December 27, 2025 Quickshot: Z's here!

While the whole gang couldnt be here (we have missed you #J and #L) but Z made a visit to the Black Forest for Christmas.  It's been amazing having him here, taking him to some of our favorite spots, sharing local food, and simply having him under the same roof as us.  Presences will always beat presents!

December 23, 2024 30 Seconds of Snow

 

We woke up to a surprise blanketing of snow this morning.  For our friends that love winter weather, We shot this 30 second video just for you.  To our loved ones who despise the white stuff, just skip this post and look for one of sunshine and blue skies over the Black Forest in about 5 months.  

November 24, 2024 Happy (Early) Thanksgiving

It's not considered a holiday in this neck of the woods, school and work continue per usual, so we celebrated Thanksgiving today.  As you can see #D worked her glorious culinary magic, unfortunately there are no AI-generated taste capabilities,,,yet.  Take my word for it, it was amazing.   And take my word for it, you were missed and given thanks for.  Happy (Early) Thanksgiving yall!  

November 22, 2024 Quickshot: Early Snow

 

We enjoyed our first significant snowfall of the year.  The kids, and their mama probably more so, were disappointed school cancelations are not a thing around here.  However, their father shut down his computer and headed to the Black Forest.  The woods are simply the best place to experience snow. 

November 3, 2024 RamblingThought: The Goat

It likely originated around debates regarding sporting superstars.  My first recollection was in heated discussions on whether Michael Jordan, in his prime, was a better player than Lebron James, with fans referred to their particularl favorite as the G.O.A.T. or greatest player of all time.  It's pretty silly debate really, not particularly one to fight about, especially since 23 was the best. :)
Recently the use of the phrase seems to have changed in meaning.  It's not necessarily about being the best but more about a preference or a positive opinion about something.  Jack is goat, or Gladiator was the goat, Ed Sheeran is my goat, or that cheeseburger was the goat.  I've also heard it used as a verb as in, he/she/they/it was goated.  Recently our youngest son has taken to saying Dad youre my goat.  Hopefully that it's a positive thing.  Not as in, "You're an old goat." (While potentially true it's not exactly flattering) but like, "Dad I think you're great." (Which has a way better ring to this old goat's ears.)  Anyway, more to the point, I recently read the account of Jesus' baptism.  Remember the scene?  John is immersing people in the Jordan and Jesus came down to the River.  John looked up and saw Him and proclaimed these words.  "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  He didnt say "There's the GOAT." but rather, "There's the Lamb." While Jesus is undoubtably the greatest of all time, The baptizer labeled him The Lamb.   So, I dont want to be the goat anymore.  I'd rather be called a sheep, following a Shepherd that was called a lamb and is legitimately and eternally the Greatest of All Times.  

October 27, 2024 Quickshot: Praise Him, cattle to kings

 

"Praise Him, all you mountains and hills. Praise Him, all you fruit trees and cedar trees. Praise Him, all you wild animals and cattle. Praise Him, you small creatures and flying birds. Praise Him, you kings of the earth and all nations. Praise Him, all you princes and rulers on earth."
Psalm 148: 9-11

October 22, 2024 Birthday Jerseys

 

Birthday jerseys for the birthday girls.  These sisters celebrated their 18th and 13th birthdays, respectively, this week.  What treasures they are.  May God bless them and may they walk with Him all the days of their lives. 

September 29, 2024 Early Birthday Surprise

Last night we surprised #L with a right of passage for teenagers. The Jonas Brothers were in a nearby city and some friends had bought a couple tickets they were unable to use, so we were happy to buy them and take our soon-to-be-teen to her first concert.  The jury is still out on who was happier or who sang along the loudest, #L or her mama.  

September 9, 2024 Quickshot: Promise

 

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August 28, 2024 So it begins...

Our senior, sophomore, and 7th grader begin classes today.  Not to be forgotten #D begins her ###th year of teaching.  :)  Prayers up for an amazing year!

August 9, 2024 Guests

It's always a joy to welcome guests to our place, to play the tour guide, to hug and hang out IN-PERSON with loved ones.  We've been able to do so this week with #J and #L making the journey over to our part of the world.  What a blessing! It's so easy to overlook the gift of presence. 

July 25, 2024 Au revoir, Adios, Ma salama, Ciao, Auf Wiedersehen, See you later

 

It may not be exclusive to this lifestyle but saying goodbye seems to be much more common to expat life and practice does not make perfect in this instance.  The greatest struggle for that mama in the photo right there is being separated from the children she has poured her very being into.  It's a high cost and one that's shared by the many who love our family and must continue loving our family from afar.  We are grateful and very thankful that the young man above will be coming back to us from camp in a couple weeks.  We'll sure miss him...and we miss you.    

July 17, 2024 Quickshot: Games are won here.

We were a bit surprised last year when #M decided to join a local club team.  Not because she lacks drive or passion for the game or skill on the pitch but because, one, she didnt know anyone on the team or any of the teams they play and, two, she speaks very little German.  But by Job she sure has and she even scored a goal in her first match which is CRAZY.  Her dedication to the grind of Summer practices, mostly conditioning with very little game play. has been inspiring.  She knows that for her perform she has to put the work in during the heat of the Summer, when the pool and all places cool and lazy are beckoning.  It sounds so cliche but games are literally won at practice.   Likewise for us, Spiritual warfare is best approached with preparation.  If we're not in a battle at present it is likely that one is coming.  Prayer, worship and being in the Word constantly prepares us for when the fiery darts begin to flying.  In our prayer closets or our daily devotions is, by the grace of God, where the game is won.  Get ready.  

June 20, 2024 Quickthought: Fear?

Has there been a time in history when folks were more fearful than today?  Wars, diseases, crime, division, weather incidents, and the list goes on.  Yet we're told over and over again in Scripture not to fear.  Why?  Because He's got this.  He's in control.  His kingdom is not rattled and His throne is not shaken by the things of this world.  Check out these very encouraging and exhorting words from the book of Matthew.

 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  - Matt.6:26-30NIV

June 12, 2024 Quickshot: Escargot Anyone?

 

We are in the midst of hand-to-hand, errrrr hand-to-tentacle, warfare.  These slimy rascals may look harmless enough but good night can they do some damage to a garden.  We used to have the pretty little patch of onions but thanks to our squishy adversaries they now looks like someone took a string trimmer to them.  A friend suggested planting marigolds as a repellent, the slugs took to them like the kids at Krispy Kreme.  So it's back to the drawing board and onward Christian soldier.  The silver lining, at least we have a garden and some space to grow veggies.  

May 13, 2024 Not by Bread Alone

 

We're not just eating Bao Buns, Gdansk is such a beautiful city with plenty of historical and interesting places to see. This is Saint Mary's Church, one of the largest brick Churches in the world.  We didnt light a candle but it was good to go in and talk to Jesus for a spell.  

May 12, 2024 Food Friends Not Forgotten

 

We're in Poland for our anniversary and of course we had to try local cuisine, right?  Pierogis?  Nope.  Kotlet schabowy?  Negative.  Golabk? Of course not.  Her highness had a hankering for Bao Buns so Asian fusion it was.  Happy anniversary to us!  

PS  To our all foodie friends, it's been a while since we posted a meal pic but you are not forgotten.  

April 22, 2024 Quickshot: Spr(brrrrrr)ing

 

Spring hits different around these parts.  We spotted snow up on the mountain and had to drive up and play.  Not exactly how you picture April but oh boy it's lovely.  God is good!

March 24, 2024 A word from Africa

 

There is no more wonderful sound than a phone notification that you've received an update or photos of your child from thousands of miles away.  And there is no greater joy than knowing they are using their gifts and serving the Lord in both joy and sweat.  Thank you for loving #M and #A and praying for them this week.  Nothing done in His Name is ever wasted.  

March 10, 2024 Quickshot: Comfort Food

 

We found some amazing falafel and kibbeh yesterday.  So, so good.  Middle Eastern is one of our comfort foods.  Then again a CFA Meal #1 would bring us some comfort right now.  :)  What's a meal that equals home, contentment or warmth to you?  

March 1, 2024 "I can't even!"

 

"I can't even!" I like a colloquialism about as good as the next person, and as a parent of five, I feel like we use slang more than most.  The shelf life on much of it is quite short.  And nothing can make a teen's eyes roll quicker than a parent that uses cool words, especially if used too often, incorrectly, or out of context...or in front of their friends. Recently I got a free pass on the use of I cant even, even though it's been around since before the young man pictured above was born and it's not because I'm better than other dads or anything like that.  It was all about the situation.
Dictionary.com states, "I can’t even is an emotional exclamation in response to an event. Its abrupt ending implies something is too amazing, frustrating, surprising, exciting (or any other adjective imaginable) to handle, which renders a person speechless because they’re so incredulous."  I'd say that's pretty spot on, perfectly describing my most recent use of this phrase. 
So what was I so incredulous about? (What am I still so amazed at?)  It started a few months ago when #M and #A decided to apply for Spring Break service projects their school puts together each year, one going to Uganda the other to Sierra Leone.  I was like, that's cool! and was pretty proud they have  continued to look for ways to live out their faith, even outside their normal environment, something that's been an important driver in our family life. It was neat and all that...and then I saw the price tag. You may recall, #M went to Kenya last year on a similar trip, in fact many of you sponsored her, which was amazing, rewarding, impacting, all those things.  Now we had two wanting to go, praying about going, feeling led to go and so the price tag was double and, as I told their mama that night, I just couldnt see how we were going to be able to swing it.  So, I told the kids, "We definitely support your desire and are proud of you but it's alot of money and I just dont see how it will work.  Maybe look at doing some things more local."  Those two champions, unfazed by their father's doubt, prayed, came up with a plan, and went about it.  Last night I checked their fundraising pages.  And, I just shook my head and dumbfounded, 'I can't even!" rolled right off my tongue.  They are just $200 shy of raising almost $5000.  Yall!  How wonderful and humbling and just simple good is that!  So, thank you to all that responded to their emails and for those who have prayed, are praying and will pray for them and their teams and thank You to our good, good Father that has patience when our faith wobbles and blesses our socks off anyway.   I can't even!   We'll keep you updated on their travels.

February 29, 2024 Quick thought: Just Eleven Minutes

 

Took the car to the shop this morning, that whole check engine light thing is apparently universal, and universally annoying.  Since the dealership is in an adjacent town, it didnt seem like that big a deal to just drive it over and then walk home.  3 hours later, my pedometer app was wondering if my phone had been stolen or I'd lost my mind.  Apparently Google maps conspired against me regarding the distance or more likely I just judged it wrong.  Regardless it was a beautiful day and just take a gander at that view, a good way, albeit tiring, to commemorate Leap Day.  Speaking of leap years, have you ever wondered why we leap every four years?  It's an interesting rabbit hole to be sure. Spoiler alert it all goes back to miscalculations by Roman astrologists whose tally of solar years was off by 11 minutes, and 40 seconds. It created quite a headache resulting in these special days.  Errors in calculations, like those Roman star gazers and like the guy mentioned above that judged the distance from the mechanic to his apartment, have ramifications.  You know what's encouraging?  We serve a God that takes those mistakes and weaves them into His plan and will, working all things together for good who who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.  That's something to leap, and shout, about.

PS  Babies that are born on February 29th (that'a bout a 1 in 1500 chance of happening)...cue the Pirates of Penzance references, are not younger than everyone else nor are they pitied for only getting birthday cake every four years.  Their parents simple choose February 28th or March 1st for their birthday.  

February 2, 2023 L's Life Lesson: Never talk junk to mama

 

What a fun day.  Staff versus student basketball turned into mama versus L, at least that's how it was billed at home.  Any smack talk or razzing was done in fun and they both had a great time.  It's important to note that the one in blue was scored on by the one in white....of course she said she was charged.  :)

January 11, 2024 5+?=7

 It sounds a bit like an SAT problem but it's a very real question:  How do you turn a five mile hike into a seven mile hike?  Well, you get 3/4 or so through your predetermined route and run across the sign below forbidding further passage due to logging work.  It's tough to complain considering how beautiful the forests were today though and it's nice to pad the weekly step count a bit anyway.