Johnstein!

Spring has sprung in Vienna, well, not so much sprung as skipped. We're actually full on into summer like weather now...which is great, except for the fact that my glass fronted classroom has no windows...or any other form of ventilation. But that's ok, cause the sun is shining and the trees and flowers are blooming! We've been able to make good use of our yard and grill...we've had maybe 13 days of summer weather and we have grilled 7 or 8 times. So blessed to be in this apartment, for sure. May is gonna be an interesting month. It is jam packed with events...school spirit week, Mr. ICSV, choir concert, high school play, Coffeehaus, AP testing, Senior Finals, Jr. Formal, Fireflight concert, and final prep for leaving on the senior trip in June...the list is long...the responsibilities endless. Funny thing though, as busy as May is, it also has "stand-alone" holidays than any other month. I believe that this year it works out that we get 4 four day weeks...

A couple of weeks ago I had the honor of receiving an invitation to a gathering of Austrian ministry leaders. This organization is called the roundtable for Austria. The organization has worked for the last couple of decades to try to reconcile much of the pain caused by centuries of religious conflict. Leaders from almost every denomination, tradition, mission organization, and para-church ministry working in Austria are represented in this group. Ultimately, members of this group have committed to put aside their difference in order to focus on a singular mission, fulfilling the Great Commission. I definitely didn't realize how big of a deal it was to be invited to this until I sat down and started talking with some of the members of the roundtable. As I was sitting hearing stories from guys who had been in ministry for decades, I was approached by one of the leaders of the group and asked to speak during the general session. this was a bit intimidating for reasons previously di...

So much of our ministry here is a blessing to us as a family. We have met new friends (who are now as close as family), we have had the opportunity to see beautiful sites, we have had experiences beyond our expectations...and most importantly, we are where we believe God wants us to be right now; serving Him, and growing in His love. But it is really hard when confronted with the realities of what we have to give up. Today a beautiful new member of our family was born to Rebecca's sister. I really have no idea when we will get to hold little Rylinn for the first time. My sister Amy will be getting married in July. We won't be able be at the ceremony and again, I am not sure when we will get to meet this new member of our family. Only Rebecca was able to be with her family for her dad's funeral. We've missed countless birthday celebrations, family vacations, and holiday celebrations. We've been absent from our friends' birthdays and weddings. We just flat out mis...

Usually, when talking to someone about our life here in Vienna, the conversation will turn to the weather...how hot during the summer, how cold in the winter, etc. And really we don't know how to answer...weather here has been different each and every year. This year it seems like winter will never end; we've had snow flurries every day in April (granted, there's only been three days). Baseball season has (for the first time in MY life) been postponed for a week. Fields are currently under snow and most clubs have been unable to have any significant outdoor training sessions. I am looking forward to my third season playing in Vienna and can't wait to get going. The concert ministry that we started here in Vienna continues to continue to present opportunities. I will be attending a gathering of Austrian ministry leaders from Catholic, Evangelical, and charismatic traditions. I hope to connect with many of these individuals and try to get them excited about this conce...