Change

The past few days have been filled with reunions. I've been seeing people for the first time in two years and boy oh boy a lot has changed. People are dating, engaged, married, and pregnant just to name a few differences! It's been overwhelming at times to attempt to readjust to life in America after so much has changed in me while in another country. I'm still battling some loneliness, confusion, and uncertainty but also excitement for what is ahead. The past few weeks have been strange, fast, and a bit surreal. Did I really spend 16 months in Europe!?!

Here are some pictures of my time here so far.

Jumbled jamboree

Here is a brief overview of what's been happening lately in one big mish mash paragraph.

Flew home from Austria after a wonderful final few days. Jumped right into life at home. Saw my nephews almost every day. Attempted to see all old friends and family. Received a visit from Austrian bud Julia. Did all of the Amish related tourist attractions. Lived out of a suitcase for two weeks. Spoke in front of church. Received much needed hugs. Enjoyed every moment with parents. Flew to Minnesota one day early to hang out with teammate Emily. Unpacked my one and only suitcase into my new dorm room. Began debriefing and the re-entry process. Felt like I have no place where I fit in on earth. Trusted God and moved on.

Here's some pictures.

Sun too bright and flowers too pretty

The 3 in one

boys becoming men before their feet can reach
reunion on this side of the ocean
amish paradise

I promise...

I really will update again. Life has been full and time spent blogging has not been a priority. I'm safe and sound at home, living it up with family and friends. I'm looking forward to time spent in Minnesota and enjoying this time of trusting God for everything.

I'm also enjoying little nephew friends.

Tick tock

Quick update since I'm doing all sorts of things at once and have a large to-do list.

I have one week left. Tomorrow I have two goodbye parties to attend. Sunday is my last time at church. Tuesday at the homeless dinner they're doing some sort of special goodbye for me and I'm supposed to give some sort of message. I need to pack up my life into suitcases and clean my entire apartment. I'm going to miss it here.

But, spring has also sprung here and it is lovely. Well, actually it's been raining a lot lately, but when the sun does shine, it sure does know how to show off.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

Introducing Gottfried.
Tonight he told me the story of how he saved a few lives. I'll try and repeat it in almost his exact words. He found a few earth worms on a path the other day where they may have been smashed by a bicyclist or something other than a bicyclist. Since he is not inhibited by the thought of touching these creatures he moved them to a safer place where they could be in the earth. He then assured me that he was no hero, but just brave enough to touch worms.

He's 67 years old, wears 5 scarves every day, typically only has one glove on, and carries a walking stick that is probably about six feet tall. He enjoys taking strolls in nature but only at moderate speeds. He wants to some day show me an albino donkey with blue eyes that dwells somewhere in Vienna. He is concerned that since I am a foreigner I haven't figured out how to buy train tickets yet. He gives me a hug every time he says goodbye to me.
So, what do you think, should I make him scarf #6 before I leave?

Oh, how He loves us!

I spent the past week in Deggendorf, Germany on a team retreat with OM East. We went on this retreat last year and it's amazing to think how much I've done / changed since then! This year we did an unusual study of the book of Mark that ended up being extremely powerful and meaningful. We were split up into groups (quite a mixture of people from every age and country you can imagine) and acted out about six chapters of Mark each. My group had the crucifixion of Jesus. At first I was a little nervous about that being our part. What are the chances that in 3 days you could put together something that would do the most astonishing moment in all of history justice? In the end, on the day of the performance, it was such a moving experience for us all. The roles were not typical, Jesus was a girl, the woman who anointed Him for burial was a guy, I was Peter, and somehow it fit. In the final scene there were real tears on the floor near the 'cross.'
I learned so much about love during this week through the study of Mark and also in my own times with God. I continue to realize that I'm never more alive than when I'm in love, fully abandoned and in an all out pursuit of God. That's what I was made for. None of this half-hearted junk, or a moody love that comes and goes based on how I'm feeling. Whew, that's tough. This is a work in progress but I'm thankful to be thinking, asking, and waiting about God's consuming love during Easter time.

Here's some pictures of the retreat in Germany and also our pit-stop we made in Salzburg on the way.The woods at the retreat center were amazing! (photo credit: Emily Ona)Sporting some authentic Austrian outfitsBeautiful Salzburg