A Week In

Hey all! Don't know why I always say hey, but I enjoy it...
Anyway, things are going pretty well here in Germany! Its been a very eventful week for sure and I have had countless new experiences! Oh and I finally got my first non-drug induced full night of sleep last night! I have tried a couple other times and ended up waking up at 1:30 in the morning and staying awake for 3 or 4 hours, woohoo jetlag! Oh well, its nice to be on a sleep schedule now!
A quick overview of the week: I came to this conference expecting to have a bunch of practical dos and don'ts of missions, but instead it has really had a heavy focus on getting us all grounded in our walks with Jesus, and I couldn't be more thankful! There has been practical information, but the main focus has been to REMAIN in Jesus wherever we are heading. The few weeks before flying out here life was so hectic and crazy between moving around and having a broken car that I wasn't putting an emphasis on getting spiritually ready for this adventure! My focus was so much on the physical preparations that I seemed to forget the other aspect...I felt a little guilty and like a bad missionary, but after talking to people here I have been really encouraged that most people struggled with that. Its interesting that even though my whole job and focus is to reach people for God and to show them the love of Christ, I honestly forget him sometimes. This week has just been encouraging though because I have been able to hear from many long term missionaries and other newbies like me that have/are going through the same things, and talking about the ways to deal with the struggles.
The other lesson has been dependence on God, complete dependence. I know this whole year is going to be a test and challenge as I am away from most people I know and in a new uncomfortable environment...well not necessarily uncomfortable but new and tiring as I try and learn so much. I could use your prayers that I would fully trust God with my fears and doubts and struggles to depend on him, because that will be a challenge at some point.
Besides meetings, we had the amazing opportunity to go to Heidelberg and visit the castle! Its the first one I have seen and, being a history nerd, I really enjoyed seeing the castle and town! Oh and I got some schnitzel! So. Good.
Yesterday was the most challenging day of the week because they put us through a simulation in order to challenge everyone, but that would take too long to explain. All I can say is I'm glad I am just going to Hungary! =)
Today I was able to learn some German and European history from real Germans, and that was incredible! One of them was from eastern Germany and grew up on the other side of the Berlin wall, so it was really interesting learning about the differences and what Germany was like after the fall of the wall. I was also able to learn more about what Germans think of WW2, which has always interested me. I have always wondered how they treat their history, and I was able to learn that they all had to visit concentration camps in school and learned all about what happened during the war. I thought they might be completely ashamed or not want to talk about it, so I waited until they kind of brought it up then asked questions, and it was amazing to here their perspective. I really enjoyed hearing about the pride they have in Germany, and the deep sadness they had in that time of their history. Anyway, that was a rabbit trail, but I get excited about random things... =)
Tomorrow is a day of prayer, which may be a challenge to stay focused all day, but I am excited to get that time to really spend focusing on my relationship with God...cuz that always can use help! Thanks for your continued prayers, and I fixed the blog so now anyone can comment, so ask questions or anything! Without your prayers and support this wouldn't have happened, thanks!