update

well. 

its about time for an update, right!

The last month has been beautifully chaotic. 

trusting the Lord is so funny like that. it is a moment-to-moment decision. the minute you forget to rely on Him, you are reminded of how chaotic life is outside His arms. you are reminded that no matter how much you feel pressure to grow-up and take charge, true peace comes in remaining a child. 

my sending forth mass was absolutely blessed! it took place in the chapel in my grandparent's house in Indianapolis...a little space that could fit little more than my mom's side of the family (who were all in town for Thanksgiving). Monseignor Schaedel offered a beautiful mass and a moving homily, all of which was made so much more radiant by the fact that he offered the sacrament of confession to those who wanted to go right before mass. The little room was so full of grace, I felt absolutely drenched. While no part of the mass left me unmoved, particularly the end struck me...My mom's side of the family has a special family blessing tradition. Whenever an important event happens to anyone in the family {like moving away or a milestone birthday, or an engagement of something} we all gather around the person, place a hand on them or outstretch a hand towards them and sing our family blessing song. It has been a tradition for as long as I can remember, yet I completely forgot about it until my DT (grandmother) requested that everyone gather around me in front of the alter to give the family blessing. As I stood there and closed my eyes I felt the presence of my entire family around me (some 30 of us). From the little hands of little cousins to the strong hands of loving grandparents, all were outstretched to ask God's blessing upon me and I cannot even begin to describe to you the grace that swept over me! It positively took my breath away to feel the Lord's presence so fully, to be shown so vividly the support of those who love me. And I know that in that moment, all the prayers of those who have promised to pray for my time in Vienna were poured out upon me to strengthen and encourage. Thank you all dearly for your intercession!

Following the mass, my godmother and her husband hosted an Austrian Dinner at their house for all my family and some friends and sponsors who are from the Indianapolis area. It was a delightful time spent with family and friends, a true experience of "home" to cherish in my heart and take with me to my new home in Vienna. As a token of my love and appreciation I wanted to share a little but of Austrian adventmarkts with everyone. What better way than with traditional Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts...made with the much needed help of my cousin and brother) and Glühwein (mulled wine). Making the lebkuchenherzen turned out to be a MUCH larger undertaking than I expected; I would have died in an abyss of dried up gingerbread dough and melting icing if it weren't for the heroic aid of Carsten and George! 

I hope all of your Thanksgiving holidays were relaxing and wonderful, full of family and love! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I feel so blessed that it was the last holiday I got to spend with family for the next 14 months. And I received an extra special goodbye gift-one of my best friends from college, S, came to spend the holiday with me and my family! It was a blissful four day holiday with constant reminders of all I have to be thankful for! 

During the Thanksgiving holiday I received a much welcomed update from Sr. Regine in Brooklyn about the plans in Vienna. Alina, who I previously wrote about, is a missionary from the Ukraine who has been living in Naples, Italy for most of her life and working with the Heart's Home there. We will be partners in founding the Heart's Home in Vienna-there will be only two of us at the start of the foundation. She will arrive in Vienna on December 6th and will pick me up upon my arrival at the Flughafen Wien on December 13th. At the beginning, we will be camping in our unfurnished apartment in an old presbytery, given to Heart's Home through the gratitude of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. There are two former Heart's Home missionaries currently living in Vienna who will be our main contacts in the city. We will also be sharing the same building as a religious order called The Little Sisters of the Lamb (under the direction of Cardinal Schönborn and inspired by the spirituality of the dominicans and franciscans). Fr. Jacques will be visiting us in February to help us guide us further! We will be starting from scratch, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the support of our friends and contacts in Vienna, so that is about all I know thus far! 

Heart filled to overflowing with so many gifts from God, I am more ready than ever to embark on this adventure with Him.