In the record book of awesome days today definitely was on the top charts because we finally received our renewed visas!!! Our experience this year with visas in the Linz region made last year in Salzburg look like a cake walk. We hadn't expected the renewal process to be filled with so much angst and anguish. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but this season of waiting was indeed difficult. I can say with confidence though that Jesus did amazing things with this struggle and I am immensely thankful. When we first visited the government office back in October to get the ball rolling everything looked like it was going to be a simple one stop kind of deal. All the papers were dropped off and we were told we would receive a phone call if anything was missing. Lo and behold we did get called and there was confusion about what organization we are associated with. The administration wanted us to have a direct connection with a local group. This requirement has led to deeper more involved relationship with a local church in Linz. Micah and Melia have worked with the pastor before and Jonathan and I are excited to be in closer partnership as well! With the support from this fellowship and after completing mountains of paperwork and waiting nervously for a month the cards were printed and today we scooped those precious laminated wonders up! Miraculous! Even though the circumstances were challenging they provided us with a unique opportunity to be vulnerable before friends and family by talking about our fears and worries, to ask for prayer, and ultimately to have no other choice but to depend fully on the goodness of Jesus.
This time has also been full of holiday fun. Charity and Lanae were here for the first Christmas market of the season. The gospel choir performed and I survived and enjoyed my solo moment! It sleeted/rained throughout the program but Melia kept on bravely conducting and our audience stayed and listened. Sadly a couple days after the performance Jonathan and I had to drive the girls to the airport and we said some teary goodbyes. It was rough letting those two beauties go after having such an amazing time together but I will always have the memories and the photos to treasure. In true American style we also celebrated Thanksgiving. All the normal fixings were represented. A family from our neighborhood joined us for the meal and they gave it a good review. They also got to experience the coma like after effects :). The great meal was made even better by sharing what we all were truly thankful for. It was the perfect time to reflect on the chaos but see all the good in it.
Lots of love and hugs from Austria!
Rachael
This time has also been full of holiday fun. Charity and Lanae were here for the first Christmas market of the season. The gospel choir performed and I survived and enjoyed my solo moment! It sleeted/rained throughout the program but Melia kept on bravely conducting and our audience stayed and listened. Sadly a couple days after the performance Jonathan and I had to drive the girls to the airport and we said some teary goodbyes. It was rough letting those two beauties go after having such an amazing time together but I will always have the memories and the photos to treasure. In true American style we also celebrated Thanksgiving. All the normal fixings were represented. A family from our neighborhood joined us for the meal and they gave it a good review. They also got to experience the coma like after effects :). The great meal was made even better by sharing what we all were truly thankful for. It was the perfect time to reflect on the chaos but see all the good in it.
Lots of love and hugs from Austria!
Rachael