After we wrapped up our precious time in Salzburg with a garage sale, a going away Grillfest, and a final meal together, kind friends of ours helped us pack up moving vans and we drove to Schwertberg (the name of our actual little town in the Linz area). It was a long day that resulted in sore muscles and a very disorganized new house but there was also a definite underlying sense of exhilaration.
I feel like any weighty transition in life is usually coupled with at least a little doubt or fear. Recently I had been experiencing moments of worry that we were leaving too much behind in Salzburg, that perhaps me and the others hadn't quite heard right from God about moving. This week I feel like God gave me some answers and confirmation. He challenged me to stop thinking so much about myself and not to worry about what I had or hadn't done right. Instead why not think more on Him, His goodness, and have faith that He is totally powerful enough to use us and guide us in whatever He is doing. It was a relief to have this perspective shift. Also I feel like Jesus is building exciting relationships here!
Jonathan and I have been working in the backyard frequently in Schwertberg because everything is quite overgrown (I've also started a little herb and pea garden!). This opened us up to more interaction with our neighbors. Yesterday the sweet lady directly next door came over while we were trimming hedges and we chit chatted for a while which then drew another neighbor, her daughter, and her four grandchildren over. This then led to us being invited to a summer block party on July 4th (perfect timing for us Americans!). We are looking forward to meeting everybody on our street in one celebration event.
A funny moment occurred while exchanging names with our next door neighbor. She had told us hers earlier and was trying to remember ours. I said mine was Rachael, which sometimes is a strange or unfamiliar name for Austrians. Then Jonathan stated his and added that the Austrian version of his name would probably be Johannes. Our neighbor's eyes lit up and she decided she would most likely start calling him Johannes or perhaps just Hannes. Jonathan and I couldn't help but laugh because his list of nicknames is virtually never ending. It seems like every stage of his life brings a new title with it Jon, Parker, J.P., Johnny, and now his Austrian one: Hannes.
After helping with the English workshop in Mauthausen, Jonathan and I have both been feeling excited about teaching English. An awesome new door opened today! There is a darling (and delicious) pizzeria in Schwertberg that Jonathan and I and also Micah's parents frequent. Micah's Mom was chatting with one of the owners and he expressed that his son might want help in his English studies. Turns out we live very close by and we got to do a little bit of English tutoring. It was such an honor and a joy! Hopefully there will be even more of it in the future.
It was such an awesome first week officially being here in Schwertberg and we are so thankful for all these incredible people that Jesus is putting in our path.
prayer needs:
- Continued language transition with the dialect of the new area
- Strength and energy for setting up and organizing the new house
- More meetings with the awesome people in our area
Thanks for reading y'all!
-Rachael