I can't wait to eat fried chicken.

I think it’s appropriate to write a blog post as I watch my roommate Charlotte use a champagne glass as a measuring cup for making brownies while we both sing to Zac Brown and Lady A. And this was after gathering a dozen of our group’s empty beer bottles from last night’s craziness to go turn them in and get free apple juice for recycling. Weimar has been awesome. Oh, and last night I wrote computer code to manipulate a picture.

I think my favorite favorite part is living with 24 other people in the same house. The bed and breakfast is awesome! It’s a huge, old house that we have all to ourselves. After the first week, Charlotte and I got to move into a bigger room and now we don’t have to share a shower with 6 other people, and our room is pink. It’s kind of a little haven for me, because I can shut the door and there’s a huge window that makes it a great room for reading and just having the alone time I require every day. We even have a little kitchen and mini fridge in our hallway. Unfortunately though, I think some people are starting to get tired of each other. It’s to be expected when we all spend almost every second of every day together. Not to mention the noise... but it’s all good. I’m personally learning a lot about how to put other people before myself, especially in conversation. People let pride slip into conversation far more than they realize, myself included. There’s a part of everyone that wants to be the center of attention and to be applauded. But that’s not the job of a Christian, period. Christians’ lives are also supposed to look drastically different than the lives of those who don’t love Jesus, and it’s difficult to figure out how to not be polluted by the world, but not make the world feel judged. There is so much brokenness here. I’ve heard some of my group’s opinions on God and it breaks my heart. But I don’t know how to tell them about Who He really is without being afraid of messing it up- most people who aren’t in the church have been hurt by it. I’ve come to the conclusion that my best ministry here is going to be showing people Christ, not just talking about Him. Charlotte and I have been talking about this a lot, and I’ve been so blessed to have her and a couple of believers here.

I’ve decided that 1 Peter 4 is my anthem for this trip:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

As for what we have been doing.. where to begin?!

Where I get to go on runs. There's a huge, beautiful park across the street from our house.

The Bauhaus University where we have class.

Hedwig-Pfeiffer Haus where we live.

Day trip to Naumburg! Naumburg Cathedral and fancy schmancy wine tasting at Bad Soulza.

Day trip to Erfurt and St. Mary's Cathedral.

Day trip to Eisenach- Schloss Wartburg (castle), Bach's house, and car museum. Martin Luthor translated the New Testament in this castle, and the picture of the desk is where he sat.

Day trip to Leipzig- visit to the American Consulate, a DDR/ Berlin Wall museum, and a classical music concert.

 (Real DDR surveillance- this stuff was really creepy)

Going to Prague next weekend! I'll post again after that!