Found my first local music store and the selection was so amazing. You can tell, I hated it.

 Trippin' to Freiburg with my room mate and partner in crime...

 "Klavier musikkkkkk" 

 These Irish brothers made my day  singing some Johnny Cash outside of H & M

 Beautiful church in Freiburg

 My room mate Mary Grace Owen. We might have ridden the train with eggs (yeah I don't know) Not knowing that we were sitting in first class and just hoping that we wouldnt get asked for the ticket I lost while we were in the city.. "Ah..Ich spreche kein Deutsch!"

Egg toss!

OK, so any of you that experienced the JH staff bike training know that I am not the greatest with the bike. However, if I want to get anywhere in this town or go to the store on my own and actually make it home with all of my groceries... this is now a necessity. Heaven help me as my knuckles turn white every time someone or something comes within 3 feet of either side of me. (I actually told that to my mom on Skyoe yesterday and she said, "Chrissy, your knuckles are always white, whats the big deal?") Wow. Thanks mom! haha

 And I rewarded myself greatly for conquering this monster without spilling or wrecking in the first 24 hours. Very productive time at the Rewe, AKA "Publix". Actually, reward for getting through 12 hours of straight German this week. Need. Sleep.

 Need. Exercise.

 To my right at 9:00 at night.

 Straight to my house...

To my left.

This weekend and first Sunday at church: I cannot believe that it is exactly one week since I have stepped foot on this beautiful countryside. The weekend passed quickly with a lot of catching up on rest  from some serious jet lag and maybe a few episodes of Downton Abbey (again) from the beginning..  But Sunday morning was my first experience with the church I am here to serve. Neuenburg International Church (NIC) is a pretty small plant housing between 15-20 families and about 50 people. The service was done in German and in English, the worship also being sung in both languages. I took the day to observe. There is so much for me to learn especially with a language barrier but I am praying that the Lord will allow me to learn quickly at least on the music and singing end. Please pray for me in that! I will update you more as I plan for this next week!

**Please pray for our pastor Stephen Spanjer as he is under the weather with pneumonia and his pregnant wife Laura is not feeling so great right now.Pray for them to be at their best as soon as possible.

Seems to have been a long weekend... until you find out that I was at school by 8:30 this morning! I have not had an 8am class since my Junior year of college! If that was not the worst, it was all in German! I realized quickly that if I was going to ask a question that it would most definitely NOT be to the teacher but the unfortunate person siting next to me (who happened to be from Singapore!)  Please do not be too disappointed that I did not take "first day of school pictures". I figured I was past the age of allowing that. But I did think about it :/

One more bit of exciting news and I am out for the day. But this afternoon we had softball practice. (Practice is usually on Tuesday and Thursdays from 6pm-8pm) You can just picture me there of course. Yes, I did go run before so I felt that I contributed somewhat to being athletic. But I just took the time to make some new friends and lo and behold, I did! Last week was a school holiday for most of the high schoolers so our practice was very small and casual.  But today we had 5 new girls that I have never met. One of them happens to be a classical pianist and also plays blues!! I am so thankful for this provision in even the smallest way. She lives in the homeland of some of the greatest music of all time. Cant wit to get to know her more- but all of the other girls too! Hopefully they will not kick me off of the team too soon... everyone needs a sideline cheerleader right? 

Just so you don't have to end today imagining me with a ball and glove.. ;)

 I have the privilege of running this view every day for the next 5 1/2 months... how blessed among runners! 

 Feels like home...

 This is literally like Jane Eyre. I did not want to bore you with a picture from every side, but each way you look is fields and quiet.

One of my favorites so far.

Thursday May 30

After realizing daily sin that we generally count as “small” and yet the grievous nature to the heart of our God, this spoke to me from the Valley of Vision this morning.  Encouragement and challenge to a daily walking believer:

“…Yet what can thou expect from dust but levity, of corruption but defilement? Keep me ever mindful of my natural state, BUT LET ME NOT FORGET MY HEAVENLY TITLE, OR THE GRACE THAT CAN DEAL WITH EVERY SIN!”

Valley of Vision, Self-Deprecation

And now with that said, I would like to boast in my weakness and announce that today May 30, 2013 was my first EVER official day of softball practice. For those of you who know me well... and i suppose not so well. I have mild albinism and struggle ever so slightly with a visual impairment. You can imagine that this helps my softball abilities incredibly!! (sarcasm inserted here) But after going on a 5 mile in run in the beautiful countryside and feeling quite good about myself, I was enlisted in the female softball league. I told them I could run, train, and work their girls, but please PLEASE do not make me attempt to to catch or hit a ball! He guess what guys? I endured an hour and 30 minutes of this self deprecation and you know what? I threw, caught, hit balls, and even blocked a line drive to prevent my jaw from being broken. 

I am just waiting for Sunday morning church! haha 

II Corinthians 12:8-10 ..."My grace is sufficient for you, as my power is made perfect in you weakness... for when I am weak, He is made strong."

Here is to an authentic faith walk!

 Maybe this will help... One shot in the dark.

 Is this place for sale?

Belvedere- My first German Castle

 You cannot see it due to the glare, but the mountains are breathtaking out front!

 Towns and vineyards from the top..

PLEASE JUST LET ME SLEEP.

From the time I arrived in Zurich at 8:30 am yesterday morning, I have been forced to keep my eyes open all day. From the beautiful drive into Germany to the meeting of my new roommate and bachelorette “pad”, I was taken to lunch, coffee, a castle, and a few grocery stores (and no I am not kidding, I went to two!) But here is a snapshot or two of my first day in Germany!

         I realize these first couple of posts are a bit wordy- but I did not have the chance to post until this evening! I so want you to be encouraged as I am through the testimony of fellowship and loving kindness of God through the body of Christ. Yesterday morning after running errands and saying goodbye to friends, I return to my house to find three sweet sisters and dear friends of mine waiting in my driveway. These three girls do not know each other, but happened to have come to support and pray over me at the same time. So ten minutes before I am taken to the airport, I had three dear friends and godly women send me off with prayer and written encouragement for the road. How wonderful for me, as I marvel at the graciousness of the body of Christ and the maker of it all!

         I departed Birmingham at 2pm yesterday with an inexplicable anticipation to be in a foreign land, struggling with foreign language, and loving a people I have never met. I believe this is rooted in the knowledge that no mater how far I go, I am rooted and grounded always in the loving and kind hands of my Father. He will not give me more than I can handle, and whatever is put in my path. He has proven faithful the past 26 years and I am taking an educated guess that there is no changing that!