What I Might Have Written

What might I have written if I had written this year?

I might have written about first Independence Day celebrations


 


and seeing amazing architecture

and eating amazing food.

Maybe I would have written about birthdays:

or Christmas presents and Christmas lights

Or a first-ever girls-only trip to Poland

I could have shown you Fairy Tale German Castles:

and German Cathedrals:

and English Cathedrals:

I might have written about school celebrations


I could have written about rediscovering favourite places

I might have even written about the bitter-sweetness of saying good-byes and making yet another international move. Or the elation of returning to a place we have previously loved.


I might have written many things.  But, alas, I did not.  If I had, you would have seen a little of the joy, the sadness, the laughter and even the tears.  Mostly you would have seen this chaotic thing that I call life and (maybe) caught a glimpse of the One who helps me navigate the chaos.  I've missed you.  I hope to be here more.  There are thoughts bouncing around this head that need a place to be voiced.  There are things to record for the pure joy of remembering.  There are others to recount so that lessons are not lost.  Looking forward to a year of new beginnings and re-starts of old passions.

Happy Year's End My Friends.  May 2014 Bring Us Together More.

Five Minute Fridays-SHE

I know it has been far too long since I wrote.  Life is incredibly busy.  I hope to be more regular in writing soon.  Until then, the 5 Minute Fridays cues always intrigue me and challenge me, but this one drew me in, reminding me of what I had just witnessed.  So, for 5 minutes, here I go:

SHE

She catches my eye from across the bus.  She tosses her hair--in a messy ponytale-off of her shoulder.  The sun catches the red glints in her blonde tresses.  A beauty.  "I wonder how her Dad will cope with all the boys," I muse.

She is talking with a friend.  Oblivious to all the commotion around her.  Totally focused on her friend's face and their conversation. She tosses her head back and laughs heartily. Just then, she notices me watching. She ducks her head, slightly embarrassed to have been caught, smiles slyly and continues her conversation.

She probably doesn't realise that she draws eyes with her beauty and her confidence. She wouldn't want to know that. But she does, and it makes me smile.

"Thank you God for giving her to me," I silently whisper.  I'll never know why I was so blessed. But I am thankful. She is mine.

Stop

Join others in the 5 Minute writing quest at lisojobaker.com.

Five Minute Friday--Song

Time for another 5 Minute Friday writing blitz with Lisa Jo Baker.  Today's prompt is SONG.

Go:
It's just a song. That's what I tell myself as I stand there with the tears, suddenly, unexplainedly falling down my cheeks.  Just a stupid (or beautiful or cheesy) song.

Yet, here I am again. Filled with emotions. Songs trigger memories and emotions in me quicker than anything else.

"Truth Will Rise" and I weep---hopeful that it will, months later grateful that it did.
"Saved a Wretch Like Me"--why me, I wonder. Why? Grateful tears flowing.
"You are my Sunshine" I whisper as I remember those first glorious moments of holding my baby.
"Listen to my Heart" I sigh as I cannot find the words to praise or petition.

Songs. Reach into the part of me that needs to release--to sing--and allows the emotions to flow when I am trying to hide them. Makes me vulnerable and strong.

That's why songs are my favourite part of worship services. They prepare me. They empty me. They fill me. All at the same time.

And why music is always on in my home. It calms. It evens. It lays the groundwork for my life.

It's never just a song. It's always something more.

Wonder what song I'll sing today?

Stop!

Five Minute Friday---Brave

Linking up with Lisa-Jo and the Five Minute Friday writers today. The topic is BRAVE.

Go:

I am not brave. There is not a brave bone in my body. I fret, I stew, I worry. I even hyperventilate. But I don't face things bravely.  I am a coward.

Yet, I moved from Kentucky to Washington as a newly minted social worker with just the cat to a place where I knew no one for a job. (Later I found out I had family there! Go figure!)
And I quit my job to start a single's ministry at the church (and then working part-time in social work).
And I got married. ;-) Actually for someone determine to remain single, maybe that was brave.
I followed my husband to another state and then another country (and another and another).
I gave birth to three amazing blessings. I said good-bye to two blessings before they grew big enough to meet them beyond the "blip" on the screen that faded to nothing.
I homeschooled my children.
I send my children to school.
I attempt to learn to speak German.

And people comment all the time that I must be so brave to do the things that I do. I just shake my head.

I'm not brave.

But I trust in a God who can handle any of these things and more. When his hand has directed us to a new place, a new job, or a new aspect of our life, I've learned to just follow. Hyperventilate if I must, but follow nonetheless. The blessings have been amazing.

Call me blessed. Call me faithful. But don't confuse that with bravery. They are not the same thing.

Stop.

Seriously, go visit the other brave women linking up today.  You will be blessed!

Day Trips Post Five of Five

Continuing to travel to Limburg and Koblenz:

Limburg Cathedral is easily spotted from the autobahn driving between Koln and Frankfurt. It had captured our eye more than once, so we decided to explore!



I love the details of statuary around these old cathedrals:


Old houses in town:




Castle:



Koblenz is a town near here where the Mosel River meets the Rhine river, known as the Deutches Eck (German Corner).  There is a 14 meter high statue built to honour William I at the convergence.  A tram lift will take you from river level up to the old Prussian fortress on the hill.  It was a dreary grey day, so the pictures are slightly dark.












Thanks for traveling with me! Hope you enjoyed seeing this little corner of the world.

Day Trips Post Four of Five

Continuing our Travels....to Luxumbourg.

Although Luxumbourg city is a lovely town, we had explored it on a previous trip to the area. So this trip we were looking to find something different. Due to the wonders of the internet, I learned that Luxumbourg was the final resting place for many American soldiers who died during battles of WWII in this area. In addition, it is the final resting place of General George Patton, Jr. So that became our destination.

There is something about rows of white crosses that take my breath away--and make me forever grateful:


This cemetery had many graves marked with Stars of David. Humbling.


Here is Patton's final resting place:



The same day we visited Luxumbourg, we also explored the former-Roman city of Trier. Trier is famous for its gate the Porta Negra:




The cathedral:







Next up: Limburg and Koblenz

Day Trips Post Three of Five

Continuing to Expolore Area around our New Home

We also discovered Brugge about eleven years ago. It is such a beautiful little town with its canals and relatively untouched-by-WW architecture. It was a rather dull day when we drove over for lunch and exploring, but it didn't stop us from taking a couple hundred shots of the canals and buildings (no I'm really not exaggerating). Thankfully for you, I've chosen just a few of my favourites to give you a flavor or the area.











And, of course we had to have some chocolate!


Next up: Luxumbourg