Happy April

For the past 5 days I’ve been trying to get a blog update out, but every night something would come up or I would be too tired and it just hasn’t happened. Hopefully today (Monday) ok now today (Tuesday) will be the day. We have a bunch of exciting things that have been happening so we’d like to bring you up to speed.

The first thing that has happened is that we finally feel like we’ve settled. A couple of weeks ago now (Wednesday, March 21st) we were formally made members of our church here in Weimar. That evening we had another teacher babysit our kids. This is also her first year at Thuringia International School, but not her first year teaching at international schools. During dinner we were talking with her about settling in and how it just happens at some point and sometimes in the least likely circumstances. That night at church we shared our testimony and how we came to Weimar. Another couple from work were also there to officially become members. Afterwards we were able to talk to several people (in their limited English or our really limited Deutsch), and when we got home we really felt at peace in where we are at in life.

Sharing our testimony at church. Susanne did a wonderful job translating for us.

The next Sunday at church we were again recognized along with the other new members and those being baptized. After church we had a church potluck and many people came up to say hi to us. We had previously just been the non-German speaking family with the large stroller (gross Kinderwagen). Now they knew who we were and they felt comfortable reaching out to us. Our German readers can correct me on this, but from our experience in Eastern European countries is that people will have a harder exterior and be less friendly up front, but once you get to know them or they get to know you they are really friendly and welcoming. We feel that happened at church. Now they know who we are and a piece of our story, we are now family. Heather literally had three girls sitting on the blanket with her and Holly during the potluck. So since then we have been in a sweeter space emotionally and feeling more settled in our life in Germany.

My morning routine with the kids is that they help me make my lunch.

Riding bikes is a common part of life in Weimar. On this day we were riding through the park to see the 12th grade art show at my work. We also like to bike to church when the weather is nicer.

Along those lines I (Scott) have also decided to let go of the drama happening back in the Gresham-Barlow School District. In my last post that drama was starting to consume me. Heather in her wisdom suggested to let it go and not keep up on the drama. When it’s time to make a decision we’ll look at where things are at. In the meantime we will be content where we are at and not worry about the whole job situation in Oregon. Doesn’t the Bible say something about that?

Matthew 6:25-34 (New Living Translation) Bold emphasis mine

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

I know the first part was talking about God and money, but I can’t be working in both Germany and Oregon. I need to focus my time and attention on one or the other. None of my worrying will make anything better in either place it will just stress me out. God knows our needs and we believe He brought us here for a purpose. It’s not our place to worry about what will come next. In the meantime we need to seek His kingdom, do His work, and walk in a manner worthy of the calling. Tomorrow will come when it comes, but for today we will walk by faith and trust in Him. I was just reading to Stanley tonight the story of Jesus asleep on the boat as the storm raged around them. The disciples woke Jesus up screaming, “Don’t you care that we’re about to die!” Jesus’ response was simple, “Why were you afraid? Don’t you trust me?” (Mark 4:35-41 my paraphrase) So we will trust Him and wait and see what will happen.

Holly says it best on our what our attitude should be.

Still on the theme of being more settled in, Stanley had a huge compliment from his Kindergarten teacher that same week. She had been out for almost a month (in Germany if you are sick or going through something extra hard you can easily get a note from your doctor to take time off work) and she returned that week. She was telling Heather how impressed she was of Stanley’s progress. He is much more comfortable at school, learning German very well, and making friends. Yes he still has issues to work through, and yes we expect him to behave properly even when we’re not around (really Stanley pushing your classmates is not good), but he is doing better. Give him a couple more months and his German will continue to take off. He is already correcting us on some of our pronunciations.

A fun European thing to do is go out for Eis (Ice Cream) on a nice day which is just what we did on this day.

New life in spring. Getting to hold our neighbor's baby bunnies.

That same week we also decided to step out and go somewhere. We asked our friends the Meichsners and Erik suggested we go to Gotha (Go-Tah). So on Saturday we bought a hopper ticket and hopped on a train to Gotha. It was a fun outing to see another city and to have the confidence that we can do this. We can travel around Thuringia and see the different cities and sites. We got to see the Gotha Castle (more of a palace estate) and see the old town. It is hard not being able to really do museums with two squirrely kids. But it was still a fun outing. On the way home however our train was stopped for over 30 minutes. Apparently there was a medical emergency (some security guy went running down the train asking if there was a doctor aboard). That didn’t help the kids squirreliness. We finally did make it home with good memories and a sense of accomplishment.

Here is a video of us on the train getting ready to head to Gotha

Watching the countryside go by.

In old town Gotha.

Seven and a half years of marriage and still going strong.

Last week we got to celebrate Holly’s second birthday. It’s crazy to think that Holly is already two. She is using more and more words and they are becoming more and more clear. I think we’ve mentioned before that her vocabulary is quite bilingual. Her birthday was not terribly exciting because I had staff meetings and Heather had manual therapy (massage). We were able to skype with some family and friends that evening as well. But over the week we got to make it a special week doing special things. Our Saturday trip to Gotha (pre birthday) was part of it. Holly has been wanting to go on a Train for awhile now. (side note here on how we’re starting to think more in German, all nouns are capitalized, as I unintentionally just capitalized Train.) Our big present for Holly was a toy stroller for her doll. She had been wanting one for awhile and whenever she would see one she would call out “Baby” and want to play with it. Heather picked out a great one and it has been a hit. We also got her a stuffed animal horse that she absolutely loves. She got a great Hello Kitty gift set from Aunt Beth (Hello Kitty is another thing Holly is into right now “Meow! Meow!”). Boz and Baby Beethoven DVDs from Grandma Sue and Grandpa Steve. An Eeyore and bear stuffed animals from Grandma Bettie. And don’t forget this incredible laptop from the Overbys, Tilgners, and Russells.

Holly's new Kinderwagen for her Baby.

Now, in Germany it is considered bad luck to celebrate a birthday before the birthday. So Holly’s birthday was Monday and we had to wait until Saturday to have a birthday party. We had a nice party with the Meichsners, Uli, Rolph and their daughter Elin, and our friend Doerte. So there were 5 kids which was a perfect number. Heather’s theme was candy shop, lollipop shoppe, and Holly Lolly. (Lollipops are just called Lollys). Heather had incredible arrangements of candy and cupcakes, which was way more then we could all eat and guests to take home so we’ll be having lots of candy at HausKreis for awhile. But the party was a perfect size and a perfect mix. Susanne brought Balloons for the kids which brought tons of laughter and entertainment. We played a little cake walk game. Sang happy birthday (in English) and ate cupcakes and Flamkuchen. After that we hung out and let the kids play. A sweet time with some sweet friends. It was really neat to have Doerte there as she now works more than full time as a doctor and she was able to take time out of her busy schedule to be there for Holly’s birthday.

Heather's amazing candy display.

The balloons were a hit.

Our kids with the the Meichsner kids.

Here is a glimpse of Holly's Birthday Party.

The crazy thing for us and Birthdays right now is that we have two more birthdays next week! Stanley’s is Thursday April 12th and mine is the 14th! So in 19 days we have 3 birthdays, and then Heather’s is a month later. Heather is already talking about a Knight theme for Stanley’s. More on that later.

Now for the really great news! On Holly’s birthday she also received another gift that will take 9 months to prepare. I mentioned that she has really been excited about Baby strollers and always shouting out “Baby!” She also does this whenever she sees another baby, even if the baby is older and/or bigger then her. Well we found out on Holly’s birthday, March 26th, that we’re going to have another baby! Heather had been feeling a little off, but I wouldn’t let her take a pregnancy test until Holly’s birthday. She obliged, and the test came out positive. We’re really excited. We have been hoping to add another child to our family for a couple of months now, but waiting on God’s timing and not worrying about it in the process. The baby should arrive in November.

She sure looks good. You can't even tell she's pregnant!

Two lines means positive! Happy Day!

Here is our 6 week ultrasound pictures. It is amazing what modern technology can do. We even got to see the heart beat!

One last final note before I call it a night. While writing this, Heather has been asleep in Stanley and Holly’s room (although Holly has been sleeping in the large half room next to our bedroom). We have an extra mattress in the kid's room as well and Heather fell asleep as I was tucking Stanley in around 7:15pm. She just got up at 9:15pm. She was telling me that after I left Stanley got up and went to her and said, “Let me pray for you Mommy.” Then he prayed for Heather in his sweet Stanley voice, tucked her in and went back to bed himself. Today has been an especially draining day with Stanley and Holly both being sick. Holly had a fever of 104 F and Stanley has had an ear ache. So having a moment like that is especially touching.

A sweet brother and sister moment on Holly's Birthday.

Ok, one more thing. During our HausKreis on Friday evening we got to watch “Courageous.” It was just us and the Meichsners. WOW, what a movie. It was an early birthday present and I am so glad to have seen it. What a great call to men. I can’t wait to watch it again and then to watch it with the commentary, and then to watch it with other men. If you haven’t seen the movie, you need to.

Really, that’s all. Thank you for reading this novel of a post. I hope you enjoyed it and it was encouraging for you as well. Feel free to leave a comment or send us an email.

If you haven't spent enough time on our blog you can check out our March web album here.

Fruhe Oster! (Happy Easter)

Scott, Heather, Stanley, Holly, and Baby #3!

He has risen! He has risen indeed!

This video is just really awesome and a great way to remember the celebration of Easter! It also struck a special chord with us being in Eastern Europe.