an elderly couple strolling on the rocky boardwalk, and dozens of joyfully chatting ducks. We all came out to share in the beauty of the crystal clear turquoise water with its diamonds of sunlight dancing on the soft current set against the sprawling, lightly cloud-laden alpine range. The best gift ever. I hope you enjoy it, as well.