Tuesday, January 25

I had a very productive morning! I worked on my vocabulary lists for a about an hour while listening to Sovereign Grace Music, then got caught up on journaling and started blogging. 

Mark said I would go with him to Berlin. Look at the following link to find out more information about “Green Week”. http://www1.messe-berlin.de/vip8_1/website/Internet/Internet/www.gruenewoche/englisch/About_IGW_Berlin/Description/index.html In a nutshell, it is the largest international display of horticulture, agriculture, and food. It encompasses about 25 buildings in downtown Berlin. We walked around for close to four hours looking at the various plants, machinery, and tasting various foods. It reminded me a little bit of the ride “It’s a small world” at Disney because there were so many countries represented there! Mark said most of the workers there were actually from the countries they represented, but they could all speak German. Compared to the weekend crowds, there weren’t many people there, but there were thousands in the various buildings today. It was very similar to the Dane County Fair with the different kinds of animals and animal shows, except on a much larger scale.

For dinner, Gloria and Helena wanted to make pancakes. Gloria wanted to stir the batter and ended up spinning the bowl so the batter started spilling onto the counter. My reaction was to say “Oh my….!!!!” Her response was “goodness?” She was so cute….priceless! I say “oh my goodness” all the time that for me to stop halfway made her confused. J

Monday, January 24

This morning I woke Helena up and got her off to the bus. Gloria stayed home because she’s still not feeling well. I read for a little bit and then started putting together a list of German vocabulary words to start studying. In the book I’m reading, the main character is placed in protective custody and given a new life in Italy. He is very diligent in his study of the language. As a result of reading about someone else in a new country with a new language and reading about his diligence at studying, I have developed a little drive to study the language more like I should have been doing from the beginning. 

Gloria wanted to watch a movie so we watched "Tinker Bell" in English with German subtitles. Shortly after that, I accompanied Nancy while she went grocery shopping. We took the plastic bottles to the drop off machine and got money back. We ended up going to three different grocery stores before we had everything we needed. Nancy said there isn’t one store that carries everything.

I had about two hours to work on my adjectives and eat dinner before heading out to my class. Nancy made stir-fry and rice for dinner and rushed to make sure it was ready before I had to leave. I really appreciated that, but was too nervous to really eat my fill. The neighbors came over dinner. I spilled a fork full of food in my lap when I accidentally hit my fork out the bowl. I felt like an idiot, but brushed it off and kept eating. It was kind of funny though. J

The fifth student was at class tonight. I walked into the room acting more confident than I really felt. I was surprised by my take control attitude and introducing myself to the new student and talking to the teacher a little bit. Tonight we reviewed the colors, went over a bunch of adjectives, and worked on conjugating a few verbs. My teacher went over the dativ, akusative, nominative cases very briefly. I never understood those in high school and still don’t so I know what I’ll be studying in the next two weeks. I actually have a homework worksheet to complete, which includes writing out a few dialogues based on the pictures. I’m so glad I’m living with a German family because they can help me. J I have so much studying to do this week it’s not even funny, but I’m getting started on it right away…tomorrow. J

Sunday, January 23

This morning was another adventure at church. Thankfully I found the church without any problems and enjoyed good fellowship. However, on the way out of town, I noticed the gas tank was getting low and didn't know if I would have enough to get home so I decided to stop at the gas station. How hard is it to pump a little gas and pay inside? I figured I could figure it out. However, I didn't count on not being able to figure out how to open the little door that gives me access to the gas tank itself! Of course, my mobile wasn’t working, so I couldn’t call anyone for help. Finally, I decided to drive to the missionaries house and ask them for help. Thankfully I remembered the way and only had to wait a few minutes before they arrived from church. They looked at all the buttons and gadgets in the car and then the missionary mom looked at the gas tank door and pushed it. Whala….it opened! I figured with as many buttons as the car has, there must be a button for the gas tank too. Who knew it could be so easy! 

Helena wanted to read in what we’ve dubbed our “reading corner.” It’s really a wood bench under a couple of windows that let the most natural light in. We read for a while until Gloria came over and wanted me to do her hair. I spent an hour braiding her entire head of hair. Mark said she looked like a bleached black little girl. She looks so cute! She’s hoping it stays so she can wear it like that to school tomorrow. 

For dinner, Mark made spaghetti and the girls found great delight in concocting different salad dressings and having us taste test them. We graded them the salads on appearance and taste. Gloria won the appearance award and Helena won the taste award. 

Saturday, January 22

The best lazy Saturday ever! We read, ate, played, made homemade pancakes, and went to bed late! 

Friday, January 21

I didn’t really know how to do my hair today, so I used my hair straightener to shape it a little bit. It turned out okay. After I get some products, it will look better. 

Mark and Nancy were in Berlin all day so I was able to have a relaxing day at the house, working on laundry and ironing until the girls got home from school. I wrapped Mark's mom's birthday present, got the girls something to eat and showed them how to use the dishwasher. 

The afternoon passed very quickly and I spent close to an hour working on braiding the girls hair. It turned out so cute and the girls received many compliments. 

Helena didn’t really know how to direct me to get to Mark's dad's house, so she put the address in the navigation system. We arrived there without any mishaps. Mark's step-mom served us tea and we looked through a book of modern art. None of us girls really thought they were interesting, but Mark's step-mom explained a couple of pictures to us. I just don’t understand it and don’t get the appeal. It looks like nothing and should be discarded. She can speak quite a bit of English, so what German I don't understand she explains in English.

The girls, their cousin and I rode with Mark's dad and step-mom to the birthday party where Mark and Nancy met us. We said our hellos to everyone. Word got around to all the guests that I was the “companion” of the girls so people came over to introduce themselves. Everyone was very kind, but I felt way out of my league. It didn’t help that the girls deserted me to watch TV in the bedroom. I was very thankful when Mark and Nancy arrived.

Mark's step-mom and I ended up talking a lot tonight. At first she was speaking in English, but Nancy heard her from across the room and told her to speak German because I understand very well. She was wonderful! She spoke very clearly and slowly enough for me to understand most of what she said. I felt very comfortable trying to speak back in German. I really enjoyed talking with her and her friend. After introducing me to her friend, she told her I am very polite and that I speak very good German. I was encouraged by that. She said that I was welcome to go to museums with her and her husband. 

After leaving the apartment, we stopped to pick up Nancy’s car. The girls rode back to the house with me. Gloria developed a cold tonight that seemed to get worse by the hour. When we arrived home, we promptly went to bed. 

Thursday, January 20

I got my hair cut this afternoon. I didn’t know what kind of style I wanted, but I wanted something new and Wendy said to go short and go big. Nancy said I needed something a little “naughty”. I looked for days on the internet for a style I liked, but didn’t find one until I was at the hair salon and looking through the books with Nancy. After Nancy described to the hair dresser what I wanted, she left. I got a wash and head massage, cut, and styled. I really like how she styled it and I’m hoping I’ll be able to replicate it, but of course she put stuff in it that I don’t have, so it definitely won’t look exactly the same. Mark says it makes me look older and Nancy said I don’t look 18 anymore. J 

For lunch, Mark made me a little sandwich that consisted of raw meat mixed with onions and salt and pepper and some olive oil. It wasn’t too bad if it’s not spread on the bread too thickly. 

After the girls arrived home from school, we headed to Ludwigsfelde to drop Nancy’s mom off at the bus station and dropped the girls off at the music school. We stopped by the library and got some new books. I’m excited for the one I got. 

For dinner, Mark made pig thigh, sauerkraut, and potatoes. The pig was falling apart done and very tender and juice. It was delicious! 

After a little bit of kitchen cleanup, I got dressed for workout out at the gym with Mark and the neighbor. 

We were the first ones to arrive at the gym and I thought that would be it. Just us and the gym teacher, but more people steadily arrived. While we waited, we warmed up by playing a little bit of soccer. When more people arrived, we started jogging laps. We stretched together, with each person leading a different stretch. I thought we would play just one game the whole time, but it was more like a planned exercise time. We played ultimate Frisbee, worked with dumb bells, then set up various stations (high jump, jump rope, stretching, different ab workouts, weights, etc.), then we played a new game which involved throwing little balls to hit the big ball to the other teams side, then we played basketball! I love basketball and my team actually worked really well together. 

There was one lady who spoke really good English! She works for Rolls Royce and so speaks English every day at work! We were on the same team, so she explained the new game to me. She was surprised to learn I was 22. Even with my new hair cut, people still think I look like a teenager! 

Wednesday, January 19

This morning I fried an egg for myself and ate breakfast. Later, Nancy asked me to do some chores so I ironed a bunch of clothes, vacuumed the floor and couch upstairs, and did a load of laundry.

I took Helena to her voice lesson today and stayed to listen. She is working on two songs in English. It was interesting to see what her teacher teaches her how to sing. While we were leaving, I was telling her how to pronounce “Eden” from the song “Morning has broken.” She didn’t know what Eden was, so we started talking about the Garden of Eden. Once she knew what that was, she was able to tell me the story of Adam and Eve. 

When we got back to the house, Helena decided to go to the catechism class held at the priests house. When they got back, I asked Helli what they learned. She said they made little houses out of paper and listened to the story of the lame man whom Jesus healed after his friends lowered him through the roof.

Nancy went to a fashion show with a couple of friends (it's fashion week in Berlin) and was gone all evening. For dinner we ended up eating the rest of the fish sticks and potato (katoffin) patties. After cleanup and right before Mark came home, Gloria and I saw each other and at the same time gave each other a hug. Gloria, however, never let go, so I started dancing with her; sliding across the floor in my slippers as she held on. Dancing lead to me carrying her everywhere as she pretended she was lame.

Mark brought a new set of goblets home with him, so I helped him unpack them and then pack up an old set he was selling. Mark started re-arranging the entire dining room, moving display cases to different places (with the help of a couple of the workers). 

Tuesday, January 18

Today, Nancy and I went to the DMV (I don’t know what it’s called in Germany) to get new license plates for the Golf (the little car I’ll be driving). It was quite the process, similar yet a little different from the DMV at home. On our way to a shopping center one of the Polish workers called to say the oil and water in the Golf were mixing and so I wouldn’t be able to drive it until that gets fixed. 

We ate chinese food at the little strip mall. I bought although Nancy looked at me weird. While we were eating, Mark called and she told him I had bought lunch. He seemed surprised and asked, “Really!?” 

I asked Nancy why so many people take holiday in Thailand. She said its mostly because it is extremely cheap and it has a warm climate. However, she added that there is a lot of prostitution in Thailand, including very young girls whose parents force them to begin selling themselves at a very early age. It was so depressing to hear!

After lunch, we looked at some shoes and then went to Ikea where Nancy bought little couches for Gloria’s bedroom. Nancy was going to have the Polish workers put them together, but she and I started the project and ended up doing all of it ourselves! J They turned out really nice and match Gloria’s room perfectly!

We picked up the girls from their gym class and got to watch for a little bit. It looked like a lot of fun! 

Helena wasn’t feeling well after school, so she had a lazy afternoon and ate some crackers. 

Mark was describing some of their antique china and figurines and the company from which they are made: KCP (King’s China Productions) after Frederick the Great. Talking about him lead to talking about the masons, named after the Knights Templar, a group that developed more power than the Catholic Church so the Church tried to have the Knights exterminated. Mark said the two main goals of the Masons is to 1. Make sure no one is oppressed or under oppression from a king or government. Only God can tell someone to do something and 2. To aid society. They do this by collecting money to sponsor projects or other things, but the money is always given anonymously. 

Monday, January 17

This morning I was expecting to do some chores and hang around the house, but Nancy had other plans. We went to the city hall (Rathaus) to register me, so I am officially legal here! We headed to a neighbors house where Mark and Nancy store a few cars during the winter months. The neighbor gave us a tour of his entire house! It was really nice! I keep telling myself not to let the outside of houses fool me into thinking they are dumpy inside, but they aren’t!

Nancy was helping me practice introducing myself in German for my class tonight. Then when Helena got home from school, Helena practiced with me some more. I was studying some German words, but kept falling asleep, so I finally just took a nap. 

I was so nervous for my class!!!!!! I drove myself, so I was nervous about finding parking, finding the correct classroom, being able to understand and speak German, etc. I just didn’t know what to expect so I was nervous for the unknown! I found parking and walked to the front of the building. I was almost late and still didn’t know where the room was. When I opened the door, a man stepped out of a room, so I figured that was my teacher. I checked the room numbers as I walked toward him and sure enough it was him: Herr Dr. Knabe. I was the first student to arrive, which I was surprised to find out. I was nervous about speaking German and worried I wouldn’t be able to understand what people asked me, but I understood enough to get by.

My teacher is a retired German teacher, so he’s perfect to teach us. There were four of us tonight, but there is supposed to be a fifth. The other students have been here longer than I have though so they understand the language better than I do. My teacher asked me what I was doing here and since I didn’t know how to explain (in German), I told him I was studying German. 

In this first class, we went over some geography, objects found in a house, fruits and vegetables, colors, and how to address men and women. Some things were review for me, while others were completely new. I was surprised that Dr. Knabe didn’t give us more homework. This week we’re supposed to review the colors. Next week we’ll learn adjectives. 

When I arrived home, the family was finishing dinner. I was starving!! As I described the class, Mark got me food: meat, potatoes, and green beans. It was delicious.

After dinner, Nancy and I watched some television while Mark went pig hunting. The moon was very bright tonight so Mark could go hunting. He ended up getting a big one! Nancy looked at my school handouts and what we had gone over. 

Sunday, January 16

This morning I arrived at the right location for church, but found a large group of people on the sidewalk. It looked like they had just gotten out of church. However, I didn’t see anyone I recognized and couldn't find the little church group. I finally decided to just head home. 

After everyone got dressed and we ate a traditional Turkish lunch (flat bread with sausage), we were going to head out the door to look at some castles! 

Potsdam is very near Berlin and is known for its castles. A lot of celebrities live in Potsdam. We visited a castle that is located on the top of a hill. It didn’t look very large until we got up right next to it. There were statues everywhere on the roof of the castles and all over in the garden. The statues in the gardens are made of marble though and so were covered so the snow and ice wouldn’t crack them. The statues on the castles themselves were big!

The first castle we went to was Friedrich the Great’s, the Sanssouci, meaning “no worries”. Visit the following link to see a few pictures: http://www.germanplaces.com/germany/sanssouci-potsdam-sights.html Friedrich the Great is buried there next to his beloved dogs. His gardens are tiered with steps leading down to a huge fountain. As you look back up to the castle, on every tier there are glass windows where he kept plants during the winter months. The plants survived in their glass cases because they were in constant sunshine since they face south. We didn’t go in the castle on this visit, but Mark said we would come back.

There is a long walkway through gardens to Friedrich’s son’s castle, which is monstrous compared to his fathers. The grounds are extensive! Across from the son’s palace are two smaller, but still large and grand buildings. Mark said one was probably for servants while the other was probably for concubines. There are places where you can walk on the original cobblestone driveway. I can’t imagine being a horse and having to walk on those stones all the time. That would hurt!

We tried to go to an authentic German restaurant, but they were out of the really German foods, so we ended up going back to the house and enjoying the fire. After the girls went to bed, Mark, Nancy and I watched “Salt”. I’ve been wanting to see it, but it didn’t end how the previews had led me to believe it would. Good action though.

After the movie, I skyped mom and dad and talked to them for about an hour. It was so much fun! I’ve really been missing my family this week, especially since I didn’t hear from mom and dad. 

Saturday, January 15

Gloria was so excited to see the coffee cake bake and try it. They liked it!! Nancy liked that it was a fluffy cake and not heavy. The girls loved it! I wasn’t sure how it would turn out because the brown sugar is not packable here. It’s grainy like white sugar is in the States. It turned out like it normally does. 

After breakfast, I started playing the piano and then Helena came in and Nancy wanted her to play. She played some chords, then I gave her a piece of music to sight read. She did it and then started singing it. It was a lot of fun working with her. 

We went to Berlin to eat Chinese for lunch/dinner. We met up with the antique dealer and his wife, and his son and daughter-in-law. I ordered chicken and cashew with vegetables and ate the entire plate. I was full all night! I was really surprised when the girls started telling everyone that I made a really good coffee cake. I was pleased, but surprised they would bring it up. They also wanted me to count to 10 in Cantonese. It was funny.

Friday, January 14

This morning, I let the dogs out, then woke the girls up and promptly went back to my room and started reading my Bible (Daniel 7). Helena came in first and sat next to me on the bed. I said it was Friday and she told me that her teacher for her first class is at a competition so they get to do whatever they want. She was excited because she was going to take a book with her and read. What a little girl after my own heart. J 

After the girls left I caught up on emails and got dressed in my workout clothes. I did a hard ab workout…it hurt like crazy, but that’s good! Then I went to the cellar and jumped rope. I drank a class of chocolate milk and ate an apple with peanut butter for breakfast. 

When the girls got home, they wanted Vanessa to come over. Mark said that was okay, but Helena had to do 20 minutes of piano and those 20 minutes had to be approved by me. After that, Vanessa came over and played with the girls for a while. We finally settled on making spaghetti for dinner. Vanessa and Gloria came in and helped me. It ended up being an experiment spaghetti sauce concoction. We combined hamburger, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, some salt and pepper, brown sugar, and two different herbs. It wasn’t the best, but it was still good. 

After dinner, we made a Buttermilk Coffee Cake. Gloria loves baking, so she and Vanessa helped me again. We had to wait for Nancy to get home before we could add the baking soda she had bought. 

The four of us girls played Wii dance in the dark while wearing glow-in-the-dark bracelets. It was very fun! After Vanessa left, we spent some time reading at the request of Helena. The girls watched a TV show where celebrities had to do weird things, like put spiders in their mouths for a certain amount of time. I can't handle watching insects crawl on people. It grosses me out!

When Mark and Nancy got home around midnight, I finished the coffee cake and cleaned up the kitchen. Mark said he had a surprise for me, which ended up being four king sized reeses peanut butter cup packages! 

Thursday, January 13

This morning Nancy and I headed to our appointment with the personal trainer. We spent an hour doing stepping exercises, working with weights for our arms and abs, and stretching. It was a great workout! The trainer spoke some English so she would either explain the next workout or demonstrate it for me so I could follow. I was very thankful I am observant and a quick learner.

After showers and getting ready for the day, Nancy went to the office to get some work done and I ironed some clothes while listening to Disney songs and eating chocolate. 

The girls arrived home and we ate some homemade soup and bread then headed out for more music lessons. While the girls were in their lessons, Nancy and I looked at the Bibliothek (aka, the library). Nancy didn’t know this library was there, but it was really nice and had several authors and book series I recognized from the states, only in their German counterparts. They had an English selection, so I was able to check out an English book.

Today was so amazing with the girls! We interacted beautifully! We read together, got dinner ready together, ate next to each other, and later one of them came to tell me that when I’m a little better at German, she can give me short and easy German stories to read. She was such a sweetie tonight!

Wednesday, January 12

This morning Nancy had a dentist appointment in Berlin, so we headed out the door early. While her teeth were being cleaned, I memorized II Peter 1:5-10:

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

After the dentist, we stopped at the bank, the meat store, and the bakery. We also stopped so Nancy could prove to me that there really are snickers made with peanut butter. She bought me one of them, but I haven’t tried it yet. We also stopped at a Chinese supermarket where I found dried mangoes!! I had everyone try it and the girls really liked it. We ended up eating the whole bag tonight.

We picked the girls up from school and headed to music lessons. While the girls were in their lessons, Nancy and I went to the large grocery store where I found more peanut butter and had a look at their baking supplies. They have everything I would need to do some baking, so I’m excited! On the way home, we stopped at a farmer’s house to buy some eggs.

I got to skype with a sister tonight for just over an hour! It was so nice! We talked about the kids, "mine" and hers. They’re getting so big! She also told me about Mr. Mark Slack’s (aka Mr. Jelly) fall from the barn and his subsequent death. I've been really praying for everyone involved.

Tuesday, January 11

This morning after the girls left for school, I was able to talk to Josh Bartels on skype chat and he helped me with my computer “problems.” Problems that ended up being nonexistent because I either already fixed it and didn’t know it or the problem resolved itself. However, it was nice to talk to him and update him on how everything was going. 

TWO packages arrived today! One from mom with a long sleeved WI badgers shirt, which is great because I didn’t have any WI paraphernalia…until now! The other package was from Devra with a scarf, warm socks, brown sugar and spice lotion, and reeses peanut butter cups! My favorite candy! I was so excited to get them!! I had everyone try the candy…the girls thought it was okay, but not their favorite (mainly because of the peanut butter).

Most of the day was spent in taking down all the Christmas tree ornaments and other Christmas decorations and packing them away. 

Monday, January 10

Today was Gloria’s Birthday! We all got up extra early so she could open her presents before leaving for school. She was so excited!

Mark made me some toast and tea and we watched CNN international where I learned the details of the Arizona shooting of the Congresswoman. She is still in critical condition, but at least still alive after being shot in the head. There was a similar shooting in Pakistan of a Governor, but people are praising the gunman instead of condemning him like in the US. The flooding in Australia will probably take years to subside. I think that's all the world updates I heard....

I ironed until I thought my arm would fall off! Then I played the piano a little bit and said hello to a visitor. I GOT TWO LETTERS FROM HOME! I was so excited!!!

Nancy and I went to the grocery store to pick up some snacks and drinks for the kids we were picking up from school for Gloria’s birthday party. We got muffins, candy bars, and Capri suns. Mark met us at the school because we needed both cars to transport all the girls. Then we headed to the TV tower in Berlin. It is super high! We got to walk around the 360 degree windows. We could see all around the city of Berlin! Mark and Nancy pointed out certain landmarks to me and various historical buildings. I saw the ruins of the Franciscan monastery (which was originally built in the 13^th century), several churches, the original site of the kings’ palace before the Nazi’s destroyed it and across the street from that, the king’s church as well as his special hunting forest. You could see areas that were definitely East Berlin because all the buildings are exactly the same and very plain. The East Berliners weren’t allowed to have any advertisements on any of the buildings when the wall was still standing. I was also able to see various government buildings. The Lord gave us a wonderfully clear sky with a brilliant sunset and stars.

For dinner, we went to KFC. Most of the girls had never been there. From KFC, we took all the girls home, but there was traffic to contend with, so it ended up taking us an hour and a half to get back to the house. 

When we got home I promptly took a shower and shaved. I drank some hot water while doing a word search before hopping into bed. I was exhausted!

Sunday, January 9

I didn’t sleep very well last night, tossing and turning, while I waited for my alarm to go off so I could get ready for church. 

I got ready early, had a bowl of cereal and drank tea while I waited in the dining room, looking out the window. The missionaries picked me up. We were able to converse very easily. It was wonderful! She and her husband are originally from Alabama and so have definite southern accents. Their church is very small and consisting mostly of women. Marsha has a Bible study with about 7 other ladies, but they don’t all come to church. Today was the last day meeting in their home.

I understood enough German to follow along in the singing and study of God’s Word. After the service, we had coffee/tea and some sweet bread.

On the way back to the house, we talked about my Catholicism study and other various topics. When I got back to the house, I let myself in (with the key I took with me). Everyone was wanting to know how it went.  Nancy came in wanting to know who church was, so I told her about the family, the church, and vaguely about the people who were there. Then we had tea and some German sweet bread. I played Wii Fit with the girls, Gloria and I cracked walnuts and then the girls helped me learn to pronounce words. Shortly after that, Mark’s mom, stepdad, and nephew arrived unexpectedly.

For dinner, Mark made spaghetti. The sauce included onions, oil, tomato juice and tomato chunks, herbs, some white wine, salt and pepper, and maybe something else. It was actually really good! After dinner, I skyped with Stacey. She was still with the whole gang in Iowa, so I got to talk to Tim and Kelly, Dad and Mom, Stacey, Wendy, Janna, Karl and Judy. It was so much fun! I even got to assist Stacey in playing 7up/7down!

Saturday, January 8

Today I got up, did my ab workout, stretched, and went running. I left a note for Mark and Nancy just in case they got up and couldn't find me. There were icy spots, but definitely doable, although muddy. It wasn’t a long run, but it got me winded and sweating and that was my goal. I was so hungry after getting ready for the day that I had an English muffin, then ate a fried egg and drank some green tea with the family after they got up. 

Mark made a new rule in the house: when all five of us are together, only English can be spoken. When they are just with me, they can speak German. 

We went to a restaurant in a hotel for lub (lunch/dinner) with friends. It is nice to see friends repeatedly because then I feel much more comfortable with them and feel like they are my friends as well.  I ordered Schnitel with Katoffel (potatoes) and vegetables. For an appetizer, I had a small bowl of tomato soup, which was quite good.

When we got back to the house, I played Uno Spin with the girls. After our friends left, the family played Monopoly World. Nancy won! After the girls went to bed, we watched an old James Bond movie during which Mark and Nancy asked me about and church tomorrow. 

Friday, January 7

Today marks my official first month in Germany. It doesn’t seem like its been that long and yet at times, it feels longer. Happy Birthday Devra!! I’m really bummed I’m not with the family right now as they celebrate my cousins wedding. I’m missing out on all the fun!

I figured it was time for me to begin another more in-depth study, so I've decided to do a study on Catholicism. There are many Catholic churches in Berlin so I thought it would be prudent to know a little bit about them and the doctrines they teach. So far, it has been very interesting. It's slow-going though because I'm not familiar with all of the vocabulary theologians use. 

Nancy asked me to help with some of the cleaning today, so I listened to "Prince of Egypt" as I cleaned. 

When the girls got home, Helena said she had to go to a friends house to work on a school project. While she was gone, Gloria and I played Wii sports (tennis and baseball ) and Wii Dance. When we got hungry, we made fish sticks, potatoes, and spinach for dinner. It turned out really good. We cleaned up the kitchen and after Helena got home, played Uno Spin.

Gloria and I made the brownie mix I had brought with me, but we had to wait until the neighbor family arrived with the oil before we could bake them. We celebrated my first month in Germany with brownies and snacks. J I went upstairs while we waited for the brownies to bake and ended up doing a four-way Wii Dance off. I won twice and Helena won once. It was a lot of fun! 

Today, I am so thankful for absolute truth! We watched “The DaVinci Code” tonight, need I say more? 

Thursday, January 6

FOILED! My good intentions for running today were ruined when I realized it was sleeting outside. I don’t have the proper running clothes to handle sleet, so I did an ab workout and stretched in my room while listening to music instead. I still have to do something!

Gloria got my account set up on Wii Fit, so I did some yoga and then read for a good part of the early afternoon. 

We went to the bookstore to pick up my German book for my class. I didn’t know what to expect, but it starts out pretty easy. I think it will be a good class. I also went with Gloria to her trumpet lesson. From the music school we picked up the new kitchen stools, ate dinner at McDonalds, and then went to another store. This store is like Sams in that only members who have a business can shop there. The prices are half off what you would buy in a normal store. I got my first round of souvenirs!

When we got home, Mark and I put together the new chairs.

Wednesday, January 5

This morning Gloria wasn’t feeling well, so she ended up staying home from school. I was going to go for a walk this morning, but got talking with Mark and Nancy while I ate a banana with peanut butter. I talked with Gloria for a little bit, talking some German while I relayed instructions from Nancy to Gloria and vice versa. I was pleased with what German I remembered and what I understood. Nancy has begun to speak more German with me so I can learn to understand it better. I’m very thankful for that!

A local missionary called today (I was very surprised to have Nancy find me and say the phone was for me!). I’M GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY!! I am so excited! I don’t care if it is just their family and me. Someone to talk Scripture with, sing a little bit, and fellowship with would be perfect! 

On the way home from the doctor's office, Nancy dropped Gloria and I off at the edge of town and we took about an hour long walk.  We walked out and around the back of the town and then back and to the house. Gloria got tired, so the past little part of the way, I carried her on my back. It was a little awkward because we were both in our winter gear, but it still worked.

I played the piano (what I could remember) for a while. I was wishing I had brought my books with me!  

I’ve decided it's time to start another extended study, so I've started an in-depth study on Catholicism. It's slow going since I'm not familiar with some of the vocabulary. I'm excited though.

Tuesday, January 4

This morning I made scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast after the girls left for school. I was working on my computer and straightening my hair and somehow I forgot to plug my computer back in so it shut off on me. I thought my computer had stopped working, went kaput on me, so I was praying really hard! Then I saw it wasn’t plugged in and figured out the battery had just run dry. Silly me! I’m so thankful my computer still works! 

I ironed a bit while Nancy worked in the office. We then headed to the mall. We ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant again, but I tried something different. We purchased some birthday presents for Gloria. We did some clothes shopping and then picked up the girls at the gym. When we got home, I finished up ironing while Nancy and the girls made dinner: fried turkey, French fries, and peas. 

After dinner, Gloria and I played checkers. I won.

I’m reading through Daniel before I go to bed and was struck by 3:18: “But if not (if God doesn’t deliver us from the fiery furnace), be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” It hit me how easily I can allow things to become more important than my relationship with the Lord; idols (or mini gods) that draw my attention and affections from my Savior. I want to be like Daniel: perfectly content and secure in the Lord that no matter the outcome I can still say, "I will worship You only!"

Random thoughts: The Germans believe in luck. For example, hunters won’t shoot a white deer because it will bring bad luck; they don't say "Happy Birthday" the day before someone's birthday because it will bring bad luck. 

Monday, January 3

This morning my alarm went off along with the church bells signaling the start to the normal routine. The girls were a bit sluggish in getting out of bed this morning. I made myself an English muffin and cleaned the kitchen before going back to my room. I was going to sleep again, but got on the computer instead. I found a random movie: For the Love of a Child. It’s about fighting child abuse. Maybe I’ll become a nurse to children who experience abuse.

Nancy asked me to do some cleaning since the cleaning lady didn't come today. I vacuumed, swept, and did some laundry. The new couch arrived along with the return of the Polish workers. The yellow couch eventually ended up in my room. The cushions were incredibly dusty so we took them out on the veranda and I beat them for a good half hour with a broom. It helped air them out as well as release the dust. 

For dinner, Gloria and Nancy made pizza, which turned out pretty good. While eating we watched Germany v. Sweden in handball. I’d never seen the sport before, but it was really interesting to watch and looks like fun. It’s a fast-paced game.

After dinner, I helped Helena study some English vocabulary. I said the German word and she said the English. She kept correcting my pronunciation, which I asked her to, but I got frustrated with myself for not being able to copy her perfectly. Practice makes perfect! It kind of makes me want to push harder in studying the basics again. I helped Gloria play spider solitaire and then we looked at lots of pictures. It was a nice evening. 

Sunday, January 2

This morning I woke up and listened to a message from John Piper online and sang for my personal time of spiritual renewal and study. The message was on Ephesians 1:15-23 about the immeasurable greatness of Christ’s power at work in believers. It was a great study!

We walked through a flea market selling antiques in Berlin this afternoon. We met up with friends of Mark and Nancy's while we were there. He is a well-known antique dealer.

For lunch we all went to a Turkish restaurant. The antique-dealer’s son and family joined us there. I ate so much I felt like bursting, but everyone kept saying “here, try this” even if I said no thanks. I tried liver, lamb, and a bunch of other dishes, but mostly ate chicken with rice. It was really good. They make a watered-down yogurt, olive oil, and salt drink which cleans out your system. 

We left the restaurant and went to the friends apartment where we drank tea and everyone ate more food! I tried to refuse everything they offered, but the wife just wouldn’t take no for an answer. So I had a little bowl of coconut and strawberry ice cream. The men smoked cigars and talked. I was tired, so my mind wandered and I stared into space a few times. 

We left their house and were able to enjoy a relaxing evening. I really want to start exercising again. I’m feeling completely out of shape and lazy.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I was expecting to sleep late today since we got to bed so late, but I woke up about 3 hours after going to sleep. I refused to get up so slept for another couple of hours until 10:30 when I finally admitted defeat and got up. Town people were out next door cleaning up the firework garbage at the town hall.

I quietly went downstairs and made myself an English muffin, orange and a cup of tea which I ate in my room as I watched Hallmark movies online. I practically had the entire day to myself since everyone slept until about 2:30pm!

When they did get up, they watched a nature program. There was this humming bird whose neck changed colors depending on which direction his head was turned. It was awesome! Mark made a comment about nature being beautiful. Nothing can come close to nature itself. I was also struck by the awesomeness of nature, but for a different reason. I gathered up enough courage to say “creation definitely points to a creator, huh?” No comment.

I got to skype with the family for about an hour and see Wendy and Bobby! AND the church finally has a sign AND its up! WOOHOO! Praying the Lord sends more families to worship with us this year.

For dinner, Mark made hashbrown patties and Nancy made a salad. Then we watched a movie: The Rock. It was really good!! A great action movie, although I felt conflicted in which side to go for. I was prepared to go to bed, but Mark wanted to do a double feature, so I quick took a shower, the girls went to bed, popcorn was made, and we settled in for another movie: Demons and Angels with Tom Hanks. It was about the Catholic Church. I was never more thankful for my freedom and PERSONAL relationship with Christ tonight than ever before!!

Friday, December 31

Today was another slow day. I was going to go out to my little sanctuary, but everything was starting to melt and it was windy so I decided against it. Nancy, Helena and I prepared the meat for tonight and the herb topping. The kids played Wii golf while I read. Eventually it was time to get ready to party.

Nancy said tonight was a more formal dinner and evening, so I borrowed a black dress. I’m glad I wore all black because everyone else was in all black dresses and the men were in black suits with white shirts. Everyone looked really nice.

We were served champagne as everyone arrived. There were several people who came to speak with me in English so I didn’t feel completely out of place. One couple especially talked with me. She went to college in the States so she speaks very good English. I was very happy to be able to talk to her. She understood all my clichés and slang and spoke with “normal” American grammar. She challenged me to just start talking in German even if I don’t know words or don’t pronounce words correctly. Her husband told me about all the places I needed to visit while I am here.

For dinner, we had four courses: fried fish muscle with tomatoes and seaweed, fried fish with a rice pudding and small salad, venison with Spätzle (a Bavarian noodle), and an apfeltart with small spoon of ice cream. We didn’t start eating until about 10pm and had one course just about every hour. When midnight came we all went outside to light fireworks. It was like the fourth of July. Fireworks were going off all around us so it sounded like we were in a war! Most of the fireworks went really high. Over here they don’t have restrictions on what kind of fireworks you can have. Every family brought some fireworks so we had a great display. We had lots of sparklers too and flare-type fireworks. They did a countdown and when the New Year hit, everyone went around kissing cheeks and greeting each other. 

Eventually we went inside and warmed up and continued eating. Around 2-2:30am, our host got the urge to dance, so he turned the music up and was going from person to person bringing them to the “dance floor”. I tried to hide behind the camera so I wouldn’t have to dance because I have absolutely zero dance moves when dancing solo. We helped clean up a little bit and then headed home. I drove and Nancy gave me directions. By the time I took a shower and got in bed it was 4:45am! I couldn’t believe it! :)