Madeline in Paris

It’s been so long since I posted anything on this blog that even I wondered if it was still viable. But this piece of news merited a post so here we go. When we returned to the US after our year at The American Church in Paris, France back in 2017, many people asked us what we thought would be next. We said that we didn’t really know but if given the chance to return to Paris, we would do so in a heartbeat. We also got our sweet little Labrador puppy shortly thereafter and named her Madeline, in part because of the children’s book Madeline which chronicles the adventures of a little orphan girl throughout Paris. So today we’re letting our world know we have been given the chance to return to Paris and Maddie will get to be Madeline the Lab in Paris. It’s all so exciting we can hardly stand it. Photo mock up by Michael Nelson

In late September we got word that there was an opening for the associate pastor position at the American Church in Paris and we felt compelled to apply for the position. It’s basically pastors of Community Life and includes adult education which encompasses a rich lecture program, retreats, fellowship events, pastoral care, and leading worship and preaching. So much about this job suits us and we were excited about the possibilities. A couple of weeks ago the council unanimously voted to call us as interim co-pastor associates. It’s interim because the church has a significant transition ahead with their beloved senior pastor leaving after 12 years. Next autumn, an interim will be in place, then the following autumn the permanent senior will be in place and at that time they will begin a formal search for a permanent associate. We would be allowed to apply should we desire to stay on after the transitions. So it’s an initial 2 year contract with the possibility of renewing. We are very grateful for the longer period of time on the initial contract as we have felt a desire to “settle down” again with a congregation for a longer period of time. The fact that we already know so much about this community and church is a huge bonus as it doesn’t feel like a brand new move. We loved ACP so much that to return in a capacity that we are well-suited for is one big gift.

That’s the church spire to the right of the other big tower in Paris!

The plan is for us to rent out our house in the desert (furnished) to a long term renter. We’ll sell the car and golf cart, pack up some stuff to ship, put other stuff away for a bit and move to France. Tentative move date is January 30 with a start date at the church February 1, 2020. 

In the meantime, we’re sorting through boxes and closets and books, playing golf, eating grapefruit off our trees, spending time with friends, and enjoying the Advent and Christmas season here in the desert one last time for awhile. 

I really hope to write more along the way...following the adventures of Maddie the Lab in Paris could be pretty fun. We are utterly grateful beyond believe. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. What might be new for you in 2020?

A Mixed Bag of Emotions

      Today I am a jumble of emotions. On the one hand, we are having a fantastic seaside holiday at a northern Croatian resort where the water is blue, the sun shines without clouds, and the people are lovely.

 

     But in the midst of this idyllic retreat, the church denomination where I hold my ordination, The Evangelical Covenant Church, is blowing apart at the seams after taking some decisions that I feel are wrong in every way possible. Our Church has not been immune to the struggle with the divided manner in which Christians interpret scripture as regards people who are same-sex attracted. The leaders of our denomination imposed new rules upon clergy, without their consent, that we are forbidden to officiate at same-sex weddings. This policy has come under much scrutiny and objection by many of us because our denomination is also one that has not demanded that we agree on matters of theological debate. So while we hold that the baptism of infants and adults is appropriate, there are churches and pastors who don't practice infant baptism. And while we affirm the ordination of women, there are churches and pastors who would never call or affirm a woman in pastoral ministry. So while our denomination has a tightly held belief that marriage is intended only between men and women, and that any "coupling" by same-sex attracted people is sinful, many clergy and lay people alike disagree with this conclusion and have found a different way to interpret scripture. For the first time in our history, the Church has said, this is the one thing that we will not agree to disagree on. In my humble opinion, the arrogance with which those who hold fast to this interpretation has made it quite difficult for those us seeking another way to abide. So pastors, in an attempt to challenge the rightness of the decisions, have defied the policy and chosen to officiate at same-sex weddings and write statements of inclusion for their local church believing that this is the TRUE Covenant way...the way of holding together in spite of tensions. This all came to a crashing close yesterday at the Annual Meeting of the Church.

The Covenant logo, now modified to indicate the kicking out of 1st Cov. Minneapolis. 

     This is particularly painful for us because one of the pastors being singled out for his "egregious" behavior is our dear friend and colleague, Steve Armfield. He, along with his wife Janet, and their daughter Lindsay are family to us. Lindsay was our intern in Stockholm and Steve followed us at Immanuel as the interim during a critically painful time for the International Fellowship. He helped both us and the church cope with the sad reality of no longer being united. He made the decision to officiate at his gay son's wedding, a decision that, to me, holds the highest example of unconditional love a parent can show a child and a true representation of loving Christ more than the rules of the Church. But the Church objected even to this and thus they have deemed him unworthy to be a Covenant pastor and stripped him of his credentials yesterday. Because we are in Europe and the event was taking place in the US, I was up long into the early morning, texting with his daughter Lindsay. To say this breaks our hearts is a bold understatement. I feel like a piece of my heart has been ripped out. And I wonder where I fit within my ordaining body. Additionally, the Church voted to remove another pastor and historically significant church, 1st Covenant Minneapolis, because of their stated desire to welcome all...including same-sex married couples. This is deeply painful and an egregious mistake on the part of the church. Why we have not been able to allow for differing points of interpretation on this issue, as we have on so many more, is a great puzzle and deep wound for so many. I guess they will now have to change to their name to 1st to be kicked out of the Covenant, Minneapolis.

     I know this topic is deeply dividing for the Christian church. But the way in which the Evangelical church in particular, continues to display such a lack of grace is problematic for me. I was not interested in the denomination changing their position. I am, however, deeply committed to allowing the local church and clergy to decide how to best minister to their gay brothers and sisters. These dear people, all who inhabit the world of the LGBTQ community, have suffered such deep wounding at the hands of those who claim to love Jesus, all of our credibility as people of love and grace vanishes in the broader society. I grieve these decisions with an incredibly heavy heart. It's hard to imagine a man with more integrity, grace, wisdom, and love for Christ and his church and his family than Steve Armfield. To them I say, we LOVE you deep...you are family to us even if our church family has ousted you.

   The last thing messing with my emotions today is the book I am reading in preparation for our visit to Auschwitz next week. It is called We Were the Lucky Ones. READ IT. Feel the pain of hatred toward an innocent culture group. Live with the pain of privilege that might be yours if you are Aryan...I was crying on the beach earlier, my salty tears mixed with the salt of the Adriatic, as the reality of human cruelty alongside of the courage of the Polish people who survived World War II under impossible circumstances was unfolding before my eyes. 

     I am having a great time with my beloved husband here in beautiful, wonderful Croatia, but to continue to post our vacation highlights without taking time to express the deep lament that is filling my soul felt disingenuous. To those who are hurting today...I offer you my solidarity. To the LGTBQ community: I Love You. I accept you. I believe that Jesus loves you as you are and wants to woo you into his loving embrace. To Steve and Janet and Lindsay...our love for you will never waver, our respect for you grows deeper every day. You are the embodiment of all that Jesus is about.  Amen. 

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Bird Whistles in Luxembourg

  Today is Éimaischen in Luxembourg. Traditionalists say it is named after the biblical town of Emmaus but the connection to bird whistles is unclear. The Monday after Easter people flock to the small town of Nospelt 

Nospelt is a potter town.

and to downtown Luxembourg where a festive atmosphere urges them to buy bird whistles made out of clay, called Péckvillercher.

Loved these bird flags that Nospelt proudly flew.

Wanting to live like a local today, we headed to Nospelt this morning with some friends. Nospelt is a cute little village and we had a good time looking at whistles, carefully choosing which ones to bring home. Our friends told us it was a tradition, well their tradition anyway, to take a photo in front of the church with your birds! The Monday after Easter is the only day that you can buy Péckvillercher so it's a great tradition that you don't want to miss.We ate some delicious sausages and Doug enjoyed a glass of beer while I preferred sipping on bubbles. The glasses were free to keep! It helped that it was an absolutely beautiful day and the flowers were in full bloom.
     From there we headed to downtown to take in the "big city" party. It was nice to see all the people in town enjoying the day. We found 2 more birds to take home. These are a bit special because you fill them with water and that creates a beautiful whistle. Without the water, the pitch is high and shrill. The brown birds in the photo are the water ones.While we were in town we indulged in a traditional Luxembourgish treat called Gromperekichelcher. I have no idea how to say that but I enjoyed eating it. They are basically hashbrowns that have been fried a couple of times! Potato fritters. Delicious and full of grease!
     It was fun taking in this tradition with the locals and we have some nice souvenirs to help us remember the day after Easter 2019.

A Visit to the Orval Abbey

     The intention was for the pastoral staff to have a day away together before Logan takes off on his paternity leave. Sadly, Logan had to cancel at the last minute but Paul, Doug and myself decided to head out anyway. Our destination was the Orval Abbey in Belgium.

The abbey as you approach by car.

The front of the grounds.

The grounds are breathtaking.
What a stunningly beautiful place this is! 

The abbey is a functioning abbey to this day although there are only about 14 monks still living there. The monks are known as the Trappist Cistercian monks. We arrived just in time to join them for their midday prayers. Entering this church was quite amazing.

The front of the church. Such a stunning entry. It is really breathtaking.

It was a very beautiful, short service, all in French but enjoyable none the less. Since it was lunch time, that was next on our agenda!

Quite well-known and liked beer. 

Over the years they have brewed beer and made cheese and that still happens today. Visitors are not allowed in the brewery or fromagerie due to health concerns but a nice exhibit explained how the beer was made.

Good information.

We enjoyed both at lunch. The beer is pretty bitter, a bit to much for my taste and the cheese is much like port salut, creamy and mild.

The cheeses they make.

We returned to the abbey and walked the grounds.

One of the side buildings.

I was astonished by how large the facility is and also how beautiful the ruins are.

I could not get enough of this rose window.

The first monks arrived from Italy in 1070. In 1252 the entire abbey was gutted by fire.

A good look back through the ruins.

In 1793 the French destroyed the abbey as an act of war. Just as recently as 1948 the newer buildings were finished.

This stone table reminded me of Aslan's table in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe of the Chronicles of Narnia.

A much more rich history exists but this at least gives some context.

Love the new and the old together. 

Today anyone can come and use the place as a retreat center.

Today's guest house.

     As we began to tour the grounds I was taken in with the beauty and the story that unfolded beneath these old walls.

The ruins of the old buildings are just fantastic.

The ruins are just lovely and the placards with explanations kept us well informed. Because we've have such incredible weather, I was deeply chagrined to be without a proper jacket as the weather became more typical for late February. Fortunately my husband was willing to give me his sweater as he had brought a proper jacket, so I didn't completely freeze to death! Even so, it was peaceful and restorative to wander the grounds and take in the beauty.
     The place was about an hour from Luxembourg City, about a half hour into Belgium. What fun to take a day and explore a deeply spiritual place.

The sculpture is a rendering of the Good Samaritan.

Life in Luxembourg

We've been moved into our beautiful flat for almost one week. We're adjusting to country life quite well! The surrounding forest makes our daily walks with Maddie a joy and she is in dog heaven, off the leash, running like the wind, sniffing every exotic smell the forest yields. She is always on the hunt for the perfect piece of wood to carry around. The bigger or heavier the better!

We saw the vet last week and Maddie received a clean bill of health! Her legs look great and that whole ordeal is behind us! She had to get a few more vaccinations that Europe requires, begin taking de-worming pills and will have to have flea and tick treatments while we're here. All of this is new to her but she's handling it quite well! We are so thankful for the vet and the excellent medicine she received. Removing those dew claws ended up being a much more traumatic experience than we had counted on so we are all just super happy it's now in our rear view mirror! She is one tired pup at the end of the day!

It's about a half hour to forty minute drive into Luxembourg city from where we live and we've made that drive many times this week as we've had a lot of meetings with people as we seek to get up to speed on the work we'll be doing while here. While it's a pretty easy drive we have also realized that during the day parking is one big headache in the city center so we are grateful that there is bus service from our village into town. It takes about 45 minutes but it's a great option when we don't want the car. We have discovered a wonderful American-esque grocery store (meaning lots of product to choose from but with European quality) along the route we travel so when we have the car, a stop there will likely become a regular habit! 
For the first time ever while living in Europe it makes sense for us to have a car. Thankfully someone from church has been able to lend us a car as we get settled in and during this time it has become obvious that we would not be able to function very well without a vehicle. So we bought a car! Another man from the church buys and sells cars so he was able to get this car at a dealer's auction in Germany. He says that in 6 months, when we return to the US he'll likely be able to sell it for us for a profit! So it made good sense for us to do this. It looks really great!

Maddie will travel in style in the back and it will be fantastic to have a car when as we travel around this summer. Also, there are so many wonderful day trips from where we are and we won't have the stress of using someone else's car etc. The short distances we can travel to be in wonderful places is kind of a thrill for us. it has always been a dream to live more centrally located in Europe and well, it doesn't get more central than this! We are excited and happy that getting a car worked out so well for us. 

I am reminded once again that everything is smaller in Europe! Our fridge is small, our freezer tiny!

We are getting used to not having ice! The washer and dryer are also much smaller so it just takes a bit longer to get through all the laundry. But I am so grateful to have laundry right here in our flat. Speaking of our flat...the story of this space is beautiful. The couple that owns the main home that is above our place built this garden level apartment for his father so he could spend his final years with them. After he passed, the daughter and son-in-law lived here while they built their home next door! Now they keep it as a retreat for clergy and missionaries so that when they need a place of rest they can provide it. They have graciously offered us this space for the 4 months that we are here and already we feel like part of the family. Their hospitality and gracious welcome is a bit overwhelming at times but so deeply appreciated. We feel like we've known them for ages and we are very excited to continue to graft them into our lives. We look forward to enjoying the outdoor patio as the weather warms up and talking more and more with them about their lives.

The view from our back patio on a frosty February morning

We have been quite lucky since arriving that winter seems to be waning. It's chilly in the morning with temperatures in the 30's and 40'sF (0-4C) and there is often a layer of frost in the morning. But it quickly burns off and the sun has been shining consistently since we arrived. People say this is atypical but I'm grateful. It warms to 50's and even low 60'sF (10-15C) during the day and we've been able to walk Maddie with only a fleece for a jacket. The weather at our home in the desert has been horrible with high winds, cold temperatures, and tons of rain so I think we are actually better off with what we have. At least it's sunny! The sunny days have yielded beautiful sunsets and we are consistently dazzled by how gorgeous the landscape is. 

Fortunately, the days are stretching out and the sun doesn't set until about 6.30pm. Mornings are still quite dark with the sunrise not happening until 7.30am. I will be happy when we switch to summer time (what Daylight Savings Time is called in Europe) which isn't until the last weekend in March. I do look forward to enjoying the long, lovely European spring and summer days.

Luxembourg is mostly forest, farms and wide open spaces. The city is really interesting as there are lots of hills, a deep gorge that cuts through the center and high plateaus that have been developed as well.

We look forward to having a chance to wander through the city a bit and get a feel for the lay of the land. There are endless hiking paths to explore.

We are living in the area known as "Little Switzerland" and there are so many things that we are eager to explore. We have yet to visit the Villeroy and Boch outlet but that's at the top of my to do list!

As for work...yes, there's that little detail! I am preaching Sunday so it's been good to find the discipline to study and write again. We have meetings scheduled with various leaders and are learning about the administrative tasks that we will need to cover while the associate pastor takes his state provided parental leave. The main thing right now is learning names, spending time with folks and getting a feel for how things function on Sundays. It's a joy to be back in an International church.

Life is good for us! Luxembourg is quite a bit like Sweden so thus far it's been pretty easy to navigate. We don't really have a feel at all for the Luxembourgish culture and hope to gain a bit more insight to that. As for language, most everyone speaks English so that's great for us! All around us we hear Luxembourgish (yes, that's a real language!), French and German. I'm pretty much non-functional in all of the above so working on a few phrases. 

We continue to enjoy each new experience we have and look forward to all of the new things that we will surely encounter over the next several months. 

Landing in Luxembourg

It has been a fast and furious 3 weeks since we left the United States. Since leaving, we've been in 3 countries (Luxembourg, France, and Egypt) on 3 continents (North America, Europe and Africa)! If that doesn't tucker you out, I'm not sure what does! 
I'm finally finding some space to get caught up on our adventures.
Maddie has done very well through all of the transition. She continues to be the cutest, sweetest pup and we have no regrets about bringing her with us. She did however, almost not get out of CA.
The day of our leaving was pretty stressful. We had to drive almost 3 hours to get to LAX plus we had to stop at the US Department of plant and animal control (10 minutes from the airport) to get one final stamp for Maddie's exportation to Europe. The window was narrow for getting the stamp and boarding our trans-Atlantic flight. So of course, when the gentleman behind the counter told me that we were missing her initial rabies certificate, I almost had a heart attack. Fortunately we had friends staying at the house and my cousins nearby so we began a frantic series of texts trying to get this doc scanned and sent. I did know exactly where it was in the house so they were able to easily locate it. Whew. Disaster averted, until there was an issue with the date of her microchipping in relationship to the rabies vaccine. Finally, we got it all squared away and were able to get to the airport to begin the long process of checking her in. There was definitely a glass on wine on the plane!
It was great to see our sweet girl in Paris where we landed to change planes for Luxembourg. But then the Lux Air folks told us that her crate was too big and it couldn't fit on the flight even though we had pre-confirmed the size of the crate and had that in hand. Fortunately, the gate agent was wrong and we were finally on our way to land in our new country. Our dear friends, Paul and Beth, he is the pastor of the church where we'll be serving, she his wonderful wife and partner in ministry welcomed all of us into their home and provided the most amazing hospitality for us. What a gift they have been to us.
Luxembourg greeted us with an epic snowfall that was absolutely gorgeous. Experiencing snow was another first for Maddie and she loved it. But she was still healing from the dew claw surgery so the first thing we did after a wonderful night of sleep was to visit the vet. This vet was so amazing and she was so unalarmed by Maddie's wounds that we all felt much better when it had ended. While the snow was fun, it was not great for keeping the sores dry so we tried these botties that were of no good at all. Within 30 seconds Maddie had kicked them off so we just tried to keep the wounds dry after she came in and treated them with this healing powder and cream that the vet had given us. These were miracle products as Maddie healed up very rapidly. Wow were we all glad she could finally stop wearing that awful cone! She now has her EU pet passport and this will make life much easier for moving around!

So while Maddie settled into life with Beth and Jess, the resident border collie, Doug and I snuck away to Paris for the weekend. We had some banking business to attend to and really enjoyed connecting with dear friends and the wonderful church where we worked in 2017. We went to Doug's favorite restaurant as an early birthday celebration and watched with joy as he ate his very favorite dish, Cassoulet. We wandered around our old neighborhood, connected with friends and ate some of our favorite things. It was a wonderful weekend.
Sunday night late we left for Egypt. Those adventures will wait for another post! Being with treasured colleagues in a spectacular place was a great gift. So thankful for these days of exploring, learning and enjoying together.
Last Thursday we had an epic day of travel that began with a 3.00 a.m. transfer to the airport in Luxor, Egypt, through Cairo, and onto Paris by flight. Then we caught a train to Lorraine, France, where we then caught a bus to Luxembourg, where we then caught a commuter train out to our friend's place. We were very happy to land at home around 6.00 pm.
The next couple of days were spent at Paul and Beth's, doing laundry and repacking, getting ready to move to our place on Saturday. It was really fun to see Maddie in such good health, running and playing and enjoying her new surroundings. We took a gorgeous walk through some nearby woods and the new environment suited all of us. We returned to unusually warm temperatures so hints of an early spring were all around us.
On Saturday afternoon we moved to our new place and it far surpassed expectations. It's a lovely, spacious place with a fully fitted kitchen, a nice size living room, a cute dining room table, a couple of nooks with chairs for reading or relaxing, a lovely patio with wonderful views and a good size master bedroom along with a fully modern bathroom. It will be a fantastic place for us to enjoy these months. The two things that I will miss about my house in the desert are the garbage disposal and dishwasher! Small problems that are not really problems at all. And it's back to an electric stove which I don't love but am capable to using!

The back of the house. The glass doors open to our living area.

Baloo, a playful, boisterous Bernese Mountain dog lives upstairs and loves to see what's happening downstairs any time he gets a chance. He and Maddie were fast friends. There are vast networks of hiking trails around us and there will no shortage of wonderful ways to get Maddie and ourselves out for walks!
Yesterday we had our first Sunday at All Nations Church Luxembourg. It was a great day of meeting an eager, warm group of people, enjoying the worship service and anticipating what the next several weeks might look like for us.

Paul, the senior pastor and dear friend

I am preaching this Sunday so have a lot to do get back into this rhythm! We look forward to getting to know people and journeying with this church for the 4 months that we will be with them.
It is great to be back in Europe. We really do feel at home here in many ways. It's a different experience this time around as we are living in the countryside, about 30 minutes outside of Luxembourg city, but we are pretty keen to enjoy that kind of life for a bit, especially with Maddie in tow. It's also amazing to be so centrally located in Europe with the ability to be in Luxembourg, Belgium, France, and Germany all in the same day! We are excited to explore the region on days off. 
After so much travel and moving around, I still wake up wondering where I have to be and even where I am! But as we settle more deeply into this place, it'll start to feel like home and we are very happy to not be packing up and heading some place else anytime soon.
Landing in Luxembourg has been great! We feel utterly grateful that we've been given this opportunity and want to soak it all in.