Right after Freya and Steve left we received a team of 8 Grace College students led by former missionary colleague Kip Cone for just under two weeks of outreach ministry using English as a drawing card. Arrival at the train station in Aalen.
It was a remarkable group of young people - culturally sensitive, flexible, gifted and enthusiastic. They fit in to a multitude of different contexts and left a lasting impact on many people with whom they came into contact. This has encouraged us to consider inviting teams in future years for similar outreach ministries. Departure some 12 days later at the train station in Aalen.
A few short weeks later Thomas arrived with a group of friends, the Relevents Woodwind Quintet, for a week of concerts interspersed with sight-seeing excursions.
Thomas had to find his way back into German quickly as the quintet spent their first two days playing for music classes in Thomas' former school, Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium in Aalen.
These opportunities were coordinated by Norbert Locher, one of Thomas' teachers when he was a student at the school.
An evening concert was presented in this picturesque building in the center of Nördlingen, a medieval walled city about 1/2 hour to the east of Aalen.
The atmosphere in this concert hall was rustic and noble at the same time. The audience was enthusiastically appreciative as evidenced by their applause and comments afterwords.
The group was extremely professional and made a very pleasant impression.
A special treat was having Thomas' former and Zachary's current oboe teacher, Vannippon Kim-Thorn along with his wife present on that evening.
From left to right: Laura Dangerfield Stevens, flute; Thomas Pappas, oboe; Mary Pritchett-Boudreault, French horn; Ann Shoemaker, bassoon; Shawn Copeland, clarinette.
In action!
Guess who did the music for our church service on Sunday morning? Joining the quintet is Jim Boudreault, Mary's husband, on the trumpet.
After their Sunday evening concert in the music school in Aalen. Music of this type and of this excellence is seldom heard in Aalen as was attested to by the enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive newspaper reviews.
After a full day of church and concert everyone relaxed with hamburger treats from McDonalds. After a much too short visit they were off to the airport early Monday morning. The european based managment team (Becky and John) looks forward to organizing future concert tours for this up and coming group.
Beginning on the first advent Sunday the "traditional" Christmas decorations start to appear.
A mini-nativity scene for the window sill.
With a rosy-cheeked baby Jesus.
The expert light-"untangeler" at work doing the "traditional" tree decoration.
It was a joy to have the Varner four (gathered for a "traditional" picture in front of the decorated Christmas tree) visiting for the holidays!
Now, what could be in this box?????
Before they came, Max was wondering if we had any John Deere toys! With a little help from our local toy store we were able to accommodate.
To the delight of all.
Henry savoring a moment when he had the tractor all to himself.
Other toys of a more "traditional" nature also proved attractive.
Indeed, even a shiny coffee pot could be entertaining with a bit of imagination.
And of course there was no lack of musical interludes.
Henry continuing the "tradition" his mother helped begin with her untold number of hours at this very same piano.
We all felt a little sorry for Steve who had to finish marking papers and posting grades for the business class he had taught at Grace College during the fall semester.
Henry helping his dad prepare for his part in the "traditional" Christmas Eve service at church.
The "traditional" December 22nd birthday celebration.
Who would plan their birthday just before Christmas?!?
Notice the "traditional" NON-CHRISTMAS wrapping paper.
The "traditional" birthday and Christmas present: Esprit socks.
Receiving a "traditional" birthday hug from her honey.
The "traditional" Christmas Eve Greek/American spread after the church service and just before opening our gifts.
Some unusual non-"traditional" ways to fill the time between holiday celebrations.
Steve putting his expert mechanical abilities to work helping Gerson resurrect his 35 year old Landrover.
Multiplied thousands of walnuts were shelled and bagged - the harvest of the past several years from the tree in front of our house.
Quite possibly a world-wide first: An international Settlers game via skype - two players in Aalen, Germany and two in Greensboro, NC, USA!
The healthy ingredients of the "traditional" New Year's Eve midnight snack: pretzels,
banana pieces,
canned cherries,
mandarin oranges,
pineapple chunks,
fresh kiwi fruit and . . .
. . . the main ingredient, complements of Ritter Sport - only the best for this "traditional" favorite!
Nobody had to be asked twice to "dig in."
A great "traditional" way to end the old year and begin the new.
A momentary feeding frenzy until the reality sets in - chocolate can be very filling!
To work off the excess, our "traditional" New Year's walk.
Seeing how fast we can freeze the little kids.
Encountering endangered species along the way.
Giving the horses some excitement on the way back home.
Right after Freya and Steve left we received a team of 8 Grace College students led by former missionary colleague Kip Cone for just under two weeks of outreach ministry using English as a drawing card. Arrival at the train station in Aalen.
It was a remarkable group of young people - culturally sensitive, flexible, gifted and enthusiastic. They fit in to a multitude of different contexts and left a lasting impact on many people with whom they came into contact. This has encouraged us to consider inviting teams in future years for similar outreach ministries. Departure some 12 days later at the train station in Aalen.
A few short weeks later Thomas arrived with a group of friends, the Relevents Woodwind Quintet, for a week of concerts interspersed with sight-seeing excursions. 
Thomas had to find his way back into German quickly as the quintet spent their first two days playing for music classes in Thomas' former school, Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium in Aalen.
These opportunities were coordinated by Norbert Locher, one of Thomas' teachers when he was a student at the school.
An evening concert was presented in this picturesque building in the center of Nördlingen, a medieval walled city about 1/2 hour to the east of Aalen.
The atmosphere in this concert hall was rustic and noble at the same time. The audience was enthusiastically appreciative as evidenced by their applause and comments afterwords.
The group was extremely professional and made a very pleasant impression.
A special treat was having Thomas' former and Zachary's current oboe teacher, Vannippon Kim-Thorn along with his wife present on that evening.
From left to right: Laura Dangerfield Stevens, flute; Thomas Pappas, oboe; Mary Pritchett-Boudreault, French horn; Ann Shoemaker, bassoon; Shawn Copeland, clarinette.
Guess who did the music for our church service on Sunday morning? Joining the quintet is Jim Boudreault, Mary's husband, on the trumpet.
After their Sunday evening concert in the music school in Aalen. Music of this type and of this excellence is seldom heard in Aalen as was attested to by the enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive newspaper reviews.
After a full day of church and concert everyone relaxed with hamburger treats from McDonalds. After a much too short visit they were off to the airport early Monday morning. The european based managment team (Becky and John) looks forward to organizing future concert tours for this up and coming group.
