Garlic Soup

Garlic Soup at Pilsner Urquell in Bratislava

For a vegetarian, much of Slovak cuisine can be a bit lack luster. However, there are a few glaring exceptions, and one of those is garlic soup. Let me put this out there... I love garlic. I love it in unsociable amounts. I plan one day to attribute my long life and good health to my garlic consumption. :) This garlic soup (above) is especially delicious. It struck the perfect balance of being creamy, but not too creamy--difficult to win me over with a creamy soup--there was cheese in the botton of the bread bowl as well- Garlic soup for the win! Difficult to not be grateful after a delicious meal. :)

Pirate Party

I'm grateful for my housemate, Ella. I'm grateful to her for many reasons. This weekend, I am mostly grateful that she feels so passionately about the Muppet Treasure Island movie. So much so that we had a whole pirate themed party for it. :) Complete with coconuts, gold necklaces, scarves, delicious food and good friends with whom to share it all. :)

Human Knot and Process Theology

On Thursday, I teach at the Evangelicke Lyceum from 7:20 until 15:35... it can be a long day. But I am grateful, because I have students who are engaging and willing to delve into the more difficult theological concepts with me in the crazy ways that I sometimes choose to present them (not big on lectures.) These week, we have been wrapping up our unit on 21st century theology with a discussion of Process Theology. On Tuesday, we focused on the idea of interconnectedness, and I wanted to expand that idea and start to apply Process Theology to ethics on Thursday... tall order for 7:20 in the morning. So I had each class (about 10-15 students) do an activity called "The Human Knot" It was meant to demonstrate connectedness, collective problem solving, and the way that each action individuals make affect the whole group.

It worked.

!!!!

There are moments that many teachers long for, and not just summer vacation, but moments when students seem to click with an idea. After struggling and laughing through the human knot activity (I WISH I had brought my camera,) I had the students take 5 minutes to reflect on the connection between the activity and what they know about process theology so far. When it came time to share our reflections, one student said "the human knot relates to process theology because it demonstrates that we are all connected, the movements and actions of individuals effect the group and the actions and movements of the group affect the individual. We are all connected so what we do as individuals matters." It was all I could do to not start dancing. So I recited them this poem instead:

The Sun never says to the earth, "you owe me." Look what happens with a love like that; it lights up the whole sky. - Hafiz

I am grateful for my students.

Surprise gift!

After, what seemed like, a long morning of walking through my least favorite weather (bright and so many snow flurries that even if you could open your eyes without the glare from the sun the giant snow flakes smack you in the face) I walked by my pastor's flat only to be greeted by their 3 year old daughter who had made this picture for me. :) Well, the picture is on the back and then this bit is practice writing my name, pretty cool! I'm grateful for the community in which I live, and for all those lively young people who are part of the Bratislava International Church.

Tuesday Night Bible Study

Every Tuesday evening, a group of people from Bratislava International Church gathers together for Bible Study. We read at the lectionary text for the upcoming Sunday, pray, and delve into some great theological discussions. It was my pleasure to lead the weekly bible study the two months that Pr. Miriam was on maternity leave and it is a joy every week to participate. I think part of what makes our Bible Study so rich is the variety of people present; often half and half Slovak and native English speakers but even the native speakers are from both the United States and the UK. We have a few regulars and each week is a new combination of people to sit and share in God's word. I am grateful for the time we have together. 

Ecumenical Evening of Prayers

An ecumenical prayer service was held in the Velky Kostol (big chuch) on Sunday evening and Pastor Miriam and I were invited to participate in the event. It was a multi-denomination, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and multi-national event which represented different Christian churches in and around Bratislava and also representing the four different languages in which service is held on Sundays in the Maly Kostol and Velky Kostol (German, English, Hungarian and Slovak.) Pr. Miriam was asked to lead a prayer and I was invited to read the gospel lesson for the service. Above is a picture of me reading; the three people sitting behind me are the three pastors/priest who led the service that evening. I am grateful to be asked to participate in these special services. Also, if I look like I'm making a funny hand gesture or reading passionately, neither is the case, I'm just holding a tiny microphone so my voice echoes through the whole big church :) 

Hope

The roads and roofs may still be covered with snow, but there is hope today that Spring is none too far away.