A private shuttle transported us first thing in the morning to nearby Gasterntal Valley, an area fairly unknown to most Americans. It was another wild ride on a narrow road huddling against the precipice and over the raging Kander River.

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The permit only shuttle dropped us off at the top and we walked back down into the valley at our leisure. The road is so narrow and bumpy that there are specified time schedules for permit vehicles traveling one way up and they must wait at the top until the down drive time starts. Not the most convenient but it prevents head-on collisions. Just another part of the low key lifestyle of the alpine region.

“The mountains melt beneath HIS feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, like water pouring down a hill.” Micah 1:4 New Living Translation Bible

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This valley is saturated with solitude for hikers. It’s also a favorite spot for mountain biking and BASE jumping. So much loveliness to behold I’ll let the photos tell the story.

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It was easy to see and sense HIS Majesty all around us in this special place. . .

After hiking back down into Kandersteg we caught the Sunnbuhl cable car high into the mountains for a one of a kind dining experience.

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Gorgeous open air eating in the Alps until a nasty wind decided to blow my eggs right off the potatoes! Needless to say we had to move our Al fresco dining inside. Wasn’t quite as dreamy but I didn’t have to chase my food.

Some hikers from our group did a more advanced trail. Click on the YouTube video below to watch. See you next time.

Shine on. . .

karan k

https://youtu.be/lwY2S_j_E14

Into the morning sunshine we began to explore our new area of Kandersteg. A short walk to the edge of town and grabbing a gondola car to the Oeschinensee Lake area. The fresh air filled our hearts with anticipation. We had no idea what was ahead.

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The Rodelbahn mountain coaster is an Alpine slide. I never thought I’d be brave enough to try one. As we disembarked the Gondola the Rodelbahn was just to our left and since it was early, the line was short. I watched it for awhile as others rode and I decided to let Jesus be my courage and go for a ride to overcome my fear.

Wow, did HE help me. I worked the controls with my feet and shot a short video. I noticed later signs stating videotaping was prohibited. Uh oh, too late ‘cause Jesus and I had a blast!

I talked DWIGHT into trying it too and at 6 francs a pop it was worth it.

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After riding the coaster several times, we followed the mountain trail for about 20 minutes to see Lake Oeschinensee. Such a pleasant walk winding downward, and then the lake area opened up in front of us. . .

I cannot express to you how overwhelming the loveliness, the EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL surroundings affected our senses. I felt sad leaving Lauterbrunnen valley but this was somehow, if possible, even better.

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It was here in the Kandersteg area that I first began noticing wooden carvings. Our hotel had an artistic carving attached to its sign out front and this one at the lake especially caught my eye. The Alpine Region has a long-standing tradition of woodcarving. Wood statues of animals, people and anything else are sold as well as decorating properties public and private.

The little snack house by the lake served coffees, ciders, and beer. Also Swiss/German versions of soft pretzels, hot dogs, pizza and their specialty NUSSGIPFEL which is a croissant filled with ground nut meats. I tried one, delicious.

My hot dog was tasty too but very surprising in how it was served. The dogs are long and skinny while the bread is a short solid loaf that they jam down on a special wooden rod to make a hole. They squeeze whatever condiments you choose down the hole and then the dog goes inside sticking up far out of the roll. I’ll say this, it was the most amusing hot dog experience I can remember.

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But the best delight by far was Lake Oeschinensee itself. Almost a mile long and over a half mile wide it’s brilliant blue waters are surrounded by the incredible Bluemlisap massif part of the Jungfrau Aletsch mountain range of the Bernese Alps.

It’s maximum depth is 184 feet easily providing boating, fishing, swimming, and danger. Life jackets are strongly suggested. Ours must have been stolen. 😜

There are trails for all levels of hikers around the lake and up across the mountains. Restaurants and Hotels are available making it a convenient resort spot. So many inviting points to sit and take it all in for reflection. We loved it here.

We returned from a fun filled day at the lake to our quiet town and searched out an equally quiet restaurant for dinner.

Today is bittersweet as we say goodbye to our little chalet room and Lauterbrunnen. I couldn’t imagine anything would be as wonderful as our time here. . . Four days of loveliness now ending, we proceeded into the unknown.

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We made our way to the train station and got our luggage loaded for a ride to the town of Grindelwald. I had no idea what to expect when we got off the train and waited for a private coach. The bus ride itself entertained us like an amusement ride; sharp curves almost triangular every few hundred feet as we spanned the side of a steep mountain.

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At this high altitude we realized we were not dressed properly. Shivering with cold we huddled close together for awhile until the lure of our own individual curiosity separated us into different directions for photo ops. Fog and relentless drizzle attempted to dampen my spirit but I refused. I fancied all the cows and even tried some cow whispering.

As we followed our guide I pinched myself over and over because the beauty even in the rain was overwhelming. I had to break out in praise and song to the Lord for providing this sublime experience for me!

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Wandering along the trail was peaceful and exciting since each new bend brought a new glory into view. After more than an hour walking in the steady rain an unexpected but terribly welcome sight appeared on the other side of a small rise.

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On this mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14 New International Version Bible

After the blessed pit stop we continued across the mountain pass and then boarded a small cable car returning us to our start in Grindelwald. Famished from the cold and walk we were happy to see an eatery shortly after getting off the cable car.

This tavern decked in rustic alpine decor served traditional Swiss dishes as well as local brew on tap as you can see from the photos below. The local brew is Rugenbrau from an independent brewing company based in Interlakken since 1866 and served at most local establishments in the Jungfrau region.

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My husband ordered a big meal of Weiss wurst and pomes Frits. He ate the entire entree he was so hungry. I decided to get a cup of hot soup and eggs. The soup looked like delicious beef broth until I put my spoon in and pulled up a raw egg. Definitely not what I had in mind and I promptly removed it. Scrambled eggs were much more to my liking.

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And now it was time to reboard the train at the other end of town and head to the Lake District for a few days. Two and a half hours speeding along on the Swiss rails brought us to Kandersteg, our destination.

As we walked into town I wasn’t sure if I liked Kandersteg. It seemed like a ghost town. Beautiful but lonely, no signs of life could be seen. . .no tourists, no children, nobody.

We continued through town to our next lodging spot and I thought it looked very inviting. After check in I went exploring. I concluded that Kandersteg was a quiet town because it was off the beaten path. I decided we needed some rest after the last four days of activity. This hotel had a pool and a sauna and I made good use of both during our stay.

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We enjoyed fresh brewed coffee from the kitchen and sat together on our balcony sipping and reading books. It was lovely. Sometimes a person just needs some simple forced relaxation.

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JESUS said to them, ‘Come away with ME. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for awhile.’ Mark 6:31a Worldwide English Version New Testament

Our first night here in Kandersteg turned out to be a delight of a different kind. Join me next time for more exploration of the Swiss alpine beauty.

Shine on. . .

karan k

“Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.” Song of Songs 8:7 Berean Study Bible

Today started out damp and dreary so we took a train to the Swiss Capital of Bern. Honestly, this city was my least favorite but perhaps had I gotten to see the Bern Bear I may have been more impressed.

(Google the Bern Bear for more info.)

I confess we mostly shopped the longest promenade in Europe while in Bern rather than scoot across the city to see the Bear. The Bernese Old Town section especially drew me into what the Swiss call arcades or weather protected shopping. We found non-alpine gifts (which happened to be on my to do list) and food galore here. It turned out to be a restful excursion and we almost decided to call it a day afterward to go back to our hotel and rest. I’m so glad we didn’t.

At the last minute we decided to take the train to a town called Thun (pronounced Toon), rather than return to Lauterbrunnen. The town of Thun was by far the most romantic place to date on our trip. Dwight and I fell I love with it and stayed the rest of the day, returning much later than planned.

This lakeside town is a nestled gem in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. Most travelers miss it as they head to the busy resort town of Interlakken instead. I much prefer the less touristy spots to get a more realistic view of everyday life wherever I travel. So Thun was an EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL surprise!

We took a little city hike to the turreted Thun Castle sitting on a hill overlooking the town. Much to see as we ascended the streets, alleyways and sets of stairs. Come along and see. . .

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It became a mini adventure just to reach the top of Thun but at last we arrived at our destination.

Medieval Thun Castle built in the 12th century is almost completely preserved. This includes the Knights Hall, one of the few great halls that has survived since the Middle Ages.

I made my way up each floor steadily and hurriedly as the lack of ventilation on a hot day was having an ill effect on me. Below are a few of the Castle highlights I captured before needing an escape to fresh air. Of course DWIGHT took a bit longer to explore the various knights armor and 15th century frescoes in the Castle’s chapel. Plus he wanted to take some shots of the city from the highest tower.

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At this point our guide headed back to Lauterbrunnen but we remained in Thun. It had such a romantic feel that we wanted to share a meal and bask in the incredible loveliness.

We found a sweet little cafe beside the Aare River in the center of town which was flowing swiftly into Lake Thun that day. A storm kicked up just after we ordered and the waiter provided alternate seating in a snap to shelter us during the downpour. That only added to the romance. And then our food arrived and it was LOVE all over again.

Dwight had Ravioli Al Limone and I had Filetto Di Salmone Alle Erbe. The sights surrounding us were almost as delicious to view as the food was to taste. It is a dining experience I will treasure the rest of my life.

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And just in case you’re single and do not wish to think about sappy love stuff love, how about these sights and sounds:

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We caught the late train back to Lauterbrunnen praising our God for giving us such an EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL day! See you soon as the Alpine Adventure continues.

And the Ultimate LOVE is praise to our Heavenly Father. Here’s a video of a group of Thun teens praising God:

https://youtu.be/PY7Qy3aH-RWk

Shine On . . .

karan k

A beautiful morning greets us and we have a jam packed schedule ahead. There are so many modes of travel here in this part of Switzerland: rail trains, cogwheel trains/funiculars, cable cars, gondolas, buses just to name a few. I will show you highlights for the sake of time, but we were on so many different people movers it made my head spin. Without a trusty guide we’d still be lost somewhere in the Swiss Alps which might not be a bad thing all in all.😃🧗🏽‍♀️

Our plan was to head to the sleepy town of Murren requiring two modes of transport. Please indulge my love for movies as you read today’s post. I hope you enjoy them.

Upon arrival in Murren we had to walk to the opposite side of town to catch another people mover higher to the Schilthorn. We had some extra time to enjoy the delights of Murren along the way.

Intermittent Paragliders sailed down the mountainside as we meandered through the streets. I could almost feel their zest for life as I watched them. The experience here in Murren was simply surreal.

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Mountainside gardens cling to the steepness next to cottages and chalets. Farms spring up here and there, beautiful flowers and playful gnomes dot properties as we passed by. Then we saw the most famous flower in the Alps!

The photo above shows the woolly intricacy of this delicate flower, one of God’s tiny masterpieces.

Eidelweiss, this EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL flowering plant is very important to the Swiss Germans. It grows wild in the higher altitudes of mountains and symbolizes purity and lasting love. During the 19th century young Swiss and German men reportedly risked their lives to find and pick the Eidelweiss flower to give to their bride on their wedding day showing their undying love.

“The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land.” Song of Songs 2:12 English Standard Version Bible

We boarded the large gondola which is included in a famous scene from a lesser known James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Supposedly the least popular in the Bond film franchise, we rather liked it. This scene shows the picturesque Schilthorn area from the sky.

The 32 minute ride up toward the sky ignited excitement throughout the gondola as we rose just shy of 10,000 feet above sea level to the Piz Gloria. The magnificent alpine panorama encircling us revealed more glory; the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau summits, sometimes called the Swiss Skyline.

Here on the summit is a James Bond museum and revolving restaurant (also in the movie). It was a bit scary for me up there due to steep drop offs without railings. My husband was too daring for me and I admit I took a few pics outside and then hightailed it to the safety of the building.

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Bond World bathrooms complete with edgy sound effects were endlessly entertaining. My favorite bathrooms ever!

One level housed the revolving restaurant which provided sophisticated dining as well as spectacular views. The floor above was all things Bond including an interactive museum definitely worth the trip. My favorite museum exhibit turned out to be the helicopter simulator shown above—much like the movie clip only you could be the star.

Another surprise were the tiny alpine horn blowers who just stole my heart and I am so sorry I was not able to record their performance for you. All that cuteness drew a crowd too deep to penetrate until the demonstration finished.

After picking up a few souvenirs in the gift shop and rejoining my excited photographer, we rode the gondola part way back down the mountain to start hiking a meadowland path to Murren called the Northface trail.

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There were too many steep hills and woodland climbs that Dwight became an Un-Happy Hiker. The sun beat down on us and we were struggling. Tired, hot and hungry, we wondered how much farther til food and civilization? Then we turned a corner and the town of Murren lay before us. We felt like salvation had come!

We got some food at the first cafe we came across and then took a cable car back to Lauterbrunnen. We were two tired pups, ready for showers and early bedtime.

Join me next time for another day of adventure in the Swiss Alps! Please add a comment to let me know if you are enjoying this series.

Shine on. . .

karan k

Ready for more sights, sounds and experiences from Switzerland? Follow along into another EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL day of Alpine adventure. Bear with any technical difficulties.

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7 New International Version Bible

A rainy morning in Lauterbrunnen sent us just down the road to the fartherest edge of the village to Trummelbach Falls. The glacier fed Falls are made up of a series of ten waterfalls tucked inside a mountain. Ingenious Swiss engineering in 1913 built stairs inside and outside the Falls plus a tunnel elevator to give visitors many views of the powerful Water Falls from close range.

Notice how the cascading glacier water churns into a milky flux in the above video. Mesmerizing, and since it was a damp and drizzly day we were already wearing our rain gear. This was fortunate since the dynamic falls gave us a healthy spray from several carved out vantage points. Being on the interior of the mountain was similar to being in a cave where temps remain low. My rain coat served a dual purpose to keep me dry and warm.

Moving back through the tunnels and down the elevator brought us outside where we could ascend stairs to take in the exterior sights in daylight.

In this next video listen to the sheer force of the torrential gush cutting through the rock. Magnificent for the ears unless you happen to visit during a dry season which can be a very different and disappointing experience.

We hung around in town the rest of the morning and did a little shopping. Lauterbrunnen has a few small stores for souvenirs, clothing boutiques and shops for skiing and hiking wear. I purchased an Italian made blue sweater to remember this lovely little town. I’ve found clothing manufactured in Europe to be of high quality so I always buy some article of clothing when traveling there.

By mid day our stomachs were growling. There were only a handful of eateries within close walking distance of our hotel. We wanted something on the lighter side and decided to try a cafe. My husband is always ready for coffee so we popped into Cafe’ Base. It turned out to be quite a remarkable and informative lunch time for us.

Lauterbrunnen valley is a hot area for the sport of Base Jumping. Ever hear of this? It’s illegal almost everywhere in the U.S. But here in Switzerland it is the extreme sport of choice even though it’s 43% more deadly than parachuting. One of the reasons it’s so dangerous is that jumpers only use a single chute. During the high season in Lauterbrunnen jumpers can be seen diving off cliffs around the village every few minutes.

Twenty to thirty seconds of thrilling free fall and then ZIP, your chute should open jerking you up initially and then you flutter down another 30 seconds guiding yourself safely to the ground. Skilled Base Jumpers can hit the ground on their feet running making it look much easier than it is. For them, about a minute of ecstasy, EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL. {Look for the YouTube video link at the end of this post to watch a Base Jumper in Lauterbrunnen}

Isn’t this a gorgeous cemetery? I found myself staring at it, of all things to be so appealing. Each grave of some departed soul is splendidly adorned with colorful blooms meticulously maintained by diligent caretakers. This is the Swiss tradition, however, there is a time limit. After a poor mortal lay beneath the exquisitely beautiful flowers for 20-25 years the remains are dug up and cremated or placed in church ossuaries. This makes room for a fresh cadaver and saves space for the ‘waste not, want not’ Swiss.

Finishing our leisure stroll through town, we headed back to the hotel to relax until our jaunt by PostBus (local delivery of mail and passenger service) to the Hotel and Restaurant Stechelberg commenced. We were anticipating another traditional Swiss meal experience which was a delectable evening affair in the family owned and operated establishment.

En Guete is the Swiss term for “Have a good one”. It’s an expression used to wish someone to have a good meal. It connects Swiss Germans from all walks of life as well as strangers in kindness. So EnGuete and may these photos stir your imagination since we can’t share a meal in person.

Luscious Fondue with rich local cheeses arrived on our table first.

Main course consisted of classic chicken schnitzel, carrots and rice.

Apple strudel and Black Forest cake for dessert, everything was scrumptious.

And so another beautiful day ended in the Lauterbrunnen valley. . . Ahhhh, everything here is exquisitely beautiful, even the sleep; fresh, cool and clear starry nights.

Catch you as we continue our Alpine adventure next time.

Shine on. . .

Check out Base Jumping link from YouTube below.

https://youtube/F00H5R1cnmr0

karan k

“Summing it all up, my friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8 The Message Bible

It is a challenge knowing which things to include in this series on the Alps because so much of it was simply amazing! I think this is one place I could retire in even if my cottage was far from others. I am a people person by nature but it is so EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL here that I think I could manage the isolation.😬 As an added treat I’ve included two videos in this post to give you more authenticity AND because I just figured out how to add them. ENJOY!

Our first stay was in the Alpine town of Lauterbrunnen. It’s a quaint little village lying in a dreamlike valley. Over and over I tried to capture the essence of it on film but Lauterbrunnen’s beauty is elusive. So I borrowed from another photographer so you could see a teeny bit of what I experienced. I’ve heard people refer to Lauterbrunnen as “heaven on earth”. What do you think? Definitely a spot I could spend time reflecting on things lofty and lowly.

Our little hotel/chalet sat on the main drag just a few minutes walking distance from Staubbach Falls, a 300 meter high water fall at the edge of town. Its splashing waters could be heard from our bedroom. . . simply precious.

Standing on our private balcony I could watch the cog wheel train across the street wind it’s way lazily around the mountain up to the carless village of Wengen (pronounced Vengen). Of all the Alpine towns we visited, this was my husbands favorite.

After settling in, we decided to take the train and explore Wengen. To our delight there was a parade starting and we found the best seats outside a cafe. I was thrilled to enjoy the parade in such a great spot! Coffee and a parade, what could be better? GOD IS SO GOOD!

It was here that we bought our first souvenirs. Dwight picked out about seven genuine Swiss Army knives. There were so many styles to choose from such as the Huntsman, Explorer, Spartan, Mountaineer, Ranger, the list seems endless. Who knew? Every man should have one, right? So we picked a variety and guess what we gave out at Christmas?

We also stumbled across an outdoor choir entertaining a small crowd before catching the train back down to Lauterbrunnen. The acapella voices were what else, exquisitely beautiful. We totally savored each lovely moment in Wengen.

Of course I must include a few of the incredible eats we enjoyed during our trip. Our first meal was at our Oberland hotel/chalet. It was a rather heavy meal after a full day of traveling and we were more than ready for the challenge.

We sat out on the front terrace of the Oberland and dined on their Swiss specialties. Dwight ordered Truckers Rosti which is mainly like a potato fritter with eggs and in this case cheese and bacon too. I chose Kaese Spaetzle or the Swiss version of Mac and cheese. It was divine. I don’t often get excited about food but I licked my plate on this one!

After that big meal we decided we needed to do some walking and checked out the waterfall up close and personal. It has a trail beside it if you really want to hike a bit but we were feeling less than energetic at this point in our day so we admired it from the base.

After taking a few snaps at the Falls we ambled back toward the chalet when we heard a very strange sound. Ahead of us on a small rise a local festival lured in a handful of tourists. Why not get the full experience?So we joined in as the strange sound grew louder. This is what we saw. . .

These men performed a traditional cowbell routine as part of the festival. The leather harness of the cowbells were quite ornate with embroidery. Other Swiss crafters and bands performed for a couple of hours but we were tuckered out so we climbed three floors to our room and fell asleep to EXQUISITELY BEAUTIFUL music.

I will close out this part II post. Join me next time for another alpine adventure. Let me know if you are enjoying this because there is much more to share. The trip was such a gift and I hope to pass on some of its beauty to you.

“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father. . . “ James 1:17a New Living Translation Bible

What gifts have you been given that are stored somewhere in your memory? Pull them out and relive them as well as reading along with mine.

Shine on. . .

karan k

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and LOVELY, and admirable. . . “ Philippians 4:8a New Living Translation Bible

Have you looked around lately and beheld anything exquisitely beautiful? Mostly lots of fear, hatred, division, and violence is what I see whether in photos or media of some sort. None of that is what we are to fix or focus our minds on daily.

So I decided to write about something I have seen with my own eyes that I consider lovely; exquisitely beautiful. The Alps of Europe. This lovely mountain range runs through six countries (France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Slovenia) and two principalities (Liechtenstein and Monaco). I have been fortunate to see them in all their glory in 4 of the countries.

My first Alpine adventure took place in 2012 near Konigsee Lake in Bavaria, Germany. As the commercial boat floated across the lake, my view of the Alps opened up before me just as this photo above shows.

But it wasn’t until we drove up into the Alps near the infamous Eagle’s Nest chalet—- [Hitler’s 50th Birthday present and area where he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle)] that I experienced an Alpen ecstasy.

We drove high up near the Austrian border and parked the car. The majesty of the Alps rose up on either side of me. I felt like I was in the heavenlies because clouds also loomed before me. I never experienced anything like it. It’s probably the closest feeling I will ever get to scaling the wall of an actual mountain. My breath was stolen over and over as I gazed in awestruck wonder literally amid these giant gorgeous almost ethereal mountains. Almost close enough to touch them, the majesty of God’s design captured my little heart.

Unfortunately, the arrival of darkness ended this first experience in Gods precious Alps far too quickly for me. But it also created a deep longing in my heart and soul to spend more time in these exquisitely beautiful mountains.

Oh me of little faith did not believe I would ever have another opportunity to go back to Europe let alone the Alps. But in 2019 I did just that on a trip to the Alpine villages of Switzerland. I don’t need to tell you this was an adventure of a lifetime to hike all over the Swiss Alps! My husband was not quite as excited as I was especially about the hiking, but upon arrival he could not deny the beauty. He had to focus on the loveliness, the EXQUISITE BEAUTY of the Alps all around him.

Next time I’ll share more Alpine adventures, until then:

Think about something you consider lovely. Bask in the wonder and praise our loving God for it.

“Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8b New Living Translation Bible

Shine on. . .

karan k

I felt the need to write an addendum to SPOT ON: Handful of Heaven because one of the greatest enemies to our contentment is distraction. And just so you don’t think I’ve got it all together in the spiritual department, I thought I’d give you a window into a typical day of my world. I wanted you to know it’s ok when time in your special SPOT with Jesus gets ambushed.

Just this morning I was distracted by countless things and lately I have seriously wondered if I have ADD or ADHD! Seriously! The laundry basket was NOT overflowing but I saw it and thought I SHOULD get a jump on that and started three loads of laundry.

Next I get to the kitchen and realize I need to get my slow cooker meal started. I dig out the crock pot and search for the ingredients in the pantry. What a chore. Everything I needed was in the back on the bottom of the cabinet. So I sat on the floor and pulled everything out to get a better look. Deep pantries at floor level distract me!

Now I’ve got the entire contents of the bottom shelf spread out before me and it’s not even 8 am. Plus I did not yet have my time with Jesus! (I like to guard my time with Him for first thing when I get out of bed) The messy pantry laughs at me and I feel compelled to reorganize it in a more efficient manner, whatever that is? I am once again, distracted.

Fortunately, I pull away from this mess telling myself it can wait until after I get the slow cooker meal started. At this point I am grateful I have a smidgen of direction and self discipline. But every time I glance at that side of the room, you guessed it, I’m distracted. And then the dryer buzzer goes off…

Wash cycles and dryer buzzers definitely distract me from whatever I may be doing. They scream for my attention and usually I run to pacify them. Today was no exception I confess.

“The accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out, who accused them day and night before God. They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness.” Revelation 12:10b & 11a The Message Bible

Ever have these moments in your life that no matter what you do you just cannot seem to focus? Something is always screaming for your attention or accusing you of being unorganized, lazy or unmotivated etc., anything under the sun except for positive things. This is the struggle of distraction. The struggle satan wants you to have.

But you know what I have discovered? Even in my distractions Jesus is there with me. Even when I get confused and put all these trivial things ahead of Him, He is there and He understands. And so today during each distraction I talked to Him about it sometimes out loud, sometimes silently and we got through the distractions together. And we actually had fun AND got things done! Amazing.

Read the 103rd Psalm for encouragement on how merciful and compassionate our Lord is toward us. Share each moment with Him. Even the distractions can become delights if we remember He is right there with us in those moments. We stand on His Word and let the distractions dissolve in His presence.. . . Think about that. If we invite Him into our distractions, we are now focused on Him rather than the distraction. Being with Him makes everything better!

“. . . fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.” II Corinthians 10:5b The Message Bible

Remember, HE is with you!

Shine on.. .

karan k

“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 New International Version Bible

Today I am coming to you live from my favorite spot, the deck of my back porch… it’s where I reflect on life and just sit and brainstorm with Jesus. It seems to be the only spot in my home where I am undistracted enough to do this. I find it extremely sad because I can only enjoy this spot on days when the weather cooperates; No rain, low humidity idyllic days that only happen half the year in my hemisphere of the world.

What do I do in the winter months? STRUGGLE! I find it terribly challenging to find the same sort of ethereal spot to commune and compose with the Almighty. Nevertheless, I will not give up the battle because it is too important to continue this on a regular if not daily basis. For now I have a few months to figure it out.

Back to the deck… these moments are so precious I cannot even put into words how this enriches my soul.

Five years ago I spent an entire summer out on this deck nearly everyday because it was such a SoCal summer (SoCal is my husbands idea of perfection) with so much lovely weather. I had two surgeries back to back affording me months of free time on my hands.

Up until today I believe it was the most glorious season of my existence. For the first time in my life I had willingly (Although perhaps not 100% willingly since surgery limited my functions) chosen to be a Mary rather than a Martha. Read their story in Luke 10:38-42.

Most of the time I am running around trying to do way too many things at onceI act like Martha, concerned and fretting over good things but trivial in comparison to what Mary chose to do. Mary sat with Jesus just listening to Him and loving Him. I had finally found the secrets to being like Mary. I’ll tell you, basking at Jesus’ feet for literally hours on end almost everyday for months that year was sublime beyond reason.

Being the best summer of my life I dreamed of it often. The weather of 2015 from May to October was divine. After I went back to work in 2016 I wondered if I would ever have a chance for such an experience like that again? I endeavored to keep up my daily time with Jesus but it never could quite compare to that unhurried season in my life.

The simple act of reflecting on life in conjunction with Jesus doesn’t happen by accident. We must choose it. Spending uninterrupted time with the Lord must;

#1 Start with a desire deep in our hearts. After that, He will provide the time and

#2 We must be watching and seize it before the enemy of our souls drags it off into some mundane distraction. And finally,

#3 We must make or find a special spot to commune, brainstorm, create, reflect, plan and play with our Lord to experience a Handful of Heaven.

“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41 & 42 New Living Translation Bible

Where is your spot? Do you want to have one? Ask Him to help you find your meeting place. And then guard it as sacred. The hymn writer, Charles Austin Miles, found his spot in a garden. Read over the lyrics of the hymn In The Garden for some inspiration.

This is the first stanza and chorus of the song. YouTube has some beautiful renditions of this song to hear as well. Most people recognize it being played at funerals but this song is truly a song for the living. For those of us milling about our planet.

IN THE GARDEN

I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

Charles Austin Miles, 1912

Jesus is waiting,

Shine on. . .

karan k