Wittenberg

Schlossstrasse/ Castle Street, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

The weekend that the Vienna Studies students were with us we went to Wittenberg. I had never been there so it was very interesting. I learned a lot about Martin Luther here. In the picture above you can see the Church where Luther posted the 95 theses and there is also a museum called Lutherhaus (Luther house). It was once a monastery and where Luther lived. We were able to see the first copy of the Bible in German that he translated and one of the earliest copies of "A Mighty Fortress" which was also written by Luther. Around the church's tower you can read the words "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" which means "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

My sweet niece, Ashlyn!

My sweet niece, Ashlyn!, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

I know it's not good to brag but.... :) I have a really cute niece named Ashlyn and she is 20 months old today! I love you Ashlyn!

Vienna Studies Group in Chemnitz

Our girls- Amanda and Leana, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

At the end of October we had a group come from the Vienna Studies Program with students from Oklahoma Christian University, Cascade College, and Rochester College. They came to help pack clothing for the Bulgaria clothing drive. Every year we send a van load of clothing to the church in Sofia, Bulgaria so that the people will have warmth for the winter. The students helped pack over 2 tons of clothes and only in one day! They were all very hard workers and we were very appreciative of their help. Since they finished early we were able to take them around Chemnitz at the end of the day on Friday and Saturday we took a trip to Wittenberg. In the picture are the two girls that stayed with us- Amanda and Leana.

Our hiking trip

Our hiking trip, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

One Saturday in October we went hiking with our friends Sophia, Nadine and Patrick. We went to a village called Poberschau in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). It is a beautiful area and it was the perfect weekend to go when all the leaves were beautiful colors and the weather was really nice. We ended up hiking for 4 hours and were finally back to our cars by the time it was dark. We had a great time and were all a bit tired afterwards but it was well worth it. I have some really amazing pictures that you should check out by clicking on this picture.

Filzmoos, Austria

On a walk around Filzmoos, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

The first week of October I went to Austria for a ladies' retreat. This is the third year I have been here and every year I love it more and more. Not only is it always wonderful to meet so many other Christian women from around Germany, Austria and Switzerland but Filzmoos is a very beautiful place! We usually have free time in the afternoons to hike, relax, or have coffee and cake. I was able to do all three. This picture shows me hiking with Bri, Alex and Anita. Kristi was taking the picture. Of course later we stopped to have coffee and cake as well! During the week I started to get sick and fortunately they have a spa at the hotel we were staying at and I was able to take a bath that is specifically for colds. They put eucalyptus and peppermint oils in the bath and you are supposed to breath it in. It was so nice and relaxing. These Europeans know how to get 'er done! :)

Trip with Allison and Grady

Grady, Allison, me and Clint, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

Also at the end of September we took a Saturday to go with Grady and Allison Maass to Weimar. In particular we wanted to see Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Clint and I had never been to one and it was something we should see while we were in Germany. It definitely was sobering and emotional to see but I think it is something that I needed to experience. Here is a picture of us all in front of a bell tower near the camp site. This was built as a memorial to the camp.

Clint and Snickers

Clint and Snickers, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

Larry just celebrated a birthday at the end of September and we had coffee and cake to celebrate. Here is a picture of Clint and Snickers at the party. In the background you can see Larry and Pam playing ping pong. :) You can also see that it wasn't too long ago when it was warm weather. Alas, the winds have changed. :(

Tea time

Tea time, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

Ever since Clint and I took our trip to Scotland we have had a new appreciation for "tea time". We also like to enjoy our tea time by getting our Polish pottery out. After we got married we were able to buy a matching set of dishes in Poland. We have really enjoyed getting them out and enjoying meals, coffee and tea with our friends.

Actually, here in Germany "coffee time" is a big thing and I have also come to enjoy that as well. Before I moved here I didn't even like coffee but I must say that German coffee is superior to American coffee. But whether you like coffee or not the fellowship is the best thing about "coffee time". You sit around with friends and discuss the things about your week or what is on your heart and mind. This is a tradition that I hope to hold on to for a very long time!

Catching up...

Back in September our friend Sophia (standing next to me) won 4 free tickets to Babelsberg Filmpark. It is kind of a like a German version of Universal Studies. They show how they have filmed certain movies and television shows that were filmed in Germany and some that were special to East Germany during GDR times. It was pretty interesting and we had a lot of fun with Sophia and her friend Nadine. You can see more pictures of us at the park if you click on the "My links" button to the right and click on my Flickr photo link. I try to keep the photos I take updated on there as much as possible so you can check back from time to time and see what is going on even when I have been really bad about updating on here! :)

The First Snow

This morning we woke up in Chemnitz to the first snow of the season! I don't think I am really ready for that season, but I guess I will have to deal with it. As you can tell, it wasn't a lot of snow but it has stuck around on the roofs until at least noon which is pretty impressive since the sun is shining. Well I hope you are all having a wonderful day! Hopefully soon I will do another update on the last month or two's activities. There has been a lot going on here.

Support the Work in Chemnitz

If you want to help us continue working in Chemnitz, then you can send money to our supporting congregation. We are still trying to raise funds (always) and this would help us to continue to live here and do what we feel God has called us to do. You can be just as involved in spreading God's love in Germany no matter where you live. Please pray diligently about how you can be a part of this ministry. Right now our plan is to be working full time for the Church in Chemnitz until August 2009. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. If you would like to know more about our ministry, please contact us and we can tell you about it. You can send a check made out to Soldier Creek Church of Christ. Please indicate on the check or envelope our names. For example, you can write Everhart Missions on the check in the memo. Also, please indicate whether it is a one time donation or a monthly commitment. Please send money to:

Soldier Creek Church of Christ
Attention- Missions (Everhart)
417 Monroe Avenue NW
Piedmont, OK 73078

Telephone: 405-373-3550
Email- info@soldiercreekchurchofchrist.com

A living snapshot of love and evangelism

Please read this article about Clyde and Gwen Antwine. They are the reason I am in Germany and have seen the importance of mission work in the world. I love you Clyde and Gwen!

Claire is 1!

Claire is 1!, originally uploaded by Clint & April.

My niece Claire turned 1 yesterday! Happy Birthday Claire! I can't believe she has already experienced one year. My other niece, Ashlyn is now 19 months old and that is also amazing to me. It makes me happy to see pictures of them as they grow and go through new phases in their lives, but it also makes me really sad that I am not there to share those moments with them. I am so proud to be their aunt but so torn to be so far away. I talked to my niece Ashlyn on the phone a couple of weeks ago and I heard her say "hi". It was so plain and clear and I almost cried. Aren't babies so wonderful!? Sigh... just pray for me because I think my heart is breaking.

How to Avoid Being an ‘Ugly American’

I just read this article on MSN and I can really relate to it since I live abroad and can vouch for seeing these types of personality traits in Americans who travel to Europe. I really think there are some good tips here to think about when traveling abroad.

Do you love to share your political views with the locals you meet while traveling? Do you think that people in other countries should do everything the American way? Does your voice tend to get as loud as the print on your Hawaiian shirt? If so, then you might be an “ugly American.”

The concept of the ugly American has existed ever since an increasing number of ordinary, middle-class travelers began exploring the world over a half-century ago. Now, an organization called Business for Diplomatic Action, concerned by an apparent rise in what it calls “negative stereotypes about our collective personality,” is hoping to clean up the image of Americans abroad. The group has published a set of guidelines for travelers, the World Citizens Guide, that suggests proper ways of behaving when visiting countries outside of the U.S.

Among its tips:

• Be humble. In many countries, boasting is considered very rude. … Assume resentment as a default and play down your wealth, power and status.
• Refrain from lecturing. Nobody likes a know-it-all, and nobody likes a whole nation of them.
• Be quiet. A loud voice is often perceived as a bragging voice. Casual profanity is almost always considered unacceptable.
• Dress for respect. Jeans, T-shirts and sneakers work for many of us much of the time, but there are people in other countries who believe such casualness is a sign of disrespect to them and their beliefs.
  

These might seem like obvious ways to behave when you’re traveling abroad, and you may not appreciate the guide’s somewhat patronizing tone. But it appears we could use the advice. In studies conducted in more than 100 countries by DDB Worldwide after 9/11, respondents perceived Americans as loud, arrogant and disrespectful of local cultures. And in a new survey of seven Asian countries, the results of which were published this week in a Japanese newspaper, the image of the U.S. was reported to have declined across the board in the past decade, particularly in countries with large Muslim populations.

I agree for the most part with these suggestions. I haven't really had a problem as far as wearing a T-shirt and jeans, but I think that being loud is one of the biggest problems that Americans have in foreign cultures. Germans for the most part are a quiet people and don't appreciate a lot of noise.

About Germany

A while back Clint's sister Stephanie sent us this link about the population decline in Germany in which they have cited that Chemnitz specifically as having the lowest birth rate. It is interesting to know and to understand the country and culture a little better and what they have been through. Courtney blogged about this already so I decided to make a link to her blog so that you can just read it there.

http://angeltwist.blogspot.com/2006/09/population-decline-in-germany.html#comments

Hallway

Hallway 3

Schuh Schrank

Hallway 2

Here is our lovely "Schuh Schrank" and above that is our bulletin board... it has a ton of pics of family and of course nieces! :)

Hallway

Hallway

Since the last pictures of our hallway we have a couple of new things. First of all we acquired this rug from a neighbor of an older lady from church named Traudel. We also got a new piece of furniture which we now hide our shoes in. I really like the way it looks in there!

Bed

When we have a bigger house we will get a bigger one! :)

Bedroom 2

I love these windows!