Merry Christmas

The cookies sweat shop. Everyone kept saying, "where are all the cookies?" My answer: It certainly felt like we made a lot more.

You'll have to excuse the key, or lack thereof.

Decorating for Christmas

This is Fiona's advent calendar. Christin and I each made one for our daughters. This kind of advent calendar (with a small present for each day of the advent) is very popular here and I've always wanted to make one, but never did. Isn't it perfect!?!?!

Putting the tree in the stand. We had a hard time finding a place that was already selling Christmas trees, on the 12th of December.

Fiona's 2008 ornament.

Do you see what I do in this picture? "This isn't as much fun as I thought it would be because mom isn't letting me put anything on the tree." Maybe next year.

Okay, we're done! I don't know if you can tell, but Fiona saw the stockings in the box and said, "Oh, socks!" and put them on.

This is for you, mom. It's the Joshua 24:15 verse. It's just the way I pictured it! Thank you.

Haircut!

Fiona getting her haircut is nothing new, I've been cutting it regularly to avoid the inevitable knot from twirling. But this time we actually went to a hair cutting place. I thought it'd be really quick because there were only two boys in front of us. Well, their dad (a real estate agent who showed us an apartment, that we didn't take) told the lady really late to just use the clippers, so it took a lot longer than any of us thought. Whatever, lange Rede kurze Sinn (long talk, short meaning)--I thought Fiona would have long sense lost her desire to sit still. She suprised us all by sitting stiller than I've ever experienced. Even the hair cutting lady (what do you call her?) said she was better than most.

And this is what it looks like.

In her new bathrobe with her new haircut.

A Fiona video

Dad, this is for you!! I guess this is what they do when I go to work.

Göttingen

No picture with this one, sorry, dad, but I just really wanted to share something. Fiona and I went to see a friend of ours, Christin, and her choir perform. It's a Gospel Choir, which is quite the "culture attraction" here. I'm not sure what it is, but a lot of Germans are interested in this kind of excitement or show, as the case may be. As I thought about what my friend said about not everyone in the choir being a strong believer, I asked myself what, then, motivated them to sing with "soul" if not for the meaning of the texts. I have no answer, save the overwhelming sensation that fills my heart everytime we drive over a certain hill and see the lights of Göttingen. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have." (1 Peter 3:15) I am so thankful to be here and part of God's plan.

First snowman

Brett and Fiona had to take advantage of the daylight and make a snowman right after lunch today. Fiona is very frustrated when she wakes up from her nap (4:30) and it immediately starts getting dark. We've gotten quite a bit of snow the past two days. More, actually, than I ever remember getting in Peine.

Laterne laufen

So you can't see it really well, but this was our first "Lantern walk" at Fiona's preschool. The kids get a Lantern, which traditionally has a tealight in it, but, what we didn't know, usually has a battery operated light in it. I also didn't know it was supposed to be on a stick, so when we got there I was scrambling around trying to find a stick somewhere, in the dark. So then you walk around the neighborhood and stop to sing a song every once in a while. I don't have the "why" figured out, though, yet.

This is Fiona's best friend, Samed, he and his family are from Turkey. She insisted on holding his hand the entire time, which was very cute, but somewhat difficult, at least as a parent, when you're worried about a lantern catching fire (and why she's not carrying it in this picture, she did not forsee a fire hazard).

I'm pretty sure our two families were bringing up the rear the entire walk. And a big thanks to Samed's mom for sending me the pictures, as we of course had no camera with us.

An unlikely visitor

So, if you know Fiona, it's no suprise that she immediately welcomed Martin into our home by taking him by the hand, showing him her room, where he'd be staying and calling him her friend. What might be suprising, though, is his past. He'll talk about it with anyone who's interested and it's quite shocking to hear what Jesus saved him from. Having just celebrated his first birthday in 8 years outside of jail, he's got quite the tale to tell, not the least of which being his christian roots. Upon reflection, Fiona's innocent and unconditional welcome was an example to me.

He spoke on Friday night here in Göttingen and we all went to Peine on Saturday so he could speak at the Upper Room. The conversations he inspired where quite moving, gave me goosebumps, to be honest.

Movie Night

Fiona loves her Marcel! We invited some of the youth from Peine and some new friends from Göttingen to watch some movies at our house. Fiona cuddled right up to Marcel.

Cute Girls and church

We got together with Steve and Christin on Sunday. We ate together and had a little Bible study and sang our favorite worship songs. It felt like, well, church. The girls really like playing together and so I thought I'd share some pictures of them doing so.

Here's where I work.

Busy weekend!

So I turned 30!! We had some guests on Friday, Thomas and Sabine, that stayed until just after midnight to usher in my birthday. There's something just not right about wishing a happy birthday before the actual birthday here in Germany.


I was able to celebrate just like I wanted to on Saturday--with a girls night out!! It was loads of fun! We went to see Mama Mia, which was great since they had the volume incredibly loud so as to allow for the karaoke-effect Abba has on most people.

One of my presents from my friends was a day of pampering at a hair salon in Peine (so we can all be together again!). They also gave me nail polish and Fiona was very sad when I wouldn't paint her fingernails. I promised we'd do it today, so here's the proof!

Jon and Shonda Hall came for a quick visit on Sunday. They're stationed in Landstuhl, Germany for the next couple of years. They brought us many American treats--Taco Bell, Cinnabon, Mountain Dew, pillow cases and fire escape ladders (since our house is made of matchsticks). It was great to meet them and made sweeter (pun intended) by the treasures that accompanied them!! Thanks a lot to them and Rhonda and Jared Adamson!!

Rainbow kids and a sick little girl...

So I've only been to Rainbow Kids once, but this very thing happened a lot. The little girls tend to get hurt quite often. I don't think they really mind, though, since Jasna (who is in charge) is a very good comforter and they probably don't get cuddled like this at home. A lot of the kids come from pretty rough homes. Brett went yesterday and the boys love playing basketball with him. The gym-time is usually followed by a story from God's Word.

Fiona's first words to me this morning, "I don't feel good." She then proved her sickness by falling asleep on her father.

Today was green...

The Gospel and a ukulele

Our friend, Stefan, came down for a visit last week. Though not a believer, he decided to give Mark's gospel a try. He and Brett read through it together and though he's still not convinced...
We'll keep you posted.

On a personal note...
Fiona on her guitar (ukulele) and Brett on his.

You can tell when the little actress in her takes over.

A lot to learn...

This is my Fiona, how I know her and love her. Was her entire face, and most of her white sleeves, blue when I picked her up from preschool? It is so true! And who was beaming with pride that Annelena painted it for her? That's right. I strive to take it in stride and see it how she does. My friend, Christin, has been a great example to me; allowing her daughter, though perfectly dressed in pink, to get as dirty need be.

Who has ever made grape juice? Well, we just did. Walter, our landlord, has grapevines growing all over the place as they provide great shade. Today I was sweeping the walkway when he came out and decided we were going to make some grape juice. He got out the old fruit press and along with his children, we made grape juice--6 liters. And it didn't even take that long nor was it that messy. I really feel like I'm learning a lot just living here!

This weekend...

This is our friend, Nils, from Hannover. He came down for a visit and to talk with Brett about "Gott und die Welt", a German idiom literally meaning "God and the World". We really enjoyed his presence.

Fiona and I were making the bed for the next guest, a sister and brother-in-law of some friends of ours, and found some treasures. She's worn the sunglasses all weekend, rain or shine, because mama and papa wear glasses, too.

And Brett turned 32 on Sunday!! It was a pretty crazy day, though! In the morning, Fiona and I were invited to a baby dedication service and party and Brett preached at a church in Mühlhausen. And then we went to an international evening at church. The Covenant Players

were there to provide entertaining and thought-provoking skits. We also sang songs in different languages and ate food from all over the world! It was a great evening and we got home way past Fiona's bedtime, which was perfectly fine with her since she got to run around the church building and eat as many cookies as she wanted.


Check out what our friend so keenly said.

Saturday evening

Baby Joy and her mom and dad, Christin and Steve, came over on Saturday. Fiona loves Joy. Her motherly instincts take over, which I imagine can be a bit overwhelming for Joy. But Joy likes being with older kids, so it works out well.
We decided the men have more to talk about than can transpire with two small girls around, so we'll probably send them off somewhere next time.
Fiona and I will be joining Joy and Christin for some gymnastics classes. We are very excited! Which reminds me of a story for Oma and Opa...
Fiona gets worried and excited mixed up. So she says she's worried about Kindergarten (while acting giddy and smiling). Or she's worried about going to the playground. It took me a while to figure it out, but it makes for a cute story.

Happenings...

The International (english speaking) church and a new Russian church plant meeting simultaneously at the same church, in different rooms. The fellowship time afterwards is enriched by the 11 (or more) nationalities represented. Where's Brett?

Game evening in Peine last friday. It was like a homecoming of sorts. We even got to use our old kitchen (that is now the church's kitchen). This is Johannes, Thomas, Marcel, and Sabine playing, I'm not sure what game.

This is Steffi, she literally just got back from vacation (overnight by bus from Croatia--not a short trip). She heard we were in Peine and, though she was exhausted, came to visit Fiona. As you can see, Fiona was thrilled.

One of Fiona's favorite songs is Wo ich auch stehe (wherever i stand) and I'm pretty sure she doesn't understand what she's singing, but the chorus is "And I thank you that you know me and love me still." It touches my heart and will never get old.

Friends

Our friend Christine Kmietsch holding her son Linus and Fiona in our office on Sunday. Her husband, Jochen helped me get some computer stuff figured out--wish I wasn't a technology nightmare.

Brett's friends Aki and Erick after Biblestudy on Monday night. They are students from Japan and Kenya studying at Georg August University (that's the name of the university here in Göttingen). They will be leaving soon, but have both been strengthened in their faith through their time here as we have been strengthened by theirs.









And check out the exchange rate!!!
It'd be nice if it stayed like this for our next pay check!!

First day of Preschool!!

We practiced getting up early, but apparently, it didn't help.

Despite the uncertainty written all over her face, she was really excited to start preschool.




I stayed for about an hour until Fiona told me to leave. And with some tears in my eyes, I did. Hard to say what kind of tears they were. If you're a parent, you know. I guess it's the kind of tear you shed when you're sad to see a chapter end, but know that the next chapter was inevitable and will be just as wonderful. And mixed in there somewhere is knowing that she's ready, but I'm not and that she has no idea how much school lies ahead, but I do. And so, I pray, "Father, as hard as it is to believe, you love her more than I do. Protect her and guide her. Give her a spirit willing to learn and the confidence to stand tall."

Brett's back!! This is the camp he was at in Gemünden (near Frankfurt). He met a lot of new people and had some great conversations. He said some of the stuff he prepared was a little lofty for the younger kids, but the old ones seemed to get a lot out of it. It was quite a range--13-20 for two weeks. We're glad to have him back!!

Trying not to worry...

Check out what the dollar is (or isn't) doing.






And don't forget, we have a new email address. Drop us a line if you'd like to continue getting (or would like to get) the email updates.

brettundheather@web.de

Sutojo visit!!

It has been a long time since I've seen the Sutojo sisters together. When they were younger, they were an intricate part of the youth group in Peine. They have been off gallivanting the globe for the past year. Okay, so not really gallivanting, more furthering their education in a practical way. Sarinah has been in Malawi, Africa with the Kretschmars (German missionaries) and Sara has been in Sweden working with an architect company. It was most interesting to see how they've grown and to just hang out again. I've missed these girls!

So today I turned three. I'll share my day with you...


!!!!!

My new movie.

Opening my present from my friend, Charlotte, at my party.

Everyone sang to me,

which I liked.



And continued playing with my bike, which no one else was allowed to play with. One time a girl tried to take it away from me, well, she succeeded only because the swings temporarily distracted me. Anyway, I set her straight, but mom made me give it back to her, which I agreed to because I really wanted to swing anyway.

So I was wondering...

What can I do with Fiona when she wakes up from her nap? Go for a bike ride, to the playground. Oh, wait...



I would much rather clean up this mess. The three of us spent an hour cleaning this up yesterday. I know, what is it, right? The contents of not one, but two pillows. The only thing that could have made this worse, is if they would have been filled with feathers. Static-y foam formations were much better.

youth group

Okay, so, there were two visitors from out of town and five American youth coaches, but it's an impressive picture none the less. They talked about death and loss, which isn't an easy topic, but Brett felt like it went well.

Fiona and I visited her preschool today, for a get-to-know-you hour. There was one other new boy there, Stefan, and they will join the other 10 kids in the group come August. Fiona understands a little more German than Stefan, but they both have a lot to learn being the youngest and non-Germans. Fiona is excited about playing with other boys and girls. Please pray with us as we start to let go.

Getting ready for youth group...

Brett and Fiona watching Rob Bell (Matthew) in preparation for youth group in Peine. The series is a great divingboard for deeper discussions. Please pray that lots of kids come and want to discuss the things our society deems unimportant.

Church picnic

Get together with some Christians from the international church

Brett and Michael