Fall update

It is only mid-October and it has snowed! It snowed most of the day yesterday, and is reported to keep snowing off and on through next week. What a wonderful "Welcome Home" to Gabe and Toni, who return from Africa tomorrow :-)
I am (understandably) very excited for tomorrow evening to roll around-I am headed to Löbau to pick Gabe up around 8! The month has gone by quickly and there has been good work and connections for both of us, but I am definitely ready to spend the next months in the same place.
My job in the office at the base has been going well. I am trying to be proactive in a lull, knowing that things will get crazier when we try to organize various teams that will include nearly 100 people... it's nice now to have the freedom to help out in preparing our morning coffee break, organizing files and updating information, and trying to streamline the processes we have so that things run more smoothly. I also have that extra bit of time that I can spend wedding planning when I need to :-)
Gabe and I fly to WA on 1 December!!!! That's only 6 weeks away!!!!

Looking for a Flat..

Yesterday my wonderful flat mate, Jardena, assisted me by calling about two available flats, here in Herrnhut. We were actually able to see a 3 room apt. which is too large and expensive for a newlywed couple -- but perfect for Jardena and the other staff girls who are looking for an alternative to base housing.

So, on Saturday, Jardena and I will go see a studio apartment, and I have two prayer requests concerning this.

1) That I would know if it is the right place and the right time. I don't know what will be available later in the year, but Gabe and I would like to have our flat worked out before we come back to the states.

2) That I would have the finances. The landlord (as with most German landlords) would like proof that I will have the rent money I need each month. The rent for the studio is 270 Euro (or more depending on heat/water...) which is almost $400. Additionally, we will have to furnish our kitchen-counters, sink, stove, fridge...

I don't have the support I need monthly even to pay that rent. I strongly desire to be faithful in my responsibilities and commitments, but I can't do it without your help.

If you can commit to supporting me with any portion of the $1000 (total) I need a month, please let me know! I would love to have you as a part of my ministry.

Recap

I returned to Germany on Saturday night, after a longish and tiring trip home.

My trip to Africa was very adventurous. The first week I spent at a University of the Nations conference, which is the educational side of YWAM. It was fun just to meet new people from all over the place (as per the YWAM usual...) and help Gabe as he was responsible for the event photography. The second week Gabe and I joined a group of DTS students that traveled into the African desert to meet Bedouin people, and work on their arts. In all there were 48 of us from the Music DTS that is just beginning their outreach, and the photo an fine art DTS students, who only spent about a day in Germany before they flew to Africa for this trip! We were able to see God's provision, protection and guidance throughout the hot and hectic week!

It was an exciting week for me personally, as Gabe and I got engaged! I realize that I haven't told many the story of how we met last fall, so read on to hear more about us :-)

Gabe and I met last fall during our Discipleship Training school(DTS), and I very quickly realized that he was the best friend I could ask for, and someone I didn't want to live my life without. We enjoy spending time together, share many things in common, and also have areas that we add to the others life. (For more details about his first impressions of me, or the "fog" story about how God confirmed to Gabe that I was the one for him! we'll have to get Gabe to tell...) During a DTS students are not allowed to begin dating relationships (and for good reason) so Gabe and I spent the fall getting to know one another better and focused on our personal relationships with God. The three month outreach was a challenge, but when I returned to the castle in Germany, the first person I got a huge hug from was Gabe :-) Needless to say, we officially began our dating relationship as soon as the leadership gave us the "okay!"

So, this last week, while we were touring in the Egyptian desert with a group of DTS students, Gabe asked me to marry him, and of course my answer was, "Yes!"
We were laying in the sand looking at the Milky Way (and making sure that the scorpions didn't get our toes!) when he told me how much he loves me. That he loves me when I am all gross and Outreach-ified, and when I am clean and sniffy. That he loves me when I am happy and laughing and when I am grumpy or pouting. The list goes on :-) SO! We are very excited and busily working at the things that are before us! I love you all tons!

Short trip south

Hello friends. Having spent the last week cleaning, training and getting a bit settled in Germany, I am off tomorrow morning on a two week trip to Africa! It will be a very new experience for me, and I am both excited and anxious for what is to come. I am headed home shortly to pack, and pray that I have all the items I will need for a trip to the desert :-)

I may have some internet access this next week, but the following week I will be pretty unreachable, so I'll do my best to let you know about my trip (and safe travels) when I return to the castle on Monday the 21st. I love you all dearly.

Fall cleaning

I arrived back in Herrnhut on Sunday afternoon, and am in the process of getting as settled as I can. I feel rather like a nomad, as I leave again on Saturday for a few weeks, and am not sure where I will be living when I get back. It's good to be here, but I'll be more comfortable when I have a home and can really move in.

I arrived just in time for massive castle cleaning, which as many of you know, makes me feel right at home. One problem with community living is that nobody takes responsibility for the general space, so the good old tragedy of the commons means that everything gets trashed! I spent a few hours this morning just tidying at my flat, and then when I got to the castle to use the internet I found that our base leader had just called out the students and staff for what a mess the castle was. It's a lot of work to keep this place clean, but very much worth it to not live and work in a sty.
I officially get to work tomorrow with some training for the "school back office" team that I will be working with. It should be a busy week before Gabe and I train back up to Berlin to catch our flight to Egypt on Saturday. I'll be there for two weeks and am anticipating some interesting adventures :-)

I hope to post some more pictures of what life in Herrnhut, aka "the Hut" looks like, so keep an eye out for the facebook album. Hugs!

Long London Layover

I'm about halfway through my move to Herrnhut, so in less than 24 hours time I will be at home! I am sleepy, but just wanted to say that things are going well :-)Much love.

Woah.

I am not frantic. Yet. I'm just trying to remember all the little things that creep into my brain before I forget to put them on a list, and I am trying to figure out how to put my life into a bag that is a)big enough to fit it all, b)small enough for me to haul around the German airports, cities and public transportation systems, c)doesn't weight more than 51 lbs. Ugh.

Gabe got in last night/today, and I just wish that we had been able to travel together: I don't like traveling alone. Oh well, on the next adventure (which is only two weeks away!) We get to travel there together, even if we don't get to come back together...

Okay, I'm off to go weight this beast of a bag! Oh, and my mom loves me so much, that she's making Thanksgiving dinner tonight! Maybe I'll post pictures of Thanksgiving in August :-)