Exploring Zurich

We arrived in Zurich about a week ago and after feeling overwhelmed I decided to spend a week organizing the apartment, getting familiar with my immediate surroundings, and getting a routine down.  This helped me feel like I was settling into a new home base.  For some reason, it took a rainy day for me to feel comfortable enough to explore Zurich.  Rain is magical, comforting, and adds an extra element of clarity and peace to the day.  God knows the small things that touch us and gives us what we need to keep going.

I met Matt for lunch at his office today and one thing I love about being married (especially to Matt) is when we see each other, no matter what we're doing before, we melt into this safe zone.  When we sat down to eat we completely relaxed.  We’re a team but still have to individually conquer and battle each day so being together feels like rejuvenation.  We have each other to heal, rest, relax, and take a break from the world.  It’s wonderful knowing we can create a beautiful world between the two of us.  I’m so proud of him and all the hard work he does.  

After lunch, I was at the main train station about to go home when my heart wouldn’t let me.  Something inside me was saying “No.  You need to keep walking.  There’s something to discover…you’re not done here.”  There’s been a couple times in my life where I was pulled so strongly in a direction I couldn’t deny it.  This was one of those times and off I went.  Around the main train station is a never ending supply of nice stores and hotels.  It had just begun raining but I had an umbrella and nothing was stopping me.  Zurich has very much a city feel but you also sense its deep history and quaintness.  The rain fed my appetite for adventure so I started turning down any alleyway or small street I could.  There was an English bookstore which I ran into without hesitation.  There’s something so inspiring about a big room full of books waiting to be read.  Had it not been for the insanely high prices (Zurich is very expensive) I would've walked out with at least 5 books.


After that it was my goal to find a local chocolate store.  The Swiss take pride in their chocolate and with good reason.  I wish I could explain why it’s different but it just is.  Afterwards I took the Bahnhofstrasse home (a street car) and felt like the day was a success. As a side note, the food is amazing here too!  The quality in Swiss grocery stores surpasses America any day.  I didn’t realize how processed and pumped with chemicals American food was until I tasted the food here.  


As I recap my adventure I’m so grateful for the desires planted in our hearts by Heavenly Father.  If we allow ourselves, we can feel the direction our heart is pulling us.  I felt mine pull so strongly because of being completely and utterly open.  Open to go home or to not go home.  Open to whatever it was my heart was seeking in the moment.  It’s not easy.  It took me almost 2 weeks to be open.  Before then, I was nervous and unsure until I created a foundation and familiarity in my life.  This experience also reinforced how important a stable home life is.  Without one I wouldn’t have felt as open or free to venture away from home and discover the unknown.  So thankful for Heavenly Father’s patience and desire for me to have joy.  He wants the same for you too!



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