More Hiking... More Exploring!

We did a load of wash... that takes forever in Europe. 

So, we finally left for town at 11am. It was a bit cooler with a slight sprinkle. But the plan was to go for a hike. We walked down the Main Street... with so many stores. And we found another second hand store! FUN! We love going to look at all the things... I started my collection of blue and white dining ware in Europe! But the prices of these pieces have soared!

We got coffee and streusel and kuchen and walked. The hike was great... Moderate and we climbed this tower that was so windy and a bit scary at the top.

By the time we came down, it was not yet time for dinner, but we decided to have an early and went to Dem Fries & Burger. It was delicious... We had two burgers and fries and chili cheese fries too. 

On the way back, we stopped inside a cathedral and the Saturday mass was about to start. So we stayed! It was nice just to sit and hear the choir boy sing in German. The church had a lot of young people actually, but it was a very typical Catholic service.

We got back to the base at around 7:15. We forgot to stop to get any food... Tomorrow we will leave at 9am from our lodging to attend the Calvary Church service that starts at 10am. Then it will be time to say good bye to Abby and hop on to the train to head to Switzerland... wah... 

Abby came over to where we are staying to pick up her clothes and the lat few things. It was nice for her to just hang out with us for a bit. She went back at 10pm. Isaiah spent his evening watching tennis and other game highlights!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Amos 7:14-15

God calls people to fulfill something greater than they can ever imagine... I know God has much prepared for Abby... 

Seek Him First!

Freiburg Fun!

I went for a run and sure enough, I got really lost. I found a post man and asked him to give me direction. He ended up driving me back to the YWAM base! Hilarious! He first had to stop to deliver a package and then we were off... I was so turned around that I could not get back. It felt like I was running in circles!

After a shower, Isaiah and I went to pick up Abby. We walked into town instead of taking a tram. It was so enjoyable. Very easy walk... And at the bank, we found out we have to make an appointment to open an account. Then we went through the old town a little and Abby bought a pair of shorts. We got to the Aldi Supermarket, where they sell 'start up SIM card'. Hopefully that will work well for Abby.

We then rushed back to our lodging as I had Bible study at 2:30. I was 15 minutes late. But it was a wonderful time!

I didn't get to talk to Alan, but he is busy trying to get packed and ready to take off for Taiwan.

Abby, Isaiah and I took off again... this time, we walked to the lake. I knew the way as it was where I was so terribly lost! We had dinner at a pizza place and I had a calzone! YEAH! Spinach calzone! We found a dollar store, sort of... and a super market. Abby bought a few things and we bought things for breakfast.

This evening, it was just a relaxing time. Abby went to hang out with the DTS participants. They are all very young. The Europeans will be arriving by Sunday, so we have only met the international participants as they need to get over jet lag. We have also met the staff, which has been fun!

Tomorrow is a day of walking and hiking... Isaiah and Abby will plan it. We have already decided on the church for Sunday. Unfortunately, we might miss church on the 18th. I'm trying to see if we can catch an afternoon service! I have really enjoyed attending a service every Sunday during these days of travel.

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

The Queen Has Passed!

That was the big news that hit while we were waiting for the train! Maybe that was why it was delayed for two hours!

This morning, I was up... and went out running. The rain had come and the clouds were still low. It was the perfect fall weather for a run... it was a gift from God! I ran up the Neckar with the Castle to my right... and the clouds just covered part of it... with the trees filled with colorful leaves... Honestly, I could have ran to Eberback, 33 kilometers away, and enjoyed every minute of it. The air was crisp... The wind was light... The smell of fall surrounded me as did the Presence of God.

I came back and showered and got the place cleaned up. We packed and left our sweet apartment at 11:50. We walked down to the Central Train Station... stopping at different places. But we were at the train station by 2:40! We looked up a couple of fun stores and went there... We bought Prinz Cookies and I got a couple of gifts at a second hand store... We went down to the platform... and NO TRAIN! I ran up to ask... The train was going to be delayed for 140 minutes! WHAT? I could have had a full day in Heidelberg. But with the luggage, we couldn't do much. I could have asked for the luggage to be kept at the apartment IF I KNEW THE TRAIN WAS NOT UNTIL 7pm!

We had food... We texted the YWAM people and the person where we were to stay! 

We finally arrived in Freiburg at 9pm. Laura from YWAM met us and we took the tram to the YWAM base. She had some curry with rice! YEAH! We chatted and ate. Then it was a short walk to where we'd be staying. Abby is staying at the Base as several of the participants have already arrived. Tomorrow we will go and get some things done... and on Saturday, we will go and tour the city. On Sunday, we will go to church together and then we will take off... WAHHHHHHHH... It won't be easy to say good bye to her!

Now, Isaiah is weird out because the place that we are staying at is someone's home! He has never done this. I love it... The guy is really nice! He works in Basel and he is smart to do this! He rents out one of the bedrooms... and I picked this place because of the location. It is a two minute walk to the base!

I will go and run tomorrow... Explore this area a bit... I have a feeling that it will be too easy to get lost here. We will see... The tram is a bit expensive to go into town. So, I think we will walk tomorrow or look into buying the three day pass! It's a bit expensive -- 27 Euro per person!

Daily Lovely Insight:

The simplicity of trust... That's the lesson that I am learning each day! God is alive... So... ALL IS WELL!

Seek Him First!

Another Full Day!

It was another full day of everything I wanted to do here and much much more... I think I can stay here another year! And to try everything that I want to eat, I need at least another week. 

The kids have been great. They are totally willing to eat gelato twice a day! And we have not done the Pomme Frittes Stand and the "Piano Bar", which is now going by another name. That's the place with coffee that was served in a bowl topped with a huge amount of whipped cream. But again, I don't see that being served anywhere on the Haupstrasse! 

OK, let me back up a bit.

This morning I was up early... I just didn't want to miss a minute of my time here in Heidelberg. I decided to run to the furtherest bridge and then back... all along the Neckar... In the early morning, with that crisp air, it was magical! Unfortunately, it was barely 12kms. 

Then after a shower and a simple breakfast (I buy Kuchen and Strudel the night before), the kids were ready to walk! We looked at thrift stores, souvenir shops, and department stores. At Kaufhof, we found Abby's sleeping bag and sleeping pad... both on sale! They were only 26Euro! YEAH GOD!

We then went to all the stores nearby and found lots of goodies... snacks! The kids looked at me and said, "No wonder you gained 15 kilos here!" I have only four days to eat all the things I love from Heidelberg. (For dinner, they finally got to try my favorite Spatzel, German homemade noodles!)

We walked back to our apartment before heading out for PhilosphenWeg! What a great hike! The kids were great... We went all the way to the very top and hit all the major spots! It took the entire afternoon! From across the way, you can see the Castle and Moore Haus and the Old Bridge... Oh, how I loved going along this path in all four seasons... to capture that view! 

And since we were on the other side, we decided to go out for dinner at a restaurant there! Of course, we had another gelato before heading back to our apartment!

I started packing things up so that we won't be rushed tomorrow morning, plus I hope to go for another run! I will again be singing the hymn, How Great Thou Art... 

What a beautiful time I've had here!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!

I Got To Go See Moore Haus!

Today the plan was to go to the Castle and hopefully visit Moore Haus and then down to Haupstrasse and if time permitted, go and walk to PhilosophenWeg.

We spent a lot of time at the Castle. I had to go to every corner and every alcove of that beautiful place. The weather was so perfect with a light wind blowing. The Castle garden was not crowded. The trees were changing... leaves were turning from green to orange and red to brown... 

We walked to Moore Haus. I pressed the buzzer and someone was there. The visiting professor came down... and praise the LORD, I was allowed to go inside! That's a miracle as the rule has been NO VISITORS ALLOWED due to Covid! I could only go into a few rooms... but it was fantastic!

We then went down and walk the length of Haupstrasse and at one thrift store, I found a wonderful pair of shoes. We were looking for a sleeping bag and sleeping pad for Abby. She neglected to say that she needed those items for DTS.

While strolling, we had to have spaghetti ice and gelato and desserts... Oh yes we did. Then we went to Gasthaus and had a full meal. We each ordered something different! I had the German dumplings... Abby had the German fried noodles, and Isaiah had bratwurst with sauerkraut! We licked the plate clean!

At 8pm, we walked across the "Old Bridge" and took plenty of pictures. Then we walked for a bit on the other side of the Neckar, but we didn't hit PhilosphenWeg as it was already way too dark.

We came back and I had a short chat with Alan. We were able to pray together. 

I had the translation project to work on! I finished that... and Abby was on line trying to see about getting a sleeping bag and pad ordered and shipped to the YWAM Base in Freiburg before next week when she will need these items.

Tomorrow will be another full day... We hope to hit two or three more thrift shops and more eating...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Joel 2:12 -- God continues to call His people to return to Him... 

Seek Him First!

I'm In Heidelberg!

We had a fabulous time with Serge and Nancy and their two kids. The time truly flew by... 

Nancy made breakfast for us and then drove us to the train station. We missed the 8:30 train but caught the 8:59 train which arrived in Brussel Nord at 9:22. We dashed over to the Flixbus 'stop' and there were so many people. But no one really there to answer any questions. The bus that came was Freiburg... Then the one to Paris Gare. Finally at 10:05, the bus came. We loaded up everything and we realized that we forgot our snack bag. BUMMER. And we didn't go buy anything because we didn't want to miss the bus.

The bus did not make any 'rest stops'... So, we only had water. It stopped several times just to pick up people. But it was not like the one to Edinburgh when the bus stopped and you can go buy food and go for bathroom breaks. It was a long ride, but I rested and looked out the window. We passed through Luxemberg and several other quaint little towns.

We arrived in Heidelberg at around 5:50 and walked to the supermarket to pick up items for breakfast. Then we were off on a 40 minute trek to our lodging.

It took us a bit of time to find the place, but we love the apartment. It's spacious and located right near the Haupstrasse and the Castle and across from PhilosophenWeg! So, after getting settled, we went out for schnitzel and fries... yummy!

We then walked all the way down Haupstrasse and back up... We had been in a bus all day. It sure felt good to be walking around in Heidelberg even if it was 10pm!

Tomorrow I'll have my quiet time and then go for a run. We will have breakfast in the apartment and then walk up to the Schloss via the steps and see if we can get into Moore Haus! We will again walk down Haupstrasse and go across the Neckar. We also have to buy some gelato and pastries... Yes, it will be another full day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

These are some of the highlights from the HOP Sunday sermon!

Definition of Turmoil: a state or condition of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion 

(Merriam-Webster dictionary)

1. Turmoils can be big or small, but God's grace is always sufficient for us. See 1 Cor. 12:8-9

2. We can delay our learning of God's lessons, but our good and everlasting God will make sure we learn it eventually.

3. For Christ’s sake, we should delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when we are weak, then we are strong. See 2 Cor. 12:10

4. Let's get to know each other's troubles. Let's learn from other more mature believers who can share their experiences and wisdom with us.

5. Don't just invite Jesus to your house when encountering turmoils. Jesus wants to stay. Do not be afraid to show your "messy house". He is the only one who can and is willing to help us clean the inside. Open the door. He is outside with a bucket and mop ready and waiting.

6. We are one body. Let's embrace our turmoils. Face them together and grow in Christ. See 1 Cor. 12:27

Seek Him First!

Church and Lunch... and Construction Site!

What a blessed day... We all went to church and talked to many at the church. Then it was a short walk to have lunch out... 

Serge drove us around the expensive part of the area... and then we looked at the house that is being built, which should be finished by June of 2023.

We came back and rested... and I got packing! We have to leave early tomorrow!

Dinner was at home! NICE! And then we walked to the local gelato place and had ice cream.

It was just such a relaxing day!

Daily Lovely Insight:

Colossians 1:6

That was the Scripture for the service this morning!

Seek Him First!