calzone77's Xanga

Final week...

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:13:14 GMT

Carol, Heidi, Melissa, April and I had a good experience sharing with the Science Ridge congregation about our sabbatical travels. We were glad to come back to Willow Springs for lunch and the shower for Gracie!

I’m in my final week of this 2007 sabbatical. What a refreshing, interesting time. The experiences of the pasts few months have been awesome; better than I had hoped for. Of course God and you are directly involved. Thanks again for all your prayers!!!

Peace in Christ! Cal

European Log 6

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:06:58 GMT

Last week flew by as I made a trip to Goshen on Tuesday. I used the Mennonite Historical Library, had supper with Jenna, then we went to a presentation on the Year of the Anabaptist in Switzerland. It was interesting since we had been there and knew what the presenters we talking about. Wednesday I used the library more, visited Ruth Kauffman and JL Burkholder and used the new library at AMBS.

I continue reading Acts and in various articles about Anabaptist Vision.

Life from Jesus is true reality! + Cal +

PS Sunday we will be presenting reflection from our travels at Science Ridge MC.

European Log 6

July 25, Wednesday - After saying Auf Wiedersehen to the Weisert’s, we hopped in the minivan for the Black Forest. We stopped in Tititsee. What a beautiful village right next to a lake surround by the Black Forest. A lot of shops and people we found. We also saw thousands of Cuckoo clocks.

In this area, Michael Sattler gave himself to the Anabaptist movement after working as the Abbot of a monastery in the Black Forest. He traveled in this area a lot. I imagined him traveling as we headed to the village of Schleitheim, where early Anabaptist affirmed a confession of faith together. Michael prepared much of the first draft. We found the director of the Scheitheim museum who then met us at the village museum. We explored a room with Anabaptist displays including a 1550 copy of the Scleitheim Confession. Amazing.

After a short journey we found ourselves at the Rheinfalls near Schaffhausen. The power of the river impressed us all. The roar. The foam. The huge volume of water! What an amazing sight. To view the falls we started at the top of a hill in a castle and worked our way down to the river. It cost one Swiss Franc - about .75 - to see this phenomena of creation.

As we approached our Youth Hostel for the evening, Bob Carter greeted us. What a treat to then share the evening with Bob - supper in an outdoor café, walking around the old town of Schaffhausen, finding ice cream and visiting along the Rhine River. Awesome company, the perfect weather, great food brought the conclusion to our final day in Europe.

July 26, Thursday - After an early breakfast we took off for the Zurich Airport. Here the road led us back into Germany. We spent some time at the boarder, we drove in Germany a few miles and then were waved on coming back into Switzerland. We fueled up. We ran into some construction. Finally we made it to the airport and checked the van back in. 3936 kilometers traveled. Thanks for safety, O Lord! We boarded immediately and took off for Philadelphia at10:25 am.

Steve and Eldon Eigsti picked us up at O’hare. We were all a bit exhausted after traveling with the sun all day long.

Our trip exploring Anabaptist/Mennonite life and history was over. What varied and amazing experience to ponder. What major blessings to meet new friends in Christ. What rich family experiences. The Lord is good!

European Log 5

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 13:59:56 GMT

Sunday morning Vernice, Carol and I worshiped with the Fairfield Amish Mennonite Church just south of Tampico. The worship service included quite a bit of singing, a devotional sermon, the regular sermon, witness to the sermon, and kneeling for prayer a couple of times. After visiting for a while after the service, we headed to the pastor's home for dinner. We visited until about 3:30. What a great experience!

One thing we talked about is how different Anabaptist groups "draw the line" of separation from the world in different places. I ponder where we draw the line.

I continue in Acts. Today, I travel to Goshen to attend the Goshen Mennonite Historical Societies meeting about Switzerland's Tauferjahr 07. I also plan supper with Jenna!

Jesus is alive for our continued journey. + Cal +

European Log

July 22, Sun - Worship with Enkenbach Mennonite Church. The pastor gave a sermon using the illustration of doors. Occasionally through the sermon he would summarize in English for us. We do go through many doors where God hopes we would enter. Jesus is with us on this journey to help us discern which doors are the way of God. We toured the church building construction of a new kitchen and fellowship hall. After that we walked back home passing by a memorial that mentioned the PAX Boys. The Mennonite in Enkenbach arrived as refugees relocated with the help of MCC and with the PAX Boys building houses and the church. 600 were relocated from Prussia. They had been through terrible situations with the German army invading and the Russians forcing the Germans back out. MCC opened a new door. The PAX Boys hung doors for them to walk through to a new life in a new Mennonite community.

We walked to a near by Italian Restaurant for lunch. We visited with Andreas and ate a great lunch. We rested in the afternoon. Carol and I headed to Kaiserslautern and worshiped with a church plant group. We knew all the song tunes and were able to read the German to sing. There were about 20 people there as they are reaching out the area around them. Another interesting and fulfilling Sunday in Europe.

July 23, Monday -Visited Weierhof, a Mennonite village with the German Mennonite Archives and Library. Gary Waldner told us of what is going on in the Churches in Germany and their archives. He pulled out a Martyrs Mirror and Asbund printed in the 1700's. These came from the family of Joseph Zehr. We were able to look them over. The beginning pages had genealogy recorded in them. We got the keys to the Mennonite Church and looked around. We also explored the Cemetery and walked through this predominantly Mennonite town.

Next we explored Heidelberg. We walked by the university where many great philosophers studied and conversed. We rode up a very steep hill by train to the Heidelberg castle. This castle was a whole complex of walls and buildings. Then we headed to Gerd and Julianne’s house. Over the past nine years, Gerd’s family has been at Starland HB three times while we were there too.

We had supper with them and took a walk in the village. It was so special to be at there house.

July 24, Tuesday - Gerd, Julianne, Carol and I began the day reading scripture and singing together - a huge blessing! In the morning, we headed to a castle/palace on the edge of Ludwigsburg. What an expression of the Baroque period art!!! I have never seen anything like it in all my life. We walked about 1.2 miles on our tour. Late afternoon, after Sheila, Mya and Vanna were home from school we took of for Bad Wimpfen. We explored this walled, 12^th century, medieval village. We climbed to see the view over the wall. We checked out on of the village churches. We all ate a late supper. Gerd, Julianne, Carol and I stayed up an conversed in a lot of areas.

***

European Log 4

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:25:42 GMT

What a blessing to be with Willow Springs on Sunday morning for worship and the meal honoring Carol A. birthday!

This week I am reading Acts and beginning some study in past work around Anabaptist Vision.

In the Hope of the Kingdom, +Cal+

July 19, Th - We headed back to Amsterdam in the morning to Singelkerk, a huge "hidden church." What a deal to walk into a sanctuary that can seat 400 through storefronts that simply looked like offices. A few building spaces to the right - a huge, obvious church. The Dutch government would let the Mennonites meet here it just could not be obvious that here was a church. It was n’t the official church after all! We took a city boat tour on the canals of Amsterdam. Then did some walking around downtown. I had a kip for lunch - a name for a sandwich. Next, we hoped in the van to go north. A highlight was a drive over a 15 mile dike to get to Northern Holland, Friesland. We found some Menno Simons sights - Pijgum, the church where he was a Catholic Priest and a small hidden church. We found, a monument to him, just North of Witmarsum, his home town. In town there is a church and street named after him. In the evening we ate at a Café in St. Annaprochie. The staff were very friendly and introduced us to some traditional Dutch foods, like Croquets. What an interesting and fun day.

Overnight we stayed in Tine de Jong Vegter’s house which was actually a house/barn under one roof. We had seen so many of these. Now we stayed in one.

July 20, F - In St. Annaprochie, we did a little shopping. Saw a hidden church that Tine attends. We also saw an octagonal church where Rembrandt was married. We headed out to Giethoorn - the Holland Venice. This village streets are canals. There are sidewalks with foot bridges. We rented an electric outboard powered "Whisper Boat" and toured the town. What beautiful houses and flowers. Some lots had animals grazing on them. Giethoorn was originally settled with all Mennonites since they were able to live here without much "interference" from others due to needing a boat to get around. We entered a larger lake area and found a restaurant for lunch. Heading back we ended up in some interesting spots. One in the middle of a wedding party and guests in boats. Somehow I made the corner into boat traffic and there we were in a line of boats with people that had been to a wedding. Then a rain shower came upon us. We pulled out three umbrella’s the man at the rental house gave us.

We headed over to Germany, stopping at Zwolle on the way. At the boarder all there was indicating the boarder like crossing a state line in America.

We arrived to the Stobbe-Dibbert house had a great visit and played the German version of "Mennonite Poker." Mennonite Your Way sure has been a blessing on this trip.

July 21, Sat - This day, we headed south along the Rhine River Valley stopping at Cologne and Bonn. The Cologne Dome Cathedral is the largest in Germany. What a thought to ponder that thousands go to that place as tourist. Only a few attend worship there as followers f Christ. In Bonn, we hopped on a river boat to head up river to Konigswinter. Then got off had some ice cream, looked around and got on another boat heading back to Bonn. As we rode we saw castles, churches, villages and churches. We had some great exposure to the Rhine River and may have gotten a parking ticket. Our phase book could not quite translate the paper under our wiper blade.

We landed at Andrea and Jolene Wehner’s house where we got settled. Carol did some laundry. I cleaned out the van. Heidi laid down since she had a fever. After supper we took a walk around the village.

European Log 3

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:46:18 GMT

We visited Science Ridge Mennonite Church on Sunday morning. Bridget Donaldson, our niece brought the morning message on find our refuge and strength in the Lord.

I am reading the Gospel of John this week.

Labor Day has been good to catch up on some odds and ends around the house.

Jesus continues full of grace and truth!!! + Cal+

July 16, M - We had stress and lunch in downtown Strasbourg, France. The traffic was crazy. Wow, was it ever hard to order lunch. Went to phenomenally Beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral. Then our trip took us through the Alsace area to discover our long lost Zehr cousin in Struth France. We drove through town and discovered an old cemetery on the edge of town. There were some old tombstones with the Zehr name. I asked about a building with Zehr on it. (I think that might actually be in Switzerland.) Being hot and sweaty, I decided to wash my hands and face at the city fountain. I gave my card to the lady cleaning the fountain. After she looked at it she said, "Some one with Zehr family name lives here." She scampered off and returned inviting me across the street. I retrieved the family for a brief visit with our long lost cousin. The great grandmother of the women we visited with was a Zehr. We sang some songs and said, Good bye." We thought it would be easy to order so, we ate supper at a French McDonald’s. Wrong about easy to order. But it worked out fine. Overnight at the Etap in Nancy.

July 17, T - We had a time finding a bank to cash travelers checks before we left for Paris. Travel to Paris reminded us a bit like traveling through Illinois. I can see why some of the early Illinois migrations felt right at home in Illinois. We checked into Etap just north of the city and took a public bus to the Opera house. Let someone else do the driving!!! Then, we hopped on a bus to sit on the top deck and explore Paris in a none driving way. Saw the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Seine River, Notre Dame Cathedral, A huge roundabout around a square arch Napoleon had built. Shopped. Saw an amazing store with church like interior dome. Supper at a Greek restaurant.

July 18, W - Made a visit to St. Denis Cathedral in St Denis. St, Dionysus, a disciple of the Apostle Paul was buried there along with lots and lots of French Kings and Queens. We bought sandwiches for the road and where off to Amsterdam. There we were moved by the story of Anne Frank’s family as we went through the Anne Frank House. We had supper at an Italian restaurant on a canal with an Egyptian waiter. We stayed with some Dutch Mennonites. They lamented about the decline of involvement in the church. They are very active in the Mennonite Church, yet their children and grand children are not interested in the church.

***

European Log 2

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:29:21 GMT

We left Saturday morning at 5:45 for Goshen. Our trip had one snag where Interstate 80/94 was closed due to water over the lanes. We created our own detour and made it to Goshen in time for Jenna to register for GC. We attended orientation meetings. Heidi, Melissa and April shared quite a bit of time with our niece, Leah and friend, Jeron. On Saturday and Sunday, Carol and I had a great time connecting with some people we had not seen in years. Jenna got settled in. Her roommate, Ingrid, and she, I think, will do good together keeping life interesting and fun.

Last week, I read through Luke. This week Matthew.

The Kingdom of God is in you! + Cal +

European Log 2

July 13, F - In the morning we realized we were at the base of a mountain with the possibility of heading up the mountain on a lift. Viewing the Alps at Brenner Pass revealed the beauty of the scenery around us. Jorge Blaurock often traveled through this Tyrolian area to Northern Italy, where we traveled today - Klaussen or Clousia. Wow, a very impressive part of the world. We ate lunch in the open air. Here is where Jorge Blaurock was killed. Then back to CH to Roland and Marianne’s for supper and the night. They belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. Our fellowship with then was rich. After supper we took a beautiful walk up the street on the side of a mountain hearing cowbells from the grazing cows in the distance.

July 14, Sat - We started this day with breakfast, devotional time and singing with Roland and Marianne. Then, a few hours at Ballenberg Open Air Museum. We saw many architecture forms for houses and farms from different parts of Switzerland. The Alps and Alpine lakes are beautiful with a green hue coming from them. Late afternoon we traveled to the Bern Etap Hotel. We search for a place to eat and ended up at the restaurant for supper. Thank the Lord for the sabbatical grant. The national Swiss Gigathaoln was ending right across the street at the Bern Expo. The possible six day race came to a noisy end with the crowd cheering and making noise. The girls stayed on that side of the hotel, so it Carol and I had it much quieter on our side.

July 15, Sun - We headed to Langnau to worship with the Langnau Mennonite Church. Nancy, our gps, led us to the building. We saw no other cars around so I asked a man standing by the rood. He said there was not a worship service there today but in a barn on a mountain. Following the congregation would share in a cookout and visit with each other. The service included singing, a drama for the children a sermon, sharing and prayer. Peter Kipfer summarized the sermon for us in English. We met Mirjam from South Africa. She is currently doing a dissertation on Mennonite Women in missions. After lunch we explored the Trachselwald Castle where Anabaptist were imprisoned. Then we looked around at the Langnau Cemetery and drove up the mountain to the forest where Anabaptist’s often worshiped. Late afternoon and evening we shared time with Peter and Heidrun Kipfer, of Emmenmatt. What a blessing. They served us herb teas (mint, elderberry blossom and melissa) on the back porch. We visited about life in Switzerland and America. Heidum served us a salad, mashed potato and gravy supper. After supper we took a walk and skipping stones along a stream, playing Around-the-world ping pong and ate ice cream together. The farming areas of the Emmental are very picturesque. I hoped we would have a day of rich interaction with a church here in Switzerland. This day exceeded my expectations. What a huge blessing!

***

Europe Log 1

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:58:46 GMT

My sabbatical time continues. I continue with daily readings from Reading the Anabaptist Bible: Reflections for Every Day of the Year. Last week I read through the Gospel of Mark. I journal as I read and reflect. This week I am reading Luke.

Over the next couple of weeks I will include a portion of the log from our trip in Europe.

Peace in Christ! Cal

C C Zehr Europe Travels, July 10-26, 2007

July 10, T - Travel to Zurich.

Connie Kr. chauffeured us to O’HARE International Airport. Our flight left late due to heavy weather in Ohio and earlier storms on the East coast. We left an hour late. Upon arrival at Philadelphia we thought we had about 5 minutes before our plane to Zurich was to take off. We put our selves in high gear and away we went with Jenna and Melissa in the lead. After a substantial hike we made it to the gate the time our plane was suppose to leave. It’s departure had been delayed and hour. We rejoiced! Little did we know there we hurried in vain. A couple of hours later, we boarded the jet as maintenance "completed" a routine oil filter change in the engine. After we were all in the jet, the captain said we should be leaving soon. A bit later, he said he did not know when we would take off. Why? Maintenance could not get one of the engine covers to close. They looked for the part - a pin. They needed to find someone to install it. Instead of taking off at 6:00 pm, we departed at around 11:00. Since the plane wasn’t full, we stretched our in multiple seats for the night flight.

July 11, W - Arrive Zurich not at 8:05 am, but 1:00 pm. We rented our minivan and drove to the Swiss Reformed Church office to drop off the Willow Springs letter, plate and mug. A couple of years ago the Swiss Reformed church issued a "Statement of Regret" for the persecution and killing of Anabaptists in the 16^th century. The secretary met us and received our delivery. Next we walked in Zurich: Grossmunster - a reformed catherdral, Zwingli statue, town hall, St. Peter’s clock tower, Limmat River were Felix Mantz was drowned, Konrad Grebel’s house.

Lodging at Jona Youth Hostel, CH

July 12, Th - After a typical European breakfast of bread, buns, cheese, jams and jellies we took a walk to Lake Zurich and looked at Busskirch, a small Roman Catholic Church. Next up, our Anabaptist adventure to the Tauferhohle (Anabaptist Cave). Wow, what hike. What an amazing journey the early Anabaptist led as they desired to gather as the community of believers and worship the Lord. The scenery proclaimed the glory of God. We shared a devotional time in the cave. Groceries from the fresh market made up our lunch and then to Innsbruck, Austria. Many tunnels! Some very long, ten or 15 miles. We arrived looked around in the main part of old town. We saw two white busses with blue lights pull up and a bunch of dressed up people came out to look around. I saw a folder that read, "European Union Economic Security Council . We saw where Jacob Hutter was burned at the stake in front of the Golden Daule. We saw and heard a couple of marching bands pass by as we ate our supper in a café along the street. We also learned how to get out of the parking garage. :)

Lodging at Steinach Youth Hostel, A

An Amazing Journey

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:16:24 GMT

Wow, what a positive experience traveling through Europe seeing different parts of the world and interacting in the love of Jesus with persons we had never met before. What a huge treat to share time with German friends we had met over the years at Starland and especially sharing an evening with Bob Carter in Northern Switzerland. What a special time. AND, thanks for the Italian ice cones, Bob!

Our travels were safe and relatively smooth. We had a good time of rest on vacation in Arkansas last week. The water activity was very nice.

Thanks so much for your prayers that sustained our journey. We now will be with my parents a couple of days.

I will catch you later! More reflections to follow. Love, Cal

Our journey continues

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:40:07 GMT

We had an excellent week in San Jose at the Mennonite Convention. Travels went well. The convention input was stimulating! The worship was refreshing. Our group time was excellent! A "huge blessing" is the best way to describe the week. More later. Many, many thinks to those that helped make this trip possible!!! (If you go to the web site of "The Mennonite" you can find some daily summery videos of the week. http://www.themennonite.org/ Watch for us in them.)

Now. today we travel. We arrive into Zurich tomorrow morning, or in the middle of the night here.

I think we are all ready for some major family adventure to where some radical Anabaptists journeyed around. The Lord goes before us. Thanks for your prayers!!!

I need to keep moving. Peace be with you! As the Father sent Jesus, We are also sent! Love in Christ, +Cal+

Kingdom Blessings

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 03:31:41 GMT

We arrived back to Tiskilwa on Thursday evening. We came from Starland HB, Gibbon MN. On Wednesday, we traveled from Winkler, MB, to Starland. As we arrived home, the trip odometer read 2,222.4 miles. :)

What a blessed time as we traveled and interacted with people along the way.

People at:

Sargent Ave Mennonite Church, Winnipeg. The first worship service of the morning is a shorter one in German. Their other worship service followed the same format as Willow Springs. We felt right at home. During the coffee time following the service people were so friendly to all of us.

The Epp house, Winnipeg. We shared Faspa, a Russian snack/supper, with the Epps, and visited a long time. We could have stayed longer, but it was time to move on.

Crystal Spring HB, Ste. Agathe. The girls played telephone dictionary until late. Carol and I visited until late. The Elder of the Schiemdeleut group of the Hutterites lives there. I enjoyed our conversation. We spent the night there and headed to Plum Coulee on Monday morning.

The Canada MCC Warehouse. Here we worked together as a family to serve other people in distant places of the world through the ministry of Mennonites in Canada through MCC. We packed relief kits, wrapped baled clothing in waterproof covering for shipping, packed caps for Liberia, lined wooded crates to ship blankets and took inventory of relief kit supplies.

Wilf, the director, took time to share with us about the work of MCC and some recent trips to Darfur and Kenya. Wow, what a powerful ministry MCC performs! Wow, we have so many material goods.

Winkler with our hosts the Redekop’s. They welcomed us. They taught us so much about the area and the Mennonite groups there. Mennonites comprise about 90 % of Winkler’s population. Our conversations went to sundown, about 10:00 pm! Our fellowship in the Lord continues to impact me. Our daughters enjoyed the company of the Redekop’s 20 year old daughter. The Redekop’s hospitality blessed our lives richly!

Overnight at Starland. Again, we shared life with our friends. Their expression of community always challenges me deeply. We laughed. Ate together and stayed up late.

The Lord helped plan this trip. I learned more than I had hoped or could even plan on my own. Our family time of fellowship with others enriches our lives in many ways. Kingdom blessings!!!

The last couple of days have been getting ready for San Jose 2007. I finished preparations for the youth seminar our group will lead: Are you a radical dude or just plain tired? Pray for us on Tuesday and Friday.

The next aspect of Roots, Branches and Leaves will bring more Anabaptist discoveries and a deeper sense that the Kingdom is in us and among us!!!

+ Cal +

PS Heidi and Melissa are now 16!!!