A few thoughts–pensées–today, but first the usual travelogue/diary of life in Marseille… June 1…We took public transportation to Jean-Claude Gaudin Parc, by far the nicest and most toddler friendly green space we have encountered. It was a warm but lovely day. A beautiful aspect of this park is that the linden trees scent the air! A sweet respite from the naturally funky smells that are … Continue reading Pensées
May 29…Nothing particularly riveting to report yet as we adjust to daily life, la vie quotidienne, in Marseille. But I have plenty of photos for you! So, allons-y, let’s go! We made our way to Cafe Coogee several blocks away on Boulevard Baille, a lovely tree-lined street. Karen had found it online, and it was highly rated for working on a laptop. We met Yoann, … Continue reading Les Scènes à Marseille
There are not a lot of big things to report, just the process of learning our way around the neighborhood. And dealing with jet lag! Adjustment to a seven hour difference is a major challenge for a toddler. We have not gotten a lot of sleep the past two nights, although it is gradually getting better (from eight hours of wakefulness on our second night … Continue reading L’Humilité
The long trip is over… and we have arrived in Marseilles! Traveling with a large group is definitely not my preference, but I have to give props to the leaders who have arranged this one. The steps on my journey were: travel from northwest Iowa to Minneapolis on Saturday, fly to Boston on Sunday to meet the group, fly to Dublin, then Marseilles on Monday evening, … Continue reading Nous Sommes Arrivés!
If you would like to subscribe to my blog or find a topic of interest, please scroll down on the right until you see those features. I have been unable to fix this widget! Thanks for your patience. Blog readers, thank you for visiting my page, which I have largely neglected over the past months. The motivation to create had migrated to my art room! … Continue reading Quelle Aventure!
Note: In order to see a list of topics or to hit the subscribe button, please scroll down the right margin until they come into view. I haven’t been able to get help fixing those widgets! Thank you for visiting.Today (March 25) is the Feast of the Annunciation in the Roman Catholic tradition. I pay a lot more attention to this day than I did, … Continue reading Saying Yes
Sundays, March 1-29 5:30-7:00 pm Central Time Deb Mechler, Facilitator Join the discussion during the Lenten season! This series will focus on the wisdom of Howard Thurman, whose influence on the leaders of the civil rights movement in the U.S. enabled them to act from a stance of spiritual strength. His remarkable life and teaching are well presented by Dr. Brown, whose book … Continue reading Inner Strength for Troubling Times
When I was a senior in high school, I sensed a calling to go into youth ministry. Central College did not have a major like that, so I basically designed my own, taking courses in religion, adolescent psychology, teaching, etc. Twelve years later I felt called to go to seminary. The call to ministry happened gradually during the eight years it took to complete my … Continue reading Called to a Friendship
When I think of that modest room lit by a receptive heart even before the messenger appearedI wonder if she was dreaming of her expected lifewith Josephas many girls do when they are betrothed.But thena shift in the room’s energyand a benediction uttered out of the silence,not much of a preamble to the predictionof pregnancy and prophecy landingsmack dab not only into her storybut her … Continue reading The Big Yes
I don’t feel merry this year. As I was visiting with a few friends this morning, several of them said they feel the same way. We’re not decking the halls as much as we usually do. We agreed that there has been so much bad news for so long that it feels strange to try to drum up “merry” feelings. My sense is that we … Continue reading A Not-So-Merry Advent
saint sinner seeker 