Switzerland

We are just over half way through our spiritual retreat in Switzerland.  The views are amazing, the location could not be more relaxing (some have said this is as close to the New Earth as one can get on the old Earth…just saying…), and the hospitality and amazing food have been so refreshing to our souls.  We have truly relaxed and found our footing after some very stressful times and a turbulent year of language learning.  We are anticipating the coming stresses of traveling and moving and settling and finding our footing, once again, but this week we feel like we are getting prepared as much as possible.

What does that look like?  Each morning after breakfast we adults gather and spend about an hour going through Nehemiah.  Since most in the group, and all in some way, are going into new positions in leadership, we are studying a very applicable lesson from Nehemiah on this tough topic.  The middle part of the day is for family time, relaxing, or a few outings, then we gather again before dinner to listen to a podcast series on leadership.  It has provided some great tools for working with a team in a leadership role.  After dinner and dealing with tired kiddos (or sometimes, while they’re still awake and stumbling and driving us crazy), we have been having focused conversations.  One night, it was on culture, one was about our year in France, another night was children and cross-culture family life, and tonight was a special time to discuss our marriages.

This week so far has been great, and I hope to share more with you before we depart.  We covet your prayers during this time, as we gear up to travel Monday and Tuesday.  It’s so close and we are so excited!