I am home once again from my month of travels, glad to be back among familiar things, my own bed, and most of all with my sweet Tune.
It was an amazing trip through Austria, Latvia, Germany, and Belgium. I have much to unpack, both literally and metaphorically. My heart is very full, there is so much stirring within me. Plus over 5000 photos to sort through!
The jet lag has hit me hard and so this weekend I will be resting and recuperating, trying to reconnect with this space and time back home. But I am eager to return here on Monday to begin processing my journey with you. I did miss this space of conversation and reflection.
-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts
(photo from the Central Cemetery Church in Vienna, Austria)

Welcome back – safe fromyour journey.
Welcome back. It's good to see a post here. The pic is beautiful.
Welcome home!
You were missed.
Welcome home, Christine! Rest, rest, rest…give yourself time. Its' good to have you back.
Welcome back…..its so nice to see you here again
That's alot of photos! I'm happy you've had this wonderful traveling experience. We look forward to hearing and seeing your stories.
Christine,
What a lovely surprise! I didn't expect you for one more day.
The picture is stunning and I can't wait to see and hear more of your trip.
I really missed your "Abbey Home."
Suz
Hoo-ray for the return of the muse! Can't wait to hear about all your showings!
I LOVE the photo!! It reminds me of the ceiling of the church of the Beatitudes in Israel where the beauty of the ceiling called me to the heavens.
Cheryl
Beautiful photo – 4999 others? Wow! Take a rest, you've definitely been missed.
xoxo
yippeee!!! you're back
can't wait to unpack with you! xoxooxoxoxo
Sooooo glad to see you back. Looking forward to hearing more about your pilgramage.
Cheryl Mac
Christine, Welcome Home!
Here we sit, like little birdies in the nest with beaks open ready for your travel tales! Welcome back.
That reminds me of an old camp song, Tess,,,,
Here we sit like birds in the wilderness, birds in the wilderness, birds in the wilderness
Here we sit like birds in the wilderness
Waiting for Christine!
Lest there be a dependency, it's hard to admit that we miss you so much, but it's absolutely instinctive! — Preordered your LECTIO DIVINA at Amazon today to celebrate your homecoming! Love Paulist Press — Hildegard's SCIVIAS, Julian of Norwich's SHOWINGS — Teresa's INTERIOR CASTLE and a ton more — you're in great company there,
Big hugs — Kigen
"All the great voyagers return
Homeward as on an arc of thought;
Home like a ruby beacon burns
As they crest wind, scale wave, soar air;
All the great voyagers return…"
- From "The Homecoming," by Barbara Howes
i like thinking that you are on the other side of an arc of thought …
welcome home
)
looking forward to hearing all your tales…
Welcome home, Christine — happy you're back!
Also preordered today. The only bad thing about preordering is that is only makes me want the book RIGHT NOW!
You are all absolutely WONDERFUL! Thanks so much for your warm and exuberant responses. And a special thanks to kigen and Suz for pre-ordering my book!
Welcome back!