New Home

So many changes have taken place, again.

We have now moved away from the capital area! This week is dedicated to settling down, which includes unpacking those dozens of removal boxes (it feels like hundreds though), buying new shelves and household appliances, cleaning and washing, and the like. What makes it not only bearable but really enjoyable, after all, is all the beauty around this place: morning swims, daily offices, sauna, barbecue, and these fascinating views.

Visitors are only coming next week...

Happily married

So we had our wedding on 11/11/11.

Only the closest family members i.e. 10 people were present in the Friday evening ceremony at the church, followed by champagne & cake at our home. It was beautiful and touching indeed.

On the following evening, some 85 friends and relatives joined in a bigger party in the crypt of Agricola church... with plenty of joyful encounters, music, food and laughter. Our friends had put together superb program, and helped in many other ways too. How lucky we are, being surrounded by these caring people!

Our theme verse can be found in Isaiah 43: "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Ringed

Forgot to mention one thing that made the Taizé trip very special! On our way back, we stopped on Pont Neuf in Paris... and discussed our future together.

The rings only arrived this week, after some unexpected technicalities. Well it was worth the wait.

Happy!

Infirmary and peace

We went to Taizé. It was great. An absolutely beautiful week.

Coming back has not been only beautiful. We're struggling with so many aspects of life at the same time. Business, private, health, you name it. It feels too much at times. But we're still there, breathing.

Da pacem cordium... as we used to sing last week!

Surviving (well)

I'm sorry. I've forgotten this place. Didn't mean to!

In the meantime, J found a new home only 200 metres from mine. It is practical and very nice indeed. We're gradually getting used to this new situation. We like it being close...

In the meantime, I found some consultancy work which gives me enough income to survive the winter. Luxury! It may be that people who take their montly salaries (or some kind of benefits available to non-entrepreneurs) for granted don't quite get this. However, I feel more than relieved now, after a long period of uncertainty.

Another highlight of this autumn was certainly the 5-day trip to Grandchamp. Such healing presence. Such a caring group... let alone the sisters themselves who again welcomed us so warmly. Nous rendons grâce a Dieu.

Away

Hi. Anyone out there?

July is the month when everyone is away from home in this country. So has it been for me too. I've been away in Kangasala (participating in the annual Paradise Week with a number of old & new friends), in Pöllösaari (at a relative's idyllic summer cottage on a remote island in Lake Saimaa, some 300 km from here) and recently in Åland. On the main island of Åland, we did an enjoyable 3-day bike tour totaling about 100 km. It was very warm...

My favourite place

Last week was my eighth time in Taizé. And, despite the place feeling so very familiar by now, the week was filled with uniquely fresh encounters and experiences. Such a refreshing experience!

Life back home hasn't become any easier. The money worries are still very real, Mom's health is less and less stable, and my back pains are back. Even so, I know that I'm not alone in any valley of the shadow of death. Everything belongs.

J liked his first time in Taizé very much too. We are both touched deeply by "Beati voi poveri". How's that for a mutual Theme Song?!

White substance

One thing is constant this year: snow. And some more snow. And... yet another snowfall.

Despite the ever-recurring white substance, we seem to be moving towards a warmer season. Luckily, there will be another Lapland trip soon, stopping this dangerous development. Both cross country and downhill will be on our menu.

Update

I'm sorry, again! Haven't been around. (For the same reason as last time I reckon.)
To give a quick update, I'm posting three recent pictures.



1. Never during my lifetime has there been so much snow in Helsinki. Now that's a lot!
2. The days are finally getting longer and lighter.
3. The happy-feet life goes on.

Christmas Peace

I'm sorry. Haven't been around. Those feet are still happy. Increasingly so :-)

Now it is almost time to leave for another holy journey: will spend Christmas week at Levi in Kittilä, Lapland. So it is the same place and setting as in April: voluntary work at the chapel, some music, some skiing. However, it is significantly darker now as the sun won't rise at all in those areas above the Arctic Circle...

This is how it looked there last Christmas. Yes, I'm looking forward! And yes, there will be two of us going.