Meine Klein Welt

Tiergarten Schönbrunn

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As part of our Vienna bucket list, we’re visiting some of our favorite places. Today we went with our dear friends to the Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo).  This the oldest zoo in the world, and it’s a truly beautiful place. I’m so glad we decided to go early because by midday the heat was pretty unbearable. I was even more tempted than normal to jump in and swim with the penguins! Mollie made sure we were there in time to see them feed the sea lions. That was awesome! Then, we found the albino peacock, the coolest animal in the zoo. It was showing off it’s plumage. So, so cool!

Tiergarten Schönbrunn

You can see more photos here: Tiergarten Schönbrunn

8th Grade Retreat

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We just returned from a great two day retreat in Gutenstein where we got to spend time with a group of pretty amazing people. For the last three years, Matt and I have had the privilege of leading small groups with the current eighth grade class. This group also happens to be the last class that I taught as a regular classroom teacher. I can’t believe that these kids are about to enter high school! We are thankful to know them, and we are going to miss them greatly!

Gutenstein Retreat

You can see pictures from our weekend here: 8th Grade Retreat

The Perfect Gift

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We’re actually deep into Track season, but I don’t have any pictures of Track to post just yet. Stay tuned, though.

So instead I have one last picture from basketball season. I always appreciate the gifts I receive from my teams, and I always enjoy noting the differences between gifts from girls vs. boys.

This year, while the girls were giving out flowers, and signed pictures, and other such cute keepsakes and mementos, I got a bag filled with these goodies. All of these things, for the record, are nearly impossible to come by in Austria. Well done boys!

You probably can’t see this, but that can of Campbell’s soup is Beans and Bacon. Could there be a more appropriate gift from a group of goofy middle school boys, than that?

 

Good-bye Video

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Matt and I get to make the video each year celebrating the folks who are leaving ICSV. You already saw the intro here. This is our section of the video. Man, ten years is a long time. So many amazing people have been a part of our lives over the years. What an amazing blessing to have been able to serve here.

Saddest Night of the Year

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So, every year we have a staff dinner to celebrate those who have served at ICSV, but are being called to serve elsewhere. For seven years, I’ve cried my way through this night. Matt has had to do this ten times, but he’s very manly, so he’s never cried. This year is so strange. Usually, I’m crying over the faces that are leaving because each of them is taking a little piece of my heart with them wherever they are going. This year, we are heading back to the States and my heart is kind of a wreck. Not only do we have to say good-bye to all the faces who are leaving, but we have to say good-bye to the ones who are staying. Honestly, good-byes are just lame. Thankfully, it’s not a forever good-bye. Thankfully, Jesus is preparing a place for us where we can all be together again. You can pray for all the folks below. We’re all leaving ICSV this year, but this place will always be a part of us.