Hello! I'm so sorry that two weeks have flown by without a post. Things have been busy as can be around here preparing for outreach and doing our usual daily schedule. Last, last week we had Derek Dodd who spoke about healthy relationships and forgiveness. It was a bit of a tearful week, but full of growth and good conversation.
Then last weekend Andreya and I went back to Prague! It was a nice little break from community life. I love my YWAM fam, but I think most of them would agree that you start to learn that constantly being in and having to keep up with a group can be exhausting. I was excited to have time to relax and get lost in the beauty of the city. We arrived on Friday evening and went for some delicious burgers at an American Diner with our friend Katri, who was super sweet to open up her apartment to us for the weekend. The next morning we slept in til almost 11am.... It was a beautiful thing! Neither of us had slept like that in months, so it was quite refreshing. We picked up Andreya's friend Daniel from the airport and back into the city we went. The rest of the weekend was spent exploring and hopping from metro to metro. Sunday afternoon came to quickly and after a wonderful breakfast (I had a bagel for the first time since leaving the States) with Katri's church group, we had to run for quick pictures on Charles Bridge then hurry home for our bags then to the train. This is when we became "those people" the ones running to the tram stop, down the escalator, through the metro stations, panicking/praying on the metro, running up the escalator, through the train station, up the stairs and down the platform. I don't exaggerate when I say the conductor blew the whistle right as we got our feet on the train. We made it from the apartment to the train in 15 minutes, which in my book is basically a miracle. Thank you Jesus! I really didn't want to wait 2 hours for the next train. We made it home around 8pm and were happy to be back with our little fam.
Then this past week was week 10 and was labeled as "surprise" on the schedule. It was an interesting and fun week. Monday we got randomly paired and given two YWAM principles to act out. As most know, acting is not my cup of tea, but it was quite fun! Then we were given the afternoon to each prepare a 5 minute message from Matthew 13, to be presented the next day. Yet again, not my cup of tea, but Juan was kind enough to sit up late that night with me and help me organize my thoughts and practice what I was going to say. So Tuesday morning I was nervous as can be, but went first to get it over with. Tuesday was also the beginning of a bad belly week. I had a lunch that made me extremely nauseous, and I stayed nauseous for about 3 days. Strong smells and just the sight of some foods made me feel so sick. I'm still trying to be super careful with what I put in my stomach, but honestly I think my stomach in general is just tired of being fed such different food. I miss food from home so much! Wednesday was a day of silence and fasting, which I think most people would expect to be something I would dread, but I was actually quite excited for. Everyone enjoyed wonderful naps, Bible and/or book reading, and just resting. It was a great day, and we ended it together around dinner time with group worship then a surprise BBQ out on the front lawn. It was just so nice to be outside enjoying food and each others company. Thursday we had an American couple here talking about their mission work here in the Czech Republic. They were so sweet and open, so it was really nice to hear their story. Friday we had another couple come, and he spoke about spiritual warfare, which is always an interesting topic. He will continue his teaching through tomorrow, then we are spending Wednesday-Friday doing outreach team building in Hainichen, Germany! It's a ropes course, so that should be fun! I'm a little nervous though because it sounds like we might be sleeping outside... Eek!
So the final announcement that I'm super excited about! Drum roll please! :) We leave in exactly two weeks for outreach!!! I am on Team A which will be on the Adriatic Sea side of the Balkan Peninsula. We will be going to Bosnia and Montenegro! Woohoo!!! I couldn't be more excited for this change in scenery and focus! I can't wait to see what God is going to do in this time. It's going to be an incredible journey, and I'm so thankful for this opportunity.
And to my church family back home, thank you again so much. I know this past weekend was tough, and I so wish I could've been there. Dana and Beth, thank you for everything. Your love and support means so much to me! I look forward to coming to visit you hopefully sometime soon in Cali :) And to everyone else, I look forward to seeing you all in just a few months!
xo :)
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