Auf Wiedersehen!

After two weeks of packing, multiple goodbyes and a wonderful going away party thrown by my parents, I am finally on my way to Vienna, Austria.  I am very excited and eager to start my new life abroad and to begin serving Christ in a new environment.  I've been so blessed and thankful for all the people that have supported and encouraged me through this time of transition.  I will continue to post pictures, funny anecdotes, and prayer requests.  Thanks again and check out the pics below from the Farewell Open House!         

Where's the Party?  Here's the party!  

Goodbye Cake!  Thanks Jewel-Osco

 The party planners

So Long!  Farewell!  David taking the song to heart

Now the party can start

Some of my wonderful students came!  

Typical Burns and Burick

My favorite neighbors

High School and College friends

Tobi closing out the party 

Off to Austria...

Hello and welcome to my blog!  I am about to start an adventure that is both exciting and a little scary.  Starting August 1st, I will be calling Vienna, Austria my new home.  In Vienna, I will be teaching in an International Christian School to students from around the globe.  My primary reason for leaving Chicago and going to Vienna is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ through teaching in Vienna.  I will be teaching both ESL and Spanish in the school.  There will be many opportunities to share the gospel with my students and I am excited to start doing so.  This blog will give you updates about the school, my students, life in Vienna, joys, frustrations and all my experiences.  I greatly appreciate all the prayer and financial support that so many of you have given!  God has been extremely faithful and has answered many of the prayers!

Before I leave, I have been going through many transitions.  I moved back in with my parents which has been wonderful!  I have enjoyed having two months with my family before I leave.  In addition, I went to Houghton, New York to attend a two week training/orientation at Houghton College.  It was an amazing experience.  I learned so much about living in a different culture, my future students and was able to meet people from America who were going all over the World.  I am so glad that I participated in this orientation because I now feel so prepared to teach and live in Vienna.  Here are some pictures from my trip!

The group going to Austria

Learning how to make African tea

Delicious!

Fun day in the park

Fourth of July weekend trip to Niagara Falls