School's Out

That's right folks, here in Europe school has just finished up for the year. Today was the last day for Abby at her kindergarten. Jake and I recently made the decision that next year Abby will attend a school closer to our home. Right now, it takes over an hour by public transportation or 20 minutes by car to get her there. With gas prices being what they are and the dollar in a seemingly constant spiral the choice was made. This was an incredibly hard choice, for me at least. So many things, ok almost all things have been new since we came here. We had to start at square one with everything, so now changing something I knew is difficult. We really loved her school and teachers. Last week, Abby and I visited her new kindergarten and it seems very nice. The facilities are great and the teacher and administrator I met were very friendly. I will say, however, that their English was pretty limited. That still describes my German as well. So far Abby seems pretty unaffected by the change, but we will have to wait and see what September brings. I would ask for your prayers during this time, for me and Abby.

Fussball

In case you haven't heard yet, the city of Vienna has been overtaken by very enthusiastic fussball (that's soccer for all of you who aren't so cosmopolitan) fans. In fact, Tamika and I had the distinct pleasure of sharing our train back home from Bosnia with A LOT of Croatian fans. If you've never witnessed the enthusiasm for fussball first hand, it is almost impossible to accurately describe it. Let's just say it starts off as terrifying , followed by funny and then just turns into annoying. I will admit as Americans we don't truly appreciate all the hype.
Well, Jake had the opportunity to go to a UEFA game of few weeks ago. How, does one come by such a coveted thing as a ticket to one of these games. There are many ways of doing this, some of which are a bit on the shady side, but Jake actually won a ticket. Last summer Jake began collecting Coke bottle lids to earn points for free i-tunes. Well, one day as he was entering in his codes a message popped up that he had won a ticket to the upcoming games. Let me refer back to the aforementioned statement of Americans not appreciating soccer. We really thought nothing of this and even forgot about for awhile. As the start of the EM (europmeisterschaft) approached it entered our minds again, but just barely.
One day Jake was speaking with someone and casually mentioned he had a ticket to the game. Well, the person nearly came unglued. Apparently, this is like winning a ticket to the Superbowl or something. Suddenly, we understood this was a big deal. However, for us it still wasn't a big deal, really. In fact, Jake had even told Bart he could have the ticket. But as it turned out, Jake got a special letter in the mail with his name on it saying he would have to pick up the ticket in person. We broke the bad news to Bart and Jake began looking forward to going to the game. He really was looking forward to it after he realized the game he would attend was right the day after I returned from Bosnia. Remember, Jake was on his own with Abby for a whole week. And as it turns out, the game his ticket to was the Austria vs. Croatia game.
Jake went to the game and had a great time. Since he won his ticket from Coca Cola there was a pregame reception that he also attended. Thankfully, he came home in one piece. Here are some pics of the big event.



And here is a short video that attetempts to capture the "fun"

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.