Pics from the Erbacher Wiesenmarkt

 

This is Benjamin, my favorite little buddy!

 

Danny's uncle and cousin create these masterpieces.

 

Martin making a bird bath

 

Our arms were so sore after doing this for only 30 minutes or so. I don't know how the Fussmanns do it!!

 

Practice makes perfect!

One Week...

Until MY BIRTHDAY!!! YIPEEE!!!!

Erbacher Wiesenmarkt

We now have only 6 weekends left to travel and do things here in Germany. We are trying to take lot of that time to spend with the family about 2.5 hours north of where we live. This past weekend, we stayed with Danny's aunt and uncle in Erbach which is the town that Danny lived in as a kiddo. Every year they have this huge festival. It's like a fair, a home exposition, and a market all together. It's quite fun. Every year, Danny's uncle has a huge plot of land that he shows off his stone work and fountains. They are really amazing pieces of artwork. This year was great, because we were able to spend some time with Danny's cousins. I was actually able to carry on conversations with them. YIPEE!! Overall, it was a great weekend, and it made me realize how much we are going to miss it here when we leave. I'll post come pictures soon. Right now, I'm meeting with a friend to do some much needed clothes shopping!!

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!!

A Few Canary Island Pics

 

Fun night shot

 

On the crater of the volcano

 

That's my man.

 

Yeah, I'm rockin' the shirt thingy.

Why I Have No Fear

Yesterday, Danny and I had the pleasure of celebrating the 4th of July with a bunch of people from the military. Many of them expressed some deep concerns about the fate of our country and their fears about where the U.S. is headed. With the economy spiraling out of control, continual rises in oil prices, and a war that seems to be never ending, I can completely understand their worries. I've heard many people say that they fear that as soon as the U.S. removes its support from Israel, God will remove His hand from our country, and I think many people believe that it is a distinct possibility that with the next presidency, our support will waver. I hear all of this, and I think to myself, "Peace be still". Israel is God's chosen people, but so are the gentiles who love Him and are devoted to Him. Do you think that God will remove His hand from those who truly seek Him and who are in fellowship with Him? While it may be true that He will remove His hand from our country, He will never remove His hand from me. This is what I gives me peace, and this is what causes me to have no fear. He has never, ever turned His back on me. He's shown me some tough love, but He still loves me nonetheless. For that, I will never stop praising Him. I will love Him and worship Him no matter what the state of our country is, because it's His gentle voice that I hear daily guiding me in all areas of my life. He is the source of my life, and while I love my country, it has nothing to offer me in comparison to what Jesus has already given me.

Just When You Think You've Seen It All...

I am so proud of my husband for running his first half marathon yesterday. He ran 21 kilometers in 2.5 hours. Then we went home, and Danny slept for rest of the day...haha.

 

So now to the reason for the title of this blog: I completely understand that one of the first things you want to do when you finish a race is strip down and cool off. But seriously, do you have to strip down to pure nakedness in the parking lot, especially considering there were changing rooms? I don't think so. Between Danny and I, we saw enough naked people running around to last us a lifetime!!

Now on a completely different note, we are really thanking God for His protection last night. At about 1:30am, there was a really, really bad storm here. You have to keep in mind that Germany doesn't really have terrible lightning storms or anything, so this was a bit different. I can honestly say that for the first 8 months here, we hadn't had a storm at all; a lot of rain, but no lightning. Well, last night was awful...truly one of the worst storms I've ever been in (even by SC standards). The wind was blowing so hard, and it was so loud that I was sure a tornado was coming. The lightening was non-stop and definitely hit some things. After the worst was over, you could hear fire engine sirens everywhere. I seriously had an escape route all planned out in my head...haha.

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!!

Wie ein einziger Tag

Leider, schreibe ich nicht ganz auf Deutch.

One of my goals when we first moved to Germany was to be able to read a book in German from cover to cover (and understand it). Recently, I've begun reading Wie ein einziger Tag by Nicholas Sparks. I found this book at a flea market here in Germany, and I paid about 50 cents for it. Obviously, Nicholas Sparks is not a German author, but an American one. As I skimmed through the book, I thought to myself, "I can read this!" The German didn't look too complicated or anything, so I decided to try it. Well, as I am reading the first chapter, I am thinking, "Man, this story seems somehow familiar." And it is!! Wie ein einziger Tag basically means: Like a single day. However, when one translates titles, they are usually tweaked at bit so that they make sense in German. The book that I am reading is The Notebook. I was so excited. Not only do I understand the book well enough that I know that, but I also really like this story. I am excited to see how it's translated.

On a completely different topic: We are leaving for the Canary Islands, off the coast of Spain, next week. We found a fabulous deal on an all inclusive resort for a week, so we decided to take it. We are so ready for some relaxation. All of our other "vacations" have been very busy with sightseeing and running around and such (not that we are complaining at all!!), so we are ready to just lay on the beach (which we haven't seen in ages, it seems) and do absolutely nothing. I know some of you may think that chilling and relaxing are all I do all day, right? But it's really not. I have figured out a lot of ways to keep myself busy these days. For one, I am helping a few teenie boppers learn English. Also, I am meeting now regularly with a lady who is helping me with my German speech. I also workout for a few hours a day/4-5 days per week. I spend several hours per day studying and learning too. I am quite the self-motivated little bee...haha.

Anyway, I hope to hear from some people here soon. We miss you all, and we are anxious and excited to be coming home in just under three months.

Beth

Crazy Dreams

Ok, so for the last 2 nights, I've had these really crazy dreams, and then I can't go back to sleep. On the first night, I was killed (yes, I actually died in my dream...yikes!) in a freak volcano eruption. We (meaning me and some people I don't remember) were trying to keep the lava from overtaking our small town when I remember kicking the dirt and lava just started shooting up from the ground. I then died. Freaky!! Then, last night, I dreamed that I was riding my bike. I was in a subway tunnel with tons of people, and this guy just started shooting a gun. He shot me first in my right lung, and I flew off my bike. On the way down, he shot me again in my other lung. Then he came over to me to make sure I was dead. I am no interpreter of dreams or anything, but dude, I'm freaking out a little. I don't think I am going to ride my bike today, though...just in case.

Things I Appreciate About Deutschland

 

When we first moved here, I was so not a happy camper. It was always cold and rainy. I mean, come on, September in SC is still incredibly hot and humid. I didn't think it would be that much different here in Germany. Not being able to speak the language or understand very much was also incredibly challenging for such a talkative person as myself. Soon, the holiday season was upon us, and it was so difficult not being able to come home and see my family and friends.

Everything started to change for me after the holidays, though. I had taken several intensive German language classes, so my understanding was getting better and better by the day. I also met some really great people who helped me fill my days with great coffee and fantastic conversation. (Thanks Amanda and Karen)!! Rather than seeing all of the things I missed about America, I began to appreciate Germany a bit more, and I realized how narrow my view of the world was. So, I'm compiling a list of all the things I love about Deutschland...things I may have found a little annoying when I first moved here but now I don't know how I'll live without them.

*Having 5 different trash receptacles. The funny thing is that my very first German lesson when we moved here was to read and know all of the items that go into the Gelbasack (if you're in Germany, you know). Danny and I have been recycling since we were first married, but Germans take it to the extreme, and it's mandated. You HAVE to do it. I love that. Americans get such a bad rap, because we are consumers and wasters. I think we all should make an effort to recycle everything. I mean, why not? The only outcome is good things, so why wouldn't we do it?

*Dining Out. When you go to a German restaurant, you basically seat yourself. It's great, because if you don't want to be crammed next another table, you just pick a different one. On top of that, the waiters and waitresses don't bug you every two minutes. When you're ready to order, you close your menu, and they usually come right away. When you're ready to pay, you ask for the check. Other than that, you're left alone. And you can sit for hours if you want. I've never felt rushed out of a restaurant here. The difference is that the servers get paid more, but don't make as much in tips. When you tip here, you just round up or give an extra Euro or two if the the service was stellar. Since the waiters aren't paid based on how many customers they can get in and out, it makes the entire experience more enjoyable.

*No free refills. I HATED this when I first came here, because I can down several glasses of water in one meal in the States. I find that when I drink slower, I eat slower, and that just makes for a more enjoyable and relaxed experience. Also, how many times have you left a restaurant right after you had your glass refilled? You end up leaving an entire glass of whatever on on the table, and it gets thrown away. Do you realize how much is being wasted? Consider how many people go out everyday, and think about how often that happens. We deserve to be called spoiled and wasteful. (Please don't be offended. I still LOVE America).

*Having my German corrected ALL the time. This used to annoy the daylights out of me. I just wanted to be able say what I had to say, no matter how bad I butchered the language, without being interrupted. Every day when I'd go to the bakery, she'd correct my pronunciation, and it didn't seem like she was being very nice about it. The cool thing is that over the last several months, I've been corrected less and less, which has made me feel like I've accomplished something!! It's funny when you start speaking in German, and the person automatically starts speaking in English. They know you're obviously not from Germany. Now, that happens less and less. When mom was here, I had to translate A LOT!! It was great. For the first time, I felt like, "Yay, I know this. I've got this down"!! It was awesome.

*The fact that it costs about 2000 Euros to get your drivers license. Bear with me on this one. I know that as Americans, we want a deal all the time...something for nothing. As a German, you're required to have so many hours with a driving instructor. It's a lot, from what I hear. Then you have to take a pretty tough test, and if you fail, it's another thousand Euros or so for the training to take the test again. This is great, because if you aren't serious about driving, you take a bus or a train. Only people who NEED to drive do it. And then, the drivers who are on the roads are more well-trained. I've only seen one wreck the entire time I've lived here, even with all the snow. And there's no speed limit on a lot of road. People drive so fast!! But everyone knows the rules, and they actually follow them. You don't see drivers just riding in the left lane, EVER!! It's a huge no-no.

Ok, so I think this is enough for now. I plan to add to this list, so look for updates. There's so much more I want to share.

Beth

My Heart is Sad (Click here to find out why).

I couldn't believe it when I saw the pictures on CNN. The town of Hechingen, where Hohenzollern is located, has been completely devastated by flooding and high winds. It literally looks like a tornado has gone through. Keep in mind that this town is only about 15-20 minutes away from Reutlingen, where we live. There are cars completely flipped upside down, huge trees totally uprooted, and 3 people have died. It's a really sad time for the close knit community, so please keep them in your prayers. It's still raining a good bit, but hopefully that will be over soon.

Beth

I love this!!

I love theological debate with Christians and non-Christians alike. When I was younger, I used to sit in coffee shops and engage in friendly debate with friends and people I didn't even know. It strengthened my faith so much during that time in my life. I really miss those days. I have always thought that Jesus smiles on us when we debate each other about things in His Word. I think that's why He left us some mysteries to try to figure out. While I am no theologian, I can't help but really get into deep conversations about God, our origins, etc. I found this blog today that I think is super interesting. Everyone should take a look.

http://gospeloffrank.blogspot.com

Leave comments and think about how you REALLY feel on topics that are really relevant to our Christian faith.

Beth

Mom's Visit

 

So my mom left on Monday to go back to the States. She was here for almost 2 weeks. I think she got to see a great deal in that time. We went to Paris again which was great. It rained the ENTIRE time, but we made some great memories. I was finally able to buy a painting from Montmartre, and I am so excited about it. I regretted so much not getting one last time I was there, so I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity if I ever got another.

We also traveled all over Germany. She saw Ulm (big church), Hohenzollern (castle of the Prussian kings), Heidelberg, Dachau (concentration camp), and most of the family in Bad König, Michelstadt, and Erbach. We didn't give my mom a break!!

Now the time is coming where we have to think about leaving Germany to go back to America. I am feeling very ambivalent about it really. At first, I didn't think this year could be over soon enough, but now I am truly starting to love it here. I am sure being able to understand and speak the language helps a great deal. But there's so many things about Germany I am going to miss. A lot of the things that I used to think were so inconvenient, like having 5 different trash receptacles, I now truly appreciate. I love being able to go to a restaurant and just sit where I want. The waiters don't stand over you and bug you every five seconds. You can sit for hours, and no one sets a bill in front of you trying to hurry you out the door. It's great, really!! I've made some lasting friendships here too. Danny's family has also become very dear to me. They are the most non-judgmental people I've ever met. They don't wear the masks that so many in my family wear. They've been very accepting of me. They've never made me feel stupid in spite of my complete and total butchering of their language. I don't know. I just love them a lot.

Now we're face with a big decision. There's a possibility that we can stay another year (everyone gasp!!). At first, I was dead against it, but now I am thinking more seriously about it. But, as I was telling a friend, I don't want to stay here only because I dread going back to the drama and craziness that is the reality that I live in at home. I don't want to be a coward. I do, however, miss my great friends, and I honestly think my mom might have a cow if we stay for another year. We'd probably put off having kids for another year, b/c my mom would, for sure, kill me if I had kids here. There's a whole lot to think and pray about. The positive about staying here is that I would really be able to master the language. In just the last 2-3 months, my German has gotten SOOOOO much better. So, if anyone actually reads this, please pray for us that we make the decision that God wants for us. That's the ultimate questions really. Where does God want us to be?

I guess we'll see.

Nadia und ich...so süß!

 

So Thankful

On this day 27 years ago, my hubby came into the world. I am so thankful for him. He's such an amazing man. I am thankful for his parents who raised him so well. I know they are proud of the man he's become!! I would have never in my life thought marriage could be so fun and effortless. It's such a joy to walk with him through life and to experience so much together. I am proud to be his wife, and I want to make him as happy as he deserves.

Love ya, baby!!!

WHAT THE...?!?! (Click Here)

Since when is THIS a plus-sized model?!?!? She looks really slim and fit to me. What in the heck is this world coming to when we label normal sized (or even slim women) as plus sized just because you can't see their ribs or their spine sticking out of their backs? The modeling industry should be ashamed of itself!! No wonder young girls starve themselves to fulfill this supposed "norm" in society. Who gave them the right to determine what's normal and not? UGH!!!!!!!!!

Our Worldwind Tour in Italy

We had so much fun on our trip in Italy. We decided to just drive our car and be spontaneous. We didn't even have hotel reservations for every night, which ended up working in our favor!!

We left on Wednesday, April 30, and in one day, we drove through 5 countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Italy)!!! Instead of taking interstates/autobahns, we took the long route to our first stop in Como in the north of Italy. We saw such amazing things on this part of the trip. From spring and summer temperatures to 3 meters of snow in the Swiss Alps, we had such an adventure driving to our destination. We stayed one night in Como (just a pit stop), and then we set out for Cinque Terra.

Cinque Terra is one of the coolest group of towns I've ever been to or seen. It's 5 towns connected by hiking trails, and it's on the Ligurian Sea. We had some of the best pizza, croissants, and cappuccino there. Plus, the views from everywhere were like postcard photos. We were able to relax and lay out on the beach. We hiked 4 of the 5 towns. The weather was gorgeous. In all, it's one of my favorite places on earth.
 

Our next stop was Florence. Initially, we weren't going to go here, but we had a few friends convince us that it was worth a night or two. Booking a room here took some time and effort, though. Thankfully, we had this room booked before we left. Anyway, we were able to get tickets to Accademia, which is where Michaelangelo's David is located. Holy moly!! It was truly the most amazing sculpture I've ever seen. I am no art buff, but I was just captivated by Dave. Michaelangelo was literally given this huge slab of marble and told to create something fabulous out of it. I mean, the veins in his arms, feet, and hands were dead on. His face and his eyes were mesmerizing. I so wish I would have broken the rules and gotten a photo, but it still wouldn't have captured the sheer magnitude of this work. This alone was worth the trip to Florence. Other than that, we walked a lot, ate a ton of gelato, and I found out that there's a crazy bug to which I am incredibly allergic (still don't know what that bug is, unfortunately). After 2 nights in Florence, we were pretty ready to get on the road to Rome.
 

Rome is pretty much the coolest city on earth. It even beats Paris!! Maybe it was because I knew so much more about Rome, but this place was truly like taking a walk through time. But, unlike Florence, it felt like Rome was still a very modern city. It seemed like Florence had just stopped somewhere in the 1700s or something. I couldn't believe we were able to walk where so many early Christians, who died for their faith, had walked. Even Peter, the Apostle, was here and was martyred here. I realized how blessed I am to live in a country (even in Germany) where I can worship Christ with all that I am whenever I want and not be afraid of the consequences. How blessed are we?! We went to the ancient Forum, where people like Julius Caesar strolled the streets, made laws, conducted all sorts of business, and was eventually murdered and cremated. We saw temples to the gods that the Romans worshiped, and I was thankful that the One, True God decided to make His temple in me (and you).

We also saw the Colosseum, which was pretty cool, but for some reason, Danny and I both said that we thought it would be bigger. I guess it really is pretty huge, but with all of the other really huge buildings around, it just doesn't look so large. A few months ago I read The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers in which many scenes take place in the Colosseum. Even though the books are fiction, I could still imagine the real life horrors that some Christian martyrs faced being sent into face lions and other wild animals. After Rome defeated the Jews in Jerusalem, they took over 50,000 prisoners, and many were forced to either fight (the men) or be fed to the animals when the crowd got especially bored. Can you imagine looking into the eyes of a hungry wild animal, praying to God that He takes you fast enough that you don't feel anything? It was heart breaking!! And then I think about the day that may come where I am tested in my faith, and I pray that I have the strength to stand in the face of the worst possible death.
 
 

We also visited one of the catacombs on the Appian Way (remember the movie Spartacus?...ewww gross). I was so impressed by our tour guide. He was Slovakian, and he spoke very good English. We could tell that he was truly passionate about teaching the people about everything including the symbols early Christians used to identify themselves and Christians. He told us stories of the people who were buried here. One that struck me was the story of Cecilia (beautiful name!!) She was a martyr, and over her tomb was a sculpture of her lying on her side, face down. In one had she held up 2 fingers, and in the other, she held up 1 finger signifying the trinity, yet one God!! There was an area down in the catacombs where people could have communion and small memorial services. As we were down there, a group of people were having such a service, and they were singing Praise to the Lord...the Almighty, the King of Creation...in Latin (I think). It was so incredible. I felt so much more close to Jesus than I ever could have in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City (more on that later). It was just such a powerful experience that we'll never forget.

So now on to happier subjects....

My absolute favorite thing in Rome was the Pantheon. We both just thought there was something special about it. The columns were so incredibly huge. I cannot even explain it. There's a huge opening in the dome, so when it rains, the church is totally exposed. But there are drains in the floor, and the floor naturally slants to allow the water to flow out. Ok, this is the thing...this church is soooooo old!!! So old, in fact, that it sits 15 feet below street level. In other words, Rome has literally grown or risen around the Pantheon. Maybe you just have to see it for yourself, but it's incredible.
 

We spent one day in Vatican City, which was pretty cool. We visited the Vatican museum where we saw the Sistine Chapel and many ancient Christian pieces of art. We saw entire rooms painted by Raphael. It was such an incredibly huge museum. I think Danny and I were a little overwhelmed. After the museum, we went to St. Peter's Basilica...the largest church on earth...I believe. There are markings on the ground where the next largest church would fit inside St. Peter's...crazy. The Apostle, Peter's remains are here under this crazy huge canopy. I wonder if he would actually like all that attention being that he lived only to serve and promote Christ. I don't know. What do you think? I know I don't really understand all of the seemingly saint worship that takes place in the Catholic church, but then again, maybe there's something that I'm missing. Feel free to comment and let me know. On a kind of funny note, there was a painting, The Transfiguration, by Raphael that really made me laugh. (I hope I am not being sac religious). So, Jesus is busy transfiguring, and the people who are observing this are really hysterical. There's one boy or teenager in the painting who looks like he's fainting, and the other people on the ground are so busy looking and tending to him that they fail to really see Jesus transfiguring. I think maybe Raphael was trying to say something...think about it.
 

Two minute Soapbox (sorry): While we were in St. Peter's Basilica, I overheard a woman saying, "Man, this is the closest to God you can possibly be." That really knocked the wind out of me. Among all of the decor and gold, bronze, and silver, I can honestly say that the one thing that I didn't feel or see was the Spirit of God. I found myself feeling really sad in the Basilica. I felt the presence of the God so strongly while we were many feet underground in the catacombs. I felt His presence as we were driving through the amazing, God-made mountains in Switzerland and Italy. I feel His presence everyday when I pray and worship. His Spirit cannot be contained is such an earthly container. How dare we think that we can put Him within 4 (really decorated) walls!! Jesus didn't die so that we would make incredibly elaborate temples to saints. He died to SAVE the lost!! How is it that we have missed the mark in such a huge way? I have really wrestled with this since we got back. I just don't understand it. I have a lot of respect for the Pope even though I am not Catholic (He was educated in the university town next to Reutlingen). Why is it that someone whose entire life is dedicated to learning and knowing Christ doesn't get it that it's all wrong?!? Am I the one who is wrong? Ok, end of soapbox...
 

We left Rome pretty early on Friday morning, and I MUST say that I am so proud of my husband for having the patience to drive in Rome. It's absolutely nuts!! We are so used to Germany where there's so much order and structure. Well, in Italy, as soon as you cross the border, it's utter CHAOS!!! Danny did great, though!!

Our next destination: Bolzano/Bozen to see the Ice Man. That's right, the Ice Man. Let me tell you a little about Bolzano/Bozen first. It has two names, because one is Italian and one Austrian. In WWI, a war in which Austria started and lost, Bozen was given to Italy as payment of war damages. So that meant that lots of people were suddenly not Austrian citizens anymore. They became Italians, even though the spoke German, ate Austrian food, built Austrian-style houses, and had blond hair and blue eyes. Over the years, more real Italians moved to the area, and were a little upset that everything was still so Austrian, and the Austrians have tried many times to break away from Italy and rejoin Austria with no success. So you have a entire section of Italy that is truly more German/Austrian than Italy. Most of the people are pretty much forced to speak both languages. The tv is in German and Italian. Menus are in German and Italian. It's just crazy. We had NO idea what language to speak. It was fun, though, trying to figure it out.
 

Ok, so back to the Ice Man. He was found by German hikers in 1991. The hikers just thought that he was one of the many non-ancient people who lose their lives in the Alp/Dolomites every year, but as it turns out, he was from about 5000 b.C. His clothes and equipment were still in pretty good shape. Apparently, the ice preserved him and his stuff very well. Scientists could even tell what color his eyes were...blue. Pretty cool stuff. He was pretty gross looking, though, and this is coming from a NURSE and one who has dissected cadavers before...ewwww.

Our final destination was back in our temporary "heimatland"...the Bodensee (Lake Konstanz) in southern Germany. We met our friends, Kyle and Karen Dresback, there to spend some time with them before they left Germany for good. (They left yesterday...booo). It was really nice to have structure and order again. I didn't realize how much I took that for granted in the Deutschland!! Anyway, we had a great time relaxing, eating great fish, and drinking coffee. On top of that, I had the joy of riding a ferry (with the car) for the first time!! It wasn't quite as exciting as I wanted it to be, but it got us to the other side of the lake in a timely manner. In all, we had a really great time.
 

We drove home on Monday, and I must say that I was really ready to be home and not living out of a suitcase. I really missed Germany while we were in Italy. It was strange. For the first 4 months here, I was so homesick, but now I can honestly say that I feel comfortable here. I am not so scared to talk and just be myself. I think Germany will always be a second home to me, even when we are back in the U.S.

Finally Home

We just got home about one hour ago from our long trip in Italy. It was absolutely amazing. We are, however, very pooped, so look for a blog and pictures here in the next day or two. I journaled everyday, so I'll try to share something interesting from all of the places we saw. I cannot believe we only have 4 more months here in Germany. It's actually not cold anymore, and everything is green and in bloom...just breathtaking. I will really miss this place when we leave. ;)