Mother's Day Picnic

You know, often times I'm reminded that God didn't give me physical children but he DID give me spiritual children and I've had many spiritual children over the years. Today, we invited the mom's to school for a mother's day picnic. The day started off with one of my students bringing me cookies! (The Lord knows that giving gifts is my love language and He often reminds me how much He loves me by these small gestures from my kids.) Another student brought me these flowers and her mom told me "You may not be an actual mother but you have a mother's heart." This day was for the mom's! I had no idea how blessed I would be today!

Yesterday, the sweet girl pictured below made me those beautiful earrings I'm wearing in the picture. Today, she came to school so sad because her mother wasn't coming to the picnic. I was able to become her "stand in mom" for the picnic. Suddenly her tears turned into joy and that in turn brought me joy!

I must say, now that I'm over 30, the thought has crossed my mind that I may never really have a "mother's day". However, today I was proved wrong. I've been so blessed!

My Church

Here's a short clip of worship at my church a couple weeks ago.


Here we are dancing up to give our offering. :-)

SEW

Every year we have a week set aside for Spiritual Emphasis Week. Usually, we bring in a speaker from the States; however, this year a bunch of the teachers gave their testimonies. The theme was “byHisDesign”. A couple of teachers shared how God spared them from death, others shared about great loss in their life, while another shared about being excommunicated from his family after not following the ways of his denomination. I was very nervous to tell my testimony and I was sick with mono at the time, but God gave me the strength to share about God’s faithfulness in my life.

Throughout the week, we had many opportunities to pray with our students. Several students gave their lives to the Lord and others recommitted their lives to Christ. Praise the Lord!

On Friday, I was able to have a conversation with one of my French students about the gospel. My testimony opened the door to talking about the hurts she has in her life. I was able to share the gospel with her but she has not chosen to accept Him yet. Please join me in praying that she would come to know the Lord and accept Him as her Savior.

Being Sick in Austria

Being sick in a foreign country is defiantly an experience. The health care here is much different from that in the States. I’ve tried about every home remedy the doctor could come up with. After several doctors visits and trips to the diagnostic center, I was diagnosed with Mono.

I’ve been sick since the second day of school and haven’t worked a full week all semester. It was rough but I’m on the road to recovery and getting stronger every week.

It’s amazing how God has provided for me during this time. There is a school psychologist here from the states that has been helping me to not fall behind on my paperwork and my two teacher aides are picking up the slack. I’ve been so blessed to be able to stay at home and rest when I need to.

I’ve learned to not overwork myself and allow others to help me (a lesson that needed to be learned). I’m so thankful for all those who stepped in to help.

Summer School

I love teaching summer school. This year the theme was "Sharks". We read about sharks while working on comprehension and we went to an aquarium at the end of summer school. Here we are using manipulatives to work on number sense. Mona was here this year to help me out!


We played waterballon volleyball.




We did as much as we could outside!


We focused on reading comprehension, reading fluency, writing strategies, and math.


Mona taught the kids the "Baby Shark" song.


We went to the Haus der Meers aquarium to see some sharks.


Overlooking Vienna.


Playing with Legos.


Swimming in the Danube River.

Day 4

I had a day off of treatment to go to church and eat lunch with some friends in Cedar Rapids. I've been eating some really good food.



THAT would be a club sandwich with CHEESE, french fries fried in the same oil they fried something cheesy in, and coleslaw which might have had milk in it. My brother's girlfriend, Whitney's parents took us out to eat and her mom was wondering why I was taking pictures of my food. I also ate one of Whitney's pizza... covered in CHEESE! Oh my goodness, it was greasy, salty, and delicious. MAN I've been missing out!



For desert, my brother got me a Drumstick. I can't even remember the last time I had ice cream...or chocolate! I haven't broken out from anything yet. It's totally AMAZING! Praise the Lord!

Today, I went back for my 7th and 8th treatments. I was treated for laundry soup, fabric softener, fabric chemicals (that are in your clothes when you buy them), vinyl, car exhaust (I know right?), acrylic, sunscreen, pool chemicals, soap, and deodorant. If it works, I will save lots of money not having to order my soap, sunscreen, and other things from a pharmacy up in Minnesota.

In between treatments, I went to Panara and ordered a vanilla latte...everything in me wanted to say..."with soy milk". I was actually scared to drink one with real milk...but I did and it was GREAT. Now, I'm gonna have to start watching how much sugar I eat... :-)

Day 3

This morning, I went back for another treatment for milk, however, she told me I didn't need it. So, I got treated for chocolate!!! She tested me and said, "Oh, wow, you're actually allergic to the coca bean." I know! :-)

Deb said I should try putting some milk in my hands...see how I react...try putting some on my lips...see what happens. So after my treatment, my brother and I went out for coffee. I spred some skim milk on my lips like lip gloss and just waited. I got a little itchy but thought, "I think it's just in my head." So, my brother and I got a pretzel.



Yep, the lady covered it in butter and salted it. Then we dipped it in cheese.



Now I guess we just wait, and see what happens.