Finding our way!

Wow!  I realized we haven't added any posts in a while.

What can I say?  Back to school time is busy with new schedules and activities.

Maybe you are thinking the same thing?!

We are still trying to FIND OUR WAY in this new country - in many ways!

Finding our way on bikes...

We took a bike ride one beautiful Saturday in September 

to a neighboring town called Angermund.  

There was a festival happening there celebrating 400 years.

Finding our way in the car... is not easy.

I (Kris) got lost one morning and ended up in some field just after it rained.
My car stalled in the two track which was deep in water.
 I blame it on my navigation system!
Since then, I have heard many similar stories from other friends living here.


Finding our way to church...

We have been coming to the International Baptist Church of Dusseldorf (IBCD) for a month now.  

It's not the kind of church you would expect to attend in a country full of beautiful, old churches.  

Instead, we go to church in a little old building in the woods.  

The Pastor who is there just moved with his family from  the US about the same time we did.

It's nice that we can relate to each other and share stories about our transition.

I have also started attending a Beth Moore Bible Study at a friend's house.  She also goes to church here and also leads Awana too.  Vivian and Jack started going to Awana on Sunday afternoons.

Late for church?   No big deal - NO SPEED LIMIT!

Finding our way to castles...

 We took an old train (the oldest railway in Germany) to the top of a steep hill to visit the Drachenfels ruins.  It was a scenic overlook of the Rhine with the ruins of a 12th century castle.

We stopped halfway down the hill to visit Schloss Drachenburg which was built in 1882.

It was built by a rich banker and was used primarily for entertaining.

During WWII, the castle was a school and was completely ruined.  

Since 1986, the castle has undergone extensive restorations.

The other side of the castle overlooks the Rhine.

Finding our way in the Neighborhood...

Vivian and Jack surely miss their friends from home and often talk about 

wanting to go home and visit them, but they are making nice friends here too.  

We are fortunate to have a nice German family living next door.  

They have been very helpful and kind.

Vivan and Charlotte hanging out making friendship bracelets. 

 Charlotte is a year and a half older than Vivian and speaks a little English.

Jack and David.  

They mainly run around in our yards and ride bikes.  Jack and David are the same age.  

It is a little more difficult for Jack to play with him because 

David is just starting to learn English and Jack is just starting to learn German. 

Finally, we are finding our way to the airport...

in a few days to pick up my parents and my sister.  

We are excited to see them and to show them where we live!