On Saturday April 21st in America one of our good friend's 18 month old daughter was injured a tragic accident on their farm. It was Sunday for us, and we didn't get word of what happened until after Olivia had already passed away because we were gone all day with some friends from church. So Heather found out Sunday night, and we were trying to decided whether she should go back for the funeral and help her friend during this crisis. God said yes and provided a way. A friend of Heather donated her family's frequent flyer miles and by Wednesday morning Heather was on a plane for America. It was a crazy whirlwind of events, and Heather had to leave the house at 4 am to be on a 4:45 train for Frankfurt.
That left me at home with Stanley and Holly. Our friends here in Germany were great in stepping in to help out. Heather arranged who would go where so all I had to do was get the kids to the right place and pick them up. Stanley was at Kindergarten in the morning and Susanne picked him up, except for Friday when he went to Miriam's house. Holly was with Uli Wednesday, Susanne Thursday, and Andrea Friday. I had a little trouble timing it on when I needed to leave the house, but it all worked out. Fortunately I did not have classes first period Wednesday or Thursday so it gave me some extra flexibility.
On Saturday I had the crazy idea of still doing the run I registered for in Chemnitz (about 2.5 hours by train). I packed up the night before, and then woke up the kids at 6:10 to catch the 7 am train. I actually got to the train station and to the platform with 25 minutes to spare. The kids stayed in the Pajamas for most of the trip to Chemnitz.
Morning breakfast in the stroller.
Train ride to Chemnitz. "Who's ready for a race?"
Robin and I after the run
After the run we hung out for a bit, had some fruit, Bratwurst, and water. Stanley played in the bouncy castle, and we had a good time. It was nice not to be in a rush to go anywhere.
Stanley in the bouncy house (white shirt). He is getting bolder every day, because in Oktober he wouldn't even go into a bouncy house.
A really tired Holly. She got a little sleep during the run but not enough.
It was really hot (80's Fahrenheit). We then made our way back into Chemnitz because a lady I was talking to recommending stopping at the Zentralstation. We did and bought some Blueberries and Strawberries at the open air market, and then went into the mall to get some ice cream.
In central Chemnitz with Stanley being goofy.
Dancing in the square. Notice many of our pictures Stanley and Holly are doing the same thing. That's because Holly loves to mimic her big brother.
The Strawberries were a lifesaver!
Sharing Ice Cream at the mall.
Auf Deutsch it is called Eis "I-s" and it is one of Holly's favorite words.
Making one of our many connections. I love to see our kids have fun together.
Afterwards we made it to the train station to head home. When we arrived I found out that we had just missed a train and the next one wasn't for another 2 hours! So we hung out in the station, got some Burger King for an early dinner, and tried to waste as much time as possible. The kids did really well considering the circumstances. They also got really messy from Strawberries, Blueberries, Nougat cream cookies, and just playing. I decided not to stress about the germs and messiness too much otherwise I would just go crazy trying to manage all that.
You can't go wrong with Burger King and the crowns.
About an hour before our train I started to notice alot of police in riot gear. Then I saw some people with football team scarves. Turns out a Football game between Chemnitz and Erfurt was just finishing, and those going to Erfurt would be on our train! About 20 minutes before the train left Stanley got one of his really bad bloody noses. Fortunately I had grabbed a bunch of paper towels earlier in the day. As our departure time got closer I had to have him squeeze his own nose. It was a little awkward trying to push the stroller past Polizei holding my son's nose with bloody paper towels. But we made it and his bloodynose did stop. Dealing with these Football fan hooligans is something the Polizei are obviously used to. They had all the fans on one train and other travelers on the other. But the Polizei are still are on both trains. So we had 4 officers with us the entire time.
The Polizei corralling the fans.
Stanley with one of the Polizei
The ride home was the hardest part of the day. The kids were a mess, we were all tired, and the train was unbearably hot. But we finally made it, and we were so glad to be home. We stopped at the store on the way home because the stores aren't open on Sunday, and walked in the door about 7:30pm. Just over 13 hours after we left that morning! What a day. I gave the kids baths, fed them a peanut butter and honey sandwich, and put them to bed. I finished up Schindler's list that I had started Friday night, then started to watch the documentary with interviews of the actual survivors, but soon fell asleep. Unfortunately, Stanley's bloody nose wasn't really done and twice he was up with it bleeding some more, so I was very tired Sunday morning.
Not the most flattering picture of Stanley, but it captures how we felt. Very tired, but happy.
A nice family picture taken by the Polizei
Despite how tired we all felt we still made it to church Sunday morning. A group was doing a fundraiser so we also had lunch at church. After church Holly took a nap while Stanley played quietly in his room. After naps we went out to a coworker's house that afternoon and evening. It has been nice not having to cook very many meals. I did leftover Lasagna on Thursday, the Meichsners fed us Thursday, and Friday we had Donor Kebap. The kids had a great time Sunday evening playing with one of my coworker's daughters (who is in high school) and 2 young boys of another family who was there. It was a nice relaxing afternoon and evening. The only problem was that we didn't get home until after 9 and Stanley didn't fall asleep until almost 10!
At church when all the kids come forward before going to Sunday School.
Of course the next morning they didn't sleep in. We had breakfast, cleaned up the house, then went for a run. 8 miles, picnic, and then 4 miles back home. It was one of those beautiful spring days where you just have to get out.
The kids get to ride in style.
Playing at the part on the beautiful spring morning.
Meanwhile in America Heather is glad she went. She has been able to support Courtenay and the family. On Friday, the day of the memorial service, she was at Courtenay's right hand. She made sure Courtaney ate, drank water, sat down, etc. Heather really felt like she fulfilled her purpose in going to America to help Courtenay during this hard time. She has also enjoyed seeing friends, family, and doing a little shopping. She has said it has also been an interesting feeling of not being at home there. Home right now is in Germany, and not in America.
Heather with Sarah and Sue Overby
I hear Holly waking up from her nap so I need to go. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Hopefully I'll be able to post more on the rest of our incredibly busy April. In the mean time please pray for Heather's travels as she leaves Oregon Tuesday morning and won't arrive in Weimar until Wednesday afternoon/evening. Have a great day.
Scott
1 comment:
love you so much. The pic are wonderful. helps us feel like we are right there. Sounds like you guys are having a great time. Heather is packing up the last things, May the Lord bless you and give you a great May.
Post a Comment