My new home in Switzerland is the greatest mix I could think of between Colorado and Seattle. There are mountains just about half an hour away, woods practically in my backyard, raspberries actually in my backyard, and the greenest rolling hills I have ever seen. I live in a third-story room, and I have a cute bathroom downstairs all to myself. It is beautiful here, and the people are absolutely wonderful. They are all so kind, and my favorite part about this culture is that every time they are somewhere they know people they individually shake hands with each person. (The extrovert in me loves it!)

However, I have a lot of other things I am still getting used to. I wake the kids up every morning, and I get them ready for school. Then, I do all the cleaning around the house, and make lunch for the kids when they come home. Finally, I help the kids with their homework, make dinner, and if I am lucky I have a few hours to myself before I go to sleep. I never thought I'd be a housewife, but here I am doing exactly that. I am really trying to be positive about my situation, and serve with a joyful heart. I love everything I am doing, but the kids are a lot to handle. Their parents have not really taught them much about patience, listening to authority, loving each other, or taking no for an answer. For example the other day, the youngest got mad at me because I wouldn't do his homework for him. I didn't really understand why he was mad about that, but then his mother came home and did the entire worksheet for him. I couldn't believe it because I believe it is necessary for the children to learn how to do things themselves. I know it will be a lot of work for me, but I want to help these children learn how to be kind, patient, loving, smart, and thoughtful.

Things are already starting to get better as I am learning how to have a relationship with each child, and I am getting to know them better. I look forward to a time when I know them well, and they know me well.

Last night was my first soccer practice, and I was pleasantly surprised by the team. Although the level of soccer is not as high as SPU or Princess Danny :), I am thankful to just be able to play soccer. I am already planning to go with a few girls on the team to Arau, a nearby town, tonight. Then, one of them has already offered to drive me to our first game on Sunday. Things with soccer are much different in Switzerland. The teams here actually use their locker rooms to shower after each practice, but since I did not know that I went home on the train in my soccer stuff. I got a few funny looks, and I am sure people thought I was incredibly dirty.

Sunday is our first game, and I am very excited to play...the coach is playing me at forward! Wahoo...

SPU is small...

But it makes the world seem not as big.

I was standing in London Heathrow Airport trying to figure out where my gate was, and I look over to see Jacob Burningham from school standing ten feet away. I did a double take just to make sure I would not walk up to some random person and call him Jacob. It was great to see a familiar face, and I got to talk with him about his summer studying in London. I was so glad to be reminded that this really is a small world.

I arrived safely in Zurich, and the soccer coaches met me at the airport. They were very friendly, and we packed the three of us and my two suitcases and skis into their tiny car. Then, we went to my new home, which is a cute yellow house. I have a dog named Pauly, and I will meet the kids today.

Adventure...here I come

Sometimes when adventure is staring you in the face, and it is difficult to accept the challenge. I am leaving to go to Switzerland for an entire year, and I do not really know what to expect. Although I am hesitant about what is in store for me this year, I know that I will have two familiar things in my life; God and soccer. (Which is actually pretty great since those are two of my greatest passions.)

During the next year, my hope is that I would take advantage of this opportunity. It is also a hope of mine to allow myself to be used to serve others, especially the family and kids I will be nannying. I am looking forward to traveling to new places, meeting interesting people, hanging out with kids and being one myself for several hours a day, and playing soccer. I am so excited to encounter the Swiss Alps, and even more excited for the other mountains I will climb during my time in Rupperswil, Switzerland.