Home for Christmas

I have been home from Europe for two weeks now, and I have loved spending time with family and taking time to catch up with friends. It is hard to believe that just two weeks ago I was sitting in my room in Busingen, Switzerland. My time this past semester seems a blur and a lifetime away. It seems crazy to me that I spent 3 months in another country because being back home feels like I never left. I am so grateful for the opportunity I received, but there is nothing like being around family and friends for the holidays. Thanksgiving was hard enough, so I am very thankful that this Christmas I will be with all my loved ones. I have had plenty of downtime since being back because I am not working very much, so I have tried to make the most of my time. Well, most days anyways. Sometimes being lazy is exactly what you need, but anyways in the spirit of the season I just wanted to share with all of you one of my new favorite artists that I have come upon recently. The cool thing is that he is from Kansas City, which is close to home for me! I don't know that much about him, but I know that he has an amazing voice, and I absolutely loved his version of I'll Be Home for Christmas. Enjoy!

Til Next Time.

Take a Peek

Please enjoy this video that my friend Hayley made of our semester in Europe!

The End Has Come

When I was 15 years old I had the opportunity to travel to Europe, and I had no idea how that would transform the next 4 years of my life. Ever since that trip I have had this deep desire to see and do as much as I possibly can while I am young. I have traveled somewhere every summer since then, and I even have a goal to set foot on all 7 continents during my lifetime. A girl can dream. When I found out that MNU had a study abroad program located in Europe I was sold. I wanted to make sure that I would be able to spend a semester abroad living in the continent that I had so quickly fallen in love with the first time I had stepped foot on it. Problems arose because well let's face it in life they always do. I was feeling discouraged, but also determined. I prayed a lot about this semester because I wanted to make sure that this was something God was in support of. And even though it took a lot of effort and work and patience and let's not forget trust, I found myself boarding a plane in September heading across the big blue to the beautiful country of Switzerland, where I have spent the last 3 months of my life. But now my time is up, and it's time for me to head back home.

This semester I have been to 7 countries, 15 cities, and I have plenty of pictures to show for it.

As I think back on these past few months I am blown away by how quickly it flew by. It astounds me that it is already December. I remember thinking about this semester and getting excited about it. And now as I sit here writing this, I am to board a plane tomorrow morning to head back to the states. I can remember the first day that I arrived in Busingen like it was yesterday. I remember looking at this campus and being so confused because it was so different than any other campus I had been on before, but over time, and now it feels like a home away from home, and I know that I will miss this quaint and peaceful town. I have been pushed and tested in more ways than one, and I believe that God used this semester to help continue to shape me in the way that He wanted. I have made so many memories, and with as small of a group as we have I have made lots of new friends as well as growing friendships with people I formerly knew. I went to places that I have only learned about in classes, but here I was able to see and experience the history that I only knew from sitting in a classroom. On top of the school trips to Munich, Paris, Taizé, and Frankfurt, Cherith, Hayley, Erin, and I took two trips of our own to Salzburg, Austria and Rome, Italy. I was in a city that the disciples had once been in centuries before me. I walked the streets Caesar did, and I skipped down the lane Maria von Trapp (Julie Andrews) did in Sound of Music. I stood and looked out across an empty lot that once held hundreds of barracks for concentration camp prisoners, and I felt the sadness and despair that once filled that area. I was even able to see some family that I had not seen in some time. I learned a new way to spread Christ's love to others, and I even got to see it in action. I met so many amazing people from all over Europe, and I experienced love and patience from others that can only come from God. 

This semester has been a bundle of ups and downs, but I would not trade it for anything in the world. I would not take back a single late night girls talk or any trip that may have made me pressed for time on homework. Every minute spent here in this country, on this continent was worth it. I have learned so many things about myself, and I have been pushed out of my comfort zone time after time. I have gained a greater appreciation for things stateside, especially family, and I even experienced a good bit of homesickness to my surprise. This experience is something that I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys traveling or who wants to have a trial run of living overseas. I feel beyond blessed to have been chosen for this pilot semester of MNU Europe. It has exceeded my expectations, and I cannot wait to get home and share all my stories and pictures with everyone. My bags are packed and I am ready to go!

Thanks for everything Europe! Til Next Time :)

Five Friday Favorites

On my final Friday in the beautiful country of Switzerland, I would like to share with you my five favorite things from this past semester. This is going to be difficult because I have so many more than five, but I hope that I can narrow it down to some of the best ones. Enjoy!

1. Kebabs. They are delicious, and I even love them with cabbage, and that is definitely saying something coming from me. They are a common food item here in Europe because I see them sold everywhere. Also, they are MASSIVE, and beyond fulfilling. It's hard to finish one, but I am always up for the challenge. Next time you are in Europe you should definitely try one. This guy receives Hannah's Stamp of Approval.

2. Rhein River. This river is so peaceful, especially in the Busingen side because it is such a small town. It is known for its evil swans, adorable ducks, and gorgeous sunsets. It is definitely a beauty in the mornings and at dusk. I can proudly say I floated down it once, and thoroughly enjoyed the swift current carrying me. I will miss it once back in the states, and I will definitely miss the calmness that Busingen continually exudes. America is a place that never stops, and this town has been the perfect place to slow down and attempt to appreciate the things around me. It was a good place to stop and catch my breath for a semester. 

3. Swiss Alps. I am not for sure that I even have words for this. They were absolutely stunning, and I have no idea how anyone would be able to doubt God's existence after seeing this masterpiece, and it is just a small portion of it too. I feel so blessed to have been able to experience the magnificence they held because it was an incredible view at the top, and pictures do it no justice. 

4. Frankfurt. I loved the people. I loved the mission. I loved the coffee. It was a win win situation for everybody. But seriously this trip had to have been up there with the best of them because I had a blast meeting everyone and opening my eyes to a whole new world of church and mission work. God really pushed me and forced me to broaden my horizons and look beyond myself and my comfort zone. He opened up a world of possibilities that I may have never seen before without this semester. 

5. La Pieta. I swear that I could have stared at this sculpture all day long. It is probably one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen in person. I was amazed by the emotions that it stirred in me. This is the Virgin Mary, holding the body of her dead son, Jesus, in her arms. I can only imagine the anguish she must have been feeling in this moment. I have never been so drawn to a piece of art. It is beautiful. Honestly, it does not even need words. I believe it easily speaks for itself. 

Those 5 do not even come close to the amount of memories and experiences that I have from this entire semester. If I tried to share them all with you this blog post would be much, much longer. So I will refrain, and just leave you with this little bit of Christmas spirit from Schaffhausen. :)

1 day left here. No time to waste. 

Til Next Time.

Let Go. Let God.

I saw this on pinterest today, and I thought it very befitting to me and the talks that God and I have been having lately. As I am in this transitioning period of my life it is very easy to lose sight of what God wants for my life. I tend to let my plans and my worries drown out His voice, so today I pray for patience and guidance. This prayer was very encouraging, and I wanted to share it with all of you :)