Of Snoonies and Tzfiries...

17th January

Tonight I am so tired! Hannah and I got to bed at a good time last night after we called and emailed our families, and slept as late as we could before breakfast, and it is a good thing I did, because I had a full day! It was lovely here, about 45F. I worked for the first part of the day with Daniela’s husband Thomas. He is a big dark German man like Matthias Marx, only maybe not quite so gentle, but still very kind.

We went to an old chalet shed (built probably 100 years ago) and while I was in the attic, Thomas handed up to me all the beekeeper paraphernalia to stack neatly. It took us a good hour to empty the little room, and then I swept it with a broom that looked like something a witch would use in an old fairytale. It really was rustic! Then for the next several hours I carried these huge empty casks (for apple cider) in their own little wooden crate over from a basement where he handed them up, to the little shed we cleaned, and stacked them 3 high. Thomas said the casks would hold about 25 liters, and I would guess we moved about 100 of them. It was a gorgeous day, and I was glad to be outside, especially with such a view of the mountains. I was grateful for the thorough workout as well! I had a good tired feeling when we finished, but I was also ready to stop. He was very sensitive to me, and kept asking me; “This work, it is not too much for you?” and he would tell me I do not need to hurry to keep up with him “because you are still a little bit sick”. He is twice my size, and was having fun teaching me High German. I am glad I learned so much low German from the Hutterites, but I am realizing how sloppy of a language it is! I can often get a general idea of what they are saying, and I am surprised how much the Hutterish comes back to me.

I was glad for Snoonie today! I worked some more with Thomas after the break, and Daniela had to call him to send me back to the greenhouse. She goes, “My husband likes to work with you. I had to call - send her back!!” I guess I am doing well because she and Rahel have commented several times how fast of a worker I am and how they have to rush to get things prepared for me. We three have so much fun in the greenhouses. Daniela is a real stinker and is always teasing, so I tease her back and then she threatens, “Ah, you wait. Tomorrow in the greenhouse, yes!” She came up to me today and asked if I had met Henry yet, then she began massaging my back with one of those palm massagers. I told her I really like Henry, before I even turned around! :] I was transplanting the rest of the day, and wore gloves since the rooting powder is so poisonous. Then she would feed me this wafer that Olga brought from Slovakia. It was from 1990. :P I guess that might be just as bad for me as the rooting powder? :] The grandpa (Grossfati) who works with us held up a little geranium to me this afternoon and said, “Ah! Americana!”

I have my little sparkly “HOPE” sign that I bought in the Christmas clearance at Menards hanging on my closet door. It is cheery, does not match the room, and always lifts my spirits. For as I told Cheryl (from lighting) when I held it up while buying it, “There is always hope with God!”.

Tonight Hannah and I are washing our laundry, Inge helped us figure out the machines with German instructions. We laughed and laughed in our room because as we were gathering our laundry I suddenly grabbed a skirt and covered all our clothing, saying, “Just in case she sees something that “needs to be washed in a certain Swiss way”. It was so true we could not stop laughing. They are SO definite how things should be done. And there is only ONE way to do it!

I have found out that speaking another language does not inhibit boys from teasing. They tease all over the world. :] When Hannah and I were cleaning up after lunch today, we were discussing the fact that they were making pizza for supper that evening. I told her, “Ah! You can learn to make Swiss pizza! I wonder if it is different than ours, I suppose it is authentic since they are close to Italy”. Simon (brother) was in the kitchen eating his lunch since he came back late from school and overheard us. He began: “Yes, it will have Swiss cheese, some China tomatoes, Spanish chicken, and Italian vegetables….” :] All of the cheese here is white, so it is difficult to distinguish from the other. Inge makes fresh cheese, and I am going to see if I can come in from the greenhouse and see how she makes it. It is soft and spread able like cream cheese, very delicate. I really like it for spreading on the bread that is forever served around here. Mom, I love your wheat bread.

In our free time this afternoon, Hannah and I took our Bibles and journals and walked up to a little bench on a hidden path that overlooks the mountains. It was warm and sunny, a sweatshirt was enough to keep us warm. It was simply lovely, and we talked for quite while before reading and writing. I was reading 1 Corinthians 13, and sitting and looking up at the mountains looming in front of me made this verse hit home: “…If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Love is patient and kind…it does not insist on it’s own way…Love bears all things, believes all things, HOPES (my sign!) all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” ESV

8:30 As fate would have it, we DID have problems with the washer and had to get Inge involved again. She was very nice about it, and helped us clean up the leaking water everywhere. :] We did nothing wrong, the only thing we can figure is that someone else tried opening the door. I love having Inge as my contact. She is so German. I told her that if she is going to be my German mama (as she tells everyone she is) she will have to hug and kiss me in the morning. I miss hugs here! Hannah’s contact is Mirjam, a young woman my age who is married and gentle and dark and tiny and has a sweet smile. Hannah works with her in the kitchen. Tonight I met a lady at our table named Elizabeth. She is older and single, warm, friendly and direct, and has strong features, and I hit it off with her right away. She has lived in Spain for 30 years and speaks a minimum of 5 languages. I feel so dense. Elizabeth will be on holiday here for 6 weeks, so I look forward to getting to know her better.

Tonight I was almost wishing I did not have to go to the evening service because I was so tired, but we decided to anyway. And who should walk in the door but one of my favorite people: Peter Lippuner! Remember the grandpa who stuffs whipped cream in his mouth? (I have a soft spot for people who like whipped cream…) He always has a twinkle in his eye, and he looked directly at me for most of his message. I felt a bit dimwitted, laughing a ½ minute later when the translation had come through and sunk in my brain. (Hannah said it was really loud, even with her earphones in. :D) He taught a really good message on Psalm 43. So many of the things he shared were just for my heart, and I thanked the Lord again for His incredible love for me.

I have panpipe music playing in our room this evening, I am SO glad for my music. I listen to music all the time at home, and if I did not have it, I do not know what I would do! I also brought back some snipped daisies from the greenhouse (they were throwing them out, “because it’s too early for daisies”) so those are all cheerful on our dresser. We have decorated our room with all sorts of things, and it is quite homey! We have those in wall bookcases I love, and I have pictures, perfume, candles, and postcards on them now. Hannah’s shelf was bare, so I decorated that, too. :] We have our window opened wide for mountain air, and are just relishing our rest and time together. I tell you, I have never loved sleep so much. Our days are crammed FULL, and there is nothing like coming home completely tired, and just unwinding with quiet time, music, prayer and fresh air. :]

18th January

I try to remember during the day all the little things that are different here from the US. They really decorate the food, at lunchtime today, they had a heart cut out of red beet laid on top of the pan of fish. Yesterday they had carrot peels curled on top of some veggies. Hannah said that the plates have to be spotless before they lay the food on and decorate it.

The weather is lovely today! We have our wash out on the balcony. I am planning on going for a run just as soon as Hannah gets back from the kitchen. We try to take our breaks together. Today I have had a variety of projects in the greenhouse. I am always preparing and planting little cuttings in big flats, and this afternoon I will be working with Ivy. I have to make 600 cuts, and then plant them. It’s a fairly easy job, I am working alone in a warm greenhouse with a stool, Swiss knife, the plants, and my thoughts.

I have officially be put in charge of Snoonie and Zfirie. (Those are our 10 and 4 o’clock feedings.) I have to boil the water, get the table ready and cleaned up, and run to the kitchen for our snack food.

Our English is so very full of slang! I only realize it when they ask the direct translation of a word, or what would be the best way to phrase a sentence. Then I have to speak properly! Pia asked us what is the difference between envy and jealousy, and how would we use the words in what ways. It makes you think! I am always teaching them new words, they remember the English much faster than I do the German!

There is a person here that I feel very much like Anne Shirley and Catherine Brook with! There are amazing similarities, and I feel sorry for them. They do not have to be the way they are! I have made it my goal to win them over, and be a friend to them, and am praying towards that as well. People are people, no matter where you are!

Hannah and I did run, it felt so good! There is a youth weekend going on right now, several young people from about 2 hours away and closer have to come help out. So after supper we had our usual gathering, and then some games. It was fun, I had to do a lot of guessing what to do because no one near me could translate well. We numbered off and then stood in two lines facing the same direction. Simon Stucki had different ideas how to pass the tennis ball behind us, racing the other team. (Like over the head, under the foot, a funny twist, under the legs.) A lot of adults got involved too, and they were all shrieking with laughter. Then Grandma Lippuner (whose parents started Bellevue) shared how she and her husband started Guetli. She was just the cutest little thing! She sat all smiling on a chair, dressed in cream and white linen with a scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair was twisted up in a French twist the way they do, and she just looked so angelic. I heard that she travels a lot to many countries to share their story and the gospel. It was an interesting story, although I was very tired. We did not get to bed until midnight.

19th January

I am so tired. We worked very hard all day. At breakfast after my morning hug and kiss, :] Inge told me that she asked Daniela for me, so I could work with her for one day. She is so cute, and likes me so well, which is a good thing. I don’t know what I ever did to merit her love, but since we are attached until the end of my stay, I’m glad. :] We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned all day. There are many guest rooms here that needed to be thoroughly scrubbed and prepared, and then there was all the Saturday cleaning. We have three large main buildings here on the compound, and they have long halls and flights and flights of stairs to be washed and tons of décor that needs to be dusted, so that was my duty today. The guest rooms are incredible! I also washed many windows. It’s a good thing for me that Ursula taught me to clean so well. What would I ever have done the rest of my life, had I not known how to clean a shower Swiss style? :] I miss her, she and her husband are on a holiday.

After Tsfirie, I went back to the greenhouse, and we scrubbed the glass covers that you put on the outside beds for protection and sunshine. It has been some time since that was done! I was feeling myself beginning to crash, and prayed God would help me finish. I know if I would have told them I wasn’t doing well they would have let me off, but I didn’t want to. I suppose it is pride, but I hate the fact that I am not completely healthy. I want to work as long as they do, they are all so big and healthy and strong, and just go and go! But I do have physical limitations, and need to work with it, and remember and thank the Lord that I am so much better than I was last year at this time! At supper, however, I was simply staring into space, and decided to skip the evening service, and opted for my bedroom. I took a hot shower, and after I am done writing here I am going to hit the sack.

OK, speaking of supper, I have something funny to tell you. A few days ago in the greenhouse Rahel asked me if I ever eat tacos. I described what they are, what they consist of, and how you eat them. (Soft, hard, as a burrito, or as a haystack.) Well, tonight when we all sat down to eat, Marcel (he is a man in his 30’s, was saved through their witness, and is one of the youth leaders….he works out in the greenhouse sphere) announced to the group that “tonight we have something very special to eat…Tacos!” He then asked Naughty Nattie to come up and demonstrate how to assemble one. Then, in German, Nattie walked us through how to make a taco. Hannah and I were stifling laughter, however, because the ingredients on the buffet table were as far from tacos as I have ever seen! It was more like a conglomeration you would find in a falafel in Israel! Other than tortillas that Hannah made in the kitchen (completely authentic), and some shredded lettuce and a tomato sauce, nothing was the usual. :] We had applesauce, corn salad, soup, red beets, plums, dried pears, shredded parmesan cheese, quark, and jam. Oh yeah! And egg salad. :] I just chuckled and chuckled while I assembled my “taco”. And everyone was so into it and talking about it, and getting helping after helping. :] Quark is something I never had before I came here, it is a dairy product along the lines of yogurt or Kefir. I would place it in a taste between yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk, and cream cheese. It is heavier than yogurt, and grainy, and very very sour. I love my yogurt tart, but this is inedible if you do not add fruit. I do love the good bacteria, and eat it whenever it is out. I wonder if we can get the starter in the States.

It’s so nice to have my last name pronounced correctly. I don’t have to say, “Gawin, the “w” is pronounced like a “v”. They start out saying it right!

Today after lunch I went to sit in the sun for a bit with Inge and her 3 daughters Mirjam (21) , Julia (14) and Christina (12). As I poured myself a cup of coffee to take out with me, Rahel came up and wrapped her arms around me, laughing, “Where coffee is, there is Rrrebecca!!” They have gotten to know me already! I think that is why I am in charge of the coffee/tea time. It is OK with me! Cornelia was talking to me last night, and telling me how she would love to open a coffee house, and knows just the place. There is a lovely abandoned building on a lake facing the mountains that she thinks would be perfect. Perhaps I will have to come back and help them start one?

And another thing…they found out that I am seamstress, and about 6 of the girls and ladies want me to teach them how to sew. We have to plan a day to go into the village and get some fabric. They have about 5 machines, 2 sergers, and 2 industrial irons. It should be fun. Can’t you just see me trying to explain everything very simply, and hearing it translated into something totally different? :] Sometimes I get so frustrated inside and just want to be understood! I feel like an idiot, acting everything out! :]

I want a backrub.

I should describe some more of the people to you. You know Grandpa Lippuner, (whipped cream man) and his wife (the angel that shared last night) and their son is Emmanuel. He has a twinkle in his eye like his father and is smiley and gentle. He and his wife Cornelia are always in demand, and very busy. Cornelia is adorable. She is very thin and lanky, yet has a turned up nose and is a little spacey. I think it is because there is always so much on her mind. She dresses in elegant European clothing and wears flowers in her twisted up hair and always has an exotic scarf around her neck. They have two daughters, Lydia (17) is studying law in a nearby village, and is pink cheeked, sensible, and sweet. Tabitha (14) is the intense one, and gets on her mom’s nerves a lot, much to our amusement. It’s funny how much you know without understanding the words. :] Tabitha is…well, she has lots of personality, and sometimes doesn’t know when to stop. :]

Inge’s daughters are beautiful. She and her husband Heinz both have wide sets eyes and high cheek bones, and their girls inherited it. I think Mirjam looks like a model, and she is very nice too!

Sarah (20) is another beauty, and as sweet as Letha Wurtz. She is simple, wears dreadful clothing, and has a dark complexion. I can’t imagine what she would look like all fixed up. She reminds me very much of a Jewish girl, her eyes are dark, lined with black lashes, and her cheeks are rosy. She often translates for us, and is very good at it! I really really like her - such a sweet and sincere person you rarely meet.

Ulrich (28) reminds me of a wolf. He is Romanian looking, has very dark skin, and keen gray eyes. And he has a smile that’s like the sun finally peeking over the horizon. It just suddenly lights up his face. I like him because he always visits with me at a table where everyone else is speaking German. His fiancée is in Ethiopia, and he is waiting for his Visa so he can be a missionary in Tanzania. Then they will marry and work there together. He said he fell in love with her the first time he saw her. The men wear rings here if they are engaged, I really like that.

Rahel’s (29) brother Simon (28) looks pretty Swiss, but also reminds me of a Russian ice skater. He just has that European look. He loves languages, and studies and teaches school in German, French or English at any given time. Their last name is Stucki, and when I told them how American’s would say it, they really laughed. Try “Sch-took-ch-ee”. I really like Rahel. She is mature without being old maid-ish, and has a great laugh. She feels like a big sister.

There are two more 28 year old Rebecca’s here! One is Rebecca Seigfried, Thea’s sister. She is small and sweet and quiet and works in the flower shop. She always dresses very nice and wears lovely scarves. And Rebecca Kaufman is also very tiny and dark with enormous brown eyes and works in the kitchen. For the life of me, I have no idea why they are single. So if any of you men speak German and want a good wife, I know of a few…

Then there is Esther, who always has her eyebrows pinched, I have grown to really like her, and we can connect although she doesn't speak any English, and Annaliese. She has lovely hair and dresses nice, and really is a nice person, but totally spinster. She understands a lot, but does not speak English.

The kitchen women work so hard! I feel bad for Hannah. It is just non-stop work, I do not know how they do it. I thank the Lord over and over again for putting me in the gardens. Not only do I love the people I work with, but the work is good for me; a combo of gentle things and good exercise. Hannah and I took a brisk walk today, and tried to catch up on each other’s lives. I feel like I hardly see her!

21st January

I have only a short time to be able to write now, but I want to tell you about yesterday! We went to a conference about The Mission on the Nile that was held in Suhr. We rode with Eva (the cheerful interpreter) and her good friend of 21 years, Rita. (Marguerita.) I asked them, “how long have you been friends, 22 years?” and as Rita corrected me and told me it was 21, Eva mumbled under her breath, “22 would be one too many!” They made Hannah and I laugh all the day long. They both are so opinionated and you can tell that they have been through thick and thin together. Rita was driving her car (and was she whizzing along!) and Eva had the map. You didn’t need to understand German to know when they were being sassy or arguing! Finally Rita says in English, “OK, you’re the boss… and I’ll do what I want!”

The drive was lovely, it was the first I have been out of the Guetli since we went to Hasliberg. As Eva saw me trying to photograph out the window, she and Ritz decided that on the way home we would take a scenic route so I could get good pictures. She likes photography as well, and she said it broke her heart to look at me. Thank God for kindred spirits! Most people just don’t get it about needing a good picture! :]

Aunt Martha met us there, and for most of the day she translated all the messages for us. She cracks me up. Right in the middle of a sermon when she was interpreting she pauses and says in her forthright way, “You’re thin, Hannah. A bit too thin”. I started laughing, and then she poked me. (I told her I am a bit too soft, and she disagreed and kept translating.) About 6 different people shared (including Ulrich and Grandma Lippuner) about the different places in Africa they are working in, and several of them showed some slide shows. It was very interesting.

Regula Thyssen sat with us, she is a single lady that works in the offices for the mission just down the road from Guetli. She was telling us that she is a Obstetrics and Gynecology doctor, she had been studying for over 10 years, and not long before she was done, she felt the Lord leading her to missions and left it all to work in the office as a secretary! That just blew my mind. She said it is helpful to know about medicine in her work, because she often has to order medical things for the mission, and she knows just what they need. Regula is often here at Guetli and is small and shy like Carolyn Sykora and usually looks a little startled.

They had an afternoon break for coffee and desserts, and you should have seen all the dozens of desserts they had out! Hannah and I made an agreement that we each should get several different kinds so we could try them all. When we came back to the table we started laughing because we had been quite zealous. Hannah told me to “eat it quick, so there is not so much on our plates!!” Aunt Martha in her practical way explained to Regula, “We just want to try many of these delicious Swiss desserts” and Regula nodded seriously as she took a bite from her one piece and eyed our three plates, “I see.” It was so embarrassing. Hannah leaned over to me and said, “Since we never get dessert at Guetli, we really live it up here when we can!” I felt so sick afterwards, it has been a while since I had any refined sugar like that! We took a short walk down the street then, it was a perfect day, and many people were walking, running or biking. There was a small brook that ran along the roadside. I tried to get some pics of the homes so you could see a typical Swiss village.

The drive home was wonderful. We took Martha back to Bern which was more than an hour out of our way, and we had a race against the sun to find a good spot to take pictures of the Alps. You should have seen those two in the front chattering away and driving and navigating quickly up and down these windy back roads. So much of the territory here is so much like Wisconsin! We saw two castles on our excursion, and many amazing homes. We finally found a spot in Emmenthal where we could just take in the sunset over the mountains. The moon is almost full, and smoke was coming out the chimneys below. I took as many pictures as possible before it got too dark. I am amazed at how that camera can take such good low light pictures! Thanks, Pa.

After it was dark Martha, Hannah and I sang our hearts out the rest of the way to Bern. It has been so long since I have been able to sing in English, and loudly. It felt good. :] When we got to the home where Martha works, she gave us a quick tour, and then took us to her tiny room and in 5 minutes flat had whipped up a soup and served that with bread. The rest of the ride home Rita and Eva had us laughing, and when they stopped for fuel, Hannah and I ran into the gas station to look around. We were like children, gazing in wonder at it all!! Rita came in and barged her way in front of us and purchased the Rivella that we were going to buy! She is too sweet.

On the way back we saw a large IKEA store, and a Mammut store as well!

When we got home, Hannah and I got tea and some cups in the kitchen, then went to our room, opened the window wide, lit a candle, put on some music, and ate the little snacks that Martha sent home with us as well as our Rivella. It felt so good to have our own little party and talk and laugh together.

I should be very good at the game Taboo when I get home. :] For almost everything I say, I have to think of at least two more ways to get it said so I am understood. I can’t just say, “I’m going to say good morning to the flowers!” I have to break it down. I am glad to have Hannah here so I can just be understood if I need to be, and also to talk as fast as I want under my breath. She has been such a blessing to me!!

I must close this now so I can get Simon to help me with my flash card, but I will write about today in the next post. I feel like I am having a one sided conversation when I post. I usually tell my sisters everything in person, and we sit in gales of laughter and discuss it. But on here, I just put it out there for all to see, and unless you happen to comment on something, I feel like I am doing all the talking. :]

A Sunday in Switzerland...and maybe a Mon-Wed too!

Sunday, 13th January

“Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea, a great High Priest whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, my name is written on His heart, I know that while in heaven He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me every guilt within, upward I look and see Him there, who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Saviour died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God the Just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the Risen Lamb, our perfect spotless Righteousness! The great unchangeable I AM, the King of Glory and of Grace. One with Himself I cannot die, my soul is purchased by His blood, my life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Saviour and my God.”

That song has been on my heart this morning. I am amazed that you can be in another country, with different trees, different music, different food, different styles, different everything, and the bond in Christ is so strong that you feel like family because of mutual love of our Lord Jesus Christ. I really enjoyed the church service this morning. There is a large meeting room in the basement of the main building called “The Zurichhaus”. That is the same building as the kitchen, dining area, laundry, offices, phone booths, store, and many guest rooms. (I have yet to learn the long and complicated name of our building!)

There is a lady here named Eva that is in charge of always making sure we understand what is going on. Hannah always laughs when I call her our “cheerful interpreter”. She is tall and plump and jolly and always full of energy and smiles, and just the sort of Swiss mama you could just run and hug at any time. She is graying, and has her hair swept up in a French twist all the time, and is often covered in white paint, since she helps with the renovations. This morning she sat in another room, and we wore earphones so we could hear her interpretation. Several of the girls in our row are trying to learn English better, so they wore them along with us, because you can hear the German pretty well too. I knew the tunes to many of the songs we sang, and stumbled along with the German words. We sang “God Himself is present”, and that Russian song we sing; I can’t recall the name right now.

Breakfast was very light and refreshing, and I had my first cup of coffee! I was SO happy for it, and while I think it was just a strong cup of Nescafe, it was very welcome. They heat up milk (from our own cows here) in a metal pitcher with a steam wand as there is on an espresso machine. We ate yogurt, and there are oats and fresh fruit and honey available to mix in if wanted. On the tables we had brown bread and challah like Mom makes! These Swiss eat ALL the time!! I’m serious, you think they would all be roly-poly. (If our guests think WE feed them a lot, they should come to Switzerland!) Breakfast is normally at 7:15, then they eat tea and snacks at 10, (called Snoonie) lunch is at 12:15, and snack and tea again at 4, then dinner at 6. Snacks consist of tough bread and cheese, delicious butter (in a Mackenzie tone) and nuts or unknown pastries. We are going away to the Alps today through Tuesday, so we will not be in the normal schedule until next week. When I know it better I will send it.

I would appreciate your prayers, I have had a lot of pain. I wish with all of my heart I had made it a priority to go to my doctor in MO to get a new prescription of my meds. I have been on antibiotics for 17 months, and just was weaning myself off of them in the end of December. Since I have not been down to MO for a year, (and have only had phone check ups,) Dr. Crist could not refill them. He recommended I try a natural product called Lauricidin, which I brought with me. I think I may be having a Herxheimer (a reaction that Lymes patients get from meds) because I feel like the old days! Last night I had such pains in my legs and lower back that it woke me up and I laid awake for over 2 hours trying to ignore the pain and fall back to sleep. I wanted to call Mom so badly! :] Instead I prayed myself to sleep, and in the morning when I told Hannah, she pulled out some Advil for me! I am so grateful she brought some along, because of all the stuff I remembered, pain pills were not one of them. It has been so long since I have needed them, I am so much healthier than I used to be!

Hannah and I are going to take a long hike after lunch before we leave for the mountains. I hope to take a number of pictures then. Up until now, my time has been so filled I have not had a chance. Everyone works so hard here, it is humbling to sit down to a fancy meal I have not prepared, and just enjoy it! I am not used to that. We will have kitchen duty about twice a week now, and I keep telling them to let me know when I need to help, because I cannot decipher the German schedule. :] I am not sure if I will be able to send pictures until maybe we are at the Toblers, because I cannot connect with my computer! That is a huge frustration because if I could, I would be able to upload them quite easily and email a lot more. Last night Simon (who is the brother of Rahel - the girl I live and work with) helped me be able to post on my blog. Thankfully he speaks English quite well, and had a flash card, so he saved my file, and then transferred it to the German computer, a feat that would have taken me hours. :] I kept telling him how relieved I was, and would he PLEASE promise to be at Guetli for as long as we are here so he can help me. :] Hannah is always making me laugh at myself. He didn’t understand me, and thought I wanted him to sit next to me while I emailed, which made us laugh all the more. Sometimes the miscommunications can be quite hilarious! Rahel and Simon have been my favorites so far.

Hannah and I have always been just a tad late at meals, so this morning we decided to be about 10 minutes early. Unfortunately the Zurichhaus was locked when we arrived without our jackets, so we had to knock. Zita opened the door for us, and called us very friendly girls. Zita is SO funny, I really like her and her husband. She looks all tired and worn out like someone who has been a missionary in Africa too many years, or maybe would act the part of Miriam in a movie about Moses. Her skin is olive and her hair gray, and she looks sober, but has such a spunky personality. She often interprets for us, and teases us too. Her husband reminds me of Toby Nelson, and is always all smiles. He has a twinkle in his eye, and was one of the first to come up and greet us when we arrived.

8:21pm

I have Ein Straussfest playing as I write this. Oh my, just when I think I have caught up, a million and one things happen all over again, and I have so much to tell you. First of all, I have to describe my current surroundings to you. Imagine a lovely resort in the top of snow capped mountains, a chalet style hotel all white with dark red trim. We are in Hasliberg, at the Bellevue Hotel. It is a sister place to Guetli, and only a one hour drive away. This is where the ministry began many years ago…

OH! I just remembered something! Remember when I said that Zita looked like a tired missionary from Africa? I found out today that she was a missionary in Ethiopia for 14 years!!!!! I laughed so hard when I heard that, but could not let on why. (Hannah was in on the joke.) That same incident happened with a lady I met in Israel once. I told Anna the same thing about her, and we found out she had been a missionary as well. Lord, keep me fresh if I am a missionary overseas. :]

Anyway, back to Bellevue. This weekend the mission is hosting a retreat for the staff of Guetli. (They call themselves co-workers.) They brought Hannah and I along so we could see it, and help in the kitchen for a few days. The drive up here was amazing, it simply took my breath away. There is something about the Alps that is holy. Really, you just look at them, and feel a stillness inside. They are so huge and old and grand and wise and timeless, and you feel so little and insignificant when they loom down at you. It makes you want to shout for joy and weep all at once, and as I stood on one of the balconies this afternoon, unbidden, came to my mind: “I will lift my eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help? My help cometh from the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth.” Psalm 121:1,2.

As we rode along the road, 6 women packed in a steamy car, I attempted to take pictures. It reminds me of taking pictures at a wedding, you miss the real event because you are recording it behind a viewfinder. Every turn of the road was more incredible than the last, and I was so frustrated to be taking them out a WINDOW! Pa would have had a fit. There are absolutely no turnoffs on these roads as they wind thinly through the mountains. And Pia was not acting like it was anything amazing, or at least not worth stopping for. Hannah and I kept gasping, and all I could do was GRIN, realizing that I am truly in Switzerland, seeing these Alps, another dream come true. The lakes are the most incredible color, an unusual combination of green and blue. As we came up the mountains, it was so fun to see the snow start sticking to the trees and ground, and then suddenly, the sun broke through the clouds, and glistened off of the highest peaks. I think God did it just for us, because even the Swiss pointed and commented on how unusual it was. It was a fairy wonderland, the narrow road winding ever upwards, tall pines on each side, mist shrouding the mountains, and little chalets tucked in here and there. Then the air turned an amazing color. It was an ethereal blue fog, like something from CS Lewis or Tolkien’s books. It glowed all alive, and I am SURE that heaven will have that hue somewhere. I really have no words to describe what happened. It was breathtaking.

When we finally pulled in, and hopped out of the car, I snapped as many pictures as I dared before turning to help the others carry our luggage in. (I am so glad I brought that small empty duffle.) As soon as we arrived, it was Zfirdie, the four o’clock eating time. Of course, even if you are not hungry, you would never dream of missing Zfirdie, so we had coffee and Linzer Torte, a classic from this country. :] Then we were put to work cleaning the hotel for all the guests. All the usual housework, scrubbing bathrooms, dusting, changing sheets on the down comforters, and vacuuming. Or as they call it, “Hoovering”. :] I just had to throw back my head and laugh, thinking if only Kevin could see where I am now, he would be soooo jealous! I mean, right out the window of this classy hotel, decorated all beautifully with Swiss décor, are these amazing mountains that you only see in picture books! I feel like I went back in time, or am in a Heidi storybook.

I was quite exhausted when we stopped for supper, and ate in the staff dining room in the basement. The guests were in the lovely glassed in dining room upstairs facing the mountains. They are really into centerpieces here. Even in on our little snack table in the greenhouse, they light a candle and spread greenery around it. For the dining rooms, they make fancy ones out of things from the florist shop. Hannah and I commented later on how we could not believe we only met those people today, we really felt like we have known them for a long time. They would speak a mixture of German and English to us, and so many have told us that they were so excited when they heard we were coming, so that we could teach them more English. (Hannah is dying laughing at my old French music. She says it is corny. I had nothing else fitting, now that my Strauss ended!) Some of the words we get mixed up make us laugh and laugh. I have to tell you about Ursula. She pronounces it “Ooo-sell-ah”. She is so very funny, and makes us laugh all the time. She is older and married, but somehow is very childlike and asks forthright questions in impossible ways. She teases us, and is always instructing us about Swiss ways and culture, and wants to learn English better. She is a character to say the least, and so I have begun teasing her back. She thinks it is so funny. She wanted Hannah and I to go in and make the beds look nice, and as she was searching for her words, we said in unison: “make the beds all fluffy?” and she got a look of horror on her face. Here she thought we said that we were going to make them dusty. :] She was wearing a traditional Swiss costume today, and always wears her hair in a sideways twist/bun. She gave me step by step instructions how to clean a shower Swiss style this evening. (Like I have never cleaned a shower before. I can assure you, we do it the same in the States.)

I have something else very special to tell you - earlier at Guetli we took a walk with another Tabea “Tuh-bay-ah“ (who is here on weekends) because I was dying to just get outside, and she showed us an amazing trail. I am SO excited, it is perfect for going on a run, and is all secluded, framed by trees on one side, fields on the other, and a brook running alongside most of it. It looks just like the brook in The Sound of Music. You can also see the snow capped mountains in the distance. I asked several people, there are no wild animals or strange men to worry about, so Pa and Mom can rest in peace. I did see three dogs, though, a mixture of Chow Chow and St. Bernard. :P Hannah and I have an agreement: I protect her from cats, and she protects me from dogs. Mom, I saw one of those dreadful German shepherds you think so beautiful. Anyway, this trail is right beside Guetli, so I do not have to worry about exercising on the roads. They are not very pedestrian friendly here, weaving quite fast around bikers and walkers. It will be ideal for me, and I think I will have free time in the afternoons right after lunch. (Who wants to run after lunch?)

Guetli is pronounced “Goo-it-lee” by the way. Do I write too many details? Ah well, this is really as much my journal as anything else, no matter to me if you do not read it. :] I will not be able to always write so much. I am on page 4 since my last post! I have to tell you about Dorothea. She is the sister (here in Bellvue) of Rebecca Siegfried in Guetli, and is a real character. She has tons of personality, and is always cracking jokes, and loves to play pranks. She wants us all to play a prank on the guests tomorrow. They pronounce her name “Dora-tay-ah” and call her Thea. We also met a Nathaniel, whom they call “Naughty Nattie” (looks just like Roman Troyer) and a boy named Damian from the Black Forest. He is another real personality. All the young people are so friendly. Education is huge in Switzerland, and it is not unusual for them to be single into their 30’s. When I told them that most of my circle at home is married with at least 2-4 kids, they were amazed.

I have a huge day tomorrow, cooking all day for many people, so I must close. I feel pretty adjusted to the time change, and am very ready for bed. I hope I will have more time to write tomorrow, and to take many more pictures.

14th January 8:24pm

I am so very tired, we had a full day. I am not fully used to the time change, so I laid awake until 2am last night. I knew I would have a long day today, and willed myself to sleep. Ah well. I kept getting up and looking out the window because we have a fabulous view of the mountains, and they were framed in the dim moonlight last night. The stars were brilliant! The air is so crisp and clean up here, it has been no adjustment. :] We have one of those little chalet balconies…uh huh. :]

We met in the kitchen at 7am, and cooked and cooked and cooked all day. Simone (“Sim-moan-aye”) and Thea (“Tay-ahh”) and Nicola (“Nick-coal-ahh”) were the girls we worked with. There are many guests staying in the Bellevue Hotel besides all of the Guetli staff, and because they eat 5 times a day, that makes for many many dishes, food, and constant clean up. We made all kinds of Swiss food, I will have to make some for you when I get home. Pa would like the industrial dish washer - it cleans the dishes in about 2 minutes flat. Perhaps next year? :] There is a man here who came to Bible School here 30 years ago, and is a farmer. He is sorta a dude and has fluffy hair that stands straight up and I think he is married but does not have a ring. Anyway, he will just chatter away to me in German (usually I have no idea what he is saying ) and I chatter back happily (and he doesn‘t know what I am saying). It’s funny. But anyway, I have to state this: The Swiss are SO particular how things should be done. If Pa thinks I am picky about things, he should see these people! This guy in particular - I can’t remember his name because it is complicated and I have been faced with about 50 new ones in the past 4 days - makes me feel so incompetent in the kitchen. Somehow I never dry the dishes quite right, or stack them weird, or something. It’s so strange to see men be so particular about how things should be done, especially inside. And if anyone is familiar with a kitchen, it is me! But I do like the way the men pitch in and help at different times, even the dads.

I think I am catching on to the way they think here: When in doubt, eat bread and cheese! Those are their main staples here, especially in the mountains. We had it for all 5 meals today. I love all the little creamy spreads. Tonight for dinner we made Raculette and cheese Fondue! Then we got to eat in the dining room with all the guests and the girl next to me named Elisa showed me step by step instructions how the Swiss do it. :] It was the Gerber fondue cheese, very winy and rich and salty, and that combined with the warm room, made Hannah and I glad to go back down to the cool kitchen. It was so nice to see those amazing mountains out of the windows all day as we worked. I am glad I do not have to always be in the kitchen while I am here, too many days of that would drain me so fast. The water from the faucet is icy cold, right from the glacier. I had to use a scoop to get the lettuce out of the sink I was soaking it in.

Auntie Martha came to see us today. It was so nice to have her here, and we decided to go sledding (or tobogganing as they call it) during our break. I know, it’s not the most relaxing way to recover from our 10 hour shift of being on our feet, but it was sooo fun! We found these cute little sleds in one of the chalets, and Tabea showed us a good trail. It was right next to a wonderful mountain stream. I have never heard that sound while sledding before! Martha went on and on about what an excellent sledder I am, and wondered how I could steer. You see, on one side of the trail were trees, and the other was the brook. Then we had to be sure to stop in time, or we would have gone right off of the cliff at the bottom. (I know Mom is loving this.) But it was the most amazing view I have ever gone sledding by! Right in front of us is a Glacier, and the crystal blue just shines in the sunshine. The mist in the mountains suddenly boils up from the valley below, and can completely hide the mountain, and then a moment later, it is gone. I am taking lots of pictures. Anyway, Martha gets down on a sled in her skirt and tights, asks how to steer, and as off she goes, she sighs, “Ah well, praise God”. She makes me laugh so hard! We took a walk when we were done, and she convinced a little old man to have us in his barn to see the Brown Swiss. :] It was adorable to say the least. On our way back to our room to change, some of the staff began throwing snowballs at us. I feel like I have been here for soooo long! I have not talked to anyone from home, I have not been able to email, and our days are so full that it really feels like I have been here a month. I mean it! I told Inge I like her voice, and she said that I better, because she is practically my mother right now! (She is my “contact”.) She is very German. Strong, tall, sober, and with intense eyes. I like her a lot.

I have loved working with Thea. She has such a servants heart, and works tirelessly. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever met! She is always happy and smiling, optimistic and a servant. I would love to have her and Rebecca come and visit our family someday.

Just a random observation. A roomful of people chattering over a meal in German sounds just the same as a roomful of American’s chattering. Profound, I know.

Tomorrow we work in the kitchen again, probably the same as today, and then we go back to Guetli in the afternoon. I am hoping to be able to email then! Perhaps I will write more tomorrow. For now I am headed to bed and to have some quiet time.

15th January

I want to write something quick before I go down to the office to (hopefully) send this. It has been another long day. The people here work quite hard, so we do too! I told Hannah there is no worry that we will live life to the full while here. If we don’t know how, they will fill our lives for us! :] I feel so very far away from Gloria Jeans and Menards right now. I miss talking to my family too. I guess they would have called me if they had wanted to hear my voice by now, though. :]

We started the day early again, and today we cooked for 80 people. Because it is a restaurant, everything has to be perfect. I have never felt so incompetent in a kitchen! Americans are very “whatever”, I have found. What a neat experience, though, to be cooking in a hotel in the Swiss Alps! I feel like I have arrived and been thrown right into life here. I am getting to know the people much better, and remembering a lot of names. We had one ½ hour break today, the rest of the time we were cooking and cleaning in the kitchen. On our break we took a walk. I love the clean mountain air.

Thea and I had a talk as we scooped ice cream into 80 dishes. :] We were discussing the difference in our cultures. While the Swiss are friendly and warm, they are not as “open and happy and laughing and friendly” as Thea described me. (She thinks I laugh funny.) Sometimes I have felt foolish as Hannah and I dissolve into laugher over some misinterpreted word, or something that happened, but Thea said they like it, they are just not that way like we are. She did say, though, that once you have made a friend here, you have it for life. They are not very affectionate, either. I have had difficulty telling who is married to whom, because the husband and wives never touch or hold hands, and do not necessarily sit together. Americans are very different in that way.

The young people we worked with wanted to sing a German song for all the staff after Zfirdie, and we sang with them after a few practices. Then Hannah and I sat at the table with the founder (Peter Lippuner) of this mission. He is the cutest Grandpa ever, and is retired now. He was stuffing desserts piled high with whipped cream in his mouth in such a way that made Hannah and I laugh at him. He sensed it, and performed even more, and then told us jokes until our sides ached with laughing. Pia came up to us and told us we were leaving then, and as we had not packed yet, we high tailed it to our room. We rode home in a 15 passenger bus with about 10 other ladies. The guy that was driving was just racing down the mountainside on this narrow wet road singing loudly in German. It was funny until we hit the fog and then I started to get carsick. :P :] But before that point, it was the most charming drive! It was dusk, and as we came down the mountain you could see all the lights in the village below, and the mist over the lake. I practically had to pinch myself that I was in such a circumstance. All of them were chattering away around me, occasionally giving me a geography and history lesson of the area we were in.

After we came back to our cozy little room, I saved all my pictures, emptied my card, (and suitcase) and began writing on here to be able to catch up before I go and email! You should all be very grateful for the ease of internet access in the States. I feel very far away. Life is so simple here. It feels in many ways like we have stepped back in time. This weekend is a youth weekend, many young people are coming here to work for 2 days, and have meetings. I think we are going to jump back into work life here, so I would appreciate your prayers that I can physically keep up. I feel like such a wimp compared to these strong German woman! I slept much better last night. I miss you all, and would love to hear from you. Have a wonderful day there in the States. :]

16th January

Last night I was able to talk to Pa for a while, we finally connected! Once I am here longer perhaps I can figure out better when I can call and email and such.

This is our first real day here! Breakfast is at 7:15, and after that is a short devotional time. Then I have about 15-20 minutes until I have to be at the greenhouse, and some days of the week I will have dishes to do. But on the days I do not I can come back to my room and change into grungy clothing, read my Bible, and maybe type a little. We have a time to discuss the day’s work with prayer in the greenhouse. Daniela was a little freaked out that she had to try and explain it all in English! Rahel helps to translate, though. I work with those two, mainly, which I am very glad for, because I like them a lot. Simon (not Rahel’s brother) works there several days a week, and also a little Grandpa from the village comes and helps from about Snoonie on. I love being in the greenhouse! It’s hard to dress for, though, because at times you are on your knees on concrete in one of the cold greenhouses, and other times you are standing up in the hot one! I layer a lot, but wish I had more cuddle duds or could wear pants. They don’t, though, and I do not want to offend, so I just save those for exercise.

I am slowly learning the ropes now, and am feeling more at home. This afternoon I knelt and picked the dead leaves and nice flowers off of a long row of pansies with Simon. It was fun to figure out ways to communicate. Hannah and I were noticing that because we have to break down the complexity of a lot of words in order to be understood we talk to each other like preschoolers! :] So if my letters home go downhill in literacy, that is why! (I am feeling very American right now listening to Simon and Garfunkel.) Lunch is at 12:15, and after that I have a break until 2:15. Hannah and I are going to go exercise when she returns to our room. Down that lovely path…:]

Right now, I miss Mom and Mallory and Caleb the most. I don’t know why, and it’s rather a random group, but there you have it. :] And I would give all my Swiss chocolate for one of Leah or Keith’s hugs right now. Or maybe a backrub? These are not very touchy people! (We keep getting chocolate for welcome gifts and as thanks.)

I need to tell you about Tabitha. (“Debb-ita”) She is Emmanuel and Cornelia’s daughter, and has a LOT of personality. German does not inhibit her ability to communicate! :] She attached herself to me the first night, inviting herself to my room and ooing and ahhing over all my pictures and stuff. She is 14, very lanky, and is intense. (I would say like my sister Martha, but she would not like that, so I will not say it.) :] Today she spied me entering the dining room, and insisted I sit with her. Then I had to keep reminding her to translate for me. She is very distracted. She thinks my age is so funny and unfitting and informs it to everyone. :]

It is gray and rainy today, but clear enough that I can see the mountains. I love the way the snow just suddenly starts, boom, it’s there. I am so very sorry that this will be so long. I think I have nine pages here. Hmm, what else can I tell you about how it is different? The TP here is brown and rough, and they don’t seem to believe in tissues or napkins. I guess they are neat eaters and their noses never run. The weather makes my hair quite curly.

In a few moments, Simon is coming to save this for me to the computer, so I will type until he arrives, then it will end abruptly. This afternoon a cute old grandpa from the village came to help in the greenhouse. He comes a few times a week to help with transplanting, and has been coming for 20 years! He told me (in German, but I understood) that he speaks Italian and French as well, but no English. :] There was also a little boy who is 5 who helped us too. I am so glad for children, I really miss my nephews! (And niece.) :] I just want to grab these kids up and just kiss them! But they do not speak my language, so I will have to befriend them first. All afternoon I was preparing flats and then transplanting. It was slow and tedious work, but quite fun. I love working with Rahel. We have a lot in common. One time, I accidentally dropped a geranium, and when I took it over to Daniela, she put on a fake stern face and said, “You now have to around the greenhouse run, a few times!” She is a real tease. I was still laughing at it when a few moments later I was passing with a large tray through a small doorway and knocked something metal down. She yells over to me: “Our poor greenhouse!” Now I know how my sister Hannah feels. :]

Hannah and I took a walk again today during our free time. The mountains were clear, and I took pictures all along the walk so you could see what it looks like as we go. We had a visit with Cornelia tonight, and discussed our schedules. It looks like we will travel in March, it is warmer and prettier, and also when you travel all at once it is much cheaper. So now I have to contact the Toblers when I connect. They will also look into train tickets for us, and perhaps some people we can visit in France and Italy. I must close, Simon is here now. Please email as you can. Much love!

A VERY long post!!!

“A foggy day in London Town…”

January 11^th, England

My backpack is sooooo heavy. I just had to put that out there. First. Wow. I think traveling makes it gain weight. It’s the hunky camera and little laptop. And if this post doesn’t make much sense, it’s because my brain is all foggy from jetlag. Hannah and I are sitting in a coffee house in Heathrow airport. We just landed, and although we are only a couple of hours from Zurich, we have our 5 hours to wait for departure. It’s 2:30am for you, but 8:30 am here. I feel like a rag, and getting tired and dehydrated like this makes me realize how I am not completely healthy yet. I still get so drained and sore. About halfway over I began to get muscle spasms in my legs, just like the old days, but I think it is because they were cramped, and my knee is still sore from falling on it when I was skating. Oh dear, I didn’t mean to complain so much.

We have had good travel so far. I felt a tad teary when kissing my family goodbye, but as soon as I was on my way, all tears and nervousness were gone, and I was totally into the trip! I so love overseas travel. And it is bringing back so many memories from 3 years ago too. When we landed in Chicago we had to leave security to switch terminals, but security was a breeze. I love traveling British Airways - they are so classy. When you enter the very clean plane, they have classical music playing, bright smiling stewardesses, and fairly lush seats. The meals were excellent too, we got two of them on a 7 hour flight. Our pilot told us in his classic English way: “We will whisk you right across Canader, and the Ahtlantic straight to London!”. I still got terribly excited while flying over Ireland - I just love that country.

It’s fun to hear all the different languages and accents here. If I were talking to you in person I would be imitating everything, but I cannot so I will have to try to write it as I hear it. :] (How do those stewardesses walk for SO long on heels? I am way too practical for that. Yes, they look nice, but how do you get anywhere? Sorry, one just limped past me.) It’s warm and rainy here. 7c, I believe. I wish I could connect and post this, but although I found 4 wireless networks, I have to pay for them all, and I DO not want to do that. So, you will have to wait to hear from me until I am in Switzerland. I wish you could be with me, it’s been a lot of fun already. I will call the family from Zurich. Hannah and I say things to each other that do not make any sense, and then laugh. We are tired, and it’s not over yet!! Scarves are all the fashion here - even the men wear them, and not like a business man in the States wearing a wool one. No, there will be this big hunky man walking past all masculine with a sparkly feminine looking scarf wrapped around his neck. And the ladies wear tights and boots (either winter or leather boots) with a very short skirt or very long top. I guess we will see it in the States soon.

8pm, Zurich SWITZERLAND!

Just like that, there is sooo much to tell you about, that I am overwhelmed. My head is hurting and still foggy. Hannah and I have been awake for 36 hours, and do I have a headache! You get to the exhaustion faze where you just fall asleep sitting up or talking, and you are not even aware of it until you wake up! That’s what happened to me on the flight from London to Zurich. Thankfully, I did wake in time to see the landscape as we flew in - it was lovely! It felt like new territory, never having been this far east before. To tell you the truth, it reminded me a LOT of Wisconsin - very hilly with a mixture of trees and open fields. Most of the houses (chalet style) that I saw were white with a reddish brown trim and roof. Now I want to come home and build myself a little chalet. They are so cute! The airport was clean and empty, and the customs man, oh my was that funny. If it had not been customs I would have let loose with the loudest of my belly laughs ever. The man silently took it from me, stared at it, flashed a HUGE fake smile, and just that fast was as sober as ever and handed back my passport with nary a word. I have NEVER experienced customs that easy. We even had to go through security again when we arrived in England.!

It’s kind of sad that I had to be so tired when first experiencing the country. I would have a lot more to tell you. As it was, I was leering like a drunk out of every window with my camera in my hand, commenting on things and probably not making any sense. It was a warm spell here, about 40 degrees I would say. I need to relearn my Celsius. :P A tall dark haired lady in her late 30s came up to us and introduced herself as Pia. (Pronounced that way - it is Latin.) I always wonder when I meet people what it will be like to look back on that moment once I know them well. I believe she is single, and is a staff member of this charming society. (That was for my sister’s benefit.) She drove us home to Guetli in a Passat - which seems to be the vehicle of choice here. There are ugly suburbany things everywhere, and the cutest little one person car that looks like a bug. I forgot what they are called, but I will try and post some pics of them. We asked her lots of questions on the way home and learned more about Guetli. Pia speaks 5 languages and understands 7.

I was enthralled as we drove through the villages (or as they say, “willages“). They are so adorable, and full of little shops, restaurants, chalets, roundabouts, Italian lights, blooming pansies, etc. Our main village is Mettmenstetten. I was happily admiring it, and then all of a sudden we came around a turn, and there were the Mountains. I could have cried they were so beautiful. God sure knows what He is doing. It is Glacier National Park on a much larger scale. I had no idea we were going to be so close to the mountains, and kept snapping pictures out of the foggy car window. Pia told us they are taking us up into the Alps to the other retreat center on Monday or Tuesday. It is in Hasliberg.

Guetli was far more lovely than I imagined, and I don’t think it really looks like the pictures on the brochure at all. It is HUGE, chalet style, with about 3 large buildings. They have a large store, that is the florist shop decorated all beautifully with little lights and stuff. Imagine Avalon Floral at home, or that Brent Douglas. We are going to tour it tomorrow, but what I saw impressed me. I cannot begin to tell you how many people came up to us, knew our names, and told us how happy they are that we are here. We have been told over and over again that we should feel at home, and we are welcome, and two months is not long enough. :] Everyone really likes Hannah of course, because not only is she incredibly sweet, but she speaks a little German and they know her aunt Martha. I was guessed at 18 again tonight, and they thought Hannah was older than I. I am surprised at how many DO know English, but also surprised at how limited the ones who know it are. I have a feeling I have some intense German lessons ahead. It is a different dialect than the Hutterites speak, although I did understand a couple of conversations.

2am: I woke up after 5 hours, and can’t stop thinking, so I thought I would write a little while.

Pia took us to our rooms right after we met Cornelia, the wife of the main couple in charge here. It is a large chalet building, on the second level, with a small apartment minus a kitchen. I can only compare it to a very nice hostel room, for those of you who have traveled in Europe. My bed is nice and firm, and we have huge fluffy down pillows and nice luscious down comforters to sleep under. I always wondered why the Swiss had such limited comforters on the beds, were they all short? Hannah bent double laughing when I asked her, and here it is just the way they make their beds. They roll it up, and then set it sideways on the sheet. I will have to learn to make it Swiss style. We have own room with two single beds, dreadful colored sheets, and 3 large windows. (I can see mountains from mine!) The windows have lacy curtains and dark wood, with another set to pull across for privacy. We have a small desk and two closets, and share a bathroom with 3 other girls in our apartment. They are all so nice. Let me se if I can remember all their names. Some of them have the most normal names ever, and some are totally unpronounceable, much less remember-able. :] There is a tall blonde named Rachel, and she says it like the Israelis would: “Rahel”. Then there is a Tabea, she has been so warm. (For those of you who know her, she is just like Lorraine’s sister Rosan. She looks like her, talks slowly like her, and is sweet and says the same things as her. ) There is also a Rebecca and a Helene and a Katja (“Cot-ya”). A lot of the women here are tall and strong and big boned. They are all calling me Rebecca for now, but I would not be surprised if I get a nickname because there are 2 other Rebeccas here. They say it with a rolled “R”, “Ruh-bake-ahh”. We have a key to the apartment, because we are just off of a very busy main road. They do drive on the same side of the car and road here as we do.

We were invited to dinner at the main meal room. It is so much like a Hutterite colony, the way they live in a community, except on a Christian scale, and like a mission or college retreat place. It is a good thing I spent so much time on the colonies at home, though, being surrounded by German and working in the kitchen. I believe we are going to be on kitchen duty right off. I will try and make my letters more personal when I have fully described all my surroundings and new friends. I love meeting new people. I have a lady that is my special contact. If I have any needs or questions or problems, I am to call or talk to her. Her name is Inge. Imagine pronouncing the name Inga in the most difficult way possible, and then you might have it right. It’s like ending the word on an obtuse note. The “e” disappears. Does that make sense? :] She is very warm and motherly, and has 3 children. Hannah’s contact is Mirjam.

The food was very good, we sat at round white linen covered tables, and had no spoons. They served warm buttery macaroni with white cheese melted all over it, and fresh applesauce. Then they had a broth that tasted just like the Hutterite knadle. We drank hot mint tea and water. People came up to us constantly, and introduced themselves. Remembering the names will be difficult because they are so foreign.

I am the only American here, lots of them have never been to the States.

5:30pm. I have a short time here before dinner. Where to begin? Hannah and I slept until noon (to our horror) and just after we woke up Pia knocked on our door to see if we were okay and wanting lunch. We dressed and ran down to the dining hall where it was filled with people. There are about 30 full time staff here, several young people who have come like us, for different amounts of time up until 1 year, and then always lots of visitors, so the mealtimes are very full. The meals are much like our family would cook on a regular basis, only with a European twist. This time we had scalloped potatoes and roasted chicken and baked cauliflower. Then for dessert there was a delicate pudding of yogurt and cream cheese and pureed fruit.

Pia took us for a long tour of the grounds after lunch. The guest rooms are amazing, Mom would just love it. They are doing a lot of remodeling right now, refinishing wood floors, retiling bathrooms, etc. I love the way they paint the ceilings white, and then crisscross wood strips over it. All windows open sideways, and have shutters and window boxes. Hannah and I have a small balcony off our room that looks like Garmisch Resort in northern WI. The weather here is like our March would be. Warm and wet, and surprisingly green. Even some flowers are blooming. When Hannah and I awoke it was snowing, and melting as soon as it hit the ground. I guess we will be seeing a lot of spring while we are here, they will be planting the flower boxes and gardens the beginning of March. Guetli has a mission in Ethiopia called Mission on the Nile that they are closely associated with, and often send clothing and food to it, so they have large rooms of storage for that, and places to assemble gifts.

The store! I love it. You have never seen such class and amazing arrangements. They have SO many gifts and flowers and stuffed animals and slippers and delicate glassware and lotions and…! We are right off of a main road, so people stop in all the time to buy things. That is one of the many ways that Guetli makes a living. They also sell produce, and have a little chalet shed to sell the veggies and apple cider and honey in. Guetli has several orchards and gardens. I found out that I will be working in the Greenhouses and gardens, and Hannah is in the kitchen. I have pretty much decided that Guetli is a small mission. I never could have chosen a better place to come. It is amazing to me how God led me here, and how perfect it is. It is so safe, and has such sweet believers, and they are even like us in so many ways - like the ladies all wear dresses most of the time, just like Hannah and I do.

Hopefully soon I can connect and send this long epistle and post pictures! For now I am trying to remember all that I can so that I can get as much information to you as possible. It looks like I will have internet access, but not as readily or as often as I hoped. I am so grateful for this laptop to have in my room! I am used to just talking and hanging out with my sisters all the time, so I feel VERY out of touch with them right now. I have so much to tell them! I have only talked to my family once since I am here, just to tell them I got here safely. I will have to figure out my schedule and a good time that I can always call. I did see little private phone booths that I can call from. Now if I could just figure out the calling code and pin to make my card work. Maybe my Pa will have to get me one and email me all the information… :]

After dinner:

I am trying to remember what all I can tell you, because in about 15 minutes I will have internet! I should tell you about my afternoon. I went to the greenhouses, and worked there for about 4 hours. Rachel (one of the girls I live with) works there, and speaks English well, so I am glad. She is 29, and is a nurse, and has been here for about 3 years. She really felt like God wanted her to do some ministry for a while. Then there is Daniela, she is married and quite the character. She can understand my English if I speak very slowly. Another young man out there who is at Guetli for a year is Simon. (Pronounced “See-Moan”.) They will be the crew I work with. There is for a short time here a girl named Olga. She is from Slovakia. It is cold out there, I layered quite a bit with borrowed clothing until I felt like a teddy bear waddling around. It is very active work, I will have lots of exercise.

They break for food and tea/coffee here all the time, so they eat about every 3 hours. Lots of noodles and bread and cheese. Everything is decorated beautifully. Even our small snack table in the greenhouse has candles that are lit for break time, surrounded by pine greenery. After supper was a short service, and we had an interpreter next to us. Lots of German singing. German is the language here. I wish I knew it! Olga and I were laughing and laughing as we tried to communicate in the greenhouses. It was a conglomeration of sign language, and our limited knowledge of each other’s language. :]

A nice young man named Simon (another one) who is the brother of Rachel helped me be able to post this - I cannot connect with my own computer.

"...I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

Wow, only 4 more days at home. As my goodbyes are said, I am feeling a lot more focused and ready for my trip, ready to just leave already! It was pretty hard to kiss my 7 year old nephew goodbye as he was all teary eyed at me leaving for so long. I am, after all, his “favorite treasure”. :] I feel like I am just oozing garlic, thanks to Mom who convinced me to swallow a few cloves to abate the sickness that has been nagging at me. I hear London really has a bad flu bug! Well, I will just keep eating Vitamin C like it is going out of style, and pray I do not catch anything!

My departure date was postponed a day, due to the threat of a British Airways strike. So I will be leaving on the 10th, arriving in Zurich on the 11th. I have a 5 hour layover in London, and wish I had just a little bit more time with which to go in and see more of the city. Last time I dragged my luggage all over London, because I didn’t want to pay to stash my bag just so I could see Big Ben! My friend from Wales cannot come in either because he is away on a trip, so I guess Hannah and I will just have to entertain each other. Not too difficult, in my thinking. I am so happy that Emmanuel and Cornelia Lippuner (the couple in charge at Guetli) will be picking us up at the airport in Zurich.

I am so EXCITED!!

I feel in a sense, like I am about to leave on a trip with God. Of course, He is always with me, and as He is my very life, I live in constant communion with Him, but somehow this feels so special and tailored just for me. I feel His hand on me, guiding and directing and going before me, and I am so happy to just put my hand and heart in His capable hands, and just trust and enjoy the ride. Please keep me in your prayers as I embark on yet another adventure with Him, that I will be in tune with Him and learn, and bless every life I come in contact with. Pray that my sense of adventure will not override my wisdom!

I will try and post again during that long and possibly infectious time in England. :]