Unraveling

A ball of yarn, rolling down a hill
Your gravity unwinds my philosophies and perspectives, my mindsets and my notions.

Unraveled, exposed, in need of a Creator to make sense of my frayed ends and loosened form.

Your imagination is not my own. Your intentions differ from mine. Your heart is pure. Your knowledge, complete.

And I-
I am ever afflicted by the magnetic mask of pride, falsely believing I know it all.

I don't.

Unravel me.

I'm back!

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've written here! I've had the hankering to start blogging again, especially because, yet again, I'm living away from dear family and friends.

A lot has happened since I last wrote! I embarked on a long plane ride back to the USA and after 16 months away, finally set foot on my home turf. It was sure good to see family and friends again, but it was so strange to have what was once comfortable now foreign and what was once foreign, now comfortable! I found myself less friendly and open than before, as in Austria such behavior is looked upon skeptically and often not received. I discovered I was annoyed at noise and small talk; Austrians like to keep quiet, mind their own business (though you'll catch them staring at you from the corner of their eye), and go deep with a small circle of friends. It's truly amazing how much we are affected by culture! After a short break with my family and then with Jeff's family, I headed back to Minnesota to finish up school, primarily doing a lot of reflecting and sorting through what I'd learned throughout my time at Bethany and seeking to find my identity in the Kingdom of God rather than in Austrian or American culture. I think that will be a life-long process. :)

Besides school and reflecting, I spent my last 4 months in college planning for my wedding! It was an exciting but stressful time, and ended with a big bang- Jeff and I graduated from college one day and got married the next! Quite a weekend! It was so much fun though and Jeff and I were so happy to not have to wait any longer to get married. We went on a great honeymoon to Mexico then had fun at wedding receptions in each of our hometowns. We sensed God calling us to start our lives together back in Minnesota, so we journeyed on to see what He had for us there. He provided free housing for us to stay in for a month in downtown Minneapolis while we searched for jobs and an apartment. He was faithful to lead us in our search! Jeff's working for a demolition and remodeling company owned by a man from our church; I'm working at Panera Bread, which is walkable from our apartment.

Now we're mostly settled in (God provided furniture for us too!) and are working and enjoying being married. We love going to the church we went to as college students and it's fun having lots of friends around from school as well (lots of newlyweds!). How fun it is to have a home to host in!

So now you're all caught up. :) I'll be back again soon!

Gutenstein

I'm back again! This is the 4th time I've been up to Gutenstein, a retreat center in the Austrian Alps. Each time has been in a new season, so I'm loving it in the Spring! Blue sky, cool breeze, endless trails to explore and soak up the beauty of creation. 2 teammates and I are here for the weekend, cooking meals for a youth retreat. I really enjoy it!

Wow, I only have 2 weeks left in Austria! I can't believe it. Please pray for me and and my team, as there's lots that needs accomplished in these final days! Please pray that God gives us peace (and that we choose to abide in it!) and also provides for time to say goodbye to friends and favorite places and to have a good closure to this season of life. Right now it's feeling really stressful with lots to do and trying to figure out how to take everything home in 2 suitcases! ;)

See you soon!!

A Refreshing Retreat

This past week my team and I went to a small town in Germany for a retreat with the OM East team. It was so great! We went through the "Mark Experience" where each day we were divided into groups and each group had 6 chapters in Mark that we were to act out. On the final day, we acted it all out together in chronological order. Wow, it was so cool! I loved seeing the Bible come to life and be able to really put myself into the events that happened. It was awesome having young and old participating- it really came to life.

We also enjoyed great times of playing games together, an evening campfire, sauna time, ping-pong and much more! The part of Germany we were in was astoundingly beautiful and it was so refreshing to spend time with Jesus and with each other.

One of the nights we had an "Austrian night," and we all dressed up in Austrian attire!

This is Edwin, a Swiss missionary who heads up the Relief and Development part of OM and his outfit was my personal favorite!

Here is all of us girls in our Austrian attire!

And here's our tasty dinner that I got to help make: roasted beef, knodlen, and mixed vegetables. Tasty!

Now we're back in Austria, keeping busy and wrapping up our final weeks here. 3 weeks from today I'll be back in Texas!!!

ENGAGED!

Well, it's all over facbook but if you didn't know, Jeff and I are ENGAGED!! He proposed last Thursday night on a mountainside overlooking Vienna. :) Wow it's exciting! Here are some pictures. :) If you want to see more engagement photos, go here.



The next morning after he proposed we left to Hungary for a short outreach to the small town we did an English Camp in this summer. We helped remove the rubble of a torn down building so that the church can build a house of prayer there. We also had a great time being with the people of the town and fellowshipping over many good Hungarian meals. :) To see more pictures of our time in Hungary, check out my friend Lindy's photos.

Tomorrow we're off to Germany for an OM team retreat for a week! We'll also get to stop in Salzburg along the way and complete our Austrian experience- singing "The Hills are Alive" in the Alps. :) We all even got the traditional Austrian dress to wear!

Love to all! Headed back to the states in 4 WEEKS!

Time is Ticking Away

Wow, 6 weeks from today I'll be flying home!

Time seems to be flying by, and yet going so slow.

I've been feeling torn between desiring to stay here yet ready to come home and enter this next season of life. I've made such good relationships here and I'd like to continue them, plus, I really love Austria! Now that I understand the culture better (that stranger's coldness doesn't mean they aren't nice) and feel more connected, in a lot of ways it's a great place to live! Fresh fruit produce and amazing hearty bread... quaint and sylish cafe's everywhere and lots of holidays... beautiful surroundings and amazing gardens and architecture... the rest of Europe is at your fingertips to travel. Yet, the interesting circumstances of me being here continue to be uncomfortable, although better than in the beginning. :)

Being in a country where I understand everything that's going on sounds really nice! But I have come to really love German- it just takes extra effort.

Please pray for the endurance and patient endurance of Christ for the remaining time here. I've been feeling a deep weariness that I can't put my finger on, but please pray that God brings rest to it and teaches me to be content in every circumstance. Pray also for me and my team as we feel the sadness of such a short time left, yet also gladness to return home to friends and family. God still has a lot in store for us yet!

Sonnenschein und Ruhetag

"Sunshine and Days of Rest!"

That's what yesterday was, and it was grand. :)

My flatmates and I headed to the Danube river in Vienna to soak up the long-awaited sunshine and...

we flew a kite!Well, kind of. :) It was so windy that the kite was quite violent and didn't soar so well! But we laughed a lot.


Then... Jeff met me in Vienna and we went on a date. I love walking through the 1st district, cobblestone paths and beautiful architecture. It never gets old! I'm trying to soak it up while I can-- only 2 months left here!

We went to a cafe that looks over the city and did some sketching. :)

Then we took a night bike ride through the city! What an adventure! The city bikes are great- free for an hour!

Stopping for photos at a WWII monument. :)

Thanks God, for all the good you bring into our lives. :)