I’ve never been in Europe in autumn. I’ve spent several summers here, two weeks of winter, and one spring. But all of my autumns, my favorite season of all, have been in Washington. I’ve come back to Austria for the weekend–truly just for Saturday–to attend the going-away party for Julie Johnson, a fellow instructor from…
Author: Kristi
Teacher. Writer. Traveler. Learning to see God everywhere.
The Canadians
It’s about pace, the First Nations versus the European explorers. Like shopping. If you’re just looking, you might spend ages in the store, trying everything on and deciding if you need it. If you want a white tank top, you go to the store, find the tank tops, pick up the right sized white one,…
Parents
“Oh hey, I met your mother yesterday!” I know this observation won’t make me any cooler. As “the new English teacher”–a title that makes me feel like I’m teaching in a small homesteading town instead of an international Christian school–I could probably use some credibility points. But it’s been ages since being cool was my…
The Attic
“I’d have a stable full of Arabian steeds, rooms piled with books, and I’d write out of a magic inkstand, so that my works should be as famous as Laurie’s music. …. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous; that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream.” Louisa May…
E11 & CH
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. James 4:13-14 “So you teach English?” “Yes. Eleventh grade.” “And… you’re not Canadian?’ “Um……
Loslassen
“Nevertheless I am continually with you; You have taken hold of my right hand.” Psalm 73:23 “Einfach loslassen!” We’re playing on the slackline at Family Week II, and the two girls on the sidelines squeal it with the self-confidence of those who watch. Just let go. A slackline is a tightly stretched piece of webbing,…
German Lessons
“Tock, Tock! Willst du mit mir tanzen?” I’m sitting on the floor of the Bistro at Tauernhof, watching five-year-olds ask each other to dance. This “dancing” actually means a challenge to a hopping-on-one-foot duel. One boy asks another, they hop for a while, but the challenger cannot overcome the reigning champion. He continues around the…
On Community
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;and that you,…
Stretching
“OK, so you’re ready, right?” I crane my head around to hear my belayer’s voice from where she stands a few feet away. “Yep. You’re good to go!” she replies cheerfully, tugging on the rope that connects us. I’m used to North American climbing terms. Used to calling On belay? and Belay ON obsessively until…
Yours Also Is the Night
Yours is the day, Yours also is the night. Psalm 74:16 The day has already been long. This morning, we walked up the 2000 meter mountain just behind our school, stopping only for a swim on the 30°+ C day before ascending to “the next summit.” It was a narrow strip of grass underneath a…
The Way Home 