National Day of Switzerland

August 1st is to the Swiss what July 4th is to Americans. The day was chosen because August 1st 1291 was the date on which three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation, an act which later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland.

In recent years an alternative feast has been gaining in popularity: brunch on the farm. The idea was launched in 1993, as an initiative by the Swiss Farmers' Association. Visitors are served fresh farm produce and get to see something of farmers' lives. In 2005 about 430 farms took part, serving brunch to about 200,000 people. The information above was provided by Swissworld.org.

On Friday, August 1 we were invited by a friend from Switzerland to take part in this tradition of "Brunch On The Farm". As you can see from Trace's plate (which was Trace's 3rd plate by the way....I'm not sure where he puts all that food!) everything was absolutley delicious!

There was a total of 6 of who went; the friend of ours who had invited us to go, our French language coordinator and 2 of our friends/fellow students.

In order to reach this farm we had brunch at; we took a train into Neuchatel, then a train out of Neuchatel to another area, then from there we took a funicular (it's the same as the inclines that Pittsburgh have) up a pretty good size steep hill, then about a mile walk. After we finished our brunch, the group of us that had gone with walked through the beautiful country-side of Switzerland slowly making our way back down the hill. All in all, it was about a 2 hour walk.

Once we took the train back to Neuchatel, a few of us had planned on going for a swim in Lake Neuchatel. So, we splashed around a bit....and called it an afternoon.

That evening, we were delighted to have the opportunity to see fire-works all through out the area around Neuchatel from our living room window. The best fire-works show though was almost right in our own back yard....spactacular!

Do you know what the last picture is of?! If you think you may know...let us know!

Friends, strawberries and hiking......

Friends, strawberries and hiking.....

What do they have in commen? For us, it's been very special to spend time making memories with friends as we hike through the beautiful country side of Switzerland. In the photo above is our dear friend Anna, who invited us on this hike. During our 4 1/2 hour hike, we walked through various pathways and villages. As we walked along, Anna spotted these little wild strawberries.....what a refreshing little treat from God. As you can see from the pictures above, we began our hike on a nice paved walkway, then it changed into a dirt pathway, later in the day the pathway changed into a very rocky downslope and then we tranversed a farmer field along the way as well. As I have been reflecting back on this particular hike, I thought about how our pathway in life changes, much in the same way. Sometimes, the pathway we are walking is nice and smooth with very little problems along the way. At times our pathway can change becoming increasingly difficult, troubles in our footing for sure. At yet, other times walking along the fields along a smooth dirt pathway ~ filled with the splendor of Gods creation in the glorious beauty in the flowers flowing in the field. Oh, the comfort and the assurance of HIS unfailing love! I am so very comforted knowing Jesus is there along each step of my pathway; leading me, encouraging me, teaching me!

"And surely I am with you always, even unto the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20 NIV