Apostille? What?

I have to honestly say that until a few weeks ago I had NO idea about what an Apostille is...or even how to say the word Apostille to be honest....

Now, several weeks later I sill have no idea regarding pronunciation (each government employee that I talked to gave a different one so now I just pronounce it a new way every time I say it for fun)...am still shady about it's meaning (some kind of official seal that goes with my birth certificate it seems)...but I am the proud new owner of one!

Why am I bringing up this strange legal document word that confuses me?  Because I have just sent out the first important batch of paperwork that I will need to apply for the work VISA that will allow me to live in Vienna.  Along with all of this paperwork comes the work forms and employment documents that I will need to fill out as a new employee and as a supported missionary of RCE.  These are all important but very overwhelming at times!

All of these paperwork details are not my forte and yet they will be an important (crucial!) part of the next few months!  Please pray for each document to come through on time and in order so that I will legally be allowed to live in Austria with no problems!

Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement, support, and prayers.  I will be keeping you updated with my progress in support raising and where I am at in the next few weeks.

Much Love!
In Christ,

Amy

Document Poster Extrordinaire

Two days two posts!  I know, totally unprecidented level of blogger responsibility.  Don't count on this daily treat to last for long - I know myself far to well for that!  Let's count on weekly and consider that a win for now ;-). 

Just thought it was worthwile to share with you the fact that I am now a technology guru and have uploaded several important documents to my "documents" tab.  Aside from a commitment card and EFT form you'll now find my support letter as well as a missions brochure in the link.  Both will let you know a lot about my ministry, the ministry of ICSV, and my support needs.  Check them out when you get a chance!

Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone and take the opportunity to reflect and worship!

The Adventure Begins!

Welcome to my brand, spankin new blog wherein I will try my very best to keep everyone updated as to my current progress and adventures as I begin my next stage in ministry.  I'll be moving to Vienna Austria in August of this year in order to begin teaching at the International Christian School of Vienna as a missionary teacher.  I'm very excited to go but also am very excited to finish the year strong at Open Door Christian School, where I have been teaching for the last four years. 

As I begin this new stage of ministry I'm going to be encountering new challenges and opportunities.  The first is the...well...not so thrilling job of gathering all of the necessary (and confusing!) paperwork that's required in order to live overseas.  The next (more exciting) job is to connect and partner with a network of people that will be supporting me through prayer and finances as I move into this next stage of full time missions!  I'll be sure to keep you updated as I go, but for now...here's to a great beginning!

P.S.  I feel a lot like Indiana Jones in the last Crusade where he takes the Leap from the Lion's Mouth lately.  A leap of faith visual that will always stay with me (and reveal my not-so-inner geek).

My Favorite Bible Story

So I'm sitting here on my couch, having just folded a gigantic pile of brochures about my upcoming missions move to Vienna, and also having just cut out a similarly large pile of commitement cards (I am ashamed to admit, though they were lovingly cut, they may or not be slightly crooked), and I find myself reflecting on what goes into such a big leap of faith in moving to Vienna, as a fully supported missionary.  It's a really hard thing depending on other people to support you, not because I don't trust God, and not because I don't have faith in the wonderful people who God is preparing to partner with me, but because of my own pride.  Letting others into my life in such a personal way feels crazy weird and it's a very strange feeling putting all of the control in your life into someone else's hands. 

However, I find myself reminded of one of my all-time favorite characters from scripture who was strangely enough, in my very position.  Nehemiah.  Poor guy one of the most neglected books in the Bible and yet he was so cool!  It's the ultimate story of a man with a calling who fulfilled it through God.  If you don't know the story it's the story of this man, a cupbearer to the king, who felt a call from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after his people had been living in exhile for 60 years.  Anyways bottom line is he knows that he has this job to do, and he goes about it in the most awesome way.  It's a great lesson in leadership and how to follow God's call. 

So why think of Nehemiah today?  Well because I so often focus on his leadership and accomplishments, but today I found myself remembering how he got started.  He did three things before he left to build the walls of Jerusalem, and they are three things that I too need to do.  First, he covered the decision in prayer, second, he went the king and specifically asked for his needs in order to finance the building of the wall, and third, when he talked with the king he made sure to share what was on his heart openly and honestly - allowing the king to see his passion.  Because of Nehemiah's godly approach to the situation, this king of Persia, who wasn't even a Jew and really had no reason to support this venture, respected Nehemiah and gave him everything that he needed - thereby allowing the work to be done. 

What a lesson to all of us that get a calling and have to follow up on it.  I know God has given me this task.  I'm passionate about it and excited about it :-).  But now I need to follow in Nehemiah's footsteps!  Cover it in prayer, ask specifically for my needs, and trust people enough to show them my passion. 

So that's where I'm at today!  Thanks for all your prayers!