day 6!

So this post is hopefully going to be small. I was in the computer lab writing my next post and my computer turned off- so I lost most of my post. As I was walking upstairs I then was almost trampled by men in short shorts and towels running around. Before I could even react they were shouting at me asking me if I was going to join them- to their voyage to the creek- to jump in. I obviously said no, but maybe with a little bit more warning would have. So now I am hoping that they will do it again- and maybe I will join them next time. This, of all things in Austria is a Gaming tradition. I guess that means that no one has died from catching hypothermia after jumping into the literally freezing cold water. I sure hope that part of the tradition keeps.
Anyway- before I saw these men crazed for adventure I was planning on writing about my weekend and the fact that this is officially the 1 week anniversary of me leaving the United States. I am only here for 16 weeks- which means that I am already 1/16 done- that is a little scary to think about! But I will enjoy it while I can! The past couple of days have been really good, we started classes on Thursday and I really enjoy all of them. I am taking German, Christian Marriage, Theology of the Church, Philosophy of the Human Person, and Christian Moral Principals. I am beyond excited to be able to take these classes in a place that was meant for study for hundreds of years. However, the balance of study, travel, prayer, fun, and sleep is not exactly coming easy to me yet, but I hope that God will show me the way, day by day. This weekend was our first small excursion. We went to Vienna, a place of hundreds of years of history. There is literally history around every corner, it would take years to do everything there is to do there, and we there for only one day. It was hard to be tempted with all these opportunities of encountering something beautiful, historic, meaningful, or just fun and knowing that I could only truly experience a few things. I think this will be a hard lesson to learn as I continue on my travels to various cities in Italy, France, Ireland, Switzerland, and so many others. I mean not only must I choose the country, but the city, and then what I want to see in the city! My heart just wants to do it all! To see it all! To choose it all! It’s funny because this is often my problem with decisions! I was scared to join Rosa Mystica because that meant I couldn’t join any of the other households I liked. I will by two of the same shirt because I like both colors, and it takes me years to decide what to eat because everything looks so good! So I have stopped looking at menus! Ha! So maybe God has brought me to this place to be able to choose well. I guess I can only hope in his providential care and his gift of prudence! I will later hopefully make another post telling what I did end up choosing to do in Vienna… but I can hear my studies calling my name!
But I forgot! I wanted to add something! I just found out that my Aunt and Uncle are pregnant again! They are the parents of my beautiful Goddaughter Zilphia Rose and I am so excited that God chose to give them such a wonderful gift! I ask for prayers though for a safe and smooth pregnancy because when Donna was carrying Zilphia they had many hardships! I would really appreciate it!
Also, I have brought with me to Austria an intentions booklet that I am brining on my pilgrimages. I would really love to pray for you guys and anything you need prayers for- so if you could give them to me it would be great!! You can just send them to me over facebook or e-mail them to me at koneill001@student.franciscan.edu. Thanks so much! May God Bless you!