Sundays and Service

      Yesterday was the first Sunday that I had the privilege of leading worship for the Neuenburg International Church. The first two Sundays of my time here were enlightening, encouraging, and gave me time to see this small community in action before attempting to actually lead it. Thankfully I have an amazing German brother who has a servant’s heart and has been faithfully serving through music here. He plays guitar and sings and his German knowledge I could NOT do without!

      Once again I feel like I am back in the beginning stages of taking up leadership in an entirely new church environment as well as cultural and stylistic norms and preferences. For my “family” at RBC, if any of you are reading, I am once again so blessed and humbled that you were patient with me and trusted me to lead you and allowed me the room to grow spiritually and musically with your church. Beginning again and joining a one-man team here with Johannes here at the NIC makes me remember how difficult it could be at times to have to rely on someone else when you are used to getting the job done on your own. They (whoever “they” are) say that it is faster with two, but I say it is more humbling with two! I am experiencing this in so many ways and it is only my third full week here. It is humbling to be entrusted to lead a small but steady group of believers in a culture that does not welcome the character of Christ. How much we all need the encouragement of the presence of the Lord. Last week’s theme was TRUST but I think this one will be dubbed HUMILITY.

      My time serving at the Riverchase Baptist Church was probably one of the most incredible times of preparation for this season of my life here in Germany. I am in essence working the same way here, slowly praying through each interaction with church members, choice of song, and even the presence of a new electric piano- praying that hearts will not be distracted by what is new but be led to the heart of God. That is the reason any of us worship. But it is a slow and careful process. Pray for my wisdom, my patience, and my submission to leadership when I am in a major learning stage! (ONCE AGAIN!)

Ruthless Trust!

         In the 2 months prior to my departure from Germany I had the privilege of being hired at O’Henry’s Coffee in Homewood. In one of the many conversations struck up behind the counter, I made a new friend in one of our regulars. We began talking about the idea of living life in the freedom of Christ without the limitations of man’s approval and self deprecation.  This book is speaking to my soul along with the past two messages from Stephen Spanjer of Neuenburg International Church.  

From Brennan Manning’s Ruthless Trust:

         “To live without risk is to risk not living,” my paternal grandma used to say. The way of trust is risky business, no doubt about it. To change careers suddenly because one feels unfulfilled, to assume the energy-depleting care of elderly parents, to retreat for three days of silence and solitude with Jesus without climbing the walls, to volunteer for a summer in the sub-Sahara with only meager spiritual resources, to take an unpopular position with rumblings of hear in the background, to conquer fear and disillusionment when one finds untrustworthiness where least expected- all of thee challenges require a willingness to risk a journey into the unknown and a readiness to trust God even in the darkness.

         A person should not act impulsively of course. A careful discernment process involving family, friends, and a spiritual mentor should recede every major decision. But when the appropriate time comes, only the disciple with an unflinching trust in God will dare to risk. And that trust is not naïve- it knows that the possibility of making a mistake and getting hurt is very real. But without exposure to potential failure, there is no risk.”

Thus, I define the past decade of my life: of pursuing classical music, facing insecurity in relying on my imperfect sight, of beginning new relationships, and now f coming to live in Germany. Without risk for me there would have been much les freedom and without failure, much less experience of the beautiful gift of grace.

Found my first local music store and the selection was so amazing. You can tell, I hated it.

 Trippin' to Freiburg with my room mate and partner in crime...

 "Klavier musikkkkkk" 

 These Irish brothers made my day  singing some Johnny Cash outside of H & M

 Beautiful church in Freiburg

 My room mate Mary Grace Owen. We might have ridden the train with eggs (yeah I don't know) Not knowing that we were sitting in first class and just hoping that we wouldnt get asked for the ticket I lost while we were in the city.. "Ah..Ich spreche kein Deutsch!"

Egg toss!

OK, so any of you that experienced the JH staff bike training know that I am not the greatest with the bike. However, if I want to get anywhere in this town or go to the store on my own and actually make it home with all of my groceries... this is now a necessity. Heaven help me as my knuckles turn white every time someone or something comes within 3 feet of either side of me. (I actually told that to my mom on Skyoe yesterday and she said, "Chrissy, your knuckles are always white, whats the big deal?") Wow. Thanks mom! haha

 And I rewarded myself greatly for conquering this monster without spilling or wrecking in the first 24 hours. Very productive time at the Rewe, AKA "Publix". Actually, reward for getting through 12 hours of straight German this week. Need. Sleep.

 Need. Exercise.

 To my right at 9:00 at night.

 Straight to my house...

To my left.

This weekend and first Sunday at church: I cannot believe that it is exactly one week since I have stepped foot on this beautiful countryside. The weekend passed quickly with a lot of catching up on rest  from some serious jet lag and maybe a few episodes of Downton Abbey (again) from the beginning..  But Sunday morning was my first experience with the church I am here to serve. Neuenburg International Church (NIC) is a pretty small plant housing between 15-20 families and about 50 people. The service was done in German and in English, the worship also being sung in both languages. I took the day to observe. There is so much for me to learn especially with a language barrier but I am praying that the Lord will allow me to learn quickly at least on the music and singing end. Please pray for me in that! I will update you more as I plan for this next week!

**Please pray for our pastor Stephen Spanjer as he is under the weather with pneumonia and his pregnant wife Laura is not feeling so great right now.Pray for them to be at their best as soon as possible.

Seems to have been a long weekend... until you find out that I was at school by 8:30 this morning! I have not had an 8am class since my Junior year of college! If that was not the worst, it was all in German! I realized quickly that if I was going to ask a question that it would most definitely NOT be to the teacher but the unfortunate person siting next to me (who happened to be from Singapore!)  Please do not be too disappointed that I did not take "first day of school pictures". I figured I was past the age of allowing that. But I did think about it :/

One more bit of exciting news and I am out for the day. But this afternoon we had softball practice. (Practice is usually on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6pm-8pm) You can just picture me there of course. Yes, I did go run before so I felt that I contributed somewhat to being athletic. But I just took the time to make some new friends and lo and behold, I did! Last week was a school holiday for most of the high schoolers so our practice was very small and casual.  But today we had 5 new girls that I have never met. One of them happens to be a classical pianist and also plays blues!! I am so thankful for this provision in even the smallest way. She lives in the homeland of some of the greatest music of all time. Cant wit to get to know her more- but all of the other girls too! Hopefully they will not kick me off of the team too soon... everyone needs a sideline cheerleader right? 

Just so you don't have to end today imagining me with a ball and glove.. ;)

 I have the privilege of running this view every day for the next 5 1/2 months... how blessed among runners! 

 Feels like home...

 This is literally like Jane Eyre. I did not want to bore you with a picture from every side, but each way you look is fields and quiet.

One of my favorites so far.

Thursday May 30

After realizing daily sin that we generally count as “small” and yet the grievous nature to the heart of our God, this spoke to me from the Valley of Vision this morning.  Encouragement and challenge to a daily walking believer:

“…Yet what can thou expect from dust but levity, of corruption but defilement? Keep me ever mindful of my natural state, BUT LET ME NOT FORGET MY HEAVENLY TITLE, OR THE GRACE THAT CAN DEAL WITH EVERY SIN!”

Valley of Vision, Self-Deprecation

And now with that said, I would like to boast in my weakness and announce that today May 30, 2013 was my first EVER official day of softball practice. For those of you who know me well... and i suppose not so well. I have mild albinism and struggle ever so slightly with a visual impairment. You can imagine that this helps my softball abilities incredibly!! (sarcasm inserted here) But after going on a 5 mile in run in the beautiful countryside and feeling quite good about myself, I was enlisted in the female softball league. I told them I could run, train, and work their girls, but please PLEASE do not make me attempt to to catch or hit a ball! He guess what guys? I endured an hour and 30 minutes of this self deprecation and you know what? I threw, caught, hit balls, and even blocked a line drive to prevent my jaw from being broken. 

I am just waiting for Sunday morning church! haha 

II Corinthians 12:8-10 ..."My grace is sufficient for you, as my power is made perfect in you weakness... for when I am weak, He is made strong."

Here is to an authentic faith walk!