I'm a Pilgrim

Sabbath was the (nationwide?) Adventist music Festival in Czestachowa. Even though I am not Catholic, I was glad to spend part of Easter weekend for the second year in a row in this place of pilgrimage. Mike spent Friday night at my place so that he and I, along with Krzysiu, Monika, and many others could catch the choir bus which departed from Podkowa around 6:15 am. We arrived in Czestachowa around 9:15, threw on our robes and walked on stage to begin the worship service in song. Our Messiah-remix concert was later that afternoon at 3. We peformed with no major mishaps. Having fufilled my requirements, I escaped with Kris and Peter to Jasna Gora, the church in Czestachowa built in 1655. It was attacked by the Sweds who ever so rudely slashed a painting of the Black Madonna on the face. The painting still exists today and is on display.



You don't realize how far a walk it is until you turn around and enjoy the other view.




We were supposed to return with Mike in his new and fourth Pole-deck, but alas found ourselves quite stranded after the bus left and we discovered the Mike's new car actually had alternator problems. We did our best to find alternate ways home at such a late hour and ended up parting to squeeze in here and there- Kris went with Joe, I went with another Pastor, and Mike caught a train and didn't get home until 7 this morning.

It was quite necessary for me to make it back since Agata and Kolbein were to be married at 12 pm and I was in the program to sing. The wedding was really, really nice. Agata was really beautiful and through out the whole ceremony from the different choices Agata and Kolbein had made in presenting their ceremony, it was obvious that it was two really strong believers being joined together.



I teared up a few times, but did not cry! Big progress! I was pretty cool since I know Agata and Kolbein are the type of people to do still do things with their friends, in spite of being an 'amorous' couple. ;) Why just this morning I was eating breakfast with Kolbein at Mashchak's and he was trying to dance with me around the kitchen.

The rest of Easter was spent with the Lazar's in Brwinow- a nice and rest-filled day (ehem!) Hope your Easter was filled with sacrificed eggs, salt, and sausages!