I guess one thing that is important to know about me (not really) is that I am a sucker for all commerical holidays. When I lived in America, I even decorated for Valentine's Day and 4th of July...although I draw the line at Memorial Day and Labor Day. :-) So I say all that to say that I love Easter. All the spring colors, the Reesee's eggs, having another ploy to hold over kids heads...the whole thing. And the best part of the Easter and Christmas is that is the easiest time of the year to bring up God to people. Christ is risen! and so many people celebrate that day. What a joy to be a part of a great big family around the world who all on the same day will shout/sing/pray for joy because Christ didn't stay in the grave, he came back and saved us all! I get goosebumps just thinking about it! What a blessing, what a joy, what an honor that was bestowed upon us.... Being here in Europe where Easter is as big as a deal as Christmas is so cool. I know that most of the people are just excited because Spring is here, but the whole area shuts down for Easter. All of the stores and everything will be closed, so that families can be together over this holiday from Good Friday until Easter Tuesday. The schools are even out for two weeks....sounds nice to all the teachers, huh?
Right now I am staying in Germany with an amazing missionary family. The work in a town in the north part of the country and have a thriving church here. It is about 40-50 people and they have over 7 different Bible study groups meeting each week, among other outreaches. It has been a joy learning from them and taking a much needed break from Vienna. I will definitely go back with fresh eyes. Starting tomorrow I will be going to a preteen Easter camp and then a youth retreat over Easter weekend. I am really excited to meet lots of new people and to learn new songs in German. And I won't lie...I am really excited to drink pop! I gave it up for Lent, so come Easter Sunday and I will also be joyous about breaking my fast with a nice ice cold Dr. Pepper. (I still have a stash from the ones my brother sent and a few from my trip from America). After the camp I will be staying another week here and then back to Vienna. Please pray for me going back to Vienna. The situation with the guy I dated is still a problem and I will be searching for a roommate and an apartment Yea! I am excited to see who God is going to room me with and I hope it is a relationship that will be a blessing both ways.
Now to sign off...I want to wish all of you a wonderful Easter weekend! Remember that Christ died for you and for all and to make it even better He went to heaven and left us the Holy Spirit! What a gift! You are a child of God and may your heart rejoice with that knowledge and truth!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Saturday, March 10, 2007
2007 and Beyond
My, oh, my, time flies! :-) I wrote so long ago and kept meaning to write more and more and then suddenly I realized I must write, so people know I am alive. Thanks for being patient with me.
January -- the highlight and best part of January was that we had three baptisms! I will post pictures when my computer is back from the doctor, but our three new siblings are Micheal, Christina, and Benjamin. They are all apart of our youth group here in Vienna and it was such a joy to watch them take on Christ. Our youth group meets every Friday night for singing, a devo, and games/fellowship. We usually do one fun thing a month as well...in January it was an indoor water park. January was a hard month for me because Reggy, my coworker, was down and out for several weeks and another brother who usually helps at the shelter on Tues. and Thurs. had hip surgury. But a happy note is that I turned 24 with seemingly no problems at all. The preacher and his family made me my favorite dessert (cherry pie) and even had the words Happy Birthday cut out of the pie crust. I loved it! I also loved the Dr. Pepper from my brother...I almost fainted to open the two boxes and 24 beloved cans resting in an very abnormal amount of paper and stuffing. LOL My mom, also ever the sweetheart, sent me a birthday party in a box. It had a present, cake mix with frosting, decorations, and the whole works. It was a wonderful week. (I am a little embarassesd to say that I haven't gotten over the joy of birthdays yet and I tend to celebrate and have/force others celebrate with me for a whole week.)
Feburary: on the 1st of this cold, short month I got my Christmas present from my mom...a flight to visit home. I was a bridemaid in my beautiful friend Janaye's wedding. We had a lot of fun running around together in college (and by running, i mean pranking) and it was a thrill to be able to see her BIG day. I also got to visit my favorite church in the whole world, New Life, in Abilene and hang out with friends and my Little Brother. I loved getting to catch up with people, get and give A LOT of hugs, and hold my friend Jenna's little precious boy who I hadn't been able to meet yet. The next stop of my two week trip was to Kansas City for a little R&R with my family. My family doesn't usually go hand in hand with R&R though, so it more like running around and having fun. I got to see the Dead Sea Scrolls with my good friend Fletcher. They were amazing to see and to hear the history of, and it was equally amazing to be uplifted by Fletcher. We spent hours remembering and talking at a very classy resturant called the Waffle House and he blessed me with inviting me to sing (IN ENGLISH) with his youth group. :-) But hands down my nieces and nephew win the best part of my trip award. My nieces celebrated their 14 and 15 birthday while I was home and i relished in giving them a hard time for a full week to make up for being gone. I also spent a lot of time playing and reading and tickling the most adorable little boy, Zachery David Ralph, my nephew. I had a wonderful, amazing, and totally blessed trip.
Upon my return real life hit hard. I found out that because of an electrical problem, I am having to move out of my apartment; I am constantly struggling with my German; and I have an ex boyfriend that I can't get rid of. But God will make a way, of that I am always certain. I need be looking up more and more and thinking "Thank you God that you know what has gone on, what is going on, and what will go on. Thank you also that You do not just know, but that you are working in it all. Thank you for life, for trials and blessings, and for your Son, Jesus who died for us and made it possible for us to have the Holy Spirit." Please pray for me -- that I will learn more and more to step aside and to just be used by God. My life needs that to happen and this ministry that I desire God to do in me requires that as well. Thank you so much your prayers, your love, and your support! I love you all and would love to pray for you as well. Just send me an e-mail or post a comment. Thanks and look for a new post in a few weeks...I will learn to write more. May the peace that passes understanding be upon you and yours!
January -- the highlight and best part of January was that we had three baptisms! I will post pictures when my computer is back from the doctor, but our three new siblings are Micheal, Christina, and Benjamin. They are all apart of our youth group here in Vienna and it was such a joy to watch them take on Christ. Our youth group meets every Friday night for singing, a devo, and games/fellowship. We usually do one fun thing a month as well...in January it was an indoor water park. January was a hard month for me because Reggy, my coworker, was down and out for several weeks and another brother who usually helps at the shelter on Tues. and Thurs. had hip surgury. But a happy note is that I turned 24 with seemingly no problems at all. The preacher and his family made me my favorite dessert (cherry pie) and even had the words Happy Birthday cut out of the pie crust. I loved it! I also loved the Dr. Pepper from my brother...I almost fainted to open the two boxes and 24 beloved cans resting in an very abnormal amount of paper and stuffing. LOL My mom, also ever the sweetheart, sent me a birthday party in a box. It had a present, cake mix with frosting, decorations, and the whole works. It was a wonderful week. (I am a little embarassesd to say that I haven't gotten over the joy of birthdays yet and I tend to celebrate and have/force others celebrate with me for a whole week.)
Feburary: on the 1st of this cold, short month I got my Christmas present from my mom...a flight to visit home. I was a bridemaid in my beautiful friend Janaye's wedding. We had a lot of fun running around together in college (and by running, i mean pranking) and it was a thrill to be able to see her BIG day. I also got to visit my favorite church in the whole world, New Life, in Abilene and hang out with friends and my Little Brother. I loved getting to catch up with people, get and give A LOT of hugs, and hold my friend Jenna's little precious boy who I hadn't been able to meet yet. The next stop of my two week trip was to Kansas City for a little R&R with my family. My family doesn't usually go hand in hand with R&R though, so it more like running around and having fun. I got to see the Dead Sea Scrolls with my good friend Fletcher. They were amazing to see and to hear the history of, and it was equally amazing to be uplifted by Fletcher. We spent hours remembering and talking at a very classy resturant called the Waffle House and he blessed me with inviting me to sing (IN ENGLISH) with his youth group. :-) But hands down my nieces and nephew win the best part of my trip award. My nieces celebrated their 14 and 15 birthday while I was home and i relished in giving them a hard time for a full week to make up for being gone. I also spent a lot of time playing and reading and tickling the most adorable little boy, Zachery David Ralph, my nephew. I had a wonderful, amazing, and totally blessed trip.
Upon my return real life hit hard. I found out that because of an electrical problem, I am having to move out of my apartment; I am constantly struggling with my German; and I have an ex boyfriend that I can't get rid of. But God will make a way, of that I am always certain. I need be looking up more and more and thinking "Thank you God that you know what has gone on, what is going on, and what will go on. Thank you also that You do not just know, but that you are working in it all. Thank you for life, for trials and blessings, and for your Son, Jesus who died for us and made it possible for us to have the Holy Spirit." Please pray for me -- that I will learn more and more to step aside and to just be used by God. My life needs that to happen and this ministry that I desire God to do in me requires that as well. Thank you so much your prayers, your love, and your support! I love you all and would love to pray for you as well. Just send me an e-mail or post a comment. Thanks and look for a new post in a few weeks...I will learn to write more. May the peace that passes understanding be upon you and yours!
Holidays 2006
Frohes Weihnachten und Ein Gutes Neues Jahre! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! My holidays were wonderful here in Vienna. Since they celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, we got to celebrate with the whole church on Sunday. Our youth group made breakfast for everyone and then after church we had a big present exchange for the kids. Reggy had brought a present for each kid and I made little candy/toy gift bags. The kids loved it and they loved their lives even more when we ate at McDonald's for lunch. :-) I, praise God, was spared the McDonald's and journeyed to my preachers house for an Austrian holiday meal -- which is usually goose or fish. Their three boys surprised me with a bracelet, a funny card, and a gift certificate for 10 free treats. I gave them something I knew they would love and hopefully share...one of my jars of peanut butter...since they are half-American they treasure peanut butter as well. Then I ended my night by going to one of my teens house where he and his mom had lots of company over. They are from Muldava and I was blessed to eat a WHOLE meal again; aka she would not take no for an answer and even gave me seconds. We played games and visited until real late. On the actual Christmas day, I wake up and opened some of the presents that survived the wait (i am sad to say that it wasn't very many cause I am not a very patient person) and then delivered a few more presents. Afterwards I treated myself to a thermal pool...it has very warm water with lots of massage spouts, music playing, calm lights, and aroumatheraphy saunas. It was heavenly! To end my night I talked to my family for hours.... :-)
A few days after Christmas, we had a Winter Camp at the church house in the Alps. There we got to sled and snowboard and go for walks all afternoon, while enjoying Bible lessons in the morning and evening. It was a very relaxing camp and a great time to get to know each other better. On New Year's Eve, we all trooped outside and watched the fireworks from about 7 different towns. They looked so small from our vantage point, but it was a great time. Then after we trooped back in, we gave out New Year Blessings. The blessings were letters written by all of us to all of us throughout the week. For those that like touchy feel moments...it was exactly the moment you dream of...tears, hugs, big smiles. :-)
A few days after Christmas, we had a Winter Camp at the church house in the Alps. There we got to sled and snowboard and go for walks all afternoon, while enjoying Bible lessons in the morning and evening. It was a very relaxing camp and a great time to get to know each other better. On New Year's Eve, we all trooped outside and watched the fireworks from about 7 different towns. They looked so small from our vantage point, but it was a great time. Then after we trooped back in, we gave out New Year Blessings. The blessings were letters written by all of us to all of us throughout the week. For those that like touchy feel moments...it was exactly the moment you dream of...tears, hugs, big smiles. :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
