Dedication, fish pond, and Gregorian chants

What a busy day! We worked all day, as usual. Mark taught his class with the help of his interpreter, and I sliced and diced and managed not to cut off a finger. I am actually pretty pleased that we've had several minor nicks and cuts on the kitchen team and so far I am unscathed :)

Mid-day we paused to dedicate a building that has undergone renovation from a cow barn to a three story student housing building. These sorts of renovations are a challenge for any non-profit, and TCM is no different. The two church groups who are here working were instrumental in funding this work and it was fun to see it dedicated. We all wrote blessings and scripture verses on the timbers of the top two floors which are about to be finished. Being here has us both remembering Mark's Dad and Mom's years with TCM and so we included them on the timber we signed, with Howard's customary "Shalom!" (peace)

From the top floor of the new building, we could look down at the fish pond which volunteers are currently scouring out. We walked by the work on the way back and I thought, "What does this smell remind me of?" And I realized that it was the smell of Amy's fishtank when it really needed cleaning. :)  It's been a dirty, slimey, physically demanding job and they've done a great job. It DOES make me glad that I work in the kitchen where it smells better, though!

At dinner we had a table full of people who spoke Russian. For part of the dinner they talked loudly and intensley on some subject, and I wondered if it was a deep theological discussion, or politics, or what it was they were so passionate about. When we became involved in the conversation with those who spoke some english, it turned out they were talking about dieting and about how they use their iphone's fitness app to count calories and exercise. It is so fun to get to know these folks and realize again and again how much we have in common.

After dinner, some of us walked down to the Stift to attend Compline in their 800 year old church. The ancient Gregorian chants sung by the monks echoed on the stone walls and made time stand still. This daily service is one that has been performed there continuously for almost 1000 years. Although we are not Catholic, the monks are welcoming, as are those who attend there. I am always inspired to hear people worship the same God I do, even if in a different language and with a different tradition than mine. I had this pleasure in Mexico City years ago, and now here in the Vienna Woods in an ancient abbey. What a blessing to me.

Afterwards, we went to the restaurant on the grounds of the stift for a dessert. And what a dessert it was - it was as big as my head!! Fortunately it was a few miles there and back and so just maybe,  I walked off a few of the calories I took in.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow, when we get to sleep in a teeny bit, attend a multi-lingual worship service, and stroll through the city of Baden. It will be a nice break from days where the work doesn't end until 7:30.