Cold, Cold Monday in Heumaden...............

Guten Tag,

One month from today we head home. It seems like it was only July and I had arrived. I had awaited that day for so long. Where does time go? I waste so much time. God has revealed that to me as I have set here with Him for these past few months. I am so excited about going home via Hawaii...I just cannot wait to see those 9 smiling faces. To sit and watch them...what joy! But I plan to make the best of these last 30 days here in Germany. I pray I will come back again someday but that is only for God to know and I thank Him for giving me this time. I am truly one blessed human being and even in my blahs, like I am having today...I know what the blessings I have been given.

I learned something along time go. When I ask someone how they are I REALLY want to know how they are? I use to say nothing when asked this question but nowadays I tell the truth and boy is is interesting. I must say most of the time people on the whole do not want to hear about you...they say oh that is to bad....and continue their conversations mostly about themselves. What if God did this everytime we went to Him? I also learned along time ago, there is NO way we bother God. He loves it, He cherishes those moments we come and want to be with Him and Him alone. That is one of things He has been teaching me as I have spent a lot of alone time here in Germany. Most of the time I have squandered on myself and some pretty lame things. I could say that is human nature but I will not allow myself that excuse...it was just pure laziness and I suppose I did not want to hear the truths He was trying to teach me. He is always trying to teach us something else...I learned that along time ago,too.  I have manipulate my life for me most of the time and that is something God has really managed to show me these past few months. I am at the best time of my life and have so much time to give and give of myself and my time. I have one friend, Karenn, who I absolutely admire because she ALWAYS has time for someone else and their needs. She has such heart and is such a servant. She has set a good example and I pray I can be more like Karenn...NOT...be Karenn that is not what I am saying...just like what she shows me with her life.

Today is cold, very cold, very cloudy and it is 4:10 and almost dark. It will be dark until 8AM in the morning which makes for very long nights. Tomorrow night we are going to go down to the Christmas Market for dinner. Not many more opportunities for these kinds of outings. I am sitting here drinking Christmas Tea and listening to Mannheim Steamroller ...love them... think I go now and have some more time in the Word before Lennie gets home....

Tschuss
Debby

I miss them.......................

Guten Tag,

Each day the heart is growing more anxious to spend some time with these sweeties. I miss them more than words can say. Not only these three sweeties but David, Jacob, Elijah and Malia who we hardly know. Lennie and I have been so blessed by family. We have had so many wonderful Christmas traditions through the years that sitting here in the land of "Christmas" it seems very, very lonely because what truly matters is not here. Thank God I have my Lennie and that is number one but everything else seems so unimportant.

It is time to make gingerbread houses, make and decorate Christmas cookies and get sick from eating to much icing and sprinkles. To sing carols and go into KC to Crown Center and eat lunch where are meals are delivered to us from a train on its on choo choo train track. Traditions...they are so so important. When I grew-up and left home I remember the first Christmas I had by myself in San Francisco, as different from Warsaw, Indiana as you could get. I spent the day on the beach and we decorated a tree limb with shells and seaweed....we made the best with what we had..ha. But I was miserable because the traditions I was use to were not there. That day I realized what really mattered was that you are not alone and you begin to share in other traditions, not just your own.

Through the years we spent more time in desert climate than "winter" climate for our Christmas's. That did never stop us from keeping our traditions even putting the air conditioner on one Christmas morning so it would be really really cold, anything to make it feel cold.. What is interesting this kind of climate was more familiar with my children than cold and snow! We got that only when we went home to Nebraska or Indiana for Christmas. Boy do we have some memories from some of those trips but that is for another day. So many of the girl's traditions come from those two places ...Grandma Anna's and Grandma Jane's....so many of things we still do today come from the memories of those two ladies. But my memories come mostly from my Mom and Grandma Burkhart...oh now those two ladies knew how to do Christmas.

I guess today I am feeling a bit homesick and am desiring the familiar. I not only miss my family but I miss my friend's who I also have traditions with. Lord, today I thank you for all the precious and wonderful memories of tradition I have been given. So I turn on my Christmas music that I have recorded from itunes and CBN radio, fix me a cup of Christmas Tea and meditate upon the many blessings of Christmas I have been given.

Christmas love,

Debby

random thoughts...........

Guten Tag,

I was told recently by someone that I am selfish, braggadocios, and a hypocrite. So instead of being angry about it I chose to go to my Father and ask Him for the truths and ask forgiveness of my humanness. I became a Christian almost 40 years ago and everyday has been two steps forward and some days, weeks, months....10 steps back but I have always tried to continue forward, even the times I have stumbled. I understand when God says that know one knows our hearts like He does. I have done alot of bad things in my life and have been very transparent about them. I was a liar, an adulteress, a thief, a poor daughter at times, envious and jealous of others that truly took the joy right from my heart. I lived for years with anger and hatred.

The longer I have known the Lord the more I have come to realize that He knew I would have all these faults as He created me in my mamma's womb. Making no excuses for my faults or choices these are the things that have made me who I am today. I hopefully have learned and grown but I still am frail in my humanity. I was told that I am ashamed of where I come from. Anyone that knows me well, and has know me for along time, knows I love the family I came from and also know that was also part of God's plan. I talk fondly of my youth, my mom and dad and my siblings. Families are complicated and what is amazing how we can all be raised with the same morals, values, and even same mom and dad and still have a different view of how life was and is.

Anyone knows me, even for a few moments, knows I love BIG, and I care deeply for those who God puts in my path. I have had many sandpaper people in my life but realized they were there for ME to learn to handle confrontation and to most of all love unconditionally as God first loved me. I have been blessed to be a mentor to many but again in frailty I have not always been what they needed me to be to them. I think I am good friend, now. I did not use to be. I was a terrible friend as a kid and as a young adult because it was all about me and what I could get from any situation. I could manipulate any situation and still must be careful today to make sure my motives are pure. And often, I hate to admit, I must reevaluate those motives. I use to hate I was wrong...still do not like it but .....I know I have made lots of ugly mistakes and said some pretty stupid and foolish things...in the name of God! Thank you Lord that you are a God of mercy and grace! As 1 John 1:9 says, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse of all our unrighteousness."

I read the scripture this morning in 1 John that said that "This the message you have heard from the beginning. We should love one another. We must not be like Cain who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what is righteous. So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." Oh, how true and why am I always surprised when this happens? Righteousness is not self indulgent it is trying to attain holiness more and more each day so with each day we become more like our Father. This is hard to keep the balance of not overstepping the line and looking self indulgent, pious, holier than thou, but people who do not walk in the light do not understand this. They think we are hypocrites....no just trying to be what I was called to as a Christian who wants to have Him..."increase as I decrease."

I am a poor miserable sinner who was chosen by THE great and mighty God. Whose Son became my Deliverer, Rock, Savior, Counselor, Jehovah Jirah.....etc and etc! I do not deserve what has been given to me but I take it and ask this prayer today and everyday....Lord keep me humble....and you lift me higher and higher as I pray my Light continues to shine.

These thoughts come from a fresh wound that hurts like the dickens but I as I learned along time ago....the truth hurts...so I take these thoughts and use them for growth and hopefully for His honor and glory. Create in me a clean heart oh Lord and renew a right spirit in me. You can take all the bad in the world and make it good...........for your purpose not mine! NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH CHRIST JESUS. If He can take me, a broken woman with a rotten heart, and mold me and shape me as only the Potter can...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Tshcuss,
Debby

Wednesday in Deutchland

Guten Tag,

I sure was enjoying my Bavarian lunch a week ago today. The time just keeps flying. We sure did enjoy ourselves in Garmisch and thankful for the hospitiality and love of family from the Heckman's. Mags, Killian, and Syiah are amazing and wonderful kids...and so are Joannie and Eric! We got to meet a new friend, Olivia, what a wonderful name. The kids would have been happy if they could have just been left with Olivia and Lennie. My husband is a person that children just gravitate to him....I think they sense the peace and gentleness in him and he just feels safe. That is my Lennie!

We left on Friday at noon for Munich. We were going to have a great time at the Hofbrau Haus and go to the ChristKindel Market but my body had a different plan for me. I had such pain I stayed in bed all day Saturday. Lennie had a terrible sinus headache so we just warmed up in our hotel room bed and watched movies all day! We have been to Munich many times before so we decided this was God's plan for us not our plan! When we got up on Sunday morning I was feeling much less pain and Lennie was not as stuffed. So we ate breakfast and left on the train at noon for home. So our last trip to Munich for awhile was a visit at the Munich Marriott Courtyard....not a bad place it I say so myself...great beds and we caught up on movies...ha!

I must say and I have said it many times before to most of you, I would live in Bavaria if I could. I even suggested to Lennie we sell our house and move to Garmisch. I am serious. There is a peace and beauty there that just brings me to a place with the Lord I sense no where else. This town is magical at night. It truly feels so safe there. It is hard to believe that is was the heart of the Nazi movement and that so many awful things happened in and around there. The people are so friendly and kind and they ALL look like my grandparents'!! The The town lies under the strength of the giant mountain, the Zugspitz, just like in Heidi. That is probably another reason I love it...it is so Heidi! I love Heidi!

We got into the train station at Stuttgart and took the train to our bus stop and than from our bus stop 2 minutes away from home. We were home in 45 minutes from arriving at the train station. Why did America take the trains away and the buses..........only in the big cities....talk about saving money! Now, I am not going to say I do not like a car because there are days I would much rather get in the car and go straight to GO...but only a couple of more months and I will be back to a car and this will all be another memory!

Going to start some baking tomorrow and making candy for Lennie's office. I love doing this and thankful I have someone to do it for. We are still deciding if we are going to get a tree. I suppose we will, just a little one, probably from the florist already decorated. I do not think I could do without one but who knows, I have done with out other things since I have been here. I never thought in a million years I would be able to live without TV...but I have and life is so peaceful...there is that word again. And we only chose to read the news if we so desire. Everytime I read the news my heart is broken...I realized today we put our trust in men and they will probably let you down. We seem to forget without the Lord, and being human, we continue to be sinners. It reminds me of Psalm 2o:7, "Some trust in chariots and other horses, but I trust in the name of the Lord."

Yesterday it was to snow. It snowed about 2 minutes. It is December 2 and we still have not had one snow or a seriously cold day. Lennie said this time last year they were buried under snow and when I came to visit in January the snow was still on the ground. Since I am in Germany for only 42 more days I want snow and lots of it! Please!!!!

That is all for today. I cannot wait until Lennie gets home tonight. My new shipment of books have arrived. I am out of all my reading material. I had to stop reading my book about a first hand account at Auschwitz. I was having nightmares. One of the woman in the camp literally came in her wedding gown, still carrying her wedding bouquet. The SS disrupted her wedding and brought  took the whole wedding party to Auschwitz. They were from the town and many of the towns people, like this lady and her wedding party, were thrown in the camp so the SS could have their homes and businesses as their own! I am getting more and more sensitive in my old age! Some would say I have been over-sensitive my whole life but this was in a selfish way, now it is a compassion I have never sensed before. I ache for what hatred and religion has done in this world and continues on...again as it says in Ecclesiastes..."nothing is new under the sun."

Friends and family do not let the season go to fast...enjoy and remember each day the reason for the season!!

Tschuss,
Debby

More thoughts............

Guten Tag,

It was so fun to shop for polish pottery in the place where it is made. I would love one of these giant replicas to put in a garden at home, ha! I love buying fun things for those who I know love polish pottery as much as I do. You know when we were first in the military, and I first learned abou polish pottery, I really did not like it. As the years went on and I had friends who used it in entertaining and decorating I began to find the warmth and versitility in it. It has its own personality that either you like or dislike. I am a person who loves to mix and match china patterns one of the reasons I also love Fiestaware. What is so wonderful I can mix my polish pottery and Fiestware together with such ease. That funny thing....I created a the same fettish in both of my daughters....we all love dishes! And what does Casey do, she marrys a guy whose mom is as bad as us when it comes to dishes. Hey we all have our passions! So as I was saying it was really fun to shop in Boleslawiec, but there are a couple of things Lennie and I thought interesting.

First, of all, I am convienced the Amercian military wife has made polish pottery what is is today in America. Interestingly enough we did not find we were treated with much kindness. I do not expect anyone to speak Engish to me if they are not American, but we thought it interesting, that they did not even try to speak English to us, or try to engage in conversation with us....they seemed to just want our money. Now, the prices were amazing and now that I am back in Germany I wish I had bought more pieces but you live and learn. Most of the patterns I was familiar with but there a few new ones and a couple of new concept pieces that I found very interesting. I still love polish pottery but I wonder if we love it more than the pottery people love us...or is it just our money they love? Secondly, and I am serious, if you have any extra cash setting around I would say invest in Poland....we could not believe all the new everything going up around us everywhere we went. Roads, houses, new houses everywhere, apartment buildings, railroads, businesses...it really was evident this is a country that has found its freedom and expanding in every element that freedom brings. Thirdly, and this is what really touched our hearts...every time we went into a town or village...people of ALL ages were coming and going from the churches. It totally amazed us. It was heart warming to hear the bells peeling all hours of the day!

Well, the week-end is almost upon us again. Tomorrow we are going to go to the Mosel. Sunday we are going to go downtown and enjoy our favorite Italian resturant and hang out at the Christmas Market. So until Monday or Tuesday...ciao .....and have a blessed week-end!

Tschuss,
Debby

Our trip into Dresden was hilarious. Now most of you know Lennie can fly millions of dollars worth of jets but even with a GPS we could not find our hotel. We were laughing so hard by the time we got there we were ready to pee our pants. The darn thing kept telling us to turn ...ready....down the railroad tracks! It would not change no matter what direction we were coming from and believe me we tried every direction. Now, if we could have gone down the train tracks without getting killed it would have gotten us there but there was no way. At first I was ready to kill Lennie because he would NOT stop and ask for any help...hey he had the GPS, ha! He was bound and deteremined he was going to win this battle! I finally just decided to relax and see how this all went down. One hour after we arrived in Dresden, less than 1/2 mile from our hotel we finally arrived! Modern gadgets still are not perfect, ha! Maybe there is something to walking, taking a bus and a train! :)

THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN...CAN IT?

Guten Tag,

Where do I begin? I have so many thoughts going around in my brain. Must admit I would like to just forget but I cannot and I will not! I have been to Dachau and it was bad enough but I was not ready to SEE what they have preserved here so we SHALL never forget. What was really curious to Lennie and I was a young woman, in her mid to late 20's, from England, who had so many questions? Starting out with, "I never realized this all happened?" Coming to realize that in many schools today the Holocaust is just skimmed over unless you have a teacher who refuses to let it be forgotten.

I will never forget the one glassed in 25 foot wall that was nothing but hair! Hair that was shaved off as they entered the camp to stay or die, and than sent off to be used for rugs, clothing, fertilizer you name it they had a use for this hair. More glassed in walls filled with 1,000's of hairbrushes, toothbrushes, bottle brushes and being sent off to be "used" in other camps! Another glassed in wall of nothing but shoes, thousands and thousands of shoes! Eerily many matched sets together and all styles, sizes and for all ages! Another....full of kitchen things, mostly enamelware from canisters to cooking pots you think of it it was inside this glassed wall. Display cases full of beautiful handmade children's clothes and baby buntings, blankets...many taken and used by the SS families. Their one stop shopping! Adolph Hess, the commandant, said he and his family lived in an almost paradise conditions! You see his mansion across the street and outside the gates of the Camp it is 3 stories high with fine manicured gardens, the finest of food, the most expensive of shoes.........all thanks to the Jews who worked for them and so they could have this "paradise!"

Standing at the shooting wall and walking inside the gates to where this gate was almost more than I could bear. Thinking how these people must of felt walking in knowing, unlike myself, would never walk out again. What was so "kind" of the SS, they boarded up the windows that saw out to this courtyard, so no one could see the atrocities that were going on here... so nice of them! Everything in these camps were based on lies and deceit! Everything! Now, we thought this was a bad place...Auschwitz number one...than we went on a short bus ride to Birkenau........now this WAS what I seen in the movies....but a 100 times worse. I think the first thing that came to mind........NO PRIVACY....I would have gone crazy just from that because I am an introvert and all those people all the time would have drove me insane! I was not ready to see what I did and the rainy, cold, foggy day just made it more real. We cannot imagine what it must have been with snow, and they get lots and lots of snow there, with below zero temps. The ladies had to go from their barracks to the shower, which they might get once a month...naked to the "sanitary" barracks no matter the temperature outside. I realized at this moment this had to be one of the most humbling experiences anyone would ever experience. I know for myself as a woman I would never want anyone to see me naked for vanity reasons more than anything....vanity I do believed had to to be thrown out survival was the focus and those who were vain certainly would NOT have survived!

I have always been intrigued in the Holocaust. I have read and seen everything I could get my hands on through the years. I have been to Dachau, Anne Frank's and Corrie ten Boom's homes and I my two favorite books are "Mila 18" about the ghetto in Warsaw by Leon Uris and "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom. Also the "Zion Chronicles" and "Zion Covenant" series but nothing prepared me for the reality of this place. What what really touched my heart how this place has become a place of "remembrance" for the Jewish people. There were 100's of people there on "pilgrimage" from Israel. Carrying Israeli flags and marching the Torah to the entrance of the "ovens!" It made it even more real, but I still felt I was experiencing a surreal moment until I saw where the ovens were. They have left the remains of the buildings so the EVIDENCE is still there. Another story of deceit the SS officers would have the "ovens" appear like cottages with flowers planted around them and well manicured gardens....with them being up kept by the Jewish prisoners! They thought they were offices or houses where the SS lived. One of the reasons they created Birkenau, they could kill more bodies a day there....up to 300 a day on some days! Than the ashes were used for numerous things....NOT buried...used.....God forbid if something was gone to waste!

The last thing I want to say before I close for the day. I do not want to make light of this it was horrific. My concern we say we never want this to happen again but since 1973 51 million babies have been aborted.........so it is still happening and the same deceit is going on. Human nature is to believe what we want to believe no matter the evidence or the remains of the atrocities. God says without His wisdom and knowledge we are fools. So my conclusions there are many many fools walking this earth today ........I use to be one but the TRUTH set me free and I pray I will never forget. If persecution comes to me I certainly was not the first and I will not be the last. Let us NEVER forget and take the blinders off of our eyes and heart because the world is still doing these same evils just have different names for them...and sadly to say some are legal....does that make it right?

Tschuss,

Debby

Another Rainy Monday and NOT Snow!

Guten Tag,

Well, the week-end is behind us and it was lovely. We got all of our errands done and always looking at the new things in the exchange. I always go to the books and magazines to see what is knew. Lennie goes straight to the electronics. We really did not get much of anything just a couple of needed things and a couple of magazines. Had our lunch of Pizza Hut pizza and finished it off with spaghetti eis! Came home and did the rest of the laundry and chilled out the rest of the day.

Yesterday Lennie had lots of work to do from home. His job always has one more thing for him to do. He really is going to miss it though. He really really like his job. I wrapped some boxes yesterday and read and watched a wonderful old German movie about a circus. it was so good. Could hardly understand a word but it was just a sweet movie from the 50's.

Snow is in the forecast for today but it has not happened yet. It is getting colder as the day goes on. Just got back from running over to the backeri to get brochen and had to pick up milk. I had a cup of coffee with my friend's who work in the backeri and they wanted to know about the awful shootings at Ft. Hood. I told them I had many friends there and they were so interested. Interestingly enough all but one is Muslim so they wanted to know how I felt about Muslims? The door is opening it really really is...please keep this in your prayers for me.

Yesterday I fixed a truly American Sunday dinner. Lennie had seconds and took all the rest with him to work this morning. We had meatloaf, and I make the best meatloaf in the whole world if I say so myself, garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. It was so so good. Sometimes you just need the "comfort" of home...ha!

We leave Wednesday morning very very early for our journey to Poland and Dresden on the way back. So this will probably be my last blog until we get back. I will have lots of pictures and stories I am sure. Now, pray we do not get into snow because it is in the forecast. I love going on these journeys. We are renting a car so we will be driving which means I can fill the car up with polish pottery if I want We shall see....I really need nothing unless I see something I just have to have! the biggest reason for our trip is to see Auschwitz as I have said before. We do not want to leave here without seeing it. We have been to Dachau but have been told this is way beyond Dachau, cannot imagine that, but we shall see.

May you all have a blessed week and I shall connect when we return.

Tshcuss,

Debby

Pondering with you.................

Guten Tag,

We went to bed last night seeing what had happened at Ft. Hood. The first thing we did was lift up prayers because we have so many friends who live and work there. Than I get up this morning and the postings had begun and it seems those we care about are all accounted for and safe. My first thoughts were these men and women come home from war to supposedly a safe environment and only come face to face with another war! When is this craziness going to stop?

 If I was not a Christian and did not have my hope in Jesus Christ I would be a total wreck about now. Thankfully, I know the whole story and most important I BELIEVE it as TRUTH. This is what gives me comfort on horrific days like yesterday. He is faithful and I know that from my own life. But the Lord does expect righteousness and justice from us all and right now that is not happening in not only the US but the whole world. We have selected to make everything but God our god(s)....our idols...I have been just as guilty. I am using this blog to vent this morning since I have no one else to vent to...I have already vented to God :)! I am praying today that this world would get off their self-righteous butts and turn around and look into the face of God and repent. It is the only way things are going to change or it will, I promise, only get worse!


I am so thankful my grandchildren are being raised with this hope and with this wisdom. They are going to continue to reap what we have sown for them if this repentance does not come. But in it all I also know that suffering and pain is part of the journey and God promised us that there would be persecution for the righteous. I look at Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, wow, these men did not have easy jobs as Prophets. Like us, they had a choice, and they continued to serve the Lord, even in the worse of times, because they knew that ultimately God was in charge of the battle! That there was victory, if not on earth than in heaven! Again, I am so thankful for Casey and Carrie who have chosen to raise their children with the ONLY truth that will keep them truly free. There is only one way and it is by the narrow gate NOT the wide gate! Today most churches have opened the gate wide and have decided that watering down the truth is the best way to get them into the pews! I am sorry friend....I am venting..........  You all know how much I love life, friends and family! Because of that love I do not want anyone that I love and cherish perish because they did not hear or know the truth from me. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

The week-end is here and it is to rain all week-end so the zoo is probably out. So guess what I suppose we will be doing our "adventure" of banking, shopping and other errands  from one bus to another.....oh what fun! Well, at least I have my spiffy new cane to lean upon, ha! I can not express enough how much Lennie LOVES doing this! I think it is the difference between men and women. He said it like hunting for the kill! Thank you!.... I would rather get in a car and go directly to the kill! Since there is NO car he has me right where he wants me....going along, not always happily, looking for the kill. Men! You should see him researching on line all the bus and train lines...he has a notebook filled with schedules and times........that is my man...can't brief for flying so he briefs for what is at hand!

I am done for the day....I think. Nothing else to be said but continue to pray for this world and the families who lost loved ones yesterday. Pray for the shooter and his family and just keep remembering we cannot lean upon our own understanding because we could never figure it out...let us TRUST the Lord and know He is truly is in control even what seems the worse of times. 

Tschuss,

Debby

Thursday already!

Guten Tag,

My heart is so envious today knowing all my dear friends back in Leavenworth are on their way to the PWOC Fall Regional Retreat. I am praying that God will come down like a whirlwind and fill their hearts and souls with a renewed love and passion for Him and His truths.

It is chilly and cloudy here this morning. Just another German fall day. Maria is cleaning the apartment and I love listening to her hum as she works! She really is quite a lady. I am deciding that she should come home with me. There is no doubt she would have my house in order in real quick fashion, ha!

On Saturday I think Lennie and I are going to go check out the zoo. It was something we wanted to do when Carrie and family were here but there just was not enough hours in the days. It is suppose to be sunny and in the high 40's to low 50's so all the animals should be out in their splendor. It should be a nice relaxing way to spend a German Saturday and something we have not done yet. If not....we still must get to the Ritter Sport Museum. We keep saying we are going and never get there...maybe because we cannot leave with out buying alot of calories!

Speaking of calories I have started my strength exercises again and walking ....and doing core exercises. My good knee can handle almost anything but my bad knee....let us just say it is getting worse. So I must keep my body as strong as I can for the next operation and recuperation. Lennie and I are so thankful we have stayed healthy and the old flu has keep its distance. He has a couple of co-workers who have really had a go of it. One of the fellows just came back after a month. He just could not get over it. Again...thank you for good health!

Lennie had a dinner last night so he did not get home until quite late. My day yesterday was long and I was like a puppy dog by the time he arrived home. This apartment gets bigger and lonelier by the moment from one minute after 5:30PM week days! I remember when the girls were little and I could not wait until Lennie got home to help me with them, now I just want him home to entertain me, ha! I got the Christmas cards in the mail so I can start doing them, I have the letter ready to insert; books ready to mail to Amber, our niece, I give her all my good books. Plus two packages to mail to two special people. I have been spending time surfing the web looking for Christmas presents. As much as we would like to send gifts from Germany we will not. The things we do buy from Germany and other places for others will come home in our shipment and given to in person. It is just to hard for Lennie and I to mail presents when we only have a train and bus to carry us and the packages.....was that to much information....maybe it was...ha!

May you all have a blessed Thursday. Today is almost half over for me and the rest of you are sleeping away at least I hope so. If you are not you should be! The one thing I must say I do not have trouble sleeping, amen! I am off to the market to get brochen, cottage cheese and butter...the best butter in the world. Again...be blessed and never forget you are all loved and missed with and everlasting love!

Tshcuss,

Debby

Rainy Days and Monday!

Guten Tag,

Well, it is a rainy Monday in Germany and I have a headache that will not stop! What is new, ha! The kids are back on the buses this morning so it is back to normal when it comes to the noise factor outside my kitchen window! When I hear teen-agers talking, even in another language, and laughing, it brings back so many memories. Teens can be so dramatic and one minute so grown-up and the next minute so childlike. The hormones are wild and they are so often so uncomfortable in their  own bodies. I just wish they would realize that they do not need to grow up so fast it will all come in time but that is the nature of the beast ....I want to grow up NOW! God watch over them this is a really really crazy world out there today.

Lennie is going be so excited when he gets home and sees I have fixed his favorite, after pot roast, chicken tortilla casserole! I am going to make enough that he can eat it all week, if he desires, for lunch. He loves to have surprises when he walks up the stairs to the apartment door. He says he really get excited when he realizes the good smell is coming from our door! Does not take much to make Lennie happy. I am going to start doing holiday baking and making candy so I can send it with him to work. My oven is amazing...it has built in cook sheets and a roasting pan!

A friend sent me an e-mail through facebook that a friend of hers came up with 30 Days of Giving Thanks. I think this is a great idea and I plan to take some time each to reflect on the thing I am thankful for that particular day. Why don't you join in with us. God says we should all have grateful hearts and I have learned the more grateful I am the happier I am as a person. There truly is not one thing I need in this world at this point of my life but my relationship with the Lord, the love of my husband and family and good health...otherwise the rest is gravy...just rich wonderful gravy! I am blessed!

Today is Carrie and Matt's 4th anniversary. Now I am going to tell you these two have packed enough in 4 years to make me exhausted. They have lived in 5 or 6 places and have had two children and and Matt is getting ready to leave AGAIN! My children do not let grass grow under their feet or hearts....their lives makes our lives more exciting! Again....we are blessed!

Before I close I must ask for prayers for many. I just ask you pray for wisdom, courage and peace as they ride the storm of thier lives. This is happening to more than one family and person in our lives at the moment. I see old slew-foot trying to steal, kill and destroy but if I have anything to say about it.....GET OUT and leave these people alone! Let the BATTLE belong to the Lord. We must STOP giving into this awful world and all its enticements and get back to what is important living moral and Godly lives. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH CHRIST JESUS!

Love ya........

Tschuss,
Debby

Keeping Warm on A Sunday in Germany

Guten Tag,

Lennie said this time last year there had been snow already. No snow yet but quite chilly with a couple of very hard frosts already. I just wonder when it will finally arrive. Well, we are ready. I stocked-up on hot chocolate yesterday so now the snow may begin. Lennie still has to pick up marshmallows at the commissary...the German's don't seem to eat marshmallows? I wonder if they know what they missing?

Yesterday Lennie and I scoped out a new shopping area 4 bus stops away. Oh, what fun we did have. Found some really neat stores, grocery stores, backeris and cafes. My find of the day a cane fit for a queen! I remind myself of Thula Mae, Kevin's Grandma! It is a beautiful cane and it truly helps me to stay balanced. Ha...take that any way you want! It has a mother of pearl handle and it just makes me feel like Mrs Burnsides in "Auntie Mame"..ha!  We stopped for lunch and had Doner Kabobs...our fave....and than I found the find of the day. The most wonderful stationary and art supply store...ALL IN ONE! If I had to I could walk there...I spent a few bucks in there. I want to start doing  some pencil drawings so I got the right kind of pencils for this. My oh my this adventure will be over in 2 and  half months, I must make the most of each day!

The BEST part of today was ............we got to talk on Skype with the Hawaii Family!! Oh...how blessed we are to have these children in our quiver!  They all looked so good, so happy and so beautiful! Elijah just talked and talked and Rachel wanted to make sure we saw her bangs that "she" cut...ha! I just wanted to jump in and hug and kiss and kiss and hug...but it as the next best thing. Casey and Kevin looked great. We are so proud of them. Malia was asleep so we did not get to "talk" to her but that time will come soon...yea! Yes, it made for a good Sunday.

Tshcuss,

Debby

Random thoughts today

Guten Tag,

Today has been a very lazy day with fog, a blustery wind and now sunshine with only an hour left of daylight I suppose it could still rain? Whatever I am waiting for Lennie to arrive home and we shall begin the week-end. We got some new movies from Netflix this week so we get to watch at least one movie this week-end. When we lived in Kaiserslautern we had a great Kino, movie theater that had all movies in English, but there is nothing here like that in Suttgart. Well, I must  say there is but it is two buses and a train ride away. So Netflix is the way we go. Oh, have the movie theaters at Patch, also, but again very hard to get home fr om if we chose to go at night. Lennie and I love movies and I must say that is probably the thing we miss most about being home in the states. Again, there really have not been that many good movies this past year in my opinion. I think my favorite movies this past year have been "UP" "Gran Torino" and "Defiance."

I have read more books this year than watched movies. I am old fashioned when it comes to books. I was thinking about if I would like a Kindle and I do not think I would. One of things about reading a book is holding it, being intimate with the written word, cuddling up with it. I do not think it would be the same with a Kindle. Does anyone else have any thoughts about this and if you have a Kindle do you like it? I have gotten into some authors this year that I have never read and have made myself read some classics that I have only seen the movies and not read the book....or read the cliff notes once upon a time...ha!

Must share a funny with all of you. Maria, our landlord's momma who lives under us and cleans the apartment every Thursday did a real funny yesterday. I have told you how good she is at cleaning, just the normal German who does nothing half way, everything MUST be immaculate...well I caught her vacuuming the table cloth on top of the kitchen table yesterday! It was hilarious I am still laughing about it when I think about it. Now, friends, I have been known to be OCD about alot of things but never have a I gone this far. When she saw I that I was watching she started laughing and finished the job.

I think that is all for another day so I will wrap these thoughts with a nice red bow and send them off to you with lots of love ............

Tschuss,

Debby

Thursday, October 29, 2009 ..the Sun IS Shining!

Guten Tag,

Well, today is another beautiful day in my German neighborhood. Yesterday when I went over to get fresh brochen my dear friend gave me a couple of extra cheese pizza pretzels...just what I needed. I said, "you are sweetheart and I am certainly going to miss you when I am gone, you have certainly been a blessing to me." She smiled and I swear she had tears in her glistening eyes. Friends, I hear God whispering in my ear more and more.....be a LIGHT and love as I first loved you! This really is harder than it sounds and I am seeing it more and more. Thinking I am so full of love but it is easy to love the lovable but I know I have also been called to love the unlovable and that is the hard part but I am trying, I really, really am....more Grace dear Lord, more Grace.

The week-end is almost upon us and I do hope it does not rain all week-end but it probably will, ha! Have a couple of fun things to do IF my sinuses calm down but just plain uncomfortable at the moment. Thankfully it is JUST sinus and nothing worse...amen. Yesterday we found a dear friend was hospitalized after many many days 0f fever and flu-like symptoms now they have found out she has pneumonia. This flu seems to really like children and young adults...please, please take care of yourselves. I was reading and article about this flu and people who are older, like "moi" they believe have built up immunities, another good thing about growing older, that is protecting us! I sure hope so.

I woke up this morning found that our President had signed the "defense/hate crimes" bill now we shall see how this will REALLY affect our lives. We are told it will be good for all of us...not to good if the pastor cannot speak the Truth that the Lord has called him to speak. We live in some very, very interesting times. That is enough you all know how I feel about this, ha!

I am missing TV! I am so wanting my Survivor, Amazing Race and NCIS and Top Chef....but to no avail. Was trying to watch Dancing With the Stars on YouTube yesterday and it would not allow me...that was a first. I think Kelly Osborne is just adorable....she has a very tender heart and I sense dealing with alot of pain and shame from some of her bad choices but she seems to be on top right now and I must say I pray for her! Must admit I am doing just fine without TV...must say there is really nothing on but junk...same here in Germany. They LOVE travel shows and must have everyone of our obscene reality shows dubbed for their viewing!! It is terrible. I asked Lennie, "why does everyone want to emulate the worse of America," and He said, "I do not think it is about America it is about who most of mankind, at this moment in time, is looking to for guidance!" I think he is right! This is really a very dysfunctional world right now because we ALL lack obedience to the truth. Which in turns brings out the worse in mankind....reminds me of the times before Sodom and Gommorah were destroyed. We must NOT stop praying for this country and world!! We have been commanded to do so.

The kids are out of school this week so the neighborhood has been really quiet..i.e. my bus stop out my kitchen window. They are celebrating the Wall coming down, All Hallowed Eve and Reformation Day.....this week...so they let the kids out of school. Just for your info, German's now celebrate Halloween big time and they even trick or treat! Their favorite to dress up as is a pumpkin or a witch....and of course vampires! Next week, if it is like when we lived here before, the Christmas trees will go up in houses and decorations will start being seen. I am serious. And the day after Christmas every thing will be gone. But until the day after Christmas we are in for a big celebration with the Christmas markets, parades, etc...

Really did not say much today. I am off for a walk. It is so beautiful I think I will take a walk to the park and sit and enjoy the smell, the chill and beauty of Autumn this day. I will pick up a cup of coffee on the way and that will make it really enjoyable. God bless and love you all..........

Tschuss,

Debby

October Is Almost Over.....

Guten Tag,

I wonder where the time goes? I think I have said this numerous times, but it just seems like it was September and waiting on Carrie and family to arrive. Now it has been almost a month since they came. I honestly can say it will be Thanksgiving and Christmas before we know it!

I am doing an online Bible study through Precept on the book of Jeremiah. I am loving it and cannot wait from day to day to get up and do some more. I am learning so much that I did not know and being refreshed of other things that maybe I "conveniently" forgotten. I seem to have a thirst for God's Word of late and I have no excuses not to spend time with Him, lots of time. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of in this screwed-up world if we remember where our treasures and future lay. The one scripture that keeps going through my mind that Kay Arthur is constantly repeating from Jeremiah 12:5, "If you have raced with runners and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, what will you do in the thickets of the Jordan?" WOW!! Makes me think about what I am doing here and now for the fight that could be ahead. The answer being, as I see it, knowing and burying the Word in my heart! And remembering the battle belongs to the Lord and His Throne is not here on earth but in heaven where our eyes and heart should be! I think I am falling in love with the Lord in a way I have never been before and quite honestly it is because I have the time, or should I say, finally taking the time, to know HIM more intimately here in "my" German retreat!

I have 15 bean soup on for dinner and the only thing I do not have to make it complete is corn meal to make cornbread. I cannot find cornmeal in the german grocery. And the commissary is always out of it. Otherwise we will have one of our favorite soups this night. Lennie is so tired when he gets home. He has been working on this huge paper and it wears his brain out. I continue to pray he will get the opportunity to go to Africa before we leave, it really is a heart desire for him. Lennie took a group of teens into Africa many years ago for a mission trip and ever since than, he and Carrie both have a spot, for Africa and the people, in their hearts.

I am missing all my friends. Today when I saw on FB that Heidi was going to be doing the devotional at PWOC I was so miffed. I so would like to be there to hear what God has put upon her heart to share with others. I am so proud of her! She has come so far from the first time I met her now over two years ago. And I miss the laughter of my friends, and their hugs, and most of all their fellowship. And I think about friends who have returned since I have left and I get to see their smiling faces when I return. Than I have concern for those I care about who have lost loved ones, who are ill, such as Jan, I love her so much and yes, the marriages and the births, Oh, I do have lots to look forward to in January. Oh, let you in on a secret...we are coming home in January, God willing, via Hawaii. Lennie and I cannot wait until after I have recuperated from next knee surgery. We must see them ASAP and January will be it, again hope this is God's plan, too!

I think I am done for the day. I must run over and get some warm brochen. I have become very good friends with the ladies at the Backeri. They have my phone number and call me when warm fresh bread comes out of the oven. Before it got cold, and my windows were open, they would hollar across the street, but now they call on the phone. It truly is a blessing to think we can hardly speak the same language but I made relationships with these precious ladies. One is Turkish, one is 1/2 American and 1/2 Turkish, 2 are full German and than there is me....the funny American lady who will talk to anyone if they make eye contact and treat me nice, ha! I will miss them. They have made my life much easier here and I feel like I "belong" to this neighborhood. I pray I am being a "light" ...I so pray I am!

Tschuss,

Debby

Monday Again............

Good Evening,

Today has been foggy, cloudy, sunny and now as 6PM is upon us it almost dark and chilly outside. Lennie should be coming through the door any moment and we will settle in for another evening in Germany. We are going to make our arrangements tonight for our trip to Dresden, Krakow and Auschwitz. I have all this Polish pottery and have never bought a piece in Poland I will soon change that!

Maria is closing the rouladean's downstairs which means it must be dark outside. She is truly a creature of habit. I have wanted to let her know how much I appreciate all she does for me so the other day I wrote her a letter on the computer and used the translator. I gave it to her with a bouquet of flowers and she was so humbled she did not know what to say. She really is a precious lady. She must think I am this haughty American lady who just sits at her computer or reads books all day long. That is what I do when she comes and cleans if I am not gone. Speaking of at my computer I now have 100 pages of my book done. I cannot wait to see where God takes me with this book. It is an adventure.

Our week-end was fun and relaxing. Friday as I told all of you we went off to do errands in the afternoon and got them all done. No more exchange for another two or three weeks. On Saturday we just hung out and did laundry, which takes all day, and read and went grocery shopping across the street and to the backeri to stock up on brochen for the week-end. We got our apple strudel for breakfast and came home and made another pot of coffee. What a lazy day!

On Sunday Lennie wanted to take me to his favorite Italian Ristorante that I had not been to yet. So off we went. We had quite a journey because we missed our bus after we got off the train because of my slow moving body! Patient husband I have thank God. So back on another train and 3 stops down and we were a few steps from Ristorante Positano. I asked Lennie why we just did not do that in the first place, "he said he wanted to show me a new bus route," I swear friends he loves these trains and buses. I sometimes just wish I could get in a car and go but that is not going to be happening anytime soon, ha! The Ristorante was fabulous and the food was AMAZING! I had risotto w/squash and Gorgonzola and he had a funghi and artichoke pizza ...it was like sitting in Italy. So we made a decision this is going to be our Sunday eating place if we are in town. We cannot wait to try something different the next time. Well, we get done and Lennie says, "let us get on the S1 and go to Oberturkheim to our favorite Eis place ...ice cream shop ....for Eis and cappuccino" okay off we go on another adventure. Well, we get there and just cannot wait for some spaghetti eis and cappuccino and it was closed for remodeling! God did not want us to have any more food at that moment in time...ha. So on the bus and home we came for the rest of the day! So last night we had ice cream bars and popcorn as we watched our movie!

Well...that is all for now...Lennie is home and dinner is to be made...

Tschuss

Debby

Frietag and on my way...............

Gut Morgen,

It is Friday and I am getting ready to get on the bus and meet Lennie at his work. From there we will go do our errands at Panzer which is a long bus ride from Kelly Barracks where Lennie works. He is taking the afternoon off so we can go take of business and not waste our week-end with this kind of stuff. Tomorrow we want to go check out the Christmas Market downtown and it is Saturday so it is fresh flowers day and Illy day and whatever else we might decide to do. On Sunday we are going to a festival at one of the old castles so on Monday I will have pixs and maybe some stories?

I woke up this morning to some very sad news. The Senate had passed the Defense Bill and attached the Hate Crimes bill to it. I know some you think this is wonderful but I just call out to God and ask that we shall return to HIM!! I do not hate anyone but I am sorry but I agree with the following. "The final report of the Baptist Union of Western Australia (BUWA) Task Force on Human Sexuality states “that a person becomes a homosexual ultimately by choosing to be involved in same-sex activity… This is in contrast to innate characteristics such as gender and ethnicity.”7 The report affirms that “the Bible is clear that sin involves choice, and it unequivocally condemns homosexual behavior as sin.”7  Hating is wrong and can honestly say I do not hate anyone but I do hate what many people chose to do with their lives. I believe this Bill will bring even more persecution to those who are NOT like minded with the government. That means me for sure a person who wants the world to be a perfect place but I know that will only happen when Jesus comes back. So for right now I will try to love my neighbor as my self and not hate my enemies but pray for them. Now I ask for the same in return...that is what I am concerned about....for some reason I think this will be a one way street! We shall see and I do hope I am wrong. Enough...thanks for letting me vent!

I cannot believe it has been over a month since we met Pete and Sondra in Paris. We had so much fun and I wish we could do it again.  I am still waiting on her pixs from their cruise and Rome. It is fun when you find people you enjoy to travel with. Paul and Vicki and Joe and Carol are others we love travel with and hope there are more times for us. Again we are blessed beyond measure.

It has been hard this week and last knowing both of my daughter's have been under the weather and I was so far away from them. A mother's work is never done and when we are sick it makes for a rocky boat. Is not interesting how we all seem to survive but it is just not the same when mom is the one down and sick. I, to this day, cannot forget the love my mom gave me when I was sick. She made me feel so special and I loved having "our" time together. Tea and soup always taste better when made by a mother's hand full of love!

Well, it is about time to get ready for my Frietag adventure. Love to all and I sure do pray Noe will have a blessed day tomorrow. She waited upon the Lord and got her heart's desire!! What a promise we have been given!

Tschuss,

Debby

A Chilly Tuesday in Deutchland!

Gut Morgen,

The morning is almost over here in Heumaden. I thank God for another day of good health. Lennie and I had our flu shots last week and have had no complications. The frost is definitely on the pumpkin in the mornings now and always fog with no doubt!

I am beginning to put my thoughts together for Christmas and looking at cards and the time frame I must have everything sent. This week-end the Christmas Markt starts here in Stuttgart. Last Saturday when we were down town they were putting everything up. First cup of hot gluwein is only a few days away! Anyone want to come and join us? Almost every week-end until Christmas we have something special planned. We love going on the USO tours....they are a wonderful gift we have here. We made our plans and we are going to go to Rome for Christmas. This will probably be our last time we will have this chance...so off to Italy for 5 days and going to go spend one day in Bella Napoli and Sorrento.  I am so thankful for my good knee which helps me greatly to get around on the bad one.

A question I would like to ask a florist when we get home...why are flowers so expensive in America? The flowers here, as most of you know who have lived here, are cheaper than dirt! I mean I can get a gorgeous huge bouqet for less than 10 dollars AND they last forever. Every Wednesday I go to my village market and get wonderful flowers! Oh the little things of life that make me so happy. I have come along way from the girl who never was happy with anything, I always wanted more! God has truly changed my heart in this way.

I have a big chicken in the crockpot cooking for chicken noodle soup. We love the cold of winter because Lennie and I love soups and I love creating them. I must run over to the store and get some rosemary and peas and carrots....if they do not have them I will call Lennie and he will bring them home from the commissary....he is a keeper....yes he is. Something about those Edwards men, they love to go to the grocery store! My friend Tricia taught me a trick that I am so surprised I had not been doing, she adds a can of cream of chicken to her chicken noodle soup, it gives it more flavor and just adds depth....that is what friends are for! She definitely is one of the best cooks in the whole world....as is Jean. There is NOT a better pie baker, after my mom, than Jean Schmidt! Yummy! I miss these precious people! Oh, my sister-in-law Sheryl is the best dessert maker ever....she is NOT afraid to try anything new no matter how difficult. Enough about food, ha.

Yesterday Kevin gave us the most wonderful gift, a video from Hawaii, that was 12 minutes long!!! It was pure heaven. Ask me how many times I have watched it since yesterday morning....at least 5! I never get tired looking at these precious gifts that warm my heart beyond measure. Than Carrie had her new posts on her blog from Maddie's 3rd birthday party. That cake was amazing! I am so proud of my daughter's they are good moms and LOVE being moms! I was never as creative as they are. But there was not a mom who loved do things for her kids like I did. I am so grateful I got to be home with my children. I do not understand women who work who do not have to. Their time will come again, even if in the middle of all the havoc of a bad day, it seems it will not. The time goes so fast. My hats off to all of you who have made the sacrifices to stay home, I promise you, you will not be sorry when you look back someday in not the so far future. What I would give for one of those special days back.

Well, I have rambled enough today. I have a couple of things I must get ready for mailing and than get to my book. I love my afternoons, tea and good book, and just maybe a nap, ha I sound like a lazy old woman! I promise I am not...I know things will change when I get back to my "normal" life. Not looking forward to my knee operation but once it is done it will finally ALL be behind me, God willing!

Tschuss,

Debby

RANDOM THOUGHTS......

Good Morning from Deutchland,

This week has been a slow one but something I needed after the past three weeks of going and going. I forgot how dreary it can be and I try to keep my head above the gloom! I always have to remember that I am very blessed to be here and that in a few months I will wish I could be back here! So I WILL keep my head above the gloom.

The neighborhood is so busy. It is always to my amazement that German's never let the weather conditions from doing life! The streets are just as busy, rain, snow, sleet or sun....they just keep going like little worker ants.

Yesterday I spent the day reading Nicolas Sparks new book, "The Last Song" ...I could not put it down. It was pretty predicatable as his books are but always a beautiful love story. This love story was a wonderful love story between a father, son and daughter, I really enjoyed it....read almost all of it in one sitting. For sure this man is a romantic. I wonder what he is like in real life with his wife and children? I know he is a man of faith and that is one of the reason's I enjoy his books but he sure can get the tears a going, ha! I suggest this book for a rainy or snowy day and a pot of tea and or coffee and a warm blankie, I promise it will be worth it.

 I cannot believe how much I DO NOT miss TV. I was a junkie of TV and truly do believe that is one of the reason's God sent me here! I have returned to my love of books that I have loved forever. Also, I cannot wait to paint and draw each day. Learning to be happy with self has been good for me. As I have said before in this Blog....I have also been blessed with so much time with the Lord that my relationship has gone to another level, something I had been praying for for along time.  I was becoming lukewarm, not being challenged and lonely. Friends, beware of lonliness...the devil preys on it!..................................

Tshcuss.....

:: Christian TV ::

:: Christian TV ::

Mittwoch in Deutchland

Where to I begin?

It has been a couple of weeks at least since I have blogged and today I just knew I needed to but just have the blahs. I have had a wonderful few weeks since I have last blogged. To Paris and than home for a couple of days to rest before Carrie and family came. We had such a wonderful time.

Lennie rented a 9 passenger van for the 10 days they were here and boy did we put the miles on it. Carrie and Matt drove to Heidelberg the first couple of the days they were here to see some of Carrie's Club Beyond friends. Than we drove to Garmisch and drove all over the beautiful Bavarian country side. I have said this before and I will say it again...I could live there the rest of my life. Much of my family came from this area so I truly do think that is why I am so comfortable there. It always seems so familiar. The peacefulness, beauty, tranquility, and the majestic presence of the Alps are indescribable. It really is something you must experience yourself. When I am there Romans 1:20, "From the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse." Each night as we were lying in our bed, with the window open just enough for the fresh Alpine air to seep in, we went to sleep hearing sounds of church bells and cow bells! Up in the meadows above us they were feeding in the quiet of the night and each time they bent down for another piece of grass their bells would gently ring into the night. Lennie and I agreed that no one who lives in the Alps should have high blood pressure. It was like listening to a personal lullaby from God Himself. A blanket of quietness, solitude and serenity given to us as a free gift just because we are His!!

Maddie just could NOT believe she was at the REAL Princess Castle. She had so much fun. She saw pictures of the princess, being born, taking a bath, kissing her Prince and even getting married....she was so full of joy. Everyone around us knew Maddie had come to see the Princess Castle. The only sad thing...."Where was the Princess?" My 4 oldest granddaughter's love Princesses....I cannot remember being so enamored like this about Princesses but it truly does make them so happy!

The greatest pleasure of the whole 10 days was just being Grammy and Papa to two of the sweetest little girls this side of heaven. There are times Lennie and I pinch ourselves because we cannot believe God has given us such wonderful gifts in our grandchildren. Our heart's do have an emptiness in them when we are not in their presence. But thankfully, we have wonderful, thoughts and memories of them all and God willing many,many more ahead.

So now we are back to being Debby and Lennie but we have some fun things planned for ourselves before we must go home. We were coming back from lunch on Monday afternoon, and Lennie looks at me and says, " I am going to miss this place." We have a peace and simplicity here that we do not have at home and we have made a plan to take it back with us. We do live so simply here. The only thing we both miss is Christian fellowship and that we miss much. I do not know what I would do without the computer. Daily I do my Precept Bible study with Kay Arthur, do my One Year Bible reading on line, listen to K-l0ve and Calvary 88.9, and Dave Ramsey, too! Thank God for facebook...because this really is how I get alot of fellowship. What a technical world we live in....and it has been a blessing to me being so far away from the things that are important to me.

Well, I have spoken enough today. I am back on track......

Tshuss,

Debby

FOGGY TUESDAY MORGEN....

Gut Morgen,

Well, fall is here just by the foggy mornings we know this. You think London is foggy let me tell you about Germany. I had almost forgotten about this. I am just thankful I do not have to be on the Autobahn driving in this stuff. It is starting to burn off and by noon it should be a beautiful Autumn day.

Tomorrow this time we will be in Paris and enjoying our time with Pete and Sondra Smith. The last time we visited them in New York, we talked tongue and cheek, that someday we would drink wine by the moonlight in the Eiffel Tower, well it will be a reality tomorrow evening. They are on their way to meet up with a boat to take a Med Cruise....God is truly good to us!

We have been so busy and I am getting braver with each week where I am venturing out by myself. I went to the doctor yesterday on Patch Barracks and was given a great report. I believe being with my husband in Germany is very good for me! The doctor was so impressed how my new knee looks and how much it has healed. He was so surprised that it has not even been six months and I am doing what I am doing. Again...God is good! The "bad" knee is doing okay for what I have to work with, ha! I just hope and pray that I do well in Paris. Me, Lennie and my cane we will be just fine.

As I write this I am listening to K-Love on my laptop. It is so wonderful the world we live in. I can listen to Praise and Worship music all day long thanks to modern technology. This is good very good.

A week from today and Miss Maddie and Miss Samantha will be with us........do you think I am excited? Yesterday I talked to the Hawaii crew...every time I get off I have a cry and than praise God that I have them in my life no matter how far away they are. So thankful to hear Tom and Jean are probably spending Thanksgiving with them. Great-Grandma Thula Mae and Great-Aunt Mary are going to visit them in October. God willing and the creek don't rise we will be there for Easter. They will may be far but we will NOT allow them to forget us...ha!

There are fests going on everywhere. Never know what to do next. German's love fall and celebrate, as I have said before, harvest unlike I have ever seen before. But so much of it is pagan related but we don't think about that and just enjoy the best of it and "fruits" of this wonderful harvest. I guess this was a good year for the grape harvest so that means GREAT wine! I wonder how the hops did? We just found out that what many believe is the best Christmas Market in Germany is just 5 miles up the road........oh, I cannot wait. I am so thankful we get to stay here through the Christmas season...this is such a fun place to be for Christmas.

I just wanted to connect because I have not blogged for a few days. I have had alot going on in my heart. I am doing a great study on Jeremiah that is really making think. I do it on line through Precepts. I wanted to say hello before we leave tomorrow morning at 4AM. We can sleep on the train to Paris. Hope the fog is not to bad so I can see some beautiful landscapes. Until Sunday when I will be full of stuff to share...God bless and know you are all loved and missed.

Tschuss,

Debby