Perfect -- PR Day...

I know... I just came back from a vacation... why would I need a PR Day? Well... I did... 

I got up early and did go for a run... but I could not even run for an hour... the sun was up. And it was hot... and to me, extremely hot because I just returned from Germany and Switzerland! I didn't run an hour. 

Alan and Isaiah went to work... and I received news of the passing of a colleague. She was not even 50 years old... invasive cancer... aggressive cancer!

I spent the morning reading and resting...

At 3pm, I went down to my scooter... and a neighbor who is moving put a lot of things by my scooter, which I posted to give away!

I went to run a few errands and had my massage. Then I went to tutor... On the way home, I stopped to pick up root beer and soy bean milk... and was home in time for prayer time at 8:45.

Family Time started at 9:30 and I was in bed by 11:30.

Daily Lovely Insight:

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It's HOT! Yes, I'm Back...

Ahhhh... to be back in Germany or Switzerland... to have weather that's in the 7-17 range...

I was on the plane early this morning and it landed in Beijing at 5:25. Going through the transit 'customs' was terrible... I finally was able to settle down and have my quiet time... 

The plane started boarding... but I wasn't in a hurry...

It took off promptly at 8:25 and I was back in Taiwan by 11:40. Alan surprised me and picked me up at the Taoyuan International Airport. That made coming back a lot faster. I was going to take the bus and the MRT... 

He didn't have lunch so we went and bought him a lunch box at one of his favorite places. 

We got home and he ate while I unpacked!

My plants were in need of watering and the house needed tidying up... 

By 5pm, I was finished... YEAH!

I laid down and fell asleep until 6:33... 

I debated... run? walk? What?

I wanted to get some soy bean milk... but it was still 27 outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The high in Switzerland never went above 17... That crisp air... that fresh crisp air... that fresh crisp mountain air... 

I decided to have a salad for dinner... AHHHHH... the cold cuts and cheese and bread... the yogurts... the milk that tastes like fresh cream... maybe I'll open a can of evaporated milk for my coffee... 

Isaiah went to hang out with Fenny... There was plenty of food in the freezer... 

I went over what was going to happen for this coming week... tutoring, Bible study... 

I'm back...

Daily Lovely Insight:

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Frankfurt Airport Post!

I was up early... in fact, I was up twice last night... Once to go to the bathroom and that was at 11:45... and then again at around 2:45.

I finally got up at 5;45 and had my quiet time and tidied up the room as instructed: took off the pillowcase and the duvet cover. I packed up everything and went to breakfast after dropping off a small gift to the gal I prayed with. It was my nice LeSportSac with three pockets and covered with hearts. 

I had told the ladies that we'd meet in the kitchen for breakfast at 7:30 and one gal made hard boiled eggs. How perfect! I had a yogurt, cucumber and tomato slices with a hard boiled egg. I didn't eat more bread or cheese. Now, sitting here, I am regretting that... ha, ha, ha... 

I then went out to buy the tickets and one of the gals from Taiwan went out with me. Bus to Frankfurt was 10.70Euro and tram ticket was 3.75Euro. I had counted out the change so that I can spend as much of it as possible. I now will only have 35cents to bring back! YEAH!

I went back to the room and took a quick shower and washed my hair. We all have to clean the shower stall after taking a shower. And at 9:33, I walked out to the front and two gals met me and we walked out to the tram together.

Tram 7 came in 14 minutes and I hopped on, waving goodbye to them. 

I got off at Luisenplatz and waited... and thought... hum? This might not be the right place. I rushed in to the bus office and sure enough, the bus was across the plaza and it was already there. I ran over there faster than the speed of light... and two minutes after getting on, it took off! 10:34... It made one stop and then headed straight to the airport.

Smooth ride... I got off and found my check in counter... and that went very smoothly. Unfortunately, I forgot to take out my toothbrush before sending the bag in... so I only have one mouth wash with me... Oh well... I even forgot my small toothbrushes that I always have with me... 

Boarding starts at 13:15... I'm heading to Peking. I am writing this and then will eat my sweet roll with Nutella... I drank my coffee already. The thermos has to be empty... 

And I will put my computer away.

The data from Taiwan ran out just as I am at the airport with WiFi. Amazing timing... 

That's what this trip has been like: amazing. People who were helpful... timing of things... finding the perfect restaurant for our meals... meeting people wherever we went... 

I had a feeling that I'd meet someone I know... so far... that hasn't happened... 

We shall see...

Yes, I'd love to do a trip each year... but I definitely won't wait... for sure in 2028... Alan goes to see the French Open for his 70th... and I am planning on joining him after the French Open. Where will we go? I have no idea... But God knows and I am sure it will be amazing!

Daily Lovely Insight:

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Last Full Day...

I can't believe my vacation is almost over... How can that be??? The days have flown by... How I love the food, the weather... and the experiences I have had... Traveling to Heidelberg, being there on my Mom's one year passing anniversary... Having Pam and Suz there in Heidelberg and attending an English Service for Mother's Day in Heidelberg... Staying at Goldener Falkner right on the Haupstrasse and having that elaborate breakfast... Going to Tubingen, which was a new place for all three of us...as was Lautenbrunnen, Switzerland... and now being in Darmstadt... 

I was up early and had time with Jesus and then went to the self-service breakfast... Suz and Pam have safely arrived back in the States... 

After breakfast, I went out for a run in the forest area behind their facility... the path wasn't long, so I had to run back and forth a few times to make 10K.

I had a quick shower and went to lunch. It was so delicious... exactly what I had hoped for: a German sausage with mustard, potato salad, carrot salad, sweet rolls, coffee with milk that tasted like cream (I poured myself a cup and drank it!), sparkling apple cider, yogurt cups... It was just so fabulous... and we sat around the table with people who worked at the place... One gentleman came for 6 weeks and that was two and a half years ago... another gal came last October for two weeks and have stayed on... the stories just are endless. 

I walked back with another staff member as I wanted to encourage her. I met her yesterday and she has such a sweet soul... I felt the Lord wanted me to tell her that she was not to become a nun but the Lord has an "Adam" prepared for her. I asked her about her journey to this place and what a testimony she has... And then I told her what the Lord had put upon my heart. She started to cry.  She has been asking the LORD and felt that she was not to become a nun, but she wanted some sort of confirmation. The day that I came in to Canaan (that's what this place is called), she was driving out and thought I illuminated 'light'. She saw my smile and wondered who I was... and for me to talk to her just when she was asking the Lord about this very thing if marriage is in God's plan for her future was just astounding! So... being here has been very interesting... 

I then needed to go and find out if I can purchase ticket for tomorrow's bus to Frankfurt Airport. Another staff member said she was on her way out so we walked and talked... she showed me where to buy the ticket and how to do it... and pointed me to the local supermarket. And that's where I picked up a few more things to bring back to Taiwan.

I made it back for Prayer time with HOP at 2:45 and the 3pm Prayer time with the sisterhood! Wow...

After the prayer time, one of the sisters opened the receptionist area so that we can buy a couple of the books. And then I was back in the dorm, having a nice chat with Isaiah. He needed to find a tithes receipt... and Mom knows everything... 

I hung up with him and packed up the goods that I bought and all my stuff... My check in is pretty heavy! I will leave at 8:30 to buy the bus and tram tickets... and then come back to get my luggage and walk to the tram. I don't know if I will be able to blog tomorrow as my flight is at 2:15... and I won't have WiFi in Peking China. 

I will be back by Wednesday, May 20th...

Pam's daughter had a brilliant idea: Do a trip a year... I don't think I can do that... but I surely won't wait another 46 years to take a trip with Pam and Suz... I pray... God's plan and timing are the best... Pam will be turning 70... maybe as part of her birthday celebration, we can take another trip together... That's a wonderful thought!

Daily Lovely Insight:

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Evangelistic Sisterhood...

I was up early and I slept so early last night that I did not make my step goal... I walked a lot but since I was towing stuff... the watch didn't register the steps... oh well... I broke my streak...

I had a delightful time... and didn't want to have breakfast... but just some coffee... and then went to church at 9:10. They had English programs and headsets as a sister translated the message.

The Evangelistic Sisterhood is an order of the Lutheran Church... so the service was very liturgical with a lot of standing up and sitting down. It went for almost two hours. Then there is lunch, but I didn't want to join the lunch. It's usually a variety of potatoes... I went back to my dorm and had my own simple lunch of bread and butter. It was delightful.

I came back to the room and looked over what I wanted to donate and then went out for a walk about. There are many 'stations' set up where there is a box with verses that you can read and think on. It's really quite nice... I walked around for about two hours...

Then there is the 3pm prayer time. I went to that and was invited to join the ladies from Taiwan to visit an elderly sister who lived in Taiwan for 25 years. She has now returned to Germany because of her health. But on Sunday afternoon, she enjoys a time of having visitors and she was especially happy since there were three of us from Taiwan. We sang songs and had snacks and just enjoyed a splendid time of fellowship. 

That went for an hour and I came back to the dorm. I wanted to take a shower before dinner at 6pm. Like yesterday, dinner was very simple: cold cuts, fruit, yogurt, etc. And by 7pm, I was back in the dorm room.

I could have gone out to walk more... but I will wait until tomorrow.

Now as for happenings in Taiwan, Isaiah is sick... Alan went to a wedding in Taichung... and so, the friends I had invited never got to see Alan... the guests had to leave at 5pm or earlier and Alan didn't get to church until 5pm. Oh well... 

Abby had a children's camp and I have yet to hear how that went...

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A Very Long Day...

I was up early... and it was raining hard... but soon, while sitting in the lobby and having a mug of milk coffee, the rain stopped. The view was spectacular... what a place to have my quiet time!

I went up and packed and brought a roll and some cheese and my thermos with water and the pizza. I was off... It was difficult to say good bye to Pam and Suz. I had journal about what this trip has meant to me...

I made it to the train station and hopped on the train to Interlaken Ost and when that arrived, I found the platform for the train to Basel. 

The train was crowded... and there were people who were strangely dressed. It turned out that the BIG ComicCon was going on since Thursday... and people in Switzerland are really into this. I guess people come from all over to attend it! SO, the train station was packed... I didn't like the big city feel, especially after being in such wonderfully refreshing places... 

I had time so I walked around... as I had 5 Francs to spend. I didn't want to buy food for myself as I brought some great stuff... and I have plenty to drink. So at the end of this area, there was a candy shop. Isaiah wanted more sour candies... and I couldn't believe... there was a 50% off on some of the sour candies. So, I got four bags for 5 francs! Perfect!

The train arrived and I was on... and it was really packed too... as two trains were cancelled... making this train the only one that was heading up to all the different places from Basel to Hamburg Harbor! I got off at Mannheim and couldn't find my train... What's going on?

It turned out that there was construction going on and the train was cancelled and now, a bus was provided to shuttle people to another train station where the train will start!

I didn't look at it and thought the other train station that we were being bussed to was only 10 minutes away... NO... it was like a two hour bus ride! We finally got to the train station at 3:50 and the train took off at 3:54! I had to walk really fast... and as for catching the bus, I was sitting at the wrong place and almost missed that... God worked that out as a bus pulled in and the driver got out to stretch his leg and I asked... He pointed me to the other side of the road... WOW!!! I was only three minutes away from the time that the bus was set to depart. If I didn't catch that bus... I would never have made it.

So... the train arrived at Darmstadt at 4:07 and I wanted to walk to the Main Center, which was about 1.9kilometer away. On the way, I donated the clothes Pam gave me in the Red Cross collection clothes bins. That was great!

When I made it to the Platz, the signs for the trams were so confusing. I got out the coins and bought a ticket: 4.50Euro! Not cheap... and the tram finally came at 5:20... After getting on, I had to really pay attention when the stops were announced! In about 20 minutes I heard my stop... and I saw the yellow mailbox... After getting off, I walked about 100meters and pressed the door bell and someone buzzed me in. A dear nun walked out and greeted me... It was the same lady who I have been emailing... 

I feel so blessed to be here... Two other individuals are here from Taiwan as they are here to join the Pentecostal Retreat that will be taking place from May 22nd to the 25th. And another gal from Columbia/Germany has a brother in Taipei, serving with OMF... It was just amazing all the "Taiwan" connections!

Another sister greeted me and gave me a tour of the place as we walked to the building where my room is located.  On the way, she stopped at the big chapel and we sat in silence for more than half an hour. It was very special. 

My room is exactly what I was hoping for... I wanted a silent retreat... and this place is perfect... Of course, it won't be too silent as there are people who are here... but I get to have an extended quiet time. Tomorrow... I will join the service at 9:30. And as for meals... breakfast and dinner are help yourself... Everything is in the refrigerator. You can choose to eat or just stay in the room. Only lunch at 11am is a hot meal... again, you can decide to join or just stay in your room. They have the electric hot water thermos, so I can just go and make myself a cup of hot water and have my morning coffee... I can go and do my run on Monday and Tuesday if I want... Or I can just sit and walk around the grounds... They have a prayer garden... and many places to be alone. 

I will leave here on Tuesday to head back to Taiwan. I saw several of their books which I might like to buy. And I will give them clothes to donate... including my big jacket. I don't know when I'll leave, but my flight is on Tuesday afternoon.

This is a gift from God... Of course, I will leave a donation... 

So... overall... it was a long day of traveling... I left the hotel in Lautenbrunnen at 7:45 and arrived here at around 5:45. 

After the tour and settling in, I was immediately ushered into the breakfast/dinner room... and you can just help yourself. I had a banana and an apple and a slice of cheese. They had everything... but I still had pizza to finish. So... it was not too hungry. 

I came back into my room and unpacked and plugged in the phone to be charge and used the hot spot to blog and check my email.

Yes... I will go to bed early... 

And throughout the day, I was messaging Pam and Suz to find out what they were doing... They have safely arrived in Geneva and will fly back to the States tomorrow... I sure do miss them!

Daily Lovely Insight:

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Lautenbrunnen... Interlocken Ost...

I was up earlier and went out for my run and it was much colder... But no rain... I had my quiet time in the lobby and ate a banana and drank two cups of coffee and then went out to run my 10K.

It was so nice... I won't be running tomorrow... I'll be running to the train station... 

After our breakfast at the Chalet, we took the train to Interlaken Ost. Suz had asked chatGPT for a walking tour... and what an adventure we had. We should have said, "Walking tour when it rains"... because this walking tour that it sent us on would have been much better if it wasn't cloudy and raining and COLD! I don't mind the cold... but it wasn't ask scenic with the rain and the cloud. We walked and walked and walked... and it was an adventure... We were out in the middle of nowhere, roaming with the cows... mooing as we walked... We finally made it to Weissenau Ruins... and that's what we saw... three pieces of a ruined castle... ha, ha, ha... We then walked for another 5 minutes and stood at the view point to see the Thunsee... ha, ha, ha... 

I was running out of battery, so we used Pam's phone and charted a course to the nearest bus stop! It was a fast ride back into town! What were we thinking?

I had to pee... and many of the restaurants were closed... and weren't going to open until 5:30! One lady took pity on me and let me use their restroom. it was a very nice restroom!

We then looked at many of the shops and decided to buy Swiss army knives... One nail cutter for Isaiah... one classic for Fenny. Isaiah was going to pay for both... I think it's a nice gift for Fenny's birthday! We then found a great bakery/coffee shop that started in 1818 called Schuh. It was delicious and Pam treated us... I felt like a royalty... I got apple pie and milk coffee! And I was able to join the prayer time! When we left there, we went back to the Victornox. I was trying to find another one of our great carry-ons as the one we have is quite messed up and can't be fixed. And we were going to buy the knives. But it was going to be an hour wait to get the engraving done. So we went to another store and met Ignasio. He did the engraving for free. Suz also bought two. 

We were back on the train, heading back to Lautenbrunnen!

We went to the coop and I forgot to buy Rivella... so for dinner, I had some. I will buy some for Alan to try. I also could not find the hot spicy pizza oil... 

We had dinner at Hotel Overland as it was one of the only restaurants still opened. I had goulash soup and it was delicious... and Suz couldn't finish her Rosti, so I ate some... YUMMY. I love raclette cheese! I will bring some back to Taiwan. So, I will definitely go shopping in Darmstadt!

We were back at our hotel and getting ourselves organized as we check out tomorrow. 

What a vacation this has been... I have no adjectives to fully describe my heart... To see Nancy and the house that's finished... To be in Heidelberg on the one year anniversary of my Mom's passing... To have my best friends, Pam and Suz, join me there and travel around... We definitely have elevated our traveling style... we didn't sleep in any train stations... and we had nice meals every day... 

It's going to be hard to say goodbye... 

Who knows when we'd have the chance to do something like this again... Truly... like our travel some 46 years ago... these past 'few' days have been another 'once in a lifetime' chance... Life goes on... and our mind might not be so clear... and we surely don't think we will live for another 46 years... but for today, this moment, my heart overflows...

Daily Lovely Insight:

Seek Him First!