Created, chosen and loved

“You are the sons of the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave your forehead for the sake of the dead.  For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."

Deuteronomy 14:1-2

Füssen, Germany

Sometimes, just knowing that God willingly created, chose and loves a sinner like me, is more than enough to make it through each day and this life.  Today I am thankful for a God that will NEVER let me go and pursues me amongst my constant rebellious actions.  

I'm sorry I haven't posted recently!  More to come soon!  

Fighters

This school year I have the privilege of coaching one of my favorite sports to the High School girls, volleyball!  They are a spunky group of girls that I have come to love more deeply than I thought I ever would.  They are a group of 19 energetic, hardworking, crazy divas that keep my life very entertaining.    I am currently coaching both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams which has made for quite a hectic schedule.  In addition, I am required to take German classes this year and therefore our practice and game schedule has been greatly affected.  I, thankfully, have a great assistant coach and four captains who have filled my role when I cannot be there.  

ICSV Eagles

This year I really wanted to teach my teams a valuable lesson about Christ.  I was praying for these teams all summer and nothing was placed on my heart.  It wasn't until two of my captains told me that there were some issues on our team that needed to be addressed that the Lord placed the verse Exodus 14:14 on my heart.  "The Lord will FIGHT for you and you only need to be STILL".  (This is a verse the Lord has been using in my life a lot recently.)   I knew that the Lord wanted to teach these girls about being a fighter and knowing WHO is truly on your team.  

I was excited to pour this concept into the girls and to discuss this with the team.  We had a team meeting before one of the games and I told them that as a team, we need to be fighters.  We need to fight for our team, our school and most importantly, Jesus Christ.  Fighting on a team is not about being self-fish or having an attitude, but choosing to sacrifice desires in order to better the team.  And, when you are weak or feeling weary (Isaiah 40), to believe in a God who is fighting for you and you just need to be still.  I soon saw the girls take this concept to heart and to begin to play as a self-less team.  They were wise with their words, generous with gifts of encouragement, and respected the other teams through every win and loss.  

JV girls on their way to a game

While the Lord was showing these girls how to be self-less fighters, he was also teaching me how to be a self-less leader.  I believe the Lord calls people to be leaders in order to clip our wings and humble us.  I, too, learned that I am incredibly self-fish and depend too much on myself instead of the Lord.  I have learned to apologize to teenagers, to be patient after I've repeated myself a million times and was reminded that the soul of the girl is more important than the ability to play a sport.  Our season is almost done, and while I will be thankful for a break, I will greatly miss these lively, beautifully chaotic high school girls.  

Varsity tournament in Salzburg

"Don't be afraid.  Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

2 Kings 6:16 

Elisha the prophet to his servant when they were encircled by the Arameans.  The Hidden Army of the Lord, fighting for his people.  

Oktoberfest

Where has this fall gone?  Sometimes it feels like it should still be August.  I am sorry I have been quite behind on my blogging updates this month!  The past few weeks were quite hectic and now that time seems to be slowing down, I can send some updates this week!  This October has been quite the fest!  I've been taking German classes twice a week, coaching two volleyball teams, teaching,  Since a picture is worth a thousands words, here are some photos of this month's happenings.  A more personal blog post is soon to follow this week!  

Varsity Volleyball team in Slovakia and Salzburg for a tournament 

My beautiful, crazy team

Becca and I created a photo scavenger hunt for our entire staff

Took my Spanish classes to get a tour in Spanish of the UN

We received a visit from the Ambassador of Kosovo

The Ambassador and I 

  

Learned about the chemicals in bubbles from my AP Chem students

  

    Celebrated Becca's Birthday

Same place, different schedule

A very popular question that I have been receiving this month is, "Are you still doing the same thing you did last year?"  The answer to this question is yes and no :).  I am still teaching at the International Christian School of Vienna, however; I am teaching different courses and involved in some different activities.  

Classes

• Spanish 2 
• ELL Intermediate English (reading and writing)
• ELL Intermediate Language (grammar and pronunciation)  
• ELL Advanced English
• ELL Beginner Bible

The majority of my students are the same as last year since they all just moved up a level in their language classes.  I really enjoy having the same students consecutively because I am able to see them grow academically, spiritually and to further my relationship with them in the classroom.  Collectively, I have students from every continent.  As I teach the students English and Spanish, they are teaching me about their language, culture and way of life which is fascinating (I'm somewhat of a language nerd).  While all their cultures are radically different, the bottom line is that Christ created us with a specific purpose, to Glorify Him.  Truth surpasses culture everyday and my goal is to bring this knowledge to my students, in hope of them returning to their country and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.   

ELL students dressed in their native attire

 Activities

• Sophomore homeroom teacher
• High School/Middle School volleyball coach
• Assisting in coordinating mission trips for the High School

 I wrote the following definition of the board when I first met with my Sophomore class...  

Sophomore: Greek sophos wise + mōros foolish. 

They were shocked to hear that their new title meant wise fools.  One student jokingly asked, "Uhh Miss... does that mean that freshman just means fools?"  The reality is the Sophomore year for most students is when very intelligent people make foolish decisions.  My main prayer for this class is that they drop the "moros" from their title and chose a life of wisdom, pursuing Christ and bringing all the glory to him!  Would you join me in praying for this Sophomore class?      

High School volleyball team

Photo bomb

This past month has been quite busy and instead of writing about everything, I have decided to show you with pictures.

First, Becca and I painted our apartment and added some decor from our beloved IKEA.

                           

 

Then we took a quick, very cheap trip to Croatia.

      

 

A few days later two of our friends and supporters from our bible study in the States visited us!

And then school started and I got to see these lovely faces!  

                                                       

Check our our school's website ICSV.  

...For such a time as this

My second year of teaching in Vienna has begun!  I feel that I should tell you that I was THIS excited to begin my second year here at ICSV...

However, that was not the case.  When I first arrived here my attitude was poor, my thoughts were gloomy and I felt very out of sorts.  I was very homesick, distant from the Lord and missing previous co-workers and friends that were not returning this year.  In addition, the enemy capitalized on these selfish feelings creating a very somber person.  I hated feeling this way because I wanted to be excited about teaching and my ministry here in Vienna.  My first year was life-changing and I wanted the same for the second.  

Thankfully we serve an INCREDIBLE God who never lets us go and is always fighting our battles.  I soon felt the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart to spend time with Him.  I was grieving the Holy Spirit.  After much prayer, time spent with the Lord and incredible co-workers encouraging me, I was reminded of the greatness of God and his forgiveness.  The missionary life is not as grand as some may think.  It can be lonely, confusing and very often depressing.  Yet, the goodness and love of God always shines through.  He is mighty to save and continues to do so even in the darkest times.

Our director, James Devenish, created a theme for this school year titled "...For such a time as this" from the book of Esther.  It was an incredibly moving talk and encouraged us to make the most of the time we are given with everyone we encounter and to be brave like Esther in order to save souls!  For this time is HIS time and it is so brief.  

All to say I am extremely excited to be back in Vienna now and teaching third cultured kids once again.  Being away from family is always hard and depression will come and go, but God is good and has never stopped fighting for us!  

The Lord will fight for you and you need only to be still 

Exodus 14:14

K'tizo Tea

My wonderful Aunt Judy (Judy Duncan) has recently started her own business named K'tizo (Ka'Tea Zo) Tea.  She has a heart for the world, different cultures, and reaching the nations in the name of Jesus Christ.  Through her business, K'tizo Tea, she hopes to spread the message of the gospel.  In addition, she sure knows how to make a delicious cup of tea (hot and cold).  If you have an event, party or just in the mood for a good cup of tea I encourage you to check out her website or visit her at one of the local markets (Wheaton French Market on Saturdays, Winfield Farmer's Market on Wednesdays, Glen Ellyn Farmer's Market on Fridays).  You won't be disappointed!! 

Check our the website here -->  K'tizo Tea

What just happened?!

A year ago today I had just returned home from a training seminar in New York preparing me for my 2 year journey to Vienna, Austria.  I was experiencing every type of emotion, saying goodbye to too many friends and family, and trying to pack my entire life into 3 medium boxes and 2 suitcases. (Let's just say the post office was not to fond of me that month).  I had no idea what my upcoming journey would entail and how the Lord would change my life.  I am happy to say this past year was one of the greatest years of my life and one that has made quite an impact.

To sum up my time, I have decided to answer a few FAQs that I have received over the past month.

1. What's it like living in Austria?
To be quite honest, living in Vienna is not all that different from living in Chicago.  It is a very international city filled with all sorts of different nationalities and cultures.  There are many great restaurants, parks and ice cream shops :).  I live in a great apartment in the heart of the city with a fantastic roommate.  We live right above a grocery store and close to the city center.  My lack of German has led to some difficult/comical conversations with different people but I am learning to speak it.  Also, it is a beautiful city and I love getting lost in it.

2. What has been your greatest challenge?
I have had many challenges living in Vienna but my three greatest challenges have been not knowing German, being far from my family and learning how to biblical integrate into the classroom.  The latter was probably my most consistent challenge.  After teaching in a public school where biblical integration was less than encouraged, it was an adjustment to be allowed to talk about Jesus in the classroom.  I also wanted my lessons to naturally integrate the gospel and truth instead of segmenting them ie start and end the class with prayer.  My prayer was for them to see Jesus in every subject and how faithful and constant He is.

3. What are you teaching?
I am teaching High School Spanish and Middle School ELL Content (Science, Social Studies, English and Bible).  And yes, I have had to relearn many things I was taught in middle school!

4. What else are you involved in?
I will be coaching High School volleyball, being the sophomore homeroom teacher and leading mission trips to other parts of Europe.

5. What is your favorite thing about living in Vienna?  
My favorite thing about living in Vienna is teaching at the International Christian School of Vienna.  I absolutely love my job, the people I work with and the students in my classroom.  I have learned so much about culture, ministry, friendship and teaching in an international community.  I feel so blessed to be in the environment that I am in.  In addition, I love living in an European city.

6.  How many Kangaroos have you seen? 
While Austria does sound like Australia, there are no kangaroos living in Austria :).


I am very excited to go back for a second year.  I already miss a lot of my students and life in Vienna and am ready to see where the Lord leads/teaches me this year.  Thank you once again for all those who have been supporting me whether it is financially or prayerfully.  The Lord has been faithful and answered those prayers!

Birthday wishes

This past Monday some of my good friends took me out for a delicious Mexican meal.  I know it sounds strange to eat Mexican food in Austria, but it is my favorite and I had such a craving for some good fajitas!

One thing that the Lord has provided for whilst here are very close friends.  Before coming here I did not know what to expect for friends or what the people would be like.  I am constantly surprised daily by how the Lord continues to provide.  Being away from family has made me realize how important relationships are and how deep they can truly go.  I have learned so much from the people that I work with and will always cherish them.  They have become my family and I am so thankful for them.

Girls at Prom

It has become quite a tradition here to ask "birthday questions" of the birthday girl or boy.  They can be anything under the sun.  On Monday night a dear friend asked me, "If you could freeze any moment in time this past year and remember how you felt in that given moment and never forget it, what would it be?"  It did not take me too long to think of this answer.  There was a moment over Christmas break where the Lord taught me some very precious lessons about forgiveness, love and grace.  I had felt like my eyes had been opened (for lack of a better phrase) to the sin in my life and I finally understood what Christ had done for me on the cross.   I almost felt like I had become a Christian again and that my chains had fallen off.  I was able to forgive people that I had not forgiven, love deeper and have a somewhat better understanding of what grace truly means.  I do not want to waste any more emotion on bitterness, anger or "what might have been".

My goal for this next year in my life is to pursue freedom in Christ and live as such.

Isaiah 40:21-31

Do you not know?

    Have you not heard? 

Has it not been told you from the beginning? 

    Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 

 

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,

    and its people are like grasshoppers. 

He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, 

    and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 

 

He brings princes to naught

    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. 

 

No sooner are they planted,

    no sooner are they sown,

    no sooner do they take root in the ground,

than he blows on them and they wither, 

    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

“To whom will you compare me? 

    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 

 

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: 

    Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one

    and calls forth each of them by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength, 

    not one of them is missing.

Why do you complain, Jacob?

    Why do you say, Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord;

    my cause is disregarded by my God”? 

 

Do you not know?

    Have you not heard? 

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, 

    and his understanding no one can fathom. 

 

He gives strength to the weary 

    and increases the power of the weak.

 

Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall; 

 

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

Happenings in May

The month of May has been quite eventful!  Every weekend has been filled with some sort of event, trip, birthday etc.  It has been very fun, but exhausting at the same time.  I have felt so blessed to have enjoyed this month with such good friends, great students and able to learn even more about a God who's love will never let me go (more on that tomorrow).  Since a picture is worth a thousand words, take a look at my month below.

I'll be home June 28th and would love to see each and one of you!  Please do not hesitate to contact me. Miss and love you all!

First I went to Hallstatt, Austria..

to cheer on these two who ran a 1/2 marathon...

with Yvonne :).  

Then we hosted an Asian Night with these kids...

and dressed up in Asian clothes

and played "Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Asian Edition"

and finished the night by eating lots of delicious Asian food

and cleaning up.  

Then my two good friends, Jocy and Steve, came for a visit...

and we visited many places

and I was sad to see them leave :(.  

But, I got to go to prom and dance the night away 

with my beautiful students :)

I then went to watch some of my "Vienna Family" get baptized

and celebrated my 26th birthday with amazing friends.

Finally, I threw a baby shower for a good friend :).  

All in all, it has been a splendid month!