It's time to head back...

Friends and Family,

Thanks again for all the support and love that you've sent towards myself and my family these past few weeks. In originally in supporting me in going to Germany and also in the times of returning when my mom passed. Your words, prayers, calls, and encouragement have been greatly appreciated. While these past few weeks have had some difficult and tiresome times, there have also been blessings in multiple ways. Your encouragements have been one of those blessings.

While it was good to be back home, and I'm glad I was able to make it back so quickly and to be here to help before and after the memorial, it's time for me to head back to Germany. I'm scheduled to leave Portland next Tuesday, March 2nd and start my trip back to Kandern. I'm planning on staying for 6 weeks, returning on April 14th, adding up to about 2 months total like I had originally planned. The difference when I return this time as opposed to a few weeks ago is that for the first two weeks of my trip I'll be accompanied by my father. He's taking some time to come work with me in Kandern and I'm very stoked about this. During my first visit, I knew that he would love it there and to have him come this time is very exciting and I think just what he needs right now.

I'll continue to e-mail and post to my blog while I'm there and am able to skype and chat on facebook. Feel free to drop me a line and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. If you're still interested in sending support then you are more than welcome to do so anytime before I leave or even while I'm there. Anything sent to my address will be taken care of by my sister (thanks Kristal) and is always deeply appreciated.

Thank you all for your prayers, love, encouragement, and support, this trip wouldn't have been possible without you. Please continue to pray for my family and for the weeks ahead in Germany. May God do big things in Germany, Salem, and all over.

Blessings,

Tyler Krehbiel
968 Nandina Ct NE
Keizer, OR 97303

Mom's Memorial and Life Right Now

A celebration of life for mom will be held at 2:30pm Thursday Feb 18, 2010 at:

Salem Evangelical Church
455 Locust Street NE
Salem, OR 97301-8399

Marsha Mae (Wagler) Krehbiel
Feb 19, 1958- Feb 11, 2010

Thanks all for your support and encouragement over these past few days.

I managed to get home without any complications and arrived Saturday night around 6:30. This has been an amazingly tough, yet blessed week. It has been tough to know that mom is physically gone and won't be here for so many things in our future, but has been amazing to hear stories and remember the memories we did have. She will be missed and has touched more lives than I or we could ever realize. God used her in big ways that I'm not sure she always realized, and He used her until He called her home (even using her memory/legacy still). She touched lives and interacted with people whether they wanted to at times or not. She was gifted at discerning the hearts of others and giving counsel and wisdom that was tough to hear at times, but was always given out of love and in God's presence.

My family is gracious for your words and are always welcome to hear memories, hear words of encouragement, pray, laugh, and just hang out. Please don't hesitate to contact us even if you're not sure what to say, just hearing hello has been a great source of strength for us. We may not always answer the phone or an e-mail right away, but your thoughts still have great meaning. We'd rather receive a call and have to decline you, than to not receive anything at all. Please keep us in your prayers this week, especially my father. He is doing well enough, but no matter how you prepare it still sucks when it happens.

Prayers also for the next month or so. I plan to return to Germany to continue helping at the Art Factory and I'm excited that my father may try and come with me. I think this would be a great opportunity for him and wouldn't necessarily be an escape from reality, but the start of a new one. His skills could be greatly used over there. Also volunteering with construction is a love and gift to him. So prayers for finances, timing, health, and wisdom, would be greatly appreciated for both of us and my sisters as well. Will keep you posted as to updates on my return and possibly dad's trip to Germany.

Thanks again to my friends and family, for your love and support. You've made this time much lighter than if you weren't in our lives. Blessings to you and your families.

Tyler

Coming Home...

Hello all,

I'm headed back home this Saturday night. My mom passed away this morning after an 18 month struggle with cancer. She's finally been healed of all her ailments and is sitting in heaven feeling wonderful and at peace. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for her and my family. We appreciate all your love and support. If you could continue to pray for us through this time, we'd be glad for it. I believe that we are planning a memorial for Thursday the 18th of February. I will update again when I know more.

My time here in Germany is over for the moment, but not for good. I've felt greatly at home here and plan on returning as soon as I am able. I've been able to meet some amazing people during my time here and know that I need to return here. I pry won't be back in time for the Candlelight Dinner Outreach, but hope that I've been able to put a dent in all the preparations that have been needed for it. I won't be able to finish my mosaic, but will get some photos of it before I leave of it's current progress. I've also been making a tree out of rebar that isn't yet finished, that I was hoping to finish, but alas coming home is much more important right now.

I leave tomorrow (the 12th) from Basel to Frankfurt and have to wait overnight in Frankfurt for my flight in the morning on Saturday. United was pretty great in helping me change my original flight home to one much sooner. I'm grateful for Rick and Mary Beth Holladay for being so wonderful and caring during this time (their the couple in charge of the Art Factory). They've taken great care of me during my stay and I look forward to seeing them again when I come back.

I will continue to post some updates and some photos are coming. I'll tell more of some of the other stuff I've worked on and some of the plans that are coming for the Art Factory and maybe some plans I have for being at the Art Factory.

Made it

Well after many hours of travel I made it to Kandern. Left Salem at 7:45am Pacific time, arrived in Kandern at 22 hours later. Dropped off my stuff in my room then got a tour of the Art Factory. Amazing place with lots of room to do some incredible stuff. Haven't had a chance to sit down since I got here. Helped get ready for dinner for 20+ artists/members of the community for a monthly dinner dialogue that takes place at the Art Factory. Met some great people from the Black Forest Academy and surprisingly a few from Oregon. Made it through dinner, but started falling asleep during the dialogue part. Thankfully they allowed me to excuse myself and head to bed. Just posting a quick post to say I made it. Was able to get some good sleep on the plane, but a bed sounds wonderful. Good night all and I'll update more later.