the view out the side window. welcome snow!!
the kindergarten behind our apartment ...
snow pictures
1.27.2007
the view out the side window. welcome snow!!
the kindergarten behind our apartment ...
.rumor had it.
1.25.2007
i think it was november 3rd. tiny, almost invisible snowflakes dropped from the clouds amounting to traces of white on the ground.
then nothing except spring temperatures mixed with a few cold days has graced our village. seriously, where did winter go?
last week, 100 kmph cyclone winds were predicted and my friend Sharla's Swiss husband, David, told us that winter can't come until the winds come.
they came and yesterday ... it snowed! and snowed.
"13 centimeters," Joe said.
"however much that is," i replied. he showed me with his hands and i translated it into 3-4 inches.
today, traces are coming down from the white sky again. winter has come. (finally!)
then nothing except spring temperatures mixed with a few cold days has graced our village. seriously, where did winter go?
last week, 100 kmph cyclone winds were predicted and my friend Sharla's Swiss husband, David, told us that winter can't come until the winds come.
they came and yesterday ... it snowed! and snowed.
"13 centimeters," Joe said.
"however much that is," i replied. he showed me with his hands and i translated it into 3-4 inches.
today, traces are coming down from the white sky again. winter has come. (finally!)
ou pale?
1.16.2007
A French-speaking couple gave their testimonies in church yesterday ... the telling of the story of God in a real way, a real experience was incredible. He was from an atheist, very intelligent background and God revealed Himself as the Truth to him. They are on their way to Uganda as missionaries. Missionaries to the very unknown.
I remember, especially as she was talking, wondering if I would get a chance to talk with them. A French part of my heart felt connected, I think! Haha. But my self-esteem has been beat-up lately and all I knew was that they probably had too many conversations to have and what would they want to talk to me about anyway?
Fastforward to Monday night: I came out of my apartment to find my ride to Bible study and there they were again, except as soon as she heard my name she said, "Lisa? You are Lisa?"
"Yes."
"Oh, we wanted to meet you! We have been using your van in Kansas City... Thank you."
Right then, if it hadn't been dark, I'm pretty sure they would have seen my mouth hanging open. For one, I never expected to meet the missionary couple who had been in a bad accident and were able to take Vanna White (the van's name) for free. Second, I never expected that the ones I wanted to meet and talk with were one and the same!
God is surprising. He knows how to humble us in really unexpected ways. I was kind of in giddy shock ... I had dreamed (yeah, once a vehicle is part of your family for 16 years, you have dreams for it) that the car could possibly be a blessing to someone. It has, just in cooler ways than I expected. What next?
Pam said it's like the movie "Pay it Forward". I watched that for the first time a few nights ago. I agree.
I remember, especially as she was talking, wondering if I would get a chance to talk with them. A French part of my heart felt connected, I think! Haha. But my self-esteem has been beat-up lately and all I knew was that they probably had too many conversations to have and what would they want to talk to me about anyway?
Fastforward to Monday night: I came out of my apartment to find my ride to Bible study and there they were again, except as soon as she heard my name she said, "Lisa? You are Lisa?"
"Yes."
"Oh, we wanted to meet you! We have been using your van in Kansas City... Thank you."
Right then, if it hadn't been dark, I'm pretty sure they would have seen my mouth hanging open. For one, I never expected to meet the missionary couple who had been in a bad accident and were able to take Vanna White (the van's name) for free. Second, I never expected that the ones I wanted to meet and talk with were one and the same!
God is surprising. He knows how to humble us in really unexpected ways. I was kind of in giddy shock ... I had dreamed (yeah, once a vehicle is part of your family for 16 years, you have dreams for it) that the car could possibly be a blessing to someone. It has, just in cooler ways than I expected. What next?
Pam said it's like the movie "Pay it Forward". I watched that for the first time a few nights ago. I agree.
waking up
1.15.2007
Need a tip for waking up faster?
The night before, set an almost full glass of water on your nightstand (right above your head). Then when your alarm goes off in the morning, in your sleepy state reach to snooze and knock the water glass all over your pillow, books, and head.
Believe me, I had NO troubles getting out of bed today. Good morning sunshine! :-)
The night before, set an almost full glass of water on your nightstand (right above your head). Then when your alarm goes off in the morning, in your sleepy state reach to snooze and knock the water glass all over your pillow, books, and head.
Believe me, I had NO troubles getting out of bed today. Good morning sunshine! :-)
12.18.2006
The love of God is greater far and than tongue or pen can ever tell.
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the sky of parchement made.
Were every stone on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade.
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure the saints' and angels' song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the sky of parchement made.
Were every stone on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade.
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure the saints' and angels' song.
birthday pics
11.30.2006
the girls preparing my beautiful birthday dinner!
from left to right:
Emma
Jenn
(me)
Elizabeth
Petra
Simone
Simone, me, and Petra in Schaffhausen with the backdrop of the Rhine at night
~birthdays~
I'm 23. My friends reminded me several times of this.
Tuesday was a good birthday. (You only turn each age once!)
Some 23rd birthday highlights:
***pictures soon to come***
Tuesday was a good birthday. (You only turn each age once!)
Some 23rd birthday highlights:
- prayers
- cranberry-almond muffins (I LOVE MUFFINS!)
- the last 4 of 23 beautiful roses
- 17 birthday hugs
- tea with friends
- tea with myself and 2 amazing chocolates
- CANDLES galore!
- girlie food and stories
- an "almost" movie. maybe next week the devil will wear prada.
- an amazing phone conversation with my sister
- sleep
***pictures soon to come***
Teams... gotta love 'em.
11.09.2006
This week, a Work and Witness team showed up. (For those of you not schooled in Nazarene-dom, W&W is a team that comes to do work and pays for it! It's really an amazing concept.)
Providentially, at least for my kitchen, my dad met the leaders of the team at a meeting earlier in the fall and asked if they would bring anything in for me. Thus, the list began and two nights ago I got a GREAT fall gift.
Happy fall. Thanks to the team, it has arrived. As has TONS of noise above our heads in the communications centre, but for 2 weeks, we can handle it. I hope. :-)
Providentially, at least for my kitchen, my dad met the leaders of the team at a meeting earlier in the fall and asked if they would bring anything in for me. Thus, the list began and two nights ago I got a GREAT fall gift.
- Brown sugar -- 10 lbs of it!! My baking adventures have only just begun. (Real brown sugar, contrary to what Europeans seem to think, is NOT colored white sugar!)
- Enough dryer sheets to make my tiny room (2 m. by 3 m.) smell fresh -- almost too fresh -- almost my own laundry room. :-)
- Over-the-counter Tylenol. Germans can't get it at Wal-mart, only at the pharmacy. That's annoying.
- Pecans and corn syrup for a pecan pie and pumpkin for all of my pumpkin cravings!!
Happy fall. Thanks to the team, it has arrived. As has TONS of noise above our heads in the communications centre, but for 2 weeks, we can handle it. I hope. :-)
bored in Buesingen
10.10.2006
it was one of those days.
i sat in the office all day, trying hard not to fall asleep as i watched the gigantic clock tick away at the kirche (church) across the street from the centre. the afternoon was better -- i made my first page design. it wasn't exactly what i wanted, but it was a good start.
but the day's activities just didn't kick it.
21:00 comes around and i'm in my apartment, full of energy, needing to get out, and sitting with that feeling. when this happens in Buesingen, sometimes it's helpful to be a kid and be crazy.
so we did. celebrating the first day of short term, we welcomed everyone on-campus who was willing to listen to our short-term ditty and our crazy antics. yes, this is what we do when we get bored in Buesingen.
needless to say, we kicked the boredom AND the need for getting out. plus, we made a few people happy.
(in the pic: me, Luci from Romania, Elizabeth (roommate and volunteer), Victor from Brasil, and Gemmeke from the Netherlands.)
P.S. there is an increasing lack of bugs in my life. woo hoo!
Swiss-German Spiders
9.18.2006
Spiders ... in September they are EVERYWHERE here! Criss-crossing bushes, windows, doors, and my bedroom curtains; invisible webs find their way into many corners and unexpected places.
All different kinds of spiders grace the windows and walls inside and outside of our apartment and on campus. My roommate was pretty sure she killed at least 10 the other night in her bedroom. My window has a screen, but I'm pretty sure that my window is one of the only ones on campus. Europeans believe in fresh air, no air conditioning, and no screens on the windows. This is fine, until the spiders (and grasshoppers, moths, and mosquitoes) find their way into your room.
A little, fat spider has made his home outside of Kapellenweg 1 (my apt. building) and several bugs have met their demise in his web.
Last week, I discovered a five-legged creature hanging in a web by the toolshed. I wondered at his past encounters, supposing he started out with the conventional 8 legs... The next day, he was gone. (*sigh)
Winter and frozen temperatures will send all the spiders into hiding until next spring (except, perhaps, the ones hiding out in our apartment). That will be a good thing, except that means no more sunshine, swimming, or summer weather. Will the trade off be worth it?
We will see.
All different kinds of spiders grace the windows and walls inside and outside of our apartment and on campus. My roommate was pretty sure she killed at least 10 the other night in her bedroom. My window has a screen, but I'm pretty sure that my window is one of the only ones on campus. Europeans believe in fresh air, no air conditioning, and no screens on the windows. This is fine, until the spiders (and grasshoppers, moths, and mosquitoes) find their way into your room.
A little, fat spider has made his home outside of Kapellenweg 1 (my apt. building) and several bugs have met their demise in his web.
Last week, I discovered a five-legged creature hanging in a web by the toolshed. I wondered at his past encounters, supposing he started out with the conventional 8 legs... The next day, he was gone. (*sigh)
Winter and frozen temperatures will send all the spiders into hiding until next spring (except, perhaps, the ones hiding out in our apartment). That will be a good thing, except that means no more sunshine, swimming, or summer weather. Will the trade off be worth it?
We will see.
Swiss dumpster diving
9.15.2006
Last Thursday we (the campus residents) realized that it was one of those days.
Twice a year, the Swiss people have a LARGE trash day. The night before, everyone down Junkerstrasse -- the main street here in Buesingen -- and the smaller roads put out great piles of "trash". When the students and volunteers catch wind of these days, dumpster diving is in order!
So, my roommate Elizabeth and I decided that the only right thing was to go out and look for some great accessories to outfit our apartment. She had just come back from discovering a shelf that fit perfectly into the door corner and a few other odd pieces, and we decided to venture out again. Mind you, it's dark, so until you actually get it into a well-lighted room, you may not be sure what you have happened upon.
Litzy, my friend from Spain, has a great picture hanging in her living room. Discovery: fall trash day 2004. Sonya, my friend from Russia, has a hand-me-down computer chair also uncovered in 2004.
So as for dumpster diving 2006, we came upon a great trash corner. Everything from brand-new silver window blinds from IKEA to a perfectly good trash can (for me), a street sign, aqua blue painting canvases (for Elizabeth) and a tube of pretty wrapping papers.
Oh the joy of diving in Switzerland! :-)
Twice a year, the Swiss people have a LARGE trash day. The night before, everyone down Junkerstrasse -- the main street here in Buesingen -- and the smaller roads put out great piles of "trash". When the students and volunteers catch wind of these days, dumpster diving is in order!
So, my roommate Elizabeth and I decided that the only right thing was to go out and look for some great accessories to outfit our apartment. She had just come back from discovering a shelf that fit perfectly into the door corner and a few other odd pieces, and we decided to venture out again. Mind you, it's dark, so until you actually get it into a well-lighted room, you may not be sure what you have happened upon.
Litzy, my friend from Spain, has a great picture hanging in her living room. Discovery: fall trash day 2004. Sonya, my friend from Russia, has a hand-me-down computer chair also uncovered in 2004.
So as for dumpster diving 2006, we came upon a great trash corner. Everything from brand-new silver window blinds from IKEA to a perfectly good trash can (for me), a street sign, aqua blue painting canvases (for Elizabeth) and a tube of pretty wrapping papers.
Oh the joy of diving in Switzerland! :-)
Lisa's Summer Adventure Journal #37
8.29.2006
Hurricane Ernesto:
hurricane shutters, extra water, forecast watching .... rain, wind...
our first tropical storm, ooooo.
(so much for a Miami tan! haha, oh well. family is better.)
hurricane shutters, extra water, forecast watching .... rain, wind...
our first tropical storm, ooooo.
(so much for a Miami tan! haha, oh well. family is better.)
"coincidences"
8.21.2006
I don't really believe in coincidences. No, I am convinced that God wants to work and show Himself in the details of our lives.
Take this last weekend for instance. Thursday night I all of a sudden realized that I was breaking out in hives and we concluded it was an allergic reaction (which I've never had a day in my life!). Unfortunately, I decided to "test" out the only new thing that I had eaten that day and on Friday night I found myself in the ER because the hives were back and worse than before.
Crazy that a few days earlier, I found out that Mary, the former missionary that I am staying with this month, had a speaking engagement scheduled for the same week. Oddly enough, we realized that we were both headed to Springfield, MO. Same weekend, same services, and the same hotel! (Coincidence? Not likely.)
After I was in the ER, they put me on some super drowsy medicine that I couldn't have driven 3 hours with ... but I didn't have to because Mary already was driving. So not only was I able to go because I had a ride, I had company and some encouragement over the weekend even though I really wasn't feeling well.
God is so good!! Putting that all together was COOL.
Take this last weekend for instance. Thursday night I all of a sudden realized that I was breaking out in hives and we concluded it was an allergic reaction (which I've never had a day in my life!). Unfortunately, I decided to "test" out the only new thing that I had eaten that day and on Friday night I found myself in the ER because the hives were back and worse than before.
Crazy that a few days earlier, I found out that Mary, the former missionary that I am staying with this month, had a speaking engagement scheduled for the same week. Oddly enough, we realized that we were both headed to Springfield, MO. Same weekend, same services, and the same hotel! (Coincidence? Not likely.)
After I was in the ER, they put me on some super drowsy medicine that I couldn't have driven 3 hours with ... but I didn't have to because Mary already was driving. So not only was I able to go because I had a ride, I had company and some encouragement over the weekend even though I really wasn't feeling well.
God is so good!! Putting that all together was COOL.
Funds Update #2
8.17.2006
i called Mission Corps today and they gave me the update...
*drum roll*
officially, i have a little over $3,000 in my account.
That's not half, but two great things:
first, i have a church sending in what will bring me over half (!),
and they are about a week behind in finances at MC,
which means that more is enroute to my account.
Go God!! i have half. i can go Sept. 4!!
awesome.
"missionary"
8.14.2006
The word "missionary" just has so many connotations in the church -- so I'm really resisting calling myself one. While, technically, it's true, I'm feel that it's just 'Lisa Koster acting out of who she is' rather than doing something outrageously great. Really, we are called to be like Christ wherever we go. So whether that makes us all missionaries or all just disciples, the distinction doesn't really matter. Still, I'm not sure why it bothers me... maybe I should let what is just be.
Speaking yesterday went so well. I got up early, travelled almost straight south to Baxter Springs, Kansas, and spoke at the Nazarene church there. As soon as I stepped into the building I felt comfortable and so welcomed. This tiny church has as many kids as adults (amazing!) and I was able to tell the kids about Haiti and then share in the service my story and what God has been doing in my life over the last few months.
Amazing thing #1: I had no anxiety.
Praise Jesus... the stress and anxiety has been high the last month and to feel comfortable was really foreign. I was actually afraid of feeling TOO confident ... but the night before I listened to one of my favorite Shaun Groves songs ("Jesus") and was really challenged to look at each one of these as Jesus. Speaking to Jesus isn't like speaking to a stranger... and these people weren't strangers. I loved every minute of it!
Amazing thing#2: I got to bless their kids.
Henri Nouwen talks about blessing people and I've never been given that chance before. But blessing their children before our Father fit so well with what I talked about -- God's place and plan for each of His children's lives and creating us all differently to fill places in the Kingdom. SO cool to pray for them specifically.
Amazing thing #3: I have a friend who picks locks.
Yeah, this is totally random (but those of you who know me aren't surprised...) but in the last 4 days I've locked my keys in the car TWICE. I don't have a spare, I don't have a Slim Jim, and I don't have $50 extra dollars to pay some kid to come out and unlock it in 2 seconds.
The first day, triple A helped. Today, I was stuck. So, I just got frustrated at myself. Where is my brain?! However, my dear friend got a hanger and tried to unlock my side door: no success. Then she tried the trunk and... POP! We were in!
Her words: "At least living on the streets does something for ya!" (ah haha!)
Thanks, God, for your funny blessings.
Speaking yesterday went so well. I got up early, travelled almost straight south to Baxter Springs, Kansas, and spoke at the Nazarene church there. As soon as I stepped into the building I felt comfortable and so welcomed. This tiny church has as many kids as adults (amazing!) and I was able to tell the kids about Haiti and then share in the service my story and what God has been doing in my life over the last few months.
Amazing thing #1: I had no anxiety.
Praise Jesus... the stress and anxiety has been high the last month and to feel comfortable was really foreign. I was actually afraid of feeling TOO confident ... but the night before I listened to one of my favorite Shaun Groves songs ("Jesus") and was really challenged to look at each one of these as Jesus. Speaking to Jesus isn't like speaking to a stranger... and these people weren't strangers. I loved every minute of it!
Amazing thing#2: I got to bless their kids.
Henri Nouwen talks about blessing people and I've never been given that chance before. But blessing their children before our Father fit so well with what I talked about -- God's place and plan for each of His children's lives and creating us all differently to fill places in the Kingdom. SO cool to pray for them specifically.
Amazing thing #3: I have a friend who picks locks.
Yeah, this is totally random (but those of you who know me aren't surprised...) but in the last 4 days I've locked my keys in the car TWICE. I don't have a spare, I don't have a Slim Jim, and I don't have $50 extra dollars to pay some kid to come out and unlock it in 2 seconds.
The first day, triple A helped. Today, I was stuck. So, I just got frustrated at myself. Where is my brain?! However, my dear friend got a hanger and tried to unlock my side door: no success. Then she tried the trunk and... POP! We were in!
Her words: "At least living on the streets does something for ya!" (ah haha!)
Thanks, God, for your funny blessings.
Story
8.07.2006
My self, my ideas, my emotions, my will ... everything is being stretched this summer.
But this past Sunday I was blessed amidst the stretching. To have people who know you well bless you aloud is an incredible gift. To have people who don't know you affirm God's hand in your life is amazing. And then to be overwhelmed with encouragement, support, strength, and love from His body is almost too much for one Sunday.
Two churches and two talks in one day pushed me hard yesterday. I didn't realize how tense and exhausted I was until I was finished and heading back home.
But God was in it. I was able to share from my heart -- that has been my prayer. So often, in anxiety (some reasonable and some not) my mind starts imagining all of the bad things that could happen and then it is all I can do to keep calm.
Psalm 16:8 stuck out to me this week, so instead of going up to the platform alone and scared to death, I grabbed ahold of Truth and went with Him. "I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me."
Something that I keep noticing is how God uses my story. It hasn't been any life-changing response but just leaves people thinking. Even today a friend messaged me and told me that he was reminded and encouraged in his own life. In his own journey alongside God. And "Wow, that's encouraging" has been the response I keep hearing. (Yes, God, point us back to You!)
Interestingly enough, I read this last week in my devos and was really struck by what Henri Nouwen said about story:
"One of the remarkable qualities of the story is that it creates space. We can dwell in a story, walk around, find our own place. The story confronts but does not oppress; the story inspires but does not manipulate. The story invites us to an encounter, a dialog, a mutual sharing. A story that guides is a story that opens a door and offers us space in which to search and boundaries to help us find what we seek, but it does not tell us what to do or how to do it. The story brings us into touch with the vision and so guides us. Wiesel writes, 'God made man because he loves stories.' As long as we have stories to tell to each other there is hope. As long as we can remind each other of the lives of men and women in whom the love of God becomes manifest, there is a reason to move forward to new land in which new stories are hidden."
Hm.
But this past Sunday I was blessed amidst the stretching. To have people who know you well bless you aloud is an incredible gift. To have people who don't know you affirm God's hand in your life is amazing. And then to be overwhelmed with encouragement, support, strength, and love from His body is almost too much for one Sunday.
Two churches and two talks in one day pushed me hard yesterday. I didn't realize how tense and exhausted I was until I was finished and heading back home.
But God was in it. I was able to share from my heart -- that has been my prayer. So often, in anxiety (some reasonable and some not) my mind starts imagining all of the bad things that could happen and then it is all I can do to keep calm.
Psalm 16:8 stuck out to me this week, so instead of going up to the platform alone and scared to death, I grabbed ahold of Truth and went with Him. "I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me."
Something that I keep noticing is how God uses my story. It hasn't been any life-changing response but just leaves people thinking. Even today a friend messaged me and told me that he was reminded and encouraged in his own life. In his own journey alongside God. And "Wow, that's encouraging" has been the response I keep hearing. (Yes, God, point us back to You!)
Interestingly enough, I read this last week in my devos and was really struck by what Henri Nouwen said about story:
"One of the remarkable qualities of the story is that it creates space. We can dwell in a story, walk around, find our own place. The story confronts but does not oppress; the story inspires but does not manipulate. The story invites us to an encounter, a dialog, a mutual sharing. A story that guides is a story that opens a door and offers us space in which to search and boundaries to help us find what we seek, but it does not tell us what to do or how to do it. The story brings us into touch with the vision and so guides us. Wiesel writes, 'God made man because he loves stories.' As long as we have stories to tell to each other there is hope. As long as we can remind each other of the lives of men and women in whom the love of God becomes manifest, there is a reason to move forward to new land in which new stories are hidden."
Hm.
Hope in the Church
8.04.2006
"Hope is what this community must do because it is God's community invited to be in God's pilgrimage..."
~Walter Brueggemann
~Walter Brueggemann
blessings...
8.03.2006
I'm sitting here thinking about how many blessings have come my way this summer so far... let me list a few.
1. a consistent, well-paid, but temporary job
2. a good place to stay for a whole month in transition
3. so many chances to intentionally share what God is doing in my life and point to Him for it
4. a way to encourage people
5. the love and support of so many people
6. affirmation in community (Church)
7. good reasons to be VERY excited to go to Miami and see the fam. (the fam, the food, the sun, relaxing, packing finished, swimming, tanning, etc.)
8. the God-situation before me facing me daily and requiring trust.
(Why do I have a tendancy to focus on what's NOT exactly right? Oh, personalities. :-)
Hey, thanks God.
1. a consistent, well-paid, but temporary job
2. a good place to stay for a whole month in transition
3. so many chances to intentionally share what God is doing in my life and point to Him for it
4. a way to encourage people
5. the love and support of so many people
6. affirmation in community (Church)
7. good reasons to be VERY excited to go to Miami and see the fam. (the fam, the food, the sun, relaxing, packing finished, swimming, tanning, etc.)
8. the God-situation before me facing me daily and requiring trust.
(Why do I have a tendancy to focus on what's NOT exactly right? Oh, personalities. :-)
Hey, thanks God.
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