I’m already a bit tall but when I enter worship I straighten up and put my shoulders back and want to reach toward Heaven. I have noticed how being together restarts and corrects my week with hope. It has been a week and today I had the pleasure of visiting a sister church to a church in Kirkland, WA. I met our speaker for tomorrow and she currently lives in Bellingham, WA. I would say I feel at home except the nationals are working harder at language than I am because I am only an English speaker. It is not hopeless but challenging. So there are more cows than people in Wiler. Yesterday we bused to Lyss and so now I have been on a plane, train, and bus. It would be fun to drive a car on these narrow country roads but let me say that the Swiss are determined drivers. I hope that is not offensive but just a first impression. The church service in Biel was translated but I opted to just enjoy the worship and language. Next time I’ll use a headset. The song I enjoyed most was new and had the phrase, “I am emptied to be filled again”. Many of the songs we sang were familiar.
The most important study of my week was on listening to God. I love the surprise of hearing from God but have never considered that I can ask God on that intimate level. You know the impressions you have and wonder if it is your imagination or God? Why not ask Him? Sort it out under His direction. I already know what I think but what does God think? I’m journaling as a requirement of this course and have named my journal, Pam has a Point but God has Truth.
I’m so grateful to have been moved from vacuuming stairs that I felt unsteady about to mending which is in my skill set. (I don’t think anyone has a desire but only a need to vacuum!) Anyway – week two starts tomorrow. I’m so happy to be here with these people. Did I mention I am rooming with a lady from Poland and one from Australia? There are already things about being in Switzerland that I prefer to the American way but am used to larger showers. Not a complaint but an observation. That brings me back to being tall-ish. We are individuals living in community which is good practice for mission work which is a new culture and possibly language. These adjustments are intended to open our hearts and minds that the way we have been doing things is not the “right” way but just a way. I’m over the jet-lag and sleeping better with earplugs. Prayer ideas would be language, sleep, an open heart, and comprehension of God’s plan for me and the people here and the people I love at home. I took a photo after church to not compromise the people in the building but too many pexels so here I am in Lyss having a wonderful day. Have a great week!