Off to Kindergarten...

Nathaniel went to Kindergarten today. He was up and excited at 6:45 this morning! We packed his McQueen backpack with a few snacks, pencils, pens, his new chapstick, and a couple pictures of our family. He brought his rain coat and boots and rain pants, too (required for German school). I took the boys in the bike trailer and we rode off to kindergarten. German Kindergarten is more like pre-school. There is more emphasis on play-skills and social-skills than on structured academics. There were lots of great activities: trains, Legos, wood blocks, markers, pencils, sewing, weaving, kitchen and home-making toys, microscopes with lots of real insect samples, and large outdoors play area. The teachers can speak some English, but instruction, including bible time at the nearby church, singing, and stories are all in German. I stayed with him for about an hour. Josiah loved the time we spent there, too!

I left him there for the morning. I prayed for him as a rode away. I felt a little teary-eyed, but confident that this is a good thing and good place. The only time he whined or fussed was when I came back at lunchtime. He wasn't ready to leave yet and he didn't want me there! He said he'd like to go back again this evening, but he'll have to wait for tomorrow morning. Right now he's fast asleep for a nap.

I am glad he enjoyed his first day. I hope that he will learn German and learn to love others and share. I pray for opportunities to love others and share our lives with other families, too. Please pray for us!

Biker Boys

Nathaniel learned to ride a bike without training wheels last week! He was so proud. He didn't think he could do it (actually, neither did I), but Daddy had confidence and patience. They just kept on trying. By the end of an hour he was pedaling down the street with a big handsome smile! He has been riding a few times since then, and he continues to amaze me. Nathaniel is not very good at steering straight - so we try to ride where there are not cars parked nearby...



Josiah is starting to ride Nathaniel's Laufrad ("running bike"). He walks along the sidewalk and all around the yard. He feels big and he likes that he can ride a bike like Nathaniel. He can't run with it, but running and balance will come with time!



Enjoy these videos of the boys in action!

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Today, August 12, is Josiah's 2nd birthday. I've included a slide show so you can see what a wonderful little boy he's become.

Josiah loves to giggle and chatter. He tells silly stories and funny jokes that make Nathaniel laugh, too. He charms everyone at our church because he remembers names and says hello to them each Sunday. He brings such joy to our lives and to the lives of many around us. He gives great hugs. He comes to my bed every morning for a couple minutes for a snuggle after Daddy's gone to work and before Nathaniel has woken up. I cherish those quiet little moments with him. He is tough, too. He argues with Nathaniel about anything and everything (recently heard from the bathroom : "No! No! No! It's not! It is my turn to go potty!!"). He likes to grab other children's toys and make a run for it. He usually succeeds with this method with other children in the nursery because he is quick. He is able to quietly and quickly open doors and escape. He gets roughed up a lot outside and just keeps on truckin'. He likes to climb high and run fast. He loves to dig in the dirt. He is learning to ride a trike and a laufrad and enjoys these "big boy" activities. He's growing up very fast. Only his chubby cheeks and chubby thighs reveal how much of a baby he still is. Otherwise, he is all BOY! Happy Birthday Sweet Funny Josiah! We love you! (If you're curious to see Nathaniel's 2 year old slide show, follow this link!)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 10th Anniversary! 10 years ago today I stood with a happy heart and jittery knees to marry the love of my life. He's still the love of my life. He is kind and patient, funny and cute, and he has a sparkle in his eyes that I adore. He is a good Daddy and we are figuring out this parenting stuff together. He loves God and seeks Him on our behalf. I love you Tom and always will!

Summer Travels, achey hearts, and new friends

Hello Again Friends! Sorry for the delay, but we've been gone again. I guess that is why our blog is titled "Our Life Far Away" - because we are always far away from somewhere, usually from home. In June we enjoyed a visit from Tom's cousin, Nick. We did a few local travels and enjoyed having a German and French spokesman with us! Nick is quite the linguist and quite the super-babysitter. I was able to catch up on a dental cleaning while he watched the kids, as well as a few other errands. We enjoyed his stay with us. As I usually say, anyone is welcome to come visit and stay in our home!! We enjoy playing tour-guide =)!





















This July we were traveling in Minnesota, my former home, and hopefully our future home, too (after Germany, and before Heaven, that is)! My brother Mark got married to a super girl named Krystal. What a blessed and joyful wedding it was! Tom and I sang and the boys were ring-bearers. We also enjoyed time at a family reunion. And we celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday with a surprise party. We spent lots of our hours outdoors- hiking, boating, fishing, and just hanging out at various playgrounds all across the Twin Cities. The flight was LONG (alone without Daddy), but our airplane neighbors were so nice and helped me with carrying the boys and the stuff when both of them were fast asleep and we had to stand in long customs lines. It was as though this one man was an angel placed in the seat next to us. He was never annoyed and played legos with Nathaniel and read him a story while I walked and rocked Josiah.

While in MN it was such a JOY being able to catch up with a couple friends from years ago, and made a new friend, too. Let me admit, that I am struggling with loneliness like never before in my life. I just cannot seem to grow close to anyone. Everyone is so busy, and kids are so demanding, and this is just a tough time in life. Many ladies have told me how the pre-school years are draining and that this phases will pass...and I know it will, but it is a lonesome place to be right now. It was so nice to have extra hands and hugs while staying by my parents, and less household responsibilities, too! I recently read a couple days of devotions in the "My Utmost For His Highest" book that admonished me to look out the world in need and to look up to God, letting go of my sin and constant self-evaluation and allowing Him to give the joy and the fulfillment. Yeah, tough to do. I am always introspective and pondering my failures, my hopes, my desires for my children....my...my...my... and I have a hard time letting go to look up to Him to rejoice in His great salvation!! Does anyone else feel this way? Do you have any stories or joys or a practical advice to share on how God changed your self-inspection to God-reflection?

Please enjoy the pictures of the kids and our travels in Minnesota. Thanks for listening (watching?) to my personal and spiritual longings.

Little Big Boys

Lately the boys have been growing up in leaps and bounds. We've been out hiking and walking a lot lately, and both boys are troopers for long distances! Josiah has graduated from his crib to a toddler bed. Josiah talks all the time and tells "jokes". His favorite jokes are about granola bars - and all the weirdest places one could find a granola bar. Nathaniel laughs hysterically about Josiah's jokes. I gave both of them haircuts today. They have been squabbling and acting like brothers, not at all like babies.

Yesterday we harvested our first peas from the garden. Both boys helped pick a bowl full. Nathaniel loaded them into his dump truck and wheeled them into the house and dumped them on the counter. He called it "hardhat harvesting!" We've also been out strawberry picking/devouring on 4 occasions on a local farm. The boys little red-berry stained faces are a joyful sight to see!

Nathaniel had an opportunity to help promote Daddy to the position of Major in the US Army. Nat ripped off the Captain's patch and put on the new patch for Major. He got it on nice and straight and was very pleased with his official part of the ceremony. We all shook hands and Nathaniel acted very civil for quite awhile! Go TOM! Go Nat! I love you guys!

Full of Stories

Well, we've returned from our journey to South Africa. We are full of stories, pictures, prayers, and praises. We have new eyes for issues and concerns we've never had faces for. For example - we now know personally the children who are suffering from hunger and the women who cook soup for hundreds of these little ones on a daily basis. And now we've met and been blessed by many others who worship the same God - in their own passionate and lively way!

It was a difficult time for us to parent well and minister to other needy folks, too. Nathaniel was unhappy and upset about everything while we were there and it was difficult to help him with his overwhelming emotions. Honestly, I felt very ineffective and like a failure as I tried to do all things well. But I typically feel that way at home, too. God is working on us, and I do not enjoy His discipline, but trust that through God's workmanship Tom, my children's, and my heart will be changed and our reflection of His glory will be made more perfect through these trials and parenting challenges. We did learn a lot, see a lot, and experienced "real life missions with our kids" (which we've not done before).

South Africa is place of extremes - whites & blacks, wealth & poverty, mountains & plains, violence & peace, donkey-drawn-carts & BMWs, deserts & oceans, modern conveniences & earthen huts, huge elephants & tiny bee-eater birds. I hope you will see that in the pictures and be moved to prayer or to ask questions about how you may be involved, too. You know, a blog is meant to be interactive, so please comment!

By the way, the music in the photo show is titled "Two Weeks in Africa" by Caedmon's Call...check out the lyrics - how appropriate!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We're in Africa...

We are still far, far away in Africa. I just wanted to plead for your prayers that we will finish well. That Nathaniel will calm down and be less angry and behave better. That we will stay safe on the road. That our team will continue to seek unity. That the children and teens we will speak to this weekend at the youth events will see and know God as their salvation...

Hey Good-Lookin'!

Here's a few photos of the boys in the clothes we got for Uncle Mark's wedding! I had to do a little altering since the pants were too big, but I think it will work out okay. Those are some good lookin' boys, if I don't say so myself! I also included a little video taken recently of the boys singing together.

Prayer Guide for South Africa

Please pray with us! We are heading out in just 4 days to South Africa. God is mighty, whether or not you choose to pray, but it will be your privilege and blessing to join with us in prayer and ministry. Here is a suggested prayer guide for May 13-31.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7, NIV)

May 13:
Pray For Caroline and the Team as they depart for South Africa. Pray for a pleasant and safe journey. Pray also for Sita as she is travelling from the United States to South Africa.

May 14:
Pray for the team as they arrive in Johannesburg, SA and for a smooth connection to Cape Town. It will be a 40 minute drive to their destination at Gordon`s Bay, Cape Town.

May 15:
Pray for IIOM Team as they will fellowship with Berenice & her family along with other Pastors and friends. Pray that this social and B-BQ evening will be a great time together.

May 16:
Pray for the Sunday morning service at the Calvary Baptist Church in Elsies River. Pray for the IIOM Team as they would participate in testimonies and songs. Pray for the speaker.

May 17:
Pray for our first day of VBS`s in Belhar & Uitsig. Pray for the team as they minister and witness to the children & feed the children. Pray for the evening service at Eden Elohim. Pray for the team as they minister.

May 18:
Pray for the 2nd day of VBS`s. Pray for children`s salvation. Pray for spiritual breakthrough. Pray for the 2nd Evening Service at Eden Elohim. Pray for the church that they would be challenged by the team.

May 19:
Pray for our 3rd day of VBS. Pray that there will be a special touch of God upon the lives of each child. Pray for the team as they will minister in the Acts Mission Church in Grassy Park. Pray for God`s blessings.

May 19:
Pray for our last day of VBS. Pray for Margot and her team in Belhar & for Sita and her team in Uitsig. Pray for fruitful results. Pray for the team at the Acts Mission Church. Pray for God`s anointing upon them.

May 20:
Pray for the IIOM Team as they enjoy their first free sight seeing day. Pray for God`s protection and a pleasant time. Pray for the combine service of the Men & Ladies Conferences in the evening.

May 21:
Pray for the Ladies Conference at Calvary Baptist and the Men`s Conference at Full Gospel Church in Belhar. Pray for the key speakers and seminar speakers as they minister God`s word to the people.

May 22:
Pray for the Sunday morning service at the Church of God in Elsies River. Pray for the Team as they once again minister in song & testimonies . Pray for Sandra as she addresses the church.

May 23:
Pray for the Team`s health and well-being. Pray for their 2nd free sight-seeing day . Pray for the Evangelism Explosion evening at Calvary Baptist Church in Hanover Park. For the moving of God`s Spirit .

May 24:
Pray for the Team`s Families. Pray for Sita`s son Tere as he is left with her step mom. Pray for God`s hand over them. Pray for the once again for the Evangelism Explosion Evening.

May 25:
Pray for Tom & Sara and their 2 sons . Pray that God will bless this family as they are serving God. Pray for the boys that they will be healthy throughout the trip. Pray for the Evangelism Explosion.

May 26:
Pray for Team as we will hand out tracts to the people in Hanover Park and invite them over to the Evangelism Explosion Evening. Pray for precious souls to come into God`s Kingdom.

May 27:
Pray for the Team on the 3rd sight seeing day. Pray once again for God`s protection on them as we will explore the beauty of South Africa. Pray for a wonderful day of fellowship and unity.

May 28:
Pray for the Team as some will start packing to return to Germany & others will stay for 3 extra days. Pray for the Youth Rally at the AOG in Vahala Park Pray that God works in their hearts.

May 29:
Pray for the Team members who will leave to return to Germany. Pray for those who will remain that they will rest & relax and enjoy the beautiful ocean and the wonderful mountains.

May 30:
Pray for Caroline`s Family who will be writing their final exams. Pray that they will study and that God will give them great success and that they will get good results. Pray for Udo as he is taking charge.

May 31:
Pray for Mike. Pray especially for his mom as she is slowly recovering from her lung surgery. Pray for a speedy recovery. Pray for him as he will be responsible along with Tom for the music and worship team.

Free Books!

I was searching for some audio books for Nathaniel to listen to while we are traveling in the next few weeks. I had hoped to find some free resources, and I was thrilled when I found this great website! There are thousands of books for kids and adults and it seems pretty easy to download and legitimate. I look forward to listening to some good books in the near future!

And what was said to the rose...

I have been blessed by the colors and smells of Spring. It brings great joy to me to think of the way God makes all things new. I am struggling with selfish emotions and a dislike for disciplining my children. (Being a stay-at-home Mom is hard work!) But, I am often praying and singing out there in the garden. God is working on my sinful heart. I think the garden is a place of renewal, showing me God's ever faithful plan for my heart and for His creation. God is speaking to my innermost thoughts and bringing my sin and selfishness out into the light. So much like He does to the flowers - from seeds to plant to harvest.

It reminds of the song "Here is Our King" by David Crowder with these lyrics:
From wherever spring arrives to heal the ground, From where ever searching comes to look itself
And what was said to the rose to make it unfold, Was said to me, here in my chest
A trace of what we're looking for, so be quiet now, and wait

We've been enjoying the spring temperature climb over the last couple of weeks. We spend most of our days outside, even meals (yeah! less sweeping and mopping the kitchen). The boys love bikes and trikes and ride them all over the yard all day. We've been doing a lot of gardening. Nathaniel has been a cheerful helper with all things concerning dirt. He picked out the seeds for the beets from the grocery store, since he was curious about beets. He wrote his own label for them and planted in them in rows. He even made me a "special plant mixture" containing mud, sand, water, and random pieces of wood and rocks he's found in the yard. He stirred and stirred his mixture to get it just right for the "plants to be healthy" so he says...

Our garden in the back has mostly vegetables - carrots, peas, onions, tomatoes, Nathaniel's beets, lettuce of various kinds, basil, watercress, and parsley. I planted seeds of most plants, but a few lettuce and tomato seedlings. Today we harvested lettuce for our dinner salad! I gave Nathaniel a scissors and some directions, and he became the proud "harvester!" In the front, we have pots of herbs, shrubs, beautiful lilacs, 2 clematis (on my homemade trellis like this), and I have holes waiting to be filled with flowers (they are free to us from our army-self-help store) when they are available. The soil here is light and easy to dig. It seems pretty fertile, since there are plants and trees of all kinds sprouting everywhere around us. I am so thrilled! We are going to be gone for most of May and maybe in July...but I will try to enlist the help of my neighbor and a timer-sprinkler to keep things going. If you live nearby, please come over and enjoy the plants and eventually the harvest =)!

I've included pictures of our gardening process, from start to present state. I had to put up a little fence to keep Josiah from trampling the new little sprouts with his tricycle, but otherwise everything is pretty natural. I used branches and fishing line for the peas to climb; it looks a bit like a spider web, but I think it will be efficient. My hope is that the garden will be pretty minimal expense and minimalist in appearance, but maximum harvest and maximum display of God's creation!

Enjoy spring and be blessed. I am sure God is at work on your heart, too, so keep in touch.

...but you don't have to take my word for it!

I have just read two SUPER books. They are totally unrelated, and it took me a couple months to read them little by little, but both books are well-worth anyone's time.

The first one, Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman, was a great resource of ideas and scripture to help with Godly parenting. I love this lady and her truthful, insightful, love of God's word and love for children. I really think all parents and "pre-parents" should read this book!

The second one, I Dared to Call Him Father, by Bilquis Sheikh, is the autobiography of a Muslim woman who became a Christian, even at the risk of her life and her family's well-being. She is so amazing and in love with Jesus Christ. It was very encouraging, engaging, and pretty simple quick reading.

These books have been my companions and encouragement during a dry lonely spell in life here. Odd, I sound like I am on Reading Rainbow, come on now, everybody say it..."but you don't have to take my word for it!"

Prayer Requests for our Africa Trip!

Perhaps some of you have not even heard that we (all 4 of us) will be traveling to South Africa this May. For 1 week we will visit friends who we met while living in New England who are missionaries in the Johannesburg area and for 2 weeks we will be ministering and working in Capetown.

We have often wondered how come God continues to place South Africans on our life path. We are still pondering, but following along that path down to South Africa again with a group gathered from several churches here. I (Sara) went on a missions trip to Zambia in 1998; later Tom and I together traveled while Tom worked at a hospital in South Africa in 2004 and I volunteered with a local church ministry. We continue to befriend those lovely South Africans - at our churches, at our workplaces, and even here while stationed in Germany!

I ask for your prayers- now as we prepare - and during the last 3 weeks of May while we are in South Africa. Since we did not need money donations we did not send out any letters, but we greatly desire your prayer support. These pictures I've collected are not mine, but are very reminiscent of our journeys to Africa. I hope that the images will stick in your mind and help to remind you of the great needs for prayer, some of which I have listed below:

1. for kindness and unity to flow from our group so as to be wonderful fragrance of Christ where ever we go together
2. for our little boys and for me, when they encounter new people, places, foods, and transitions. (There is a lady there who has volunteered to care for them while we are busy, but I am an anxious Mommy about putting my babies in someone else's care!)
3. for many to see and know Christ Jesus and become His children through our evangelism and outreach
4. for Tom & I to see and know if God wants to stay, live, or give support to South African ministry

Easter Preparations

I have been reading and praying and teaching Nathaniel about Easter and why we celebrate. There is so much other "stuff" - such as eggs, baskets, and bunnies - and it is fun and cute, too. I really want him to see and know the wondrous gift of God's son Jesus. Then we can do fun stuff, once the foundational parts of this awesome holiday are set in place. I continue to pray that the Lord will use my efforts and that his "head knowledge" will someday grow into "heart knowledge."

Anyhow, this is what we are doing. I have gathered some verses, little symbols, and plastic Easter eggs. For the 2 weeks prior to Easter, we are reading these verses and discussing the symbols that I have put in each egg. It is a lot like an advent calendar, but with eggs instead. It is still kind of work in progress - I am trying to find the right symbols and good verses to explain God's redeeming work on Easter. So far, we have been opening 1 egg each day and then I plan to hide them all on Easter (along with some candy-filled ones) and have the boys search to find them all. Hopefully the kids will be able to recount the story of God's work by looking through all the symbols again. I'd like to use these eggs year after year. If any other families want to share this idea or modify, please do so!

Egg #1:
Message -- Help your child understand why Jesus was called "the Lamb of God" (his role as the unblemished sacrifice)
Passages -- Ex. 12:21-24; John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7-8
Item-- a cotton ball or piece of wool

Egg #2:
Message -- Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches. Act out the "parade" of Palm Sunday as a family. Have family members take turns putting themselves in the place of Jesus, receiving a royal welcome but knowing that the crowd's intentions would change in less than a week. Note: the word hosanna translates "save us, we beseech thee."
Passage -- Matthew 21:1-11
Item -- Piece of palm or other variety of leafy branch

Egg #3:
Message -- Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
Passage -- John 12:2-8
Item -- Small perfume sample or cloth with perfume or a piece of cotton with cologne on it

Egg #4:
Message -- Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage -- Matthew 26:17-19
Item – a piece of Chex cereal or cracker

Egg #5:
Message -- Jesus gave the disciples at the Last Supper a new commandment, that they should love and serve one another. he showed them by washing their feet.
Passage: Look up John 13:34-35 to discover the "new commandment" Jesus gives.
Item – small piece of soap to represent the washing of His disciples' feet

Egg #6:
Message -- Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Talk about your child's experiences of betrayal or disappointment in friendships. Imagine Jesus' personal hurt at Judas's treachery and the subsequent desertion of Christ's closest allies.
Passage -- Matthew 26:1-16, 47-56, 27:3
Item -- 3 coins or plastic “silver” money


Egg #7:
Message -- Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage -- John 19:17
Item – small sticks in a cross form; or, a small plastic cross from a Christmas ornament or necklace.

Egg #8:
Message -- Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
Passage -- John 19:2
Item -- Small thorny branch, or a large thorn all by itself.

Egg #9:
Message -- Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage -- John 19:23
Item -- Swatch of burlap and a nail. I’ve also seen miniature dice used for this one.

Egg #10:
Message -- Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage -- John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item -- A nail

Egg #11:
Message -- They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage -- Matthew 27:34
Item -- A small sponge

Egg #12:
Message -- Spices to prepare Jesus for burial. The name Good Friday probably evolved from the phrase "God's Friday." Talk about why the day Christ died is ultimately very good the best because we all need a Savior.

Passage -- John 19:40
Item -- 7 or 8 whole cloves, or other whole spices


Egg #13:
Message -- The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away. Get a clearer idea of the miracle of the tomb rock rolling away by finding a large rock and trying to roll it yourselves. Note that only an act of God could put the guards to sleep and move such a big stone.

Passage -- John 20:1
Item -- A small rock

Egg #14:
Message -- The napkin around Jesus' head was lying separately from His linen clothes. He was not there. He has risen!
Passage -- John 20:6-7
Item -- A scrap of linen-type fabric

Egg #15:
Message -- In Christ's death and resurrection we also become new creatures.
Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Item – small plastic butterflies or home-made with tissue paper

Ooops

I said we'd be here until summer 1010, I meant 2011! There's still time to visit!

Our House

We now live in a duplex in a residential neighborhood on our post. It is quite nice. The kitchen is very big and I am loving all the nooks to store stuff - it is like a dream of mine to someday have a "place for everything and everything in its place" and this is a step in the right direction! There are 4 bedrooms upstairs, a main floor dining and living area, and also a basement for laundry and storage.

There is a small yard. The kids love the outdoor space, and we can just go right out the back door and not have to go down 3 flights of stairs. Yesterday they were just covered in mud, since it has been raining here, and they were as happy as could be! We have our own washer and dryer, too, so mud is not too big of a problem. I didn't need more indoor space, as I don't know how to decorate and am rather predictable, but the yard and a future flower/vegetable garden thrills my heart.

Nathaniel made me a "mocha coffee" today (mud, in a small green bucket) and has been picking little flowering weeds for me. He has been very affectionate lately (and argumentative, we take the good with the bad). Finally, spring has arrived - breezy and fresh and it beckons us outside every day. Tom has been extended in our location until summer of 2011, so we'll enjoy all the seasons in this home. I've attached 2 pictures - enjoy - and come see us for yourself!

Grandpa Denny & Grandma Sue's Visit

For about 10 days, we enjoyed a visit from Tom's parents from March 7-17th. Here's a little overview of our days together, but there are lots more stories to tell and pictures to share! We enjoyed a few days here at the house, a game night, and driving to nearby castles in Heidelberg, Bensheim, and Heddesheim along the "Berg Strasse". We ate lots of good food (both out and about and at home). Nathaniel and Josiah enjoyed many stories and sing-alongs with Grandma.

We had the opportunity to host Tom's 1996 foreign exchange host family in our home for an afternoon of dining and getting to know one another. They live in Hamburg, but were down this way visiting relatives and we were overjoyed to have them stop by here, too! Finally the parents who had sent their young sons over the ocean to live with another family were joined to meet! There were lots of stories and sharing of photos.

We journeyed to the Alps in Bavaria for a couple days, too. While in Bavaria, we were all once again impressed by the marvelous mountains, the Alps are never disappointing, and Grandpa and Grandma were full of oohs and ahhhs! It was fun to sit in the hot-tub at the hotel at the foot of the Zugspitz with snowflakes falling on our noses and eyelashes. We tried some tasty local cheese and beer (made by Monks at the Ettal monastery). We visited the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart. All the men and boys were giddy about the cars and trucks (J & N got to sit and play around in a garbage truck and bus!).

We enjoyed a wonderful 10 days together. We were blessed with joy and fellowship and great evening discussions.

Long Time, No Updates...

Sorry it has been awhile. We've moved! We are still at the same APO address, but a different German house address. Tom was selected to be promoted to Major (way to go!) and we had the opportunity to move to a bigger house that has a yard! We jumped on that chance and have been busy packing, moving, rearranging and so on. Now we are settled, but it took about a month for the phone company to hook our phone and internet. So we've been "webless" and (gasp!) we've survived to tell about it.

The boys have been busy digging and riding their little bikes and trikes all over the lawn. I am looking forward to the coming of spring and planting some flowers and vegetables in our space, too. Spring is slowing appearing in little places where bulbs are sprouting and it is encouraging.

Grandpa Denny and Grandma Sue made the big flight over the ocean and visited us here for the last 10 days. It was a wonderful time of talking and enjoying beauty here in Germany. The kids loved their visit and Josiah has asked me several times "Where Grandpa Denny? Where Daddy?" It is quiet today here; it feels kind of lonely to put away the extra bedding and eat the leftovers from our time together with such wonderful guests.

We really do enjoy visitors - so please come on over. We now have an extra bedroom and an extra bed!! Hooray!

Photos of our house and our European adventures with the Grandparents will soon follow. But I do have to get to work around here, too, and the kids are especially needy today. I suppose they are kind of let-down after all the attention and fun of the last weeks.

Josiah's Words

Our little Josiah is such a chatter box. As I sit here by the computer, he is finishing up his lunch at the table across the room. He's calling to me - "hey! I yahd you!" and "rrrrroar - rrrroar - I'm tiger, sheep, cow" (I guess he can't decide which), just now he said "brush teeth! brush teeth!" and made other less distinguishable sounds which he giggled about as he said them.

Just yesterday he started saying "I love you!" (sounds like I yahd you) and last week, "Bless you!" when I sneezed. He's very funny. He switches topics every few seconds. He knows he's funny, and he laughs at his own "jokes" every time he cracks one. He calls Nathaniel either "Nayo" or "bra-er" (brother). He recently started using 3-4 word statements, too. He loves to shout "let's go!" and "here you go!" He also loves to count - at random times, usually in ordered sets of three such as "2,3,4, chatter, chatter, 8,9,10!" And occasionally supplies the missing word in a song we're singing or in a bible verse we are learning with Nathaniel. It is clear that he listens all the time, by the way he inserts words at appropriate places.

I am amazed at how well he communicates and I appreciate this when I try to help him and he can express himself. He knows the word "no!" all too well, and has begun to talk back at me, too. Who taught him that?! I am pretty sure he would have learned it, and used it in rebellion, whether or not Nathaniel had modeled it for him.