Hey there, it's been a while!

I know, I know, I've been such a slacker about updating this!
So let me re-cap on some recent happenings.
At the end of April, we did some exploring in Trier, the oldest city in Germany. It was such a beautiful town!! The day started out freezing and rainy (in my opinion, the worst type of weather!). But, by afternoon the clouds finally broke and it was like an entirely different day. Which, I might add, seems to be the trend here. One minute it's sunny, the next it's raining. Or vice versa. Anyways, while we were there we explored the amazing Porta Nigra (the old city gates). Probably the best part was the view from the top. I think that's my favorite thing here so far.... views. Any time you can get to a high point, you're bound to catch a glimpse of something beautiful! We also went into the St. Peter's Cathedral, the oldest church in Germany. It was stunning both inside and out. It makes me wonder, why don't we still build churches like this?? Now, I know that church is not about the building, it's about the people, and coming to worship God. But, still, I just feel God's House should be the most beautiful building on the block. It should be big, and majestic. I think it just seems appropriate. And, well, the old architecture of churches is just awesome :) Probably the highlight of our day, was seeing the "Heilig Rock", or Holy Robe. At first we thought this was the clothes Jesus was wrapped in the tomb in, but further research tells us it is what Jesus was wearing as he walked, carrying His cross to be crucified. Either way, it was breathtaking to see something that JESUS wore!! No other item I've seen from history has struck me quite like this! It was rugged, and deteriorating.... but just so awesome!! It has been in Trier for hundreds of years, but not on display very often, or for very long. I feel very blessed that we were in the right place at the right time!
The next couple of weeks were pretty uneventful, which is why I didn't write. I figured no one would be interested in hearing about me sitting around at home! I take walks around town a lot, which I enjoy. Especially going shopping :) I do wish Kaiserslautern was more of the quintessential German town. It is much more "modern" and just city-ish. Some of the other cities I've seen have so much more traditional German homes and buildings. Oh well, you can't win 'em all!
May 14 our household goods finally came!!! What a stinkin relief!!! The best feeling in the world is laying in your bed after not seeing it for 7 weeks!! It has been a LOT of work unpacking and trying to get this house together, but it's so worth it! Our house is finally feeling like ours!
This weekend we finally got our bikes working, and headed out to explore K-town. We got caught in the rain (imagine that), my tire went flat, and Sean's gears broke, but we still had so much fun! :P Saturday, we went to the May Fair. It wasn't quite as extensive as the Geauga County Fair, but much more impressive than the Maple Festival. The choice of food for almost every vendor... Brats and pommes frites (french fries)! I tell you, it is not cliche, they ACTUALLY eat brats like all the time here!! Now, I enjoy a brat, but I wouldn't exactly say mmmmm, brat!!! It's moments like these, I wish we had gotten stationed in Italy :P. Oh, and instead of fresh-squeezed lemonade at the fair, everyone drinks beer. So we enjoyed some brats and pommes, Sean had a big beer, and we rode the ferris wheel :) It was a good day!
Sunday we went to a meeting at our church about becoming members! :) We've been attending Frontline Community Church since our first Sunday here, and we love it!! I really feel like God has divinely put us there. I think we really need a "family" here, and hopefully Frontline will be just that!
Yesterday I had an awesome day with Jenny! We went out and explored the city of Dahn. First stop, the basket factory!! My new favorite store here!! 3 floors of awesome baskets and home decor!! And here I thought I'd have nothing without HomeGoods! (Although I really miss Homegoods wall decor!) After that, we stumbled upon the Burg Altdahn. We seriously weren't expecting it to be such a HUGE castle. And the views..... *sigh*... incredible. It was seriously amazing. After that we headed to K-town and met Sean for dinner at Papasote, an amazing Mexican restaurant we discovered last week! It was a perfect day :)

So here's some things I've learned about Germany so far:
- The language barrier really isn't an issue. Germans, unlike Americans, are cultural and most speak English! (although reading things can be an issue)
- Germans don't drink water "without bubbles"
- Lots of German men need to be introduced to deodorant
- The weather here is almost as unpredictable as Ohio
- People here are so friendly!
- (most) Germans love dogs!
- No A/C here.... let's hope the summer isn't too hot!
- If you see signs for a castle, follow them!
- They don't sell ranch dressing
- Their clothing and shoe sizes are different
- No screens in the windows, hello buggies!
And the list shall continue!


10 days until Paris!!!!!

Tschuss! (I know how to say it now :) )
-Heidi-