Evendays

January 8 marks the anniversary of our official arrival in Switzerland 21 years ago. It was the day we became permanent foreigners. We questioned our staying power about 5 years after our arrival. Doubts also pop up when members leave, or when we’ve suffered a major defeat, or when ideas refuse to flow, or our hearts grow stubborn to change, or when people we’ve counted on suspect our motives. Wife’s Father told me in 1983 that it would take 30 to 35 years for the church to be mature enough to make it on its own. He said too many people had come for 2, 5 or 10 years and then left before the work was done. I can understand why. But most of us stay “here” because this is where we were put, and after a while roots go down too deep to leave. You get used to being a foreigner. And you think maybe this is where God wants you for now. Just think, 1095 Sundays with the same preacher! What a patient Body! Sometimes people ask us what we miss most about the USA. For me, it’s the 4 F-s: Family, Fellowship, Football and FCostco. Thanks for stopping by.

Today is January 6. Epiphany Day. Ukrainian Christmas. The day of the Kings (I know, Magi, but here they say Kings). The day we take down the Advent Calendar. It’s Wife’s Father’s Saint day. He learned at age 5, while attending the village school for the first time, that his first name was NOT Stephan, but rather EPIPHANIUS. You can imagine the trauma as the classmates made up a song honoring little Epiphanius. The priest could name a newly baptized child whatever he wanted. Though the parents chose Stephan, when baptism came around (near May 13, after the melting of winter snows) the priest chose that “blessed” name. Needless to say, as soon as Father-in-law had the chance, he became Epi Bilak. He chose a name he wanted. Today’s Epiphany Day. Brother and Sisters Bilak will make bread CROWNS… Six buns baked in a circle, one of which hides a porcelin king. He who finds it (without breaking a tooth) is crowned for the day. So we celebrate the day with a fun tradition, tinged with a bit of sadness. But Hope states that Epi has received the crown he always wanted and a new name. One made for eternity.

A once-upon-a-time-good friend from Morges, Switzerland used to listen every December 31 to U2’s New Year’s Day:

And so we are told this is the golden age And gold is the reason for the wars we wage. Though I want to be with you, To be with you night and day. Nothing changes on New Year’s Day.

The song echoes the opinion that, try as you might, nothing changes, even on New Year’s Day. Another snappy (love that word!) tune on my Mac is by Carolyn Arends.

I buy a lot of diaries Fill them full of good intentions Each and every New Year’s Eve I make myself a list All the things I’m gonna change Until January 2nd…

Poor Carolyn… But she keeps singing…

So this time I’m making one promise… Chorus: This will be my resolution Every day is New Year’s Day. (repeat) One more chance to start all over One more chance to change and grow One more chance to grab a hold of grace And never let it goooooo… (Repeat chorus until you believe it…)

I know I desire for change in my own life: Less anger; more love, thankfulness and contentedness; greater devotion. And I know it’s possible, despite disenchanted lyrics. For the Spirit does say that we ARE being transformed…