The last months in pictures:

There are people who make a CAREER out of blogging. I am completely convinced that will never be me. Nonetheless, I see great value in keeping in touch and hope to blog more than once every three months!
SO MUCH has happened in the last 3 months. We've had birthdays, weddings, a couple of visitors, and more traveling than I would have expected.
Naturally, I am feeling more adjusted as I grow in my language learning and grow increasingly familiar with this foreign land. My longing for "home" comes in waves (usually big waves), but it's not the same nagging sadness I felt the first few months. Loneliness is still a battle, but the Lord has introduced me to some pretty amazing people. He is faithful.
I want to do a post about our trip to the freakin ALPS a couple weeks ago, but I want to save that for it's own blog. It was just too beautiful to not have lots of space. So here's the last 3 months in pictures:

My sweet sister-friend, Julie, came to visit for a few days during her European adventure. I am SO THANKFUL she made the detour to spend time with us/me. She is about to head out on her own international adventure, as the Lord has called her to the Dominican Republic to help women being sold into the sex industry. Look up "The Scarlet Cord" on Facebook and follow her ministry. It's amazing stuff!

Hamburg.

She really wanted to ride the swan paddle boat, but I said, "No, no, Julie. That would be too silly."

How cute is this girl?

Julie was clapping for joy... or something like that. ;)

The water was swarming with these guys.
As if the FREEZING cold water temp wasn't enough to keep me our of there. 

This is normal here. I will always find it strange, though Lauren Ritter would totally fit in.
If your feet are that cold just wear shoes, y'all. 

While Julie was here, this State Fair-like thing was set up. It's called DOM and it comes 3 times a year. There are a lot of rides, fair food, and games. Anyway, we only went on one "ride" and it was the tallest slide I've ever been on. It was pretty hilarious. We were TERRIFIED. To get up there we rode this conveyor belt thingy that would never pass a safety test in the U.S. I asked the worker guy if he was sure the slide was safe. He assured us it was. I asked if he'd go with us to "prove it", and he hopped on and came with us. 

Best 2 Euros spent ever.

Next up! One of Friedrich's grandmothers turned 80 and had a par-tay. They live outside Hamburg in this cute country town. Lots of family and friends came out to celebrate her. The food was delish.

Any birthday party that includes a man singing with an accordion is fine by me. 

F's mom wrote a poem for her mother. Super sweet.

I entertained one of the cousins with tiny liquor bottles. We were desperate.
If it makes you feel better, his dad took this picture.

With Oma. Isn't she pretty?!

Singing and 8 bright fiery cakes. 

My boo thang.

One of my precious buddies from my first few classes.

 I went to 3 weddings though I've been told Germans don't get married as often. This is sweet Birgit. She's been an indescribable blessing to Friedrich and me.

 This is from when Friedrich asked, "Hey, do you want to go watch some fireworks on canoes?" I thought it sounded amazing until I realized it was an intense canoe trip ending with us being surrounded be thousands, carrying torches for a celebration I still don't really understand. Hilarious misunderstanding that resulted in a fun night. Can we talk about how amazing his dimples are?

 Friedrich leading the canoe and paddling for all of us since we had to carry our torches. :)

Friedrich's best friend got married in September. Because he was the best man, we were able to be a part of all the fun stuff. In Germany, a pastor does not have the authority to marry a couple, so everyone is required to have a state wedding first. Christian couples often have a more casual state wedding with just family and then have a church wedding soon after. I didn't understand much of the facilitator, so I took pictures. I don't have pictures from the church wedding, but it was beautiful.

 Friedrich doing best man duties.

Christian's sisters are some of the most welcoming faces of Hamburg.

With the bride.

I've shared picture of these crazy elevators before. They're totally dangerous but really cool. Couples love to take pictures on them after their wedding. We like to take pictures on them after other people's weddings.

 One super special thing was THIS. We were gifted for our wedding a week at this sweet, 100-some year old house out in the countryside. It was cold but it was awesome. Friedrich was in heaven. We spent 11 days there. The first weekend our community group was there and the second weekend some friends came and we celebrated their 30 year wedding anniversary. It was such a nice retreat away.

 Ordering ice cream in the nearby town. Andreas is such a kid at heart. 

Friedrich's favorite part of visiting this place is the hours of chopping wood he gets to do. 

He looks good doing it. :)

Beautiful German forest. We went on walks here a few times. 

That's an ant hill, folks. Bazillions of ants.

This couple gave us some godly counsel when we were considering marriage earlier this year. They celebrated their 30 year anniversary while we were at the Ghoerde. We're thankful to have them as an example of perseverance and faithfulness. Plus, they're lots of fun.

I had no idea these were real. I thought they were just in books. I may or may not have freaked out when I saw a cluster of them in the wild.

This is lil' Friedrich. He was my closest buddy on this trip, because we speak a very similar level of German. Plus, he shares my husband's name which makes him extra cute.

Many meals together. I can't wait for the day I speak fluent German and can learn more of the hearts of these sweet people.

As most of you know, Friedrich leads a community group in northern Hamburg that we hope one day turns into a church. Not everyone from the group was able to come for the weekend, but this is the majority of us.
Pray for us!

 Friedrich x 2

Meal prep in the cool and ooooold kitchen.

This tree was dead, and Andreas shared that he was planning on paying to have someone cut it down. 

Friedrich was more than willing to cut the whole thing down, limb by limb, and then cut it into little logs. 

This is pretty much his dream vacation.

We sat by the fire and read/played games every stinkin day. It was great.

  Friedrich and I stayed the week while the rest of our group went back to Hamburg. Mid-week we had to go back just for a day so Friedrich could attend a work training. We walked (miles!) to the train station.

About halfway there we realized we were likely going to miss the train, so I suggested hitchhiking the rest of the way. We did. A kind man gave us a ride and we didn't miss our train. Adventure!

The second weekend we were there, our friends came back with their family for a small vacation and to celebrate their anniversary. This is Bini and her nephew. She is creative and deep and fascinating to talk to.

Lumberjacks.

More tree destruction.

I love this family.

He was so worth the wait. I married a really good man.

Geni left her home country (of Russia) and married a German, too. I am really enjoying getting to know her.

 Just choppin some wood. (this was staged, no worries)

Hello, sweet cheeks!

Bini with her nephew.

Pictures have a way of making everything look perfect, but we all know that is not the reality. The Lord has answered some major prayers in the last month that have lifted my spirit and made life a lot easier for the two of us. I am feeling more and more settled. We had three visits, two getaways, and Friedrich's job changed dramatically, lessening the stress on him and allowing him to be home more than one day a week. Praise the Lord! I also feel like I am making friends, which was something I have been longing for. Starting over in a foreign country in a foreign language is hard, and there is no way getting around that. Nonetheless, I belong to the God that promises to never leave or forsake us. He is helping us, and He is with us.

Talk to you soon!
Merm