Reflections

As I sit here, with cool weather coming upon us, reflecting on these past 9 years since I started blogging back in February, 2003, I am struck by the journeys I have been on.  I have been looking at a few of the keepsakes that are here with me: the glass bottle with dirt from Dine Bikeyah, the doll called "Gypsy" that Robby got me as a gift, the cedarwood flute I am learning to play, and the few photos about the room with friends and places from the journey.   These past 9 years have brought many people into my life: Skot and Rachel, Lia McCoo, Ceicly, Aaron, Dino, Randi, Ernestine, and so many, many more than I can list (or spell all the names of... ~_^)  And of course, it brought me Robby, too!

One of the biggest surprises and blessings has been my little sister, Chissy, and her son (my nephew), Ethan, entering my life.  Chrissy was a surprise to me on so many levels.  First that she was in my life, after not being for 24 years.  Now, I am shocked that we have become best of friends, the "forever friends" that sisters should be.  Tis not a bad shock, but a joy I never dared dream would be mine.  What a blessing it is to have Chrissy and Travis back in my life again!


So many things have changed over the past 9 years, but these three remain the same: my love for Celtic Christianity, my desire to journey and travel for God, and the calling (now clear) to Dine Bikeyah.

"May Iosa's peace rest with you all, and may you each find your journey-tasks!  Blessings! Amen."

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Leper - Beautiful Gray Day - Review

Beautiful Gray Day, Leper's album, is by far the best thus far, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous 2 Cd's, Kreischen and And Everybody Died, also released by Grrr Records.  Skot Shaw's Boiwesque voice lends itself well to Lepers dark, haunting and captivating style, mixed with the sounds of the 12 stringed guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, distorted drums and additional vocals.  Otto Jensen, who has been touring with Leper 2009-2011 while playing bass, and Cecily Marx, a violinist and vocalist,  add much to the total package.  Each song from its beginning to its end adds to the total package.

The first song Ascolta (Harken), set the mood for the CD beautifully with its dark melodic tones. Cora Vuole Dire Morire (What Does It Mean to Die), is at once creepy, playful and deep.  Perseguita (Haunt) is a haunting reflection on love and death.  In my opinion, it should join the ranks of great Gothic love songs. If I had to choose a favorite from this album, this song would be it.
La Pioggia Triste, Triste (The Sad, Sad Rain) opens very creepy, with a very good beat, with words that linger in your thought for some after listen.  I could not resist dancing to this song.  Fai Come Vuoi (Do As Thou Wilt) is a good reflection on what happens when we are not submitted to God, and takes it from a different angle than normal. Brings to mind "it is like a man who looks in a mirror, then turning away forgets what he looks like". Odio Tutto (I Hate Everything), is a song many of us can identify with, and the name for this CD appears to have roots in this song.  Lacrime Nere (Jet Black Tears),  resonates deeply and found me singing along.

 Non Ho Piu Paura Di Dormire (I Am Not Afraid To Sleep Anymore), is a deeply moving song.  I love how it repeats, "I will pray.", over and over.  It is an compelling song that genuinely moves me to my core.  L'artista
Dentro Di Te (The Artist In You) is a haunting song about our need for attention, and what price we can pay.  Spezza, Spezza, Spezza (Chop, Chop, Chop) has always been a favorite and has been played at Leper concerts for some time.  Tis very nice to have it on Cd so one can dance with it when ever they wish.  Se Solo Io (If Only) is a gloriously eerie song where the the guitars shine.  Il Modo Che Tutto Si Svela (The Way It All Unfolds), is the most powerful of all the songs on this cd.  Leper saved the best song for the end of the cd.  It is  a short, sweet, powerful call to hositality and caring for the outcasts and rejected ones.  It perfectly rounds out the CD, and leaves one wishing for more.

In all this 7th album, Leper's 3rd with Grr Records, is a must have for any lover of Christian Rock, especially those who love the older more haunting Gothic style of music.  It get my mark of 5 out of 5 Horse Shoes (my equivalent to 5 stars), UUUUU.  I would also say if you like 12 string guitars or haunting, Old World style, folk ballads, give this Leper CD,  Beautiful Gray Day, due to release September 11th, 2012 a try, you just might be surprised.

~ Traveller Gal, out! 

A Goal: Holiday Work

 Snow hath come this Christmastide as of yesterday.  At last, we have good white snow.  The city looks so white and pure, thought that most likely will not last long.  Even my bike, "Meg", loves this... though I dont dare taker her out on the streets in this weather.  It looks as if tis finnally time to rest her for the winter.  Until we meet again in the spring, dear "Meg".  I am sure the bike shop will care for you well.



As everyone left for Thanksgiving, and is now preparing to leave for Christmas, Robby and I are being able to pick up a bunch of extra paid work.   And that is a good thing, as in January we are journeying to Dine Bikeyah for about a week, to do some ministry prep work.  I know the holiday season is normally spent in festive celibration, but the call to Dine Bikeyah is even stronger than the call of Christmastide celibrations.  Besides other than Aaron, Skot and Rachel, and a few other families, we are not close to many here.  Our Christmas was spent with Rob's family over Thanksgiving.

I love how they have made the L and other lines all festive.  In this busy busling city, it is nice to have some good will and spirit of cheer.  I just pray that everyone, whether traveling home, journeying through the city, or snug as a bug with their computer and a cup of fireside chai tea, never forgets the Babe born on Christmas morn.  We ought not celebrate Him one morn, but all 365 days of the year.  Let us not blought out the lesson we have learned on the journeys way, and share His love all the more with those about us.

~ Traveller Gal, out!

Journey To Chicago

Here we are in Chicago and my head is spinning.  It was a little over a month ago we were resting against our bags at the St. Louis old Union Station, waiting for our bus and the call came.  "We have a room and an opening for you in P12! Can you be here by weekend of the 8-12th?"  Umm...sure.  Thankfully we packed most of our stuff BEFORE leaving for camp, as that gave us 3 days to pack and head out.  After I got off the phone, Robby and I laughed.  So the journey continues....

As soon as we could get a van, we packed up.  There were only two seats, so we unfolded our dorm chairs behind the driver and passenger seat.  Thankfully Robby's dad is good enough driver, no one even looked twice.  So we arrived in Chicago, on a misty, hot, humid afternoon.  Our host family, Skot and Rachel, had been ill, but Skot did his best to help us get settled.  The room 505 is just a small studio with the shared kitchen down the hall, but it does have its own bathroom.  So after a quick paint job and a matrice pulled in, we were ready to go.  And go we did, Robby has a job as a janitor and I am overseeing the computer lab at the homeless shelter.  My favorite things: Unique Thrift Store and the Free Store!  Like that is really a big surprise.

So, we headed to Wildwood Lake and P12 began middle of September. It was a blast!  The second day I swam the lake from one beach to the other.  ^_^  The cool water and fishys nibbling at my toes was soooo refreshing.  The bible training was so good.  It was just wonderful to be preparing for what ever journey God has before us.

~ Traveller Gal, out!

A visit to JPUSA

What an adventure the past few days have been!  Robby and I journeyed up to Chicago, on a scouting trip to JPUSA to see if we wish to do their year long internship called Project 12.  This is also to be our honeymoon trip!  True Chicago in the winter is not where most people would go, but when have Robby and I ever been most people?  The loft we are staying in is glorious, though cold, but it is winter and to be expected.  We are enjoying the them alone.... not in his parents home.

After some scouting, a tour of JPUSA's buildings, working with Skot and Rachel at the shelter, and shopping at the Free Store and Unique Thrift Store.  Robby and I went with Skot and Rachel, plus alot of friends to drive around Chicago.  First stop, with Skot driving, was the cemeteries of course!  LOL.  But our friend the Trickster, a lone coyote was waiting in one.  We quickly moved on, and ate at a tasty vegan cafe as some in our party are vegans.  Then it was off for more driving around Chicago. I am nearly sure Skot knows where nearly every movie here was shot, at least that is important to him or interesting.  LOL!

~ Traveller Gal, out!