Snack time...

This post is for the Glam Grams...as MeMoo in particular likes to see shots in sequence...this afternoon we took a break for some sweet strawberries! Looking forward to chatting tonight!

Three strikes and...

Today has been one of those days...we seem to be striking out!

1st strike: It started with a call from our realtor saying the the people who own and just renovated the apt. we fell in love with, now may want it for THEMSELVES! They will let us know on Monday. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to look at another apt. tomorrow morning...please pray for a clear answer.

2nd strike: As we headed out ( to one of the 3 parks we went to today), we all schlepped down the stairs, the 3 kiddos, snacks and enough drinks for the 1st District...we realized that we didn't have our keys! Unfortunately the door locks automatically when it closes...but fortunately we had the cell phone with the landlord's number in it and he called a locksmith for us! A mere 100 bucks out the window! Ugh!

3rd strike: After returning home from a nice eve. out at the Stadtpark, we came home to an e-mail from the advisor to the Sociology Dept. saying that Brad needs to pursue another subject for his Doctorate (like religion or politics). This does NOT mean he isn't accepted into the University, it just means he will have to pursue another department.

We definitely are feeling discouraged and a little defeated. Please pray that the Lord would bring some much needed encouragement our way! We appreciate your thoughts and prayers!

We're not in Kansas anymore!

Today was sort of a reality check for me. I know we have been here for over a week now, but today was the first day that I have felt like a bit of a stranger in this land. I guess I just needed an Oma to yell at me in German... on the Strassenbahn (that I should be sitting with Levi instead of standing)or at least that is what I think she said based on her gestures. There were about 10 people squished between Brad and I, so he was unable to translate for me!;)

Then came dinner...my gracious husband offered to take the kids to the park, while I attempted dinner...dessert and all. The applecrisp went ok...and frying up the chicken wasn't a problem, but when it came to making the rice and the "special sauce"...I really couldn't read the directions in German or figure out the conversions of grams and liters for the water and the butter...UGH! Fortunately, Brad and the children returned and Brad was able to help me out. He even translated the actual meaning of the word "wisk" which literally means "snow broom" in German. I know, it was too much info for me too! In the end, dinner was good...but a humbling experience to not be able to figure everything out just the same.


my first attempt at baking in Austria...homemade applecrisp


Even though today was challenging on many fronts, we were able to sign an agreement on a lovely apt. in the 1st District. It is a newly remodeled apt. with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a terrace, and a living area large enough to entertain guests. Now we wait a few days to receive a formal contract and then hopefully move in later this month. Please pray that everything continues to go smoothly.

view of the city from Abby's bedroom


living room and stairs to second floor


I hope you all have a wonderful "Independence Day" tomorrow...please eat some All-American apple pie for us! (we'll make due with our applecrisp)

Laughter...the International Language

Tonight as the kids said their prayers, they were especially thankful for their new friends Sadi and Samuel. (They are Tabea's little sister and brother) We spent the afternoon relaxing on the Danube river, eating lunch, swimming and playing. Our kids don't know enough German to carry on a conversation and the other kids didn't know enough English, yet they played, shared and laughed...a lot! It was precious to watch them at times try to use the German words they did know, like "Grosser Fisch" which translated means big fish! Sometimes they sort of made up their own language by pointing or making arm gestures. I am so proud of them! They are really making an effort to make friends, communicate and become integrated with life here.

Sites, Sounds and Tastes of the 1st District

Today we wanted the kids to experience what the sites, sounds and tastes of the 1st District are...so we took them to the center of the city. It was really fun to enter into the hustle and bustle of city life and watch the kids' reactions.

Outside the Wiener Oper (the Opera House)


What all good tourists do...take a horse and buggy ride to see the center of the city!



Luke snapped this shot of us!


Luke's reaction when he first saw the Stephansdom...


Stephansdom...the St. Stephan's Cathedral in the heart of the city


If I need to tempt you into coming to visit us...here are a few of the tasty tempations we observed in the 1st District...
click on the pictures if you want a better view:)





We also got to see a really cool "break-dancing" show..click here if you want to see part of it!

VBS-Vienna Bilingual School

We visited Luke and Abby's school today, met their future teachers, and we have some encouraging news on 2 fronts--

ONE spot for the bilingual 1st grade class opened up for Abby...TODAY!
So Luke AND Abby will both be in bilingual class, with school starting September 3. Luke & I will go back to the school tomorrow to see the school's year-end program & 4th grade graduation (primary school is 1st-4th grades), and then go again on Friday for official registration and evaluation.

Add to that that the Direktorin (Principal) of the school is a believer, and she attends the same church that we are attending. God is faithful.



I finally figured out how to work the washing machine...so I tried to get caught up



Levi lounging in his stroller on the Strassenbahn



This is the favorite slide of the children



Luke and Abby enjoy the spinny thing at a local park. While at the park, I can't help but notice that the face of Vienna has changed dramatically since I lived here 11-12 years ago...the literal faces, that is. Luke, Stacey and I had a good talk about the nations and religions even represented in this little park (as you can see in the background), and how desperately this city needs Jesus.



Daddy got Eisspaghetti (Spaghetti Ice Cream--vanilla ice cream pushed through a press to look like noodles, topped with strawberry sauce and crunchy nuts)



Levi eating his "Smurf" ice cream



Luke enjoying his sundae



I don't know if the reality of everything has started to hit the children a little more, or if they are just tired from all that we have been doing, but they definitely are struggling with melt-downs a little more today. To encourage and comfort them, we have been memorizing Psalm 139 and have been talking about how Jesus left the comforts of his home in heaven. Please continue to pray for how we can minister to their sensitive hearts.

What a day!

Brad headed off to the University of Wien first thing this morning. He ended up meeting with two more people who were very helpful...but he still has a few more hurdles to jump over...and many of the administrators and staff are on vacation most of July. He was told not to be in a hurry, as classes don't begin until Oct. Easier said than done I suppose. Keep praying!


Along with two parks, the kids and I also went to a local pet store. It was fun to hear Luke interact with the clerk and ask "Was ist das?", as he was looking at the fish. He can't wait to get an aquarium once we find our own place. These are chinchillas...Brad wanted me to take a picture for Uncle Rick in honor of their time in Italy in '92.


This is an image that we see everyday on public transportation...you should give your seat up to those who have small children, who are pregnant, disabled or elderly. Luke of course jumps at the chance to give up his seat and hold on instead.


Brad and the kids at the Schoenbrunn Palace


The kids and I at Schoenbrunn


Brad enjoying a Kebab at the Naschmarkt


We ended the day with a game of "memory"...but not just plain ol' memory...we had to name the animals in German!


As you can see, today was a busy day. Tomorrow we plan on seeing the schools that the kids will attend next year and next week we plan on starting the hunt for an apartment.

Meeting at the University in the morn...

Tonight we went to the Kahlenberg (which is a mountain that overlooks the city) to eat with some of our Austrian friends. We had great Wiener schnitzel. The weather was really hot today, but tonight a big rain came through and cooled everything off.
The kids are really enjoying finding their way around the city...Luke already is learning how many minutes before the next train!





First thing in the morning Brad heads off to the University to meet with his advisor and take his ACTUAL diplomas with him. Please pray that all will go smoothly....we will keep you posted.

Keep guessing...

Thanks to everyone who participated in the guessing game...Dom and Kat won (even though they cheated;) and the answer was a tube of MUSTARD! Since I am too tired to post about all the fun we had today, I thought instead I would give you another thing to try and guess...here it is!



P.S. Glam Grams, sorry we missed your call...we were at dinner with Tabea and Daniel. We will try tomorrow.

Willkommen in Wien!

Willkommen in Wien! Welcome to Vienna! We made it safely to the other side...tired, but well.



We were greeted at the airport with a police escort from 2 Austrian police officers whom we got to know or know better at the Evangelical Reformed Church conference Brad spoke at last October. Herbert and Maria live outside of Vienna, and we look forward to getting to know them much better over the coming months, and Harald and Jacqueline were here all the way from Western Austria. It was a genuine Austrian greeting full of Gemuetlichkeit!



Tabea (one of the Austrian girls who has lived with us) and her boyfriend Daniel, went above and beyond today also...as they met us at the airport, got us groceries so we wouldn't have to make a trip to the store, got us all goodies and then proceeded to make us schnitzel and potato fries for lunch! We truly were blessed by everyone who came and greeted us and then helped us get settled!



I've never seen these in America, but Tabea found them and thought our kids would love them...she was right! They are straws prefilled with strawberry and chocolate balls that turn your milk those flavors as you suck through the straw. Here is Levi trying both flavors at the same time!



The apartment where we'll stay until we find our own apartment is very clean and charming, and Brad and the kids went for a walk this afternoon to...count them...three local parks within about 5-10 minutes from the apartment. The weather here is beautiful, too, and God is clearly preserving our sanity.

Now a little game for all of you non-German speakers...what do you think this might be? My guess was toothpaste, but I was very wrong!

We leave tomorrow!

It's hard to believe that we leave tomorrow! We have been so encouraged by your phone calls, e-mails and packages as we prepare to depart! Today we spent the day at World Harvest, wrapping up all of our last minute paperwork etc. The sending center also prayed for us. Our teammates, Jeff and Jodie also came through and it was great to share some pizza together...if only for a few minutes!:) The next time we write will be from Vienna! Tschuess! (Which is bye!)


Josh,Sandy,Emily and Meredith Elder (our boss)

The McMullens and Hunters

Monica watched our rugrats today while we were in meetings! Thanks!

These are some photos from our family vacation:
The kids at the Air Force Academy Chapel

Levi playing with his new dinosaurs

Abby admiring her stones that she got at the museum

Luke at the Dinosaur Museum

the kids on the porch of our cabin in the mountains of CO

So long, farewell, Aufwiedersehen, goodbye..

More goodbyes today as we leave MTI. We take off later today for some family time in Colorado until Tues the 19th. Here is what the rest of our schedule looks like while we are in the states:

20th and 21st fly to Philadelphia and visit World Harvest and our teammates the McMullens

22nd fly out of Washington DC to VIENNA!

We don't know when we will have an internet connection again...
but our cell phones will work in the states until we leave, so give us a call if you are able.

We also sent out our prayer letter, but there were a few glitches...so if you didn't get the attachment yet, it will be coming.

Until we blog again...we love you guys!