Frohe Weihnachten!

Hello!
Just a quick update for all of you:
I am here now in Eastern Austria, spending the next 2 1/2 weeks with my grandma and my mom! We are celebrating Christmas Eve together, and on Christmas Day I'll be with my grandma from the other side, which is exciting. I have never in my life spent Christmas with that side of the family, so I am looking forward to it!
In the past few days I picked up Sophi (my younger sister) from the airport and dropped her off at her place of work, at a hotel in Schladming (Central Austria). She is working as a maid/kitchen helper. Next week we are going to spend a night at the hotel and visit her, just to make sure she is doing ok ;)

I have many plans for the Christmas holiday- doing activities and spending time with family and friends. I am also enjoying this time of not worrying about school work and being responsible for myself, I have passed that on to my mom and grandma- how nice!
At the beginning of January I head back to Innsbruck, for a few days and then school starts again!

So I wish you all a merry, merry Christmas.
Take time to relax and think on the real reason of Christmas, that Jesus was born on this earth, to be a Saviour for us all.

Frohe Weihnachten und ein Guten Rutsch im Neues Jahr!
Alles Gute und Liebe,
Until after Christmas!
Love,
Christi

More about Christmas...

Hello all,
Here is a quick little update! It was my last day of school today, so I am officially off for the holidays! Tomorrow evening I leave for Salzburg, to spend the weekend at the house of a friend, who has offered me a place there for the weekend. She has offered to show me around Salzburg and give me a real "Austrian" experience. Instead of all the "typical touristy, Austrian things" she has offered to take me to some places that aren't so typical. We'll see what that means!
Then on Monday morning I head over to Eastern Austria and will be picked up from the train station by my grandma, MOM and SISTER! Yeah! Did I mention that I am so excited! It will make this break in the semester so good- and I really need it. For some reason I am so exhausted from this semester so far- which is interesting because it has really not been too difficult (except this morning when I had to face an exam for my Mediation course- that was taught in German- so of course I had to write the exam in GERMAN! It was hard!) Anyways, I don't know what it is, maybe it is the full responsibility of not living at home, which is a first for me! Maybe it's that even though I am settling in, there is that constant feeling in the background that I am going home kind of soon, it's a lingering feeling.

With Christmas I have also been a little bit sad, because my entire family isn't together this year. I love my family so much, and it has been hard, thinking about Christmas without them. I was thinking about it so much lately, but then this...
We had a prayer breakfast this morning with OeSM, there was a common theme in my group of suffering going on in families, and the grief that comes with that, especially at Christmas. And suddenly it occurred to me in a new way what Christmas means.
Get this:
For so long we have watched movies and read stories about how families are all trying to come together for Christmas. There is this typical image of family sitting around the table for Christmas Dinner, or gathered around the tree.
Don't get me wrong, this is a huge blessing, and something to be so thankful to God for.
      But there is a stronger reality: That there is so much brokenness in this world and broken families, where for some reason, they aren't together at Christmas
      But get this: A baby was born. His mother was rejected by society for becoming pregnant outside of marriage. She has been travelling for several days on the back of a donkey, to come to what? A barn, where the most comfortable place to lay down was hay. She had her baby boy with no help of doctors or nurses, bringing him into a society where the king had so much power a year later he demanded all baby boys be killed!
Jesus wasn't born in a perfect setting. He was born into a place that was also full of brokenness and grief.
Jesus didn't come to the world, so that we can celebrate it each year by gathering around a warm fire all together drinking hot-chocolate.
Yes, it sounds dramatic, but the truth of Jesus and what he represents is so much MORE dramatic! There are no words to express the feeling of pure, and complete joy that comes with knowing that with the birth of Jesus would come a life full of promise for each of us.
I know this message does come up again and again, but let's truly be brought closer to Jesus through Christmas this year.
This is how I experienced it, and hopefully will even more through out the rest of Christmas.


Isaiah 9

The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and it's people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
You will break the oppressor's rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.


Love you all and Blessings for this Christmas season!
Christi

To Hamburg and Back

Since the last time I wrote, it has begun to look even more like christmas! Since Sunday evening, it has been snowing on and off- this is a big contrast to the last week, where the weather was so warm that trees were budding and blooming! Imagine- blossoms in November! Innsbruck is known for the ‘Föhn’, a warm wind that sweeps through the valley. And then suddenly, the temperatures decreased and it snowed! It is always nice with the first snow (when you are quite sure it’s going to last the winter), when everything is clean and white, and it’s not too cold yet, so the snow is fluffy...
It reminds me of Canada.

Which I have been thinking a lot about lately. It is going to be a very different experience to be away from home for Christmas, the first time in my life! Until now it has always been my family together, at home for Christmas. This year, we are all around the world (Literally, we are divided among three countries, plus being in Nova Scotia v.s. being in B.C. is LIKE another country away!) It will definitely be something to adjust to for me, but I have something to look forward to. Not only do I have my extended family here in Austria (which includes all of my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents) but my mom and sister, Sophi, are coming to Austria in 2 weeks!
I am so excited!! My mom is coming for 2 ½ ish weeks, and Sophi is coming to Austria to work for 3 months! Can you tell I am excited for school to break and for Christmas holidays to start?!

Until then, I will be continuing here at school, and of course, filling my time with other, exciting things too. Like 2 weeks ago, on Sunday, I got to sing on the worship team at church! It was a lot of fun, and it was great to be part of the team, doing something I love. We sang quite a few songs with English text, which was handy, but I didn’t know any of them- surprising! It’s funny that I have now been introduced to this great English band, while in Austria!

This past weekend I also had the chance to go to Hamburg, with my cousin and her parents. The invited me to travel with them for the weekend. So we met in Hamburg and toured it, as well as another city close to Hamburg, called Lübeck. In both cities, there are big Christmas markets, and a lot of Christmas events taking place. Lübeck, is not a small town, but it is very old looking, and something that you might imagine comes out of a storybook. All of the buildings are made out of red-brick, and there are many canals and bridges. The Christmas decorations on the city also add to it’s ‘magic’.
In Hamburg, on Saturday night, I got to go see the musical, ‘Tarzan’, and it was amazing! The musical has been showing there for four years, so they have had time to make it the best it could be, and it was! Not only was the singing and acting really good, but the special effects were so cool! Throughout the entire show, they used rope swings and harnesses for the monkeys and birds and chase scenes. They really used the entire theatre as their stage. In the second scene, when the monkeys first appeared, they suddenly swung down above our heads! Out of ‘nowhere’ they came, dancing and swinging around. It was so cool, and as an audience member, I really felt into the show, because it was happening all around me! It was definitely the highlight of the trip for me- and to be around my family again was also wonderful!

Well, I must be going back to class now,
Have a wonderful day!
Christi

                                                                       
                                                                        -TARZAN-

Mach's Gut!

Hey y'all!

It's been quite a busy time here in Innsbruck in the last week or so. The biggest things that have happened here are:
-I went on a weekend trip to Vienna last week and
-It's almost Christmas!

So, one at a time here:
Last weekend, for a course that I did in school, called "Vienna in the 1900's" we went, as a class to... Vienna! We were there for two full days and one night. In our time there, we visited two museums (the Art Musuem and Natural History Museum), saw an Opera (Tosca), did a lot of walking around the city and visited some famous cafes, in a city known for it's coffee houses. It was a super busy weekend, but it was neat to experience the capital of Austria, which is so different than 'small-town' Innsbruck. But at the end of the weekend, I know that I was definitely ready to come back to a city I could breathe in! Another highlight of that weekend was that I spent the second night at my cousin's house, playing fun cards games and watching Tarzan in preparation for our trip to Hamburg to see the musical Live! On the way home the next morning (Sunday) I stopped at my grandma's house for lunch and a stroll in the forest. I spent a relaxing visit with her and ate way too much- which is a nice feeling for a student! The next time I will see my grandma, will be in December, for Christmas! Which leads into the next topic: CHRISTMAS.

It's a big deal here in Innsbruck. It's the second high-peak of the tourist industry here, because of the many ski resorts which draw thousands, and the Christmas Market!
The Christmas Market (or Christkindl Markt in german) is market that lasts over one month until Christmas. Several booths line the sides of the two main plazas in the city, selling handmade wares (such as wood carvings, knitted caps and homemade soaps etc.) and delicious Austrian food. I also can't forget the very famous, seasonal drink, "Gluehwein". It is hot wine with spices mixed into it, and is sold all around town, only during the winter season. This seems to be the focus for a lot of people, though. It's a bit sad when you are trying to look at all the handmade items, when it is so crowded with people drinking wine. In this way, it's a little bit like Oktober Fest. Lastly, an incredible amount of money goes into the decorations for the market. But, the idea of the Christmas Market is really quite romantic. If you can imagine...
Many tourists come from around the world to this small city hidden deep in the Alps. In the dark evening, the snow is gently falling as you stroll through the streets. The entire city is beautifully decorated, with Christmas trees in main squares and lights that hang from building to building across the street. There are many small wooden shacks set up to sell yummy pastries and some kind of really deliciously-warm drink. From them you can also see the warmth of hot coals and you smell chestnuts roasting. Looking at this scene, you begin to understand the traditions and culture that are deeply imbedded in the people of Austria and why they have much to display and be proud of during this peaceful time of year.

So, Christmas is coming soon, but before that there is a lot of school work that has to be done, as essay due dates and exams come up. Though I am a lucky one and don't have nearly as much as compared to me classmates!
This next week I don't have much class, so I am going to explore this Christmas market in depth, during the day- without so many people, and maybe buy some presents too!
Love you all!

Christi
P.S. My computer is down right now, so there may not be many of my own pictures, but here are some to help 'visualize' things better!

                                                                 Christkindlmarkt 2012

Of Ministry and Purpose

Hi.

       This past week, once again, has flown by! I guess where ever you are, where ever in the world, time seems to fly by, and so we need to make the most of it! This brings me back to what I said a couple of weeks ago about having a lot of spare time. Coming here, with the intention of focusing most of my time on school has turned out differently, and God seems to have different plans for me. Of course, it's nothing bad, just an adjustment. This past week, once again I had 3 days off at the end of the week during which I attended for the second time a women's bible study and the after-school program (I mentioned in a previous post), "Lernhilfe". The women's bible study has been a great blessing and a place to learn as well as pray and talk to each other. Did I mention yet that it's all in English- hosted by an American woman who arrived here in early summer...? It is a neat experience to be part of a group of women who are all in different stages of life, ranging from just-graduated from highschool to young mothers to mothers with children who are in university. We are definitely all learning from each other as everyone shares different perspectives and struggles. As for "Lernhilfe", I am now officially on the "list" of helpers and am volunteering every second Monday and am On-Call is case they need an extra person during the rest of the week. Oh yes! As well, I may be getting involved with the worship team at my church on the random Sundays that I am in town! Looking at all of this, and writing this all down, I am seeing how blessed I am that I have people who are willing to be flexible with my non-stable school schedule and are allowing me to be a part of ministries even though I can't commit to something for the same time every week. And it's also great to be working in the community, through the church, meeting other people who are locals and living in Austria.
       A few weeks ago, I was so focused on finding my purpose here, wondering WHY am I here? But lately, God has been quietly speaking, reminding me that sometimes you don't need a clear purpose. Yes, we often want to hear that purpose and sometime God does make it clear, but in this situation, I am confident that I am where God wants me to be right now and that either he will use me in time or IS using me. AND... I would love to audibly hear God's plan for my future here in Austria (and back home too) but I guess it all comes back to trusting God and building faith!
Well, that's about all for now. My classes end on Thursday this week, and on Friday at 6:00am I am headed to Vienna for the weekend- with my "Vienna in the 1900's" class that counts for credit! We will be touring the city and museums and on the way back I'll be stopping to see both my dad's sister's family and my grandma!

Have a good week everyone!
Christi

P.S. Classes are going well.

Of Holidays and time off...

Hello!
It has been a little while since I last posted, and naturally, a lot has happened, as it does when one is on an adventure, seeking new and exciting things.
In my last posted (almost two weeks ago!) I had posted a bit about being 'dreary', inside and out. With the weather not being so nice, and then I was feeling too well. But I wanted to follow-up to that last post. I had mentioned that I might look for a job or volunteer, looking for something to fill my time, since I really do not have as much class time as I had anticipated. So the next day I dropped off a resume, and then another resume, and I went to check out a ministry called, "Lernhilfe" which is a ministry that is basically after school tutoring for school children ages 10-15 and it also just a safe place for preteens/teens to come to after school and be surrounded by support and love.
Since then,  both jobs didn't work out. One of them would not fit in with my schedule and the other just didn't work out. And I'm not sure about the "Lernhilfe" yet, it is something I need to think about and pray through right now.

But I have found other things to do in the mean time of course.
On October 26th was Austria's National Day, and they celebrate very differently here than we would in Canada, meaning they don't really celebrate it at all. Only a tiny bit. Which is a new experience in itself. Oh yes, it also means no school on Thursday, and why not have Friday off too. So to 'celebrate' my friends and I communed with nature, which is a way of celebrating the land I think... and we went on a nice long hike! It took 4 hours to the top of the mountain, and 3 down again. Plus at least an hour of breaks added all together. We were really lucky with the weather, as it started to rain right when we were boarding the tram back into the city! Which then turned into snow, and we had our second snowfall! Since then it's melted down here in the valley, but it's snowed at least twice more on the mountain tops!

Another holiday, that is not at all huge like it is in North America, is Halloween (but I guess it's not a holiday here, since it's not celebrated...) I think I saw maybe three kids who were dressed up. Oh yes, I also saw some very smart kids who were dressed up, trick-or-treating in a huge apartment building, in the warmth, with in a many doors in a relatively small area. But it makes me wonder if the children get  many treats, since no one really celebrates Halloween. My American friend and I showed our European friends how to carve pumpkins, which is my favourite thing about Halloween.

Then last week, the day after Halloween, was another 'real' Austrian holiday. Called, "Aller Heiligen", is the name for November 1st, a Catholic holiday on which the Saints are remembered; as well, families go to the cemetery and light candles at the sites of relatives who have passed away, to remember and pray for them. It also means that there is no school or work for anyone.
Since it was a long weekend, and there was no school on the Friday either, everyone had a long weekend.
My uncle had work in Innsbruck, so he brought my cousin along, and we had a really nice time hanging out together on Thursday evening. We also got to see the new James Bond movie: Skyfall, on opening night! Ya! The next day, my cousin and I had bonding time, visiting the Olympic Ski Jump (walking up all 455 stairs, and enjoying coffee at the café on top), going shopping and having a really good lunch together. Too soon, they had to leave, but it was a lovely trip.

This past Saturday I went on a kind of retreat with a group of students who I attend a group called "Österreiches Studenten Mission" with- a Christian students' club. It was a really good weekend of getting to know some good people better, planning for the upcoming semester and growing in God. It is always good when there is very intentionally time set aside for prayer and meditation and worship. I came back from the weekend feeling really refreshed in my soul, and really exhausted in my body.

And now I am back in Innsbruck starting a new week of school, with new classes! Today I started a new course, "Intercultural Communication" (which I am stoked about!) and tomorrow I start "Mediation", which I am also super excited about... but I am being taught in German. So I am a bit nervous.

Well, that is an overview of my past 2-ish weeks! I will write again soon, and I hope to hear from all of you, how you are doing!
Ciao!
Christi

P.S. Thank you all for the comments, it makes me so happy to read them!

                                                             Hiking the Nockspitz

                                                                     Halloween

                                     This is looking down the balcony from our retreat house.

Another week...

Hi Everyone!

Today is a bit of a dreary day, after so many consecutive days of beautiful Fall sunshine, colour full mountainsides and crisp, blue skies. The weather has turned foggy and seems to blanket everything, including my mood. I am the kind of person who is very affected by the weather, which can be both a negative and a positive thing. Today I think it's a negative thing, because I am tired and just prefer to be inside all day. Really, I didn't have class today or yesterday (except my German course which goes from 6:00pm-8:00pm), so I have been pretty much hanging out in my dorm room. I did get stuff done today, like all of the paperwork and computer work I've been putting off, but it doesn't leave me feeling energized, that's for sure. Oh yeah, I also did homework, maybe that is constructive?
Anyways, all of this time in my room has left me thinking a lot. And right now I am stuck on the thought, "Why am I here?" Of course I came to study, but now I only had one real class this week, and next week looks the same. So, if I don't have much class, what else should I do here?
I could exercise every day (like I did last week) but the current weather doesn't inspire me.
I could travel everyday, but I don't think my bank account will let me do that.
So I have been looking online at potential jobs. We'll see if something comes up through that!

It seems like I am complaining a lot in this post, so I need to say something else.
I am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to come here to Austria for a semester. I strongly believe that I am here for a reason because some pretty cool stuff happened that made it possible to even be here right now. I have already made many friends that have challenged me, and I hope that in turn I can challenge them. Also, the schooling that I have done so far has been really great- I really enjoy the few Social Work classes that I do have!
So if nothing else comes from the rest of my time here, at least I have these things! (Though I doubt that 'nothing else' will come from my time here).

In conclusion, today I am feeling a little under the weather (literally- I've been under a huge cloud of fog all day) but I did have a good week, since I've last posted, and I do have confidence that there is much more in store for me.

Here are some pictures of this last week (Animals edition):

                                      SHEEP, from a lovely 10 min. bike ride by my house.

                                 HORSE, from a 1/2 hike+ 10 min. bike ride away from my place.

                                BIRDS, from a 5 hour hike+ 20 min. bus ride away from my dorm.

                                              US! Making cookies, well, 5 sec. from my room.

Griaß Euch!

Griaß di' alle!

The second week of my school semester here in Austria is officially underway, and it's looking good!
I guess I've been here long enough now that I should be getting a feel for what the semester is going to look like, but it is very different at this particular university than any other here or in Canada. At this school, the course schedule changes every single week. For example, I have had a class called "Self Development" this past week on Thursday and Friday, from 9:00-4:00, and I had it again on Monday and today (Tuesday), and now I am done for the whole semester with this one course! In a similar pattern, I will work through the 11 courses that I am taking here at MCI (Management Centre Innsbruck). Through out the semester my courses will also include:

- Working with Groups
- Conversational German
- The Significance of Social Work according to Victor Frankl
- English (...yeah... I know.)
- Working with People with HIV/AIDS
- Mediation (in German! Makes up for the English course I'm taking)
- Social Perspective Strategies
- Intercultural Communication
- Vienna During the 1900's (which includes a trip to Vienna!)

I am really excited that I have the opportunity to be studying Social Work here! I am not yet in the Social Work program at TRU, but I am able to study the subject here, which gives me a head start and is also a good 'test' before I actually enter the program at home. As well, I am learning a lot about culture differences and different world views! I have a neat opportunity as well with my classmates who are mostly Austrian. I am being taught completely in English with my Austrian classmates, who are required by MCI to do one 'international semester' being taught in English. So I have jumped into the middle of a program with Austrian students who have been together for 2 years already! So we learn in English, but speak German to each other. It's great practice for me!
Which brings me to talk about the two other places where I get to practice my german. ÖSM and church.
ÖSM (the Österreiches Studenten Mission- Austrian Students Mission) is a group that gathers on Monday nights to meet as Christian students from Innsbruck and come together to encourage, pray, sing and hang out together. I went for the 2nd time already, and I am starting to solidify some friendships. There are mostly Austrian students here. So... lots of german practice!
As well for practicing my German, the church that I am attending does their services in German (of course, but they do have English translation, which I choose not to take).
But honestly, though these are two great places to develop my language skills, I believe that God has given them to me as a place of comfort and growing. God is working in this city, and you can see it by how many Christians are gathering, whether it's families at church or young people coming together and leading themselves. In a country that is officially Catholic (and has been for centuries) breaking out of tradition is hard. I have met several people who have a strong faith, coming from a Catholic background, but I have also met many who either rebuke the church or just go along with it because it's 'easy, 'accesible' and 'normal'. So to break out of the mold and proclaim yourself as a Protestant is very uncommon here. Where in Canada it is the faith the many see as 'normal' here one has to stand up for their faith, when it's often looked down on. So many of the people that I have met at church and ÖSM are such an inspiration to me and I admire how real their faith is to them.
I am so thankful that God has provided me with friends have the same belief as me, and through that encourage me in my own walk with Jesus.

Thank you for all your prayers everyone and to all those are sending me emails and keeping in contact with me. I always love hearing from home!
Christi

P.S.
Time for pictures!

                                                                 My city,  Innsbruck!

                                           

                                               This is where I went hiking on Saturday...

                            ... And these are the mountains how I woke up to them this morning!

Hallo!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
It is very weird for me to be here today in Austria, instead of at home... in fact, I think it's one of the first Thanksgivings that I haven't been home for!
In other news, I have been in Austria for an official full week now! And a lot has really happened in the past week. The day after arriving I started orientation at the university. I thought that I wouldn't need orientation, but I sure was prideful, and quickly realized that I really did need it! Also, the best part of a three day orientation was that I met so many international students and have made some very strong friendships!
My classes officially started today, so the whole week I didn't have school for, I spent a lot of time finding entertainment. We (the international students) often went out at night. For example we've gone out for coffee, to an Irish Pub Night, enjoyed a night in the town with all the shops being open late for the "Lange Nacht Der Museen" and went on a trip to see a beautiful Renaissance castle and the Swarofski Kristallwelten, which is a display of millions of crystals incorporated into art somehow. And, we went to Oktoberfest!
Let me tell you about Oktoberfest. It was crazy! Never have I seen a fairground so crowded! It took nearly 1/2 a hour to walk 1/2 a kilometre because of the slow drag of the crowd down the street! There were people EVERYWHERE in the city! And everyone was dressed in traditional Austrian/Bavarian clothing, like "Lederhosen" (men's leather shorts) and dirndls (female dresses). I enjoyed experiencing a whole new event, but I probably wouldn't go again... I don't even like beer! :) Whoops, did I just say that out loud? That is a blow to both my Canadian and Austrian citizenships!
Yesterday, on Sunday, I went to church here in Innsbruck! I tried a new church, and it was so good! It is called the Baptiste Gemeinde Innsbruck, so it is a Baptist Church, but more importantly than the denomination, it has a very loving and friendly church family! The music was good, and what I got of the sermon was also very good. Next time I'll try even harder to get some main points out of what they're preaching. I met many people, and even got invited to lunch after church. I do think that I'll make some connections here at this church, and God will provide.

Now that school is in full swing, I unfortunately won't have as many opportunities to do fun things, but then, I AM here for school. I am also looking forward to my Social Work courses and the learning that I can do in a field I am truly interested in!

I hope that everyone has a good Thanksgiving, and is taking the time to really thank God for what he has provided in our lives.
Love and miss you all!
Christi

                     

                                                     Innsbruck, from the river 'Inn'~

                                                                  Downtown Innsbruck

                                             

                                             Rafal and Zosia, my two dear Polish friends! :)

                     Oktoberfest, the only place people wait 3 hours to get into the beer gardens!

Dear Blog Readers,

I am currently sitting in my new dorm room, in Innsbruck, Austria! This morning I made the journey from Reichenau, in the very east, to Innsbruck, which is on the very west side of the country. The train ride was a total of six hours, and I crossed the entire country!

       Since leaving Cape Breton, I have spent a week going between both sets of grandparents, visiting, eat- which seems to happen a lot while visiting- and catching up. I also got to spend a lot of time with my cousins and aunts and uncles, which is something I really enjoy because I so rarely get to see all of my family, so building relationships is done very deliberately. I also got to go on some nice mountain walks, and I helped my whole one side of the family make apple juice!

They found an old apple pressing machine in the barn, fixed it up, collected all the apples from the trees and made fresh apple juice by the litre! It is delicious!

I had a good week with my family, so it was hard to leave that comfort and familiarity and venture out of my own.

I got quite nervous on the train about making the right stops, and then as I was getting settled in my dorm, I again got nervous about meeting so many people. I usually don't get nervous about travelling, but I do sometimes get anxious when meeting new people because I am prone to talking myself down- so instead of encouraging myself, I start to doubt everything. So while I was settling into my room today, I felt very alone.

But then my room mate- a Korean student- arrived! I laughed to myself when I saw her, because of the way God works. I felt like I was at home in Kamloops working with FOCUS club! :)

Her English skills are really good, but her German is less than basic. So we are able to communicate really well, and we have talked quite a bit... and I'll probably help her with her german!

The dorm has all the basics, and thats it. But it'll do it's job, I'm sure of it. It will also become cozier and more lived in as time passes, I'm sure as well. 

Tomorrow I start orientation as an International Student! It seems like the roles have switched for me! I am so used to befriending international students, and now it's the other way around!

Things are starting a little bit rough, but I'm sure that as I see the city, and get to know more people, I'll become more comfortable here.

God has a plan, as he does in all things. I know he does.

Have a good night everyone!

Christi

                                                      Just wandering through the Alps...

 My very bare dorm room. They said we weren't allowed to stick things on the wall using         tape, so I used reinforcements.

           

                                     The view of Innsbruck from my top-floor dorm window!

Road Trip!

Hey Everyone!

I have had an amazing past three days! My sister and her husband, my mom, my sister and I went on a road trip all through Northern Cape Breton. It is so beautiful here, and there is so much to explore. It might also help that we had beautiful, clear weather (which doesn't happen often!) I now have an huge appreciation and a LITTLE bit of understanding of the culture of Cape Breton. It is so unique, being part of Nova Scotia but separated because it's an island... It is famous for all oceany things, including amazingly long beaches, lobster and fishing, beautiful long hiking trails with ocean views, and oceany crafts- like jewellery made from sea glass. Cape Breton is famous for it's own style of music (lots of improvised fiddling and piano playing), and much of the culture here has developed from the Scots, who first settled here. In the past few days, I did things like....

1) Tried my first sea fresh lobster (Good.... but a little expensive for the amount of meat on it!)
2) Swam and played in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean!
3) Watched a sunrise where John Cabot first landed (One the first European encounters of North America, taking place in 1497!)
4) Bent over for several hours trying to find the best sea glass on the beach
5) Hiked the Skyline trail, taking us a long a ridge overlooking the ocean the whole time
6) Heard live Cape Breton music in an pub
7) Spent many hours with my wonderful (can't have enough of them even after hours in a car together) family!

Pictures!

                                                            Our dip in the ocean!

                                                         At the top of the skyline trail.

                     At the top of the Skyline trail, looking down on the 'Cabot Trail" (the highway)

                                                        Searching for beach glass...

                                                              Beautiful Cape Breton


I am in Cape Breton until Monday morning, and then I fly out of Halifax (at 11:30pm!) to London, and on to Vienna to see my grandparents for a week. After that I am headed to Innsbruck to get settled into school, where I will be for the next 5 1/2 months! Until then, I will continue to explore Cape Breton!

I'll keep y'all updated as things happen!
God bless,
Christi

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Hi everyone

Whoever is reading this... welcome to my blog!
Just to let y'all know, I have had it for a while, but I've never been good at writing or keeping it updated. I also always thought, "Why write if no one is going to read it?". But now that I am giving this link to several people, I have incentive to write. Not to mention the fact that I'm away from Kamloops for 6 months and it's a great way to keep everyone updated!
As well... It is a weird thing for me to type, and then think about people who are reading this. Especially because when I finally get my thoughts typed down (or on paper), I look back only to find that my thoughts wander, a lot! Putting thoughts down in hard copy form is a really great outlet for my emotions and a way of organizing the many things I 'over-think'. So, this blog usually tends to get deep quite quickly.
Ok, that was a pre-cautionary warning.
Anyways...

I am now in Nova Scotia with my sister Alex and her husband Tim! I am very happy to be here! On my way to Austria, I decided to see if it would work to stop for 9 days in the East Coast. The one-way flight ended up being very cheap, and I am here visiting my family- praise the Lord! My sister and brother-in-law moved here last February and have come to Kamloops twice already, but I had not been out to visit them. They are also unsure right now if the move will be permanent or temporary, so this could possibly be the only chance to come over!
We arrived yesterday during the day, after a 14 hour travel time right through the night. We all made it safely and on time, but it was exhausting skipping a night of sleep! We arrived in Nova Scotia at noon so still had the whole day to be 'awake' for- but relaxed and enjoyed the company of family!
After 12 hours of sleep during the night, this morning we got to go to church. It is a very small church but the congregation is so connected! The church family is amazing, and the service was very good. I would just ask for prayer for the church because it is going through some trying times and facing some very tough issues. The church is small, but it  provided support to so many people and it would be devastating to see it go- if it came to that. Please pray for God to work here.
Other than that, we had a very good first two days in Nova Scotia, and I'm looking forward to the next 3, in which we'll be travelling and exploring the scenic Cabot Trail. Look it up!

I will probably write again after the trip, so have a good start to the week! I will be praying for all back home!

Christi

A New Season

It looks and feels like a new season is setting in! Life over the past month has been really great, but crazy and stressful as well! At the beginning of August I had my relatives from Austria come to Canada for two whole weeks! It was wonderful! With 10+ days of NO work for me, we toured the Candian Rocky Mountains, went white water rafting and then came home and left again for a quick trip to the hot springs in Nakusp! It was a really great time, but since after the family left, it seems that I have been running and haven't stopped for a breath since.
With the moving of my family, and the house that is hopefully selling soon,  I have started to pack everything in this house. I have been throwing a lot of way, and we have a very large "donate" pile! It is great to get rid of so much stuff!
And...
I am going to Austria on Friday (sept 14th!) So not only am I packing the house, but having to sort my belongings into a pile for the six months that I will be gone! Why am I going to Austria?
Well, I applied and got accept to doing the Study Abroad program through Thompson River's University. So I have the oppurtunity to go to Austria for the next 6 months (one semester) to study social work! It is a wonderful oppurtunity, but with everything that is going on, I am stressing.
As I tend to do a lot, I worry about everything that needs to get done, whether or not it will get done, and when I have time to do it all!
So, with 4 days left until I leave, I am balancing seeing people, packing, and getting everything else done!

But I know that it will all get done, because it always done when we put our trust in God. Suddenly the seemingly important things fade into the background!

Talk to y'all soon I'm sure!
Christi

#2

Can music be a joy? Whenever I hear a new song, and a new artist that is really good, or when I play music, I just feel so happy inside! How is this a blessings from God, and how is music a joy?

Well, God created music, and it exists everywhere! In nature, the sounds of birds and of rushing water, and wind in the trees. Any sound really, is the creation of God! That in itself shows so much about God's character! He is attentive to detail and has created everything with a purpose and plan, God has also blessed us and has given us music.

Several times when music is mentioned in the bible, it is often used (most often!) used in worshipping God! I read this verse once a while ago, and it stuck out to me:

^{2 Samuel 6:4-6}

⁵ David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, singing songs^[a] and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

I read this and thought, "Hey? Music was such an important aspect of praising God that it was mentioned and recorded in the bible!"

David played before the Lord! Music the creation of God, and it is one such unique way that an indivual can express feelings to our Creator! 

So when I hear a really good song, and that really awesomely musical, I get really happy.

When I worship, playing music or singing in church, there is so much joy!

Joys.... #1

It's been a while since I posted. And I guess a lot has happened in my life. So many things that could drag me down, but I am realizing that it is my choice to not go down that road, and choose to let God work through those things, instead of letting Satan take away my joy- that is something I do NOT want to happen! I know that for certain!
Now, I have seen it done quite a bit, but I do want to at least find one 'joy' every two days and post it. It's going to be hard, but maybe posting it will keep me accountable! And yes, I am doing every TWO days, but it seems a little bit less scary. Hm... that's cowardly. Ok, I am posting a joy everyday, because I know that God gives at least one joy a day! Now I have to open my eyes to see them!
Here is my first one:
I got to go on a beautiful, beautiful hike with my sisters and my mom this past week. We hiked 42 km in one day! Which is crazy, but when I look back, just that fact made it so memorable. It was so tough for everyone to get time off of work, that's why we were limited to doing the hike in such a short time, but God made it happen! We got the time to do the hike, and completed it, somewhat safely! Praise God for his timing, his grace in blessing us and making things work out, and for his beauty- seen so clearly through nature!
Here are some photos:

                                                                              Mt. Robson

                                                                            Berg Lake

                                                                        Emperor Falls

                                                               The view from our cabin!

                                                                   Rearguard Falls ;)

Something Heavenly

Something Heavenly
                 Sanctus Real


Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To something heavenly.

Choosing Life

Lately I have been faced with things that I thought were tough, and they still are. It's not that I thought they were tough and they weren't, but they actually are. I know that I often over-think things, and get stuck with a lot of negative thoughts circling in my head. Yesterday I had a conversation with my sister, and it was a good reminder for me. Ever since then I have been thinking and thinking more. For me, it's easy to go in a downward spiral when I start to think. If I don't share it with someone, then the thinking just goes in the wrong direction. Another thing that is especially hard for me is to give things over to God, and TRUST that he will take care of it. Because I like to be in control, I have a hard time even trusting that God is big enough to take care of me. I KNOW that he is, but my heart often refuses to believe it. Yesterday stuff just happened, and I had so many questions. I felt like I had no questions, and nothing was ever getting anywhere. So there I was. Choosing not to believe, not to trust, not to hope, and not to be happy.
It's all about choices.
That's why God gave us free will. Choosing to accept God means so much more than it would if God had us robotically accepting him. By making the decision to follow God, we sincerely give up our WHOLE selves.
And in choosing to accept God, He can do his best work in us because we have opened up our lives to Him.
In choosing to accept God, we are giving in to the deepest desire that He has placed in us- to be loved so completely by the only One who loves us unconditionally.
By choosing to accept God, we can place our trust in God, allowing Him to take care of the troubles we face.
Choosing to accept God erases the past mistakes we feel guilty of, because he wants nothing more than for to repent, but then be FREE.
When we choose to accept God, He calms us and provides a future that is certain. Though we have no control over what is to come, we believe that God has taken care of it, because He does what is best for us!
I choose to accept God.
There has been a lot going on.
But I choose to accept God becayse he takes care of me, he fulfills all of my needs and he gives LIFE.

This is why I praise God.

Midterms

This is my first experience in university with midterms. Last semester was easy. I had quizzes and the biggest test was open book and online. So I got off super easy. But suddenly this semseter it seems like all of my professor thought we were into the groove of school and that it's time to make everything a level harder.
Whenever I study, I can only think of all the other things I would rather be doing. Music for me is a big thing. Whenever I sit down to study with some good music, I get distracted by the music and picture myself making some music and then I really want to go play piano or guitar or sing.
But another thing I always think of when I hear some epic music while studying, is me doing so well on the test.
To elaborate, have you ever seen a movie where the main character is faced with a conflict and they're struggling to deal with the problem. Then he or she realizes that they must change themselves. Then the inspirational scene comes on where it shows them doing many different things that are leading up to solving the problem, and in the background is some inspirational music?
For example, my favourite movie (that I might finally be growing tired of...) is "What a Girl Wants." A young American teenager wants to find herself. She feels that she isn't complete unless she goes to England to meet her father for the first time, who is a member of Parliament. She leaves New York City and enters into the posh society of London.  She realizes she isn't fitting in, and thinks she must change herself to solve the issue. Then comes on the inspirational scene where she is buying nice clothes, removing her black nailpolish, piercings and crazy jewlery and trying on very English-fancy outfits.

Thats the kind of scene I imagine when I'm studying. There's me getting into studying, memorizing everything, and doing super well on my test, all with the inspirational music in the background.

But it looks like inspiring music won't help me on this test, so back to work.

relat-ions-hips

Relationships.
I've been thinking an awful lot about relationships lately. And it's not all about me, actually, it is. I've been thinking about the relationships around me. The ones I have and the ones that don't exist (isn't that sad?). It seems like I was so close to finding routine in my life, and I had a bunch of goals for this year (as previously posted), and everything was going to be all right, and then suddenly everything I had planned for this year was taken away from me. The relationships almost all of the people in my family have had a reason to change- some relationships were started and others seem to be paused (but not quite broken). I started this year off very hopeful, and then a few weeks later I was so unexpectedly hit with so many changes. And I'm not too good at handling change.

This past weekend I went to a retreat-type-thing where I got to relax and also grow a lot. It was challenging but also super great. I ended up sharing a devotional on worrying, which is something that is so relevant to my life.
The reason that I'm sharing this? Because now as I was writing the last paragraph I thought of just how much God can use me to not worry so much even amidst all the change.

Man. This blog did not go where I expected.
God is working in my life, and will continue to until the day I die and live in paradise- unless the rapture comes before that...

Goodnight!
Christi

Little Miss Grumpy

What is the best thing to do when one is overwhelmed with emotions? Blog it.
Right now I am feeling really grumpy. I really just want to complain and have someone feel really bad for me. But I don't think that can be justified... my real reasons for being grumpy are because life isn't the way I want it to be and I didn't get enough sleep and I am feeling overwhelmed. There. That was the complaining.
I was so grumpy that I typed 'grumpy' into google.
This is what I got:


1. grump·y

adjective /ˈgrəmpē/  grumpier, comparative; grumpiest, superlative Bad-tempered and sulky

That made me feel better. I was so grumpy that I typed the word "Grumpy" into google, and that came up. His voice was funny, and it was just kind of comical. Just type it into google yourself, and you will see.

2. Along with the dictionary definition of grumpy appeared an image of Grumpy from Snow White. At first I rejected the slightest notion that I was similar to him, then I saw a picture of Grumpy with his hands on his hips. Yep. That is me. Today was the 2nd day out of two that I was caught at work with my hands on my hips when I was grumpy, and imitated...

Yes, that is a spitting image of me, except in a male-bearded version. I guess this is my mood right now, I have been grumpy all night. And I don't take pride in that fact, although it is humourous when I think about how I am looking or acting. But it is not fun for my family. For some reason I am always the harsh-est on my family, probably because I know that they will forgive me. Isn't that a little bit sad...? And I know I do the same with God. Sometimes my thinking heads in the direction of..."I can do whatever I want because I know God will forgive me again."
How wrong I am. Though he will forgive me, I'm guessing that I have to be sincere about it too...

Ok... this blog-post really did make me feel better. And I did it without having to put a real person through my misery, except now I am going to post this on facebook too.. just to make it public.

Anyways, it's late now and class calls tomorrow morning, so goodnight everyone!
And don't forget to hug a grumpy person you love!
Because we all need hugs, even when we're grumpy!

Hi.
This semester I am taking a poetry class. My reasoning behind it was because it would be an easy English course to take. That is a bad reason. But I learning a lot in the class, and I actually like it quite a bit. My reasons for taking it were really shallow, but I actually really like it now, and I getting into some cool stuff. I have come across two poems in particular that really have spoken to me. One of them is called 'Holy Sonnet 14' and it's written by john Donne. His main career was as a preacher, and in that, wrote some really incredible stuff. This poem goes through so many emotions on a spiritual level. For me, I read about temptation, pain, shame, guilt, forgiveness, and an unconditional and mysterious love.
What do you get out of it?




Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me. 


'Holy Sonnet 14' 
John Donne (1633)

Job

This post nicely follows the last one I did. It's about my first challenge (the challenge to read my bible, and read it everyday). So I am reading through a study that takes you through the bible chronologically. I started with the beginning of Genesis, and then, to my surprise, I was taken to Job- withour finishing Genesis, huh!? Pretty cool. Apparently it comes sooner than it was placed in the bible. But along with being wowed, I was also disappointed, because I finished reading Job at the beginning of Decemeber. I had never read it, adn really wanted to for a while, so I finally read the book in November. Then all of a sudden I have to read it again? Oh well, there must be a reason :)
And I guess I have started to look at the book differently, in reading it through a second time. My dad actually told me today that I should read important things through twice, to get the real meaning.

While reading through the book, there was a passage that stood out to me. In chapter 7, verses 6-21, Job cries out to God saying:


Job 7:6-21
Job Cries Out to God

 ⁶ “My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle.
      They end without hope.
 ⁷ O God, remember that my life is but a breath,
      and I will never again feel happiness.
 ⁸ You see me now, but not for long.
      You will look for me, but I will be gone.
 ⁹ Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes,
      those who die^[a] will not come back.
 ¹⁰ They are gone forever from their home—
      never to be seen again. ¹¹ “I cannot keep from speaking.
      I must express my anguish.
      My bitter soul must complain.
 ¹² Am I a sea monster or a dragon
      that you must place me under guard?
 ¹³ I think, ‘My bed will comfort me,
      and sleep will ease my misery,’
 ¹⁴ but then you shatter me with dreams
      and terrify me with visions.
 ¹⁵ I would rather be strangled—
      rather die than suffer like this.
 ¹⁶ I hate my life and don’t want to go on living.
      Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
 ¹⁷ “What are people, that you should make so much of us,
      that you should think of us so often?
 ¹⁸ For you examine us every morning
      and test us every moment.
 ¹⁹ Why won’t you leave me alone,
      at least long enough for me to swallow!
 ²⁰ If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
      O watcher of all humanity?
   Why make me your target?
      Am I a burden to you?
 ²¹ Why not just forgive my sin
      and take away my guilt?
   For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.
      When you look for me, I will be gone.”

Job is an inspiration and a role model to me because he reminds me that life is not always easy- and even when it is hard, we often fool ourselves in front of our friends, or pretend that everything is alright. Job is so honest, and his plea to God is almost... refreshing? It says it all in the title: Job CRIES OUT to God. Job is NOT doing okay and he pleads and cries and gives himself to God, completely!  
     And then there's the fact that so many of the things that Job says in the passage accurately describe moments in my life, in the past and even now. Job is not kidding, he is the 'real deal'. Maybe I feel like I can really relate to Job, and it makes me happy and at peace, knowing that it is in the Bible, God's Holy word. The word that God INSPIRED! 


I am excited about this. I was reading Job again this morning, envision in a production (play) in my head. But I don't think that will go over well.
Instead I'll turn to God and praise him, that even in the hard times, when we want to despair, God is there.


Christi