Celebrating 50 Years

 After we wrapped up our time in the Chicago area, we drove down to Asheville, NC to spend 3 days with my family and celebrate my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. A lot of what we planned for those days was a surprise to them, and it was a really special time together. Their legacy of faith and love for each other is inspiring to all of us, and we're so thankful we could celebrate all in person together!

We invited a professional photographer to come and do a photo shoot. It was really special to have all of these great pictures taken of our family. It was the first time we were all together (with all of the grandkids)!

The original 5

Ellie & Maya with Grammy and Grampy

The Whole Group

All of the Cousins with Grammy and Grampy

Celebrating our two high school grads the first night

Fun in the hot tub

The photo shoot in action

John giving a toast to kick off the anniversary party

The special couple enjoys a special meal

Mom and Dad posing with their hand-painted family tree

Checking out the photo book we made for them with notes and pictures from friends and family

Two Years

Posing with our team leaders at the airport on October 6, 2012

Pushing our carts of luggage through the Vienna Airport

Two years ago today, we stepped off a plane and arrived in Vienna. Two years! It is one of those things that seems like yesterday and seems simultaneously like so long ago. The longer we are here, the farther away our life in the States feels and the more Vienna feels like home. We have gone through so much change since the fall of 2012 - learning a new language, acclimating to a culture, finding and being blessed by a new community and church, making a home and expanding our family. No wonder our "previous life" feels like a distant past!
Through all of this, the Lord's hand has been so clear to us. He has directed and guided us each step of the way and continues to bring encouragement into our lives. We still feel very confirmed and certain that this is where He wants us to serve, and it has been exciting to get more and more involved in practical ministry over these last few months. From finding an apartment and getting settled, to discovering and being welcomed in by our church, to picking up German...God has blessed every step and we are so thankful. We look forward to seeing what the next two years in Vienna will bring!

One Year Reflections

Arriving at the Vienna airport on October 6, 2012.

Yesterday, we went out to dinner to celebrate one year since landing in Austria. ONE YEAR! We can't believe a year has already passed since we got on a plane, left the States and began this new adventure and new life.

Like many things in life, we experience a paradox when we think of the last year - so much has happened since we left and being in the U.S. feels like a long time ago, so it seems this year has been full and gone by slowly. But at the same time, it feels like it has flown by!

Tiredly posing with teammates at the airport last fall.

Here are some of the amazing things that God has done in the last year:

• He got us here, with 100% support, all of our luggage and a readiness to jump in!
• He enabled us to get acclimated to life here quickly and pass our A1 language exam last fall, required for our visas.
• He answered many prayers and got us us visas to stay in Austria- in record time!
• He healed our German teacher Renate, after she was in a coma and nearly died. She has since revealed that she is going to catholic mass more regularly, and we believe she has encountered God in a new way.
• He opened the door to partner with the Fry family in England AND found us a German tutor while we were there, so that our time across the water was productive and used well while we waited for our visas to return.
• He helped us find the perfect apartment in only TWO DAYS of looking, and we were able to move in just TWO DAYS after we arrived back in Vienna.
• He provided us with many friends and teammates here who helped us paint and put together Ikea furniture, helping our move-in process go more quickly.
• He's given us favor with learning German, and we're amazed at how far we've progressed, when we look back at the last year. We've also had great classroom and tutor experiences across the board, which is truly a gift. Not everyone has had such a great experience as we've had.
• He led us to a great church community in Vienna, where we've been able to plug in, be welcomed and grow in our German. We've met many patient people willing to help us learn.
• He blessed us with our little girl who will be arriving in January, ss well as excellent medical care from our doctor and midwife, helping us feel great about having our first child here in Vienna.
• He also blessed us with our sweet dog, who has already given us MANY opportunities to meet our neighbors and practice German in the park and at puppy class.
• He led us to start a bible study with a few folks from church, which will be a wonderful outreach opportunity and a chance to grow in our ability to discuss deeper topics in German.
• He has blessed us with a community here - a supportive team and friends who have helped us feel at home. This is a huge blessing and one we do not take for granted (or try not to!).

We could go on and on. Suffice it to say, God has opened doors, given us favor, and confirmed his presence with us every step of the way. We are blown away by his blessings, even in the times that have been challenging, tiring and downright difficult. We are still confident that He is working and that He will use us to impact people here, despite our frailty, sin and failures. For this, we are the most grateful.

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

- Deuteronomy 31:8

One year ago...

Our garage sale where we sold most of our stuff - June 2011

One year ago today....

...we left our apartment behind and began a nomadic lifestyle.

...we gave up "feeling normal" and having a place to call home.
  
...we put our belongings in storage and learned to live more simply.
     
...we began a grand adventure that I has been hard, but so rewarding! And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

The view from our car the first day on the road - July 1, 2011

It's interesting to reflect on the fact that it has been a year since our big transition. As with many things, it seems like it's flown by so quickly and like it's been so long...all at the same time. As time goes by and we are "nomadic" for longer, I can admit that it gets more difficult. At first, the newness and feeling of adventure was enough to keep us going. The excitement of taking the next step and getting closer to Austria made the transitions easier. But it is beginning to wear on us. We miss having a place to call home, a retreat and a safe haven. We miss having a kitchen to cook in and we miss having access to some of the hobbies and things we enjoy doing together. We miss not having to pack and unpack every few weeks. But most of all, we miss stability. And we look forward to the day we will have it again in Austria. Each day, that stability and home get closer!

Celebrating 3 Years

Time flies when you're having fun! And that has certainly been true for us since we tied the knot 3 years ago today. Marriage has been a fun and wonderful adventure for us, and we've learned so much about ourselves and each other since April 18, 2009. Our marriage has been full of a LOT of change, as most of you know...but it has only brought us closer and taught us how to do life together, no matter the circumstances.

Here are some photos from our special day 3 years ago...