When we first arrived in Austria in 2009, I discovered fruit from Spain, when consumed by this American girl, made me swell up like Violet Beauregard in Willy Wonka who ate the blueberry gum.  I had forgotten this little fact.  Today, my feet, hands, and eyes are swollen from what I believe to be an allergic reaction to all the fruit I've eaten since my arrival.  So this morning, I sit in an apartment graciously given for our "home" base while in Vienna by a school teacher at my girl's former international school.  Windows wide open, I'm enjoying the breeze and the cooler temperatures.  Since it's Sunday, there is little traffic on the otherwise hectic street outside the second-floor apartment.  The smell of garlic floats through the air from the downstairs Pizzeria.  The occasional conversations from passersby can be heard from the sidewalk below.

While we've been here, these 12 days, we've had the privilege of meeting with old friends, made some new ones, spent plenty of time drinking great coffee, laughing, crying, just being, and for me personally, doing a lot of reflecting.

When we originally moved to this foreign place, we lived in the same district that we are now visiting.  Just minutes from this borrowed apartment door is the Kindergarten I dropped off my then 5-year-old Libby.  For months, every time I released her pudgy little fingers from my hand, she cried.  She begged me not to go.  I  handed her off to her German-speaking teacher, hoping she would comfort my precious girl, as I turned my back toward my child to head to language school.   With sheer will and determination, I made my way for the door.  Everything in me wanted to rush back to my very vocal daughter and take her back to our apartment and watch Sponge Bob - all day.  Instead, I walked through the doors, got outside her Kindergarten, and cried.  This life was hard.  I'd then regain my composure, suck it up, take a deep breath, and begin to talk to God.

"You know this is really hard.  You know that if the Kindergarten calls me I won't have any idea what they are saying because I can't speak the language yet.  You know my daughter's heart is hurting.  You know I'm off to language school to learn a language that hurts my brain.  I know you know this.  I know you are good, but this feels so hard.  Help me."

Now, as I walk by this Kindergarten, my Libby is 16 years-old.  We made it!  This little building is now a remembrance of God's goodness.  The hard was meant for our good.  It didn't feel like it at the time, but every day, every step, every tear was redeemed.  That's what God does.  He uses everything for our good.

In a few hours, we will meet our dear Philipp and his new wife.  To witness this wedding was the primary reason for this trip back "home".   Now, married, we will get the privilege of seeing them before they take their honeymoon.

When we met our dear Philipp, he was a young university student who awkwardly sat our dinner table and talked very little.  Now, affectionately known as our Austrian son, he's a part of us.  Seeing all that he's become over the years makes my heart full.  He's kind and loyal and smart and confident and now .. a husband.  He's walked through such difficulties in his young life.  But, again,  God has used them all for his good.   That's what God does.  He uses everything for our good.

Last night, to an audience of 4 Americans and 1 Ukrainian, our Austrian friends shared their passion and spoke confidently of their calling to serve the over 100,000 international students who make Austria part of their higher education.

Our friends have traveled hard roads.  I won't go into the details of their suffering, but we've traveled the road alongside them.  Last night, however, they were a living testimony of coming out the other side.  God has used all of the hard in their lives for His good.  That's what God does.  He uses everything for our good.

We see a pattern emerging.  "Hard" is universal.  Whether you call Austria home or live in the land of the free and the brave, God is interested in His kids.  However, He gave us tools to not just get by but to thrive.  He gave us the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.  He gave us the guidance of His word.  And He very graciously gave us one another.  We are the hands and feet and heart of God.  When we kiss a cheek or hug a neck, we can offer the affection of a loving heavenly Father to one another.  It's in those moments I feel God so near.   It's in those moments I see clearly the invisible God.  That's what God does.  He uses everything for our good.