Our second year begins...

As the Howard family begins our second year in Germany, all the transitions of the last year are simply a memory. I even find it difficult to remember what those transitions were like; we have become such apart of the Hohenfels community, it is difficult to think of life any other way. This is a good fit for us. We have successfully survived the violent winds that tore through Europe this week, and have no damage to anything around us.

We enjoyed Christmas break and getting to see family, and were renewed to start into a new semester. Our first event was a Bowling Night, in which we had over 70 teens attend. You know, it's not really about the numbers, but there was an excitement generated by having so many of the teens hanging out away from school. Chris know most of the teens by name, while I am still learning; this is quite a switch from us...I am the one that is good with names!. In our discipleship group we are going to be studying relationships for the semester. And tomorrow we are taking a group of teens on a day trip to a water park.

Both Chris and I really feel God shaping us and our giftings. I have been asked to lead a once a month night of worship. God has been preparing me for this responsibility for the last 2 months, so I eagerly accepted. There is a real heaviness that weighs on the community of Hohenfels; many have noticed it. Pray for a spirit of joy, reconciliation and freedom to come to our community.

We are currently experiencing unseasonable warm weather. The Germans cannot believe that we have no snow yet...lots of rain, but not snow...in Bavaria. We are in the mid 40's to 50's every day. Most people are ready for the snow. Hunter has been growing like a weed. He is talking all of the time and constantly telling us what he "needs". I need chocolate...I need race car...I need tv...I need mommy's bed...He is on the waiting list for our preschool program at our Post, but will most likely enroll in German kindergarten in the fall, with his best buddy across the street. I am finally in my last semester of my Master's Degree...thank God. Pray for my Comprehensive Final on Feb. 6. Chris is diligently working on his dissertation, but it will be some time until completion. We have loved receiving all the Christmas updates from your families. Thanks!