truths

I have just been thinking a lot today and the past few days about God's goodness. No matter what, He loves us. He loves us all the same, without question. It's not like I haven't heard this before, but really thinking on this concept just blows my mind. The Creator of all things desires a relationship with me. He has sought me out to save me from a life of toil and despair! What a Savior!

Amazing Love!
How can it be,
That you my King
would die for me?
Amazing Love!
I know it's true.
It's my joy to Honor You,
in all I do, I Honor You.

It is my hope and desire that you know Him in a personal and real way, and that you experience His amazing Love.

fun times with fam!

Well this weekend was so great. My Aunt and Uncle came over from Prague to visit and I got to show them around here. We visited some of the major tourist sites and had a bunch of fun together. I really love having visitors, because it reminds me how awesome this place is.

So here are some pics of our fun times together...



Aunt Vicki and I in the great park by my house.



Uncle Darrell and I enjoying TGI Friday's...it was so yummy!

I introduced them to the awesome pasties, and Auntie V shares my love for the chocolate heart yummy things! We got to go see some new places that I didn't even know existed here! We went to an amazing cathedral that dates back to the time of St. Francis of Assisi. There was a wedding going on when we went in there. I wish I had pictures of that because it was pretty amazing, but no photos allowed! It was kind of a culture shock to them getting used to our late night lifestyle here, but they adapted very well!

Anyways, it was such a good visit. They really spoiled me and I am definitely already missing them! What a good weekend!

yep...

Okay, so as promised, here are some pics of my trip to Portugal.

A view of the ocean from the pool.

The beach had these really cool rock formation things all around that we climbed on a bit.

The beach!! It was so pretty!

Representin' our city! What what!

Another shot of the beach with the cool waves.

All in all, it was a great trip. Very relaxing, wonderful weather, good times indeed.

checking in...

Okay so it's been weird since I have been back, re-adjusting to living here. I have to get my mind once again to think in non-English mode! But there were a lot of things that I missed in the short time that I was gone that I am so happy to be able to partake in once again (the yummy coffee and pastries, my wonderful friends here, the culture in general). It's just interesting how only being gone a few weeks can make you feel almost like you're going through culture shock all over again! But the city has been so good to me and very welcoming. The weather has been so gorgeous the past few days! Definitely very much like spring. The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and its just beautiful!

This weekend I am going to Portugal to go to the beach! I am definitely looking forward to laying on the sand, hanging out, and seeing a new country. I will take pictures too so you all can share in the fun. Have a great weekend!

i'm back!

Well I was in the states for a while but I am now back over here! Still trying to get over jet lag. Anyways,  it was a fun visit. I got to go to California for the first time. I also got to be in my brother's wedding. I now have a sister in law! yeah! Here are some pics from the wedding festivities.

Getting our nails done!

Bridesmaids with the lovely bride after the rehearsal dinner.

I loved the flowers! They were so pretty and smelled so good!

The bride and groom!

Me, Mandy, and Amy

So yeah it was a fun time and I had a good visit. I got to see a lot of my favorite people, eat a lot of my favorite foods, and just relax! Now I am back over here and looking forward to what's next. Hope you have a good weekend!

He ls Good

The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

No I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the darkness
If You want me to

When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
Gonna look into your eyes and see you never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you
And I will walk through the valley if you want me to

Yes, I will walk through the valley if you want me to 

ok

yeah so I took a quiz to find out what flavor of Pocky I am! Pocky is this amazing asian treat that I  looooove!  Just wanted to share with you....

what flavor pocky are you?
[c] sugardew

hope and a promise fulfilled

God sent His Son,

They called Him Jesus.

He Came to Love,

Heal and forgive

He Lived and Died

To buy My pardon

An Empty Gave is there to prove

My Savior Lives!

Because He Lives,

I can face Tomorrow.

Because He Lives

all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future,

and life is worth the living

just because He Lives!

butterfingers!

No, not the candy either, although now that I´m typing that I could totally go for a butterfinger candy bar. Anyways, yeah so I was skyping with my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Darrell (pretty much like a video chat thing) while eating a bowl of cereal. Well, I don't know what happened, but the next thing I know half a bowl of cereal was all over my computer. Thanks to the quick thinking of Laura, and Uncle Darrell's advice from half a continent away, I think it's all good now. But it was just really funny. Is Europe turning me into a klutz? I think the jury is still out, but leaning towards yes on this one!

Well, I got my grades back from my exams. By the way, grades are different here. I got my tests back and there were just numbers at the top, not percents or a letter or anything. After my prof explained, it's pretty close to percentages though, but I was just a little nervous when I got my paper back and there was a big fat red "9" at the top!

So yeah, I can´t believe that it´s already mid March! It's very spring-like here, with the trees getting ready to bud, the pretty green grass, and people just seem happier and like they are coming out of their winter hibernation. Although it seems a little early for this Michigan girl, I 'll take it!

aw yeah

Well it´s official! I am done with language school! I feel like my finals and presentation went better than I was expecting. It´s very freeing to not be worried about the grade. But who am I kidding, I´m still interested to see how I did overall and everything. I obviously hope to keep learning through language partners and other forms of exchanges. But it´s kind of a weird feeling though to be done with school...again. Next week is Holy Week, and apparently there are a lot of processions of the Christ and Mary figures. It should be an interesting time, that´s for sure. 

get back up!

Last night we had breakfast for dinner: chocolate chip pancakes, bacon and eggs! It started off with me craving pancakes, and turned into all out awesomeness. Seriously, if I had to choose my last meal, it would be breakfast food. It definitely hit the spot and satisfied my cravings.

In other news, I think I have a balance problem. Every time that I go for a run, without fail, I fall. Usually multiple times. The other day was pretty bad and I got a hole in my pants. Today I dropped my i pod and it almost went in the street! I just keep thinking there's gotta be a life application to this somewhere right? Either that or I'm just the clumsiest person ever.

i'm not spying...I promise...

Alright, so we live in an apartment here. It's awesome and I love it. Great location, great space, my bedroom is even pink, so pretty much all that I could ask for. But it is definitely different than living in the suburbs in a single family dwelling. For instance, our neighbors. Their living room shares a wall with my bedroom, so I can hear everything that they do. Sometimes it's kind of weird. I guess it's good that I can't understand everything yet. However, when I see them out and about I always feel awkward like "Hey, you guys were fighting last night. Everything cool?"

Anyways, it's March. March always makes me think of that saying from elementary school "in like a lion and out like a lamb". Hopefully your weather is lamb-like very soon!

BONUS!

Well that's right kids it's that time once again: February 29th! I can't believe that tomorrow is March 1st! Time keeps flying by.

In language class we had to write a favorite recipe using a certain verb tense. I wrote down a recipe for cinnamon rolls, and so many of the other students had no idea what they were that I made them for class today! Needless to say it was a good day! I'm actually bummed that school is going to be over soon. I'm going to miss seeing the same people every day. But it's time to move on too, and I will try to stay in touch with a few of them.

I hope everyone has a wonderful leap day. Go crazy! It only comes around once every 4 years!

yep...

wow I can't believe that it's already almost March! The days seem to be flying by. Classes are going pretty good. Only a few more weeks left before finals. I hope I didn't forget how to study! Overall though, I feel like I am making progress in my language, building relationships with people, and feeling more and more adjusted to this awesome city. Guess what? It's pretty cool.  

In other news, I also wanted to share something that I meant to post earlier with my entry about my trip to Germany. So in the airport we had to go to the bathroom. First of all, the bathroom was like a porta-potty and seemed really weird and out of place. Oh yeah, second, there were urinals! No, we weren't in the men's room either. So I took a picture. In the bathroom. In Germany. Yes, I got a weird look or two. But it was worth it to share this with you now.

 

Yep, there ya go. You are welcome. Have a great day!

victory!!

Well I am feelin´good today! I went to apply for residency at this official government place and I did it! woo hooo! I was really nervous that I was not going to be able to understand what was going on, or that I was going to be deported or something, but it was all good. It´s the little things that add up to confidence right?

So I have changed the settings on my keyboard to European style. Most of the letters are the same, but the symbols are not. For example this letter thing: Ç what is that? Anyone?? Here it is in lower case: ç . Haha this is funny because a lot of the them are switched around, so when I want a question mark, I actually have to hit where the plus sign is.

Well good times indeed. It´s Monday and I am getting ready for class. It´s raining a little and kind of yucky outside, but I get to wear my cute rainboots, so that´s a plus! Alright peace out!

Happy Heart Day!

Hello all! I'm feeling happy today and I just wanted to spread the love. Things have just been going really great lately. I went swimming yesterday, so that was awesome. We also had a bunch of our friends over yesterday morning, which means that we got a bunch of yummy pastry goodies from our bakery. I'm serious, everything that they make is simply awesome. I don't understand it, but I love it!

In other news, I have about a month of school left. I have 3 finals and a speech that I have to give in front of one of my classes! I have to talk without notes for 15 minutes, so that should be interesting to say the least!
Well Happy Valentine's Day eve everyone!

Union, dearest Union...

My dear alma mater Union University was hit by an F4 tornado on Tuesday evening. The pictures and videos of the school are pretty heartbreaking. Some of the buildings where I spent 4 of the best years of my life are completely gone. It's so miraculous that every single student survived! The school still has a very long road ahead of it and there is much work to be done, but I've never been so proud to be a Union alum than these last few days. Every time a student or faculty member was interviewed, they always gave God the glory for protection and grace.

All this to say, please keep Union in your prayers: the faculty and staff, the students as they try to process what they have experienced, and particularly the President, Dr. Dockery, as he tries to lead the school. There are also ways to donate money and resources. Below I have posted a link that will take you directly to Union's disaster relief webpage. Please consider what you can give and what you can do to help.

https://www.uu.edu/Union2010/giving/creditcard.cfm

another journey

Well I am back from the land of bratwurst! If I had to pick two words to sum up Germany they would be: cold and gray. I really don't mind cold that much as long as it's sunny. There was only one day when the sun shone for a brief moment. That moment was really exciting though and made everyone really love the sun. It was fun to see some old friends and make new ones. I was almost killed by a real German...a German Shepherd! For real I thought it was going to hop over the fence. Have you ever seen the movie 'The Sandlot' with The Beast? Well, it was kind of like that! Yeah good times.

So anyways I am back now and enjoying the weekend and really appreciating even more where I live. Also, I just realized that it's February 2nd, so Happy Groundhog's Day! I don't know if he saw his shadow or not and I don't remember which means which, but here's to a short winter!

Birthday goodness!

Delicious cake courtesy of the amazing Amber!

Yep, basically my birthday was simply fantastic! It was so fun to have a visitor here to help us celebrate also. I loved being a tour guide and I can't wait til more people come visit (hint hint!)


So the morning of my birthday we had an awesome pancake breakfast! Ambee even made me a sign and a crown! How cute!


At the restaurant they sang to me, put a hang on my head and made me drink a shot...of juice! (for real it was only juice!)



Enjoying the yummy Mexican food with a friendly waiter in the background!



The girls!

It was pretty awesome and I feel so blessed. Thanks to everyone for your birthday wishes! I'm 24 now! Crazy!

3 months!

Well today is my 3 month-aversary of living here! I'm sure that I have said this before, but it feels like the time has really flown by. A year ago, I had no idea where I was going to end up, or if I was even going to be able to go anywhere at all.  Now, I am here and living a fantastic, blessed life only by His grace! 

So I've really gotten into baking/cooking from scratch. Before, I really loved to bake, but sometimes I would just use frozen dough or even (gasp!) break and bake cookies. Well, now that those things are not available I have to do it the old fashioned way. It's been really fun. I've discovered a lot of neat recipes for cookies and breads that I never would have tried before.  I also made chicken and dumplings last week and they perfectly satisfied my craving. 

Also, 1 more week til my birthday! Let the pre-birthday festivities begin!

lovin' it!

Well classes have started this week at the university. At first I was a little overwhelmed. There were a lot of people, and it was very different than my other language school! Things were pretty good today though. All of my professors seem very nice and that they like their job.

Today I was in the coffee shop before class, and guess what was on t.v.: The Backstreet Boys! They were showing some of their videos! I was so excited. BSB were my favorite back in the day. It was pretty cool.

So things are going good all in all. I'm looking forward to going to Germany later this month. Deutschland! Yah!

p.s. The Bakery downstairs is amazing! I got a donut from there today and it rocked my face off! 

We Three Kings...

Today is a holiday! We are celebrating when the Magi came to bring gifts to Jesus. We got to go 'up north' a little bit to see how they celebrate there.

The town had a great parade. The passed out a ton of candy, had people dressed up in all sorts of different costumes, and of course, a marching band!

Here's the first King in the parade...



and number 2...



and here's number 3!




In other news, Language classes begin again on Tuesday! I'm excited to be back in class and practicing the language a lot every day. Plus, it's on a college campus so that will be fun too!

Have a great Three Kings Day!

what what

It's the weekend! Tomorrow I am going to another city with some friends to spend the night. There's a castle where we're going! I'm excited to see it and to get to see more of the country. Maybe it will feel more like winter, because here the weather has been pretty mild. It's been in the 50s the past few days. Very spring-like! It's pretty great.

This week has been a good time to relax a bit before starting class next week. Right now I am watching "Teen Wolf" with Michael J Fox on t.v. It's very 80's and very awesome!

Oh yeah, and a very delicious bakery has opened on the ground floor of our apartment building. A very cute family runs it, and the pastries are delicious! yumm

New Year, New Beginnings!

Well it is 2008 and I'm feelin' great!

I was up kind of late last night/this morning...like 7:30 a.m.! There was a party at church that I thought was only going to be a few hours long, but it was more like an all-niter. It was super fun though! I chugged 3 glasses of coke in 30 seconds and bobbed for an apple...random yes, but fun nonetheless!

It's crazy to me that it is 2008. I remember in school thinking how it was so weird that I was going to graduate in 2002. I also remember when I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer and go to the Olympics in 2008. I guess there is still time for that though right? A few months at least!

I hope your New Year's celebrations were wonderful and that you have a wonderful 2008.

p.s. Only 22 days til my Birthday!