Mr. Rodgers may have had a castle in his neighborhod, a trolley car, and a queen that could wake the dead, but look at what we've got! Eat your heart out, Fred!

As we continue to adapt, things that now seem "normal" I've come to realize are still "abormal" for most Americans. For example, let's take a look at the photos. From left to right we have Addison and Parker at our local Christmas Markt. There are 23 districts in Vienna, all sporting their own Markts. I found out yesterday from a hat vendor there are a total of 41 Markts in Vienna. Ours is small and quaint, displaying some local crafts and foods. This particular booth is a sweet shop. Note how dark it is ... this was taken at 4:00 in the afternoon. Yes, folks, it starts getting dark here around 3:45ish ... then by 4:00 ish it's well on it's way to darkness.

The next photo features Parker posing in front of an import/export clothing store. Middle Easterners open these shops all over the city. In certain districts, like ours, there are larger populations of Turkish, Eastern European and Middle Eastern peoples. You can find great bargins, unfortunatley, not such good quality. However, we may throw quality out the window for this shinny pair of neon blue stretch pants Parker found.

Just to prove to those who doubt the authentic cultural love of coffee in our fair city, picture four shows one local grocery store. The KAPUTT sign covers one of the coffee bean grinding machines. You can purchase ganz bohne (whole bean) coffee, pay for it, and grind it right there on the spot. The instructions are, naturally, in German so I haven't ventured my language prowese in this area ... but soon and very soon I will. I can feel it!

Finall, if local sweets and sausages from the Christmas Markt don't appeal to the taste buds, you can try another local specialty, Pferde fleisch. Just take a closer look at the third picture and you will easily be able to translate what Pferde means. Horse meat is a specialty ... and something National Velvet need stay far away from!

This Monday marks the one month sabatical I've had from school due to my anxiety. I feel tremendously blessed to have had this down time. I feel so rested, mentally and physically. I dive into school tomorrow, jumping into the B1 level class that Chris just finished. Due to budget cut-backs, Chris won't be attending full-time language school but will be doing some things at home. Our friend, Lance, suggested that the most valuable language learning takes place when you actually speak to the locals. With that in mind, he suggested Chris go to every Christmas Markt in Vienna, talking and eating his way to perfection in the German language. If he takes Lance's advice - I will protest!

As I close, and as you sit at your computer, facing whatever situation you are facing, great or frustrating ... my heats cry for myself and for you is to know ... know deep in your heart peace that only Jesus can bring. Peace in the middle of holiday stress. Peace in the middle of job hassels. Peace in the middle of health crisis. Peace in the middle of disobedient children. Peace in the middle of cancer. Peace ... not as the world gives. Peace from Jesus. Peace doesn't mean the absence of all those things, but rather knowing that smack dap in the middle of them you have a peace that can't be explained. It doesn't come from you or Ophra Winfrey feel good tactis ... it's only from Jesus. You know if you have it ... you know if you don't. Don't be afraid! He is there.

Looking forward ...
Christna