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!!