Shopping on Boxing Day

So the day after I got back from Paris I needed to grab some groceries...you know, the essentials...lunch meat, soy milk, orange juice, and some apples. This was the line outside the only grocery store in the city that was open. All the other stores were closed because it was "Boxing Day" (the day after Christmas where everyone boxes up their Christmas decorations).

I had to wait outside because they were only letting so many people in at a time (because the stores here are pretty small). I had to slowly inch my way into the middle of the mob and wait for them to open the doors. They only opened half of the door so there wasn't a mad rush. As they opened the door there was a lot of pushing and shoving until the current of people finally swept me in.

Once inside, the lines were all the way to the back of the store. When you found something you wanted you had to ask the person standing in line to hand it to you. “No, no, that one…no over…yeah!” I saw one man join his friend towards the front of the line. It was funny to see all the people in front of me giving a disapproving nod.

Usually we stock up before a holiday, but I was in Paris for a week so that was not possible. Facing the mob was they only option. I'm in the middle of the mob pictured above.

Christmas via Skype

This year my family Christmas was on Skype. Dustin and Alex (my brother and his fiancee) drove the two hours to my parents house in WI. I opened my package they sent me and they opened the package I sent them. I also got to see everyone else open their gifts.

Although I couldn't be with them all day or hug or kiss them, it felt like I was really there. In fact, my mom took pictures of me with them as if I was actually in the room. Ha!

My best friend Dawna was here in Vienna for Christmas. She and the rest of the Duerksens were here visiting Reesa (my roommate and another best friend).

It was a different Christmas but a great Christmas!

Christmas Morning

On Christmas day, Carrie, Amanda, and I packed a lunch, ate it in front of the Eiffel Tower, then went ice skating in front of the Eiffel Tower. How many people can say that?

Christmas Break in Paris

This Christmas, I couldn't afford to fly back to the states so I spent it closer to home in Paris. Four of us from VCS went: Carrie, Amanda, RheaAnne, and myself. We met up with a teacher who teaches at Black Forest Academy in Germany: Rachel. It was a great time!

Not only was it great to be in Pairs, it was great to be on break from school!

The Christmas Story

The Christmas holiday has been a great time to share with my kids about why Jesus came to earth. Each day in the month of December, we read a different children’s book about the story of Christmas. When I asked the kids why He came to earth one little boy raised his hands and said, “To be our sacrifice.” We talked about how Jesus came to earth to eventually die for our sins. Which is crazy because I have a couple of students who have told me they do not believe in Jesus. One of my Muslim students is quick to remind me that he is not a Christian and does not celebrate Christmas. However, in his Christmas card he gave me on Friday he wrote, “Jesus loves me.” So, my kids are hearing the gospel time after time.

On Thursday, I was helping my middle schoolers with a project they had. They were to compare Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity. We made posters and when we got to Christianity I asked them what made a person a Christian. One said, “Well, at the end of your life if you’ve accomplished a lot I guess you can go to heaven.” Another said, “Well, if you do good things, I guess?” So, I took out the Bible and shared Ephesians 2:8-9 which states that salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done instead it’s a gift. Then I turned to Romans 3:23 that says we all fall short of God’s standards. They were stumped. “I don’t know, I guess” they replied. So, from there I was able to show them Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Truth is, its not a complicated process at all. So, from that we were able to finish our project AND learn about salvation.

Field Trip

First, we took the U-bahn (and had to transfer once.) This was the scariest thing ever. I had 12 little lives I had to make sure made it on to each U-bahn before the doors shut. I kept counting and counting to make sure I didn't lose one of them. We all made it there and back. (I have to block out this little boy's face for his protection.)

Next, we arived at the Rathous. Inside, we painted tea lights for Christmas gifts. It was so much fun!

Aren't we cute? I have to edit the picture for our little boy's safety. After the tea lights were done we went out side to the Christmas market.

Look at their faces! They are in awe of the candy! This is before one of them threw up on my pants. :-)


Me and "Miss Mac". It was cold and raining! One of our kind mothers bought us some kinder punch to keep us warm.