Life

It has been about 2 weeks since I put any deep thoughts on this blog. Not because I have not had deep thoughts... but more because I have had too many deep thoughts to filter through and post. I do not want this blog to be an online journal. Who wants the whole world to read their deepest thoughts? Not me! If you want to know those we need to sit down for coffee and chat for a couple hours. :-)


I thought I would post a couple photos of things that have occured in the past couple weeks, people I am spending time with, and anything else that comes to mind.

1. My friend Bekah is going or is already back in the states. I suddenly feel more alone over here. I have great friends but it is precious that such a dear friend was also in Europe. Beks, I miss you. I look forward to seeing you soon.. if only for a short time.

2. I am going to Italy on Thursday for vacation. I get to meet up with my dear friend Kristin and my new friend Louisa is going with us. I really hope to relax and I pray that all three of us will be refreshed. I also pray for safety. Three pretty girls in Italy... may we be wise. :-)


3. The World Cup is going on and while i mentioned previously that the country of Germany is going crazy.. I also am really into it. I even bought a shirt that says Welcome Home to the World Cup... I think all my time with the Athletes in Action people is rubbing off on me. I have always enjoyed sports... I am hanging out with people who live sports. It is so great! :-)

4. This girl is Anna. She works at Klostermühle, the German speaking Torchbearer school in Germany. She wore here Netherlands shirt one night when we watched them play and lose.. it was sad... they did not play very well. But Anna was great and a great connection. With every new friend I make in Germany I wonder how long I will be here. I also met Natalie there, she thinks I should marry a German man so I must stay here. Hmmm... Anyway, Klostermühle was a wonderful experience. that is where the AIA conferences were held that I got to help with.


Well, maybe that is it for now. Many more thoughts and processings... but that will have to wait for a coffee time.

Adrienne's Birthday

This is Adrienne and I:

Today is Adrienne's birthday.

Adriienne is a dear, dear, dear friend of mine. And if the Lord had not brought her here to Kandern, I may never have met her. I am truly blessed!

the Swiss Alps

Last Saturday Deb and I went to Switzerland to see the Alps. It was a beautiful day. tank top and shorts kind of day. We drove a lot but when we got to the top of the overpass it was so worth it! That overpass is closed a lot due to snow and it has only recently opened. Imagine with me if you can... windows down, worship music turned up... Holy is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is filled with His glory.... and the scenary is this:


And this... shoen ser shoen

I returned that night full of praise to the Lord and joy about what He has created. big bang? yeah right! Not a chance. :-)

And at the top it was a bit cooler... but just to prove I was there.... :-)

World Cup fever in Kandern

I was walking home the other day and just had to take a photo. Sleepy little Kandern has gone a bit crazy with World Cup excitement. :-) this is one of the main streets.. but the other main street looks the same this month. Each shop has chosen a different countries flags to display and along the streets.. a row of German flags, a row with 3 different countries flags, a row of German flags, a row of three different countries flags...
More and more Germans are telling me that they have never seen so many German flags... I notice that many of the German flags that people are flying.. are brand new.. still creased and everything!

and yes... Czech pounded the US in the game on Monday night.

AIA World CUP Is the site for the World Cup project coverage. My good friend Adrienne is one of the people posting updates each day along with photos and stories. :) I SO much enjoyed this past week. It encouraged my heart to serve along side good friends in preparing the hearts of about 90 young soccer players to go share their faith and make God a bigger priority than winning. It was so great to hear the speakers talk about how winning is good but they will know you are Christians by your love for others. How do you play the game? I find more and more that AIA knows what they are doing and they do it well! I am proud to be partnered with them in ministry! Here is a photo of the conference/project team. :-)


front row: Louisa from South Africa (she will travel with me later this summer) Kacey and Kenny are the two boys in front who do not look very happy to be there. :-) they are Christian and Sondrein's boys.

second row: Jonell (husband Galen behind her) they are from Dallas Oregon. :-) Lisa and Kevin are next to Jonell with their girl Emily. (Lisa and Kevin are Kiwis and he is the AIA Germany director) Sondrein is next with Christian behind her, and Adrienne on the end.

third row: Galen, Brad, Ben (wife Jessye in back row, they are from northern Washington), Christian and then Scott

Back row: shorter people... Me, David (not shorter.. so he is crouching down. He is from the UK, speaks, English, Norwegian, French and German.. fluently... and he is only 22.) Jessye, and Michele (Michele is from the AIA headquarters in Xenia, Ohio)

Whew... fun people. Good memories. Now I am back in Kandern a bit under the weather so to speak... so I am resting. But the weather outside is amazing! SUNNNNNNNYYYYYYY :-) I love it!