Adventures in Austria

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Finish What You've Started

I've been praying for wisdom about next year. I signed a two year contract last year and was planning to be done this June. I was SURE a week ago that this year would be my last. But this week....ahhhhh...I don't know WHAT to do!

So today, I was reading Luke 14:25-35. Jesus is talking about the cost of being a disciple. "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him. Saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish." Wow, I can't believe I read this passage on this day. I felt like He was saying to me, "Nicki, don't just lay the foundation of a special needs program and leave." I want to be able to finish what I started. Question is, how do I know when it's finished?

I really feel like I need to go home and pay off my school debt but I also feel the need to see this through. I'm not sure what God has planned for me down the road but I do know that road is about to take a big curve and I can't see what's around the corner.

First Week of School

The first week of school was a busy one but a good one! I gave 7 entrance exams to new students, did a teacher in-service on how to give the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) and set up guided reading groups, started 3 middle school classes, and had Back to School night with the parents! Many days were 12 hour days and one night I had to make copies in the dark as the janitor had left for the night.

We changed our name this year from Vienna Christian School to International Christian School of Vienna. The new name better reflects who we are to the international community in Vienna. We are getting a new roof this year (praise the Lord) and you can see the scaffolding in the picture.

Here are a couple of my students.

We went to the park for 7th hour on the first day of school. We played water balloon volleyball and soccer.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Look what I found!

Tofu Schnitzel!!! Only in Austria!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Family Vacation in the Dells

After we spent the morning skiing, we drove out to the Dells for our first family vacation since 1999. Our first event was the Tommy Bartlett show. Now, me and my brother used ski at the same time but he never let me ride on his shoulders!

Mom, Dad and I got to ride a Military Duck that drives on land and in the water. It was pretty cool.

The Dells are really beautiful.

Dustin joined us the next day...

He wrestled a bear and saved my life. Just kidding.

It wouldn't be a Braun family vacation without riding a fast boat! We rode a jet boat called the Wild Thing. It had 1200 horse power, did 360's, and had brakes that would make the water spray over the top...we were drenched by the end of the ride. It was pretty fun.

We went mini golfing.

A good time was had by all.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Skyscraper

I talked my brother (who is afraid of heights) into riding this ride with me. Its 160 feet tall and moves 60 miles an hour. Plus, the seat your in flips around. At times we were falling to the ground head first. It was the best rush of adrenalin I've had in a long time.

I screamed and laughed so hard druing the whole ride. It was such a rush.

After the Skyscraper, we rode the "Hellcat." We were the only ones on the ride. We rode it 3 times in a row until we both felt sick.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Skiing

If you know anything about my family, you know we love the water. This Thursday, I got to ski for the first time in a LONG time! I went with my mom and dad and their friend Adam. Here I am about to get up on one ski...