So my good friends I have just returned from my post exams 'holiday' on the 'continent'. This break for many students is a time to return home, relax, and see family. For those of us who have an ocean (the better ocean) between us and the ones we love it is the time to travel.
The break has been a slight source of anxiety as I really had no where to go or stay, but through many 'God' instances I decided that I would go to L'Abri. I place I have known about and wanted to visit of for as long as I can remember.
For those of you who have never heard of L'Abri it can best be described as a christian learning center for people of various ages and faiths (including non-existent faiths). It was started by Francis and Edith Schaffer in the 1950's, as a place where people with questions on the Christian God can seek answers (in a number of gorgeous Chalet's in the Swiss Alps!).
As I said, I've known about this place for years. Edith Schaffer wrote many books about Christian parenting and families that greatly influenced my mother back in the day...so I always had admired the work of the Schaffers. More than that, L'abri itself was a huge influence for Focus (fellowship of Christians in universities and schools) which was a great influence in my adolescent years.
So, not knowing exactly what I was getting into I signed myself and my friends Sheena up for the week.
When we first arrived it was night. We were tired from travelling, disoriented and in need of some good food. It was pitch black out so we couldn't tell what anything looked like. All we knew was that there was no snow, and we needed some major TLC. But we entered Chalet Bellevue (pictured left) only to be left standing in the hallway. Feeling awkward and surrounded by a commotion of students. I wanted out.
The place seemed like such a hippy fest, and everyone was too cool for school. Sheena and I received a quick tour, with many awkward introductions and conversation gaps. I was so tired that I couldn't even fake my usual cheeriness. Sooo we each downed about four pieces of garlic bread and headed to bed.
For whatever reason, the next day I woke up with a changed attitude. I was there for a week and I would suffer through it if I had to. I knew God had brought me there, and that was all I needed to know. From that point on everything changed for me. The whole week through I was blown away by the broken and loving spirits of the other students. Although I was so intimidated at the beginning all my first impressions were wrong, and humorously many of the people I had specifically written off as 'too cool' proved the sweetest and humblest of the bunch.
L'Abri has a rigid schedule of work and study. Everyday we would spend the morning working (often in a 'workers' home) and then have lunch together. Lunch would consist of a guided discussion. Then the afternoon was set apart as a time of study in the library; A gorgeous chalet, filled with books on theology and christian living, as well as lectures on tape.
Most of my study time was spent reading the books that had so inspired my mother. I loved reading Edith's works and comparing then with the work of my mother. The books talk of family as a work of art. Something that is beautiful, but must be laboured over. That's a quick synop, but just know I was left completely inspired by how my desire to have a beautiful life is completely part of God's plan and intent for me.
Pictured to the right is my sweet and dear friend Sheena. She was my fabulous partner in crime. She is a gorgeous Scottish Lassi, a lover of God, and a really true kindred spirit.
Well, about the view. The second day we were there it was completely foggy. Everyone kept laughing at the ridiculousness that we had no idea the enormity of the mountains that were right before us, but hidden from view. It wasn't until the third day that I saw the mountains for myself. I had woken up really early to have some time of prayer. It was still pitch black. But I could see that it had snowed about a foot. About 15 minutes into my prayer time I saw a faint light across the sky and I saw the outline of the Alps.
I can't possibly describe to you how incredible this scene was, and the photo doesn't begin to capture what it looks like in person. I was paralyzed by the awesome beauty of the mountains. I have never seen anything so powerful.
It was an incredible week. Set apart from God. Marked by simplicity and separation from the world (we had virtually no contact to the outside). I learned so much. I really was blessed and touched by God's individual love for me.
I left feeling like I was leaving a second home filled with family, and friends but with a promise of hope for the future
