Blogging Trip: Austria

Hi, Friends,

I am interrupting my usual food commentary and restaurant reviews to let you know that I am going to Austria! Today! And I will be gone for 2 1/2 weeks! But never fear, because I will come back with so much inspiration for the blog that I will catch up on posts in no time.

Why am I going to Austria? I’m going on a service trip with my church! And I’m taking my sister along! I am going to be volunteering on the cleaning/hospitality team at a graduate school for local pastors. The pastors take most of their classes online, but finish up each course during a two week in-person intensive session. Many of the pastors come from difficult circumstances across rural Europe, so I will be helping to encourage them and care for their living needs so they can focus on school! Fun Fact: The USA is one of the only countries in the world that can afford to pay full-time pastors. Most pastors across the globe practice bi-vocational ministry.

I’m very excited for this opportunity. I have never been to Austria before, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful. It will be a nice break from my normal day-to-day life of commuting and statistics. I’m a little nervous about doing manual labor for 10-12 hours a day since I usually spend 10-12 hours in front of a computer screen every day. I also don’t always clean my own bathroom or make my own bed, so it will be a change of pace to be doing those chores as an act of love for someone else. I am a bit sad about leaving Husband since I don’t know if we’ve EVER been apart for 2 1/2 weeks in the ENTIRE 11 years of our relationship, but I am very thankful for phone service and Internet that will allow us to text, call, and Skype during my trip.

So, now you know. The Love Bungalow is going to be quiet for a couple of weeks while I practice service and enjoy some reading, journaling, service, and solitude. AND…I’ve added on a couple of fun days, as well, so it should be a well-rounded trip. Feel free to send me all the love, prayers, positive vibes, and happy thoughts for my trip! I’ll connect with everyone again as soon as I am back in the States.

If you want to find out more about my church in Indianapolis, click here: https://www.cground.org.

If you want to read more about the organization I am volunteering with, click here: https://www.tcmi.org.

Love you all!