And there're off...
August is gone and now welcome to the busy month
of September; the month where everyone goes back to school and things start
speeding up again. It was quite a shock
to my system once September hit because there was no smooth transition between
the slow pace of summer and the hustle and bustle of school season. The first week it felt like I was treading
water for a bit trying to wrap my mind/body around this change in pace but
don’t worry I survived J
The next week I had the chance to participate in
the Calvary Chapel Western European Missionary Conference in Spittal,
Austria. This conference was hosted by
the great staff at Schloss Heroldeck-that means Castle Heroldeck. I was a princess for a week living in a lake
side castle with an amazing view and great fellowship. It has been a while since I have been to a
conference and I soaked it up all the sermons that had a missions emphasis. I loved being able to go swimming every day
in the Millstättersee. I also was
reminded how much of a thrill it is for me to meet new people and network. I got to meet pastors and their families from
all over Europe. I was especially fond
of the ones serving in France, plus I got to speak French with them. I hope to visit some of my new found friends
over the next year. 
All for God, Gillian
The last month of summer started with a week of
coaching at an English speaking Soccer Camp.
I worked at this camp the previous summer and it was fun to return
again. I worked with all the kids from 7
to 10. Since this camp took place during
the Olympics we had an Olympic themed day and divided all the players into
countries. The rest of the day was spent
doing many different activities like best goal celebration, team pyramids,
obstacle course and of course soccer matches.
I got to work with a fellow coach from Vienna International School and I
enjoyed getting to know him better.
Coaching at Westside Soccer and the pyramids competition
The next week I had the chance to participate in
the Calvary Chapel Western European Missionary Conference in Spittal,
Austria. This conference was hosted by
the great staff at Schloss Heroldeck-that means Castle Heroldeck. I was a princess for a week living in a lake
side castle with an amazing view and great fellowship. It has been a while since I have been to a
conference and I soaked it up all the sermons that had a missions emphasis. I loved being able to go swimming every day
in the Millstättersee. I also was
reminded how much of a thrill it is for me to meet new people and network. I got to meet pastors and their families from
all over Europe. I was especially fond
of the ones serving in France, plus I got to speak French with them. I hope to visit some of my new found friends
over the next year. 
A group of us who played soccer at the missions conference-I was one of the three girls who played
Another highlight from the summer was that I had
many friends, new and old visit Vienna and I was able to show them around this
lovely city. So if anyone ever wants to
come to Austria I would love to show you around.
With the start of school means the start of my
coaching job again at the International School of Vienna. Ken Meyer, a pastor
of the Calvary Chapel in Vienna and me are coaching the Middle School Boys A
and B team. We finished up tryouts this
week and I am excited for season to start and getting to know my team
better. I love working with this age
group because fortunately we have similar senses of humor. This fall I continue my Saturday soccer
clinics at the school and I am also going to be training the primary kids, ages
6-7. Most of the primary kids have not
touched a ball at all but this is a year around job which is another blessing
from the Lord.
Other things that are occupying my schedule are
the Surge Activities we run as Surge International (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/SurgeSoccer or http://www.surgeint.org/).
We have a weekly staff meeting where we are studying “The Cost of
Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonheoffer, bi-weekly soccer outreach at the field
near our church, weekly bible studies with the Surge group and helping out
around CIG, our adopted church. I have
also been spending sometime cleaning my new office in the church. They have been so generous with their time
and resources in adopting us into their ministries.
Katelyn and myself before doing a soccer outreach
One thing I would like to encourage you my
brothers and sisters in Christ is to have a spirit of contentment with what the
Lord has given you (Philippians 4:11, 1 Tim 6:6). I am someone who loves the new and the
familiar but that in-between period is difficult. I am currently experiences that period here
in Vienna and had a period of discontentment with my situation. But once we get that discontent spirit we are
stating that we know better than God and our plans are better than his. In this situation we need to remember that
God’s plans is so much better than our own and will work out so much better
than our own.
Prayer Request:
Good start to season for my VIS team
Team Unity in Neulengbach
Spirit of Contentment
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