Valleys vs Mountains

After the weekend trip, I asked M which he liked better. Was it the valleys (Lauterbrunnen) or mountaintops (Jungfrau)? Personally, I felt the valleys were way more beautiful- it was warmer, the vegetation more luscious and colourful, the majestic waterfalls... Up on the mountains, there is less oxygen, everything is white and covered in snow.

It made me think of the valleys of life, how sometimes, it's only when we hit rockbottom that we see God and draw near to Him. The beauty of His presence there abounds. I've been reading this book "the promise is His presence- why God is always enough" by Glenna Marshall. An excerpt that really sums up what valleys mean for us...

"Was God good in allowing Israel to circle the wilderness for four decades? How was His purpose both sovereign and good when He closed the door pf the promised land to an entire generation? Though their disbelief came with long term repercussions, God was still good to them, and He demonstrated this in many ways. In the desert of discipline, Israel harvested the fruit of His regular prescence: their clothes never wore out, their shoes withstood four decades of walking, and they always had the food they needed. During the anguish of waiting, God was teaching them to trust Him. There was reason for them to praise Him in the wilderness- for His preservation, His provision, His presence... Every painful piece of our lives on earth is an opportunity for us to love Him and be loved by Him- to know He is with us and to enjoy His nearness even in sorrow."

Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald

M managed to take leave on Friday and we brought his parents to the Berner Highlands. It’s the Swiss alps and I must say it’s amazing. Probably the perfect holiday destination. I told M and my in laws many times that I cannot believe we have not ever thought of coming to these ‘Ricola places’ (It really looks like it came out of the Ricola commercials) I think they are best seen in summer and winter, most people go during those times.

We stayed in an Airbnb for 2 nights in Interlaken. Below is a picture taken near the place. 

The first day, we did Lauterbrunnen, which is a beautiful valley with beautiful waterfalls. We saw the Staubbach and Trummelbach falls. We went to the small village Wengen and took the aerial cable car up to Mannlichen. Amazing views... The whole place is so tranquil and quiet, only the melodious chimes of the cow bells 💗

Second day, we went to Jungfraujoch. It’s so high up it took us forever (like 3 hours each way) to get there. We covered it in under 2 hours. We spent a lot of time at lunch coz the service was ultra slow... 😠. Saw the TOP of Europe, Lindt Choco factory, alpine sensation and ice palace. Very nice but I think once is enough. I have no desire to sit another 3 hours of train just to see it again. It was also filled with tourists...

Last day we did Grindelwald. We just spent time at First to do the Tissot Walk. I think the more fun part is riding the cable car up (E loved it) and then for M and I- riding the mountain cart down!! The mountain cart was good fun! Here's a pic of the view you get from mountain-carting:

Had a great weekend though it was crazy riding the trains around. 😊 Now back to reality... 😅

Crazy week...

It's been a crazy week for us. M's dad came, then our classmate. I was tour guide and thank God everything flowed nicely. Though the house was full to the brim, the company was so nice. Our friend left yesterday and today, MIL and FIL went to Zurich for a short trip. So suddenly, the house is quiet. Also just realised next week is school holiday for E (yeah i've been too blur- there was a notice on the school door and i totally missed it. I only found out thru talking with the other mommies at the Harvest Supper 😱). This means it's me and him alone!! Thrown in the deep end.  Yay. Haha... tbc...

Remember

Time really flies, it's been a month since we came. So many things happened and there was much scrambling to get settled down. Only in the last week, when E started school, did some kind of routine got established. I am starting to get used to it. However, each time I think i'm managing it well and that i can make it, I start to hear another voice telling me it's because my MIL is here with me. That voice starts to ask me if I can manage without her, if I can do this all by myself- keep the house, manage E, study, everything. Amidst that doubt and self talk, I need to choose to hear the Voice of Truth. The only way is keep walking on is to know who God is and to remember what He has done and can do. It reminded me of a song the pastor shared a few weeks back- Remember by Bryan and Katie Torwalt.

How quickly we forget the God
Who lives in everyday
How easy to lose sight that You
Reside in the mundane
How quickly we forget the power
That's running through our veins
The kind of power that empties graves

And oh my soul
Remember who you're talking to
The only One who death bows to
That's the God who walks with you

And oh my soul
You know that if He did it then
He can do it all again
His power can still raise the dead
Don't tell me that He's finished yet

Let's we not forget the voice
That's holding back the waves
Was once the voice that told the skies
To pour them into place
Let us join the endless song of everlasting praise
The only God who empties graves

He did it!

E made it through the full session today!! It's been slightly over a week since he started school and he seems to be ok with the whole idea. Today, the teacher said he could join the walk and finish the full programme. I went to pick him and managed to catch the whole bunch of them walking back to school! 😍 They are all so cute!! The teacher makes them wear this yellow vest that connects them in a line.

On the side, our shipping finally came. Finally we can be civilised, my MIL says. 😆

E goes to school

Yesterday was E's first day at school. The teacher recommended I stay with him for half an hour and then take him home, and over the next 2 weeks, we can try to ease him in depending on his response. I've been worried since he's never been to school before. Also because he seemed to become very reluctant to go to Sunday school in the last few weeks when we were back in SG. However, at our second visit to church in Geneva, he actually went into the cry room to play toys on his own! So I took heart and prayed school will be ok.

I took him there and he was the first kid. I think it is a blessing in disguise we haven't received our shipping- there are not many toys at home and he is so bored! So when he saw the toys in the room, he was delighted and started playing with them while waiting for the others to arrive.😂 There were farm toys, cars and tracks, and his favourite- kitchen set. He kept going there and he hardly looked up to see if I was there. I stayed in the corner and he ended up staying for an hour. Then we took him back.

Tomorrow will be the second day (Wednesdays no school #genevalife). We are supposed to try and leave him after staying for 10 mins then coming back in half hour to pick him. Our shipment is supposed to come too so my MIL will take him instead of me. Will see how it goes... to be continued...

Annecy

Went to visit Annecy over the weekend. It's a really beautiful place in France with its own lake- filled with water from the mountains. The old town is really nice and looks a little like Venice with a small river flowing through. Both sides of the river have many shops - restaurants, crafts, ice cream, bakeries... We had lunch at Le Raymond Savoyard -we had the famous local tartiflette and finished it off with ice cream from Glacier Des Alpes. E was happy to finish almost a whole raisin pastry for his lunch. 😋