four.....more days

so today it rained some more
it made me grateful that even though it was cold yesterday
in the 50's (12c)
it was not wet!

so today was kind of a recoperation day
after yesterday's jaunt

we did some light cleaning and then
'mother and child' napped
a couple times
and dom and i went to the grocery
then i made dinner
what my kids have grown up calling 'granma's steak'

but half way thru the day
i noticed this beautiful snail on the front walk
i don't think i've ever seen one in real life before
'vineyard snail' they called it

i watched the little thing most of the afternoon
it made all the rain we'ver had lately somehow worth it

at first i was just amazed to see a living thing in a shell
then i noticed it had a 'face'
it kind of sucked it's little face in when i got too close
then when it was comfortable it began to stick it's face out again
and then i realized what i thought were it's eyes
where these little antennae things
that grew longer and longer...
as it 'looked' around

a beautiful and amazing little creature
made possible because of all this dreary weather
thank you, Lord

these days have kind of gone by at a snail's pace
yet they have a very comfortable
and healing rythmn to them

sleeping in
   then holding the baby
dom's luscious coffee
    and looking at the baby
sometimes a little muselix and yogurt, or fruit, or nutella toast, or croissant and jam

    then taking a few pictures of the baby
they read the paper
and i go aside and read my devotional
showers
    and somebody has to hold the baby
work
mid wife visits
dishes, floors, laundry...
a stroll now and again
     and walking while the baby sleeps on your chest
     strapped in the 'tragetuch'
a little shopping
a few errands
early dinner/late lunch
     and perhaps a nap with the baby
then my newly acquired second best favorite time of the day...
      next to holding the baby
        coffee and cake

        or coffee and stuesel
        or coffee and chocolate chip cookies
        or coffee and 'dampfnudeln' with vanilla sauce

then late dinner
then dishes
       and rocking the baby
a little computer time...perhaps a skype home
and then bed

quite a different pace to my life
but one that i have truly come to enjoy

and will miss

but what I have truly become aware of
in these few weeks here
is my reliance on my God
and His presence
wherever I am.... 

He has been my comfortor, my strength, my companion,
my guide, my reassurance, my reliance,
my joy, my calm, my wisdom

as sweet and unusual as the sweets are in the afternoon
He is sweeter and always more than expected

the hand written book of the Gospels ''Luke''
...that dom's church uses
each verse hand written and illustrated by families or children...

with all the comforts and routines of home
I think like everything else
even my faith becomes routine and comfortable
prayer meeting
bible study
readings
afternoon mass

but when in a new place
with challenges never experienced before
and to find the faith that God has given me
still leaping within me
I am refreshed
I rejoice
and I am exceedingly glad
that He is always with me
day and night
no matter how far I roam

I had quite a large pile of books at home
all wanting to come along for the journey
but I came to my senses one afternoon
and thought how crazy to think I will have time
or the desire to read
     when I could be holding the baby!

so I brought
my 'word among us'
have a little faith, Mitch Albom for the plane
and Henri Nouwens' Here and Now
I thank the Holy Spirit for His perfect guidance there!

Here and Now has been my life line
as well as the daily readings

the sweet sweet word
much better even than honey cake
   (that I can do without)

the word I can not