Leaving Narnia...

We've been in Germany for almost a week now and it is still weird being here. It is even weirder thinking about not leaving, but actually staying, living and working here in Germany.

Being back at my parent's house is almost surreal because it feels like nothing has changed. I had been gone for the last 9 years and it still feels pretty much the same. The house, the neighborhood, the town....I can't help but feel like the Pevensie kids when they went through the wardrobe and lived a whole lifetime in Narnia, just to return and realize that no one had missed them. It all happened in the blink of an eye. They lived those lives in a parallel world, far away from England, experienced amazing things and when they got back, it didn't matter to anyone else, only to them.
 
By no means am I comparing the US with Narnia, but to some extend this is how I feel.
Maybe if you've grown up in a small town and visited a big city, coming back, you know what I am talking about. It feels like the world is spinning and now you know about it. Another analogy while I am at it...I feel like Frodo did when he returned to the Shire after destroying the one ring. (the movie version, not the book version) He experienced the whole wide world but back at home everything is still the same.

So, after this very long ramble of mine, just a few tidbits from our time here so far.

Saturday my grandparents had their big celebration (60th wedding anniversary). We spent some time with the whole family, eating cake and playing games. It was a fun time and we really enjoyed seeing everyone and they enjoyed seeing Finley and Elea.

Sunday, John got to attend a church service in Schopfheim with my parents' pastor. He is an american who has been pastoring their church for more than two years now and he was guest preaching at this church in the morning. They got to hang out and talk for a bit which was great. In the evening we attended the monthly worship and prayer evening service at my home church where my sister, John and I got to lead the congregation in a few worship songs. It felt very nostalgic singing with Hannah at our church where we used to be on the praise band and sing on stage pretty much every Sunday.

We are looking forward to connecting with people and getting to know the church in Wuestenrot very soon. Thank you all for following along, keeping us and our new ministry in your prayers and supporting us financially.

We feel very blessed to be here and are excited to start this new chapter.