Johnstein!

What follows are the notes from last Thursday when I shared at the final chapel for the Seniors...this was also my last chapel, so it was quite a privilege to be able to share with these kids one final time. I opened with a video from a band called MxPx of a song called "Everything Sucks When You're Gone ...no real reason for it really, I just like MxPx and since sometimes it seems like everything will suck when people we are close to leave, it seemed right... I want to talk a little bit about goodbyes and leaving...but not just about that...about seeing how the present (or the recent past) has shaped you and your next steps. I realize I will probably jump around a little. stick with me. and don’t laugh at me if I cry. Saying goodbye is a hard thing. And in the days leading up to a goodbye, it definitely feels like everything will, in fact, suck. And it makes you act crazy sometimes. Nothing makes sense. You think of all the good times, and you feel sad. You think of all the...

I've been thinking long and hard about the last 4 years...replaying in my mind everything that has happened. The joys, the sorrows, the unexpected blessings. The hospital visits, the European adventures, the new experiences. The hellos, the goodbyes. The friends, family, and students who made all of these memories real. Through this reflection I realize that there are a few lessons that I have been learning through it all. Here's the three that I've been working through today... 1. Planning and expectations can lead you to end up missing the point Ok...so planning is good. There's nothing like having a nice laid out itinerary for your journey. You've got to look at the map and understand the road ahead.  Knowing what to expect can help you prepare yourself. Looking back at some of our blog posts from 3 or 4 years ago (and then the memories that come along with them) I am reminded how much our expectations of ministry in Vienna, and our life as a family have chan...