SURPRISE!!!

So, today I was able to go to my first welcome home ceremony (turned out being four of them) at the Hall of Champions (and later on the field) on post. No one we knew was really expected in (at the first one), so Brad was there to hand out candy bars, and I was there to video tape it. The bleachers were filled with wives and children anxiously awaiting the arrival. Signs were hung around the gym, families had hand made and custom ordered signs, little children ran around with "Welcome Home Dad" shirts, women were dressed and coiffed and nervous. The whole atmosphere was one of intense anticipation. As the doors opened, Toby Keith's "Red, White, and Blue" began playing, and screams and cheers echoed through the room. More than a hundred soldiers walked in in ranks, and the room was wild with people calling out, trying to find their loved one in the crowd. I was filming and taking in the moment, not looking for anyone in particular, but still moved by the moment. Both the German and American national anthems were played, a prayer was said, and a speech given (the best kind - less than 30 seconds long!). The first kiss was announced, and the soldier ran to his wife and I was already tearing up seeing that. Then the call came - "DISMISSED!"

The room exploded. Children raced off the bleachers, wives ran, there were hugs and kisses and Brad handing out chocolate bars and shaking hands, and I was filming, and then - there was Nellie. Running up to me, hugging me, and on the video all you see is wild movement and the sound of unintelligible screams and squeals. We hugged, and it was the greatest hug I can ever remember. She had seen me as soon as she walked into the room, I hadn't seen her till she was right there, and we were crying and squealing and so happy to be together again. I was so glad that we were there, to be there for her to come back to, and to hug her over and over. Eventually we calmed down enough to be able to speak clearly. SHE'S BACK!!!

The other ceremonies on the field were similar. I cannot explain the feelings that overwhelmed me as I stood there and watched the soldiers come through the gate and file onto the field, as they saluted the flag and stood for the anthems, as they answered the officers giving speeches. I cannot explain the look on the face of the woman who won 'first kiss,' or of the little girl who sobbed as she held Daddy's face in her hands for the first time in over a year. Pride, joy, gratitude, relief, so many emotions were pouring out of everyone there, even those of us who didn't have someone specific to welcome home. These are our heroes, and they are returning at last!

Camping in the Alps

So, every year for Memorial Day weekend, several of the Cadence Hospitality Houses come together for a camping trip in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. This was my first chance to go, and it was pretty incredible. There were upwards of 100 people from four different houses and a couple other bases. Our group was Brad and Debbie and I, Gordon - one of the returned soldiers! - and the Short family, who are Malachi workers. (Malachi is Cadence's youth ministry.)

Friday
Friday we drove down to Lauterbrunnen, and my first reaction was to take out my camera and want to run around like crazy. Our campsite was deep in a valley, with several waterfalls pouring down from the heights, a constant rushing in the background. At the end of the valley, majestic, snow-covered alps soared into the sky. More on that later. We set up camp, and I have to say, I had the most interesting tent. German made, you set up the rain fly with poles and stake it into the ground, then you hang the tent from the inside, and it creates a room (the tent) and a kind of covered area, with another door leading outside. Quite handy, all told. And yes, this campground (Camping Jungfrau, if you want to look it up) is defintiely cheater camping. By that I mean, while I slept in a tent, there were showers, toilets, sinks, dishwashers, dishwashing sinks, laundry, laundry-sinks, anything sinks (there were lots of sinks...which begins to be a strange word after that many mentions!), microwaves and toasters and various other kitcheny things in the reception area, electricity...name an amenity, they probably had it. Half the campground is permanent campers/bungalow/cabin-y things. It was quite nice. After set up and dinner, we headed over to a little church, where Brad was the nightly speaker. After a time of worshipping through music, Brad started off each night with a highly-andticipated skit for the kids, and then spoke from the book of Jonah.

Saturday
Before the sun rose on Saturday, Brad and Gordon set off with a couple of the Stuttgart folks to hike up to Schilthorn, a 9000+ foot peak. I was up before them, but that was due to jet lag and freezing on the ground in my mummy bag. After a shower (gasp!), I was up and headed off to Grindelwald, a town high in the alps, to catch a gondola up to First, a 7100 ft peak. I went with a bunch of the K-town folk, and had a great time. Grindelwald was beautiful enough, with it's chalets and gorgeous mountain views and touristy shops. We did notice that the American flag was upside down on a hotel front, and a couple of the soldiers quickly righted this wrong.

After walking around the city, we headed up the mountain. Wow. I have been to the top of Zugspitze, which is the highest mountain in Germany and on a clear day affords a view of about 200 km in each direction, but this was something else. Mountains are my favorite landscape, and being this high and still being towered over by greater peaks was an incredible feeling. I stared up at Eiger, Monch, and Junfrau in awe. The sky was full of parasailers, and I cannot imagine what the view from there must have been - where I was was already breathtaking. I took more than 150 pictures from First, and it almost pains me to know that none of them can come close to adequately capturing what I saw.

Sunday
Sunday morning, Brad and Gordon set off with Sam (the dog) and hiked to Wengen, where Debbie and I met them after having taken the train with a bunch of the Rammstein group. We explored the tiny town and settled down to a most delicous lunch. I had Swiss Rösti, which are a kind of potatoes, similar to hashbrowns, ish. Anyways, they were covered over with ham and a lot of swiss cheese (not the holey type), and it was deeeeelicous. Lunch was followed by a game of Nertz (I won!) and then a run down the mountain. Yes, I ran down about halfway, chasing and being chased by Sam. We had fun playing, but I am now sore! The hike down gave great views of the Lauterbrunnen valley, which I had been hoping for all weekend. When we got back to camp, sweaty and exhausted, it began to rain, so Gordon and I set up the card table in the 'big room' of my tent and played many more games of Nertz...which I continued to win. :) After our evening session, a couple girls from Heidelberg joined our not-fire (we were fireless, but had good discussions around our lantern) while Gordon and I played yet again - same result. That sounds like bragging, and I guess it is, but I do so love that game - and winning it. :) I'll be done now.

Monday
Monday morning we broke camp, loaded up the van, and set off back for The Festaburg. It's been surprisingly warm, for Germany, and with no ac the trip back seemed long, (especially for Sam, on whom the sleeping bags kept fallling!) but it made coming 'home' that much more wonderful. We unloaded quite quickly and settled down to unpack and unwind. I have spent the last several hours trying to nurse my computer back to a semblance of help, prayers are always appreciated on that score. :) We had a quiet dinner, and I am excited because tomorrow I will hopefully get my base pass and - I'll tell you the other good news after it happens. :) :) :)

I'm Back!

So, short post. :)

Flights went well, although definitely the most turbulent flights I've ever been on. Got some (uncomfortable) sleep, and was thoroughly delighted to see Brad coming up to hug me as I stepped through the barrier after getting my luggage in Frankfurt. We drove back to the Festaburg where Debbie was waiting with open arms and a ready dinner. Gordon is here, living in the basement apartment, as well as some missionaries from the Czech, and we ate and played cards and headed off to bed. I actually managed to sleep, and I am now unpacked and making myself of what use I can be around here.

Changes since last time - they have a dog (!!!) named Sam, there's more furniture in my room, and the basement is being redone, and looks really good! Other than that, it's just like when I left, and that's amazing. :) I am SO glad to be here!!

Leaving!!

So, here I sit at Sky Harbor, waiting for my flight. I've only got about an hour, and sometime tomorrow morning (Phx time) or evening (German time) I will get off the plane, see Brad and Debbie, and go 'home' to the Festaburg. WOO!!! [[proof that I'm at the airport...my plane will be there ^ soon!!]]

I've been waiting so long to finally go back, it's almost hard to believe it's finally here! In about 20 hours, I will be in Germany. My friends are coming home, some within the week. I think I've written about all I can about how excited I am and how ready I am to be there, but I just thought I'd write a short little note as I wait for the plane to arrive to whisk me off to Dallas, then to London, then to Frankfurt, and then the drive to quiet, tiny Frauenberg just in time to go to sleep. Good timing to help get over jet-lag!

2 Days

Only two days left in the United States of America. The last week has flown by, and yet whenever I think of how far I still am from the Festaburg, every minute seems to be dragging. Even though I know there is still a lot to be done - like packing, for instance - I feel so ready to just BE there already. Soldiers are coming home, spring is spreading over Germany, friends are writing and making plans, things are coming together, and I am still more than 6000 miles away.

I got an e-mail from a friend yesterday that made me want to be there even more. As the soldiers come home, Baumholder puts on a (very) small ceremony, at which family are present and one wife is selected to receive the 'first kiss,' and then the soldiers are finally allowed to hug their wives and children after more than a year apart. My friend e-mailed me with their hopeful arrival, and said, "I don't expect anybody to be able to make it to our little return reception in the gym, but it would be really cool to have somebody to hug when we get back to Baumholder, if the circumstances present themselves." So many of these guys and girls don't have anyone on post to come back to - what family they may have is back in the States. This is where ministry happens: just being there to welcome them home, to thank them, to support and love and pray for and laugh with and hug them. This is why I am so excited to get there, before I miss anyone else coming back.

2 Weeks

So...two weeks from today I fly out to Germany! I've only got a couple finals left to finish, and moving out of the dorm, but part of me really wishes I was back there already. Brad and Debbie had a wrapping-party for some gifts for the single soldiers (www.festaburg.com), and I really wish I was already there to start handing them out!! I know that most of my friends won't be back in Germany till after me, but some will beat me there. Because of the nature of the Army, people are going to be cycling in and out of Baumoholder on leave and PCSing and all kinds of things, and I really don't want to miss the chance to see anyone I know and to give them a hug and welcome them back. I'm ready to go now!!