Happy New Year!

Our first Christmas in Germany has come and gone, and now we are preparing for the new year. Our time with Cinda was wonderful. What a blessing to have her here with us for Christmas. She adds life and joy wherever she goes. Here are two great examples of that.

The first was that we were going back and forth on whether or not we should even get a Christmas tree. (We're frugal, and while in Oregon you can get a great tree for $10-$15, the trees here were running 30-50 Euros or $40-$65) Cinda was the one to sway us to getting a tree. We are so glad she did. We might never have gotten one or put it off until the last minute.

The second example of the joy she brings is that on the 22nd Cinda and Heather had a day together in Erfurt (pronounced "Air-furt": the capital of Thuringia just a 15 minute train ride west). On the train they met a gal from Salem Oregon who married a German and was living in Erfurt. The three of them spent the day together, Heather and Cinda felt they found a wonderful tour guide for the day. While at the Erfurt Weihnachtmarkt the gal observed that the Germans were being much more friendly then they usually are. Heather noted that it is because when you give joy, people respond with joy.

After Cinda left on Christmas, we were able to spend last week just relaxing as a family. This was the first real break we've had since arriving in Germany. We arrived, life was crazy and it hasn't slowed down since. During my Fall break my parents were with us the whole two weeks (which was wonderful). Then Cinda was here for the first week of Christmas Break (and the week before break). We have loved having our families visit, but it was nice to just lay low and be a family after Christmas. What helped us (or in the moment was frustrating) was that we were all sick. I had a really sore throat and nasty cough, Heather just felt a little crummy, Stanley had a potential ear infection, and Holly was extremely constipated (if you really wanted to know). So we weren't able to go anywhere or do anything! It was perfect. Heather and I were able to get some things done around the house, and we were together as a family.

We are now better, and for New Years (Silvester) we had a really nice day. I took Stanley and Holly for the last run of the year, and then we had a relaxing evening at home. We fed the kids leftovers for dinner, and after we put them to bed we enjoyed a Raclette meal together. For those of you who don't know what Raclette is, it is a Swiss meal that has a grill on the table on which you put ham, potatoes, carrots, and other items of your choice. Under the grill there are places for paddles that you put slices of Raclette cheese on which melts as the potatoes and other goodies grill. You then mix them all together on your plate with some pickles, scrape the melted cheese on top and enjoy. It is amazing. I got one for Christmas (from Heather) and we had Raclette Christmas Eve with Cinda, and now Heather and I were able to enjoy it New Year's Eve as well. Tradition created!

After dinner, Heather worked on a sewing project, while I worked on our Bible Reading plan for the new year. (youversion.com is great if you're looking for an online or smart phone Bible. We're doing the Life Journal Plan that Good Shepherd is doing) We played a card game, hung out and talked, and then were able to ring in the New Year with Matt and Holly Smucker via Skype! We've spent multiple new years with the Smuckers, so it only felt fitting to Skype them during this time. Then they got to enjoy 2 new years!

Heather's amazing creation to celebrate New Years. We didn't want to try to get sparkling cider, because it would probably end up having alcohol in it.

Now, the crazy thing about New Years in Germany is that they don't celebrate the 4th of July, so New Years is the day to shoot fireworks. Apparently, Germany does not have the same firework laws as Oregon does, so it was intense! There were fireworks going off everywhere! The church bells were ringing, and these big fireworks were going off literally just outside our windows. Check out this video from our back patio (This was not during the most intense period. I took this video probably 15 minutes after midnight.)

Then today for church the 9:30 service was canceled so we went to the 11:30 service didn't go to Kebap on the way home (which is our Sunday tradition). (The restaurant was closed and didn't open until 2:30pm because of New Years and it was time to get home for naps anyway.) It was crazy to see all the firework remnants all over the streets on our walk home. When we got home this afternoon the kids took naps, while Heather and I had leftover Raclette for lunch. Now Stanley is watching his BOZ movie he got for Christmas, and Heather and I are relaxing. But tomorrow it is back to work for me. It will be nice come February though. I don't get MLK day or President's Day, but I do get the first week of February off for a Winter Break, and then the first 2 weeks of April for Spring Break! Then I teach all the way until the end of June.

Thank you for reading our blog. I do want to say a special thank you to those who sent us Christmas Cards. It was so nice receiving them in the mail. We're sorry that we did not get any Christmas Cards out. So here we go.

Thank you Vixatheps! Anouxa and Michele, your Christmas card was the first we received. Thank you for sending it.

Thank you Cinda for your card and your wonderful visit.

Thank you Grandpa Steve and Grandma Sue, and Grandma Bettie and Grandpa Dick for your cards and presents that you sent with Nana.

Thank you Uncle Thomas and Aunt Beth for the card, family photos and wonderful gifts you sent with Nana. We love them, and Holly especially loves looking at the pictures.

Thank you Uncle Brian and Aunt Sjana for your Christmas presents and family card you sent. We love having pictures of your kids for Stanley and Holly to see.

Thank you Matt and Holly for your card and picture of Grace, she's adorable. And thank you for the great New Years skype visit.

Thank you Daniels Family. It was great seeing a picture of your precious kids.

Thank you Woodards. We loved reading the update on your family and how you're doing. Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you Dave and Shelly Turin for your sweet card and thoughtful note.

Thank you VanZanten family. Thank you for your dear friendship and for being so thoughtful to even call us on Christmas day.

Thank you Christiansens for the cute Christmas card. Lewis is a super cute baby.

I think that is all. Have a wonderful, safe, and blessed 2012, and we will continue to update you on our Odyssey here in Germany. Remember that Christ is in control, and He is at work in all things at all times.