Wow, it's been a while since my last post. For the record, I have written several posts in my head, but actually typing and posting them have not quite happened. And quite a bit has happened since August 19. For starters, I turned 30. I think I will start back by sharing about my birthday weekend.
The Friday night before my birthday, which was on a Sunday, I had a 'Goodbye to my 20's' party and celebrated my 20's with some friends in 1920's style. We were all dolled up in 1920's fashions, listened to Jazz and Ragtime music, and even watched a short silent film.
The highlight of the party was when they presented me with my gift. Technically, this was not a birthday party since it was two days before my birthday, and in Germany, it is more the norm to celebrate either on your birthday, or at the very earliest, the night before. All that to say, I was not expecting any gifts on this evening. Another cultural norm is to receive big gift on your 'round' birthdays. What was the gift? Viola lessons and a few months of a viola rental! I have been wanting to learn to play the viola again really since I moved to Germany as a way to relieve stress and a way to artistically express myself. But with my strenuous language learning schedule last year, I never got around to it. I really was surprised and so touched by the gift, not only with the uniqueness and size of it, but also how personal it was. I won't be giving a concert any time soon, but I have already been practicing a bit and trying to remember what I learned when I was 10 in preparation for my first lesson.
On Saturday I helped out at a wedding. At midnight, the bride called me into the main room, and everyone started singing to me! As if that didn't make me feel special enough, then they rolled in a 4-tiered cake with 30 candles on it!
The celebration continued on Sunday as I shared the 4-tier cake with the whole church after the service. Later in the day some friends came over to enjoy more cake, an American style (read really sweet) chocolate cake, and the traditional apple cake I have every year on my birthday (my birthday is also Johnny Appleseed Day). Later in the evening we went to the movies, and I spent the next few days recovering from having so much wonderful cake over the weekend.
My birthdays celebrations seem to get better with each one I have.
Happy late bday Kate! That is really special about the viola. I am so glad God has given you such precious friends :) Enjoy your lessons!
ReplyDeleteWow, Kate, you look really good in your 1920's jazz wear! Your Monday Minute and blog post are always so heartfelt and honest. I know that God is using you in a tremendous way and that you have grown spiritually.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you wrote about depended on God alone when you are in a valley, yet feeling spiritually high. : ) -Tracy Wittman