Free time in Magdeburg

These pictures were taken while the girls were waiting for their ride home (We have to drive our 9-seater twice right now again.) after our family picture appointment in the center of Magdeburg.

49 years of God's Grace

These beautiful flowers were a gift from Susan B. and her family. The snow was a perfect backdrop for this picture. I had a wonderful day with the family and a date with Bradley for dinner. :)

Our Pre-Christmas Snow

We woke up to a beautiful new layer of snow on Tuesday morning. The boys got busy shoveling right away. Dustin's mountain of snow after clearing our walk. Trying to get me! (I was watching through the kitchen window!) The kids made this little guy two days earlier, protected him with a plastic sack during the predicted rain, and then happily finished him off with the new snow. Ready to go for a ride! Danielle Oh what fun it is to ride on a brother-drawn sled! Dani, Dono, and Dustin Helene, who had spent the night with Nika The boys snowballs were pretty big! Nice packing snow. Danika Ruth Donovan Ryke Helene and Danika preparing snowballs for the upcoming snowball fight with the boys. Dani enjoying the fort. Dustin's attempts at hitting me behind the curtains. :) I noticed the results when I got back from my photo shoot with the kids on the way to and at the playground.

Our Family Portrait

Not knowing what next year will hold in terms of having all of us together at the same time, we decided to go for a professional picture for the first time since our prayer card picture in 2001. It was a blessing, because the small studio allowed us to purchase the digital file so that we can make our own copies. We were thankful for how the picture turned out!

Our Christmas Program on the Fourth Advent

Danae took pictures on Stephen's camera. Stephen kindly shared them with us. Bradley led the program and preached at the end.The children sang several specials. In this first song the little class (2s and 3s) sang, too. Here just the older class (4-9 year olds) was singing. Peek-a-boo, I see you. :) (Jesse) The men sang a great special number Bradley and I accompanied the interspersed congregational numbers.

Change of scenery during meals

This is our upstairs school room. Because a friend of ours from southern Germany offered to refinish the top of our kitchen table for us, we sent the table down in a truck that had come up to deliver things to Camp impact. For several days we ate upstairs. In the mean time we had the bright idea of bringing in our tables from off of the deck. That eliminates a lot of steps and will serve us well until we get our kitchen table back. We have had our tree up here for many years. Donovan enjoyed having his desk near the table and the window. :)

Ready for Winter

Tire change on the older van Sisters helping to keep big brother somewhat dry :) The last tire on the newer van Bradley getting ready to.... jump start the car with the help of the kids! Danielle was in the van, but I missed a picture! Unfortunately it looks like we will need a new motor, if we are to keep this van.

Thankful for God's Protection

We had our little tea warmer candles burning on our kitchen table last week. All of us had been in the basement for awhile, when I smelled burning rubber or plastic. I first checked my iron in the basement since I have been known to leave it on by mistake. It was cold. So we ran upstairs and once we got to the top, we could see heavy black smoke through the crack in the kitchen door and an eerie glow over the top of my counter. We burst in to the kitchen to find the runner in flames, the plastic box of one of the candle holders melted down, and its inside glass broken. The other two were still doing their job quietly and prettily. (The yellow box is one of the two that were still fine.) Donovan, who was right behind me, and I started throwing glasses of water over the counter and on to the table. We thank the Lord that the fire was contained very quickly. We do have a fire alarm in the house, but because the door to the kitchen was almost closed, it didn't go off until we went in to the kitchen and the smoke escaped to the stairwell. We immediately thanked the Lord for His protection from a potentially serious fire! (I went ahead and threw away the other two candle holders, too, not knowing what had caused the first one to break and melt. I have had them about two years, I think.)

Ladies Christmas Tea

Actually I am sure that we served more coffee than tea. :) We are very thankful that 6 unsaved ladies attended and heard a clear challenge given by one of our ladies. What she shared was based on her own testimony of salvation. Another one of our ladies had ordered excellent little booklets on how to be saved and grow in the Lord. We trust and pray that the Lord will continue the work in hearts. Ellen, pictured above, decorated the tables and room beautifully for the occasion.

Mid-November

We enjoyed several visits recently. Several young men came to the church two weeks ago and it was good to get to know them better in our home the next Sunday afternoon. The Mutzke family visited us on Sunday afternoon after ministering in the morning service. Dustin has been practicing with the soccer team here in the village that Devon has been working with as an assistant coach. He has really been enjoying it.

Our Lantern Walk

Kay and Susan invited us and others from church to their home for food, fellowship and a lantern walk. Above, the ladies gathered in the kitchen just before supper. Kiddies at their own special table The adults Ready to start walking The kids in the lead Our friends and Donia Devon carrying Liane's little lantern Danielle and Jacob on the way back next to a bolder. A visit to the pigs after we got back to the farm Dustin and Danielle were both interested in feeding them. The pigs were hungry and loud. Kay served up the icecream during dessert time. Here Kay showed us a trick with an empty tea bag which he lit, and which lifted of and dissolved before our eyes.