Rome

Sharon and Lani at Fontana di Trevi

We reluctantly, but gratefully, left the B&B outside Florence today via Julia.  She's the daughter of Alessandra.  She took us to get something to eat at a local store for our train ride back and then dropped us off at the train station taking us all the way to platform 1 to be sure that we found it (there's only two platforms in Rufina, so this was so sweet).  We had an uneventful two train rides back and enjoyed eating our grain and olive salad on the train.

We arrived in Rome a little after 2:30pm and found our accommodations.  We rested for awhile and then headed into Rome.  Rome is beautiful. Very big and spacious.  We walked to our accommodations to the Collesseum.  As we walked it was hard to imagine that people walked these stone roads so long ago.  And it's very special to me to think that the apostle Paul walked here as well.  The greenery and remnants of building around the Collesseum were so beautiful.  And there weren't that many people around so it made our time leisurely.  We took the metro to the Fontana di Trevi, which is a famous fountain built in the 1400's at the end of an aqueduct.  That in itself was an experience.  People everywhere crowded subway cars.  But when we got to the area around the fountain, it was very clean, old buildings, and shops all around.  Of course there are trattorias with tables outside.  We walked around, took some pictures by the fountain and found a cozy place to eat.  We enjoyed our last night in Rome and Lani so sweetly bought me my dinner to celebrate my birthday early. She's been such a good travel companion and I've gotten to know her better.  She and I will part ways tomorrow morning.  She'll stay in Rome for a day, then she's off to Spain and Paris, then back to Germany.  I'll fly to Amsterdam tomorrow.  I've so enjoyed her company and I'm anxious to see what God does next in her life.  But this may not be the last time that I see her, she lives in Vancouver, just a few hours away from my aunt and uncle in Seattle.  No matter where our paths lead, friends born of faith are not quickly forgotten.

Florence

 In front of the Duomo (Lani taking the picture, of course)

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise, read outside before breakfast, and then had breakfast with a couple from Canada. Alessandra (I had her name incorrect as Alexandra) offered to take us into Florence because she needed to deliver some of her wine.  We took about 12 cases of wine and had a lovely conversation on the way there.  Having a farmhouse, vineyard, fruit trees and a bed and breakfast is hard work.  You could tell that she and her husband worked a lot.  She`s been so kind to us here.  We met her daughter Julia at the pool yesterday and her mom dropped her off at the train station on our way to Florence.  She`s a thin dark-haired 18-year-old with beautiful curly dark hair.  And she was as kind as her mother.

On the way to Florence, I took in the Italian scenery with the rolling hills, vineyards, and fruit trees.  Italy is more untouched.  Meaning that is more natural and just old.  The farms aren`t as fastidious and square as some other countries.  We found out more about the Il Pezzatino winery.  Alessandra and her husband make 25,000 bottles of wine each year and the winery has been in her husband`s family for 200 years.  We had the rose wine last night and it was exceptional.  She talked more about her daughter and her university training and her son, who is working in Florence.  We arrived the back way to the Florence city center amongst the crazy Italian drivers.  We helped her load some of the wine onto a cart and then she pulled it right into Florence.  She stopped at a restaurant and butchery where she needed to deliver her wine.  I never saw so much raw meat hanging.  We parted ways and started on our tour of Florence.

We used a self-guided tour of Florence for part of the time.  We started at a piazza, went into a museum that was previously a monastery.  There were many smaller rooms with one window and wooden shutters and a fresco painted on the wall.  We toured the museum and then headed to the Duomo, or a famous church built in 1436.  We walked through the art district taking in statues and very ornate buildings.  We continued on, beginning to melt a bit because of the heat, but walked over the Ponte Vecchio bridge built in Roman times.    We then found a stationary shop where the owner was the fourth generation.  We spent an hour in there just talking with him and browsing the books and stationary that he makes.  He was so nice and even told us the only place to eat in Italy -- Casalinga.  So walked just around the corner and down the block and found the trattoria (restaurant).  It looked like nothing from the outside, but inside it was quite quaint.  I ordered a frittata and Lani the ravioli.  I was still hungry so I ordered in salata di carote.  Literally, it was shredded carrots, but once I squeezed the lemon and drizzled olive oil on them it was amazing.  Lani and I laughed that I could impress my friends at home by making in salata di carote (lol). 

We just walked around Florence the rest of the day getting gelato, which melted as fast as we did, but thoroughly enjoyed browsing the shops.  I have to admit, it was much different than I expected.  When cities are so old, it`s hard to comprehend us walking the same streets that people have for thousands of years.  We left by train at 6:00pm, but it wasn't without some challenges because the train was late.  But we found it just fine and headed back to the farmhouse, where Alessandra picked us up at the train station.  Lani and I spent the rest of the night eating a leisurely dinner and chatting.

Tomorrow is Rome and dinner in the historical center.

Tuscany

Sharon and Lani at the farmhouse B&B in Tuscany

Yesterday I was in Austria, Germany and now I am in Italy.  It`s hard to believe.  Simon, one of the "older" students (he`s 29) drove me to the Munich airport and also took home Kerstin and Stefi to Germany.  Both Simon and Kerstin will be back to Tauernhof in a week to work for the summer there.  And Stefi took a nanny job for two months.  We started the drive off in silence just reflecting on our time at school.  After a bit we chatted, but were all so thankful that we were able to leave school together and for all that God taught us.  I was so appreciative of the ride and seeing Germany.  They dropped me off at the Munich airport for my flight to Rome and said our goodbyes.  I will miss all of their laughter and fellowship.

Once flying, I had the most amazing experience flying over the Alps.  So incredible to see how grand and magnificent they are.  I flew into Rome and after a bit of confusion in the Rome airport, Lani and I found each other.  I was so happy to have found her. We took a taxi to the hotel in Rome so that we could get a good night`s rest before going to Florence (our flights just worked out to go to Rome first).  We found all of our trains....except the last 30 minute train to Rufina, where our bed and breakfast is located.  We got on the wrong train.  You should have seen our faces when the train attendant looked at our tickets and told us that we were on the wrong train.  Of course, this was not a simple dialogue because he only spoke Italian.  But Lani knows some Italian, so we managed to find out when the next train would take us back.  We made it back and found the right train an hour and a half later.  The confusion happened because a train was late and arrived on the platform that we were to catch out train.  But now we have the system figured out.  You can only imagine how happy we were to get to the B&B farmhouse and swim in the pool.

Alexandra, the owner of Il Pezzatino was so nice to come to the train station twice to get us.  She and her husband have owned the farmhouse fro 30 years.  She brought us to the farmhouse and showed us our room.  It`s old with uneven wooden beams for the ceiling, a circulating fan, and the bed is dressed in very old linens.  The windows have old aqua shutters, the floors are wooden and the walls are white, but you can tell that the walls are so old because of the uneveness.  But it has it`s own charm.  They even make there own wine.  The dining room has a stove and a long wooden table about 20 feet long, solid wood.  Their wines are displayed.  Alexandra asked if we wanted to walk into town or order pizza and we decided on pizza.  She even took us to town to order the pizza and we waited at a very cozy pizza place -- Pizzeria Spaghetteria.  Very nice staff.  We went back to the farmhouse and enjoyed some of their chilled rose wine with pizza, a salad, and a light cream dessert.  Alexandra even gave us some of their own homemade olive oil to enjoy with our dinner.  We chatted the night away eating outside under the Tuscan sky.  I so enjoyed every bite of the food and the conversation.

Tomorrow we`re off to Florence.

We spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing.

Leaving tomorrow

Dinner at the hut

Dodo (Germany), Kerstin (Germany), Sharon/me (USA)

We walked 30 minutes up the mountain to get to dinner at a hut.  All the staff were present and we had a fantastic meal and fellowship, complete with an accordian player throughout the night.  I even had a glass of Austrian wine (though after two months I couldn't even drink the whole glass).  It's hard to believe that tomorrow I leave for Italy to spend 4 days in Florence and Rome.  It's been so nice to have these days here after the students left to process all of what's going on.  Today we were able to sleep in and could help ourselves to breakfast.  I couldn't believe that I slept until almost 8am.  But I really like the girls in my new room -- Kerstin, Stefi, and Megan (my desk mate in class).  We had a barbeque at the Protestant church for lunch and I spent the afternoon leisurely packing.  I also went on one last walk along the river.  It's been a bit cloudy and cooler for the past week and half, but as I was on my walk, the sun started to come out.  I so enjoyed hearing the river, reflected on all of God's creation, and thanked him for being able to go on this trip.  It's so crazy to think that I just spent 8 weeks in Austria and now I'll get to travel to Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany. 

It's also been great to see that when I've trusted God, that plans seem to go so much smoother.  Like my travels for example.  For one, my camera broke the week before school ended and when I told one of the staff girls that I liked her camera -- that it was just like the one that I had, she offered to lend it to me for my travels.  And literally, it's just an older version of mine.  She's German, but bought it when she lived in America.  So my USB cable works.  So amazing.  And I fly out of Munich to Rome tomorrow, and instead of having to take the train, one of the German students is going to take me to the airport in half the time.  And there are so many other instances like this.  While I am excited to travel, I'm more excited to travel with Lani in Italy, visit the couple in the Netherlands that were so instrumental in my decision to go to school, and visit the other student in Germany. 

As I get packed up, and think about all that I've learned, I think that if I had not left work, I would not be here.  While I don't know where the path leads next, I have so much peace that if I had such an amazing experience that drew me closer to God and brought the reality of Christ to me, how can I worry about what's next?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

Philipians 4: 6-7

Graduation

Graduation

Kerstin, Isa, Sharon/me, Daniela

It's hard to believe that 8 weeks of bible school has come to a close.  I actually lived in Austria.  It's been an amazing experience to live in a foreign country, live in community, and to be around students of other countries.  While I was the oldest student, the younger students never made me feel old.  It took me some time to realize that some of the younger girls wanted to talk to me as an older person.  And I can understand this because I have several older people in my life that I enjoy and look forward to talking to -- whether it's about the good or the bad in life.  So as the weeks went on, I found that I loved to talk to a handful of the girls on a much deeper level.  And it was such a privilege to share their heart with me.  Often it was just such a sweet conversation because we're coming from the same place of faith.  As we wrapped up the last day and graduated, I was teary-eyed.  Partly because I've had such an amazing heart experience here, but also because I know that many of the girls and the young men will go on to be very Godly and fantastic wives, husbands, fathers, and mothers.  And I'll miss a few very much who were kindred spirits to me.  But I may see some again.  Some of the girls from Washington invited me to visit.  And a few others from Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and Romania also said to visit.  While it is exciting to think about visiting a foreign country, I would so enjoy just spending time with them even if it's years from now. 

As for the next steps, I've spent the last few days cleaning the school with the staff and 5 other students who stayed.  Tonight, we're headed to a dinner at one of the "huts" for an authentic Austrian meal.  And I think since school is over, we might even have some Austrian wine. : )

New Adventures

So, we wrapped up this week studying the book of Philipians.  Tobi, who once was a professional boxer, taught the class.  I so enjoyed listening to him because he became a Christian later in life and has so many experiences to share on how his life has changed since becoming a Christian.  I've met his wife and three kids (all under the age of 3) and they're very dear.  He focused on how Paul encouraged the Philipians to think about things that were good and noble and to put this into practice.  He also reminded us from the book that Paul said that Christ was sufficient for him.  Paul, who endured beatings, shipwrecks, jail, and was cold and naked proclaimed that he knew what it was to be sufficient with Christ and how to be content in all circumstances -- his joy did not depend on his circumstances.  Tobi himself is a good example of someone who lives simply, always has a smile on his face, and pursues God with all of his life.  Very inspiring. 

At the top of the Planai mountain

We wrapped up the week with a final sports day, a book report, and a test this morning on memory verses.  For the sports day I chose to ride up the tallest mountain behind the school -- called Planai -- on an electric bike.  You still need to pedal, but I wanted to try it.  It was worth the view at the top.  You could see mountains on all sides.  The trip down was a bit precarious because it was dirt winding trails.  I was a bit nervous, but Tobi coached me.  While I appreciated the help, I decided to ride the road the rest to the way back with two of the other girls.  It was nice to be on the mountains one last time before I go and just be in God's creation. 

As we get ready to go, the staff has a nice dinner planned for us tonight and we'll graduate afterwards.  It's been an amazing experience.  I've loved the mountains, the lectures, the fellowship, and most importantly how real Christ has became to me and has changed me.  While it's hard to put into words, the Christian life hass become more clear to me.  And this makes me very excited for the future. 

"Adventures in Austria" will continue and will become "Adventures through Europe."

The last week of school

Last outreach in a nearby town

Front: Trish, Maddy, Candace, Sharon/me, Dogmar Rachele

Second: Dan, Blake, Denis, Simon, Dillon, Naomi, Leo, Whitney

On Sunday we had our last outreach singing at the Protesant church in a nearby town.  After several practices and outreaches, we really sounded like a team.  It was so interesting to see the church members dressed in the traditional garb of a woolen coat with gold buttons and leather shorts and for the ladies, the traditional dress.  It was particularly cold on Sunday and we wore our warmer jackets, but today it is nice and almost 80 degrees.  As we left the church, we reflected that it's our last outreach.  And it's our last week of lecture.  We're all trying not to think of the lasts, but rather enjoy each moment that's left.  We have classes through Wednesday and then we graduate on Thursday night. 

Tonight, we'll have a final family group and our family group is making a Swabian dish because we have a couple from Germany and Austria in our group.  I really enjoy our family group.  The one challenge with an 8-week course is that just when you're really beginning to know other people, it's time to leave.  But it will be a fun evening. 

After Thursday, most everyone will leave after breakfast on Friday.  But I've decided to stay and help clean and prepare for the next group coming in along with a few other students.  I may also be doing some administrative work to help out.  After this I'll be headed for some travel throughout Europe. I'm very grateful to be able to travel with a friend part of the time and visit some other connections in Europe.  Who knew that this would turn into quite the adventure.  Well, I have learned that life in faith is all about adventure, risk, and enjoying the ride however exciting or full of unknowns.  As I live a life in Christ, I am learning to think less about myself and more about how to spread the good news, how to love others as God would, and how to live fully and abundantly. 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:9-11

Work day

Today we finished up the week's lectures on relationship.  We learned a lot of practical and biblical ways to have successful relationships.  And we talked about all kinds of relationships in our lives.  It's been a good exprience living in community because you need to practice what you learn with each other.  At times its easy, but at other times it can be challenging.  But it refines who you are and how you treat people in all circumstances. 

After lunch, I had work day with a few other girls.  We helped to prepare the newsletter for sending.  No machine, just a few girls putting on labels and postage.  I must admit it brought back memories of sitting at a desk.  I haven't done that in so long that it felt a bit strange.  When I do study here, I sit in the room above the lecture hall called the Eagle's nest.  It's filled with wood dormers, comfortable chairs, and it's just so quiet.  We finished the letters and then another girl and I finished a project to label the student group photo that will be passed out. 

Stamping and labeling on work day

Krista (Canada), Lauren (Ohio), Sonja (Niagara-on-the-Lake),

Alisse (Minnesota), Rachele (Ontario), Sharon/me (Pennsylvania)

I had a few things on my mind and I really wanted to just get to get a few things done.  However, I just felt that it was important to talk with her.  As it turns out she is just beginning her faith journey and still has lots of questions.  A few days ago, she gave me a nice letter about liking having me at school because I spent time talking with her.  I had no idea that she had so many questions and just assumed that she was a Christian.  So this was another chance to talk more about big questions that she has about God.  I told her some of my journey and the questions that I had to answer before I could move forward.  It was so nice and I told her that I would pray for her.  After this, I reflected that I was so distracted with my own thoughts and almost rushed off and asked someone else to do the photo labelling.  It's only when I really stop and put my priorities in order, am I blessed with an opportunity to listen, share God's love, or just to encourage.  I am so grateful.

Ice cream and linens with Bonnie

It's been a full week.  This week we're talking about relationships with Chris and Bonnie Thomas.  As it turns out, they are the aunt and uncle of my friend Heidi from Tennessee.  So, Heidi's Mom, Betty Ruth, is Bonnie's sister.  Both Heidi and her Mom went to Torchbearer schools years ago.  And they were both so instumental in helping me make my decision to come to school.  It's so amazing to meet her family across the ocean.  And I appreciate their teaching because they are so real, and speak the truth with such passion. 

Outside of lecture, we had family group on Tuesday night and yesterday I went for a hike yesterday as part of sports day.  I am still so amazed at the views.  And I always enjoy the group hikes because I have a chance to talk to more of the students.  I talked with a young man named Alexander.  He so impresses me at such a young age with his maturity, quiet ways and ability to relate to all students. He'll be going back to school to get a degree in architecture in Canada.  I talked with several of the other students as well.  And last night Bonnie met with the ladies.  She shared her life and encouraged all of the girls.  And at the end, it was so nice to see many of the younger girls stay after to ask Bonnie about relationships, marriage and anything else that was on their mind. 

As for my time with Bonnie today (which, by the way, I kept calling her Betty Ruth), we enjoyed an ice cream cone in town at an ice cream parlor and then stopped in a linen shop afterwards.  I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her, as she reminds me so much of Betty Ruth -- a gentle and caring way about her.  We talked about what I'm doing after bible school, God's work in our lives, and of course we talked a bit about her sister's family.  As we talked about just being peaceful in the present moment, she gave me this quote from George McDonald that really inspired me:  "The Christian Life is obedience for the next 5 minutes."  Hmm, that makes a lot of sense.

Bonnie Thomas and Sharon (me) at the Austrian linen shop

As we walked over to the linen shop, it was so nice to be with another adult and one that felt like family.  We browsed the Austrian-made linens and just had a ball (in fact, she reminds me so much of my Aunt Ruth as well).  She knew the owner, an older, but very sweet woman.  We talked with her a while and left with a few pieces to remember our trip. 

Poll: do you like the pillow case?

Kerstin

Kerstin and Sharon

One of the girls that I've really come to enjoy is Kerstin.  She's 23 and just has such a calm sense about her.  We went on a hike this afternoon and it was a good chance to catch up.  We hiked up a pretty steep path.  It's been cloudy and cooler the past 5 days and today it even drizzled a little.  But on our hike it stopped.  We talked about the lecture this week and spend a lot of time talking about next steps in our lives and what we've learned.  She is deciding to go back for job training or go on another path.  Before school, she spent a year in France helping handicapped people.  At her age, I really admire her for taking such time to really think about what the next step in her life may be.  We talked a bit about my journey and how God has really given me a sense of peace about the future even though I don't know what that fully means yet.  One of the things that I have learned here is that often times we have several paths in front of us.  If there isn't clear direction, God allows us to make a choice and then he'll use us in whatever choice that we make to his glory.  It's trusting God when we don't know the outcome.  Which can be quiet freeing and adventerous.  We continued on our hike, taking time to sit and chat and then headed back to school.  It started raining only when we got back. 

A morning walk

One of the things that I enjoy here is getting up early in the morning while everything is still and quiet.  During this quiet, I have a chance to read, pray, or go for a walk.  So this morning I went for a longer walk since brunch wasn't until 8:30am.  I walk around the outskirts of town.  I start off my walk by walking past this beautiful house and garden.  One morning a few weeks ago, I met the owner of the house and he was this older man in his 70's or 80's and we had a very short conversation because he knew little English and I knew little German.  He had the biggest smile and the most pleasant countenance.  He discovered that I was a student at Tauernhof and smiled, saying "this is a very good place to spend your time."  I continued on my way, but now everytime, I stop to smell the roses at his house (pictured below).


I walk past the Spar (supermarket) and down the street behind the Schule (school).  Usually, I pass one or two people riding bikes to their destination and we exchange the usual "Morgan" (morning), "hallo" (hello), or "Gross Gotte" (greet God).  I walk to the bakery and buy a sparkling water or sometimes a croissant.  I continued my walk to pass another tea shop, some houses, apartments and crossed the bridge over the river.  I walked along the river for a bit, and stopped to read on a bench.  I continued on and circled back around town and explored some different streets.  As I walked I saw an older woman in sandals, nylons and a traditional dress stop to put her scarf on her head.  She looked liked she stepped out of the past.  Except...when I turned back around to see her walk away, she had a very hip backpack on her back.  I continued on and admired the flowers that everyone has in their window boxes.  The Austrians take so much pride in having flower boxes and beautiful flowers.  I have yet to see a flower box not taken care of. 

I continued on and passed a beautiful hotel.  I looked up to see a girl quickly skirt back from the window because she was putting on her make-up in a round mirror propped on the window sill.  It's so different, there are no window screens here, not even in our rooms.  And all the construction is very solid.  When I talked to Dagmar about the construction because her husband is building a bible school in Romania, she said that it takes a long time to build a house or building because they are built to last.  One of the features that I really like about the construction are the windows.  They swing open if you turn the handle vertical, tilt in if your turn the handle vertical up, or close if you turn the handle vertical down.  It took some time to get used to this, but it's so nice to let fresh air in when it's tipped open slightly and it doesn't let the rain in.  I found another cafe on the way back, said a few more hallos, and headed back to brunch feeling refreshed by both my reading and my walk. 

Here's a verse that inspired me this morning:

" I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free."

Psalm 119:32

Dish duty

As of halfway through the semester, I'm on dish duty.  I am taking the place of one young woman, Lydia, because she had to go home.  Her Mom is dying of cancer, and is expected to die within days now.  While this is a very sad situation, the family has tremendous strength in their faith and trust in God to help them through this difficult time.  Lydia asked that we pray for her mother's death because they have such comfort in knowing where she is going and it's difficult to see their mother this way.

Because of this unfortuneate situation, I stepped in gladly.  It's actually been quite a blessing.  My job is to dry the dishes.  Sometimes Nat, the RA, washes the dishes, but the five of us students are responsible for ensuring that all the breakfast dishes are dried and put away.  Morning is a great time to have a duty and I enjoy chatting with the other students.  The other day we talked about our favorite music.  Age is one gap, but then there are the different countries that we're from.  I wrote down a few of the artists and plan to check them out.  Besides our duty, everyone contributes to the cleanliness of the school.  And it's really clean.  It's cleaned every day.  Cleaner than many hotels that I've stayed in.  I knew that they took good care when I was assigned to clean the showers this week with a small scrub brush.  A little Josh Groben on my ipod, scrub brush and gloves and I was good to go.  We were even asked to wipe the metal down on the showers and shine it.  I really didn't mind the chores because the school is so well run and I've benefited so much. 

Dish Duty

Benji (New Zealand), Ana (Staff/Australia), Trish (Canada), Hannah (USA), Sharon/me (USA)

Mexican Night

Trish (Vancover), Candice (Nebraska), Kate (Canada), Sharon/me

Jane (in the background)

While I had work duty in the afternoon (cleaning showers), I was really looking forward to our family group.  Every Tuesday night is family group night.  It's similar to a small group in churches where 8 - 10 people get together to talk about life, faith, and study the bible.  There's eight students in my family group.  Ironically, six of us are also part of the singing group.  So last night our family group leaders -- Brad and Jane Kiernes from Colorado -- had us over for Mexican.  Brad and Jane will be here for 3 years to be house parents to the students at Tauernhof.  They met here as older student over 20 years ago and have returned several times since they've been married.  And they have two of their four children here, they're both teenagers.  Brad is a businessman in Colorado and Jane leads some women's ministries.  They live in the house right next to where I live and it's convenient to pop over and have tea with Jane.  And it's just great to be in a house and not a school.  As we ate Mexican in their house last night, it didn't even seem like we were at school because we were all gathered around a dining room table in a house, talking and laughing.  And we had chocolate cake because we were celebrating Brad's birthday.  We sat around for 2 hours chatting and really had a chance to learn more about each other without the usual after dinner rush.  The girls hung out in the kitchen and the guys hung out in the living room (some things cross cultures!).  We did have a bit of time at the end to share what school has meant to us, what we've learned and what we'll take back.  Every one of us is taking something back and we've all changed in some way.  As for me, I feel a more settled and have learned to really live in the present, allowing God to surprise me with the future.

A "roomie" hike

I thought that I'd never say the term "roomie" once I left college.  However, you can't live amongst 18 - 29 year-olds for weeks on end and see them all day long and not call your roommate, "roomie."  So my roomie Daniela and I decided to take a hike today on the mountains behind the school.  We had a chance to catch up and we even discussed a student who needed advice on leaving home versus pleasing her parents.  People deal with real issues here and real problems, but there's also real healing.  I find some of the most inspiration moments in the morning shortly after breakfast when we're sitting in the dining rooms, eating family style.  Students sign up to do a devotion, which is basically what God is doing in their life and they'll cite a passage of scripture as well that they found inspirational.  All of the students have been so well-prepared, and speak the truth about their lives.  The young man this morning was wise beyond his years (he's the same one that I went to church with the first Sunday here).  He talked about not being able to see the outcome of what is going on in our lives, that if we don't always like or understand where we're at, that we need to remember that we can't always plan or foresee the outcome.  But that God will work it out for good.  He also quoted Job 2:10, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble," when Job's wife wanted Job to curse God because of the calamity in their lives. What seems like disaster, can have a very different ending.

Daniela and Sharon, overlooking the town of Ramsau

As for the hike, my roomate and I hiked up a steep mountain, going through the forest for most of the way, over tree roots, up winding paths, over small streams, across local roads, and back through the forest.  We hiked partway up to the tallest point on the mountain.  We hiked a little further than we wanted, but when we did, we came into this beautiful field filled with yellow buttercups, white lace, small purple flowers, daisies, and deep purple tubular moutain flowers.  We paused to take in the view, enjoy each others company and headed back down the mountain.  I never tire of the beauty, peace, and grandness of nature.

Hallstatt, over 7,000 years old

Hallstatt, Austria

The optional outing for yesterday was a day trip to Hallstatt, Austria (pronounced Hall-Schtatt).  It's a very small town, build on the side of a hill along a lake.  We took a train, then a ferry to get there.  You are not able to get there by car.  I enjoyed the train ride thoroughly.  The trains are so clean and you have a chance to either read or talk to others without distraction.  We left at 8:30am from Schladming and arrived about 10:30am.  When we got off the train, the town was visible just across the lake and surrounded by magnificant mountains and the view of the town was just breath-taking.  We took the 3 minute ferry ride, and arrived in this quaint little town with a traditional church with a steepel, some small shops, cafes and walking trails up the mountain.  We walked around a small square and and browsed some shops, including shops that make soap, salts, pottery, and wooden items.  And most everything was hand-made by people in the town or in nearby towns of Austria.  Dani and I stopped by a cafe and had a cookie and sat at a table outside the shop.  We continued on and sat along the lake looking at the town and just relaxing.  The town just had a very slow pace and even though it was Saturday, it was not as busy as you would think. 

A few of us took a Gondala ride up the mountain and walked down.  Of course, there were sheep at the top of the hill and this made me smile.  We walked around at the top of the mountain and took in the view, trying to take pictures of the mountains and town below, but it just didn't do it justice.  We stopped briefly at the restaurant at the top and then walked down the mountain, stopping to see a waterfall along the way and to just sit and enjoy the forest.  At the bottom of the hill, we parted ways and I took a leisurely walk through the town eating an ice cream cone as I strolled, Dani read by the lake and a few others visited an old church.  It was the perfect little town, because there was not too much to do and you felt more inclined to take in the scenery and enjoy a slower day.  I found several little treasures there and think very fondly of this town. 

On the way back, we had a few train connections, and just seemed to all enjoy each others' company.  I had a chance to practice some of my German on one of the Germans and caught up on some reading on the way back.  I read in the book Traveling Light by Eugene H. Peterson and this just jumped out at me: "You were called to freedom, brethren, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another" (Paul, the apostle).  What a great reminder.

Austrian Dancing

Hans Peter, a local farmer, teaching us Austrian dances

Last night we learned several Austrian dances at a local ski school gym.  Hans Peter Plutt, a local farmer whom the school helps out at his farm, taught us several Austrian dances.  He would demonstrate with someone from the crowd, and then had a few couples who knew these dances demonstrate.  Most of the guys were hesitant to learn the dances, but they seemed to enjoy himself.  And so did the girls.  I'm not sure that I had that much fun in a long time.  We learned six or seven dances and while there were more guys than girls, we still managed to make it work.  We all laughed as we learned each new dance.  All of the girls dressed up in skirts and dresses and most of the guys got dressed up as well.  Hans Peter played an instrument similar to an accordian.  And afterwards, we went out for ice cream in town all dressed up.  So much fun.

Tea with Hannelore

Today a few of the girls were invited to tea with Hannelore, the Director's wife.  We headed to their bed and breakfast a little after lunch.  We arrived and Hanneloare already had tea cups out and a dessert prepared for us.  She and her husband, Hans Peter, have three children aged 15, 19, and 20.  They live in the house that Hans Peter grew up in, but they rennovated it.  But they kept the rooms, making 5 of the rooms into two apartments for guests and left 5 other double rooms that come with breakfast.  This is quite common here.  When I had tea with Maja, the Coordinator of the school, yesterday, she too had an apartment in her house.  Much of the income from the community is from tourism, especially in the winter, so this is a way to earn a living here.  After we settled in on the back patio, with gardens surrounding the patio and the mountains in the background, Hannelore brought out a dessert that looked like slim layers of cake with a light cream cheese filling.  Scrumptous. 

Tea with Hannelore Royer (left), Johnna (USA), Jeannette (Canada), Sonja (Canada), Whitney (Macedonia), Dani (my roommate), Dogmar (Austria), Sharon/me (USA)

We talked for several hours about all kinds of topics, but it was good just to be at a house and to be chatting with a smaller group of girls.  Hannelore was so gracious in the conversation and made us feel so much like friends.  That is so common here.  People are very welcoming and expect long conversations of relaxation.  When Maja and I had tea yesterday afternoon, we spent the whole afternoon together and she thought that this was too short! And stores are closed from 12:00 to 2:30pm every day.  It rained on and off while we were at Hannelore's and the sun came out a few times, but she had a small awning over the patio and the conversation was so nice, that we just stayed and chatted.  Hans Peter, her husband, came back from a run just as we were getting ready to leave, and handed her a bouqet of hand-picked wild flowers.  Awww...

Freedom

Halfway through school at the top of the mountains in Ramsau

It's halfway through school and I've loved every minute of it.  The first two weeks were rather quite like a vacation because I was away from home, tried new sports, went on hikes and just enjoyed a new culture.  The third week was more of an adjustment because I began to really live in Austria and all the adjustments that come with it.  Like when to go to the store, because they are closed much of the time or how to live in community 24x7.  During the fourth week, as I began to study God's word, talk to the professors, and have conversations with fellow students, I began to do more than just learn.  It really began to transform me.  One of the simple truths that I learned was more about God's character and His unconditional love for us.  We can't earn God's favor.  He simply loves us.  That's it.  And I began to experience a freedom in living with this truth. Life becomes less filled with control and it becomes more about wanting to follow the one who loves us unconditionally. 
 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus."

NIV Bible: Romans 8:38-39

First Outreach

Leo leading our outreach group in the Schladming hospital

It's been a busy few days and this evening we visited the local hospital in Schladming to sing songs to cheer the patients.  Our group sang several songs in the corridors and the residents listened from their rooms, but a few did come out to listen.  We also handed out invitations to a church service in the chapel at 7pm.  This was one time that I wished that my German was better -- because I so wanted to talk to the patients.  We visited 3 floors and then had service in the chapel, where we sang songs, one of the students, Simon, gave his testimony in German, and the principal of the school, Martin, gave a short sermon.  We sing in the church on Sunday, then we have a few other outreaches.  I'll write more about the happenings here and how life is changing for me.