Routine in a foriegn land

Well what can I say, I am starting to settle in. I have my daily routines and my work habits that come and go week from week. I do love routine. Every Monday I know I will be in the kitchen, then youth group, followed by aerobics class with some of the ladies. When we are done my host mother and I walk home talking about our day and then sit and eat chocolate due to the fact that we just worked out and it makes us want sweets. Routine being what wakes me in the morning knowing the essentials of how my day will play out yet still being open for new and surprising things.

One of those surprising things was a visit to Schonbrunn Palace.  I was able to walk around the queens gardens admiring the lush green trees that encase the crimson red and canary yellow roses. All being tended by Austrian men of different ages listening to hip hop music in English. The sounds of languages going by from China, to Russia and back again. Everyone intent on finding the hidden treasures the queen loved so much. The secret bench is encased by bushes for a couple to sit alone, the fountain where fresh water flows, the baby birds chirping overhead, and the trees so large the path is shaded by their branches above. It was glorious stepping into a part of history looking as lovely as when the queen herself road through in her horse drawn carriage. I am sure to return.

This past week I was able to speak at the mid-week service. I never really have liked the sound of my voice behind a microphone, but I was glad to have been asked. With a translator by my side all turned out well. The whole service was meant to represent an art - form from solo songs to paintings done on stage. The fact that some people can learn through art as much as others can learn through the spoken word makes me so glad we were able to combine a few ways of learning into one service.

When I first arrived I landed hearing the sound of a loud bang and seeing a flash of light.  Lightning and thunder continued until this last week when the sun finally decided to show its face.  We had water baptisms on Sunday at the Danube River - with perfect weather.  We also enjoyed an outing to the local pool.

This week we are hosting a conference.  The speaker hails from Texas - which isn't surprising since the pastor loves that state.  We are about to encounter day two and the topic is Jesus loves you. The simplicity in the words captures the depth in the message.