Very Random Thoughts...

A week ago tonight we returned from our time in Europe... just in time for summer! This week has been beautiful and feels just like summer should have felt.  A bit overdue, but I'll take it whenever!

All is quiet here in Grand Haven :). It's amazing the difference after Labor Day. Hardly anyone is on the pier and the Farmer's Market Wednesday morning was so easy to walk through. All the tourists and vacationers went on their merry way, giving the community back to the locals. I actually did a run-walk-run on the boardwalk and pier the other day. My joints weathered well for the almost 3 mile jaunt. Maybe I'll try to take up running... eh, jogging again.

I read this in my yahoo health news this week about foods that will surprise you with high sugar additives. Whoops, that French Vanilla creamer tub I like in my morning coffee may have to go! The average American's intake of sugar additives (like in pop) per day is 22.2 teaspoons!! Check it out for 11 foods that will sneak up on you with sugar content.

Tomorrow Dennis and I are off again. What we thought was going to be a long-term (2-4 months) interim pastor position at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church has now dwindled down to only two weekends. While we were in Europe the church voted and called a new senior pastor who will begin October 1,  the primary goal in this whole process. So we'll be spending weekend to weekend in NY as Dennis steps in to serve in the preaching capacity, catching a few churches/pastors in NY and PA to raise partnerships as well. We'll follow that up with a visit to my folks and family in PA since we're that close (6 hrs is closer than MI) and probably catch Clint and Jamie in Princeton (just a couple hours from my parents) for a few days before heading back to MI.

Oh, and we joined Spring Lake Wesleyan this past Sunday in celebrating 50 years of ministry!

Remember the The Three Big Questions book?  I'm getting ready to write a new rallying cry for myself in finishing out 2009. I'll make work of that tomorrow on the drive to Buffalo. I want to be intentional about growing deeper in my faith, more so, drawing closer to God. I'm not a daily person, but a seasonal person, so I'm thinking through what that will look like for me. I'm drawn to God by reading His Word, journaling, prayer, reading books that stimulate me spiritually (ones that make me think), good teaching... this all plays into my contemplative and intellectual pathways. I want it to be fun, not rigid. Variety will keep it fresh. God is definitely not boring. I'll update you on this as it comes together.

Well, as I said... very random thoughts :). Have a great weekend!!

Evee, Stella and Miles :)

While Dennis and I were finishing up our last week in Europe, the Ussher's, Jackson's, and Morgan's all got together in Seattle (except for Julie who will visit Mike and Joni at the end of Sept.). It was a first to have all the cousins together. It's G'ma brag time... with a few pictures of their time together.

Gemütlichkeit

Don't ask me to pronounce this word, but it is an Austrian concept very evident in the town we chose to plant ourselves for a few days... it means warm, cozy, friendly, with a focus-on-the-moment mindset.

A previously planned, but postponed trip to Russia offered Dennis and I some extra days in Europe. We spent the weekend in Germany with our team serving in Munich and then headed to a little Austrian town east of Salsburg.

Nestled at the foot of Mount Dachstein (9,000 ft.) is the quiet and quaint town of Hallstatt. A small town (1,000 people), fairly remote, with little touristy feel makes this town a perfect spot for Dennis and I to unwind, process, and replenish before our return to the states. After weeks and months of transition, with more to come, we consider these days a gift.

Hallstatt perches on its lakeside ledge between Mount Dachstein and Hallstatt Lake with little room for the houses to go but up. Yesterday we hiked up Dachstein to the salt-mining caves, a major resource in this area for thousands of years. The trail took us past rippling brooks, major waterfalls, and breathtaking views overlooking the lake and it's surrounding area. We watched hang-gliders navigate their way down from one of the highest peaks to grassy fields in the town of Obertraun across the lake from Hallstatt.

Last night we enjoyed a lakeside dinner of weinerschnitzel that was fantastic. Later a yummy dessert of Quark (Cheese) Strudel with warm vanilla sauce hit the spot.

As always, perhaps pictures give a better glimpse into our stay in Hallstatt.

Lutheran church in Hallstatt.

After hiking up to the salt mine area we decided
to take a tour through the mines. They gave
us this special garb for warmth and protection :).
Don't we look cute?

Hallstatt from Mount Dachstein.

Looking across the lake to the town of Obertraun.
Hang gliders take off from the mountain at the top right.
 

The view from our B & B room.

Town center

Steeple to the Catholic church. Note the
hang-glider to the right in the photo.

Any of you who know my maiden name... check out the
"Schloss Grub" located across the lake. Hopefully we'll
take a ferry boat across to see this castle.