I made strawberry jam with my neighbor this week. Strawberries are in season here right now and they are soooo gooood. I maen I have never tasted such yummy strawberries. Well, with such an abundance of fresh friut it only seemed natural to do some canning. I have made jelly in the past with Jake's mom, but have always been intimitaded to go it alone. A few weeks ago our neighbors had us over to dinner along with another young couple in the building. It was such a nice time, and we felt so honored to be invited into their home. Some how during the course of dinner the subject of jam came up and I commented on how much I enjoyed making jam with my mother in law. So, Christine mentioned she would be making some soon and offered to show me how. I jumped at the chance and finally this week we got together. It was really fun. We talked most of the time in German, she is very patient with me. We laughed and talked and canned. Below are a few pictures of the day.

 

 

 

 

Stupid Laundry Lady

Ok, so I'm the stupid laundry lady. I went and washed Abby's passport, so now we have to get a new one. I can barely begin to describe the problems I think I've created for myself. First, we have to go get passport pictures taken, then we (Jake, Abby and I) have to go down to the consulate and apply for a new passport, then we have to wait for it to come (I was told it should take about 1 week) and then I'm gonna be running all over down filling out other paperwork with her new passport number. Remember, its not like I can just hop in the car and do all this quickly. Well, technically I could, but have you ever tried to drive a Jeep through Vienna? Not fun I'll tell you. And with gas prices near $8 a gallon, who would want to anyway. It will require hours on public transportation and waiting in lines. I think I'll fire that women who does the laundry or at least give her a firm lecture. So, take it from me, DOUBLE check all (including the cargo pockets on your husband's pants) before throwing them in the washer.

Not wanting to end on a sour note. Check this out. I'm counting my blessings everyday. How about you?

Refreshed and Renewed

Wow!!!! I got home on Saturday from the Come Before Winter renewal in Bosnia feeling so refreshed and filled up. I know I could never convey fully all that I experienced and learned during the week so here is a sort of top 10, in no particular order.

1. I am blessed immeasurably to be serving in Vienna. I met so many women who are truly serving in the trenches of battle. I take for granted the abundance of the Lord's blessing.

2. God, who is ruler of all, desires to know me and loves me.

3. Spending daily time with the Lord is essential and joyful.

4. Prayer time can be tranformational, when I am willing to listen and act upon what the Lord is saying to me.

5. I will not to listen to the lies that Satan if feeding me. I am a work of the Master and He is truth.

6. Rest and replenishing are a blessing and are necessary.

7. True repentance is freeing and comforting. Just let go, God will forgive and heal.

8. God truly does hold my life in His hands. (This lesson came very clear during the travel time to and from the retreat.)

9. Unity in Christ means more than I ever thought. Putting aside insignificant tdifferences is freeing.

10. God is good!!!

I'll post some pictures soon.

Well, someone had to do it

I'm off tomorrow bright and eary for the Come Before Winter retreat in Bosina. Tamika let me know about this a few months ago. It is a ladies retreat put on my church members from the US and the only cost to the attendees are the travel expenses to and from the retreat site. We are staying here. I'll be traveling with Tamika by train from Vienna to Zagreb, Croatia, where we will be meeting up with some other ladies to travel the rest of the way to Bosnia. Pleas keep us in your prayers for a safe trip. I am really looking forward the time of Bible study and fellowship, but am already missing Jake and Abby. We have only spent a couple of nights away from Abby since being here, and none away from each other. I think the reality that mommy was leaving finally hit Abby when I started packing the suitcase. She asked why I was taking a suitcase and then kept trying to crawl into it. Just in case you don't have a clue where Bosnia is, I've included a map below. Have a great week.

Window Seat

Here are a couple of pictures I snapped of Abby the other day. She is sitting in the window of our apartment looking over her calendar. Our apartment is on the top floor of our building, so we have windows in the ceiling. Abby loves to look out and see what is going on in the neighborhood.

Hannah update

Here is the latest on sweet, little Hannah. Please keep praying for this precious little girl.

Hannah is doing great! She's off all pressurized oxygen, still require
some oxy, but without pressure behind it. She's not gaining weight
very well, but not loosing either. She's in an open crib and nursing
on demand when I'm here. I think it could be soon when she can come
home...we won't know until we acutally walk out the door because she
could loose weight at the last minute or drop her temp...which would
make us stay, but the light is bright at the end of the tunnel! We
love you all and thank you for all your support and encouragement.

Picnic

Today was a gorgeous day here!!! I can't express enough how glad I am that spring has arrived in Vienna!!! Seriously, during November and December I was pretty sure this whole living in Vienna thing was not going to work out. Vienna is dark in the winter. I mean really, really dark. And cold and dark. If you have only lived in the midwest or south your entire life, you really have no idea what it was like. I know I had no real idea what I was in for. Now, though, it is beautiful here. To celebrate the completely gorgeous weather we went for a picnic in the green area by our house. Hera are a few pics. Enjoy.