Adventures in Austria

I will always remember my first day and night in Austria. (f you want to know why, you should ask me to email you my Europe journal from last year.) I knew that my visit this year would be very different. Oh sure, same place, but different people. And it was different - but not disappointing. :)

Since I booked all my plane tickets separately from the RC team, I arrived in Vienna, Austria, four hours before the group. I was supposed to sit in the airport and wait for them, but I instead I found Matt Edwards (our contact in Hungary) with Richy and Fruzsi (Hungarian friends) waiting for me in the airport! I was so confused! I didn't really piece together what was happening for a few minutes, but eventually we figured it out. Matt, after receiving the flight info I sent via email, thought that I was flying into Vienna and would be in Hungary for two days before the team arrived. (Vienna, by the way, is an hour and half from Tatabánya, Hungary.) So Matt came to pick me up... but in actuality, the team and I were about to head into Austria for two days and visit our Torchbearer schools there, THEN head to Hungary by train. Yeah... So that was confusing. But we got it all figured out eventually! Since I still had four hours to kill while I waited for the team to arrive, Matt and the others took me into Vienna and we visited a castle/palace place. It was pretty sweet.

Then Matt dropped me back off at the airport and I waited for the team. They arrived soon thereafter and we ran to catch our bus (just barely made it!). God provided an awesome opportunity for one of the girls (Kate) on the team to share the Gospel with the guy next to her. It was not a forced conversation; rather, he asked questions that led straight to the heart of the matter. Later, on the train, Kate and I talked about that and many other things. The conversation opened up a much deeper friendship for the two of us. I am thankful, because I wanted to spend some time with Kate since she arrived at Ravencrest. I was sorry that I moved back to California before we had a chance to talk. Kate does have a heart of platinum (Frank and I discussed this in Hungary), so you can imagine how neat it was to talk with her for a while.

We all arrived at Schloss Klaus late and went to bed soon after. I wandered through the castle first, and reminisced about my time there last year. Then I talked with the girls, and fell into a night of delicious slumber.

The next day was a delight. We woke up, ate breakfast, and walked to the station to catch our train to Schladming. The highlight of the day was our visit to the other Austrian Torchbearer center, Tauernhof. We ate lunch, had coffee at Tauernhof, kicked back for a few hours, then headed back to Schloss Klaus.

That evening the students put on a program for the Schloss Klaus students, and all went well. I was, however, a bit down. One of the guys unwittingly said something that hit a deep insecurity of mine. That carried over to the next day, but God faithfully reminded me that my security lies in Him. :) What a loving Lord.

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting several students at Schloss Klaus. No, there were not deeply kindred spirits, but there were students there who were overflowing with the life of Jesus Christ.

When we left for Hungary on Wednesday, March 16th. My conversations with the girls (on the team) during the train rides and at Schloss Klaus made me eager to continue ministering together in Hungary. Each of them is so special to me, so I am thankful for the two days in Austria when I had conversations with Becky, Mauri, Sarah and Jacque. I had no idea that these conversations were preparation for an even deeper bond that was yet to come through trial in Hungary.

Italy in Pictures

Esther and I talked about my next stay in Italy. It will be much longer. :)

Youth group! Wahoo!

We love Max!

This is really just in here because of Anna's forehead.

"Hello, Italy. You look sad today."

This is our normal. :)

Shaving cream. Confetti. Balloons. Snobs in the Prada store. Welcome to an Italian festival. :)

Third largest cathedral in Europe

A bit more festive craziness :)

Thank you, Damaske family, for opening your home to a bunch of crazy Ravencrest girls. We learned from you and grew to love each of you. I pray that I see you all again soon.

Austria in Pictures

Maybe this is why I love flying... :)

There was a miscommunication and Matt Edwards and some others from Hungary came to get me when I got off the plane. My plan was to continue with the group to Austria for the next two days, then come on Wednesday (with the group) back to Hungary. So Matt, Fruzsi, Richy and I went to Vienna for a few hours and visited a castle. :)

It's hard not to feel like a princess when the view from your castle window looks like this.

Yes, I know it's a terrible picture. But it's the only one I got. Google "Schloss Klaus" for something better. 

We found this hideous creature in the dungeon. One of the girls kissed him. He turned into a handsome prince. The End.

Italy

Italy stole my heart.

After a long, long plane ride, I arrived in Italy and experienced bad jet lag for the first time. The reason for this is that I had a nine-hour conversation on my Denver-London flight with the British guy next to me. He was very chatty and easy-going, and I don't think either of us planned to talk for nine hours. They just sort of slipped by... and we never really reached that awkward pause that you usually do with people on planes. So we just kept talking. It was a good conversation (obviously), but I knew I'd pay for it! I couldn't stay awake on my second flight (London-Milan), so I slept for a couple hours.

When I arrived at the house, the team was there, and many were asleep on the couch. I showered, which was glorious. Then I walked with some of the students and missionary kids to get gellato (sp?). Way to spend my first evening in Italy, right? :) We got back just in time to jump in the cars and drive to church for youth group.

At the youth group it was a bit intimidating. There were all these Italians and all us Americans... and sometimes breaching that wall is a little scary. But I figured, Hey, I'm here. I might as well go see if we can communicate. So I did. And we could! It was great and encouraging, and seemed to break the ice a bit. Pretty soon several of the Italian girls joined me in my row and the service began. Frank taught, and I stayed awake, in spite of my awful tiredness. :)

The next few days were filled with interesting events. Since I didn't journal very much they have run together a bit (sadly), but there are a few things that really stand out in my memory. I'll number them quickly.

1. I got to talk to several Italian girls about attending Ravencrest or other Torchbearer schools. Please pray for these girls - it would be such a neat opportunity, and such an encouragement for them and for their church.

2. One of the ladies at the church (Esther) asked Frank about whether it would be possible to get someone to come stay with her for a while. Frank called me over to talk to Esther, and there is definitely a possibility of me returning to Italy for a longer period. Granted, I'd have to come up with the money somehow, but God has done greater things than that, so I won't be too surprised if it works out. I am praying about this opportunity, for sure.

3. We handed out flyers one morning. Just before we handed them out, we were shown a video about the statistics of Christianity in Europe... and it was sobering. In Italy I believe that perhaps 1% of the people are evangelical Christian. I will try to find the video to post. So we pray that the flyers made it into the right hands and that seeds were planted.

4. Not speaking Italian seriously bothered me. :( If I go back I'm gonna have to spend some time learning at least some basic phrases. Maybe more.

5. There was a crazy festival that we attended in Milan, and there was shaving cream everywhere. I don't know what the festival was for, but it was pretty insane. Mostly, there was confetti, shaving cream, raw eggs and a lot of crazy people.

6. We saw all sorts of cool buildings. We did not see Da Vinci's The Last Supper, because only twelve people at a time can go in to see it, thanks to the deterioration and the extensive care that they must now take to preserve it. But I was closer to it than I've ever been before! :)

7. We got to stay in homes with the missionaries who we worked with. I could hardly believe the great extent of the hospitality. They served us in such huge ways. I felt loved and cared for, and wished with all my heart that I could have given more in return. One my favorite memories is the night where I asked Marni (the wife/mother) how she and David came to serve in Italy. She shared their story and we talked for quite a while. Another night we just hung out with the whole family and the kids postponed going to bed. :) You could tell that they were enjoying having guests as much as we enjoyed being there.

8. Nina - one of the missionaries - is one of the most expressive translators I have ever seen. I loved watching her translate to either language. She really put a lot into it!

9. My heart was captured by the Italians. I loved being with them and hope to return again soon.

It's past midnight here in Hungary. I will try to recap the last few weeks here as soon as possible. There is SO much to say about Austria/Hungary, and I feel I've left so much out about Italy... Ah, if I only had more time!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. All my love to all of you. And if you get bored, send me an email. It's been a while since I've heard from anyone except Candi and my parents.

Italy

Sorry, all. I accidentally posted my Italy blog twice. See above for the real details and please disregard this. :)

Colorful Colorado

The first time my brain fully registered how excited I was to go back to Colorado was about five minutes before my plane landed. There was some turbulence, and I thought, "Ah, good ol' Denver! I can always depend on the bumps!"

We flew lower, and I saw Denver International Airport out my window. THEN it hit. A flood of emotion and anticipation washed through my mind and I couldn't stop from saying, "Oh! I'm so excited!" The guy next to me looked at me a bit funny, so I contained myself until the plane landed. Then I skipped through the airport, and nearly burst with joy when I saw the Snyder family. The girls ran to hug me, and I could not stop glowing. 

I gave Erik and Sarah a quick update as we drove out, and my own eyes and ears updated me on their life happenings. Jack (their youngest) is walking. Camille (middle child) is talking a lot. Catherine (oldest) is beginning to hold short conversations. And at Chic-fil-A, Erik and Sarah told me about how they won the Ravencrest talent show with their "knitting" project. Actually, they have no clue how to knit, as the students soon discovered. 

"This is more God's  it's actually God's talent than ours," one commented.

Then Erik read - "For You formed my inward parts; You knit me in my mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

YES. They are pregnant again!!! I thought that they were about due for another child. :) We had a wonderful time driving back and catching up that evening. It felt so very normal and natural to be sitting in their living room again that night. I just glowed.

When Erik and Sarah went to bed, I headed over to the Chalet to see if I could find anyone. When I walked  into the Commons I think I surprised a lot of people. But each person I saw was genuinely excited to see me. :) My heart fairly burst with love, gratitude and joy at seeing these dear students once again. Have I mentioned how much I love them? No wonder it was so hard to leave them all in September! They welcomed me into their hearts and lives, and I didn't even do anything to earn it. I really felt a bit overwhelmed being back again - like my heart was too full to hold all my emotions.

Honestly, it was such a gift that God allowed me to even know this group of students. I haven't done a thing to deserve their love, and yet I have it! Perhaps knowing that I was leaving caused me to enter in more than I would have if I was still on staff. I would like to think that nothing would have been different - but you never know. Regardless, I am thankful that I know this group of students. And to think that I almost left Ravencrest before the school year began!

So the mornings were spent with Erik and Sarah (and several evenings, too), and my afternoons and nights were spent with the students. There were late nights in Rooms 7 and 9; talks in the student center; an epic picture rendition of Beauty and the Beast (pics are on Facebook); wonderful talks with Emily, Liesa, Paula, Roberta, Aaron, Drew, Sjeord and Kate... and many others; dance not-parties; Silverado movie night ("and then there were four..."); dinners with the Snyders and dinners out. On my very last day I had lunch with Bonnie Thomas, then went down and had tea with Mrs. T.

Sweet fellowship - that's what it was.

Frank (Bible School Principal) booked the Europe team's tickets for one day before mine, so they left on Wednesday and I had one extra day to pack up and say good-bye to the rest. On Thursday I made a couple final phone calls, then cherished my ride to the airport with Emily, Josiah and Aaron.

I know this post is long and not as interesting as you all perhaps deserve. So as a prize, here is a poem I wrote this week. :) It is not a very happy poem, but I like the way it flows. Let me know what you think.

What goes around

Comes back around

And you sent that

Some time ago.

Now you should know

To brace yourself;

Accept the blow

You brought yourself.

If you'd displayed

Some decency;

If honesty

Had then been paid

It might have made

A difference.

You flaunted insecurity,

You walked right past integrity,

And traded in sincerity

For disobedience.

Now you face the consequence

And consequently

Different

Pains than you anticipate

Will grow until it is too late

For reconciliation.

What goes around

Comes back around;

It just came back around.

- Christy Smith (03-24-11)

Up next, my first taste of Italy. :)

Highlights in California

Yep, that's right. I highlighted my hair.

Just kidding. I did no such thing. But this here is an attempt to fill in the huge blank spot that is the previous month of non-posts. My plan is to name a place and put down the most memorable, important, important, interesting or weird things that occurred while I was there.

California:
1. I mourned that Claire was not there with me.
2. I spent some wonderful hours with Amy and Ann and their families. There were a few great conversations and I left feeling even closer to my sisters than before.
3. I saw Candi and helped her take some pretend wedding shots for her portfolio.
4. I did my taxes.
5. I did some work and earned some money for my Europe trip. There were some donations as well, for which I am most thankful.
6. I wrote a letter that I have been intending to write for years. This is the interesting thing - that we can intend to do things, but that it really makes no difference until we do. I wish I hadn't waited so long for this particular letter. I wish I had written it several years ago when I first thought to. This letter-recipient is someone who has had tremendous impact on my life - starting about ten years ago. So, as you see, the letter was due.
7. While reading in Mark, I was reading the part about Jesus coming to the disciples across the water, and how at first they thought He was a ghost. One line caught my heart in Mark 6:50 (Amp) - "Take heart! I AM!" I love that He is our consistent constant in whatever we need. He Himself is exactly what we need in the face of every circumstance.