"Budenfest" in Kandern

Horse Jumping Competition on Sunday afternoon



Our kids thought this was a fox when they first saw it.  Is this a breed of dog in the US? 

Dear friends and family,

We have had a full and fun week.  On Friday night we had three "little" friends over to hang out so their mom and dad could have time for a "date".  On Saturday, Lauren had a friend from school over in the afternoon while Kaylin went to help with the "stage crew" for BFA's school musical.  Saturday evening, Rick and I enjoyed dinner out with Vince and Karen while our friends watched the girls (how nice to have friends to swap baby-sitting with already).  Today a speaker from Columbia International Seminary (Dr. George Murray) spoke at church.  It was a wonderful challenge to look at our "worship" to the Lord.  There was a lunch hosted by the church to all the new families.  It felt strange being the "new" family instead of the one helping to host the event.  Our girls waited patiently until after the lunch was over to go watch the horse jumping competitions.  The horses were in town for a special festival.  This weekend our town has been hosting a festival called "Budenfest".  The center of town is full of temporary "booths" set-up with various food items for sale.  It reminds me of "The Taste of Cincinnati".   I kept looking for the "Graeter's" booth but to no avail.  Instead I found the "fish" booth and the "deer stew" booth.  Oh yummy!  :0  We did try a dish that looked like sauerkraut, noodles and some type of mystery meat.  We couldn't pronounce the German name but sounded like "Schlop."  :) 

Last week, Rick and I began our on-going German language class.  We have homework and the teacher only speaks German in class so it should be really good for us both.  Now if we could only retain what we learn. 

I began a small group bible study of freshman girls last Wednesday.  It was a lot of fun.  I forgot how energetic freshman can be.  They want to make a "group" t-shirt.  I love their "small group" spirit.  It was fun to have them at our house.  Lauren and Kaylin were excited to have new "friends" and helped host the ice cream sundae party for them.  I am still praying about what to study from the Bible with them.  This week is Spiritual Emphasis week at BFA and the theme is "Simply Jesus".  I think this will be a great topic to cover in bible study this week and see what they really believe and who their hearts are following.  There are three students whose parents are not missionaries but are in business and the military.  Please pray for this to be a place where the girls feel like they can honestly ask questions they have about the God, study the Bible and feel loved by our family. 

I told Rick when we came to Germany that I would be happy to help in any way that I could with his teaching.  Well, I tried to support him this week by helping to grade his "Apologetic's exams".  My brain hurt as I tried to decipher whether the students really understood the material or not on their essay questions.  Until he has tests that are multiple choice and true/false, I better just stick to baking goodies for his class.  I baked 4 batches of chocolate chip cookies this week for Rick's classes and may I say I sure have taken for granted how easy it is to "pour" Nestle chocolate chips out of a bag.  I know I am not "suffering" for Jesus by having to cut up chocolate bars but boy is it a tedious process.  :) 

I have enjoyed helping in Lauren's 4th grade class for a few weeks now.  Her teacher, Miss Brown can use my help when giving tests and in leading a Reading group.  I am very thankful that Lauren has been very receptive to me being in class with her.  I have enjoyed getting to know the other children in her class and see what a great job her teacher is doing. 

We were watching the USA 9/11 Memorial Services on our only TV station "EuroNews".  We had to watch it all in German.  It made us realize how far we are from NYC but how thankful we are for where the Lord has brought us to share the "Good News" and "make disciples." 

Thank you for all your encouragment and prayers to "press on"! 

Blessings and love, Melissa, Rick, Kaylin and Lauren