Back to Austria

Guten Tag Everyone,

I have landed safely in Vienna, Austria and it is very exciting to be back.  But here is a review of what happened during the month of January.  

After Christmas and the Holiday Season, my family (Mom, Dad and my brother) were able to go on a refreshing two week vacation to Hawaii.  Hawaii is our family’s favorite getaway; we were very happy to escape to sunshine and warm weather.

Our first week was spent on a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands.  This was our first time ever cruising as a family; the trip was full of a lot of first for us.  First time enjoying the on-board entertainment, watching lava fall into the ocean and enjoying poolside cocktails while cruising along the ocean are some examples. The cruise also provided us with the opportunity to see the difference and similarities between the Hawaiian Islands.

Visiting the place of refuge on the Big Island

Wailua Falls in Kauai

 

After the cruise my family and I spent 10 days on Maui.  These days were spent swimming and kayaking in the ocean, reading many books, visiting our favorite restaurants on the island, watching sunsets and enjoy the company of the Hirano family.  It has been an ongoing joke in our family that my Dad and I are solar powered: meaning that whenever we are in the sunshine we are happier and more energetic people.  It did feel like my energy level was much higher in Hawaii and I left very refreshed and ready to come back to Vienna. 

 

Watching Sunsets is a Community Activity in Kihei

My flight back to Vienna was great.  I sat beside a girl from Frankfurt on my first flight who was returning home after being on a 5 month high school exchange.  I loved being able to get her perspective on the differences between Canada and Europe.  Then on my second flight I sat beside two girls from Edmonton heading over to Vienna to start a semester of studying abroad and they were going to live in the same international student housing I was in previously.  Talking to them about what to do in Vienna and giving them some ex-pat advice got me even more excited to come back.

In my efforts to keep myself up the first day I got back I was able to visit some of my old haunts and see what has and has not changed over four months.  I really do love the city of Vienna and I am excited to see what God does over these next four months.

Prayer Request:

Good start to the soccer season
Wisdom in which ministries to participate in
Continue to enjoy doing to Surge day to day tasks
Fun visit and productive from Dave Irby from Feb. 7-14
Break throughs in the Visa Realm-I am ok but other Surge Staff are still have difficulties

All for God, Gillian