It seems wild to me but Jonathan and I have been married now for almost 9 months! This month we added another "first" as a wedded couple when we celebrated Valentine's day. I know to some it's the epitome of a greeting card holiday, but for me it's always something sweet. When I was younger I looked forward to finding a tender note and gift basket from my parents waiting by my bed the morning of the fourteenth. Lets not forget the total awesomeness that also occurred at school when everyone exchanged Disney or cartoon themed valentines with the obligatory heart shaped candies.
This year Jonathan made it so lovely by spending a relaxing weekend with me, taking me out to a fancy hotel for an unbelievable dinner, and spoiling me with gifts, which included chocolate and a couple books in German which I am completely stoked about! (Warning this part might get a little sappy...sorry readers I couldn't hold my girliness back...) This weekend as I was reflecting on our crazy journey getting to Austria and being here, I looked at all the ways God provided so perfectly. He truly paved our way and I'll never forget it. For me, one thing that continual stuck out though was that Jonathan is one of the greatest blessings ever (yep here's the sappiness ;) ). He's been my encourager, my challenger, and such a good comforter. It is yet another way I know God's goodness and his love for me, when I see the amazing man he placed in my life.
Recently I have felt like God has been asking me to join him in the expansion of my social and service circle here in Salzburg. At first I felt like maybe that meant volunteering at the Salzburg Zoo. It was something I was excited about and it felt like it might be a good fit. I sent an inquiry email (in the best/most polite German I could muster) and I got a response a couple days later saying they have a complete staff and do not currently need volunteers. I experienced a little disappointment but I figured God must have something else better. One of our housemates, Henk, recommended that I look into animal shelters in town. After a little research I found one just a couple minutes from our house. A sweet woman from the shelter responded to my email with her phone number telling me to call her to set up a meeting so we could get to know each other. So I performed my first real phone call about a job/volunteer position all in German and then met with her that day as well. It was totally a stretch of my language skills but she was gracious and clarified whenever I got confused. We had a great conversation and she told me she would talk it over with her coworkers and would let me know if volunteering is a possibility. It could very well turn out that my broken German might present a problem and I won't be able to join their team, but all in all I was so blessed by the experience of it all and seeing God work through me even when I felt so incapable.
Thanks again for all your love, support, and prayers!!
-Rachael
This year Jonathan made it so lovely by spending a relaxing weekend with me, taking me out to a fancy hotel for an unbelievable dinner, and spoiling me with gifts, which included chocolate and a couple books in German which I am completely stoked about! (Warning this part might get a little sappy...sorry readers I couldn't hold my girliness back...) This weekend as I was reflecting on our crazy journey getting to Austria and being here, I looked at all the ways God provided so perfectly. He truly paved our way and I'll never forget it. For me, one thing that continual stuck out though was that Jonathan is one of the greatest blessings ever (yep here's the sappiness ;) ). He's been my encourager, my challenger, and such a good comforter. It is yet another way I know God's goodness and his love for me, when I see the amazing man he placed in my life.
Recently I have felt like God has been asking me to join him in the expansion of my social and service circle here in Salzburg. At first I felt like maybe that meant volunteering at the Salzburg Zoo. It was something I was excited about and it felt like it might be a good fit. I sent an inquiry email (in the best/most polite German I could muster) and I got a response a couple days later saying they have a complete staff and do not currently need volunteers. I experienced a little disappointment but I figured God must have something else better. One of our housemates, Henk, recommended that I look into animal shelters in town. After a little research I found one just a couple minutes from our house. A sweet woman from the shelter responded to my email with her phone number telling me to call her to set up a meeting so we could get to know each other. So I performed my first real phone call about a job/volunteer position all in German and then met with her that day as well. It was totally a stretch of my language skills but she was gracious and clarified whenever I got confused. We had a great conversation and she told me she would talk it over with her coworkers and would let me know if volunteering is a possibility. It could very well turn out that my broken German might present a problem and I won't be able to join their team, but all in all I was so blessed by the experience of it all and seeing God work through me even when I felt so incapable.
Thanks again for all your love, support, and prayers!!
-Rachael