Gettin' my stuff...

Well, here I am, back in the US for good! At least, for now. :) Among a myriad of other details related to my transition back to the states, I had to make a plan for shipping all my things from Vienna to Chicago....not a cheap endeavor, let me tell you!
I looked into many options, and the direct shipping prices were, in short, through the roof. I was overwhelmed with the potential cost, and considered just selling all my books, clothes, etc. and buying new ones in the states! Thankfully, a missionary family that has their kids at VCS put me in contact with a couple who was moving back to the states from Austria after many years of church planting. To make a long story short, I was able to share the container they were using to ship their belongings back, for much less than any other option. Praise the Lord!
The only problem was that they lived two hours south of Vienna and were moving to Colorado. Hmmm...
God continued to provide what I needed: the parents of one of my students lent me their minivan to drive my boxes to the container, and wouldn't even take money for the gas!
Then one of my good friends from Vienna, Becca, has moved back to the states and grew up in Colorado. So I drove down to her place in Missouri and we drove my parents' van out to Colorado together. It was such a blessing to have that time with her to catch up after a year!
Plus, we got to see a couple other VCS teachers, Amanda and Carrie, who live in the area. We went hiking at the Garden of the Gods outside Colorado Springs. Lots of red rocks around there!


It was a wonderful trip, even though I had to drive so far. :) And now all my possessions are in one place! (Well, at least in one state.....)

Last Days in Wien....

Leaving Vienna has got to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. When I think about everything I'm leaving behind: my school with its incredible ministry, my students, the deep friendships I've developed with staff; my Austrian church, where I was finally starting to understand the sermons!; the German language, which despite myself I have come to love; this amazing city that has become home to me, along with my apartment that is awesome in so many ways.
So many times, I've felt that I don't have the strength to say goodbye. But I know that God is greater than my emotions, and that He is leading me in His perfect will. He will provide the strength I need for this time, and will enable to me to enjoy my last days here and say goodbye well.

Friends hanging out at Ursula's house on the Donau (Danube river)


My home: apartment building entrance, the Hof, and our front door


At Schloss Schönbrunn (with Judie) and the Riesenrad in Prater Park with Amanda and Carrie


Volksgarten with the Burgtheaterbehind it, and on the Graben


In my other favorite park, Stadpark: Mozart's statue and garden



In Eisenstadt with my roomie Rachel :)



Playing cards with freinds at Ursula's house; a one-way street sign






Some of my precious 2nd grade students - I will miss them so much!

God willing, I will be visiting this place that is now part of my heart many times in the years to come!

A visitor for the week!

A couple weeks ago, my roommate Elizabeth's mom came for a visit. It was a huge blessing for Elizabeth, as it's the first family member who has visited her in Vienna, and she's moving back to the states this summer. It was such an encouragement for her to be able to show her mom what her life is like in Vienna, and have her experience it firsthand. Her mom had a wonderful trip and really loved the school where Elizabeth has poured so much of herself for the past 2 years. On the last night she was here, the three of us went to an opera, The Magic Flute by Mozart. only 2 Euro each for standing room tickets - gotta love Vienna!