Since then...

Just a little update, I have since gotten ahold of some landlords. We have four appointments, unless they choose somebody else before February 10 (when we go down to Göttingen). I still haven't heard anything from my "Chiffre" letters. I found 3 more apartments yesterday, but haven't been able to get ahold of them.

Word of the month

So my newest, and probably least favorite word to date, is "Chiffre". I just looked it up and the translation is... "box number", but that doesn't sound right. To explain, I've been looking for apartments in the newspaper in Göttingen. All the really interesting apartments have a "Chiffre" number, which means I have to write a letter, in which I'm sure I unwillingly admit that I'm a foreigner, walk to the post office (driving there only leads to parking frustration and Brett saying, "Oh, Heather, it really isn't that far away!"), wait forever in line, pay my 55 cents, go back outside and admit that the barking idiot dog was mine. I have no responses to show for my efforts, no appointments to check out any apartments and yet I continue. Why? Because my husband says he's proud of me and appreciates my effort. On a much larger scale, this reminds me of our work here in Western Europe. Our church membership is still not in the thousands, and no one walks up to us and says, "so who's this Jesus guy?", but we continue. Why? Because our loving Father in heaven appreciates our efforts, feable as they may be.

So I just couldn't resist putting this one in.

And this just has a hilarious story. "Hey now", anyone familiar with the song? From the Shrek soundtrack? Fiona was always wanting me to sing it for her and well, I couldn't remember the lyrics. So I bought it from itunes and she listens to it over and over and over again (usually no more than 3 times, though). That would be cute enough, but she acutally sings along with the chorus!!! It cracks me up, but doing anything she's supposed to in front of a rolling camera, well, you saw the Christmas greeting!

The first Upper Room in 2008

Brett welcoming everyone, 35 people came.

Icebreaker

Jugendband (Youth Band--maybe I'm kidding myself with this, but I am still in my 20s)

Marcel, our fearless drummer!

Henrick spoke and let me take this opportunity to say that it has been amazing to watch this man grow in the Lord.

Christmas revisited...

Weihnachtsmarkt
Riding the train at the Christmas market









Christmas morning
She seemed a bit overwhelmed by it all. She opened presents very carefully--it took forever!



















Taking time to rest while watching one of her favorite movies.

We're back!

Happy New Year! This is an important greeting in German (frohes neues Jahr) if you're seeing the person for the first time in the new year.
We're back home from the Mid-Winter Rally. It was a great time of fellowship and the facility was amazing. It is an old castle! We had way more room than I can ever remember having, which turned out to be completely necessary since the group that was going to come do the kids' program couldn't come. Some of the missionaries from Italy came up to Peine afterwards for a visit. The Casey family stayed at our house, which if you've ever seen, isn't really made for 8 people and a dog. We made it work and were very encouraged by their presence and coversation.
The only thing we just can't seem to get rid of is this annual cold Fiona always brings back from the Rally. She's been there three years and has had 3 miserable colds as a result.
We always rely on pictures others take, so as soon as I find some, I'll post them.