That time of year again

Well, I thought I could finally escape it. That unmagical time of year that wives loathe and husbands get giddy with excitemnet about. It is, of course, duh, duh, duh...fantasy football draft time. Yes, the nasty beast can reach all the way to Vienna. I am defeated. Now don't get me wrong I enjoy watching Jake's beloved Broncos and the occasional Indianapolis Colts toss the ball around, but the make believe world of fantasy football is a little much. In the past, this has involved my husband fretting and planning and plotting his Sunday morning line up well into Saturday night. Then on Sunday afternoon trying to watch3 games simultaneously and having highlights pulled up on the computer for a couple of other games going on. So to all the wives out there suffering through this agonizing time of year, my prayers are with you. Lord help us all. Below are some pics of the draft party Jake hosted at our place. To the wives of those in attendance I apologize for sending home your husbands full of 3 different kinds of sausage and testosterone.



Abby enjoying the refreshments.

Pictures

Mother Tongue

We are now officially enrolled in language school. On Thursday, Jake, Abby and I headed down town to locate a language school we had heard and read a lot about. We found it easily and went inside to take our placement exam. I must admit I went in feeling pretty confident. However, after the first page of questions I was jolted into reality. I was sure that the year of German I had taken at UCO plus some tutoring from a rather well trained teacher would at least land me in the 2nd or 3rd class. Nope, they put me right in with the beginners. Grrrr..... How humbling. I suppose it didn't help that we had a three year old with us. Trying to keep her quiet and sitting down so other people could also take their exam was a, errrhh...challenge. So, on 3 September, I start at the beginning, again.
I will say the importance of learning and being very comfortable with the language is becoming clear. I never had any intention of not learning to speak German, hence the above mentioned prep work, but being here has really emphasized this point. I think one of the times this hit home for me the most was a couple of Sundays ago. Jake and I had remembered that Preston Crest church in Dallas streamed their worship services. Jake got online and got everything set up for us to watch and participate. When the voices started coming through the computer and we could hear the singing it was amazing. I mean to hear words and melodies that were familiar made my heart sing. Since arriving here we have visited with the congregations that are here. Everyone has been very welcoming and gracious. The lessons, the ones that were translated anyway, were good and the singing beautiful. There is just something about hearing the Word, and singing praises in the language of your home that can't be duplicated. I suppose my feelings on the subject could change as I learn German. However, the idea of sharing the Gospel in the language of those who will be hearing it is of the utmost importance.
Please be praying that as we start language training we will have effective teachers, willing minds and an extra measure of strength and energy.

Boxes, boxes and more boxes

Praise the Lord!!!! Our stuff arrived yesterday about noon. It was so awesome to see the boxes that were packed up and hauled away 2 months ago in Oklahoma. So, now the task of unpacking and saying, "Why did I bring this?" and "Oh, I forgot about this." Abby was thrilled to have her toys and books and we don't hear much out of her right now. Although, her room looks like a bomb went off. Dolls, dogs and dresses all over the place. Sorry, for the short post, but its been a long day and I'm exhausted, but thankful.

Catching Up

Well, we still haven't received the things we shipped from Oklahoma, yet. I will try to remain optimistic, and say maybe next week. Until then we will continue making due with what we have, which in all honesty, is just fine. Granted, I'm not making any gourmet meals or anything, but we are not starving and our diet does include more than pizza and McDonalds. I have managed to make Mexican casserole, chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, and brownies. The ingredients for everything, but the banana bread came from a British/American food store here in Vienna called Bobby's. Now, let me say that is was a comfort to find this place it will not be a regular shopping stop. Everything is EXPENSIVE. The day we went I got six items and the total bill was about $30. It was kinda one of those culture shock things. I mean I was literally laying awake at night thinking about brown sugar and vanilla. Crazy, I know. I was pretty sure Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker was going to visit and lecture me on being a good mother and wife. What kind of mom would I be if I couldn't make chocolate chip cookies? I am getting over this now. It should be noted that neither Jake or Abby had asked for chocolate chip cookies. Oh, what we put ourselves through.
On a different note, we all had our first Austrian haircuts. Well, we all still have hair. I had been dreading this chore due to my lack of German and fearing the person with the scissors would speak no English and take out some sort of grudge against America on my hair. Thankfully, we all made it out just fine. Actually, Jake looks pretty cute with his "new" look. It isn't actually a new look, pretty much the same but with less hair. Abby did well, too, considering this was only like the third haircut she has had in her life.
This week we also got to paint and repaint Abby's room. When we moved into our apartment all the walls were stark white. Great for a hospital, but not too homey. So we immediately starting painting walls. We did our room and the living room first. We finally got around to doing Abby's room this week. I wanted her room to be yellow, so we had gone to the hardware store and picked out a color, which they mixed up for us. Remember, all tasks our done with very limited German and a prayer that the person we are speaking to has a knowledge of English. So, we got the paint home and started painting, turns out the color we ended up with was more beige than yellow. So, we went back to the hardware store and this time picked out a premixed yellow paint. Got it home and painted the walls. Well, they are for sure YELLOW, now. A bit brighter than I had anticipated, but she likes it. So we're done painting for awhile.
Today, we got to help our friends, Andrea and Peter, move into their new flat. This was pretty exciting for them and us, actually. We met Andrea and Peter during our survey trip in 2005. They are a young, Christian couple about our age. Honestly, knowing Andrea was here was a major comfort to me as we prepared to come to Vienna. Now, I hope we can begin to grow our friendship. Anyway, back to the moving. They have been preparing for this move since we met them in '05. Their building just got completed and so they were finally able to move in. Afterwards, they hosted a BBQ, Austrian style, complete with a variety of sausages and a hairdryer (see previous post).
So, I guess that gives everyone a good look at what we have been up to lately. This next week Jake and I will attempt to chose a language school and a kindergarten for Abby. Please pray that this will so smoothly. Trying to find a suitable location for my child in a foreign country is very daunting.

Still Alive

Okay, in case anyone was wondering we are still alive. We have had a hectic couple of weeks. So, I'll try to give a brief summary of what we have been up to. First off, we are now in our own apartment. We officially moved in the 30th of July. Since that time we have been running all over Vienna trying to get the stuff we need (and want) to set up house here. As of today we still do not have our stuff we shipped, but we are pretty sure we will have it next week. I know I have been saying that for weeks, but we're closer than ever now. We have been to Ikea way too many times to count and I'm starting to feel a little nasty towards that place. When we were in the States it was always so much fun to go to Ikea and look around and eat meatball, etc. Now, I think if I see one more Swedish thing, including meatballs I will loose it. Seriously, Abby will soon be able to run that play area she has spent so much time there. On a side note, I would highly recommend Wal-Mart adopt the idea of a "kinderparadise". So on top of moving in we have managed to lock the keys in the Jeep, visit an Austrian doctor, rent some movies and discover what is not available in Vienna. Lessons I've learned from the aforemention items include: 1) when someone who has lived in Vieann a long time tells you someting like, "Join an auto club (similiar to AAA) right away, do it. We are now members after having to call one to come open the car for us. Turns out a year's membership is cheaper than the cost to have them just let you in the car. 2) Don't wait until you think you will die and make your poor husband want to suffocate you with a pillow, before calling a doctor because you are mortified by someone else's doctor visit story. 3) Blockbuster might do well here. More than 20 descent movies to choose from, brilliant idea. 4)When you read in several places before moving to a new country about what is not available, believe it and stock up. Do this even if it means throwing clothes out of your suitcase to make room. Socks and underwear abound here, however, brown sugar, vanilla extract and cream of chicken soup do not. All in all, though, I would have to say we are adjusting to life here. I am missing family and friends terribly, but am thankful for those who send email, even very short ones (hint, hint). Love to all and don't stop praying for us!!!!