HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!
A great time was had by all as we celebrated in our "American Way" the 4th of July with two different groups of friends. Our first party was on Saturday, July 2 at the Bettingfield's apartment. Lori and I were together a few days prior to this and I just said (half jokingly,) "Lori, you and Dave should have a 4th of July party so we can see your new apartment." Well, she looked at me and said, "That's a great idea!" So, the plans began. You need to understand that throwing a large party in Vienna is no small feat. We have no cars, only our little wheeled shopping carts to haul everything great distances on foot. Then there's the little problem of where do you keep refrigerated items that need to be made ahead of time? You would understand this if you could see our tiny refrigerators. Lori was a real trooper, though, and suddenly the creative juices began to flow! She wheeled several containers of food to store in our fridge. She decided to take our card table (large and bulky) back, so we rigged up a handle so she could slip it over her shoulder. It was quite a sight to watch this tiny little person walk away with a monster card table dangling on one shoulder and her bag on the other.
The party was a mixture of Americans and guests from other countries. Everyone enjoyed visiting. Below are a few pictures. (Sorry, some of the pics I got from a friend on FB didn't upload so well and are blurry.)
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| Quite a selection of desserts (including the all-American apple pie.) |
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| Crazy Elisa shows her patriotism with red, blue, and white M&Ms |
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| Lori is in front left. |
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| View off Lori and Dave's balcony. |
CELEBRATION #2
On the evening of the 4th (after Greg had worked all day-no 4th holiday in Austria!) we rode public transportation to the Hensals house for a 4th of July celebration. It had been raining and very windy for the better part of the day and then just as everyone arrived, the sun peeked through, the rain and wind ceased. (God is so good!) It was such a fun evening filled with good food, fellowship, and music. The Haskews, the Elledges (a missionary family from the US that we met in a bakery one morning on our way to church,) and Valerie (a young woman who just graduated from high school in VA) were there. About half way through the evening a man and his two daughters who live in the adjoining house to the Hensal's popped in. That's one of the things I love about Vienna-you never know who might just stop by. Addison Elledge, who attends high school at the Christian school here, brought her guitar. When Greg found out she was bringing hers, he had to bring his (toted it all the way to work since he was coming from there.) We sang Worship songs in four part harmony, also allowing time for a few patriotic songs. The kids were so excited that there were sparklers. As they waved their sparklers in the air they broke into the Pledge of Allegiance. Then we all toasted America with our sparkling white grape juice. I do believe that it was a much more meaningful 4th being in a foreign country than when we are in the USA. It just felt good!
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| It's a Grand Old Flag! |
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| Jammin' Session. Katy got in on the action strumming her shovel. |
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| The Hensal Family Josh, Kim, Carli, Caleb, Cotter, Carson |
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| A very patriotic table! Kim's Mom sent their shirts and all the decorations from the States. Thanks, Linda! And Thanks, Hensals, for a great party! |
