For those I couldn't share with this summer...

I am so thankful for the many opportunities I had this summer to share with so many friends and family members!  For those who did not get to see the video and powerpoint I made of this past year, this post is for you!  (Or for those who just want to see it again!)  I realize some of these pictures are repeats, but a good review never hurt anyone. Yes, that is the voice of a teacher :)

Compilation of several videos, just to give you a taste of CISP...

Here are some pictures from the powerpoint I made, just to give you an overview of life in Prague...

CISP

Old school building

My old classroom

                                     

New school building!

Pictures of new classroom to come!

CISP staff 2012-2013 at International Christian Educators Conference in Germany

Miss Harmeling's 5th Grade Class

Shamima, Margherita, Seung Hyun, Josiah, and Luke (and Flat Stanley and Herbert the snake)

Cereal box book reports :)

Elementary chapel in the 6th grade room

Playing worship songs together at a piano recital

Leading music in chapel

Daily Life in Prague

Scenery

View from my apartment window on a rare sunny day!

Also near my apartment, but shows a more accurate picture of what Prague skies typically looked like this past year

Charles Bridge over Vltava River

Can you spot the Prague Castle in the back?

Hiking in Czech Switzerland

After hiking/running at least 15 miles to get to Trosky in Cesky Raj
I have never been so glad to see a castle in all my life!

Food

Svíčková (sveech-co-vah)-
pork in cream sauce, with dumplings and cranberry sauce

Roast duck, dumplings, and cabbage

Španělský ptáček (shpah-nel-skee pta-chek)- Literally "Spanish bird"
Beef stuffed with eggs and relish, with gravy, dumplings and cranberry sauce
Are you noticing a pattern? :)

Shopping

Most of my grocery shopping is done at Albert,
which is a small grocery store chain in Prague.
There is an Albert about a block from my apartment
and another one is located a few blocks from CISP.

Closest thing to Walmart in Prague

I don't often frequent places like Tesco or IKEA
because I have to carry everything home on public transportation!

Faith Community Church

On nice days, we like to hang out in front
of the building before church begins

At my friend Christina's bday party,
who happens to have the same exact bday as me!!
Many friends from my church came to her party,
and as you can see, they are from all over the world!

Singing and playing piano with the worship team was such a delight and privilege this past year!


Friends

Becca is a very close friend from CISP

Through, Becca, I met Anicka at an English club
for Czech high school students

TeachBeyond friends at the ICEC conference in Germany

Jane and I met through our partnership with a Christian Czech school in Prague

My lovely roommate, Kim, teaches 6th grade at CISP

Sadly, my roommate, Kristin (on left), will not be returning to Prague this fall,
so Lindsay (on right) will be rooming with Kim and I.

I met Ellen at a bible study through
Faith Community, and we were fast friends.
We had lots of adventures together: cross-country skiing, English "lessons" with Czech friends (mostly just fun hangouts!), an airshow,  miles of hiking in the Czech Republic, and exploring the city of Prague.
I'm so thankful the Lord gave me a friend like Ellen to share life with this past year!

Ellen invited me to go skiing with her Czech student, Vaclav, and his colleagues.

After our skiing trip, I got to know Vaclav's wife,
Veronika, and their son, Andrew.
I had the great privilege to eat dinner with this family and Ellen each Wednesday, and I look forward to continuing this tradition
when I return to Prague!

God has blessed me with many more friends in Prague, though I don't have pictures of each one.  However, I am looking forward to pictures and memories we will have in the future!

As you can see, God has been so gracious to provide friends, community, and opportunities to serve Him and make Him known in Prague.  I am overwhelmed by His grace and love, which has no limits.  As I reflect on this year, I think Psalm 108:4-5 puts it best:

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;  

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; 

your faithfulness reaches to the clouds."