The Carpe Diem Story

This past month I had the chance to go back to Kosovo for a second trip.   I enjoy revisiting places because I love discovering the changes that happened since the last visit.   In Pristina, Kosovo lots of changes had transpired since my trip a year ago. When Surge International travels to Pristina, Kosovo we work in partnership with Calvary Chapel Pristina.   This new year, CC Pristina received the blessing of a new, larger and better building.   By moving to this new building, CC Pristina has a new community to reach in the city centre.   Our job during this week of outreach was to be the ice breaker and help get the Church plugged into the community. We ran a daily English Club for the neighbourhood kids followed by playing soccer.   Through this week of outreach I was reminded of my love of working with Kids.   In Vienna I am no longer working with Kids as much, so I got my “kid fix” in Kosovo.   Furthermore it was really encouragin...

This is a story that shows how God can use whatever he wants to spread HIS gospel... This last weekend I had the chance to go to Bratislava for a Bachelorette Party. We were spending one night there as a bridal party and were expecting to have a great time.   This story commences with us rushing to meet our 10pm reservations at a roof top bar in the city centre of Bratislava. One from the bridal party made the reservation the day before on-line. But once we got to the bar we found out that the reservation actually wasn't made and there was no more tables left on the roof that evening.   So the six of us went walking around Old Town Bratislava looking for a place to eat dinner and have some fun cocktails.   We tried a number of places but got the same response at all attempts: "Kitchen Closed"- not the words empty stomachs want to hear.   Eventually we walked past a Scottish Pub and went in asking if they were still serving food. We found out we had 20 ...

Where did the month of February go, it simply slipped through my fingers. I guess the next three months are going to be even faster. The month of February can be summarized in four words: Soccer, SBUX, Snow and Selfishness Soccer: Getting reconnect with my team in Neulengbach was easier than expected. All the girls were excited to see me back and gave me big hugs. The warm reception was very encouraging because I didn't know how the team felt overall about my quick departure in September. While I have been away we got a new Slovakian who understands and speaks English. Last week a few of us went to take a fitness test and I got to ride with this Slovakian. After going over the basic questions (job, family) we actually started talking about Church. She shared that she goes to a Catholic Church every Sunday and she really enjoys going. I started talking about how I go to Church every Sunday as well and how much I enjoy going. Then somehow the conversation developed to me sha...

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 crui...

Hope everyone has had a great Christmas and is looking forward to a Happy New Year! Click URL to see Holiday Card:  http://www.jibjab.com/view/5U0ak7NyQhGUPR9Qw8_TyA What is next for Gillian:  -Returning to Vienna January 30th for four months - Trips in the Spring to Kosovo and Scotland -Celebrating two great friends special day in April -Return to Canada in June    

I have had over a month to get use to the time change, language and the food. It is amazing the reverse culture shock you go through coming home. One thing is for sure I have a much greater respect for immigrants who's native tongue is not English than I did before I left. But I have been able to keep myself busy since I have been home with a variety of activities. Great view at the end of hiking the Chef The first one is work. I have currently working for my Dad's landscaping company doing maintenance; which really means cleaning up the properties for winter by raking leaves and cutting down perennials . I love being outside but some days it can be very wet and cold. Another highlight from work is that I get to work with my brother a couple days a week. He has a great sense of humor and is very hard working which makes working with him tons of fun. I have also been able to get involved with my home church by partic...

Well I really don’t know how to begin this update but as I  alluded to in the previous post I discovered for a fact that September is a crazy month.   For those of you who don’t know I am actually currently in Vancouver, Canada and I get to be here until December 27 th .   To hear how this occurred just read on… Since June 2012 I have been receiving verbal confirmations from MA-35 (Vienna’s Visa Authorities) of a temporary residential permit for Austria. But I have been waiting since June to receive physical confirmation of this permit such as a letter and an ID Card.   Due to the lack of staff in the summer I was told my letter was to come in the mail but it never came.   I diligently returned to the MA-35 office every month asking about the letter and the officials would tell me it was coming.   I went back in to the MA-35 on Monday September 17 th asking about my case; unfortunately that day I was informed that I actually did not receiv...