The Gamut of Emotions

To say that the last few months have been an emotionally, spiritually, and physically exhausting roller coaster...well that's where the word gamut comes in.  Gamut describes a spectrum or range of whatever.  Let me attempt to show you this gamut of ups, downs, free falls, and soarings as experienced by The Overbys Overseas these last few months.

May/June - whirlwind of insanity trying to finish well the first year at ICSV.  From sadness at the departing of friends for the States, happiness for the Seniors of 2011, to frustrations about Austrian Law changes and flight bookings, as well as excitement to see how God was going to come through just like He always does.

Summer - Stateside.  'Nuff said.  Fundraising trips, families wanting as much time as possible, and friends longing to maintain relationships...it was a hard, exhausting time, but was sweet to see all of those faces in person.  Saying we were blessed would be a gross understatement.

August/September - excitement again as God brings in 240 students to ICSV!!  Stress because we have less staff and more kids! Joy at the birth of a friends new child, pride as a Daddy gets to watch his son's first Soccer game ever, and love mixed with sadness for the friends who have made this their last year here.


And now...just wonder and amazement at an awesome, loving God who can do all this and more with a small portion of His Children!  His grace is sufficient, His Love unending, and His plan perfect.  So thankful that He knows the gamut of my life and has it under complete control even when it looks like chaos to me!

A Long Time

I know that in the grand scheme of things, the last two months occurred in normal time, but I feel like it has just flown by at warp speed.  Every time you get a chance to catch up, you lose it to another thing on the giant list of "Things that must be done before I can...".  So to summarize the last two months of living in Austria, please allow some bullet points of information.

• Lice treatments - these "pests" infected everyone, but Dad (and he rejoices greatly for this fact).  Difficult things to get rid of and so thankful they're finally gone.
• ICSV's International Family Fun Night - awesome night of culture and sharing
• Spiritual Emphasis Weeks - 27 saved in the elementary!!!
• Kid's Musical - "Goldie and the Three Bears" in which Bethany played Baby Bear and Caylah was a flower.  Great job and cute pics (see facebook page)
• The long haul of winter/spring - no school breaks from February 17th to April 1.  Wow, this was a really long time.
• THE BEST NEWS OF THEM ALL: Our littlest, Caylah, accepted Christ as her savior!!!  So excited and happy for her! 

Have you ever seen...

Already dyed Easter Eggs!!!  Boiled and colored, all you have to do is purchase.  What will they think of next??








International Family Fun Night


Mrs. Williams of ICSV



Ethiopian Room

  Adults and kids alike enjoy learning about other countries and experiencing food and fun from other lands.  International Family Fun Night is one of ICSV's greatest nights.  It's a five country Mission Fair!!  Natives from India, Peru, Ethiopia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the Phillippines shared their country's information, games, and foods with the ICSV community.  After the nation visits, we had an international Talent Show to showcase the awesome diversity that God has created on His Earth.  Great night of music, dancing, and celebrating Jesus' salvation of the nations.


Peru Room



Proud Scottish ICSV student

Spiritual Emphasis Weeks

Awesome time of worship, great lessons, and fun for all.  That is how my kids would describe a week with Jerry Jacoby, our SEW speaker for the Elementary.  Puppets, music, laughter, and Jesus = 27 saved and seeds planted in many more!!  The Secondary had a great time focusing on Social Justice/Mercy and how God wants them to respond to the needs around them.  Great weeks!!

More updates later...