IrishOboe

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s more of the same: concerts, lessons, discovery, joy, and not a shred of time to straighten my head out before bed.  Who can complain?  Maybe my parents since I don’t have their trip planned out yet . . .

Sunday was a beautiful day and I remembered to set my clock ahead, but I still had to run to catch the bus because I was finishing up a potato salad for a nonexistent BCF potluck.  Turns out we were supposed to bring our own lunch and a dessert to share.  I can’t blame that misunderstanding on the language.  Maybe I’m just forgetting English.

One of the things I love about international churches (all two that I know) is learning from how they’ve been forced to adapt.  In Japan I learned that disagreeing (strongly!) about theology does not have to be a division in the church.  At BCF they’ve learned how to deal with an even faster turnover rate: make people a part of the church right away!  Thus, I found myself after my third visit being asked to read scripture on my fourth Sunday.  I’ve spoken in church before (and played a lot) but I’ve never read.  It was an honor, a pleasure, and Dad will be happy to know even the non-native speakers understood me. ;)  For the record it was Hosea 11:12 - 13:16.  Not exactly a topic for a girl whose one sermon was on joy!  Luckily, I didn’t have to preach.

After the service (I only laughed in appropriate spots) we had lunch and the Annual Church Meeting.  Being odd as I am I enjoyed the financial reports, but also the various reports given by church members.  It’s a good look into a church and its ministry.  I also got to know a few more people, and BCF is still holding the record for proportion of interesting people in any given place.  With people from all seasons of my life reading this it is in danger of causing offense.  My dear friends will always remain dear, but for every dear friend there are ten or so acquaintances from mere circumstance.  I don’t think they’re reading my blog, so none of you have to be offended by the fact that there is such a high number of interesting people I connect with here.  In any case you should never take anything I say too seriously and I never mean to offend.  One of my favorite quotes is “I don’t necessarily agree with everything I say.”  I think out loud, I blabber, and I change my mind (and sometimes I simply don’t think).

Like right now it’s time for bed and I’ve taken four paragraphs to talk about one day.  Monday I had a delightful chat with my sister and some time with my nephew.  His first words were “I’ve never seen you.”  I’ve obviously been gone for too long!  “I’ll see you this summer!” I said, so he promptly told his mother “She’s coming tonight to see us!”  If only I could.

Tuesday I went to the young adults (I think) Bible study with BCF.  It was a small group, only four, so my determination to listen a lot and speak little fell through.  It was a blessing to discuss the word with other believers again, though.  I’ve been walking in joy with the Lord since my retreat to Pontresina (I’ll write about it someday, I will), but there really is something special and important about discussing the Word with others.  The day was also full of classes, and I visited one I’d not been to before.  There were three students, including myself, and we starting talking soon after the “lecture” began.  What a way to study: sit around a table with interesting and knowledgeable people as you contemplate the mysteries of documents left us by people hundreds of years ago.

Today I had my second harp lesson and it went well.  What fun!  I feel so special carrying my harp on the tram.  It’s such a special instrument!  I also had a meeting with Ken Zuckerman and taught me part of a medieval tune by ear (on harp).  If it had been an Irish tune it would not have taken long, but the structure and ornamentation is totally different and will take some time to wrap my mind around, not to mention I’m not comfortable on the instrument yet either.  I practiced right after the meeting and I think I remember it all.  Learning by ear is a great way to really understand how a piece is put together, though.

I learned of a concert at the last minute and though the pull for home was strong, I went and was not disappointed.  It was a posaune (early trombone) concert and it, like the other concerts I’ve been to here, was amazing!  Sixteen instrumentalists and singers played an hour of beautiful music and I don’t remember hearing one cracked note.  This was a student recital!  Beautiful.

I’ll close by sharing a quote from the text of one of the pieces we looked at in class on Tuesday.  I’m sure it sounds better in the original French (Onques n’ama qui pour si po hay).

“He never loved me who could hate for so little.”

I personally think this lady has a valid complaint given all the examples in mythology and lore of the jealous husband believing some rumor about his wife and killing her in a rage only to find out she was innocent – oh and then he turns back to words of love!  But I don’t want to alienate my male audience so I’ll change the circumstances a little.  Imagine God is the lady speaking and we are his lover.  How quickly do we forget all of God’s goodness and faithfulness and fall into despair when we experience trouble.  Truly we never loved in the first place if we can stop loving “for so little.”