The whole picture

Last week was ridiculously hot.  We're talking, mid to high 90s and even breaking 100 degrees kind of ridiculously hot.  Though I may have spent the last 4 years in Los Angeles, I'm a NorCal native through and through, and let me tell you, I am no fan of this kind of weather.

For one thing, I like to be outside.  I hate being stuck inside all day, having to keep the shades shut to keep the sun rays out.  My energy level is inversely proportional to the temperature.  The higher the thermometer reading, the lower my likelihood to be willing to do pretty much anything active.

However, since I know these sunny days are limited and that Autumn and Winter will soon follow, I cut myself a deal.  On days I work, I usually don't have to be anywhere until a little after noon, so there's no chance I'm going to force myself out of bed to run at 8am, while it's still comfortable outside.  I can, however, find a cooler way to get my booty out of the house.

A few weeks ago I discovered another new trail in my forest.  It's beautiful.  Don't get me wrong, it's no Redwood Forest or Fern Canyon (yes, I grew up here, and yes, you should be jealous).  But it's nice.  And it's shady.  And it's cool.

Earlier this week on my daily outing, I brought my Bible with me and decided to really soak it in.  I hiked in for a while and found a quiet spot against a tree to pause.  I just sat for a few minutes and felt myself relax.  How many times since coming here 2 months ago have I pounded over the leaves and roots of the trees and not heard the woodpeckers?  How many times have I brushed past a spiderweb and not noticed the Maple seeds spiraling to the ground?  There were so many more sounds to take in and details to examine once I sat still.

I wonder how much this corresponds to my attitude in life.  I love going to see new places--I've not often in my 23 years said no to a foreign adventure.  But when I embark upon these adventures, how much do I really see?  Am I just running on my trail, eager to see what lies around the next bend?  Or am I willing to sit patiently and quietly, observing the intricate details that together form the whole picture?

So, here's my reminder, and yours if you need it as well:  take a step back, open your eyes and enjoy life.  Not just the snapshot that everyone sees, but really examine it from your point of view to see what really makes life beautiful.

Grace and peace,
Hilary

Grüß Gott!

In Austria, the salutation is a little different than in most of Germany.  When walking into a store or meet someone new,  a German would say, "Hallo" which I'm sure most of you could translate without help.  In Austria, though, that's highly informal.  Instead, you tell them, "Grüß Gott!"

Though the Austrians don't really think about what they're saying, it means literally, "Greet God."  The original intended meaning is "God bless you," but you can read more about how it evolved on the ever handy Wikipedia page.

I do realize that this is just another way of saying hello, but I love the reminder to myself every time I say it.  This frequent command of a stranger to me "greet God" makes me smile every time.  It's never hard to enthusiastically return the greeting.

Sweet Amie

Okay you eager readers (or let's be real.  Probably just Grandma)!  I know you're anxious to hear about my trip to Germany, but I have some exciting news to share first.  I received a little message from a dear friend during my trip.  Her name is Amie.  She is one of my very best friends from college. This is Amie:

She is fantastic.  You know what else is fantastic?

This country (if you couldn't figure out this is Austria, shame on you).

BUT do you know what is the most fantastic?  This message I mentioned, of course!  Because in this message, I found out that Amie got an au pair job in Vienna and is moving here--just 4 weeks from today!

Amie moved back home to Colorado last October, so I haven't gotten to see much of her since then.  Now I will see her every weekend!

This is Amie and me in April 2009, not too long after we became friends.  Here's to heart-to-hearts, European adventures and continuing this treasured friendship!


Grace and peace,
Hilary

Patterns

I've known something about myself for a while now, and it's really showing itself lately.  I thrive with routine.  I've always admired my friends who exhibit exciting bouts of spontaneity.  Who, in college, would decide at 10:30pm to drive to Vegas and do it.  Who would see a rainstorm coming and decided to hike Garcia trail anyway.  Who I'd say goodnight to around midnight, and then the next day would have some story about shenanigans gone down in the wee hours of the morning.

But that's not me.  Sure, I think it's healthy to have friends like that.  I can't be as predictable as a second hand on a clock.  How boring is that?  Those friends help to stutter that mechanical rhythm.  They help to make it a little more interesting; with them, I live life on a different beat.

I'm working on my flexibility here.  I knew coming into Austria that there wouldn't be a super defined schedule until school started.  For all of July, I had my German classes.  I had those 4 weeks of knowing what to expect, but now that's finished.  This week, the girls don't have their summer kindergarten, so I'm spending full days with them.  Next week, I'm leaving for a week and a half in Germany with some old friends I met on a short high school exchange.

Through all of the craziness of not knowing exactly what will happen tomorrow, let alone next week, I'm finding my own ways to bring peace of mind.  I have those staples in my days and weeks that are solid.

Even if I have to get up at 6:15 to do it (gross), I go on my run.  Let me tell you, I love this part of my day!  I love it even more when it's not at the crack of dawn, but beggars can't be choosers.  Hollabrunn is beautiful.  Really.

I love the brightly colored houses I first pass on my route (my house is pink, a few doors down is yellow, across from that, bright violet...).  I turn onto another quiet road with lots of trees, houses with interesting gardens.  I get to the edge of Hollabrunn and go straight into a quaint little village called Magersdorf.  I run straight through it to the far side of the village.  My turnaround point is an adorable old yellow church building with the big numbers 1727 hanging above the door.  Yes.  1727.  That church is older than my country.

My other staple is the church I mentioned in my last post.  Can I say enough times how grateful I am to have found it?  Definitely not, but I'll say it again.  I love this community.  I've already felt like I belong with the young adults group.  We poke fun at each other and spend so much time laughing.  The pastor of the church has so much knowledge to offer and gives thought-provoking sermons.  The worship team changes every week, so our music worship experience is a little different every time.

Come September 4th, I'll have that daily routine I'm currently craving.  For now, I'll take the few nuggets of predictability I have and embrace a little spontaneity.

Missing you!

Grace and peace,
Hilary