My 26th Birthday

Danny did an amazing job in throwing a great party for my birthday. We went to one of my favorite restaurants here in Reutlingen. It was my first birthday completely in German which was pretty cool. Danny invited some of our closest friends here. My speech partner, Barbara, was able to come. Our friend, Thorsten, who we met hiking the Achalm was also there. Also, our good friends, Michael and Claudia, we able to make it. I felt so completely overwhelmed with love the entire day. I probably received 30 emails or messages wishing me happy birthday...from people in America and here in Germany. I think I am just so blessed to have such great friends and family.

Here are some photos from the evening:

 

This is my Bavarian dress. Danny got it for me at the Königsee for my birthday. He convinced me to wear it for my birthday, and I'll tell you, I felt like a little Bavarian princess...haha!

 

Some of our friends here in the Deutschland: We met Thorsten while hiking the Achalm in our first two or so weeks here in Germany. We have been friends ever since. Barbara is my speech partner. She helps me speak German like a German which is not so easy. God bless her!

 

This is Michael and Claudia. They are awesome people, and we are hoping that they'll soon get an opportunity to take an assignment in the States.

 

My fabulously delicious cake: It made me so glad that I ran my booty off earlier that morning.

 

Me and my Danny...and the awesome cake...hehe.

Some fun pictures...

 

This is me, Danny, Thorsten Geyer, and Kyle Dresback about to ride a really fun ride at the Spring Festival in Stuttgart

 

Yummy Bratwurst!!

 

Us with the Tuckers in Neuschwanstein...love those guys!!

Have you ever...

...had people in your life who claimed to be great friends but did nothing but hurt you or bring you down?

This is something that's been bothering me for a long time; something I just cannot wrap my brain around. I have some of the best friends in the world...people I know would be there for me in a second if I needed them, and I would do the same for them. Then there are "friends" who are only there when it makes them look good in front of others. These are people that come up and hug you and love you only when others are around. Ugh!!! I hate this!!

For me, a friend is simply a family member that you choose to have in your life. It's a mutually beneficial thing. When they are down, you help to pick them back up. When you are down, they carry the load with you. Also, when things are going great in your life (i.e. a really great opportunity to live in another country for a year), they celebrate that with you instead of trying to make you feel guilty.

One of the greatest things I have learned here being away from it all for a year is to focus on the people in my life who are loving and real. I will never again censor myself just to gain the acceptance of people who simply just do not care at all. And I will not associate with people who pretend anymore. I would rather have no relationship at all with these people than a hollow shell of a friendship that means absolutely nothing.

With that being said, I really want to thank my friends who have supported Danny and I in all that we've done. You know who you are, and you know how special you are to us. You made the decision to come home in September an easy one. We really love you guys!!

For the Brannons

My heart goes out to Cheryl, Jeff, Brady, Karley, Abbey, and Jesse who are dealing with the loss of their Nana. I cannot even imagine what you must be going through. I hope that it brings you comfort that she is laughing, running, and smiling with Jesus. I hope that it helps you to know that she's in no more pain and that she can now talk to and touch the very One who saved her soul...the One that she put all of her faith in. I know that it's difficult to rejoice in her death, being that you are left on earth to feel the pain, but I hope that Jesus Himself will comfort you and give you a peace that only He can give. I love you guys, and I wish I could be there for you. My prayer is that you will rejoice in all of the memories and cherish the fabulous relationship you had with one another. It's an amazing thing to love and be loved in return in such a selfless way.

I love you guys so much!!

The Tuckers Are Coming!!!

They are finally coming. Our best friends from home are leaving for Paris on Feb. 28. We are going to take a train to meet them on the 5th of March, and we'll say for the rest of the week!! Then they are coming to Germany to visit our home here. There's so much we want to show them. I've got to figure out how to narrow it down!! Yay for English speaking friends!!!