klavier

waking up extra early on a Sunday to see the clouds so low and threatening rain was not the most pleasant, but nothing could curb my excitement for the reason behind my early rising...Nahum, Aberu's oldest son, invited me to his summer piano recital!

Aberu is always complaining about how hard she works to get him to practice, Nahum is always complaining about having to practice, Alina and I are never complaining whenever we get to hear him practice. He is especially good for being only 9! And today, I got to hear him preform! What a treat. And now you do too...I hope you enjoy!

I met Aberu's husband, Abenezzar and Nahum at their apartment so we could all go together to the piano recital...on the complete opposite side of the city. Aberu called me ahead of time and told me to wait outside for them to come out because Alexander (the youngest who is always hiding from me) had been talking all day about how excited he was that I was coming and that he wanted to go out and play with me, alone, without the other brothers. So sweet...I smiled so wide when I heard this because the way he has always acted when I have been over to visit was as if he was deathly afraid of me! Since he wasn't coming to the piano recital, Aberu was sure he would start screaming and crying if he saw me and then saw me leave with the other boys, so I just waited outside for them to meet me.

Our friendship has been up to now only with Aberu and as I have shared a little bit of her story with you, her relationship with her husband is really disheartening and painful for her. To be honest I was a little weary to go with her husband and the two boys to the concert, but in the end I see how much it was a gift and blessing to also meet her husband, to talk to him about his life, what is beautiful and what is difficult for him, and to really have a vision into the other side of the relationship as well. It was even more clear that being a friend doesn't mean judging the situations in the lives of others, picking sides, having an opinion all the time. Being there with Aberu, being her friend and spending time with her and the boys, being there to listen to her and support her doesn't mean that we are closed off also to charity towards her husband. Isn't that the wonderful thing about charity-it calls you to care for everyone, be open to hearing and loving everyone without having to judge the other or the situation at all times. Charity is only subject to the truth which sometimes calls you to make decisions and judgements, but I find that more often than it simply asks you to act according to the most basic truth--the truth of each person's dignity and value as a human person, and that no matter what they look like, what they do, to you or to another, what they think or struggle with or delight in (these things can be liked or disliked), they always, always deserve the respect and the love that you would give to one you hold dearest.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart. {1 Peter 1:22} 

bravery

Since I was little, my mom had me reading books about the lives of the saints. I remember the first time I read the story of St. Maria Goretti-I was so intrigued, I asked so many questions, I was inspired to have a love for God as she did, a courage that endured all opposition. In University the example of St. Therese of Lisieux and her 'Little Way' became very special to me, a handbook for how to live even the most ordinary life, a college student's life all for love of God and love for those around you, simply, quietly, humbly. It was most certainly by following her example and praying for her intercession that I was gently lead on the path with and closer to Christ--St. Therese was my reliable and faithful, loving and gentle friend. 

Before leaving on mission, I ran into little hints every which way I turned, introducing me to another Carmelite saint, doctor of the Church, and extraordinary woman that even St. Therese referred to as "Mother"--St. Teresa of Avila. I had no idea why, but I was drawn to learn more about her. I think it is no coincidence that as my interest in getting to know better the life and soul of St. Teresa, the Spanish mystic, reformer of the Carmelite order and founder of the Discalced Carmelites, began to take root, I moved here to Vienna to help open a new home for Heart's Home (Teresa traveled all over Spain on some rather perilous and grueling journeys and often encountering cruel opposition, especially from the parishes, in order to establish the reformed Carmelites), which is in the parish of Karmeliterkirche (the Church of an old Carmelite community) and where, upon the front right side of the Church stands a statue of St. Theresa amidst the transverberation of her heart (an experience of religious ecstasy).  

I saw in his hand a long spear of gold, and at the iron's point there seemed to be a little fire. He appeared to me to be thrusting it at times into my heart, and to pierce my very entrails; when he drew it out, he seemed to draw them out also, and to leave me all on fire with a great love of God. The pain was so great, that it made me moan; and yet so surpassing was the sweetness of this excessive pain, that I could not wish to be rid of it. The soul is satisfied now with nothing less than God. The pain is not bodily, but spiritual; though the body has its share in it. It is a caressing of love so sweet which now takes place between the soul and God, that I pray God of His goodness to make him experience it who may think that I am lying. (The Life of Teresa of Jesus) 

I began reading her works, starting with her autobiography which I am still working on. In her writings, insights, accounts of the daily events of her life which were at times exuberant and at times unbearable, there lies a most lively and inspiring model of courage. I think that above all is truly a gift of the saints to us, especially through the writings they leave behind...they give us courage, they urge us on, they make us realize that we are not  living this life alone, that we are not the first or only ones to experience distress, that there is nothing to fear and there is hope to be had if only we will trust a little more everyday.

...just to give you a little taste, the following are some wonderful quotes from the biography of St. Teresa that I have already finished...

on action and contemplation//

"She was not allowed to withdraw from the world and devote herself to her inner life; she was to travel an even harder path where contemplation and action are one."

"One of the most remarkable strands of Teresa's mysticism is the extent to which she was, like many true contemplatives, both Martha and Mary, both active and passive. Her mysticism did not divorce her from outward reality, rather it took her deeper into the world." 

on right intention and detachment//

"Once while thinking of how much more purely one lives when withdrawn from business affairs and how when I am involved in them I make poor progress and commit many faults, I heard: 'It cannot be helped, daughter; strive to have the right intentions and to be detached in all things, and look at Me so that what you do might be done in conformity with what I did.' "

surrender and joy in God//

"One day while I was anxiously desiring to help the order, the Lord told me: 'Do what lies in your power; surrender yourself to me, and do not be disturbed about anything; rejoice in the good that has been given you, for it is very great, my Father takes His delight in you, and the Holy Spirit loves you." 

on friendship//

"In Teresa's teaching, friendship ought never be excessive, but should express itself by taking on household tasks, thus sparing other, by the prayerful and speedy settling of differences, by rejoicing in the virtue of others and tolerating their faults."

"There is nothing, however annoying, that cannot easily by borne by those who love each other."

a couple of ducks

sometimes love just overwhelms you. you want to sink away at the meer thought that you are receiving so much you couldn't possibly deserve. I think thats one of the best and most adequate ways to describe love--incomprehensible. No matter how many times you ask yourself the question "Why", there is no explanation of why you receive what you are given out of love. You have not deserved it, it is not owed you, and you may have been completely taken aback and not seen it coming. You don't understand it, and this lack of understanding makes your heart even heavier with gratitude and humility. 

 I was rendered speechless, not only in one fleeting instant, but the entire day--a day all the way back in February, when I turned 22 in a foreign city thousands of miles away from home, amongst people I had known, at most, for 3 months. Why? Because the overwhelming love and thoughtfulness of my new family and friends here completely swept me off my feet...

everything was so simple and humble. everything was so rich and sparkling with love. 

as you can see, I am just realizing now I never shared with you how amazing my birthday was. now that its almost july, im not even going to go there...but I do want to pass one of my favorite birthday presents on to you. A quote from Hermann Cohen that was taped inside a book given to my by Monika:

(first in German)

Ich habe das Glück überall gesucht: im eleganten Leben des Salons, in der Freundschaft mit berühmten Persönlichkeiten, im betäubenden Lärm der Tänze und Feste, um Ruhm als Künstler, in der Sinnenlust. Jetzt habe ich das Glück gefunden. Mein Herz läuft uber, und ich möchte es mit dir teilen und du sagst: 'Ich aber glaube nicht an Jesus Christus." Ich antworte dir: Auch Ich habe nicht geglaubt, und deshalb war ich unglücklich."

(translation): I sought happiness/bliss everywhere: in the elegant parlor life, in friendship with famous people, in the stunning noise of festivals and dance, in the renown of being an artist, in sensual pleasure. Now I have found bliss. My heart overflows and I would like to share it with you, and you say: 'But I don't believe in Jesus Christ." I answer you: "I didn't believe either, and thus I was unhappy."

Courtesy of Alexandra and St. Joseph

Needless to say there are many cultural differences between Austrian and American living--not in the up front, thrown in your face kinds of ways, but in the whispered details which is makes these changes even that much more aggravating, or that much more delightfully surprising. 

In the case of Austrian kitchens, it has been both. 

I was surprised to learn that Austrian apartments do not become equipped with kitchens...you have to bring your own or buy a new one when you move in. (No wonder Austrians don't move as much as Americans...what a hassle) 

Thus we have been praying and praying, waiting and waiting, accepting donations and accepting donations during our 6 months here (can't believe its been that long) and have already compiled a rather motley collection of cabinets and appliances to form a somewhat congruous whole. And by congruous, I mean: and old refrigerator and dishwasher that no longer work, a completely new stove that was given us to replace the one that was leaking gas (safety first), a sink that is wonderfully huge but rusting and leaking as it nears its death, a huge and matching set of kitchen cabinets and drawers (although some are missing their corresponding countertops), and a couple other odds and ends...oh and the best part...a little kitchen window bench...so lovely. For us, it works well (although a little small when we have more than the three of us to dinner) especially because it is what has been given to us (God is so good, as well as are the people who give according to His inspiration), but the day before Alina left she met a man Claudio through Schwester Fritzi (not really a nun but shes never been married and has worked and lived for Karmeliterkirche for as long as people can remember) after mass. Claudio's sister in law is moving to Salzburg and has a 2 year old kitchen which 1. she cannot take with her, 2. she cannot sell on e-bay or the Austrian craig's list for the life of her, and 3. Caritas (like Goodwill) won't accept as a donation unless she pays them 40 euro to come pick it up. 

Guess what...my Sunday morning and afternoon was spent at Alexandra's apartment disassembling the kitchen (which also involved meeting most of the extended family, helping her pack for the move, eating Chinese, and hearing amazing stories about the family and their long connection with Karmeliterkirche and various stories about the priest who used to live in the apartment we live in now and the former booming life of the parish here), and yesterday after mass with the help of Claudio, Volker and his work truck (a friend of a friend), and many of our student friends who sacrificed an hour right in the middle of exam study time, the kitchen was successfully moved from the 22nd district into our apartment...more precisely the chapel (hellllllllo Jesus!) I guess its a good thing we haven't found a tabernacle or anything yet, might be more than a little inappropriate. 

Anyways, this, need I say it again, TWO YEAR OLD kitchen comes complete with a new sink, dishwasher, huge stove with electric, single paneled range, and a normal refrigerator and freezer (normal meaning smaller than a normal American refrigerator but bigger than anything else I've seen!) Wow, St. Joseph pulled through. Thank you God!! Now the thought of having five living in community here rather than just us three is not so daunting when it comes to having to cook (and no, that doesn't mean I know there are two more people coming...but for future possibilities), and now when visitors walk through the kitchen to get to the living room (which they have to do) they will be greeted by beauty rather than chaos. Lovely. 

Claudio leaves today for a week of summer vacay with his family (lovely) but is eager to get the kitchen pieced back together and installed into our kitchen. It won't exactly be an afternoon job of screwing some cabinets into walls because the previous form of the kitchen (the way the countertops were cut, where the stove must go and the water must come from, etc.) doesn't fit at all with the layout of our kitchen :) but Claudio assured me that with a little work and some help from some electrician friends and maybe a little payment for a plumber, we'll make it work! So that means, I have a week to get the kitchen ready...scraping down the existing layers or paint/wallpaper, resurfacing the walls, sanding the gibbs, and painting. So excited. no, really! 

So, I was going to make this post short, but I was so excited I had to tell you everything. One last thing...Since I am alone I need some entertainment while I work...I've never been the type to talk to myself, the people who I could ask to help me begin the renovations are busy studying for exams, taking exams, laying on the beach in Southern France (cough cough Monika and Philippine cough cough), jetsetting to Zurich, etc...and I can only pray so many rosaries out loud...so I need some tunes. 

An outdated music library is not so motivational...but yesterday while searching for music to stream (Pandora doesn't work in Europe) I stumbled upon NoiseTrade--the perfect fit for a audiophile missionary with no money for new music. You can explore new music, support up-and-coming artists of every genre, not pay a thing, and avoid going to jail (always such a hassle, right). You are encouraged to donate to the artist when you download the available tracks, but you can also spread the word about them through facebook and twitter, or do both. 

Well, I will be taking plenty advantage of this new find, especially in the next week, so here is my plug for all the artists I will be discovering and loving. I can't pay, but I can spread the word and encourage all of you to enjoy them and support them! So check it out. 

Vereint in die Eucharistie

"The Lord had given her such a lively faith that, when she heard people say they wished they had lived when Christ walked on this earth, she would smile to herself, for she knew that we have Him as truly with us in the Most Holy Sacrament as people had Him then, and wonder what more they could possibly want." 

{excerpt from "Theresa of Avila: Her Story"}

Austria has more holidays than any other country I know. 

Due to their über Catholic history and the long intertwining of Church and State, most Catholic feast days are still recognized and celebrated in some way or another, even by those who aren't Christian 

Which means...

most everyone has work off (except those poor souls that work in tourist-attracting venues)...hence those who aren't even Christian celebrate because they have a free day to relax and play!

all shops (even including most in the bustling first distric) are closed...including grocery stores...except two wonderful "Billa"s that are open on Sundays and holidays and save those of us who are more accustomed to 24/7 stores and forget/don't plan ahead. 

the u-bahn and straßenbahns run less routes thus making you necessarily slow down your day and enjoy it

there is an extra beautiful celebration going on in a church near you

and if the feast day happens to be Fronleichnam, then that means you shouldn't be driving in a car because it is the day of the biggest processions for the Catholic churches in Austria. At the Stephansdom procession, you will even see the president of the republic and various government officials taking part as the Kardinal brings the Eucharist to the four altars outside of Stephansdom. 

But today I was not at Stephansdom...I was at our home parish to celebrate with our friends and neighbors. Karmeliterkirche and St. Leopold Kirche are two parishes comprising the same Pfarrgemeinde (parish community). For Fronleichnam, a beautiful mass was celebrated here in Karmeliterkirche after which the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the Church, and then led a procession through the neighborhood streets, stopping for some prayers and songs right in the center of the neighborhood's main square (Karmelitermarkt) and ending in Eucharistic Benediction in St. Leopold Kirche. The whole thing took 2.5 hours but no one ditched, no one complained about the heat. Tradition is so dear to the Austrians...they even still dress in dirndls and lederhosen especially for holiday masses (i.e. today). I just drank it in as I followed in the procession, singing the songs, looking ahead to the monstrance raised before us, then looking down at the ground at the petals strewn all over the street by the little children walking just ahead of the priest with the monstrance to prepare the way for the Holy of Holies. I couldn't help but think to myself...wow I wish we had the chance to do these things in America. Especially as a little kid...what a way to grow up...strewing petals before the Blessed Sacrament as its carried through your neighborhood and blessing every house and resident. 

Anyways, wishing you a lovely and grace-filled Corpus Christi. 

As always, we remained united in the Most Holy Eucharist

oh...and...check him out. 

.so give it just a little time.

.share some bread and wine.

.weave your heart into mine.

But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through 
— Francis Chan

We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken. 
— Fyodor Dostoevsky 

Himmel

about a month ago I accompanied Monika to the hospital to visit one of the dearest little girls I have met in Vienna--"J". She is 11, has down syndrome and is an orphan living in an amazing and beautiful orphanage especially for handicapped children in the northwest of Vienna. J used to be a student of Monika's and now is in another teacher's class, but of course, Monika sees her often since the school is smaller and the teachers all closely connected. 

Her history-her parents' deaths, etc-isn't very pretty to the ears, but when you see her sweet face you have to see the beauty of it because it is from where this beautiful soul has come; what has helped form her into the dear, sarcastic, uberloving, prank-playing, stubborn, sassy, and endearingly-dramatic little girl that she is. 

My experience with handicapped children--less than minimal. So I was a little weary at first how it would go--she speaks German, she has down syndrome, etc.....what will this entail? how am I supposed to act? That day J gave me the greatest gift--a better understanding of what it is to be human and the depth and breadth of human need in the smallest of things. 

A little while after Monika and I arrived and J started warming up to the fact that I was a stranger, Monika left to see if we could take J downstairs to the lobby--a little vacation from the 24/7 TV watching and idleness of her shared hospital room--and to indulge in her favorite treat--iced tea. When Monika left she asked me to sit on the bed to take Monika's place and color with her. Talking and coloring soon lost her interest and tired as she was, she climbed under the covers and scooted all the way to one side of the bed and closed her eyes. As if she forgot something, she quickly opened her eyes back up, lifted up the covers, took my hand and pulled me toward the bed next to her--she wanted me to lay down with her. Is that normal? Is that allowed? I don't even know this little girl. Will the nurses get angry when they see I have my shoes on? Responding to my hesitation she patted the bed next to her as if she was calling a dog. She smiled, patted some more, nodded her head, patted some more...so I took off my shoes and layed down next to her. She wanted to make sure I had enough covers and that I was comfortable and after tucking me in she laid her head on my shoulder, looked up at me and stuck her thumb out at me. Not understanding this, I just smiled, but eager to seal this friendship she grabbed my hand, and then just my thumb, and touched the tips of our thumbs together. Smiled. And closed her eyes. Monika returned shortly after and J just waved her away saying "Geh" (Go) and sticking a thumbs up in my face and a thumbs down in her face, smiling, laughing, and then pretending to be back asleep. Monika and I just laughed. As Monika explained--in the school, friendship is a thumb thing. To officially become friends, you have to touch the tips of your thumbs together as if making a pact. To tell someone that you are friends, you give a thumbs up, to let someone know you don't want to be their friends, you give a thumbs down. And so the simplicity of children--you can change your mind at any time with a simple hand gesture :) So it was official--J and I were friends. And ya...of course Monika and J were still friends--that is J's sarcastic, playful side. She'll call you a "baby", an "Oma", an "Opa" or a "Monkey" to make fun of you. She'll wave her hand in front of her face and point at you saying "Du" to let you know that you're crazy. Then she'll instantly smile big, laugh at her own "joke" and hug you. She tickles you, hugs you, plays hide and go seek with you, and she loves to hide things and make you find them (unfortunately for me...one time it was my wallet and she doesn't give things back very reluctantly haha). 

I went to visit J three times while she spent a week in the hospital. Twice with Monika and once alone during the school day when the teachers were working and no one would be able to visit her. The day I went alone was the day she was returning back home, and boy was she happy!!! She didn't talk about anything else but that she was going to go home, and that she was going to see all of her friends. She loved playing with my ipod, so we took a couple videos :) So dear! 

 

(the better video won't upload...when I figure it out, ill post it)

What struck me most of all was the smallest of moments. Two nurses and a doctor came in--they needed to take a little blood and check out her ears (she was there because she had a really bad middle ear infection). They stood on either side of her and prepared the things, explaining every step to avoid the normal kid-fear reaction. She was so calm, no screaming, avoiding, squirming, yelling. I thought, wow....shes like an adult...she doesn't even need someone to hold her hand. As the moment got closer she looked up at me with the most unsettling eyes and held out her hand--pleading at the thought of being alone or not comforted and supported during the pain and fear of a shot. No, just like any other little one, she needed to squeeze someones hand. While beyond this instant her face and eyes showed no pain or fear--as calm and placid as could be, I knew of her fear and pain because she was holding my hand...aka my hand was numb at her tight grip haha. 

And I was thankful, because I could be there with her because, just like any other little child, she was scared at the sight of the needle, the pain of the prick. And she needed to squeeze someones hand as much as she felt fear and pain-the same thing my mom used to tell me :)

I was astounded because just like any other human she needed someones hand to hold, to know that she wasn't alone, to be with her in her pain (no matter how little, or quick that would be).

I wasn't a stranger...I was in a way someone she already trusted to be there with her. 

Today I had a meeting at the orphanage where she lives because after meeting this beautiful little girl both Alina and I were sure it was an answer to our prayers for an apostolate. Of course, everything in Austria has to be a little beurocratic and official and organized, so of course it is not so easy as just going somewhere, explaining our community and our mission in Vienna, and getting a visitors pass to go play with the kids, or visit the people who have no one to visit them, etc. So, I have to fill out some forms, make some "probe" visits (test visits) and see if it will work that we come to visit first J and then maybe other kids. Yet, it all takes time, but today was a beautiful and promising second step with the big guys at the orphanage--definitely an opening to cultivate a beautiful friendship and working relationship with them. And yet certainly not nearly as beautiful as the first step--J letting me, us, into her life and heart. 

July 1 ist my first opportunity to go there and visit and see J again! I'll let you know how it goes! 

tony, tony, come around...somethings lost and can't be found

well sometime last week my camera decided to up and walk away.

That, or it was carried away by someone whom I don't know, which I much more likely considering that the last time I remember seeing it/having it was in the apartment. Needless to say....bummed beyond expression. 

At the end of three days of searching, asking friends, and re-tracing my steps (aka. the day I decided to accept the fact that it was really gone), this "just happened" to be the gospel at mass, which as I was already bummed, annoyed me even more because it very blatantly reminded me that there is a reason for everything....that there was a greater question for me to raise, a harder question to answer, even than "where is my camera!!?"

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

where is my heart?

what do I treasure? 

what are my grasping hands clinging to? 

the robes of Christ as a child at his feet? 

or my camera? 

the lesson is not that I shouldn't have such a nice camera or that all those who really want to be holy should be ascetics and rid themselves of all material possession. the lesson is not that I should be so detached as to not care about my lost camera, not seek to find it again, and just accept the fact that it is gone.  the lesson is not that I shouldn't want my camera, especially a nice, professional one as I had just a year ago invested in, and cling to it and make sure it is secure, and treasure it due to its value. 

the lesson is...to take this moment to look at my camera, my other possessions, my love of photography, my other passions....and evaluate how they all weigh in in my life, to see how they have a grasp on my outlook, my choices, my attitudes and moods. For example: last week I received three separate e-mails from various people asking me to send pictures of our house and moments of our life here in Vienna for various newsletters, updates, etc. In a moment of impatience (oh...when will I ever learn patience) I commented to Alina something like this, "Ok, I give up...I don't want to take pictures anymore. I hate not being able to enjoy them and just having to edit, reformat, upload, and send them all over the internet to keep everyone happy."  A.k.a. A moment of selfishness in which I didn't want the talent or joy the Lord has given me in photography to be a service to others, to our mission, to Him, to ourselves in progressing in virtue. I shouldn't store up treasures in my computer so that they can serve me and benefit me and bring me joy alone...they should be used to spread that service, benefit, and joy to others. 

This little event has helped me to think about the way I use my camera, my gift and passion for photography and to what degree my possession possesses me. We are created to love...and everything we have, use, possess should be used to the purpose of love. Its not that we are called to deprive ourselves of everything of this world, all material possessions, all conveniences, but that we are called to focus on the higher things first...to treasure the eternal things infinitely greater than we treasure our earthly treasures--in this way, we will live in the truth...valuing everything according to its true value. 

but, yeah...

bummer. 

an orange colored sky

i was just praying vespers in our chapel and a jazz quartet in Karmeliterplatz (the square outside our chapel windows) started playing 

"orange colored sky" by nat king cole. 

...and so is mission life in Vienna. 

mom and george--of course all I could think of was you and when we were little...the many times we would be in the car singing along to this tune! 

finding a new meaning of "rest"

what have I been up to lately....and not writing about? 

a lot

so I'm blogging...with the promise of blogging...soon. 

but for now. a little gem. 

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“… and I will give you rest”— that is, “I will sustain you, causing you to stand firm.” He is not saying, “I will put you to bed, hold your hand, and sing you to sleep.” But, in essence, He is saying, “I will get you out of bed— out of your listlessness and exhaustion, and out of your condition of being half dead while you are still alive. I will penetrate you with the spirit of life, and you will be sustained by the perfection of vital activity.”

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ginger gems

just needed to share this gem. 

this little ginger is so precious.

and of course...his little ginger-ette sister :)

love Vienna's public transportation.

(i didn't mean to take a video...but when I then took the picture, the little girl hid from me...so to get the full effect the video is necessary) 

an empty kapella : the color of heaven

drumroll please......

WE HAVE A CHAPEL!!!

(well at least the room for the chapel is finished and ready to be filled!)

The week before Fr. Thierry arrived, we slaved way to get the chapel painted and cleaned. This is no simple painting--first you have to scrape off the wallpaper like substance from the walls after dousing with water, then you have to re-gibbs (or re-cement and seal) every surface of the walls, but especially where there has been damage to the walls, and then sandpaper all the surfaces to make sure the paint goes on even, and then paint it first white, and then another color you can choose (we only had blue donated to us...but it was fortunately PERFECT!). 

so these were us in the Gibbs/Sand-papering face

and voila!! a heavenly chapel! 

On the Wednesday of that week, a former Heart's Home missionary and good friend of Monika's, Uli, came to Vienna to spend some time, look at a few things around the city, and then join us on a retreat Fr. Thierry would be leading us through the first two days of his visit. Thanks to her dedicated help the whole day on Friday we managed to get the painting finished, the windows washed, and the floor cleaned of all the grime, gibbs, and paint. 

as a little reward and thank you to Uli, Monika brought a projector home on loan from the school where she works, we set it up against the one white wall left in our living room (specifically for a projector wall...yes, we are praying for a free or really really cheap projector to make presentations or show movies for cultural and art evenings), and watched the documentary on the life and art of Sean Scully (an Irish artist recently awarded by Heart's Home at the annual Gala in New York City to raise money for Heart's Home. Oh and of course....to accompany the movie we ordered a few pizzas in with a plethora of coupons and discounts Monika had been storing up! What a treat!!!

zuruck gehen...

my past came to visit me in Vienna, four Saturday's ago...

Nicki and Mark Kalpakagian have been living and working in Gaming, Austria for the past 6 years. Mark is the Director of Student Life at the study abroad campus for Franciscan University, my alma mater, in a tiny town in Austria just 2 hours southwest of Vienna. Peter, the younger brother of Mark, was a good friend of mine in college and also spent the same study abroad semester as I did in Gaming which led to the blessing of getting to know Nicki and Mark a little better than I probably would have in the midst of trying to see everything in Europe I wanted to in only 4 short months. Like I said, what a blessing to know them then, and to go to be part of a University family in which e-mailing a contact you have in the country to which you will move means rekindling a relationship of love, support, and American "home away from home".

They are wonderful parents to two boys--Aris (5.5 yrs) and Dominik (4 yrs)--and the third...we're not sure if it is a boy or a girl. Nicki was due on May 31st. So, when Mark and Nicki and the boys came into Vienna on an airport run and spent the morning and early afternoon with Alina and I, she was still expecting to give birth a week or two early (like she had with the first two boys!)

The little family arrived at Offenes Herz by about 9am...we had a little coffee and breakfast in the apartment, gave them the tour, played and drew with the boys, talked about my visa mishaps and our lives in Vienna. Then after a couple hours and the restlessness of the boys becoming rather apparent, we decided to walk over to Augarten (a huge park just a 10 minute walk from us). We spent the next few hours playing spaceship on the playground, having Dominik cook us a three course, gourmet meal in the sandpit, and simply get to enjoy spending time talking and catching up--in English, of course! On our way back from the park the treated us to lunch at the BEST pizza restaurant in Vienna--Pizza Mari--and then headed on their way leaving us overflowing with such happiness and thankfulness for getting to spend such a beautiful morning playing, talking, receiving their love and support, and simply being with them.   

Now, it is June 4th. Nicki did not in fact give birth early...in fact she has still not given birth, much to her dismay and discomfort! But Mark and Nicki are now out on a walk while I write this blog post and finish cleaning up the dishes. Which means, YES...I AM IN GAMING!!!

Yesterday, I came to visit my past...
The walk down the well-traveled sidewalk from the Gaming Marketplatz to the old stomping grounds of Gaming's ancient Kartause, of course past the facade of Urs Bierstube, was an experience of pure bliss in the light sprinkle of rain yesterday evening when I arrived at 8pm. Mark and Nicki are so gracious and invited me to come visit and take a day of rest (or mini-weekend) during the time that Alina and Fr. Jacques are away and I am holding down the fort in Vienna.

Last night I arrived to the warmth of the home of an American family (I love Austrians....but I promise you there is a difference). Italian was being cooked up in the kitchen by a good family friend of Mark's family, Joan (I think I have the last name wrong...). She is an american artist, soul-seeker, art teacher, gourmet italian chef, avid Catholic, widow, and adventurer extraordinnaire. She has been living in Florence for three months on a break from teaching at the Art Institute of Charlotte and she is on a little trip to finish off her stint abroad before she returns to the US to teach. We sat down to a wonderful dinner and great conversation that led into the wee hours of the morning. Simply in the several hours of talking I learned so much, especially from Joan in all her life experiences, her artistic ventures, her travels--and I knew that she was definitely one of the reasons God had led me to Gaming this weekend of all weekends.

This morning began at 8:00--a welcome sleep-in from my normal Viennese morning. I came downstairs and was soon tackled by the boys and the smell of fresh-bake coffee cake filled my nose. I was in heaven. I have been nothing but spoiled by Nicki and Mark since I arrived! From amazing food, to the relaxation of feeling completely at home, to the leisure of being able to offer to do the dishes rather than having to do them because you are alone and know there is no one else to do them for you.
We went to mass at 10 in the Eucharistic chapel at the Kartause...oh how I missed you!...and then while Nicki rested and Mark did some work in the house, I played in an intense soccer match, soon followed by a much needed escape from the squelching sun....a jump in the ice-cold water of the Gaming creek! I took a couple of the Cassidy kids, as well as Ari and Dom down to the creek to play, and an hour or so after we walked a little farther down the creek, led by Gabriella to "Little Gaming", a village in the woods that the children had created. There was a main road, a courthouse, a fort, and everyone had their own house....all of which had boundaries or walls made by piling up collected stones, stringing together vines for curtains, and laying big leaves on the ground to serve as rugs. Of course, a town would not be complete without some sort of government and I was witness to some of the first civil meetings of the Little Gaming townspeople. Even better...I even got to have some original Little Gaming currency....snail shells.
Like my constant story with wherever I go in Austria...the government wasn't so happy that I (a foreign visitor) was in the country and invading the territory. It took about 25 minutes for the court to determine whether they were going to be visitor friendly or not--but finally they decided it would be ok if I stayed and played with them....and they would even give me a tour of the town for the price of 2 snailshells.
An hour or so later a storm began to roll in....we made our way back to the house, but not before we picked every Holunder blossom we could find on the way back through the woods so that the kids could later make Holander syrup (its like a homemade juice you can make in the summer). Waiting for the storm to pass, we had a late lunch, heard Ari practice the violin, played legos, read books, etc. Its been a nice and stress-free day thanks to the ease Mark and Nicki have made possible for me here...and I didn't know how much of a difference it makes to get out of the city for a day and a half....I didn't realize how tense I had become, how much I needed an unwind day to regroup for the next month or so!
We shared a lovely dinner together and spent, once again, hours talking about everything under the sun.
Now we go to bed praying that the third, little, long-awaited child joins his/her amazing family soon!!

Tomorrow I'll stay for the morning mass and then, pending the arrival of the baby, head back to Vienna right after.

But, so that, as the gospel today says, "they're joy may be complete"...I am hoping the arrival happens before I leave and the birth can give some relief to this anxiously awaiting family :)

fond memories of this train, anyone? wine bottles and backpacks :)

trees chopped down at the creek, but fun and ice cold nonetheless. 

instead of my college buddies, I pal-ed around with some international youngin's (american, scottish, english) and took a refreshing jump in the creek with them after an intense game of soccer. 

dominik k.

rosealee 

johannes and ari

johannes

gabriella

the people's court
*so they created this "little gaming" in the woods near the creek and here were the townspeople holding court:
deciding whether they would have a mayor (they voted "no mayor")
what kind of currency they would have (snailshells were decided on)
whether visitors would be allowed into the town (thankfully for me, they voted "yes")
how many snailshells it would cost to have a tour of the town (only 2 shells of the 5 you were given when visiting...pretty good price!)

he voted against the majority too many times so he was being oust'd

Bella pleading the case of the 'tourists' before the court...aka Me...because the Cassidy boys didn't want me visiting their fort haha

little feet.little people. little gaming

the guards of the court

the way back

...blumen

holander...

Gabriella

making the holander blumen bouquet!

front yard kartause

backyard kartause 

barmherzigkeit

Practically ages ago, we joyfully celebrated the first Sunday after Easter--Divine Mercy or Barmherzigkeit Sontag--and the Beatification (Seligsprechung) of Blessed John Paul II ! What a momentous day!! 

       We started the day very early by meeting up with a group of over 80 people all gathered to start the first day of a 5 week "Lebendigen Rosenkranz". A tradition that has been continued for several years now (since the Church's 'Year of the Rosary'), each Saturday or Sunday (alternating every week) anyone is free to gather to join a mini-pilgrimage--walking together, praying together, celebrating mass, eating lunch, etc. By the end of the 5 weeks, young and old, Viennese and foreigners alike have walked a loop  around the entire city of Vienna--all the while, praying the rosary, especially for the city of Vienna, the souls and hearts of those living in the city, and all those who are suffering. We prayed alongside our neighbors, the Little Sisters of the Lamm, as well as Martin and Agnes Bredl (friends of our's from the very beginning through Bernhard...Agnes has become a really dear friend especially to me), and Katarina, the sister of Maria-Elizabeth who we met over Christmas when we spent Christmas night with their family. 

         Today we started at an u-bahn station and walked...partly through the city streets, partly through some parks and hiking areas, partly through vineyards, and partly through honest-to-goodness forests until we reached the top of Kahlenberg (the mountain overlooking the city which has debuted in several of my blog posts) and regrouped after several hours of praying and hiking to watch the  beatification of Blessed JPII on a big screen in the retreat house and chapel Schonstatt. So thankful for the gift of Blessed John Paul II, for the gift of being able to see the events in Rome, being able to pray in unity with the rest of the universal Church for the intercession of Blessed JPII. 

“It is not easy to love with a deep love, which lies in the authentic gift of self. This love can only be learned by penetrating the mystery of God’s love.Looking at him, being one with His fatherly heart, we are able to look with new eyes at our brothers and sisters, with an attitude of unselfishness and solidarity, of generosity and forgiveness. All this is mercy!"                                    (in the homily of John Paul II at the canonization of St. Faustina)

after the "lebendigen rosenkranz", we made our way to the 11. district to visit our friend Aberu (I've talked about her before!). It has been a while since we had seen her (tsk tsk on us...i can't believe we had waited so long!). Christa and three of her kids (Klara, Jacob, and Martin) were going to be at Aberu's to spend the rainy afternoon together as well. It was a beautiful three hours together...listening to the kids play piano, playing "Ente, Ente, Gans" (or) duck, duck, goose (I taught them the game on our first visit and it was an instant favorite!! Now whenever I visit the first thing the kids scream when I arrive is "ENTE ENTE GANS!! Bitte!!"), drinking coffee and visiting with Christa and Aberu, etc. 

this afternoon was especially beautiful for us...after Christa had left and the kids were playing in their room, Aberu and Alina and I had some quiet time to just sit together and talk. Discussing the normal things in life is not an easy thing for Aberu of course, but we didn't know how difficult until today when she told us about her life, her living situation, her relationship with her husband, her job situation, in the midst of graceful tears...made graceful by the humble strength of her heart and desire to be a beautiful example to her four little boys. 

it was the first real glimpse of the friendship and trust building between her soul and each of ours. 

for that little glimpse, shimmering with tears, I am so thankful

Abenezzar and Klara

alexander

Nahum

duck.duck.goose

Abanezzar

lukas