So we have been here 2 months today! I honestly cannot believe it has already been 2 months, but at the same time it feel like we have been here a year. It really has been a pretty smooth transition. We have hit a few road bumps, but overall it has gone very well.
OUR CONTAINER:
Our container arrived on November 16th about 3 weeks after our arrival. We had a little hiccup with paperwork, but it was easily fixed and the container was delivered to our house around 10:30. It was unloaded in about 45 minutes and every piece of furniture and box was put in the room it belonged before noon, thanks to help from some great people from both the German church and Bob's parent's American military church. We unpacked most of our belongings in the next few days, but are still working on little things around the house. Bob is pounding nails for some pics on the wall as we speak. :) Amazingly, only 2 little things off our container broke: one glass (goblet) and the glass in a small jewelry box. We were praising the Lord for that. I really expected them to open the truck doors and have broken things come tumbling out. :) I know, I am such an optomist. :)
LANGUAGE SCHOOL:
The next week after our container came we started our first day of language school. I was a nervous wreck, but the first day went well. I actually enjoyed myself. We learned how to say, "My name is": "Ich heisse Kelly..." and "What is your name?" : "Wie heissen Sie?" and to tell where we were from: "Ich komme aus den U.S.A." This fun stuff lasted for about a week and a half and then we got into the grammer side of things. This is where the headache began. We finished up our class the week before Christmas, and have been enjoying a break. Our second level of classes begins on January 10th. I am ready to get back into my groove, but not looking forward to the headache that will come with it.
CHRISTMAS COOKIES:
This was a first for me. I have never made a bunch of different cookies for Christmas, but I thought I would try it out this year and share with our neighbors. We did this on December 23rd. We had no idea what to expect. We have seen a few of our neighbors, but we had yet to talk to any of them. We set out on our trek. We were just going to knock, use our best German we could muster to wish them "Frohe Wienachten" and move on to the next one. We had so much better of a response than either of us imagined. They were so kind and so excited that we had come by. The first two houses they spoke nothing but German, and Bob was able to understand most of what they said. We got to the third house and they instantly invited us in, and we stayed for 1/2 hour. The woman spoke fairly good English, but her husband did not. So we had a split conversation in German and English, and they were so kind. They told us probably 3 times if we needed anything to please let them know. It was such an encouragement to both of us, and we were excited to attach a Gospel tract to each box of cookies along with a calendar with the German church's information. We are praying the Lord will use this as an open door with our neighbors.
CHRISTMAS:
Christmas was a little different for us this year. I have spent every Christmas of my life at my grandmothers house in Des Moines, IA. This was the first year of not being there and it was very sad for me, but it was so nice to have Bob's family here. We had such a wonderful time spending the day with them. Being away was sad, so we tried to keep a few of the traditions we have always done with them, along with starting some new ones of our own. On Christmas Eve as long as I can remember we have eaten soup at my Aunt's house. So Christmas Eve we made one of the same kinds of soup we always have - Chicken Corn Chowder and Cheesy Garlic Biscuits (Red Lobster Biscuits). Bob's parents came over and we ate, let Jackson open a few presents and then we watched "The Nativity Story."
The next morning we began the festivities around 9 a.m. with a BIG breakfast. We made pancakes with fresh fruit cooked in them, and the four of us polished off a pound and a half of bacon. Then we opened presents and what a fun time we had. Jackson has always had fun opening his presents on Christmas, but this year he is at the age where he knew Christmas was coming and he had been excited about it for a few weeks. Each present he opened was just as exciting as the one before, and let me tell you, HE HAD PRESENTS!! This is the first time Bob's parents have spent Christmas with him and they went all out.
The best tradition we started as our own was lunch. We had already had about 3 Thanksgiving turkey dinners for different events over the last month, so we decided to try a different route. :) We had the biggest T-bone steaks you have ever seen. They were over an inch thick and were so good. I don't think this tradition is going away anytime soon.
We were able to Skype with my family a few times during the day and it helped feel like they were not so far away having Christmas without me.
Well I hope that brings you up to date on what is going on with us. We are keeping pretty busy and looking forward to the coming year. My prayer is by next year, I could write this whole post in German. Don't worry I won't, or at least I will translate it for you. :)
I hope and pray all your Christmases went well and your New Year will be filled with God's blessings!!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Differences
Since arriving in Germany there have many differences (of course) that I thought you might find interesting. I have to admit many of these differences I have already come to love.
MY FAVORITE: Everything is so clean. You do not see litter or road kill. The day we flew into the airport, I went to use the restroom and there was toilet sanitizer spray on the wall beside the toilet. Last week Bob went with his dad about 4 hours away to help a lady move. They stopped at a gas station and he used the restroom (which you have to pay to use the restroom) and he said it was very clean. They came back through on the way home and used the same restroom and it was just as clean as the first time.
ROLLLADENS: Over the windows there are these heavy blind things on the outside of the window. You roll them down over the window and it cuts out ALL light. Very nice when you want to sleep in.
FAST FOOD: McDonald's here is a totally different experience. First of all, the food is so much better. It tastes so fresh. Even though our German is very bad, our order is always made the way we want it, because if you know me, I don't do onions. There are candles on the tables, and fresh flowers and candles in the bathroom. We have eaten at Burger King and KFC also (I know, I thought we were done with Fast Food, too!) and they also taste better. In every McDonalds there is a coffee shop and they serve your coffee in a real coffee mug and saucer!
GROCERY FOODS: When you buy milk here in Germany, you do not go to the refrigerator section. German milk is not refrigerated since they do not use the pasturizing methods that Americans use. Their eggs are the same way. The carton of eggs are sitting on a shelf near the can goods! Don't worry, everything is very healthy since Germans have stict standards of sanitation.
ICE and REFILLS: They do not serve ice in the drinks, and you pay for your refill (full price). The drinks are cold, but you do not get ice unless you request it - then you would only get a few cubes. The McDonald's here just recently installed refill machines and even an ice Machine, and to many Germans, refilling their Coke is a strange thing.
TAX: There is a 19% sales tax on everything you purchase. I almost choked when I heard that. The interesting and nice thing is that they include the tax in the price, so you really do not notice. The price on the item is the price you pay. But if you come and see us, they give non-residents a form every time you purchase something and at the airport customs, you are able to get all that tax money back.
There are many more, but I can't think of them at the moment. I think I will do a part 2 as I think of them. :)
Have a great day!!
MY FAVORITE: Everything is so clean. You do not see litter or road kill. The day we flew into the airport, I went to use the restroom and there was toilet sanitizer spray on the wall beside the toilet. Last week Bob went with his dad about 4 hours away to help a lady move. They stopped at a gas station and he used the restroom (which you have to pay to use the restroom) and he said it was very clean. They came back through on the way home and used the same restroom and it was just as clean as the first time.
ROLLLADENS: Over the windows there are these heavy blind things on the outside of the window. You roll them down over the window and it cuts out ALL light. Very nice when you want to sleep in.
FAST FOOD: McDonald's here is a totally different experience. First of all, the food is so much better. It tastes so fresh. Even though our German is very bad, our order is always made the way we want it, because if you know me, I don't do onions. There are candles on the tables, and fresh flowers and candles in the bathroom. We have eaten at Burger King and KFC also (I know, I thought we were done with Fast Food, too!) and they also taste better. In every McDonalds there is a coffee shop and they serve your coffee in a real coffee mug and saucer!
GROCERY FOODS: When you buy milk here in Germany, you do not go to the refrigerator section. German milk is not refrigerated since they do not use the pasturizing methods that Americans use. Their eggs are the same way. The carton of eggs are sitting on a shelf near the can goods! Don't worry, everything is very healthy since Germans have stict standards of sanitation.
ICE and REFILLS: They do not serve ice in the drinks, and you pay for your refill (full price). The drinks are cold, but you do not get ice unless you request it - then you would only get a few cubes. The McDonald's here just recently installed refill machines and even an ice Machine, and to many Germans, refilling their Coke is a strange thing.
TAX: There is a 19% sales tax on everything you purchase. I almost choked when I heard that. The interesting and nice thing is that they include the tax in the price, so you really do not notice. The price on the item is the price you pay. But if you come and see us, they give non-residents a form every time you purchase something and at the airport customs, you are able to get all that tax money back.
There are many more, but I can't think of them at the moment. I think I will do a part 2 as I think of them. :)
Have a great day!!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Our arrival!!
We have officially been in Germany for a week this morning. I have been bad about not updating, so this will be a long post. :)
Our flight was great, we actually flew into Germany an hour early. I did not sleep at all, Bob slept about 45 minutes and Jackson for about an hour and a half. We flew in around 7 am Germany time, which was around 1 am TN time. Needless to say we were all exhausted. On our way to Bob's parents house, we drove by our new house, but were only able to look around the outside. We got back to Bob's parents house and I went to bed, and slept for about 2 1/2 hours. We did not do too much on Friday, just rested. Friday night around 7:30, we were all 3 falling asleep, so around 8 pm we went to bed. Jackson woke up around 1, and was wide awake, and so were we. We decided to get up and watch a movie. Around 3:30, we all started getting tired again, so we went back to sleep and slept till 10. Saturday, the military church had their Harvest Festival, so we went and helped out there. It was fun meeting all the people at their church who have been praying for us for so long. Again, saturday, it was all we could do to hold our heads up. Sunday began bright and early. We left for church around 8:30, and went to Sunday School and church at the military church. After church we went to lunch, back to Bob's parents to rest for about an hour, and then we went to the German church (our new church) for their service at 3 pm. We had such a sweet reception. They were so excited that we made it. Their church had been collecting food for us for the past several weeks, and there are 2 huge baskets full of things for us when we move in. We were so touched by their kindness and excitement. Keith (the german church pastor) told them they could speak English to us that one day, but after last sunday, they could speak only German to us. This should be interesting.
This week has been spent working on things to get us moved into our new house. Our container should arrive on the 16th or 17th, and there is so much to do before it comes.
I have done a few firsts since we have been here. Tuesday, we went to IKEA. I am a believer. I have heard how great it was, but never been inside before. I could have spent hours in there, but father in law and husband were very restless to get out and go eat. We were able to pick out the cabinets we wanted, and we are supposed to go back today and pay for them and take them to the new apartment. Each cabinet has to be assembled and then put together and screwed to the wall. LOTS OF WORK!! Yesteday, my father in law and I went to a Bauhaus, which is our equivelant of Home Depot. I was cracking up at how much it looks just like Home Depot down to the orange and white. I am not sure who copied who, but it looked identical. It was overwhelming, we had to find a sink, faucets, counter top etc, and the choices were endless. I am not a good decision maker, and was overwhelmed, but eventually we left with a full cart of kitchen supplies. We even had to buy many light fixtures, because they take those with them as well.
Interesting story: when we went to IKEA, we first walked in, and a girl was standing at a little podium and asked if we wanted to sign up for the family card (a card that gets you discounts), so we began talking to her and she spoke excellent English. While we were filling out the card, she asked if we were military. When we told her no, she was surprised and asked why we were here. Bob explained in his best German that we were missionaries with the Gemeinde (church). She said like "Jesus and God". We explained yes, we were here to tell people about Jesus and God. She said she had never heard of Americans coming to Germany for church related work. She could not believe it. Bob and I were so touched by this, that this German lady had never heard of a Missionary coming to her country before. It made us realize how much the Gospel is needed in this country and how much more we need to pray for Laborers to be sent to this harvest. It makes me want to learn this language so much quicker, so we can share the precious Gospel with these people.
Speaking of learning the language, we have had some interesting times trying to communicate. Yesterday, Bob and I ventured out on our own for the first time. We drove to the town we will be living in and drove around trying to find a bank. It took us about 20 minutes, but we eventually found it. We went in and Bob told the man in German that we wanted to set up an account. That went fine, but then he started asking us a lot of questions and Bob was only getting a word here and there. This went on for about 10 minutes, while people behind him were kind of snickering at us. Finally we figured out we had to set up an appointment to meet with someone, but we are still not exactly sure what the appointment is about. We go back monday to try again, but we are taking Keith with us this time. :) That has been the most frustrating thing for me, not being able to communicate with people like I should. I want to start language school so bad, so I at least know the basics. I know a few phrases and the basic words, but only get a word here and there. I can listen and sometimes figure out what the main point is, but sometimes I am completely lost.
I almost forgot.....one of the biggest new things I have done is.....................DRIVE ON THE AUTOBAHN. I was so nervous about trying it, but yesterday I had to do it. As I got on the entrance ramp, my hands tightened on the steering wheel, but I glided right on and started taking off. Traffic was pretty heavy, so I never got about 90, but it was so much fun. I wondered what all the hype was about, but going 90 without waiting for a siren was pretty invigorating. Looking forward to going 100 soon.
Next week we are going to the "Mission Possible Missionary Retreat" It is a conference put on every year for Missionaries throughout Europe. We will only be going for a few days. There is no nursery, so I will not be able to attend, but I am looking forward to seeing Rothenburg (where the conf. is held) and sight seeing a little while we are there.
Keep posted for more updates. I will try and post once a week or so, unless things get crazy. Miss all of you!!
Our flight was great, we actually flew into Germany an hour early. I did not sleep at all, Bob slept about 45 minutes and Jackson for about an hour and a half. We flew in around 7 am Germany time, which was around 1 am TN time. Needless to say we were all exhausted. On our way to Bob's parents house, we drove by our new house, but were only able to look around the outside. We got back to Bob's parents house and I went to bed, and slept for about 2 1/2 hours. We did not do too much on Friday, just rested. Friday night around 7:30, we were all 3 falling asleep, so around 8 pm we went to bed. Jackson woke up around 1, and was wide awake, and so were we. We decided to get up and watch a movie. Around 3:30, we all started getting tired again, so we went back to sleep and slept till 10. Saturday, the military church had their Harvest Festival, so we went and helped out there. It was fun meeting all the people at their church who have been praying for us for so long. Again, saturday, it was all we could do to hold our heads up. Sunday began bright and early. We left for church around 8:30, and went to Sunday School and church at the military church. After church we went to lunch, back to Bob's parents to rest for about an hour, and then we went to the German church (our new church) for their service at 3 pm. We had such a sweet reception. They were so excited that we made it. Their church had been collecting food for us for the past several weeks, and there are 2 huge baskets full of things for us when we move in. We were so touched by their kindness and excitement. Keith (the german church pastor) told them they could speak English to us that one day, but after last sunday, they could speak only German to us. This should be interesting.
This week has been spent working on things to get us moved into our new house. Our container should arrive on the 16th or 17th, and there is so much to do before it comes.
I have done a few firsts since we have been here. Tuesday, we went to IKEA. I am a believer. I have heard how great it was, but never been inside before. I could have spent hours in there, but father in law and husband were very restless to get out and go eat. We were able to pick out the cabinets we wanted, and we are supposed to go back today and pay for them and take them to the new apartment. Each cabinet has to be assembled and then put together and screwed to the wall. LOTS OF WORK!! Yesteday, my father in law and I went to a Bauhaus, which is our equivelant of Home Depot. I was cracking up at how much it looks just like Home Depot down to the orange and white. I am not sure who copied who, but it looked identical. It was overwhelming, we had to find a sink, faucets, counter top etc, and the choices were endless. I am not a good decision maker, and was overwhelmed, but eventually we left with a full cart of kitchen supplies. We even had to buy many light fixtures, because they take those with them as well.
Interesting story: when we went to IKEA, we first walked in, and a girl was standing at a little podium and asked if we wanted to sign up for the family card (a card that gets you discounts), so we began talking to her and she spoke excellent English. While we were filling out the card, she asked if we were military. When we told her no, she was surprised and asked why we were here. Bob explained in his best German that we were missionaries with the Gemeinde (church). She said like "Jesus and God". We explained yes, we were here to tell people about Jesus and God. She said she had never heard of Americans coming to Germany for church related work. She could not believe it. Bob and I were so touched by this, that this German lady had never heard of a Missionary coming to her country before. It made us realize how much the Gospel is needed in this country and how much more we need to pray for Laborers to be sent to this harvest. It makes me want to learn this language so much quicker, so we can share the precious Gospel with these people.
Speaking of learning the language, we have had some interesting times trying to communicate. Yesterday, Bob and I ventured out on our own for the first time. We drove to the town we will be living in and drove around trying to find a bank. It took us about 20 minutes, but we eventually found it. We went in and Bob told the man in German that we wanted to set up an account. That went fine, but then he started asking us a lot of questions and Bob was only getting a word here and there. This went on for about 10 minutes, while people behind him were kind of snickering at us. Finally we figured out we had to set up an appointment to meet with someone, but we are still not exactly sure what the appointment is about. We go back monday to try again, but we are taking Keith with us this time. :) That has been the most frustrating thing for me, not being able to communicate with people like I should. I want to start language school so bad, so I at least know the basics. I know a few phrases and the basic words, but only get a word here and there. I can listen and sometimes figure out what the main point is, but sometimes I am completely lost.
I almost forgot.....one of the biggest new things I have done is.....................DRIVE ON THE AUTOBAHN. I was so nervous about trying it, but yesterday I had to do it. As I got on the entrance ramp, my hands tightened on the steering wheel, but I glided right on and started taking off. Traffic was pretty heavy, so I never got about 90, but it was so much fun. I wondered what all the hype was about, but going 90 without waiting for a siren was pretty invigorating. Looking forward to going 100 soon.
Next week we are going to the "Mission Possible Missionary Retreat" It is a conference put on every year for Missionaries throughout Europe. We will only be going for a few days. There is no nursery, so I will not be able to attend, but I am looking forward to seeing Rothenburg (where the conf. is held) and sight seeing a little while we are there.
Keep posted for more updates. I will try and post once a week or so, unless things get crazy. Miss all of you!!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tomorrow is the big day!!
Tomorrow at 2:29 we fly to Washington Dulles Airport and connect on our flight to Munich. We will arrive at 7:40 am Germany time, which is 1:40 am TN time. Oh the tired!!!
This week (or rather this whole month) there have been so many sad good-byes, I don't know how many more tears I have in there. We are so excited to get to Germany and begin what we have been preparing for these past few years, but nothing prepares you for leaving and saying good-bye.
I will be sure to update when we arrive, and keep everyone updated on how things are going, just maybe not as often. Things are busy as soon as we arrive. We have a few weeks to get acclamated and then our container will arrive around the 17th of November, we will have less than a week to get unpacked, and language school begins the 21st. Pray for us!! :)
Love you all
This week (or rather this whole month) there have been so many sad good-byes, I don't know how many more tears I have in there. We are so excited to get to Germany and begin what we have been preparing for these past few years, but nothing prepares you for leaving and saying good-bye.
I will be sure to update when we arrive, and keep everyone updated on how things are going, just maybe not as often. Things are busy as soon as we arrive. We have a few weeks to get acclamated and then our container will arrive around the 17th of November, we will have less than a week to get unpacked, and language school begins the 21st. Pray for us!! :)
Love you all
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friends
As we walk through life it is such a blessing to have great friends to share joys and sorrows, good times and bad times, fun and hard work. It has been said that if at you can count on one hand the "Great Friends" you have in life, you are truly blessed. We are so thankful, we have to borrow 5 or 6 other hands to count all our true friends. What a blessing to have so many of our friends helping in such a great way through this whole journey. This past Saturday our home church had a "going away" party. It was so much fun to spend one last hoorah with everyone before we leave. What a blessing each one of you have been to us. You will never know how much you truly mean to us. My greatest fear when preparing to move to another country is not having close friends to "hang out" with. I am so thankful for technology where we can skype, Facebook and keep in contact so closely with everyone. It is not quite the same, but will help so much. We have had so many people tell us they want to come visit in Germany. I am holding every one of you to it. :) We have plenty of room and look forward to being tour guides.
At the corn maze after the going away party with the Grays and Umsteads and my mom.
Jonathan and Melissa LaBarge - we will miss you guys and all the fun dinners and movie night.
Jennifer Gray, my mom and Belinda Williams
Nathan and Melissa White - one of the sweetest couples I have ever met. You both have been such a huge help to us, especially with this move. We can never thank you enough.
Bill and Hayley Lystlund
Andy and Mary Padgett (our choir buddies)
Matt and Ashley Ylitalo
Dave and Jennifer Whitaker
Mr. & Mrs. Fox
Tom and Mandy Aldmon
Jackson and his buddies
The Cake - "Auf Widersehen" (good-bye in German)
Johnny & Jessica Ormerod
At the corn maze after the going away party with the Grays and Umsteads and my mom.Don't laugh at my socks and shoes. I thought it would be comforatable and it was NOT.
Jonathan and Melissa LaBarge - we will miss you guys and all the fun dinners and movie night.
Jennifer Gray, my mom and Belinda Williams
Nathan and Melissa White - one of the sweetest couples I have ever met. You both have been such a huge help to us, especially with this move. We can never thank you enough.
Bill and Hayley Lystlund
Andy and Mary Padgett (our choir buddies)
Matt and Ashley Ylitalo
Dave and Jennifer Whitaker
Mr. & Mrs. Fox
Tom and Mandy Aldmon
Jackson and his buddies The Cake - "Auf Widersehen" (good-bye in German)
Johnny & Jessica OrmerodThank you all for making this such a special time.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The New Look
Our new Front Yard
I know Lucky is spelled wrong
Our scary but so cool stairway
Upstairs deck
My favorite room so far.Well.....I messed up my last blog trying to add a header, so i had to start over. I like this one better anyhow. I promise to try and keep up with my blog this time. I love reading other friends blogs, and I always feel inadequate because I AM NOT a writer. It is fun to share what is going on and posting pics, so I will try and keep it up for those who want to follow our journey.
As I write today, my heart beats faster thinking that two weeks from right now, Bob, Jackson and I will be sitting at Tyson McGhee Airport waiting for our plane to take off, bringing us to our new life, and new journey starting in Germany. We are so excited to start this new life, but nervous and apprehensive about the unknown at the same time. So much of our life will change overnight. We will move into a new home, new culture, new language school, and new church all in less than 3 weeks of arriving. We are so excited Bob's parents and the Klaus family have found a house for us to live in. We are able to take up residence just a few days after we arrive, but will have to wait a few weeks until our container arrives. The Germans do an interesting thing, when they move to another home, they take their entire kitchen with them, including all cabinets, sinks, countertops. So as soon as we arrive, we will have to purchase an entire kitchen and install it. In a way it is nice, because I can choose what I want in my kitchen, but difficult because of cost and time. The Pictures above are of a few of our new house, but I intend to add many more once we get moved in and settled.
I must get back to work packing, but will keep everyone posted on our move.
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