So you can keep up with a more chronological update via Hannah's blog here as I'm not really trying to put this in a neat order. I will say that Hannah has all the great pictures so normally if you're a grandparent this is only a brief layover to the better blog! :)
So one of the neatest things about being in Germany was that we got to visit Kaiserslautern where we lived many years ago. In fact, it was the first place we lived as a newly married couple. We stayed there two years and in the process had sweet little Sahara (who is still sweet, but not so small anymore!). Well, as you can imagine, we didn't expect to find everything exactly how we left it. We didn't even know if we'd be able to find the landlady whose house we stayed in. But, low and behold, we drove up the first afternoon after getting into town, rang the buzzer and got invited in.
Mrs. Muller recognized us (from over 8 years ago!) and we spent the next 5 or so hours chatting and catching up. Her daughter heard we were in town and came over as well! It was a neat time and we got some great pictures. Mrs. Muller is an incredible woman---she is a strong believer and loves to garden, (the front of the house is still as beautiful as ever for those of you who remember visiting us) sing in the choir, and play with her grandchildren. Her family has rented to Americans ever since the end of WW2 and so she has many neat memories of these times over the years.
While we were talking I was struck by this thought: Although the German culture is often called a cold climate culture (which sometimes gives them the bad rap of being stand-offish), these Germans are some of the sweetest people we have ever met. In fact, after visiting with Mrs. Muller, her daughter (who is a doctor) invited us over to see her new clinic and house. She made us promise when we return that we'll stay in her house! After visiting we drove over to our favorite Mexican restaurant and stuffed ourselves on some great food. We also found our favorite Italian restaurant, ate German food on the Walkplatz (not sure how to spell that), and visited some favorite stores. All in all a great return trip to Kaiserslautern!
Oh, and one sidenote: We couldn't get on to "little America" (aka Ramstein Air Base) because I don't have a military ID card! But we didn't care because (no kidding) all of our favorite memories are from OFF the military base! :)
2 comments:
I just spent the weekend in Kontaktmission training with three young people who are going to go to Germany in the next few years (after college graduation) to do mission work. They said the same thing about the people they met when they were last in Germany. Ain't missions fun!!!
How wonderful to see Sahara with dear Mrs Muller!! You honored her by stopping to see her, and I'm so glad she was able to see the lovely young girl that emerged out of that adorable Baby Sahara. What a fun time for all of you! I remember that beautiful garden!
Mom
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