One Step at a Time

I've been with friends Kurt and Elvira in Spaichingen for the past two weeks.  Unfortunately, Elvira's mother passed away last Thursday at age 83.  So there was a lot to do around here with people visiting and calling, and the family all coming together.  A beautiful funeral service was held on Tuesday at the Catholic Church in a nearby town called Aixheim.  I had the honor of singing <i>Ave Maria</i> in German with organ accompaniment for the service.  Afterward was a large gathering at a local restaurant.  Even though there was snow on the ground, all the flowers on the grave were absolutely beautiful.  A great reminder that the Lord makes all things new again.<br /> <br /> Yesterday I traveled to Würzburg to meet a man who is subletting his apartment for 3 weeks while he goes on vacation.  It's a one-bedroom apartment with a small kitchen, bathroom, and washing machine.  I spent a little over an hour at the apartment, going over all the details.  He showed me how everything worked, what keys are used for what locks, and where everything is that I need.  We exchanged phone numbers and I already tested out the internet password.  We signed a contract, so everything is set.  On Monday we'll meet again--I'll give him the rent money and he'll give me the keys.  So although I may not have a permanent address or a job yet, at least I have an extra 3 weeks to figure out what the next step is!

One Step at a Time

I've been with friends Kurt and Elvira in Spaichingen for the past two weeks.  Unfortunately, Elvira's mother passed away last Thurs...

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Figuring It Out

It's been almost a week since I arrived in Germany, and I still have no idea how things are going to work out for me here.  I've already applied for one graduate school, and I have a couple more applications to fill out by the end of the month.  I have not yet seen the voice teacher I want to study privately with, because my sole focus right now is on finding a job.  Today I applied for 7 jobs on various US Army bases here in Germany, which brings my total application count up to 34 since Christmas.  Out of those 34 applications, I had one interview which they did not choose me, and 4 replies of, "You were not referred for this position because you were outside of the area of consideration."  Whatever that means!  Which means there are still 29 of my applications out there somewhere floating around.<br /> <br /> I'm also frantically looking for an apartment to sublet for a couple months.  There was a gal I met last fall who is going abroad for 2 months and wanted to rent out her room to me for that time, but apparently her roommate decided to pay the extra money in order to have the apartment to herself.  So I was really excited about that possibility....and then I was disappointed.<br /> <br /> I still hold fast to the belief that God has me here for a reason and He will pave the way for me.  I know He likes to do things at the last minute in order to show me just how awesome and powerful He really is.  I keep telling Him that I already know that He's awesome and powerful, so He can go ahead and provide for me now, because right now IS the last minute!  I wouldn't say I'm really worried right now...but I'm starting to get worried.  And I'm confused, because it seems to me like God's path for me should be clearer when I'm <u>not</u> worried.  So, am I supposed to start worrying and then God will provide?<br /> <br /> And here's another humdinger...for the past few months, I have been really diligent in my practice of prayer (maybe that's why I have peace?).  Today I read in Matthew 7:11 that if you "know how to give good gift to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him."  I have been "asking" and "seeking" and "knocking"....and God is not opening doors for me.  But then I looked back at Matthew 6:7-8 where it says, "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."  Which got me all confused...so does God want me to keep asking Him to provide a job and a place to live and a school to attend here in Germany?  Or does He just see me as a babbling buffoon?<br /> <br /> I guess I just have to conclude that God's ways are not my ways, nor are His thoughts my thoughts.  He has no limits or boundaries and time does not exist for Him.  As hard as I might try, I will never understand why He chooses to do things or not do things.  I will never understand why He placed particular desires deep down in my heart.  I will never understand why He can't just speak to me in the voice of the thunder.  So, what else can I do but keep trusting Him and persistently knocking on His door?  Who knows, maybe I keep asking for a loaf of bread and He wants to give me the fattened calf.<br /> <br /> If you think of me over the next few days, I would greatly appreciate your prayers especially for a job suited to my skills that I can live off of, an apartment to live in, and a spot at one of the graduate schools I'm applying to.  Also, I have a date this weekend, so I would appreciate prayer in that area as well!  I really am excited to see what God is going to do over the next few days, I just hope He plans on doing something quickly!

Figuring It Out

It's been almost a week since I arrived in Germany, and I still have no idea how things are going to work out for me here.  I've alr...

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Back to Deutschland!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXgtMB6RORwJwXG4m1w4a_ZuGZYzrOTb-q8QKPsdMQM60wgU-yjPye4GzpOhgbp-uIqRGniwOJxnkyKMHY2FbFn05H0IBOdXQX4Pe2S82lq9_6izpm6xEHsVzGdq4Osxjp-lVBe0b5Kcf/s1600/PB090309+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXgtMB6RORwJwXG4m1w4a_ZuGZYzrOTb-q8QKPsdMQM60wgU-yjPye4GzpOhgbp-uIqRGniwOJxnkyKMHY2FbFn05H0IBOdXQX4Pe2S82lq9_6izpm6xEHsVzGdq4Osxjp-lVBe0b5Kcf/s320/PB090309+-+Version+2.jpg" width="240" /></a>After 3 months of being in California, I am finally headed back to Germany!  The problem is that without a visa, a US citizen can only remain in Germany for 90 days before they have to leave the country.  In addition, that person must <i>stay</i> outside the country for 90 days before they can re-enter Germany.  I left Germany on December 12th, and I'm returning on March 14th, which is exactly 92 days :)  My flight, however, leaves <u>tonight</u> at 10pm out of San Francisco.  I have a direct flight to Munich, which will put me there at 5:30pm Germany time (9:30am in CA...usually it's a 9-hour difference, but Germany hasn't gone on Daylight Saving Time yet).<br /> <br /> As I return to Germany, I have mixed feelings.  Of course, I am excited to see what new things the Lord has in store for me this spring.  I have high hopes for grad program auditions and developing my voice with a teacher there.  I look forward to seeing my cousin Jeanette and her family, as well as all my friends in Germany.  But although I've applied for about 23 jobs so far, nothing has turned out.  I'm not sure which city I'll be living in or what the next few months will look like.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to stay past 90 days, or if I'll have to come back to the States again.  But in spite of my anxiety, I am filled with an unexplainable peace, which I know comes from God.  He is doing great things in my life that I cannot even see.  I know that He has called me to Germany for a reason and He has a plan for me.<br /> <br /> So as I board the airplane tonight, I take a courageous step forward to find out what exciting things await me!

Back to Deutschland!

After 3 months of being in California, I am finally headed back to Germany!  The problem is that without a visa, a US citizen can only remai...

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