{Notre-Dame Cathedral, Old Montreal} Taken 8.1.15

Luminous. The Notre Dame Cathedral is Montreal's most famous. Can you see why? I had never seen a cathedral like this before. The ornateness, the luminous blues and purples, the shocking quantity of memorial statues - almost all in wood - many honoring female Canadian saints who started religious orders in this "New World." A long pause and rest inside the Notre Dame Cathedral yesterday broke up our morning in Old Montreal. After a near two weeks of unrelenting work-related stops in North America, Ted and I are pausing for three days in Montreal, to soak up some culture that has long intrigued us, and also to recover from some nasty head-colds before returning to Haiti.

Post/cards {3} Commitment

{Bridge over Canal Rideau, Ottawa} Taken 7.29.15

Commitment. Our MCC colleagues in Ottawa treated us to a great introduction to the city, as well as useful meetings with several MP's offices. On our first afternoon of two in Canada's capital, we strolled from our hotel towards the downtown district, crossing this charming canal (In winter, the entire canal freezes over; people ice skate on it and some even ice skate commute to work!) I hadn't known of the famous tradition on the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris, where newlywed couples would fasten locks to the bridge's railings to signify their betrothal. While the weight of the Parisian bridge became too much to support more locks, it looks like couples in Ottawa are just starting up the tradition!

Post/cards {2} Brightness

{High Line Park, NYC} Taken 7.28.15

Brightness. Bright colors popping amidst the grit, brick and steel of New York City. Last week we spent two and a half days in the most packed city in the U.S., after a  week at Mennonite World Conference. The purpose of our visit: to participate in meetings with UN officials through MCC's UN Office. After work hours, we explored bits of the city, such delights as the High Line Park in Manhattan's Meatpacking district. We came across this gem after turning one of the park's many unexpected corners. Though my feet were killing me after long strolls in the city, treasures like this one made those few extra steps worth the journey. 

Post/cards {1} Celebration

This past year was the year of the Instagram for me. Before May 2014, I did not have an Instagram account, and I didn't really get "what the big deal was." After my friend Katie encouraged me to use it to document our days in Haiti, I really took to it, and I'm so very grateful now for the over 120+ images that capture moments from our first 12 months in Haiti. Now, I wonder if our documenting styles might shift a little bit. Maybe this blog will be put to more use! I'd like to start today with a "Postcards" series: one picture, with a brief explanation. Fin. Short and sweet. Our "postcards" will give you a snapshot of our world with a little more detail than an Instagram allows. And with this first "postcard," if I had actually put postage on it and sent it via snail mail at the time it was taken, it may just now be reaching you in the U.S. :) Enjoy!

{Port-au-Prince, Haiti} Taken 12.19.14

Celebration. That is what this picture brings to mind. It was our MCC staff Christmas party, and the smells from the kitchen were wafting up to our second floor office all day. A co-worker had her four kids in town from Canada, the remnant of an MCC evaluation team was in tow, and all national staff brought a special someone or two for the gala. Balloons, Paper Snowflakes, Action! I remember the anticipation of the upcoming Christmas vacation, the more imminent secret Santa gift exchange, and the sincere yet stilted conversations in Kreyòl with co-workers' family and friends (which, by the way, became progressively harder as the wait-time for the meal was perpetually extended!) For me, the crowd in this picture represents the far-flung nature yet close ties of family, the bright colors the celebratory air of the season, and the table the delight that comes with those first, mouth-watering bites!