Ang’s older sister recently went on a trip to Switzerland. . . and . . . I asked her to do a little something for me while she was over there. . . . . . . come back with a witness to the journey you had been given. I knew that God would be up to something. . . so, these are her thoughts from the journey, which she entitled. . . “The box“. . . needless to say. . . I am very proud of you Jennifer Thursby!

I finally placed my thoughts upon something bigger than me and something yet so right there in regards to my faith. I do not like to disrupt or confront such things that may cause pain or discomfort – - yet . . . each time  I communicate to someone on the reciprocating end, I feel many emotions. . . . a cleansing and then some sort of comfort and reconnect because of the new path that must be pursued. . .

This came to me as I traveled thousands of miles away from home . . . I left my two beautiful children and AMAZING husband for 10 days and headed to Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. . . . . Not only did I have to trust those taking care of my precious ones, but I had to try and face an adventure outside of my Box. . . God has made sooooo many wondrous sights in this world – God has sooo many plans . . . . still unfolding. . . why sometimes are we afraid to get out of our box . . . or keep our integrity and faith inside of it??

While flying over Greenland the snow and ice were endless and then there was land and a VAST ocean. . . The parrallel lines that I could draw made me realize how many seasons God has planned for each and everyone, and how important our role may be. . . . even when we don’t know or feel it. . .

I saw many beautiful things: churches, the Alps, The Lion monument, baby goats, lakes, window boxes with beautiful flowers . . . and it restored the beauty God placed in me, because I could almost feel it. . . . .There is much more taking place in this world than I know. . . but, I do not always realize and remember.

God loves me unconditionally. . . has never set any parameters for me, only a few easy commandments to help me walk my faith with integrity.

If I had never adventured to a land where it was hard to communicate with others (which we were always able to find words to figure out). . . I would never feel compelled by the tug that God placed on my heart. . . . . .GET OUT OF MY BOX. . . . and when you need comfort . . . . rest in your box and rely on me!!!!!!

God is bigger than I know and I was reminded once again by getting out of my box. . . saturating my soul with breath. . . . taking in beauty.

Switzerland is like a stop in time. . . endless acres of green pastures, rolling meadows, giant mountains, beautiful lakes, and curvy roads. . . . Faith may not even reside in many of its residents – they have churches, oh yes, but several  – even a few I encountered – did not attend church since baptism as a baby.

At times I felt intrigued to stay and be simple. . . . .              to ride bikes to our lots of wide open land . . . . .yet, . . . maybe God hand-picked my life to be in the crazy USA in order to have some of the most remarkable faith based relationships I could continue to grow with: the sisters I was given – the men in my life – my church – and the pastors who keep me growing in my walk with God. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gratitude can flood us by the simple beauty God has already created. . . It’s a BIG world. . . how big is your box??