May 20, 2012

Today, we went to PHV Chapel with the Coles. It was so refreshing to be with ministry friends. It was cathartic and encouraging. We first went to chapel and saw everyone. Then, we had a small lunch with the Coles. Later, we joined the PHV picnic at 3:00 pm. I met Austin and Katie Van Wyk for the first time. They are great. We met Suzanne Mayfield. We saw others from our past-time here. Hunter picked up with Andrew Cole, where they left off three years ago. He didn’t want to leave and keeps talking about playing again soon. At lunch, we ran into the Soliz family from Hohenfels. What a warm greeting! Our hearts were full and encouraged as we returned home from the day.

May 19, 2012

Today, we spent the day in Mainz. City life is so different from our experiences of Germany. It was Market Day and all was busy on the Hauptstrasse. We arrived around noon and at a small brotseit and watched people at the fountain. Then, we began to walk up and down the smaller corridors, looking into shops. Hunter’s favorite included a three story toy store. He found Ninjago and all the toys he is familiar with. We allowed him to pick out one toy for later that evening. Around 3:30 pm, we met up with Chris’ colleague Stephanie. It was great again to have someone fill in all the gaps with my German understanding. She took us to a mall that had been built atop ancient Roman temple ruins. It looked kind of like an episode from Indiana Jones. Again, Hunter was enthralled. We then, went to dinner at a traditional Mainzer Gasthaus. Chris wanted to thank Stephanie for all she had done to set this up. We dined for three hours and were some of the first to leave. We sat and ate out under a large Chestnut tree. Stephanie shared her experience when she came for a semester to Pfeiffer to work. I forgot to mention, we parked at the University, where Chris taught. He briefly showed us around and then we hopped buses to downtown, about ten to fifteen minutes away. So, in the evening, we hopped a bus back to the school and then drove home to Ketsch. Hunter liked the bus riding experience! Oh, Germany FC Bayern Munchen lost in penalty kicks to Chelsea. So, no celebrations in Deutschland.

May 18, 2012

Today was our schimmbad day. We spent the day relaxing and playing. We were not used to warm Germany sun, so we all got a little pink. It was a beautiful day. We returned home to try to do the tennis thing, but Hunter wanted nothing to do with it. He tried and then the coach realized he was too advanced for the beginner group. It was all very unclear, so we have opted not to do tennis. We may try to just “rent” a court at the sportsplatz or PHV. We will see. Lot’s of adjusting today. We were all overly tired.

May 17, 2012

Today was the German holiday Himmelfahrt or ascension. We woke up around 8:45, not by Hunter’s and my choice, to race off to IKEA for fruhstuck. Sadly, IKEA was closed. We had a quiet day. We went to visit Erika Sipos regarding tennis. At 4 pm, we went for Kaffee and Kuchen mit Susanna and Welf Rank. Susanna is a professor at the University of Mainz. They live in Weinheim on the other side of Heidelberg. It was a great visit with wonderful conversation. Susanna is a kindred spirit. Their daughter Helena, who is five, was shy to play with Hunter, but the reverse was also true. The children would play next to each other, but not with each other. They played eisenbahn, sand box, swinging, and roll in a tunnel. Then, we went to a playground. We all enjoyed the visit so much that we decided we would get together again for dinner in Mannheim.

May 16, 2012

We arrived yesterday. I dislike jetlag! Hunter and I just slept 14 or so hours and I could still go back to sleep. So here are a few things I remember from the last two days, besides being exhausted. All went fairly smooth. Hunter ate like a horse, barely slept, and would barely let me sleep. We were seated in the middle three seats for the first time ever and I don’t ever want that again! I met a student who was flying 28 hours to get home to India for the summer. We also met a soldier stationed at Wiesbaden, a very nice man from Florida. We cam through to the German border guards and got the most severe questioning ever. I was even nervous, not sure why. It was refreshing to see Chris, but I was so ready to be done and napping, I don’t think I was fun to be around.

When we got home, Chris made coffee and showed us around. Nothing much ever changes here. We caught up and went for a walk around the lake. Chris said it was the coldest it has been, it was chilly. However, as we rounded the lake, the sun came out and warmed us up. We came back to a small bath and went to bed. I remember Hunter reluctantly joining me about ten minutes into the nap. That was the fastest two plus hours ever. Then, Chris woke us up and we went grocery shopping. My brain was not there. We got a good amount though. Then, we walked to a vegetable market and met the owner Sonja. She was so kind and I felt very welcomed. I love Germans. She spoke English, but I jumped back into German. She even put Hunter on the spot, but he got gummy bears for it. Next, we walked home and then to dinner at a Gasthaus across from Lidl. It was very good and tasty. We had schnitzel, cordon blue, and salad. We came home and had a cup of tea and prepared for bed. That was great.

So, it is now 12:30 pm. I am just finishing a German breakfast of yogurt, bread, real butter and jelly, cheese and salami. Oh, and lots of coffee. At 7:30 this morning, the workers below began hammering. I kind of noticed it, but rolled over and went back to sleep. At 10:30, I got in bed with Hunter. It took another hour for him to budge. This will be a slow day, getting settled in. Chris is at work and will return at about 3:00 pm. Hunter is busy playing on the sun porch. Good times!

May 8, 2012

Chris arrived yesterday in Deutschland. He said all went smooth, except internet issues. No biggy . . . I then received an email from Karin. It seems Chris will be living with the Polish workmen for the remainder of this week. See, Karin had workmen redoing Heidi and Han’s old home, but they are staying in the 2^nd floor apartment. This is fun!

Summer Newsletter 2012

Things Change

Today we went back to Hohenfels. We visited the chapel, the DFAC, the Club building, and a lot of other sites. While some of our friends are still around, it was sad to witness and hear about how things have changed and not for the better. All the stories centered around the glory days, which coincided with the years we were there. What seemed missing was life.

Best Day?

Once in awhile you play a game where people ask each other questions. One such question is "what has been your best day?" Then you have a day like today that words can't even begin to capture. We drove from Ketsch to Seubersdorf on the old romantic rode. Then our old German neighbors through an outdoor party for our visit. Through all the wonderful emotions, quite possibly the best day.

First Day

The first day is always the hardest in making the adjustment to the time change. However, this has been the easiest ever for me. Maybe it is the lack of stress or maybe over time you just get use to it or maybe God wants to speak something to me. Being here is making me aware of how much I have changed since the first time I landed in January 2006. I am looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing day tomorrow.

Another European Journey

Well, it's hard to believe that another journey is beginning today. As always it seems a little surreal. Yet, every time I am excited and full of expectation about what the Lord will do and show me as I attempt to follow Him

On the Road to Home

Hello, this time it's Meaghan...I just received a call from Chris and they have safely arrived at their hotel near DeGaulle Airport. They are all very tired. There is no internet access at this stop. In our 2 minute conversation, Chris said they were heading by train to eat dinner by the Eiffel Tower and then back to the hotel to sleep. Tomorrow's destination: Charlotte!

Unity in the Body

One of the students said it best today. "They really didn't need us to accomplish this project." While true, it is only part of the story. See, something happens when the Body of Christ comes together with a shared vision of what God wants them to do together. The key word is together. It seems something magical is released when brothers and sisters in Christ work in unity and love. I haven't taught the last three days and yet, in some senses it has been doctoral level work when it comes to what is really important, following Christ. See, I can only tell students so much about leadership and self-sacrificial love. When they see it and experience it, then the learning begins.

We had another awesome day in Chrastava, including a trip to Turnov to teach an English conversational class and meet with one of the most significant church leaders in the Czech Republic. I often don't know what God is trying to do, but I certainly know when I am walking in His will. Tomorrow at lunch, we will leave for Heidelberg. In essence, it will be three days of traveling. After Heidelberg, on to Paris on Thursday and then to Charlotte on Friday. I may do a wrap up post, but our journey is coming to an end. Please continue to pray as we travel back home.

Chris