Monastery






















There are stories everywhere. Today I found one in the deep, lovely mountains and the crystal river that meandered through the gorge, sometimes morphing into a lake, sometimes becoming a plunging waterfall. You see, I was in search of a monastery, and I accidentally found two. Well, sort of.























Note my poor choice of attire for the occasion. Anyway, I'm going to share the monastery photos later, with their own photo story. Trust me, it is a tale of its own. Today...






















The trail started at the base of the mountains and most turbulent part of the river, with some traveler lodges and a bridge spanning the water. I fell in love with this little red house perched on a rock all by itself. I really don't understand how it balances.























The trail managed to wind through the mountains while traveling alongside the river/lake at all times. It felt like a combination of The Great Wall of China, Hadrian's Wall, and Loch Ness. At one point the river forked off and the left branch disappeared into the mountain, while the right branch merged into a dam. I was struck by the contrast of shimmering water and corroded cement. It looked a little like a geode cracked open, center shimmering, plain rock surrounding.























The mountain air was a refreshing contrast to city air. Lungs expand, oxygen exchanges, life continues. This air has a crisp, cool quality that leaves you expectant at the end of each breath. Even if survival did not require you to keep on breathing, you would.



Be Still






















After finals week ended, I spent a few days catching up with friends, catching my breath. I felt an urgency to find quiet and rest after a productive, busy, exciting, yet scattered and fragmented semester. It's amazing how the human soul is wired to need order and peace, to resolve disorder and discordance.

 "Be still, and know that I am God." Be still, even though your heart is fearful and the tension in your chest feels like it will explode. Find the stillness and you will find Me. Though you are pressed on every side and everyone around you sings the anthem of racing time and deadlines, be still. 

And in quiet, I feel peace. I know that it is all a vapor, this life. A vapor that lasts a minute, and then is gone. 

And yet. The brevity of time gives it meaning. I'm home with my family for just a few weeks, but we can carve out our own little eternity. We are given all the time that we need. And for this I am thankful.