Love

Love is a many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love.

I started this blog post in March of 2011. Thinking back on where I was in my life during that time and where I am now, I can fully see that those words at the top are completely and utterly true.

Love IS a many splendid thing. When someone feels loved, from a significant other, a family member, a friend, a coworker, a student. They have such joy. There are so many different kinds of love. Sometimes I get frustrated with the English language's lack of different words to express different feelings. We say "I love pizza" and "I love YOU" with the same word. I wish there was another word to use.

Love lifts us up where we belong. Love is uplifting and encouraging. "Positive and encouraging..." no, not KLOVE the radio station, but TRUE love that only the creator of Love can give. This love always hopes, never fails, always perseveres, is not jealous, holds no record of wrong, forgives, is everlasting. It takes you to the place that your heart longs to be.

All you need is love. I think it's funny that in the next line in the "elephant medley" Nicole Kidman's character follows this line with "But a girl has got to eat..." What if a man gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? The love of our Father, the perfect being who knows you inside and out, knows your thoughts before you think them, knows all the hurt and pain and joy and laughter that you have ever had and still LOVES YOU, this love is all that you will ever need! All that any of us ever need. And He has shown me this love through so many different people in the past year.

2011 was definitely a year of His testimony of love. I have experienced each of those things that love is. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Even if you can quote it, really read it. Look at each attribute of love and think about how He has shown you this in your life. So amazing! Really!

An Ordained Encounter

I am going to share something a little personal. Most of you have probably seen on Facebook that I am now in a relationship with David. So I decided to update you all on this story of my life.

Little did I know when I was preparing for our English Advent Service set for December 4th what exactly would come from that night. I was excited about having the opportunity to worship through singing Christmas carols that are most dear to my heart and give a taste of home. The Fishnet teachers were all working together to make all of this possible.

The night came and everything was ready. One of my jobs was to pass out the candles at the door as people came in. We were bringing the "candle light service" to the Czech Republic. About 90 people walked through the door and I gave each of them a candle. Most of them said something in Czech to me and I just smiled and nodded.

My friend Marketa came through with her friend David. He said something in Czech and I just smiled and nodded, not understand what he said. I later found out that he asked if it was a cookie. We had the service and afterwards we went to the cafe in our church. I sat down with a table of youth group kids and joined in conversation. Sitting on my right was David. We were introduced and talked with each other the rest of the night.

That night when I got home he had requested me as a friend on Facebook and asked what he could be praying for me. I had captured his attention and we talked and messaged almost every day on Facebook. He invited me to lunch a week and a half after we had met and we sat and talked for 3 hours about where God has taken us and what He is teaching us.

Two weeks after we met (December 18) he came to pick me up for our final advent service. He had a single rose and asked if we could pray and get to know each other better for a month before pursuing a relationship. I was blown away and couldn't believe that God had given me such a man that would honor me and HIM in such a way.

So for the next month we prayed, fasted and hung out. It was very evident to both of us that God was working through this and that He had brought us together. He has been teaching us the same thing and laying the same verses on our hearts.

Well this past Thursday the month was over, and we decided that God is leading us to pursue a relationship with each other and see where it goes. I know that He is in control of all of this and that we can trust Him to lead us in every step as long as we are both seeking Him and what He wants for us.

I am blown away at His faithfulness and love how He chooses to show His love for me through this man. Please pray that God will be glorified through our relationship, and that we will always pursue and seek Him.

Stars

One of my favorite musicals is Les Miserables. It is coming to Prague in March. A few of my friends and I are going to see it when it comes. I am really excited about experiencing this musical here in the Czech Republic.

There is one song in this musical called Stars. It is the major song of the antagonist, Javert. He is looking to the stars as a source of consistency. "You know your place in the sky. You hold your course and your aim. And each in your season returns and returns and is always the same." When his world is being turned upside down by a compassionate/merciful convict, he looks to the stars for normalcy. I can agree with Javert in this.

I just read (today on the train) The Little Prince. I had never really heard of this book until someone mentioned it to me. And it seems I can't get away from it. I borrowed it from a friend today and read it the whole way home. It's not a very long book, but it is so good and full of so many truths.

The stars are a main theme in this book. At the end of the book the main character is challenged to see certain things in the stars to remember what he has learned. So this brings me to my thoughts.

I have always enjoyed looking up at the stars. It was one of my favorite pass-times in Texas. When you've got such a big sky and most of the time there's no clouds, you can see SO many stars in the sky. You get to know them pretty well.

So here, living on the other side of the ocean, I still enjoy looking up at the stars. Living in the city the opportunity doesn't come around very much, but when it does I thoroughly enjoy it. I look to the stars and I see familiarity. I am lucky enough to still be living in the Northern Hemisphere which means I get to see the same stars my family is seeing in Texas.

When I look up to the sky, I see those familiar constellations and patterns. The stars remind me that I am still on the same planet as my family and all the people I love.

What do you see when you look to the stars? How do they make you feel? What do they remind you of?

The Winter Months

This winter in the Czech Republic has been anything BUT normal. We have only had one day of snow and it was all melted by the next day. The temperatures have been above freezing every day and rain seems to be the precipitation of choice.

Now, I am happy to not have to trudge through slush and muddy snow, but I think the rain adds to the blah atmosphere that is winter. Living this far north, there is definitely a lack of light during the days. It is 7:10 and just now the first light is coming. The days end at 4:00 and by 4:30 it is completely dark.

The snow helps to add to the beauty of winters here. It makes a sort of winter wonderland atmosphere. It makes the night not seem so dark because of the bright reflection of the lights. It makes the days that much more beautiful and joyful. Students get to sledge (British for sled) down the hill at school, but with the rain they are stuck inside.

This increases opportunities to get to know people better here. I love the winter because you have more time for 'coffee dates' and good conversations. Yesterday two of my students from English club showed a great interest in going to English Camp this summer. I have seen my students from my classes here posting on their Facebook about English Camp.

Winter is also a time to look forward to the sun and summer. Even now we can look to English Camp and what awesome things can happen there. He holds tomorrow and today and yesterday. Praying I make the most of today so that I can look forward to tomorrow.

It's been a while...

Sorry guys, my life has been kind of crazy lately. From doing all the Christmas preparations (decorating, baking, parties, gift buying, advent services) I have neglected to write on my blog.

This Christmas I stuck around here and had a wonderful time! Other than one trip to Vienna and another to West Bohemia (Cheb, CZ) I have had the privilege to deepen my relationships and friendships here. Which is something that I am most grateful for. I know that He is working and it is so much fun to see it and experience it.

I spent Christmas (Dec 24th) with the family of our school's secretary. Kveta has become a woman that I truly love and enjoy talking with, getting advice from, learning from, and sharing life with. She opened her home to me and my roommate Ashley for dinner. It was a lovely evening and I enjoyed every minute of it.

We didn't have carp, which is the traditional dish for Christmas in the Czech Republic. Her husband and son don't like all the bones. We had baked salmon and potato salad. It was really good, and the best part was watching Kveta prepare everything.

We had a church service the following morning and afterwards were invited to have lunch with our church's pastor and his family. We joined 7 other people around a large table and had great conversation over lunch.

Last night we had a New Years Eve fellowship time at our church. I could definitely feel the love of the Body as we sat around talking and sharing and just being together. Generation gaps were filled and everyone was one big family. That is something I love about the Body when it is working together as it should. We are united in one Hope, one Love, and one Savior.

So here are a few pictures from my Christmas.

Ashley and I at the Klamka house

Singing Christmas Carols

Writing in the pastor's visitor book

Our Pastor, Daniel

Watching my nephew open his presents on Christmas 

Trip to Nuremberg after Christmas
 

Rathaus Christmas market in Vienna

One Big Vlog post

I don't know who reads this that doesn't have access to my Facebook. So...here are some back dated videos I have posted. :)

Love my job

I am sitting in our staff room or 'kabinet' as the call it. Just had lunch with a colleague of mine. And we were talking about our jobs. I have to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for my job.

I started the day off with a wonderful conversation lesson with my students this morning about Christmas traditions and stories. I love celebrating the birth of our Savior and sharing with others the story.

Then I come here and my students got to use a smart board to research various tourist locations. Then I taught a seventh grade science lesson about air resistance and did an experiment.

My day today was wrapped in so many things I love about teaching. Technology, meaningful conversations, and hands on learning.

Thank you, Lord for a wonderful day. And a reminder that you have called me here.

Love and Grace from our Lord