Current Thoughts and Current Happenings

Friends and Family,

It has been a few weeks since my re-arrival to Kandern, Germany and I've been kept busy most of that time. We've managed to take some time off to walk around town during a "Saturday Market(esque)" thing downtown in the Blumen Platz, been to France to see some sights, and even made it to the Ikea in Freiburg, pronounced (E-Kay-Uh). This past week has been very productive and a lot will be happening as the week finishes up.

Last weekend we got some tile on the floor in the bathroom and got some plumbing ran. We worked most of Saturday day and headed out for the evening. Mary Beth was going to a Lady's Night Dinner at a friend's house in town, so Rick, Dad and I went out for a Man's Night. We went to a great restaurant outside of town and had some schnitzel, pepper steak, and some beer (ice tea for Dad). Good time and good conversation. The next day was Sunday the 14th, My Birthday. Rick and Mary Beth had been planning a few fun things for me to do that day to celebrate. Originally we thought of going to the Swiss Alps and exploring around for part of the day, but decided it was too far away to get back in time for other activities already planned. So instead we opted to head in Basel, Switzerland to explore along the Rhine and see some sights. We actually never made it Basel and we never even left Germany. i knew of a design museum close to where we are in Germany that has a walk through museum/store that was opening, so we drove by to see when it was open to comeback, but lo-and-behold it was open then. We spent the next few hours walking through VitraHaus, the Design Museum for Vitra, they make chairs and furniture and a number of other household items, but all very stylish, functional, awesome, and of course expensive. Amazing. After we left the VitraHaus we had to rush to Tannenkirch for a horse carriage ride through the local forest. The Holladays had a friend who owns a Clydesdale and a Shire and goes out each Sunday on a ride around the area. Beautiful day and a great ride that was about 1 1/2 hours or so. From there, we headed back to the Art Factory where we had Thai food (I know not very German, but delicious) and then some friends came over for a game night. Overall, an amazing birthday and lots of new friends to spend it with. I even had a few guys from Uganda sing me Happy Birthday and play the saxophone as well.

This week was when Dad was scheduled to head home. His ticket was for March 15th, but he had been toying with the idea of staying for a bit longer to help finish stuff around here. Thankfully he's managed to change his tickets and is now leaving on April 2nd. I think that being here has been a great opportunity for Dad and I think it's been great for me having him here too. I know he's really enjoying himself here and that the work being done here is something that speaks to both his and my own hearts. If you could be praying for us in regards to work when we get back and for finances while we are here. I know personally some of my finances have been in a bit of disarray with United not yet refunding me for changing my original ticket, taxes hitting me harder this year, not working for a few months, and not being able to claim unemployment while being here. Sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining, I've been praying for peace about my finances, God's provided for me so far in everything in getting here, I have to believe he'll provide for me and Dad through all this.

We've been working hard on the bathroom hard and are making good progress on it. We should start sheetrocking tomorrow and already have all the tile in. I'll have pictures available soon. I've been designing and planning on building a vanity for the bathroom out of some old beams that are here. We'll have some electrical work and a radiator to install this week as well. Lots of work, but we do have a chance for a break this weekend. The Holladays have some friends that live in Paris that they are taking us to visit this Saturday through Tuesday or Wednesday. They plan on taking us to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and some other cool places around town. Some more museums and such. Really excited to be headed to Paris for a few days and take a break before wrapping up the bathroom. Once the bathroom is done, there are plenty of other projects here to work on. Just a matter of picking one.

I've talked with Rick and Dad about the possibility of coming back here to work and help out for a few months each year. I can stay legally in Germany for up to 6 months a year without a Visa. Something I've been praying about and would definitely appreciate any prayer support in that matter and on the direction that God is leading me from here.

Thanks everyone for the support, encouragement and quick comments. They're great to read and fun to hear from you all. Please be praying again for where God is leading both Dad and I in our lives, peace in our family, financial support in my own and Dad's lives, and for health and safety here and traveling.

Blessings