Oh me oh my

Where to start, where to end? I have no answer to that question. Call me a crazy goon, but one day I wake up thinking life could not be any better and the next day I wake up thinking life could not be any worse. Maybe it is because I am a woman. Or maybe I am pure and simply a crazy goon. I am open to either possibility. Life, or should I say God, hands you unexpected surprises. Sometimes joyful, sometimes angering, sometimes loving, sometimes sorrowful. I have a handful of lovely surprises from this last week. During my time with Julia, I learned how to make marmalade with the freshest oranges and lemons imaginable, we made apple crumble from freshly fallen apples we found along the road, I have gained wonderful insight into the tricks of cooking and being a housewife in Europe, and most of all I have learned that sometimes all I need is a hug and a prayer from a mom. Any mom. The other day while I was out shopping and enjoying the sunshine, I stopped to have a drink and some lunch. I wasn't feeling particularly hungry but knew I needed to eat. I ordered an apple spritzer and a tomato mozzarella dish. I really had no idea what it would be, but those are 2 words that are very easy to say in German! When I had my meal delivered, it turned out to be an entire pizza. I had no desire to haul a box around with me the rest of the day and God knows I would never waste it, so I ate my way through all of it. I am impressed and you should be too. I attended an art gallery show with Thorston and we had a grand time! I had never even stepped inside an art gallery before and let me tell you, this gallery didn't even need any paintings!!! It was already so beautifully structured! I have never seen such spectacular architecture. Sunday morning found me on a bench across from church, reading and preparing my heart for worship. An old man bicycled up to my bench and sat down next to me. He said "Gutentag" to which I replied "Gutentag!"Despite my my lack of the language, I discovered that he is in his eighties, his wife died 10 years ago, he has 4 children, 3 grandchildren, and grew up in Germany his entire life. He attends church sometimes, but not every week. He explained to me which flags stood for which countries while we watched the boats go along the Rhine. I got to tell him my dreams and my faith and ask him where he was in life when he was my age. He blessed my heart and made me miss both my grandpas. Later that afternoon, I enjoyed a lovely outing and got to ride on a flying train!!! Truly. It was suspended above the city and I floated along from platform to platform!!! I was rather giddy. During the outing, amidst all my excitement I lost my camera. I am glad I bought a cheap one! I have been enjoying eating trifle, pudding, soufle, and all these crazy Harry Potter words that are simply marvelous! The sun has been warm and lovely today, but I still have found myself to be rather glum. It is indeed a Monday for me. Keep me in your prayers. I have 2 words to share with you that will explain some of my struggles...
German paperwork.
And that is all.