-
Hope and Home
Walking through the familiar door into the place I called home for most of my childhood and teenage years brought contentment and, yet, a sense of conflict. I knew what stair created the loudest creak. I knew what seat gave the best view of the TV. Looking up at night, I knew the shadows on the ceiling before I fell asleep. This was my home during some of the most influential times of my life. This was my home that gave birth to great joy, great sorrow, and great love. This was my home. And yet, I was a visitor. For this was my parent’s home. Pulling up to the…
-
The Mountains and the Divine
Why do I need more? There is a profound yearning within me when I see such beauty. My soul has a profound desire in the face of such majestic sights. I want more. I desire more. Why isn’t this enough? The sight of such creation comes as an invitation rather than a sense of contentment. For the beauty in front of me, I see. I touch. I climb. I smell. And yet, my senses can’t fill the holes of my desire. My eyes can’t lessen the deep yearning with that in which I can see. Creation is inviting my humanity into the mystery of divinity. I attended Mass at an…
-
Brienz Christmas Market
Switzerland is known for its beautiful Christmas Markets. This is our first Christmas Season in Switzerland, and we are excited to visit many markets around the country. Here are some pictures from our first Christmas Market in Brienz, Switzerland. “The season of Advent is like springtime in nature, when everything is renewed and so is fresh and healthy. Advent is also meant to do this to us — to refresh us and make us healthy, to be able to receive Christ in whatever form he may come to us.” -Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
-
Paris, Death, and Uncertainty
It has been one week since evil raised its head in Paris. One week. One week of news reports about those who carried out these attacks. One week of wondering how this could happen again. One week of speculating what and who is next. There was a moment last Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours from the time the first bullets flew and the first bombs detonated when I watched my four-year-old son play outside as if there was no evil in the world. He played with such intensity and vigor as if death had not shown its head less than four hours away in a city we had recently visited. And then came…
-
The Crumbs of Holiness
A couple of days ago, I had a temper tantrum over the ever-present crumbs that continue to find their home in our house. Some like to live on our kitchen floor; some would rather stay on the countertops, and some like the view of our dining area from underneath the table. As much as I try to escort them out of our house with a ride in the vacuum, their friends seem to take their places immediately. It is a battle that is never-ending. And one that triggers things within me that are not pleasant. Now, I don’t have to look very far to see who the usual culprits are.…
-
The Emmental
One of the great things about exploring a new country is that you never know what you will find. I set out today to explore a part of the country called the Emmental. The Emmental is a valley in west-central Switzerland that is made up of hilly countryside and lush forests. After driving through and then up some roads that were a bit scary, I came upon some trails and a beautiful view of the Bernese Alps. I couldn’t help but be in awe of the beauty. “Nature is the art of God.” –Dante Alghieri
-
Worb, Switzerland in Fall
We are experiencing our first “fall” living in Worb, Switzerland. The changes have been beautiful to watch. “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often” Blessed John Henry Newman
-
The Volto Santo
A few weeks ago, while on our trip to Italy, we visited Lucca. In the Tuscany region, Lucca is believed to have been founded around 180 BC. It is a beautiful place, and I highly recommend it if you ever visit the Tuscany region. The Cathedral of St. Martin is located within the city’s walled area. Inside the cathedral is the Chapel of the Holy Face, or the Volto Santo, also known as the Holy Cross. The small chapel contains a walnut crucifix showing Christ wearing a tunic. Yet it is the face, the Volto Santo, that grabbed me. Like all old relics, the Volto Santo is surrounded by history,…
-
Tuscany, Italy
We are very grateful that friends invited us to join them in Tuscany, Italy, during the boys’ fall break last week. It was a wonderful week of sights and sounds. We decided to drive, so our journey took us up, down, around, and even through the Alps. It was indeed a beautiful ride. After passing the Great St. Bernard Pass, our first stop was Aosta, a town in northern Italy. Nestled in the Italian Alps, Aosta is home to great Roman Empire history. After spending the night in Aosta, we continued our drive through northern Italy and the beautiful Italian Riviera to the Tuscany region. During our stay in Tuscany,…
