October 3rd: Normal Work Day

Front of the Big Haus and the flowers

Today was another full work day where we just finished up painting the balcony and porch around the big house.  It was a long day today of work and at some times hard to keep motivated to do the work but I know that is one of the reasons I am here.  It is still such a blessing to be able to serve here at the Haus and see all the students enjoying their time here as well.  It is such a beautiful place for many of them and time of fellowship with others, good food, a nice room to stay in and some quiet time to focus on the Lord.  It makes me think of the other beautiful places that the Lord has provided for places like this and for his believers to gather and enjoy his creation and the time of fellowship together.  Tauernhof was located right next to the gondola up the mountain in the middle of the Austrian Alps and what a perfect place to experience all of God’s creation.  Sometimes we forget to take a moment to enjoy the landscape and what is going on around us since we so often get caught up in the bustle of daily life.  These times and trips are a good time to refocus on what is important and go back refreshed in the Lord.  It is one thing to have that “spiritual high” that some students are learning about here but you must learn how to maintain that and what you require for that daily recharge in the Lord wether it be reading the Bible, praying or a jog while worshiping the Lord.  That is one thing that I will be challenging myself when I return is to maintain that time with the Lord everyday and reading the Bible to grow more with him.  After a nice dinner most of the short term workers walked to the Stift to listen to the Vespers at the monastery and their evening church service.  Such an amazing building and the sound was so great while they were chanting and praising the Lord.  I do believe there is one true God above all others and no matter if you are Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox or whatever, you are all worshiping and praising the same God.  It was a nice service and after we all had dessert at the cafe in the Stift which was amazing.  The apple strudel was the best since Austria is known for it.  The waiter was very nice and we were able to talk to him for a bit.  It is amazing how quickly I was able to pick up German again and I was able to understand almost everything that he was saying tonight.  I would like to continue to study and be refreshed in German and hopefully one day be able to speak it much more fluent.  Tomorrow is our last day of work before we head to Vienna Friday which should be a fun filled day.  The days seem to go by quicker and quicker as I expected them.  I am loving this place so much.

 “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth.” - Genesis 1:1