Düsseldorf

My blog is titled, "My Au Pair adventure in Düsseldorf" and now that seems like an incorrect title since I live in Wegberg. But I am not changing it because when I stopped to think about it I realized this: Düsseldorf was the beginning of my adventure, the beginning of the relationships I have made, the beginning of my journey to learn about self, world and love. Düsseldorf will not be my ending, but it will always be where I began. 


Monopoly has never been a game that I succeed at. The kids just so happen to love Monopoly. By the time we stopped playing to have dinner, I had 22euro to my name and they had hotels on practically every property. I owned all 4 railroads but the rest of my property had been mortgaged so I could pay them for always landing on their property. It is a very good thing that I have succumbed to not being competitive in certain areas that I know I will fail at. The bright side to this experience was that I practiced my German numbers!!! I am quite good now. I can say numbers up to the thousands, and the format is becoming more familiar to listen to. I am proud. The kids are not as fluent in English so it is fun helping each other learn words. I have gotten better at understanding what people are saying. It fills me with a sense of exhilaration!!! I was privileged enough to snuggle up with the kids to "Barbie: Die Prinzessin Akademie" a few nights ago. As I sat there with my little sister's head in my lap, I realized a few small blessings I was thankful for. We were eating chocolate and potato chips on the couch, I had my feet curled up on the seat, and it was past the kid's bedtime. Those things could have gone unnoticed but I am glad they did not. I am glad the Lord opened my eyes at that moment to see some of the beauties he surrounds me with. Just 2 months ago, I would not have appreciated those 3 things. But I see now that hard experiences open your eyes to the blessings you get, no matter how small. They always make a difference, always penetrate.


I am currently looking out the window at a darling squirrel bounding through the garden! I am glad we do not have a dog to go chase it and kill it in front of me. (Kristen and Katie, you two alone will understand my strange fear of squirrel death by dog...) Dad, I went to a Catholic church last Sunday and it was all spoken in German! My favorite parts were the singing. Hearing the words filling the room was an experience I cannot compare to anything. I enjoyed attempting pronunciation. :) Yesterday I went out with my family on our bikes in a big circle around Wegberg so I could get a tour. We stopped at a water mill and had some beer. (apple juice for the kids!) There are a lot of water mills in Wegberg! That is my random and slightly useless fact of the day. We got to bike through forests and fields which I liked very much. When we got back home, we prepared a delicious BBQ and I ate so much I almost fell asleep right then and there!!! We had some more beer as well, which was lovely. 


I leave on a train this Thursday from Erkelenz to Düsseldorf, then from Düsseldorf to Bad König to meet up with Eva and her family! On Friday we will drive to Italy. I am sure that my next blog will be packed full of wonderful, Italian experiences. For now, I must be off to prepare a delicious lunch! I am HUNGRY. Also, the kids need to eat. :) Tata for now! 


James 1:16-18
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.