We want to take a minute to thank all of our friends on both sides of the water that have been so faithful in encouraging and supporting us throughout our overseas journey. We plan to continue using the blog but may not be able to update as often as we would like. When we get settled, I will upload photos from our last few weeks in Central Asia. We hope to be able to began our new stateside journey around the first of August. Stay tuned for scenes from our last few months and our return to the great state of Georgia.

There are still a few items remaining that we have not sold. If you are interested, please let us know by Sat. the 20th of June. Thanks!

the water heating pitcher is the only item that hasn't sold from this set

stand up floor lamp

small misc.basket(I used for holding salt and pepper)

spice rack and canisters

floor lamp/red shade -sold

photo frame and side table

round table

As you can see, (indicated by no current updates to our blog) it has been a little crazy since our Austria trip. We still live in the same region and we still have a lot going on but we are mostly posting photos on our FaceBook pages because it takes so long to post things on the blog and on FaceBook. So, if you never had a reason to "join up" in the FaceBook craze, now you do!
We only have a few months left before we make the trek back to the states and a lot in between now and then so we may get a chance to update....or we may not. Just know that we are continuing to ..."go about the Father's business" as we make pivotal decisions concerning the future path the Father has planned for our lives. We covet your prayers concerning our direction as our hearts are now in two opposite sides of the planet. Thanks for all of your encouragement and support through your earnest prayers to the Father.

Our first day of travels took place in Innsbruck. It was a bit of a haul, but nice to see the countryside. These are just a few of the photos we took during our "too short" visit. You will have to continue scrolling to the bottom of the page to see where we started. Unfortunately with blogger, it loads photos and posts information in reverse order from how it is entered. Just so you know- the evening I loaded these, I was too tired to make my brain try to think backward! (As I already have to do when speaking this language we are learning!)

The Christmas Markets at night

front alter of the St. James Basilica

the organ

the pulpit

The inside of St. James Basilica was amazing! These photos do not truly capture the incredible detail and beauty of this place. The current building has been restored because of prior damage from past wars. It dates back to 1720 but some information we read said that there was mention of a church in this location in manuscripts dating as far back as the 700's.

St. James Basilica-I think it is the oldest in Innsbruck

The city of Innsbruck has many places to explore! Sadly, we only had time to see a few basilicas and visit a couple of the famed Christmas Markets. Everything was so festive! We didn't leave until after dark so we got to see the city as the millions of lights came on that night.




There were a couple of these giant figures near the Christmas Market that were kind of funny (I think they are from folk tales) Of course, I declined getting my picture taken with them.

clocktower

at the top of the clock tower we could walk around. The views overlooking the city were awesome!

This gate is really old (date??) It served as both a wedding gift and a memorial for the royal family. One side is a wedding gift to the future King for he and his bride from the Queen Mother, the other side is her memorial to her deceased husband.

detail of the King's profile

detail of the King's crown




the future Princess' crown

This was in the first Basilica we visited. (I didn't get the name) The figures are in a niche to the right of the main alter. It is really beautiful but I think it is also in honor of a deceased archbishop who is" buried" in the alter beneath the figures.

Christmas night they lit the REAL candles on the REAL fir tree! Something I had always wondered how they did" back in the day". Many families here still prefer to do it this way.

Beautiful!

Loved our place....

And the view from our room!

These are some shots from where we spent Christmas 08. Our little hotel was great and the service (and breakfast) was unbeatable! The last day of our trip we went up the mountain we saw every morning from our balcony. It was amazing!