Adventures in Switzerland - day 1

Started the day by taking a train to the Cailler chocolate factory. 1-1/4hr tour then taste testing (gorging on..) chocolate; all different kinds of chocolate. 

Next we went to Greyeres (yes, where the cheese is made). We had fondue, bread, potatoes, pickles and pickled onion. After this, we walk ten minutes, uphill to the Greyeres Castle. We saw a video and took a tour of the castle. It's really cool!!

Another train to one stop; then boarded a panoramic train to Montreux. That was amazing!! Lots to see!! Sarah was feeling tired and a bit unwell, so she rested. 

In Montreux, we had wanted to tour another castle but it was closed when we got there. We took pictures of the outside and the court yards. Flowers were pretty. We had supper at a restaurant on the water. Soup and salad, which was nice!

Waiting at the train station to go back to Geneva, and Sarah and I saw a nan get his head slammed into the wall by another man. We ran up the stairs and waited until the next train came, so we weren't alone. We tried to find security but couldn't. Always something, right? When we did go back down, the men were gone. Sunglasses and blood were all that's left. I don't know what happened. 

We boarded the train safely, directly back to Geneva. Slept on the train. 

Can wait until tomorrow's adventure!!!

Plan for holiday

Day 1 (10/6/13) - relax and shop

Day 2 (11/6/13) -bought a train pass for: (visit website: myswitzerland.com/en/home.html )

1.Broc - Maison Cailler - Chocolate factory (1.5hr tour, making and tasting chocolate)

2. Gruyere - cheese factory; mid evil town with a castle

3. Montreux - Castle and mid evil town  

Day 3 (12/6/13)- bought train pass for Vallorbe - Les Grottes de Vallorbe - caves in the mountain (visit website: www.grottesdevallorbe.ch/english/tariff.html

Day 4 (13/6/13)- explore Geneva more!!

Prayer bible verses

Prayer bible verses

These are the Bible verses that were read during prayer. We would turn to face the back of the chapel, so we could focus on the word and nothing else. 

Day 2- evening Matthew 8:14-16

Day 3- morning Psalm 121

Day 3- evening Matthew 8: 18-22

Day 4- morning Psalm 122

Day 4- evening Matthew 8: 23-27

Day 5-  morning Psalm 139a 

Day 5- evening Matthew 9: 1-8

Day 6-  morning Psalm 130

Day 6- midday Matthew 5: 3-11

Day 6- evening Matthew 9: 9-13

Day 7- morning Psalm 138

Day 7- evening Matthew 9: 18-26

Day 8- morning 1 King 17: 10-24; Luke 7: 11-17

-morning prayers, we have also been reading from the book of Wisdom. That is one of the books of the Catholic bible that Luther removed during the reformation. Who knew?! There are 5 books that were removed. I've learned so much in the last 6 weeks, I think my head is going to pop!!

Taize - day 8

0800 - got a ride to the storage tent with my stupid, broken suitcase (damn Air Canada). Cleaned the room. Goodbyes are always hard!! But we can still talk on Facebook and email. 

Breakfast - bun; butter; jam; and coffee

0915 - clinic -  no people today; I donated my first aide kit to the clinic

1000- chapel with Eucharist 

Lunch - strangest lunch!! Potato salad; bun; cheese; orange; and cookie

1430 - Leave

Taize - day 7

 Serena's birthday!!!

0820- morning prayer

Breakfast

0930- clinic

-girl fell and hit her head

-young girl -nasal congestion - inhale camomile tea

-young girl - eye irritation - irrigation and plant based eye drops

-young girl- toe wound from rock - cleaned and bandaged

-young man-sinus allergies - refused treatment because he has to drive and medications make him sleepy 

-young girl- possible broken ankle; didn't look broken; iced; bandaged; own pain meds; borrowed crutches; going home tonight, therefore not taken to doctor now. 

- young girl - allergic reaction therefore swollen lip; iced; camomile compress

- filled very cool ice bags - they are small and individual but all attached!!; washed dishes

1000- session- missed group session because we were busy in the clinic. They talked about Jesus and Peter walking on water and about the question Jesus asked Peter, "do you love me?"

1100- group discussion

       - last group discussion; kind of sad!! Stephan entered silence this morning, so he didn't come. He lost a close friend. 

1220- midday prayer

Lunch- barley casserole; bun; cheese; orange; and a cookie

1400- music fest with Michelle playing flute

1500- Wi-Fi time - pictures of Buster and Pat's surprise party

1615- BIRTHDAY PARTY!!

1715- Walk to the Source; took me 1-1/2ish; walk in silence through the woods to the river

1900- supper - last meal together and it is raining. We all ate in the tent, which was nice. There are some rude people in this world; ladies at supper that were pushing into line. But we still had a great meal of pasta; cheese; bread; summer sausage; yogurt; apple;and cookies

2020- evening prayer- candle service; I say again, 7 minutes of silence is hard!! I usually make about 3 and then I'm bored!! It's supposed to help with connecting to God and hearing Him; is guess I've gotten that but I see and hear God in other ways or I need something to focus on in the silence because I did the Source walk in silence. 

- little girl lit the Brothers candles and then sat with one of the Brothers. It was so cute!!

-sometimes we talk about and i feel under educated, as Serena and Amber are pastors and Michelle is a deaconess. I wish I knew more!! I don't mind asking most times but sometimes, they talk and I think, am I supposed to know what their talking about. I wonder if there is a class I can audit?!

- I say again, I've met a great group of people!! One of my discussion group is thankful for me and the other has a favourite Taize song that reminds her of me. I'm thankful for all of them!! They helped me heal!!

2230 - meeting at canteen for one last drink as a group 

- (minus Kerri =:( )b  

Chapel - pictures 2

Chapel - pictures 1

Taize - day 6

0820- morning prayer

Breakfast

0930- clinic

-rehydration salts- 8 level tsp sugar; 1 level tsp salt; 1 litre of water (dissolve sugar and salt in boiling water. Then add cold water to equal 1-litre)

-young girl with hyperventilation and cutting/psychological issues; spent the night and was taken to the doctors 

-French lady with an ear ache

1000- session - spending next few hours in silence to get prepared for the resurrection of our Lord, as we have been following Peters story through the bible. Today is Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. We can talk again at 3:30ish, for group discussion. 

1220- midday prayer

-realized what an amazing gift I've been given to come here. God has put these amazing people in my path to help me heal and forgive. Forgive Him for not granting me the ability to carry a child and give birth but also forgive myself for being angry and feeling like a failure. 

God is calling me to adoption. I have met three people on this journey alone who have been affected by adoption. I feel more ready and sure!!

I have an amazing support system, through family, friends, work and my church. I can do this!!

Lunch- in silence, so we put on music to fill the quiet. I think lunch was couscous casserole with mushrooms. I gagged but ate it because I didn't want to only have bread. We were also served bread; cheese; apple; applesauce; and a cookie. I collected dishes. 

1400- shopping at the bookstore: 2-necklaces for myself and a card for Serina. 

1530- group discussion 

Very different being in silence. I did shopping by writing things down and pointing. Being mute would be difficult. I see why people learn sign language. A new girl joined our group. She had spent the beginning of the week in silence. She was very funny talking about her stories while being silent. "All I wanted was a spoon but no one could understand me. A lady at the canteen thought I was mute, so because I was a "pretty, mute girl, she gave me free water. I couldn't be mute all the time". This girl really, really liked to talk!!

One of our group members, Helen, found out her grandma passed away yesterday.  We (I) had a very good cry. Even though she was 94, and lived a full life, it's very sad!!

-Humble - comes from root word Hume or the earth

1715- snack - went to the canteen and had snack with the younger group members. (I don't know if I said it but Sarah, Bridget, Rae-Ann, Kim, Hannah and Kerri are in a different group and in a different cabin). I'm enjoying the snacks that grandma sent with me! Didn't have to buy anything because of it. 

1745- workshop - science vs. religion - it sounded interesting but we figured out how to get Wi-Fi, so I did that instead!! Cam and Gale sent me a few videos of Buster and Sophie playing. (Thanks!!!) It's great to see him active and well!! I hope he remembers me once I get home. 

1900- supper - 2-fish sticks; mashed potatoes; bread; cheese; apple; and a cookie. 

Tomorrow is Serena's 50th birthday. Our room got her a card and we also have a group card. Her discussion group is getting her a cake, so the "adults" that she is rooming with are invited to share it with them. (Thats me! Yum! CAKE!!) I hope she has a good day. Must be hard being away from family on special occasions. 

2020- evening prayer

-the most interesting thing I've seen. We have been  following Jesus' crucifixion story through Peter. As today is Friday, the crucifixion, the Brothers have the cross lying in the middle of the chapel. All of a sudden, we turned to face it and the Brothers bowed around it. Then they left and opened it up to the congregation. There are about 200 people waiting on their knees, to put their forehead on the cross. It very powerful. God gave us this great gift - Jesus!!

Workshop 3

French brother that wrote a book on the psychology of religion. Did a book tour in the States under the condition he help educate future/potential Brothers in the USA. 

Answered questions from Canadians and Americans

Why do we turn away from the alter to hear the lesson?

-turn around for reading of the lesson to focus only on the readings

Does someone ring the bells everyday?

-No. The bells ring automatically for about 7-8 minutes

How many nationalities are represented in the Brothers?

-25 Nationalities in the Brothers

           - 1-United States (in the US now)

           - 1-Canada (in silence)

Why do the Brothers wear wedding rings?

-wear wedding ring. Represents/reminds them of their loving relationship with God.  Reciprocity (reciprocal relationship) with God

How did you choose to be a Brother?

-He attended Taize from age 15-18. At the age of 18, he had an epiphany that he could not verbalize but told a Brother he wanted to join. He started his discernment then.  monastic life

Talked to us about the event being held in Texas next year. There are actually 3 cities that they are visiting. He said we are all "invited" and should come. 

Taize - day 5

0815 - worship

Breakfast in the quiet room

0930- work in the clinic. It's Rebecca's last morning in the clinic, as she is going to Africa today. 

Asian man came back for more cream and pills; young woman with a heat rash; burn dressing on a kitchen staff; discharged lady that spent the night; washed and dried dishes. 

So, there are us 5 "adults" in one room. We have another lady that joined us. Her name is Christine. English is her second language. We were feeling bad because it looked like she didn't have many friends. Today, we feel worse; yesterday was her birthday!!! We are going to get her a card and maybe we will sing to her. 

Kerri has decided to do the last 3-1/2 days in silence. She has to move to the silence house tonight at 5. She will then join us again on Sunday for chapel. I was considering it but I've felt so empowered after my group discussions, that I don't want to leave it. We are having group pictures today before midday prayer and lunch. 

1220- midday prayer 

Lunch- couscous casserole with veggies & chickpeas; bun; cheese; and cookie. 

1400- free time, in the SUN!!

1530- group discussion; one of our German friends is leaving tomorrow morning, so this was our last day with him. We took a group picture, which was nice. I'll have to remember to give Guy (Australian) my email address, so he can send me the picture. 

1715- snack- my discussion group went to the cafe. Only church camp that serves beer and wine in the canteen. Hannah was so cute: "I didn't know I'd come to a church camp to learn how to pore beer".

1745- workshop 

       -talk from a French brother that wrote a book on the psychology of religion. Did a book tour in the States under the condition he help educate future/potential Brothers in the USA. I'll write more in another Blog. 

1900- supper- pesto pasta; bread; lunch meat; yogurt; apple; and cookies. A man we ate dinner with bought an apple tart and shared it with us. Yum! He also had cherries, which was a real treat!!

2020- evening prayer

  -amazing where I use my ortho nursing assessments; man fell in chapel tonight. Landed on his right knee, with his hip hitting the concrete planter. He was embarrassed, so he got up right away. Tried my best to talk to him and his wife (English not first language). He didn't hit his head and he can walk but with that fall and hit, he will be bruised!! I encouraged them to go to the infermery but he refused. I told him when it would be open tomorrow and he said he'd see. If I don't see them in morning prayer, I'll know something is wrong. I wish I got where they were staying. 

Taize - day 4

0815- chapel with communion. 

0910- had breakfast in the quiet room beside the infirmary. Bread; garlic cream cheese; yogurt; coffee; and a PEAR!!!

0930- work at the clinic. Washed and dried dishes. Elderly lady needed her blood pressure taken; woman that couldn't sleep (gave her camomile tea and a quite place to sleep); young Asian man with back pain (learned acupressure/reflexology; the side of the big toe helps the lower back; also rubbed A5-35 on his back)

1000- session

1220- mid day worship

Lunch- bean and pineapple stew; bread; cheese; apple; apple sauce; and cookie. I collected the dishes and brought them to the wash station. 

1400- rest in the SUN!!

1530- group discussion. Again, very good discussion!! Very insightful people. Nice to be able to talk openly. One of the other groups had a person feel comfortable enough to "come out" for the first time. Amazing and weird that we are put into these situations and it could go either way; positive or negative. 

1715- snack

1745- session - talked about understanding your call and how do you hear God. I'll include this as a separate Blog. Very interesting. Very healing. 

1900- supper - sausages; peas, corn and potatoes; bread; cheese; apple; and a cookie. I served the sausages. 

2020- evening worship

Time during silence- It's only 7-10 minutes but at times, it seems like the longest. I think I've had some pretty good discussions with God; I believe I am starting to "hear" him again. 

Workshop 2

God's working through you; how do we answer your call?

-Gods work in us is faith; it is a gift

-Call

    -Christian call

    -we are all called; Christ calls us towards God

-God chooses you

How do I know God is calling?

-desire for God in our life

-listen to/for God

-trust 

-willing to risk (prepare yourself to loose)

-God accepts us as we are 

Taize - day 3

0815 - morning worship with communion 

Breakfast - 6inch bun; butter; jam;  coffee; apple

Clinic - two burns

           - two allergies

          - lady that spent the night, because of a migraine; stayed to make sure not a stroke (she was 49 yrs). 

1000 - session

                     Luke 5

                     Isaiah 6

                    Need to recognize we are sinners but then be thankful for life. 

                    Mark 8: 27-33

                                9: 2-8

Mid-day service 

Lunch - green and yellow beans mixed with potato chucks; bread; camenbear  cheese; apple; and cookie. 

1415 - met Sarah in the bookstore to shop for our church

1530 - afternoon group discussion

-this was an emotional one for me. I freely talked about my anger at God and not understanding His plan for me. I was pleasantly surprised at the love and support I felt from my group. We had to state something that we were thankful for; one of the beautiful German ladies stated she was thankful for me. That was a surprise. It's amazing the connections you can make in such a short time. 

One of the German men has a hard time with English. We have a hard time remembering to talk slower, not to mumble and to enunciate. I hope he continues to remind us to speak up, so he can hear. 

 

1715 - met with Sarah at the coffee/snack bar to write our postcards. Hope they make it before we get home. 

1745 - met Kerstin and the rest of my group at the talk on idols. It was done by one of the Brothers and was quite interesting. I'll post info on it in another blog, if anyone is interested. 

1900 - the best meal at Taize to date. Pasta with meat sauce; parmazan cheese; bread; chocolate pudding; and cookies. Yum! Yum!!

2030 - evening worship

Icons

An icon is more than just a picture. It is a representation of God. Invisible is present. Icon brings us closer to heaven. Inspiration. Function in prayer; in the service. There is a presence in the church. In home, place that reminds people of the presence of God and helps people to connect. 

Adoration- to God

Veneration- to the icon; should not adore

Icon shouldn't be someone that is alive.  

Icons became more important in the 3rd and 4th century. 

Choice of icons in Taize

-represents beauty

-make a beautiful place to pray

-represents the orthodox traditions

-left- Virgin Mary

-centre- cross

-right- resurrection

-friendship- in entrance way

-Jesus and Egypt saint- 

-transfiguration 

Jesus - half circle around head, shows light and "holy"

- big eyes for seeing

-small mouth represents silence 

-stronge neck represents the Holy Spirit or the breath of life 

Clothes 

-red- divine

-blue- humanity 

-gold- sent by God; sent to serve humanity 

-on hand for teaching; one hand for reading

-Jesus is both God and human; there is a prohibition in the old testament not to recreate the invisible God; therefore we can have icons of Jesus

-back ground colour represents the Fathers presence

Three angels- painted in the 15th century, in Moscow 

-hospitality of Abraham (genesis 18)

-tree

-tent- house of the Father

-cup with animal head in it 

-makes us think of the holy trinity

-circle- unity of the divine 

-angel on the left, clothes of different colours, represents the shining light or God the Father

-rectangle in the table that represents the hole that holds saints remains

-2nd cup with angel in the middle- represents Jesus

-angel on the right- represents the Holy Ghost 

-front of the table is empty, like an invitation to us to join them