Monday, 31 December 2007

'Have a Good Slide Into the New Year'

That is what we say in German (Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!) to wish someone a good start in the New Year - have a good slide into it! So we pray that you all have a great slide into a blessed and rewarding new year!

After almost a full day of traveling - we finally arrived in Murrieta, California! Thanks for your prayers as the flights went relatively well. We made all the connections, even with delays because of weather, planes being overloaded, etc. We knew someone was praying for us! It was only hard with the 2 younger ones - Zachie and Dariah. They are just not used to sitting for 11 hours on an airplane, running to the next plane and sitting another 5 hours! Talk about boredom!

But here we are in sunny SoCal. I went for a jog yesterday morning at 8.00 and was able to go out in shorts, T-Shirt and sweatshirt only. Kinda like that - but know I shouldn't get used to it since it's around freezing back in Freiburg!

Anyways, wishing you all a great slide (just don't break anything) into 2008 and that it will be a year where God truly blesses and challenges you and that you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!

PS - we had our first Mexican food already - carne asada burritos w/ really hot salsa. With tortilla chips and dip on the side! Thank God for Mexican food! And for Rosa's Cantina!

Sunday, 30 December 2007

'Have a Good Slide Into the New Year'

That is what we say in German (Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!) to wish someone a good start in the New Year - have a good slide into it! So we pray that you all have a great slide into a blessed and rewarding new year!

After almost a full day of traveling - we finally arrived in Murrieta, California! Thanks for your prayers as the flights went relatively well. We made all the connections, even with delays because of weather, planes being overloaded, etc. We knew someone was praying for us! It was only hard with the 2 younger ones - Zachie and Dariah. They are just not used to sitting for 11 hours on an airplane, running to the next plane and sitting another 5 hours! Talk about boredom!

But here we are in sunny SoCal. I went for a jog yesterday morning at 8.00 and was able to go out in shorts, T-Shirt and sweatshirt only. Kinda like that - but know I shouldn't get used to it since it's around freezing back in Freiburg!

Anyways, wishing you all a great slide (just don't break anything) into 2008 and that it will be a year where God truly blesses and challenges you and that you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!

PS - we had our first Mexican food already - carne asada burritos w/ really hot salsa. With tortilla chips and dip on the side! Thank God for Mexican food! And for Rosa's Cantina!

Saturday, 29 December 2007

We're leaving on a jet plane...

...don't know when we'll be back again. Well I do know when, but not until the end of January. We are flying to California this afternoon. Please pray for the flights, that the kids will be kept busy and not get fussy. It will be about 24-26hours of traveling by the time we reach Murrieta. The girls are still stuffy and coughing, especially Dariah, please pray her ears won't bother her.
So those of you in SoCal see you very soon! And everyone here we'll be back before you know it!!

Friday, 28 December 2007

We're leaving on a jet plane...

...don't know when we'll be back again. Well I do know when, but not until the end of January. We are flying to California this afternoon. Please pray for the flights, that the kids will be kept busy and not get fussy. It will be about 24-26hours of traveling by the time we reach Murrieta. The girls are still stuffy and coughing, especially Dariah, please pray her ears won't bother her.
So those of you in SoCal see you very soon! And everyone here we'll be back before you know it!!

Sunday, 23 December 2007

Please Pray

Over the last 2-3 weeks, we have gone through a lot of sicknesses that has just bogged us down. First we had a bout of stomach flu - although it was only Taliah and Zachariah. Then the kids got chickenpox a couple weeks ago - Jesaiah first, then Becks' niece visiting from Australia, then Taliah and lastly Zachie (and he was even immunized already!). In between all that Taliah got another bout of stomach flu. Then Becks' sister got a major flu and she was out of commission for 3 days (she and her daughter had to postpone their flight back to Oz for 5 days because of the chickenpox and flu).

Now the two younger kids - Zachie and Dariah have had fevers for 3 days now, then Taliah joined in on the fun so Becks took them to the emergency room/urgent care. Taliah and Dariah have upper respiratory infections. Not wanting to be the only one left out on all this, I joined them with bronchitus (we think) for the last 4 days. All this during the busy Christmas season, getting ready for furlough (we fly in 2 days!!!) and entertaining visitors. Oh well, that's life right?

Thanks for praying! We are looking forward to getting to the USA and just having some downtime for a few days before things speed up again.

Please Pray

Over the last 2-3 weeks, we have gone through a lot of sicknesses that has just bogged us down. First we had a bout of stomach flu - although it was only Taliah and Zachariah. Then the kids got chickenpox a couple weeks ago - Jesaiah first, then Becks' niece visiting from Australia, then Taliah and lastly Zachie (and he was even immunized already!). In between all that Taliah got another bout of stomach flu. Then Becks' sister got a major flu and she was out of commission for 3 days (she and her daughter had to postpone their flight back to Oz for 5 days because of the chickenpox and flu).

Now the two younger kids - Zachie and Dariah have had fevers for 3 days now, then Taliah joined in on the fun so Becks took them to the emergency room/urgent care. Taliah and Dariah have upper respiratory infections. Not wanting to be the only one left out on all this, I joined them with bronchitus (we think) for the last 4 days. All this during the busy Christmas season, getting ready for furlough (we fly in 2 days!!!) and entertaining visitors. Oh well, that's life right?

Thanks for praying! We are looking forward to getting to the USA and just having some downtime for a few days before things speed up again.

Sunday, 16 December 2007

Thanksgiving



I know, Thanksgiving is long past, but if I don't say something now I never will....since Christmas is only a week away!
I can't believe how fast time flies! Anyhoo...I'm rambling again.

We had a great Thanksgiving again this year. It is so much fun to celebrate with our friends here and share with them why we celebrate. Finding all the ingredients has gotten easier. 10 years ago we couldn't get all the stuff, but now we can, so we can have a completely traditional dinner!

We had 22 adults and 10 kids this year, so we had dinner in our youth cafe at church because we wouldn't have all fit here at home. I had a ton of help!! I would not have been able to prepare for that number of people with out it! A friend from Heidelberg was here and she helped out alot through out the week. And another friend from church was here the day before and helped with all the pies and stuffing and everything. And others made things to bring, I am just responsible for the 'American' things.

We are so blessed here by the people God has placed around us to be our friends (and phamily). We have so much to be thankful for and it was awesome to share the time with our friends. It was a great night of fellowship. Thanks to all those who helped make it possible, you are great!!

Thanksgiving



I know, Thanksgiving is long past, but if I don't say something now I never will....since Christmas is only a week away!
I can't believe how fast time flies! Anyhoo...I'm rambling again.

We had a great Thanksgiving again this year. It is so much fun to celebrate with our friends here and share with them why we celebrate. Finding all the ingredients has gotten easier. 10 years ago we couldn't get all the stuff, but now we can, so we can have a completely traditional dinner!

We had 22 adults and 10 kids this year, so we had dinner in our youth cafe at church because we wouldn't have all fit here at home. I had a ton of help!! I would not have been able to prepare for that number of people with out it! A friend from Heidelberg was here and she helped out alot through out the week. And another friend from church was here the day before and helped with all the pies and stuffing and everything. And others made things to bring, I am just responsible for the 'American' things.

We are so blessed here by the people God has placed around us to be our friends (and phamily). We have so much to be thankful for and it was awesome to share the time with our friends. It was a great night of fellowship. Thanks to all those who helped make it possible, you are great!!

Thursday, 13 December 2007

Random pics

Here a few pictures for a start.

As Arnie Would Say - I'll Be Back!

We are back online! Well, kinda. I still have to get the wireless network set up but at least we can log in and check email and such.

Looking back, it has been kinda cool to be 'offline' - we have been without internet for about 3 weeks - count them, 21 long days! And it wasn't so bad at all. Made me think of how addicted we are to being 'always-on'. I wonder how much time we spend/waste online each day? Sure there are things we need to do online - emails, banking, business, work, etc. But how much time is just leisure, just surfing? What would we normally do with that time instead? I read somewhere (probably online ;-) ) that there is a growing number of people, mostly teens who are truly addicted to the internet - online games, chatting, emails, MySpace, etc. Over 10-12 hours a day online, actively doing something is normal for them! WOW! My laptop is normally connected constantly, but I am often away from it, or not doing anything that requires the internet. But 10-12 hours...nope.

In any case, we are somewhat back on, even though it will take a few more days to get everything set back up. We'll post more later. Or maybe we won't and just get offline again. NOT!

ps - how many hours a day are you actively doing something online? Anyone care to time yourself and see?

We're Back!!!!

We are finally back online at home, not wireless yet, but at this point we'll take what we can get!
So much has happened in these past 2 (or is it 3?) weeks since we've been off-line....I don't even know where to begin!! Don't worry though, I'll pick a place and just jump in ; ).
Just a quick run-down...

Nov 17 - Evening in Heidelberg looking at pictures from our outreaches with others from the trips.

Nov 17 -24- A friend from Heidelberg rode home with me and stayed a week with us. We had a great time with her.

Nov. 22, Thanksgiving - we celebrated with about 19 other adults at our church cafe with a total of ten kids. It was a great time...pictures later :).

Nov 24 - Auntie Eva was down from Hamburg for the weekend so she came over to visit and give Zachy his birthday present.

Nov. 25 - pre-birthday party for Zachy (again), before auntie Simi flew off to Oz with her Ozzie hubby

Nov. 28 - My parents arrived from Ok.

Nov. 29 - Zachariah turned 3. And Davey and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary! We didn't do anything, we are waiting until we are in SoCal, then we will celebrate in some way.

Nov 30 - My sister and niece arrived from Oz, very tired but very excited! Zachy got more birthday presents! And he's not done yet! He still has one more Auntie, who's been busier than we are, she's coming today, and then he will be done with his birthday ; ).

Dec 1-3 - Visitors from SoCal here for the weekend. We were able to have a little bit of a visit with our missions pastor and another of the guys from Murrieta, as the traveled around Germany and Switzerland visiting the missionaries out here. We really enjoyed the time with them, even though it was short and we are looking forward to seeing them again in a couple of weeks!

Dec 2 - Auntie Lia and her hubby were here to visit in the afternoon after church. They wanted to see us and bring the kids their Christmas presents before they took off for India for 4 weeks of vacation!

Dec 3 - Jesaiah got the chicken pox! He was home from school all week. He was a trooper though! No scratching or picking and never complained, even when he had stay home when I and the other kids went places with Grandma and Pappa and auntie Kim. (please pray that my girls and my niece don't get it! They would be breaking out just as my sister has to go back to Oz, and we to the States!! Zachy is immunized, so he should be ok.)

Dec 4 - Celebrated Christmas with my Family. Big dinner, presents the whole 9 yards!

Dec 5 - Went to Heidelberg with the my family. Davey stayed home with Dariah and Jesaiah.

Dec 10 - Put my parents on a train to Frankfurt airport at 12:15am arriving in the airport at 3:30 am. Where they waited until 6am to check in. They got as far as Chicago...the flight to Tulsa was cancelled due to an ice storm. They were able to get out the next day around noon, just before bad weather hit Chicago.

Dec 11 - My sister and her daughter took off for England for three days. I'll pick them up tomorrow night.

and here are things yet to come....

Dec 19 - My sister heads back to Oz.

Dec 24-26 Christmas!

Dec 28 - We are headed for sunny SoCal!!! (and boy am I ready for some sun! It has rained every day since my sister arrived! Quite a shock for her, coming from summer!)


Whew! Like I said, there has been a LOT going on. I will try to get some pictures up of some of the things, and write a bit more detail, over the next couple of days! Thanks for being patient, it was so hard not being able to update the blog or check in with others for so long!

It has been really nice though having my family here! It is awesome that we were able to all get together here, of all places. The weather has been pretty mild for winter, which was really great for my sister and niece, other wise they would have completely frozen! It will be cooling down the next few days (highs near or below freezing), but hopefully we will get some snow here in town then. We drove up into the Black Forest on Saturday so my niece could see snow. There wasn't alot where we were, but it was enough to build a snowman (with a few leaves and twigs mixed in the snow) and throw a few snowballs! It was fun.

So that's a quick up-date of what we've been up to since falling off the face of the earth! Come to think of it, I probably wouldn't have been posting too much even if we hadn't been off line!!
Anyway there are many pictures to come...stay tuned!

Becks

Random pics

Here a few pictures for a start.

As Arnie Would Say - I'll Be Back!

We are back online! Well, kinda. I still have to get the wireless network set up but at least we can log in and check email and such.

Looking back, it has been kinda cool to be 'offline' - we have been without internet for about 3 weeks - count them, 21 long days! And it wasn't so bad at all. Made me think of how addicted we are to being 'always-on'. I wonder how much time we spend/waste online each day? Sure there are things we need to do online - emails, banking, business, work, etc. But how much time is just leisure, just surfing? What would we normally do with that time instead? I read somewhere (probably online ;-) ) that there is a growing number of people, mostly teens who are truly addicted to the internet - online games, chatting, emails, MySpace, etc. Over 10-12 hours a day online, actively doing something is normal for them! WOW! My laptop is normally connected constantly, but I am often away from it, or not doing anything that requires the internet. But 10-12 hours...nope.

In any case, we are somewhat back on, even though it will take a few more days to get everything set back up. We'll post more later. Or maybe we won't and just get offline again. NOT!

ps - how many hours a day are you actively doing something online? Anyone care to time yourself and see?

We're Back!!!!

We are finally back online at home, not wireless yet, but at this point we'll take what we can get!
So much has happened in these past 2 (or is it 3?) weeks since we've been off-line....I don't even know where to begin!! Don't worry though, I'll pick a place and just jump in ; ).
Just a quick run-down...

Nov 17 - Evening in Heidelberg looking at pictures from our outreaches with others from the trips.

Nov 17 -24- A friend from Heidelberg rode home with me and stayed a week with us. We had a great time with her.

Nov. 22, Thanksgiving - we celebrated with about 19 other adults at our church cafe with a total of ten kids. It was a great time...pictures later :).

Nov 24 - Auntie Eva was down from Hamburg for the weekend so she came over to visit and give Zachy his birthday present.

Nov. 25 - pre-birthday party for Zachy (again), before auntie Simi flew off to Oz with her Ozzie hubby

Nov. 28 - My parents arrived from Ok.

Nov. 29 - Zachariah turned 3. And Davey and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary! We didn't do anything, we are waiting until we are in SoCal, then we will celebrate in some way.

Nov 30 - My sister and niece arrived from Oz, very tired but very excited! Zachy got more birthday presents! And he's not done yet! He still has one more Auntie, who's been busier than we are, she's coming today, and then he will be done with his birthday ; ).

Dec 1-3 - Visitors from SoCal here for the weekend. We were able to have a little bit of a visit with our missions pastor and another of the guys from Murrieta, as the traveled around Germany and Switzerland visiting the missionaries out here. We really enjoyed the time with them, even though it was short and we are looking forward to seeing them again in a couple of weeks!

Dec 2 - Auntie Lia and her hubby were here to visit in the afternoon after church. They wanted to see us and bring the kids their Christmas presents before they took off for India for 4 weeks of vacation!

Dec 3 - Jesaiah got the chicken pox! He was home from school all week. He was a trooper though! No scratching or picking and never complained, even when he had stay home when I and the other kids went places with Grandma and Pappa and auntie Kim. (please pray that my girls and my niece don't get it! They would be breaking out just as my sister has to go back to Oz, and we to the States!! Zachy is immunized, so he should be ok.)

Dec 4 - Celebrated Christmas with my Family. Big dinner, presents the whole 9 yards!

Dec 5 - Went to Heidelberg with the my family. Davey stayed home with Dariah and Jesaiah.

Dec 10 - Put my parents on a train to Frankfurt airport at 12:15am arriving in the airport at 3:30 am. Where they waited until 6am to check in. They got as far as Chicago...the flight to Tulsa was cancelled due to an ice storm. They were able to get out the next day around noon, just before bad weather hit Chicago.

Dec 11 - My sister and her daughter took off for England for three days. I'll pick them up tomorrow night.

and here are things yet to come....

Dec 19 - My sister heads back to Oz.

Dec 24-26 Christmas!

Dec 28 - We are headed for sunny SoCal!!! (and boy am I ready for some sun! It has rained every day since my sister arrived! Quite a shock for her, coming from summer!)


Whew! Like I said, there has been a LOT going on. I will try to get some pictures up of some of the things, and write a bit more detail, over the next couple of days! Thanks for being patient, it was so hard not being able to update the blog or check in with others for so long!

It has been really nice though having my family here! It is awesome that we were able to all get together here, of all places. The weather has been pretty mild for winter, which was really great for my sister and niece, other wise they would have completely frozen! It will be cooling down the next few days (highs near or below freezing), but hopefully we will get some snow here in town then. We drove up into the Black Forest on Saturday so my niece could see snow. There wasn't alot where we were, but it was enough to build a snowman (with a few leaves and twigs mixed in the snow) and throw a few snowballs! It was fun.

So that's a quick up-date of what we've been up to since falling off the face of the earth! Come to think of it, I probably wouldn't have been posting too much even if we hadn't been off line!!
Anyway there are many pictures to come...stay tuned!

Becks

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Going into Withdrawals!!!

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know why we aren't posting at the moment - we have no internet at home for a couple weeks!!! AHHHHH!!! Talk about withdrawals! So the only way we can check email or do anything that requires the internet, is that we do it from the church office (which ain't happening for Becks with 4 kids). Anyways, you won't be hearing much from us in the next couple of weeks, but we have lots to post. Hmmm, maybe we'll post to MS Word, then I can copy and paste into blogger.com at the office - we'll see. Thanks for your patience!

Going into Withdrawals!!!

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know why we aren't posting at the moment - we have no internet at home for a couple weeks!!! AHHHHH!!! Talk about withdrawals! So the only way we can check email or do anything that requires the internet, is that we do it from the church office (which ain't happening for Becks with 4 kids). Anyways, you won't be hearing much from us in the next couple of weeks, but we have lots to post. Hmmm, maybe we'll post to MS Word, then I can copy and paste into blogger.com at the office - we'll see. Thanks for your patience!

Sunday, 18 November 2007

Confrontations

You might have noticed that I personally haven't posted anything for a while. It's not that I haven't had anything to post about. Always have something to say. But things have been pretty busy as we head into the Winter and Holiday season. But more than that, there have been a few things that have weighed heavily on my mind and heart in the last month or so. And it all has to do with confrontation. Yeah, the dreaded word for most of us. Although I know a few who thrive on confrontation, I am not one of them. I dread it. For me it's like going to the doctor and getting a shot. UHHHHH!! Makes me shiver. And confrontation is even worse - it's not just a one-time thing, but you see the person over and over again. But it is a necessary part of love - yes, love. And of course, being the pastor, I get the 'fun' task of confronting people and speaking the truth in love to them (Eph 4.15).

In fact, we see evidence of this in God's Word over and over again. Paul stood up to Peter when he was acting hypocritically towards the Gentiles (Gal 2.11-21). Again Paul spoke words of rebuke to the Corinthians for their division, worldiness, compromise and lack of love (entire 1st letter to the Corinthians). In the letter to Philemon, Paul gently confronts him about Onesimus. I kinda get the feeling Paul is one of those who thrived on confrontations! But not just Paul - James confronted the rich who oppressed their servants and laborers (James 5.1-6). Barnabas confronted Paul about John Mark (Acts 15.36-41). And of course our Lord confronted many - the Pharisees, the multitude, even His disciples. In any case, we see Biblical examples of confrontation. But that doesn't make it any easier for me. It's a task I dread, but will do dutifully, relying upon God for strength, love and the right words.

So pray for me - there are 3 different confrontations, some inside the church, others outside the church. One is under way - I have spoken with the person once already and we agreed to talk again in a month. Another is coming up this next week - this is the biggie because it involves sin. And the last is sometime in the future - I am waiting on that one because it involves a third party. So please pray with me - that hard hearts will be softened, pride would give way to humilty and sin turned to repentance. Thanks for standing with me, and us.

Confrontations

You might have noticed that I personally haven't posted anything for a while. It's not that I haven't had anything to post about. Always have something to say. But things have been pretty busy as we head into the Winter and Holiday season. But more than that, there have been a few things that have weighed heavily on my mind and heart in the last month or so. And it all has to do with confrontation. Yeah, the dreaded word for most of us. Although I know a few who thrive on confrontation, I am not one of them. I dread it. For me it's like going to the doctor and getting a shot. UHHHHH!! Makes me shiver. And confrontation is even worse - it's not just a one-time thing, but you see the person over and over again. But it is a necessary part of love - yes, love. And of course, being the pastor, I get the 'fun' task of confronting people and speaking the truth in love to them (Eph 4.15).

In fact, we see evidence of this in God's Word over and over again. Paul stood up to Peter when he was acting hypocritically towards the Gentiles (Gal 2.11-21). Again Paul spoke words of rebuke to the Corinthians for their division, worldiness, compromise and lack of love (entire 1st letter to the Corinthians). In the letter to Philemon, Paul gently confronts him about Onesimus. I kinda get the feeling Paul is one of those who thrived on confrontations! But not just Paul - James confronted the rich who oppressed their servants and laborers (James 5.1-6). Barnabas confronted Paul about John Mark (Acts 15.36-41). And of course our Lord confronted many - the Pharisees, the multitude, even His disciples. In any case, we see Biblical examples of confrontation. But that doesn't make it any easier for me. It's a task I dread, but will do dutifully, relying upon God for strength, love and the right words.

So pray for me - there are 3 different confrontations, some inside the church, others outside the church. One is under way - I have spoken with the person once already and we agreed to talk again in a month. Another is coming up this next week - this is the biggie because it involves sin. And the last is sometime in the future - I am waiting on that one because it involves a third party. So please pray with me - that hard hearts will be softened, pride would give way to humilty and sin turned to repentance. Thanks for standing with me, and us.

Friday, 16 November 2007

St. Martins Day/First Snow



This past Sunday was St. Martins day, for those of you who don't know who he was, (like me 3 years ago) I will explain in a minute. Part of the celebration for St Martins is to make lanterns and parade through the neighborhood, or village, and sing songs. The traditional meal is goose.

So 3 years ago, Jesaiah's first year in kindergarten, we got a note about St Martins day and needing to send money for making lanterns. My first thought was, 'who was this guy Martin anyway why is he a 'saint' and why does he have a day?' So I did what any modern-day mom would do, I got on the internet and 'googled' him!

The story is something like this:
Martin was a Roman solidier, one winter as he was riding his horse he came across a poor begger lying in the snow. So Martin took his cloak and cut it in two with his sword and gave half to the begger. According to legend he dreamed that night that it was Jesus wearing the cloak, and Jesus introduced him to the Angels as 'Martin the Roman soldier who is not baptised, he has clad me.' Martin was baptised then as an adult. The legend as says that when the people wanted to make him Bishop he hid in a goose stall because he didn't want the position, but the geese were so loud they gave him away (hence goose for the meal).

The songs that we sing are about being lights and sharing, it is a really neat celebration. We walk through our neighborhood with all the kids from the kindergarten, this year with 1st and 2nd graders too on a different day, we stop under each street light and sing our songs. The kids carry paper lanterns with a candle inside. It is really pretty when they get out away from the lights and you see only the lanterns. After the walk there is a big bon fire and bread shaped like geese to share.

Every other year it is really cold, this was one of those years! At least it didn't snow on Tuesday when we were walking...it waited until today!
The kids were so excited to see the snow this morning.

The pictures are from both Monday (1st & 2nd graders) and Tuesday (kindergarten) and our first snow, the captions aren't working.

St. Martins Day/First Snow



This past Sunday was St. Martins day, for those of you who don't know who he was, (like me 3 years ago) I will explain in a minute. Part of the celebration for St Martins is to make lanterns and parade through the neighborhood, or village, and sing songs. The traditional meal is goose.

So 3 years ago, Jesaiah's first year in kindergarten, we got a note about St Martins day and needing to send money for making lanterns. My first thought was, 'who was this guy Martin anyway why is he a 'saint' and why does he have a day?' So I did what any modern-day mom would do, I got on the internet and 'googled' him!

The story is something like this:
Martin was a Roman solidier, one winter as he was riding his horse he came across a poor begger lying in the snow. So Martin took his cloak and cut it in two with his sword and gave half to the begger. According to legend he dreamed that night that it was Jesus wearing the cloak, and Jesus introduced him to the Angels as 'Martin the Roman soldier who is not baptised, he has clad me.' Martin was baptised then as an adult. The legend as says that when the people wanted to make him Bishop he hid in a goose stall because he didn't want the position, but the geese were so loud they gave him away (hence goose for the meal).

The songs that we sing are about being lights and sharing, it is a really neat celebration. We walk through our neighborhood with all the kids from the kindergarten, this year with 1st and 2nd graders too on a different day, we stop under each street light and sing our songs. The kids carry paper lanterns with a candle inside. It is really pretty when they get out away from the lights and you see only the lanterns. After the walk there is a big bon fire and bread shaped like geese to share.

Every other year it is really cold, this was one of those years! At least it didn't snow on Tuesday when we were walking...it waited until today!
The kids were so excited to see the snow this morning.

The pictures are from both Monday (1st & 2nd graders) and Tuesday (kindergarten) and our first snow, the captions aren't working.

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Fall Retreat - CC Heidelberg & Sinsheim


Wow, has time flown by!! I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving already! Which by the way is my favorite holiday. We will celebrate this year with our church staff and elders, and a few friends who aren't staff or elders. We have to move it to the church this year because there are so many people, 19 adults and 10 kids. It is always so much fun though, the fellowship is great! I need to cook more this year though, last year we ran out of food!! I was shocked, never had that happen before, guess it must have been pretty tasty.

Now that I've rambled enough about that, on to the subject of this post. (by the way there will be pictures after our dinner). Two weeks ago Davey taught at the retreat for Calvary Chapel Heidelberg and Sinsheim. We were blessed to be able to go as a family. We know several of the families from Sinsheim, as Davey taught there once a month for about a year and we always went as a family. And we know a few people from the church in Heidelberg as well. It was really nice to get to spend time with all those that we already know, but don't see so often, and get to know some new people as well.

Davey taught from the book of Joshua about having a victorious Christian life. Everyone there was blessed, challenged, encouraged...God met each person where they were in their situations. There was a couple there that we talked with, he is Catholic and she Evangelical. They used to be neighbors to a family in Sinsheim, but didn't go the church. They moved away but they came to the retreat at the invitation of the family. The wife wasn't so sure how her husband would like it there, she was afraid he might feel 'out of place', but he didn't - he was really ministered to through the Word and I think he truly enjoyed the fellowship as well. On the last evening he asked Davey if they could talk. So Davey talked with him while his wife and I were talking. We were able to encourage them to get involved in a church in their area, they just really need fellowship. We are praying that they will find a fellowship where they will be fed and be able to come to a place where they know that they are in need of a Savior, and that He is Jesus Christ.

God did so many awesome things at the retreat, I could spend hours writing about it all....don't worry I won't...but I could! We were so blessed to be able to be there, these two church families are a blessing!

There were also 5 students from the Bible College in Siegen there to do the children's ministry. They were awesome! They played games, did crafts, played outside (even though it was very cold), and even did a presentation the last day. The younger kids acted out the wall of Jericho, one half was on the inside, i.e. the wall, and the others marched around them blowing their 'trumpets'. You all know the story, so on the seventh time around everyone yelled, blew the trumpets and the 'wall' fell down. It was really cute, and hilarious! The older kids did Daniel in the lions' den. Each part was maybe 2 minutes long. And they all recited Matthew 22:37-40. They did a great job...the students and the kids!
So it was a great weekend! Enjoy the pictures!

P.S. I am part of the flag football game...the only girl (look for the bell bottom blue jeans, and green shirt with a yellow jersey)! Next time I have to try harder to get more girls involved but it was fun! Even though I'm not that good.

Fall Retreat - CC Heidelberg & Sinsheim


Wow, has time flown by!! I can't believe it is almost Thanksgiving already! Which by the way is my favorite holiday. We will celebrate this year with our church staff and elders, and a few friends who aren't staff or elders. We have to move it to the church this year because there are so many people, 19 adults and 10 kids. It is always so much fun though, the fellowship is great! I need to cook more this year though, last year we ran out of food!! I was shocked, never had that happen before, guess it must have been pretty tasty.

Now that I've rambled enough about that, on to the subject of this post. (by the way there will be pictures after our dinner). Two weeks ago Davey taught at the retreat for Calvary Chapel Heidelberg and Sinsheim. We were blessed to be able to go as a family. We know several of the families from Sinsheim, as Davey taught there once a month for about a year and we always went as a family. And we know a few people from the church in Heidelberg as well. It was really nice to get to spend time with all those that we already know, but don't see so often, and get to know some new people as well.

Davey taught from the book of Joshua about having a victorious Christian life. Everyone there was blessed, challenged, encouraged...God met each person where they were in their situations. There was a couple there that we talked with, he is Catholic and she Evangelical. They used to be neighbors to a family in Sinsheim, but didn't go the church. They moved away but they came to the retreat at the invitation of the family. The wife wasn't so sure how her husband would like it there, she was afraid he might feel 'out of place', but he didn't - he was really ministered to through the Word and I think he truly enjoyed the fellowship as well. On the last evening he asked Davey if they could talk. So Davey talked with him while his wife and I were talking. We were able to encourage them to get involved in a church in their area, they just really need fellowship. We are praying that they will find a fellowship where they will be fed and be able to come to a place where they know that they are in need of a Savior, and that He is Jesus Christ.

God did so many awesome things at the retreat, I could spend hours writing about it all....don't worry I won't...but I could! We were so blessed to be able to be there, these two church families are a blessing!

There were also 5 students from the Bible College in Siegen there to do the children's ministry. They were awesome! They played games, did crafts, played outside (even though it was very cold), and even did a presentation the last day. The younger kids acted out the wall of Jericho, one half was on the inside, i.e. the wall, and the others marched around them blowing their 'trumpets'. You all know the story, so on the seventh time around everyone yelled, blew the trumpets and the 'wall' fell down. It was really cute, and hilarious! The older kids did Daniel in the lions' den. Each part was maybe 2 minutes long. And they all recited Matthew 22:37-40. They did a great job...the students and the kids!
So it was a great weekend! Enjoy the pictures!

P.S. I am part of the flag football game...the only girl (look for the bell bottom blue jeans, and green shirt with a yellow jersey)! Next time I have to try harder to get more girls involved but it was fun! Even though I'm not that good.

Thursday, 8 November 2007

How To Calculate Your Age by Chocolate

So did I get your mouth watering for some sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate? Did I at least get your attention - you don't normally read these 3 words in the same sentence: calculate, age and chocolate! But this little trick does work!

Try it out. It's fun, simple, easy to do (get a calculator if you forgot how to do simple arithmetic) and ooohhhhh it tastes soooo good. I think I am beginning to like math - especially if it has anything to do with chocolate! Read the full article here. Have fun!

How To Calculate Your Age by Chocolate

So did I get your mouth watering for some sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate? Did I at least get your attention - you don't normally read these 3 words in the same sentence: calculate, age and chocolate! But this little trick does work!

Try it out. It's fun, simple, easy to do (get a calculator if you forgot how to do simple arithmetic) and ooohhhhh it tastes soooo good. I think I am beginning to like math - especially if it has anything to do with chocolate! Read the full article here. Have fun!

Friday, 2 November 2007

Halloween Scare

We had quite a bit of excitement before the Wed. night service last night. During the sound check and worship practice a lady came into the sanctuary and sat in the first row. She was crying, wailing, saying incoherent and illogical things. This obviously disturbed the worship practice so they sent someone over to get me from the office to talk with her. I came over, thinking this was just a sad lady who needed some prayer.

But when I got there, I knew this was going to be something else - she was saying things like Jesus sent her there, that she WAS Jesus, that we personally killed Jesus and other such nonsense. So I told her she needed to either calm down, get herself under control and stay quiet or leave the sanctuary and go back to the kitchen. She refused to - so I told her we would have to call the police. She thought I was bluffing, but I sent someone over to the office to call the police. While we were waiting, I and another woman stood next to her, about 3-4 feet away from her.

Suddenly, before I could really react, she grabbed something from her purse and started walking up the stairs to the stage where the worship team was. I came up behind her and put my hand on the collar of her jacket to restrain her and that was when I saw she had a KNIFE in her hand. Yep, you read correctly, she had a knife with a 6 inch blade in her hand. Now what she was going to do with it, no one knows. But it was a knife and she was on stage so something had to be done.

Actually, I tried to get away from her. I had let go of her jacket, backed away from her - wanting to put some distance between us. But when she turned towards me and took a step towards me, I realized I had to do something. Now this part is a bit blurry because it happened so quickly. When she took another step towards me, I grabbed her knife hand and held it. I don't know exactly how it happened, but another man from church then took her legs out from under her and all three of us landed on the floor, with me still holding her knife hand, the other man holding her legs. I then kneeled on her knife hand and grabbed her free hand also.

So there we were, she laying on her left side, me sitting almost on her stomach kneeling on her knife hand and holding her other hand and the other man behind me, pinning her legs. Our drummer then jumped off stage, and pried the knife from her hands - she had her hands locked on that knife! And through all this, she was muttering and saying weird things again. Finally the police came, handcuffed her, took our contact info and led her away. Obviously they knew his woman - she had run-ins with them before - because they recognized her immediately and addressed her by name.

So that was our excitement for Halloween - I was really shaking afterwards. But God is faithful and kept us all safe. I just pray that this woman will be delivered from whatever demonic forces that had her in bondage. Yes, I truly believe it was demonic - especially on Halloween!

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6.12-13

Halloween Scare

We had quite a bit of excitement before the Wed. night service last night. During the sound check and worship practice a lady came into the sanctuary and sat in the first row. She was crying, wailing, saying incoherent and illogical things. This obviously disturbed the worship practice so they sent someone over to get me from the office to talk with her. I came over, thinking this was just a sad lady who needed some prayer.

But when I got there, I knew this was going to be something else - she was saying things like Jesus sent her there, that she WAS Jesus, that we personally killed Jesus and other such nonsense. So I told her she needed to either calm down, get herself under control and stay quiet or leave the sanctuary and go back to the kitchen. She refused to - so I told her we would have to call the police. She thought I was bluffing, but I sent someone over to the office to call the police. While we were waiting, I and another woman stood next to her, about 3-4 feet away from her.

Suddenly, before I could really react, she grabbed something from her purse and started walking up the stairs to the stage where the worship team was. I came up behind her and put my hand on the collar of her jacket to restrain her and that was when I saw she had a KNIFE in her hand. Yep, you read correctly, she had a knife with a 6 inch blade in her hand. Now what she was going to do with it, no one knows. But it was a knife and she was on stage so something had to be done.

Actually, I tried to get away from her. I had let go of her jacket, backed away from her - wanting to put some distance between us. But when she turned towards me and took a step towards me, I realized I had to do something. Now this part is a bit blurry because it happened so quickly. When she took another step towards me, I grabbed her knife hand and held it. I don't know exactly how it happened, but another man from church then took her legs out from under her and all three of us landed on the floor, with me still holding her knife hand, the other man holding her legs. I then kneeled on her knife hand and grabbed her free hand also.

So there we were, she laying on her left side, me sitting almost on her stomach kneeling on her knife hand and holding her other hand and the other man behind me, pinning her legs. Our drummer then jumped off stage, and pried the knife from her hands - she had her hands locked on that knife! And through all this, she was muttering and saying weird things again. Finally the police came, handcuffed her, took our contact info and led her away. Obviously they knew his woman - she had run-ins with them before - because they recognized her immediately and addressed her by name.

So that was our excitement for Halloween - I was really shaking afterwards. But God is faithful and kept us all safe. I just pray that this woman will be delivered from whatever demonic forces that had her in bondage. Yes, I truly believe it was demonic - especially on Halloween!

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6.12-13

Wednesday, 31 October 2007

Tagged Again

So Becks told me that we have been tagged (again) by Rose. I am not sure what I have to write exactly, but I think in general it's 7 facts about myself. Sorry if I happen to not be playing by the rules. Hey, Rose, I think I deserve an award too - you can make the check out to...

1. I LIKE to sleep. But in general I really only NEED 5-6 hours of sleep per night. As long as it's consistent times (i.e. - midnight to 6.00 am everyday) and consistent lengths (not 5 hrs 1 night, 8 hrs next night, 4 hrs the next, etc. - 6 hrs every night is perfect). Unfortunately with crazy schedules, a crazy cat and crazy kids, it doesn't always work this way. ;-)

2. I DETEST seafood (sorry Rose). I can maybe do fishsticks once in a while, like every other year or two. Best is only on leap years. Once in a blue moon I can handle a tuna salad - but with tons of onions, pickles and mayo. But I have been known to eat some not-so-fishy-tasting fish, especially when I am on a date with my wifey. Now, Mexican food on the other hand...ummmm, my mouth is watering already.

3. I LIKE physical labor. I like tinkering around on household projects, garden work, car repairs, etc. Unfortunately I just don't have the time most of the time. But hey, that's what wives are for! Just kidding! Ok, I know I am sleeping on the sofa tonight!

4. I DETEST waiting for anything. Yes, very impatient. But it's usually just with my extended phamily. When it's others, I don't seem so antsy. Hmmm, I think maybe I need to let go of this one - especially with 4 kids. You would think it would take only 4 times as long to put on coats, shoes, go pee, eat, brush teeth, etc. - all the normal daily stuff. WRONG - not 4 times as long but to the power of 4! So if something takes 5 minutes w/o kids, it will take (not 5x4=20 min) but 5x5x5x5=625 min (10.4 hrs). For example - it takes me 5 minutes (or so) to brush teeth, wash face, etc. With 4 kids that's like 10 hrs! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating but that's how long it feels to me!

5. I LIKE root beer, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. Well, I would say I love them! Unfortunately I can't get that stuff here in Germany so easily. So I have been in withdrawal for the last 2 years since our last furlough (although I did get a Barq's Root Beer last week from a couple that just came back from the USA - tanx J & J!).

6. I DETEST sand. Well, ok, maybe that's too strong - I dislike sand. I dislike sand in my eyes, hair, ears and mouth. I dislike sand on my skin. I dislike wet sand on any part of me. And I detest walking barefoot on sand in our livingroom, after the kids have tracked it all over the house. So I guess what I am saying is sand belongs at the beach, desert, sandbox. Period. Not on or in me or in my house.

7. I LIKE order and cleanliness and everything in its place. I know what you're thinking - neat-freak. Yep, that's me. But alas, I have 4 kids. So I have to adjust, right? Oh well, gotta go pick up the livingroom for the millionth time, again.

Ok, was that 7 facts about me? Now I tag The 4 Harts, Luca, Jamie, Mattfelds, Heather S., Merlot (yes you too) and Sha S - share 7 facts about yourself and tag 7 others. Can you guys also link back to this post so I know you got it? Hope to hear from you all! Hint, Hint.

Tagged Again

So Becks told me that we have been tagged (again) by Rose. I am not sure what I have to write exactly, but I think in general it's 7 facts about myself. Sorry if I happen to not be playing by the rules. Hey, Rose, I think I deserve an award too - you can make the check out to...

1. I LIKE to sleep. But in general I really only NEED 5-6 hours of sleep per night. As long as it's consistent times (i.e. - midnight to 6.00 am everyday) and consistent lengths (not 5 hrs 1 night, 8 hrs next night, 4 hrs the next, etc. - 6 hrs every night is perfect). Unfortunately with crazy schedules, a crazy cat and crazy kids, it doesn't always work this way. ;-)

2. I DETEST seafood (sorry Rose). I can maybe do fishsticks once in a while, like every other year or two. Best is only on leap years. Once in a blue moon I can handle a tuna salad - but with tons of onions, pickles and mayo. But I have been known to eat some not-so-fishy-tasting fish, especially when I am on a date with my wifey. Now, Mexican food on the other hand...ummmm, my mouth is watering already.

3. I LIKE physical labor. I like tinkering around on household projects, garden work, car repairs, etc. Unfortunately I just don't have the time most of the time. But hey, that's what wives are for! Just kidding! Ok, I know I am sleeping on the sofa tonight!

4. I DETEST waiting for anything. Yes, very impatient. But it's usually just with my extended phamily. When it's others, I don't seem so antsy. Hmmm, I think maybe I need to let go of this one - especially with 4 kids. You would think it would take only 4 times as long to put on coats, shoes, go pee, eat, brush teeth, etc. - all the normal daily stuff. WRONG - not 4 times as long but to the power of 4! So if something takes 5 minutes w/o kids, it will take (not 5x4=20 min) but 5x5x5x5=625 min (10.4 hrs). For example - it takes me 5 minutes (or so) to brush teeth, wash face, etc. With 4 kids that's like 10 hrs! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating but that's how long it feels to me!

5. I LIKE root beer, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew. Well, I would say I love them! Unfortunately I can't get that stuff here in Germany so easily. So I have been in withdrawal for the last 2 years since our last furlough (although I did get a Barq's Root Beer last week from a couple that just came back from the USA - tanx J & J!).

6. I DETEST sand. Well, ok, maybe that's too strong - I dislike sand. I dislike sand in my eyes, hair, ears and mouth. I dislike sand on my skin. I dislike wet sand on any part of me. And I detest walking barefoot on sand in our livingroom, after the kids have tracked it all over the house. So I guess what I am saying is sand belongs at the beach, desert, sandbox. Period. Not on or in me or in my house.

7. I LIKE order and cleanliness and everything in its place. I know what you're thinking - neat-freak. Yep, that's me. But alas, I have 4 kids. So I have to adjust, right? Oh well, gotta go pick up the livingroom for the millionth time, again.

Ok, was that 7 facts about me? Now I tag The 4 Harts, Luca, Jamie, Mattfelds, Heather S., Merlot (yes you too) and Sha S - share 7 facts about yourself and tag 7 others. Can you guys also link back to this post so I know you got it? Hope to hear from you all! Hint, Hint.

Monday, 29 October 2007

Happy Birthday Dariah!


My how time flies! Dariah is one year old already! We had a few people over for coffee and cake to celebrate the big day. She is beginning to try and walk, she can get a few steps before she crumbles. She thinks it's hillarious to stand up and plop down on her bottom! She has already got quite the personality. She is a lot of fun, at a fun age!
It's been so long since I posted any pictures, I just put a bunch into a slide show. Some from Dariah's birthday and other just random shots.

Tagged

I have a ton of things to post right now, but I will begin with the 4x9 meme that my friend Rose tagged us with. (Davey will cover the other one Rose :) ) I am assuming that I stick to her subjects, so here it goes!

Four jobs I've had:
1. My first job was a little mini-mart/restaraunt called Humphrey's station in the foothills outside of Fresno California. I was a cashier, waitress, dishwasher, sometimes cook, a little of everything!
2. I worked at Sea World of California, more than once. My first position was in food service, then I went to Park Operations, after a break of a few years. In Park Ops I worked turnstiles and other various positions, including bathroom duty. After awhile I got a class B drivers licesence and started driving trams in the parking lot and 15 passenger vans, among other parking lot duties. It was fun, that was the first place I was able to use my German that I had been learning in college.
3. I worked for a very short time in a Christian bookstore in San Diego, I don't even remember the name of it...bad I know!
4. While going to college in San Diego I worked for an Environmental testing lab for a few years where I started off with just photo copying, and numbering large books of data. I hand numbered books,with a stamp, that were sometimes more than 300 pages long! I could be heard stamping page numbers throughout the lobby! After a while I started learning data entry. It was a great learning experience...until we were all escorted from the building by federal marshals because the company was bankrupt and was unable to make rent. That was exciting!

Four movies I'd watch over and over again:
in no particular order
1. On the Town with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra.
2. Up in Arms with Danny Kaye, if I could find a copy of it! I love the crazy songs that he sings, and they were written by his wife!
3. Star Wars, the original trilogy.
4. The Lord of the Rings (I'm with you there Rose!)

Four places I've lived:
1. Eufaula, Oklahoma until 1985(born in McAlester)
2. Selma, California
3. Clovis, California
4. Tollhouse, California (foothills outside of Clovis/Fresno)
5. San Diego, California
6. Murrieta, California
7. and Freiburg, Germany (I've lived longer here than in any of the other places!)
Okay, that was more than four...I won't go into how many times I went back and forth between some of these places!

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Navy CIS
2. Crossing Jordan
3. Schmekt Nicht Gibts Nicht (hard to translate...it's a cooking show...he uses pretty simple ingrediants to make yummy, quick, meals)
4. 24 (on DVD with my hubby)

Four places I've been:
1. Rome Italy (for our first anniversary)
2. Swiss alps (only about 2 hours from us)
3. Australia (twice to visit my sis)
4. Schloss Heroldeck in Austria (in the Austrian Alps)

Four Websites I visit daily:
1. Fox News, to get the news in English.
2. Our blog, to see if anyone has commented
3. Freinds blogs
I really don't visit any other sites daily...

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Steak and potatoes
2. Carne Asada burriutos (or Mexican food in general. We don't get it here unless I make it myself)
3. Käse Spätzle (A German noodle, covered in cheese and baked)
4. Chicken Ceaser salad (something I really only get in California)
(ok, now I'm hungry! and homesick! ;) j/k, but I think I will make tortillas tomorrow!)

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Perth, Australia (to visit my sis)
2. Anywhere with a fireplace to curl up in front of with a good book.
3. Freiburg
4. Freiburg
There isn't really anywhere else I'd rather be for any amount of time!

Four bloggers I've tagged:
1. you
2. you
3. you
4. and you
You know who you are! ; ) heeheehee

Well I look forward to reading some meme's from some other bloggers!
I will get around to my other posts in the next couple of days, hopefully, before we hit the road again this weekend!

Happy Birthday Dariah!


My how time flies! Dariah is one year old already! We had a few people over for coffee and cake to celebrate the big day. She is beginning to try and walk, she can get a few steps before she crumbles. She thinks it's hillarious to stand up and plop down on her bottom! She has already got quite the personality. She is a lot of fun, at a fun age!
It's been so long since I posted any pictures, I just put a bunch into a slide show. Some from Dariah's birthday and other just random shots.

Tagged

I have a ton of things to post right now, but I will begin with the 4x9 meme that my friend Rose tagged us with. (Davey will cover the other one Rose :) ) I am assuming that I stick to her subjects, so here it goes!

Four jobs I've had:
1. My first job was a little mini-mart/restaraunt called Humphrey's station in the foothills outside of Fresno California. I was a cashier, waitress, dishwasher, sometimes cook, a little of everything!
2. I worked at Sea World of California, more than once. My first position was in food service, then I went to Park Operations, after a break of a few years. In Park Ops I worked turnstiles and other various positions, including bathroom duty. After awhile I got a class B drivers licesence and started driving trams in the parking lot and 15 passenger vans, among other parking lot duties. It was fun, that was the first place I was able to use my German that I had been learning in college.
3. I worked for a very short time in a Christian bookstore in San Diego, I don't even remember the name of it...bad I know!
4. While going to college in San Diego I worked for an Environmental testing lab for a few years where I started off with just photo copying, and numbering large books of data. I hand numbered books,with a stamp, that were sometimes more than 300 pages long! I could be heard stamping page numbers throughout the lobby! After a while I started learning data entry. It was a great learning experience...until we were all escorted from the building by federal marshals because the company was bankrupt and was unable to make rent. That was exciting!

Four movies I'd watch over and over again:
in no particular order
1. On the Town with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra.
2. Up in Arms with Danny Kaye, if I could find a copy of it! I love the crazy songs that he sings, and they were written by his wife!
3. Star Wars, the original trilogy.
4. The Lord of the Rings (I'm with you there Rose!)

Four places I've lived:
1. Eufaula, Oklahoma until 1985(born in McAlester)
2. Selma, California
3. Clovis, California
4. Tollhouse, California (foothills outside of Clovis/Fresno)
5. San Diego, California
6. Murrieta, California
7. and Freiburg, Germany (I've lived longer here than in any of the other places!)
Okay, that was more than four...I won't go into how many times I went back and forth between some of these places!

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Navy CIS
2. Crossing Jordan
3. Schmekt Nicht Gibts Nicht (hard to translate...it's a cooking show...he uses pretty simple ingrediants to make yummy, quick, meals)
4. 24 (on DVD with my hubby)

Four places I've been:
1. Rome Italy (for our first anniversary)
2. Swiss alps (only about 2 hours from us)
3. Australia (twice to visit my sis)
4. Schloss Heroldeck in Austria (in the Austrian Alps)

Four Websites I visit daily:
1. Fox News, to get the news in English.
2. Our blog, to see if anyone has commented
3. Freinds blogs
I really don't visit any other sites daily...

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Steak and potatoes
2. Carne Asada burriutos (or Mexican food in general. We don't get it here unless I make it myself)
3. Käse Spätzle (A German noodle, covered in cheese and baked)
4. Chicken Ceaser salad (something I really only get in California)
(ok, now I'm hungry! and homesick! ;) j/k, but I think I will make tortillas tomorrow!)

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Perth, Australia (to visit my sis)
2. Anywhere with a fireplace to curl up in front of with a good book.
3. Freiburg
4. Freiburg
There isn't really anywhere else I'd rather be for any amount of time!

Four bloggers I've tagged:
1. you
2. you
3. you
4. and you
You know who you are! ; ) heeheehee

Well I look forward to reading some meme's from some other bloggers!
I will get around to my other posts in the next couple of days, hopefully, before we hit the road again this weekend!

Thursday, 25 October 2007

Many Faces of Zachie
























This is for Zachie's 'aunties' (godmothers). Here are a few fotos of our/your Zachie-Boy aka 'The Ham' or 'The Long-Haired Hippie' or 'Bubbas' or 'Buddy-Boy'. You can get the individual fotos here if you wish.

Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, 24 October 2007

David's Mighty Men (and Women)

Well, we are back now from our Leadership Retreat this past weekend up in the Black Forest. Each year all the leaders get away for a weekend of focused teaching, prayer and fellowship. It was an awesome retreat - I would have to say one of the best in the last few years. We had Pastor Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspointe in Dublin, Ireland come and share his heart - he taught a series on the 'Mighty Men of David'. We were so blessed and very much challenged by God's Word through Kevin. On top of that, we had amazing times of praise and worship and prayer and overall it was a great time of fellowship with 'my mighty men and women'. We truly sensed God's hand upon us all and His Spirit moving mightily throughout the whole weekend.

Speaking of retreats - you can pray for me as I will be the guest speaker for the church retreat for CC Heidelberg and another church in Sinsheim. That will be in a week and a half, so pray that I am able to get everything ready for that. And for us as a Phamily, as we will be on the road yet again!





Many Faces of Zachie
























This is for Zachie's 'aunties' (godmothers). Here are a few fotos of our/your Zachie-Boy aka 'The Ham' or 'The Long-Haired Hippie' or 'Bubbas' or 'Buddy-Boy'. You can get the individual fotos here if you wish.

Posted by Picasa

David's Mighty Men (and Women)

Well, we are back now from our Leadership Retreat this past weekend up in the Black Forest. Each year all the leaders get away for a weekend of focused teaching, prayer and fellowship. It was an awesome retreat - I would have to say one of the best in the last few years. We had Pastor Kevin Fitzgerald from Crosspointe in Dublin, Ireland come and share his heart - he taught a series on the 'Mighty Men of David'. We were so blessed and very much challenged by God's Word through Kevin. On top of that, we had amazing times of praise and worship and prayer and overall it was a great time of fellowship with 'my mighty men and women'. We truly sensed God's hand upon us all and His Spirit moving mightily throughout the whole weekend.

Speaking of retreats - you can pray for me as I will be the guest speaker for the church retreat for CC Heidelberg and another church in Sinsheim. That will be in a week and a half, so pray that I am able to get everything ready for that. And for us as a Phamily, as we will be on the road yet again!





Friday, 19 October 2007

Phamily, Phriends and Phun











We had a friend from Calvary Chapel Heidelberg with us this weekend and we had a lot of fun. I got to know Fiona on the outreach team to the Ukraine and we hit it off - especially as she is one of the few Europeans who understand my weird, sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek Ammie humor. On our day off we (along with another visitor from Down Under) went to the local animal park - it was a great time of phellowship and phun.

Phamily, Phriends and Phun











We had a friend from Calvary Chapel Heidelberg with us this weekend and we had a lot of fun. I got to know Fiona on the outreach team to the Ukraine and we hit it off - especially as she is one of the few Europeans who understand my weird, sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek Ammie humor. On our day off we (along with another visitor from Down Under) went to the local animal park - it was a great time of phellowship and phun.

Thursday, 18 October 2007

How to Be Optimistic :-)

Here's another cool read - 'how to be optimistic'. It's from a non-Christian perspective but it actually is pretty biblical (well most of it). Isn't it kinda telling that with all the pyschology and counseling 'methods' and directions in the world, they 'discover' a method that actually God has already detailed in His Word?! Good read, very helpful - at least for those who tend to be pessimistic or often depressed or just plain grumpy (schlecht gelaunt for you Deutsche)! ;-) Was very helpful for me as a reminder.

Here are the main points of the article (you can find the full article here). I took the liberty of adding some bible verses that I think fit (again, not all in the article is directly biblical). If the Spirit shows you other verses - add them in your comments.

1. Let go of the assumption that the world is against you....
Rom 8.31 - 'What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?'

2. Look for the source of your pessimism.
Rom 8.5-6 - 'For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.'

3. Understand that the past does not equal the future.
2Cor 5.17 - 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.'

4. See yourself as a cause, not an effect.
Matt 7.12 - 'Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.'

5. Accept pain, failure and disappointment as a part of life, not the entirety of it.
1Pet 4.19 - 'Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.'
Rom 8.28 - 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.'

6. Be thankful.
1Thess 5.17 - 'in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you'

7. Use positive affirmations.
Phil 4.8 - 'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.'

8. Remember that life is short.
Ps 90.10,12 - 'The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years...So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'
1Tim 6.17b - '...but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.'

9. Be a balanced optimist.
Neh 8.10 - 'Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." '

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

How to Be Optimistic :-)

Here's another cool read - 'how to be optimistic'. It's from a non-Christian perspective but it actually is pretty biblical (well most of it). Isn't it kinda telling that with all the pyschology and counseling 'methods' and directions in the world, they 'discover' a method that actually God has already detailed in His Word?! Good read, very helpful - at least for those who tend to be pessimistic or often depressed or just plain grumpy (schlecht gelaunt for you Deutsche)! ;-) Was very helpful for me as a reminder.

Here are the main points of the article (you can find the full article here). I took the liberty of adding some bible verses that I think fit (again, not all in the article is directly biblical). If the Spirit shows you other verses - add them in your comments.

1. Let go of the assumption that the world is against you....
Rom 8.31 - 'What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?'

2. Look for the source of your pessimism.
Rom 8.5-6 - 'For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.'

3. Understand that the past does not equal the future.
2Cor 5.17 - 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.'

4. See yourself as a cause, not an effect.
Matt 7.12 - 'Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.'

5. Accept pain, failure and disappointment as a part of life, not the entirety of it.
1Pet 4.19 - 'Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.'
Rom 8.28 - 'And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.'

6. Be thankful.
1Thess 5.17 - 'in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you'

7. Use positive affirmations.
Phil 4.8 - 'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.'

8. Remember that life is short.
Ps 90.10,12 - 'The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years...So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'
1Tim 6.17b - '...but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.'

9. Be a balanced optimist.
Neh 8.10 - 'Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." '

Saturday, 13 October 2007

Need Duct Tape?

Ok, I know this is kinda borderline, but I just had to post it. This gets my vote for the best use of duct tape ever! It speaks for itself.

But if you still can't read the caption below the foto, it says - '3M Duct tape. Making the world a prettier place.'