Five Reasons to Fall In Love...

As I wrote a response to Erin's current poll, I decided I wanted to share with you some of what makes my heart beat for Maryland.

1.  Maryland Blue Crabs.  They are a staple food of Maryland, if not THE staple of Maryland.

2.  Small towns to big cities.

The rural Western Maryland spreads its horizon for farming while to the East and South, the district is all about business and politics.  I grew up in Western Howard County (Glenelg, to be precise).  My home is on a farm but a short jaunt in the car lands me in a municipal.  In between WHC and Baltimore, there is Old Ellicott City, lending itself to the quaint at heart.  Toward the south, we cross through Montgomery County before meeting D.C.   I mention MoCo out of respect for my family and church.e!  Our capital city, Annapolis is beautiful, to say the least.

      

3.  Mountains, Fields, and the Ocean.  What's not to love when you can have the best of all worlds?  The hills of the Appalachian Mountain Range offer a beautiful realm of opportunity for hiking and biking .  Spend an afternoon at Sugarloaf or a day at Cunningham Falls for a simple, relaxing time outdoors.    From swimming in the Ocean to rafting down a River or fishing in the Bay, there are plenty of water-related activities offered across the State as well.
        

4.  Baseball.  Though Friday night student tickets have increased in price, it is still worth the trip downtown.  

      

5.  Four seasons.

Some of you who read my blog have never been to Maryland, or are now living in Maryland though you are from elsewhere.  I did not do justice representing my State and all it has to offer, but hopefully, these few things will entice you to look further.

Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz

I am a student! Huzzah! I went to the Uni today to turn in yet another document. The woman who has graciously handled my situation for the last 4 months announced, "Gut. Alles klar.' Meaning, "Good. That's everything." I asked if there was a letter from the Uni that stated my admissions and she said I should have received it already. Apparently, it was sent to my address in Maryland about a month ago (dang it) but she copied the letter for me and gave me more information about the little things.

I took my German language placement exam Monday morning.  It went alright- I will find out the course details next Wednesday and it begins on Friday.  I'm looking forward to getting started on that.  It feels to good to see things really coming together.  *sigh*  We serve a mighty God.  Like I've said before- He blesses obedience; be in obedience.

Till

In my time here, I expected Sulamit to help teach me German. As of this week, she is also teaching me English. Did you know that the little money box is called a "till"? I guess I probably did at some point learn this, but I did not recall such a word for this "cash box" until this week.

One school complete, one in mid-progress, and one to go! It has been a successful week. Yesterday, Sula and I managed our first school in Graz. We were so proud of ourselves in the end! Thursday we will do a check-out and then Friday we have to organize the last school for the month. It should be calmer for a time regarding these BLAST schools. It will be nice to get into the office to clean and (re-)organize some things.

The current run down of random details:
Today I was supposed to go to a "Hütte" with Sonja, J, and Uschi. A "hütte" is a hut or cabin in the alps. They plan to hunt for mushrooms and just enjoy quiet time in the woods. I made the opt to stay in Graz today when I awoke this morning thinking of the many things I need to do. Sad, but true. We have House Group tonight. It will be great, as Julia is doing our lesson.
Thursday, Mike will take me to a doctor to get this little form taken care of for the University. It isn't a huge deal and they say it will take just 5-10 minutes. It merely has to be done. Also on Thursday, I need to go to BLAST Hill and manage the work for the last school this week.
Friday, I go to Eggersdorf to meet with the other English teachers. We will organize some schedule for me at this time. I'm thinkin' that Schoolhouse Rock might have to make an appearance in Eggersdorf this fall. Friday afternoon I finish the check-in requirements for the School and then the School starts. I will attend this one! It will be good and I am looking forward to it.
Monday, I will take my German placement exam! I am looking forward to getting this over with.
Tuesday, hopefully, I can deliver the last (I pray) documents to the Uni and then I will await my letter of admissions.

And now, back to work. :-(

Wanna be Just Like You.....

The God we serve astonishes me with His graceful power. A revelation of who I am poured over me throughout the last week. I felt lost and desperate, not knowing where to turn for someone to simply understand. Wisdom and words of comfort were of no use. I needed someone to sit with me (Job 2:11-13) and recognize my suffering. I sought the Lord hour after hour for such assuagement. Speaking Psalm 116:7 to my soul, He brought peace to my weary heart. As I allowed Him to humble me, He taught me more intimately about His heart. When time came for me to emerge from the supernatural and spend time with people, I felt my soul quickly running back into a place of hiding. Again, desperation fell on me. So, I sought the Lord and cried to Him a plea for deliverance. I begged Him for a merciful revelation of how to level my emotions. His response was that which I had been avoiding, "Be vulnerable with me..." I told Him very pointedly, "No, not here. Not with these people I don't even know if I can trust." "You trust me?" He left me silent. Within moments, tears fell from my eyes. I did not just cry, but I wept. In time, the Lord settled me down again. At this point, I knew only to do what Cle would tell me to do- drink some tea and read my Bible till I feel safe again. I did that. While it worked for the brief moments I allowed, my sweet Jesus brought me to a safe place to be vulnerable . . . again. This time, as a child.

While on a walk tonight, the Lord spoke to me about this time being my Esther year. This excites me! He brought me to this song by Jason Upton. I've heard it many times, but tonight it spoke through me on a different level.
Just Like You
I tried to walk on the water and found myself under the sea
So with water up my nose I felt your hand come close to save me
I’ve tried to cast out the demons I’ve gone to the darkest of regions
When fear has me shaking you suddenly break in to save me

I desire
To be like you
Like any son or daughter
I want to be like my Father
I desire to be like you
You promised to never forsake me
So I’ll risk it all if you’ll make me like You

You stand beside me just waiting while I try to go it alone
Smiling You say son come here won’t you let me just help you
But frustrated I try to make it cause I’ve just got something to prove
Not knowing it is my weakness that perfects your power

JOY IS IN THE HOUSE!

A lot of Joy!
1. House Group was AWESOME last night! We have three members who are going to America (funny, isn't it?) this month. Two leave this weekend and the third (Ina) leaves in two weeks. We had a long time of worship together last night. Mmm so good. The Lord was pushing me through some things and I was getting pretty frustrated with Him. After some time, Sula and Suky prayed for me and for a releasing of the joy in my heart. It was good. I was in a GREAT mood yesterday/last night but because I was getting so frustrated waiting for the Lord, I lost track of from where my strength comes- JOY! After worship, Sula did a short lesson. We talked Sunday night about how we want to start House Group (after a summer hiatus) before these guys go to America so that when/if they return, they are still connected. This way, we don't have a "new" HG when they come back. Then we celebrated! Mmm good food.

2. Regine and I went to the Uni today to check on the progress of my paperwork. The last I knew, the woman handling my files was trying to find evidence that a note from UNL was sufficient to the UniGraz expectations. She never told us if she found what she needed; and after being gone for a week, I was unsure about where things are standing. Expecting a long line of incoming students, Regine and I were pleasantly surprised to find only one girl in line in front of us for the particular woman with whom we needed to speak. Praise the Lord! We gave this woman (the same woman has handled my papers all along) my name and she pulled my file. She stated that my application had been sent and that I needed to go to some other office to take my German Language Placement Exam. We will go next week to register for this exam- it is required for admissions that I take it. Sometime in these next weeks, we will FINALLY hear if I am accepted as a student at UniGraz. Pray this is a FAST process. Considering the admissions office now has my application, it means that all the documents I have given the Uni are correct. Really, we are just awaiting their review of my app and then a yea or nay. I'm not worried about being accepted (something about already having a University degree gives me confidence that I will be accepted here) but more want this to be handled quickly so that, as we all know, I can finally submit my visa application.

3. Michi is da! Well, not now, he was here. Karina picked him up a little while ago. I am having lunch with Karina and Herta (the woman I will live with from October until I leave). Karina brought a special someone to Graz with her today... she brought JOY! I love this dog. See the pictures of her from this morning. As I said, JOY IS IN THE HOUSE!

I bless each of you with an attitude of fervent prayer and a trusting in the Spirit that becomes whom/what you are.

I love you! I miss you.

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Ahhh, Croatia. We had a great vacation. I cannot clearly explain to you how we really did NOTHING for an entire week. It was amazing! We sat in the sun, read, prayed, worshipped, swam, went for walks, watched movies (and episodes of Alias), enjoyed the Center of Baska, cooked, went for ice cream and drinks (because we wouldn't be who we are, otherwise!).... and so on. Like I said, it was great.
I had good time to press into the Spirit and seek some directions for my time here. This was a key. Now that I am back, my work-load has picked up the pace. I spent the day yesterday in the BLAST office working with Ina and Sula. Mostly, Ina gave an overview of some things that need to be taken care of regularly. I can't believe she leaves for PA in just a couple of weeks now. I am a little nervous about taking over all of her responsibilities. *deep breath* I CAN be a Type-A. I CAN be a Type-A. It will be alright. Franz has decided that I will take Ina's position and Sula will be my assistant as I need her. We already have three ministry schools approaching in the next two weeks. This is what has us busiest right now- registration and manual translation. It feels good to have so much work, though. I finally have a sense of ownership. I'm not just floating around waiting for things to start any more- I am here and I am working.
Speaking of work, I am supposed to meet my co-teacher this week. I have some lesson plans that I need to finish writing for her. Any one have any great ideas for conversation-focused lesson plans for 12-14 year olds?
I hope you are all doing well. Some of you have been heavy on my heart recently (especially those of you with leaky roofs). For you especially, know that I have not been able to rest in intercession for you since July. You stand on good ground.
My kids who started college this month- I'm proud of you guys! I hope you are enjoying these changes!