advent; prepare ye the way!

God's love overwhelms us and breaks into our lives leaving our human good will behind. it was never Christ's purpose to bring about self-improvement. he became poor not to offer us a moral toning up, however good this may be. the Word became flesh so that the same amazing life that broke into the world when Jesus Christ was born actually becomes realized in our own lives here and now.

-philip britts

from a book i have been looking forward to reading for a year now: watch for the light, readings for advent and christmas. i am trying to prepare the way for Christ in my own heart to take up residence. i started celebrating the liturgical calendar sometime in university, and i really appreciate how it sets my focus and prayer life to be more in tune with the ebb and flow of the seasons and holidays. i am quieted and ready for these times to meet the risen Christ.

first ever yl european women's conference

these are the 4 other women i work alongside here in munich; kristy, donna, tara, and meghan.

card playing ensued every evening until the wee hours of the morn. these are some of my cute friends; barb in prague, kathy in paris, and zsa zsa in london.

dinner out with all 35 ladies. christmas pudding wasn't all i had hoped it would be, but you have to try it just once!

hallelujah! that's all i have to say. these women are amazing! for real. wow, they are following jesus and taking him at his word that he is faithful. what a healing moment when we can all be real and wounded at the feet of the cross, and when jesus tells us he loves his little girls so tenderly and completely. words can never express what sweetness these ladies hold for me.

jesus, you are praying for me

day and night you are interceding

jesus, you are praying for me

day and night you are speaking words of life

my priest

you know how i get weak

all of my wanderings

and the places i hide when i just can't find

my faith

and you say

father, pour out your grace

this one is seeking your face

you know why i died

father, you love this child

look at my hands and feet

grant mercy

-laura woodley

god bless krispy kreme!

so we found krispy kreme here in london... we all made ourselves sick on the gooey glazed deliciousness. look at our sugar induced delerium taking hold! glorious... we couldn't hide the fact that we were loud american dorks very long in the face of these delectible treats.

intern training in london nov. 27-dec. 3

these are some of the other interns from around europe. we get together four times a year to learn more about how to do young life and learn from each other. these are blessed times to walk alongside others who know what it is like to do ministry in another culture with various obstacles and amazing people. they are really pioneering young life in new territories. i am so humbled to be a part of this team of folks. every time i walk away from our training times more in love with jesus and young life. wow! beautiful!

we were able to walk around downtown london on the last night after training. it was all decorated for christmas and so cute. here is the london bridge for your viewing pleasure.

thanksgiving goodies

i cooked my first official thanksgiving meal (or parts thereof). my friend, karen, and i cooked for about 5 or 6 hours making a turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, mac & cheese, and more. then we took them over to my boss' house for a young life thanksgiving meal with volunteers, staff, and family.
what a beautiful smell. and what a blessing to have family here to be a part of the body of christ.

advent poem

no one can celebrate

a genuine christmas

with being truly poor.

the self-sufficient, the proud,

those who, because they have

everything, look down on others,

those who have no need

even of God - for them there

will be no christmas.

only the poor, the hungry,

those who need someone

to come on their behalf,

will have that someone.

that someone is God.

Emmanuel. God-with-us.

without poverty of spirit

there can be no abundance of God.

-oscar romero

christmas is here!

i am still recovering from the fact that it snowed in kc before we got anything here, but nonetheless, christmas is in full germanic swing here. christkindkmarkts, gluewein (mulled spiced hot wine), roasted chestnuts, and carolers are abundant. the other day in the coffeshop, i was surprised to realize that the reason i was so elated was the american christmas music on the radio. aparantly, we americans kicked out some seriously good christmas music so they didn't feel the need to make their own. i am not sure how to feel about that. on one hand, maybe german traditional christmas music would be nice and unique, on the other there is nothing like bing crosby to make you feel all warm and cozy and nostalgic inside.
here they celebrate christmas on the 24th with a dinner, presents, and maybe even a church service. the houses are all decorated, similar to the states, but less clark griswold-esque... their trees are much more natural and some even put real candles on their trees (just on christmas day when they are all home)! i have heard of some pickle game where a pickle is hidden in the tree and whoever finds it gets a special gift?... don't really know about that one... my personal fav is the random santas. i guess santa can't get down the non-existent chimneys, so he climbs into windows. a little scary/amusing. see for yourself: