A Year Ago Today...

A year ago today we flew into Vienna with our 14 bags and a lot more unknowns.

When will the rest of our stuff arrive? Where would we live? Who will be our friends? How will the kids adjust? How long will it take for Stacey to learn German? (still an unknown I suppose:)

Sometimes it seems like we landed just yesterday, while other days it seems like we have been here for years. We have seen God graciously carry and provide for us in more ways than we can count. We are so thankful for how well the kids have transitioned and the friendships that we have made. This would not have been possible without the prayers and support of many people all over the world. For that we are also grateful.

A year ago when we landed, our goal for the coming year was to build a foundation that would enable us to feel at home and established in Vienna. For those who have been following this blog, you got to watch this process unfold, with failures and successes along the way--
learning our way around the city by public transportation and by car (and learning lots of new driving rules...no right turn on red!), German-German-German language for both Stacey and Brad, learning a whole new University system...in German, starting an in depth study of the spiritual beliefs and practices of Viennese, making all new friends--mostly Austrians--and learning from them the spoken and unspoken rules of the culture, building relationships with other Christians in the city, receiving visits from potential teammates (and friends and family too!), and getting to know and love the city. Looking back on this year, we really have much to rejoice in...

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.