Second baking excursion- my favorite cookies. Splurge of a shopping trip and two amazing girls to spend it with!

 Leo constantly hovering...

 Fashion Faux Pua #1 Can we say "Tchussieee!"

 Hippies!

 For al of you Harry Potter fans, I have found you a "Nimbus 2000" on wheels?!

 Ying Yang Doors

 Der Munster

 Stunning.

 My little girl MG 

(no flash allowed in church)

I suppose I could worship here! 

 And I could play this organ (if I knew how)

 My favorite part of the day was when some British couple asked me what this room was for,I told her it was the prayer chapel. Do you notice the names on the plates? Its called a mausoleum- burial in style. haha

 Beautiful

 Der Munster- the church immediately following WWII, the entire city bombed and only those who were in the church were spared. The church and its people God had His hand on. How amazing!

View from the top of Der Munster- the towers! 

Only about 400 stairs.

  One of gate into the city

I look happy here but that was on the way down. Don't try this climb if you are claustrophobic. 

The Hunchback hangs here. (or hung) 

HUGE bells! 

Weinfest after the towers and church...  

Black Forest Adventures (Last weekend of June!)

My first break in the drive up into the forest...

 Cloud Cover...

 The "Holiday House" where the following festivities take place!

 I am the dog whisperer. For any of you who ever would like to bestow a friendly furry companion on me- this is the exact one that I would like. 

 I think the view makes the rustic accommodations worth it!

 And I would not mind if this were reserved for me...

 Pets are allowed in every restaurant, look how well they are treated! (it may be because this pup is a regular and lets face it, he's hot.)

 Ebaneezer

 Some tea service!

 My gluten free room mate decided to brave it for the day and I think she ate her cake and half of each of ours. We prayed a blessing over the gluten and lo and behold... God answered!

 The traditional Apfel Kuchen that I would like to make (and eat)

 The Herb House

 The best shopping baskets ever

 Yes, it actually is tea.

 All of the tea I could imagine...

 My basket :)

HAPPY SUNDAY!

I am overcome this morning by the sweetness of the Lord in the way that He loves us through all of the small things.  From Friday evening through today I have had wonderful fellowship, community, food, drink, and encouragement.  Through an evening of grocery shopping, cooking, baking, and movies followed by a day spent in the old bustling city of Freiburg, my roommate Mary Grace and I were able to spend time not only laughing with and at each other, but also with sweet 17 year old Sophie Davies from our church! The time with these girls was so refreshing and much needed. I am encouraged so much to see a young woman choosing to pursue the Lord even when it goes against the grain of the culture. 

Immediately upon our return from the city Mary Grace and I were picked up by some of our friends and brothers here to spend the evening overlooking the vineyards as the sun went down. We had wine, candles, silly shadow shows with our hands (so 20 years ago, I know!) But just being able to sit in such beautiful creation and enjoy each other's company and laughter was so uplifting! The guys or "men" of our small church and baseball club are a force to be reckoned with- take it or leave it ;)

All of this built up an anticipation within me for today's service, in which we were able to take communion also.  I was struck once again by the seriousness of sitting at the Lord's table and partaking of His body and blood through mere bread and wine.  Our pastor Stephen spoke out of Exodous 24 and of the covenant the the Lord made with Israel.  He used the symbolism of a wedding to represent the ultimate covenant between humans: we can have the most exquisite decorations, flowers, feast, and powerful music but without the PROMISES being made, there is no covenant.  Even if one side speaks the words, the other has to not only respond, but offer the same commitment in return.  Without this, a wedding celebration would only be a party.  Celebration without purpose.  So it is with our "communion" to the Lord. As an older couple might renew their vows, every time we partake of the Lord's supper, we are being afforded the opportunity to RENEW our personal and individual covenants with Him. How gracious is He?! It is a mandatory refreshment of our relationship with God.  As a wedding feast represents the union and peace between two families, so is our union with our Father.  In taking of His body and drinking from His cup we are saying "I surrender my life to you, your leadership, and I trust where you will lead me." In a sense we lay down our swords and weapons of defense (our will) and receive peace. How amazing!

Week 5 update...

Good Morning!

Yesterday marked the completion of 4 week and 50 hours in Deutschkurs (language school)

I suppose that July 4th is not a bad way to celebrate this either... even from Germany! I had the pleasure of attending a Kim Carson concert in a park by the lake in Neuenburg along with some of my friends from the church. Kim's band is actually based out of New Orleans and has been coming to tour around Germany for the past 10 years, CRAZY! She sounds a lot like June Carter/Cash but better!? ha. I will have a picture soon from someone else's camera, but I'll leave you with this picture:

July 4th- outdoor bar and seating- streaming lights- my American flag shorts (yes)- and June Carter wannabe along with an amazing jazz drummer, a fiddle, and guitar player! Smack dab in the Southwestern tip of Germany, I arrived earlier than the friends I was meeting so as I stood there tightly clutching my bike ALONE, i noticed the fiery older couple from our church and huge supporters of our baseball club, Herr and Frau Widman! They speak no English and mein Deutsch is... eh.. coming? But we all gathered on a big log together and had the local Pils and some amazing fellowship bonded by broken German and great music! I have come to find out that they are crazy dancers as well. I seem to have come to the right place!

Did not realize that I was meeting the members of the band during the break, and come to find out that they have degrees from some of the largest music schools in America.. was a great night and although I greatly miss my family holding it down at the Lake, this was not half bad either :)

Happy July 5TH to ya now!

Last Friday night some of the girls' high school "gymnasium" hosted a benefit concert to raise money for a building project in Africa- they invited us to come and also see their school and meet their friends. These two lovely ladies are on the softball team and are so sweet, funny, and smart! Julia is in the middle and Tamara is the red head to the right. 

 The courtyard or "quad" as we would call it.. not too shabby for a high school!

It was interesting- to say the least. Tamara MADE me stand with her in the front row.. we were both a bit mortified I think!

A Little More Activity...

Here are some of the other girls at practice- they had just lost to my team in a relay (shocking, I know!!) But hey it was a relay, not a catching contest!

That's Tamara and my roommate and coach Mary Grace

Claudine- one of the most faithful sisters here. She is local and is such an encouragement to me. (But I never would want her to throw to me. She's incredible) And of course.. I'm almost incredible.

I have had many requests for pictures of me in softball action and trust me, I don't think you want or need to see those? 

"The Hills are Alive!"

 The Black Forest in the Light

 Yes, I was spying.

 Long way down

 Fading...

 Black Forest... Look at those hues.

 Still spying (different couple)

 And to those who want proof that God is real...

Here is your proof.

"The heavens declare the beauty of the Lord."