PFO - Monday, June 28

So...I didn't update the blog last night. I was going to. But I fell asleep before I got around to doing it. Yesterday was great! First full day of sessions, focused primarily on who WE are (to later be compared to the THEY - and then broken down to how We become They - within the context of our transition to the mission field). We had a great devotional focusing on our attitudes within the transition, and God's role in leading us. It was especially comforting to reflect on God's parting of the Red Sea vs His parting of the Jordan River. Sometimes, He requires us to dip a foot in the water before he will clear the way. I think that this PFO experience will be a lot like that.

We also analyzed the personality inventories that we had taken prior to attending this week. Both Rebecca and I had taken these before, but we had never done a debriefing session together about what each others' personality meant...very entertaining, and enlightening.

So much rain today...our little creek that runs through the campus was much higher than before...fortunately, we were inside while most of the rain was falling...

Here's some pictures...

I thought this was funny...also where the lecture hall is for most of our sessions...

Rebecca checking email...

All the kids on the way down from their sessions...

Heading back after dinner...crossing the now much higher creek....

Finally! The Dollar General...snacks and some extra pillows!

Comments

Who are these kids at ICSV...

Hi everyone... The first week and a half of school has been absolutely amazing! We have had some great opportunities to begin building lasting relationships with the students that God has brought to Vienna to be educated at the International Christian School of Vienna. Rebecca has been adjusting well to her role as secondary secretary. She is learning quickly the many demands of her new role and is doing quite well in supporting us teachers and the rest of the staff. Rebecca hard at work I have been really enjoying my classes. I have a total of 43 students spread out over 4 periods. The students I have represent 14 different home nations, with many of the students who are "Austrian" are first generation, so they are of other nationalities as well. I have also had the opportunity to begin working with the soccer team...again, many nationalities are represented on the field, truly an international squad. Here are some pictures of the team training at the local club...

and baby makes four...

that's right...our little family will soon become a foursome. We have found out that Rebecca is 6 weeks pregnant! There is definitely "something in the water" as all the families that live within our block have recently had a baby or are currently pregnant. Our baby will be the 6th baby born to ICSV staff in a span of less than a year (first one was born in early November and we will be welcoming our new addition in September). So, kind of unexpected, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless!

The day that changed our lives...

Today (Nov 10) is Justin's birthday. Obviously, the birthday of your child holds a special meaning. Over the course of the last three days, I have been reminded of how exciting a birthday truly is. His excitement reminds me of the excitement we felt in anticipation of his birth, and, I think the excitement that God feels as his children enter into relationship with HIM. Justin seems to think that we will forget that today is his birthday. I base this on the simple fact that he has reminded us no less than 5 times/day since Sunday. I'm not sure exactly why, he hasn't quite been this excited about his birthday in the past; maybe it has something to do with this being the first birthday in Austria...I'm just not sure. But the joy that he carries (and expects from everyone around him) in anticipation of this day is a bit infectious. As many of you are aware, Justin was born in the middle of our senior year in high school. We were so emotionally unprepared (being so youn...

Johnstein!

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