Sunday, August 21, 2005

When it seems time is against us

Wow its crazy how quickly time passes. My summer volunteer term here at Schloss Mittersill is winding down. Many of the volunteers have begun to leave already. Heres a picture of the summer volunteer group. Nationalities represented: Polish, Lithuanian, Slovakian, Australian, Spanish, American, Russian, Canadian, Irish, British.

Yeah its just crazy... it feels as though time is against us in some ways. You meet all sorts of cool and interesting people but know that shortly we will part ways. But we accept this and enjoy the opportunity nonethelss! Within the next two weeks almost half the people in this picture will be gone (gah goodbyes are so sad). Then on the summer is generally short. This is part of the reason I find it appealing to return here for the longer 9 month term, as you have much more time to really get to know the other volunteers.

Oh well, this is part of life. I'll remember all the good times together, and the friendship we've shared. I'm a firm believer that everyone you meet changes who you are, teaches you more about people and more about one's self. So here's to us, all the good and bad times we've shared, and to the great journey of life that we walk.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Moved!

Howdy all. Well my blog was formerly at xanga.com (www.xanga.com/mr_allantan) but I've decided to move to blogger.com. Now note the easier address, any of you can post comments to my posts.

Sorry to all those who have emailed me! I haven't been good in my correspondence... I hope to improve!

It's been quite awhile since I've updated on what's been new. My time here at Schloss Mittersill (www.schlossmittersill.org) has been amazing! To be honest, its not for certain yet but I'm seriously thinking about coming back. To be more accurate - I would LIKE to come back. About 3 weeks ago one of the staff here approached me about returning for a longer term to serve here in some computer/sound technical support capacity. So although I'd l Ike to come back, I'm seeking God's guidance and advice on the possibility. Right now I would consider:
1. I'd come home for sure still sometime in September (flying to Ottawa on Sept 9, planning to visit friends/sisters in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto). I'd probably be back in Wininpeg late September.
2. I'd stay home for at least a couple months. I'd want to save up some money, and raise funds, and just have a chance to be home again. If I did return to the Schloss I don't see it happening before early November.
3. If things could work out ideally, I'd come back here and stay still around at least summer. Perhaps if Jen (my sister) still comes to World Cup 2006 in Germany, I could meet up with her, and also have her visit the castle and attend the super cool Arts Conference here at the Schloss.
4. In terms of what I'd do here, I'd like to do the computer/technical stuff, be involved with worship, and hopefully be part time student perhaps? I'd love to have a chance to study some theology or just increase my biblical knowledge. The worship leader here is an amazing jazz pianist with a passion for understanding the theology of worship and everything. So I'd definitely want to spend time with that dude if I come back.

You might ask: 'Why do you want to come back?' which is a pretty complicated question actually. My short answer would be that ít's been such an amazing positive, challenging and growing experience that I want more of it. I think I could get so much more out time spent here that I feel as if I have to explore and find out. Mind you I'm still quite openminded and haven't made a solid commitment yet.

Hm what else has been going on.. life's been exciting here! Hm so many stories... there was a crazy flood here in the town of Mittersill. Short version of the story - was in someone's basement, water started flooding the windows like crazy, stranded in the house, rescued by raft by authorities the next day, hilarious pictures of us in the newspaper the day later.. lol). Also did my first 2 day hike, and went to my first 3000+ meter mountain at the same time. Eh those are just neat experiences tho - my time here has been so much more than just those sorts of things. Hard to explain - I don't think I've fully understood what this time has meant for me. All I can seem to say for sure is that this time has been very good for me.. I feel generally a healthier, wholler (err I mean "more whole") person. It's been good. Oh I've also been falling in love with classical piano again.

Yeah... I miss all of you tho, hope to see you all soon. Drop me a line and let me know how you're doing!

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