Sep 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strasbourg_Cathedral

Saw:
Strasbourg Cathedral, which is absolutely stunning. Next to Mont-St-Michel, probably has the biggest
walk-around-the-corner-and-hit-you visual punch.

Did:
Went out for a very nice meal as we concluded the first half of our semester. the final bill was 507 swiss franks, but luckily i wasnt paying.

Learned:
this leg of the trip saw the most amazing natural vistas thus far. some might say this is where God shows off what He can do and puts mans works to shame. but im not sure that is true. i believe that God is most glorified by men, the pinnacle of creation, and thus perhaps He is more glorified in our volitional acts (such as creating and building), as frail as they are, than He is of all his mighty, inannimate creations.

Editor's Note:
Just a reminder, the photos posted here are mainly from Wikipedia articles about the places Nate is visiting. He hasn't been able to send his own photos yet. I'll let you know if and when the images are his own!! Also, I've left the typing as he sent it to me, so you know which parts are his style and which are mine.

Saw:
An ancient walled city on a hill completely lit up at night. (Helps enlighten Matthew 5:14)

Did:
Sketched Roman ruins while perched on stone ramparts above a 100 foot cliff. unfortunately the sketch paled in comparison to the locale.

Learned:
I listened to a sermon on the train in by Dave Gibson talking about the picture of heaven created in Revelations. In it he quoted this idea of "divine discontent"- that while on this side of heaven we are longing for home, and proposed that the greatest reality of heaven is not the percfection, the lack of pain, the golden city, but it is that our Father will be there. I was powerfully struck by the reality that one of the most discouraging parts of this trip for me has been that my own father is not here with me...and i realized even more that the great discontent of this life is that I am not yet with my true Father.

• the reformed wont appreciate the first half, but the sermon, entitled "A Discussion About Eternity", can be found at

www.corkingoodsermons.com at the bottom of the page. "

Saw:
The most picteresque riverfront thus far. (Bordeaux is apparently a candidate for the 2013 European Capitol of Culture)

Did:
Experienced the largest open air street i have ever seen. I opted for a cucumber the size of my forearm over a fresh shark's head...but only because of cost.

Learned:
The difficulty of trying to reconcile the splendid architecture of the French enlightenment with the reality that it was born of a violent and utterly humanist movement. Wondering at cathedrals seems a logical way of giving praise to God, but were it not for common grace, praising the great works of secular hands would be praising the enemy.

Saw:
A 500 year old castle with moat and drawbridge right in the center of downtown.

Did:
Tried to escape a torrential downpour while high up on the ramparts of said castle. We didnt make it.

Learned:
That it is difficult to put a price on experience. Some friends and I went to a nicer restaurant for dinner and it is hard to say if my asparagus pizza warranted its price tag. Its like asking how many hours are in a 5 gallon barrel. Price and value of experience measure 2 completly seperate quantities

(Wikipedia article on Nantes here)

What I saw:
Possibly the most beautiful blend of architecture and landscape on this planet: Mont St-Michel, an island fortress in the ocean

What I did:
Ate blackberries while walking a French countryside road. (hopefully they were blackberries)

What I learned:
That having people who speak your language is easily taken for granted, and that not having anyone who speaks your language is suprisingly lonely.