Visitors - late summer and fall

One of the privileges of our life has been getting to know people from all over the world. We've enjoyed hosting friends and family in recent weeks . . .

beginning in August with Bob Steiger, who was on his way from Chad heading back to the States. I (John) had gotten to know Bob during ministry trips to Chad over the past several years and we were delighted that he could spend a couple of days with us . . .

before meeting up with Michael Puhl, son of Frank and Karin Puhl, German friends who have spent the past 15 years as missionaries in Chad. Michael and Bob headed to Prague and other points before Bob flew back to the States to pursue the next phases of his life.

It was our very special treat to have Monica and John with Clara and Nick visit us for two wonderful weeks in September. Here they look pretty refreshed after having just crossed the Atlantic and basically losing a night's sleep!

It didn't take Nick too long to figure out what do do with the Bobby-Car. It became "his" property for the duration of their visit and he defended it with vigor.

He learned how to drive, honk the horn and use the cell phone (illegal in Germany while driving!) all at the same time.

Clara didn't need any instructions on what to do with Barbie.

We were glad we had saved all the dolls and clothes for such a time as this. Here is Clara "accessorizing."

During the two weeks the Rudys were able to go on outings to the Stuttgart zoo, the Ludwigsburg Castle with magnificent floral gardens and children's fairy tale garden and to the fabulous Neuschwanstein Castle located on the Austrian border. They got to take the train to Stuttgart, a first for many of them.

Uncle Dietmar found the perfect gift for Clara - a Disney fairy tale castle helium balloon.

We took nature walks with the kids and were amazed at the variety of berries we found along the way.

We ended up at the playground where their mother and aunts and uncles used to play as children - brought back fond memories!

While the Rudys were with us we got to go see where Dietmar and Steffi live and enjoyed some scrumptious cake creations by Steffi and Becky (see below).

Some days we just enjoyed chilling at home . . .

. . . where Clara discovered "Highlights Magazine" and the "Timbertoes"

One of the highlights we got to enjoy was Clara's 5th birthday with this special cake creation by Monica. After hundreds of icing dots and stripes . . .

. . . this masterpiece emerged.

Steffi's creative talents also contributed to a successful celebration.

Clara enjoyed opening her presents.

And John got to put his engineering talents to good use.

Installing two AAA batteries completed the job.

A very special guest for this day was Frau Felber, Monica's 4th grade teacher. Thomas, Erika and Zachary also had Frau Felber during their grade school years.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. We made the trip to the Frankfurt airport once again to say good-bye.

Waiting patiently in line at the check-in, and off they went.

Visiting airports has become a way of life, this time picking up Erika in Stuttgart.


She is in Germany for 7 weeks of student teaching before returning to the States for her last semester at Grace College.

Becky's orchids re-bloomed just in time for Erika to enjoy with us.

Erika had a week with us in Aalen before heading to Munich for her teaching assignment. During these days she was able to adjust to the time difference and do necessary paper work to prepare for her time at the Munich International School.

Erika also got to see Steffi and Dietmar's place for the first time . . .

. . . where we enjoyed a delightful meal and a cup of tea.

On October 31st it was off to Munich . . .

. . . enjoying a cappuccino at McDonalds before finding the school.

Located outside Munich in a beautiful setting is the MIC where Erika will be spending the next weeks teaching music to elementary school students from literally all over the world.

Several scenes from around the school to give an idea of the setting in which Erika will be spending her days.

View from the school campus to the Alps in the south.

An odd sign that I found near the school.

The word on the top, the name of a hiking trail, is, roughly translated, "Sow Herder's Trail"

After Erika had some time with her supervising teacher, a young lady from Australia, we headed into Munich to the home of Hans and Gabi Faber.

This is a German family, members of a church where a young couple from our church attended during their years in Munich, that has graciously opened their home to Erika for the weeks she will be at the international school.

Not all our visitors have come from so far away. Nadine Kolster came by last week to help Becky get started on a new quilting project.

The scissors were clicking and the sewing maching whirring as the project takes shape. Becky at her creative best. The end result will be posted on a future blog.