January 1, 2023 frohes neues Jahr!

Die Güte des HERRN ist's, daß wir nicht gar aus sind; seine Barmherzigkeit hat noch kein Ende, sondern sie ist alle Morgen neu, und deine Treue ist groß.  

Klagelider 3:22-23

The Amplified version states it like this:  "It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

New! EVERY! Morning!  Now that's the way to start of this New Year.  May you walk and rest and sleep and live in His lovingkindnesses in 2023.  God bless you all

December 25, 2022 Quickshot: O Tannenbaum

 

Merry Christmas everyone! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isa.9:6

December 17, 2022 Covenanted

 

Thank you for all the prayers.  It was a beautiful day, a lovely family-milestone.  Congratulations J&L.  

December 15, 2022 Cleared for Takeoff

 

"Cleared for takeoff," has to be one of the most underappreciate phrases in the English language.  A winter storm hit our little town this week so we watched for alerts on our flights with bated breath.  More wintery precip was forecast to hit at precisely the time we were supposed to leave the flat for the airport, 4am.  We bundled up and headed to the garage, one of us, whose name will go unmentioned, slipped and fell on their backside before reaching the car.  Unharmed we set off, carefully navigating the usually short, simple route to the airport with care but thankfully without issues.  Baggage checked, boarding passes in-hand, we watched the little display for any changes to our flight. Nothing!  Finally we boarded and heard that beautiful phrase, "Cabin crew cross check and take your seas, we have been cleared for takeoff."  Woohoo,  America here we come.  

December 11, 2022 Quickshot: Like wool

 

Woke up to a wonderful suprise this morning.  This Psalm comes to mind.  "He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes." (Psa.147:6)

December 1, 2022 Twofold blessing and a potential problem.

 

First the twofold blessing:  We are so excited for #J's wedding in just sixteen days, AND we're so excited that we will actually get to be there in-person!  Now, the problem:  Do we change our site name to 16 Beautiful Feet?  Hmmm, something to consider anyway.  

November 24, 2022 Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

While Black Friday has been enthusiastically adopted there's no Thanksgiving, so it's a normal Thursday over here.  That doesn't keep us from being grateful nor wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

November 13, 2022 Quickshot: Next level fair

 

Although we'd been warned before going, the fallfest/carnival/fair we went to last night in a nearby city was, as the kids would say, next level.  Chilly, foggy weather plus neon lights made for some pretty neat photos (check our Insta soon for more pics) and the fun company made for an evening-long laugh session.  

November 5, 2022 The witch's grip is weakening!

 

What a cool treat to see #A performing as Father Christmas is the school's rendition of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.  We were SO proud but all the drama parent - fangirling aside, Tolkien's message is timeless.  Father Christmas is a beautiful reminder that although the witch's impact on Narnia had been severe, her days were numbered.  Sound familiar?  It should.  One day, in the twinkling of an eye, all the worries of this world, all the wars, all the depression, all the cancer, every sick and evil thing on this planet will come to a resolute end.  Oh how we long for that day.  Merry Christmas indeed!  

October 19, 2022 Quickshot: HBDL

 

Happy Birthday to our doughnut eating, guitar strumming, futball (soccer) playing, face-first-into-life-diving, top of her lungs singing, Jesus loving #L.  Grateful for 11 years of this amazing gift.

October 18, 2022 International M Day

 

In honor of international #M day, everyone sip some boba tea, hit up a thrift store, curl up under a fluffy duvet, laugh out loud at a silly meme, hug your buddies a little tighter or shine a little brighter for Jesus today!  Happy 16th Sweet M!

September 10, 2022 Prayer Walking

 

Snapped this shot of our little town as we were out walking earlier today.  Grateful to be planted here and thankful to be part of this community.  Please join us in praying for our neighbors, for the city, for connections and opportunities to shine brightly as we walk out our faith here. 

August 24, 2022 Quickshot: 10th, 8th, 5th

Blast off! Prayers up for #M (10th), #A (8th) and #L (5th grade) as they start the school year today!

August 2, 2022 Quickshots: FRA

Off to the big city of Frankfurt to pickup our itinerant traveler.  Might as well eat some good food and explore while we're here!  :) 

 

July 23, 2022 Flying Solo

 #A is off at camp in the UK this week.  It's a whole new level when dropping off your kids at camp means taking them to the airport.  Thankfully friends were there to pick him up on the other end, take him to get a sausage roll immediately and have been loving on him every since, including a Cheeky Monkey birthday cake (his Bday was yesterday).  Thank you guys for praying for him as he hangs with buddies, sees new things and develops deeper faith roots.

July 14, 2022 Quickshot: God winks

 

One of the cons of moving here was giving up connections to refugees,  Middle Eastern culture and the people we've loved for so many years.  We imagined those days were over and it grieved us as we thought the Father was closing that door.  Have you ever heard the phrase "God wink"?  I look at it as those times when our good Father, through circumstances or people or in just a spoken, timely work, says, "I know you're worried about this but just watch and see what I will do." And then He smiles and winks at you.  

The edited photo above is an illustration of a God wink.  Rarely does a day go by when we don't hear Arabic or Ukrainian or some other language spoken by folks walking down the street by our house.  It makes us smile every time.  God didn't shut the door, He just opened another one.  And then He winked!

June 24, 2022 1st Guests

 

Counting our blessings to welcome our first guests to our new home this week.  As we say in the south, We have wore them the slap out.  It's exhausting work eating all those strudels and that schnitzel and soaking in all this grandeur. :)  Seriously, we'd forgotten how wonderful it was to hug necks and welcome loved ones into our home.  Hospitality is a gift, all the way around. 

June 1, 2022 Quickshot: Summer Travel

 

What Summer travel plans do you have?  Apparently the next couple months are all about revenge travel as mask mandates and travel restrictions are lifted and people finally get out of the house.  After our last year, we're really more excited about staycationing.  Is there such a thing a revenge staying?  Of course we will likely do some exploring, there are some many beautiful places within a short drive or train ride from here.  We will be sure to post some pics here or on Instagram if we do.  

May 14, 2022 Why's he dancing?

 

You may ask yourself, Why is #A dancing in a parking lot?  I'll give you a hint.  It has, nearly, everything to do with that big, golden M on the building behind him.  Sometimes all it takes is a little taste of home to pick us up.  In this case a TWENTY PIECE McNuggets meal (about 9 euros if wondering) on a sunny day was just what he needed.   Grateful for little moments like this and for that kid in the red crocs up there.  

May 10, 2022 Summer Tires: Just a little....or maybe a lot...of patience.

It's the law. If you're going to drive around here, from mid-October-ish until Easter-ish, your vehicle must be equipped with winter tires. So one of today's chores was to take our borrowed car to the shop and navigate the process of changing over to Summer wheels, in our new language.  Oh boy.  Sounds fun, right?  

Using Google translate, hand gestures and the ample patience of the mechanic, we got sorted and as the tires were being changed I walked down the street to a hardware store.  After an hour or so of looking at hämmer, schraubendreher und rasentraktoren I dropped back in to check on the status.  Patient mechanic was waiting, furrowed brow, greasy hands on hips.  Apparently two of the four summer tires I'd brought were in bad shape and he wouldnt be able to install them.  Of course, pretty par for the course.  More Google translate, more gesturing and more patience later I'd bought replacements and we were back in business.  

Thirty minutes passed and I was back in the driver's seat, tires spinning at 80 km/h and reflecting on what I'd just learned.  Yes there was some new vocabulary and yes a bit of local knowledge regarding the nuances of customer service but the chief takeaway was a universal one.  Every now and then, the person in front of you could use a bit of grace or just a little bit....or maybe alot...of patience.  Grateful for the unexpected source of that today, and for Summer tires. 

April 17, 2022 Home

#M returned from a high school retreat last night.  In her new school for less than two weeks yet invited to attend the annual trip to Switzerland.  Talk about impeccable timing.  Can you imagine?  The closest I came to any type of high school retreat was called detention, but I digress.  What I'd like to focus on is her return.  The apartment was quiet, with each of its occupants doing their best to embrace a Saturday evening chill.  All of a sudden, the door burst open, picture a swat team carrying out a no-knock warrant.  I'M HOME EVERYONE!  I'M HOME!  After the initial, heart-clutching shock wore off, it was long welcome-back hugs with enthusiastic squeezing and tender, authentic, I missed you kisses.  #M had thoroughly, like thoroughly!, enjoyed the weekend (an answer to prayers for sure) but she surely and truly missed home.  

As we focus on the empty tomb today, last night's episode has me thinking.  One component of the Holy Week I've never really thought about was Jesus' homecoming.  He endured so much, obedient to the point of death, death on a cross, a Sabbath of rest, quiet and calm and then came Sunday, resurrected, death conquered.  All the hurt, all the grief, all the tears, colliding atomically with the release, the relief, the joy.  His mission on earth completed victoriously.  He endured all those things with this in mind, giving God the glory and returning to the Father....Home!  Jesus had missed home.  

Thank You Jesus for entering into our dirty, sin-filled, broken world, for leaving Your home to redeem us and for going to prepare a place for us, in the Father's house.  Home.  

April 16, 2022 What about Saturday?

 These words from Max Lucado!  So perfect for today.

Jesus is silent on Saturday. The women have anointed his body and placed it in Joseph’s tomb. The cadaver of Christ is as mute as the stone which guards it. He spoke much on Friday. He will liberate the slaves of death on Sunday. But on Saturday, Jesus is silent.

So is God. He made himself heard on Friday. He tore the curtains of the temple, opened the graves of the dead, rocked the earth, blocked the sun of the sky, and sacrificed the Son of Heaven. Earth heard much of God on Friday.

Nothing on Saturday. Jesus is silent. God is silent. Saturday is silent.

Easter weekend discussions tend to skip Saturday. Friday and Sunday get the press. The crucifixion and resurrection command our thoughts. But don’t ignore Saturday. You have them, too.

Silent Saturdays. The day between the struggle and the solution; the question and the answer; the offered prayer and the answer thereof.

Saturday’s silence torments us. Is God angry? Did I disappoint him? God knows Jesus is in the tomb, why doesn’t He do something? Or, in your case God knows your career is in the tank, your finances are in the pit, your marriage is in a mess. Why doesn’t He act? What are you supposed to do until He does?

You do what Jesus did. Lie still. Stay silent. Trust God. Jesus died with this conviction: “You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Acts 2:27 NIV).

Jesus knew God would not leave him alone in the grave. You need to know, God will not leave you alone with your struggles. His silence is not his absence, inactivity is never apathy. Saturdays have their purpose. They let us feel the full force of God’s strength. Had God raised Jesus fifteen minutes after the death of His son, would we have appreciated the act? Were He to solve your problems the second they appear, would you appreciate His strength?

For His reasons, God inserts a Saturday between our Fridays and Sundays. If today is one for you, be patient. As one who endured the silent Saturday wrote: “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7 NKJV).

April 2, 2022 5th Time's the Charm?

After living in five countries since leaving the States in August, we're hopeful this wonderful, amazing, beautiful truck signifies an opportunity to lay down some roots, at least shallow ones.  Of course it started snowing this morning but our wonderful, amazing, beautiful movers were not deterred.  

We're exhausted but praising God for move-in day!  

March 11, 2022 Quick Prayer Request: Travel Mercies

 

We're supposed to travel tomorrow.  You know what that means - A snowstorm hit the city today.  Remember that pattern we posted about back in January? :)  We'd appreciate your prayers for us the next couple days as we head to what can very well be our next HQ (more on that in a forthcoming e-newsletter).  While you're praying, would you lift that up as well?  We are grateful for and love you guys! 

March 03, 2022 Quick Thought: Selfish Mad

As we watch the invasion of Ukraine unfold and the subsequent suffering, my thoughts fluctuate from heartbreak to fear to anger.  Why is this happening?  How this shape the world?  Where are the good guys in all of this?  What can I do? 

That last question is the one where things go off the rails a bit.  We have a heart for refugees?  There is something about the vulnerability of the forcibly displaced that tugs us, breaks us, calls us to serve.  One of the interesting things in this situation is that tens of thousands of Ukrainians have flooded into the city we had to leave from because of our visa issues.  Why?!  We could be there, offering rides from the border or train station.  We could be there handing out food or blankets?  We could be there holding crying babies or praying over broken people.  But, in reality that’s all selfish mad.  We aren’t present but the Father is.  We aren’t there but the Body of Christ is loving neighbors and blessing their community there. It’s not about me.  I can pray and give (we recommend these folks) and maybe (hopefully) one day go.  In the meantime I’ll look for folks around me that need to be loved in the Name of Jesus.  There’s nothing selfish about that. 

February 23, 2022 Quickshot: Tram Fans

 

There's just something about a tram. Not sure if it's the romance, the click, click, sizzle, ding, the aesthetics or maybe it's just because they're usually a cheap way to get around  Most of our favorite cities have trams so maybe that's part of it too.  

January 24, 2022 Stuck. Are you Noticing a Theme?

 

Maybe you've noticed a trend in our Instagram posts of late?  We thought a trip to Cappadocia would help break up the monotony and maybe cure some of the post-Christmas, cabin fever that seemed to have crept into our day-to-day.  It's hard to say no to $23 a night hotel rooms or $45 roundtrip tickets (grateful for the current strength of the USD).  So, like the Professor, Mary Ann, Ginger and the Howells, we set out on what we thought would be a three-hour...errrrr....day trip. As you can see above, it didnt quite happen like that and we are stuck, at least a couple more days here in the mountains.  What should you learn from our last few months  Never travel with us.  You might see some really beautiful places but something funky is likely to happen.  We've learned to embrace it.  At least you can see the pics.

January 3, 2022 Why didnt we think of this before?

#D had a recently had a stroke of genius, a parental epiphany if you will, that we thought we'd share with all our friends with kids.  If you dont have children, it's a great activity for nieces and nephews, neighbors or just grab some kids off the street and bribe them with Sour Patch Kids.  Okay, maybe don't do that but anyway.  Why not turn the kids preparing supper into a cooking competition?  There are multiple purposes for such an activity.  It help gives some positive time away from electronic screens, it helps develop life skills, it allows for together time and fosters relationships but most importantly, and this is where the rubber meets the road moms, it means we don't have to cook!  Can we get an Amen?  Everyone had a great time, the food was good, and they even washed the dishes.  Now that's a family-culinary win!