simply homemaker

Dear everyone,

It’s late here in Switzerland (1AM). I’m all cozied up under my blanket, with my cinnamon and apple spiced candle burning in the corner, in my Madewell blue gown. I just came back from worship night at the Chapel as I joined Switzerland, specifically the canton of St. Gallen, in celebrating the National Day of Prayer!

This past week has been fast and really good. I finally started school on Tuesday! As part of my European culture class, I got to go on a 2-hour guided tour of the city and that was such a treat for me, who loves learning about the history and unique aspects of places she visits. Afterwards, I stopped by two different stores to get candles and matches, hence the fall-themed candle. It’s been so much more homely because of this little treat, as the weather in St. Gallen quickly dropped down to the 40s and I was in turtlenecks and trench coats for most of the week. I packed almost an entire suitcase full of winter clothes and gear, and did not expect how soon I would need it!

I also started going to my first Bible study in St. Gallen! Remember my friend Michaela, whom I got coffee with after church last week? Well, we got coffee, became friends, and decided to go to this Bible study together! The bus ride was 25 minutes outside of Old Town St. Gallen and landed us in the city of Gossau. The couple who are the hosts, Frank and Melanie Moll, love the Lord and help lead service of the church I started attending. Frank is German, and Melanie is actually from the U.S., which is so interesting to me! We had a great time of diving deep into the Word and getting to know each other over tea afterwards. There were many girls present at the Bible study, including the Moll daughters and students the family has “adopted” in this season, so I made some new friends as well! One of those friends is Savannah, Frank and Melanie’s daughter, who only became a believer over two years ago. We connected after Bible study and ended up going to get coffee today after my class. It was so sweet of the Lord to have given me Christian girlfriends in this completely unfamiliar city, which was not really what I thought I’d need most being here, but they have made this place much more joyful (P/s: I do really like Starbucks and yes, I got the pumpkin spiced latte, but I truly can’t pay 9.3 francs for a coffee again. That’s like $12. I just can’t).

Last night at the chapel during worship I felt the Lord gently speak to me: “I am your shepherd.” This season of change can feel overwhelming and unnerving. But as I bring my worries and fears to Him again and again He tells me to not fret, to wait for Him, to see Him do something new in my life. As life in Switzerland is slowly taking place, it can be easy to forget that this is such an unexpected gift from Him, the literal “green pastures” I am experiencing, the quiet waters of life, filled with beauty and friendship and growth.

I’m also experiencing many new things! Last night some people from my building decided to make sushi, and I have not made sushi since I was in middle school! I also take the bus again now everywhere, and even though public transportation here can be more expensive compared to the rest of Europe, it is so easy and convenient. I’m experiencing Fall in Europe for the very first time, and even though the sudden cold weather while there are no yellow leaves on the tree can feel a little disorienting, it does not make the pumpkin spice latte or the apple candle any less warm and special. I’m also hoping to host Friendsgiving for this MBA cohort comes November, so I won’t break my streak of being Friendsgiving host every year since graduating college 🙂 I love fall, gratitude, everything that belongs on the Thanksgiving menu, earthy colors, and the smell of a bonfire. It is just the season for me. I’m so glad to finally have the chance to experience it here.

In Switzerland, amidst doing very fun and new things, I am also applying and interviewing for jobs. I just took the GRE and got a decent score – and I might consider taking it again soon if finances allow to get an even better one. It’s so odd to think that the MBA is ending sooner than I am noticing, and that next May I will be walking the stage of my graduate degree and will likely be back in the workforce, if that is the Lord’s will for me. This break from my career has allowed me to experience so much in my 20s. From adding so many more countries to my list, to getting involved with campus ministry and making so many new friends, to learning about community as a young adult, to working for an airline and traveling every other weekend, and most importantly, to knowing God’s plan is higher and better than mine, I thank the Lord for that day over a year ago when I sat down at my desk on a Monday morning and learned that I might not have a job in 2 months.

Today is Saturday, which is my Sabbath, and I spent the day touring a cheese factory in a mountain town of Switzerland! We took the bus to the beautiful town of Appenzell, which is quickly becoming my favorite, and tasted lots of different types of cheese. It was so fun to see how cheese is made, and I am learning to love love love cheese (emphasizing here). I bought a wedge of fresh-cut 9-month cheese and literally snacked on it on the way home from the cheese factory, which made me feel very Swiss. On the way home, my friends Khiem, Pri, and I also stopped by the St. Gallen farmers market, and we tried so much (more) cheese, jam, local lox, and more. I bought the best pistachio ice-cream I’ve had from this guy who owns an ice-cream shop after graduating with a degree in entrepreneurship during COVID. We went home, made schnitzel and pomodoro pasta with herbs given to us by the cheese shop, and ate the rest of my cheese wedge with red grapes. Hmmmmmmm. It was so good.

I have always been a fan of little great moments. They make for the best, sweetest days. Praising Jesus for allowing me to have this time pursuing little moments of joy in my singleness, like going to a cheese factory with friends on Saturday or taking German class or planning a fall break trip to one of the most exciting locations ever.

I’m so grateful to have this season of life and experience the Lord’s kindness while having so much support from my family and friends. Just soaking these days up, one day at a time.

Second week was a success, I would say. Big shout out to Victoria and mama Julie, who would send me voice messages and set up a weekly call with me! Getting my own set of Rummikub at a Swiss bookstore while being on the phone with mama Julie is an experience I’d never forget. And even more thankful to my own mom and dad who are so invested in seeing me do well in life and experience it to the full.

That’s a wrap for this week, you guys. I am so happy and excited you are in my corner, because I have lots of adventures coming up, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you.

If you would like to be added to my Swiss shared album on iCloud, feel free to leave a comment!

Love,

Tram