where am I going with this?

I intially wrote here a long montage about lonely people and how to reach them, then I re-read it and realized what a piece of uneditable mess it was. So here is what I was trying to say in a large nutshell:

Bars on a Friday night are the best place to talk to people about Jesus.

Friday night, Tina, Mary and I went to downtown Stuttgart to walk around and just observe the nightlife. As we walked around, I noticed how many people seem so empty. They may be appearing to have a good time drinking, dancing, or talking, but there is no joy in their eyes. And it pained me so much to see people like that, because I want to talk to them, but I can't yet. I have prayed for a long time to have the gift of tongues, but it hasn't come yet. I've heard stories, and I think it would be awesome, if I could go to someone and speak truth into their life, in a language they understand. It is so hard sometimes to accept the fact the you must obey the whispers of the Holy Spirit. You aren't always supposed to speak to every person you see, but sometimes, that's all you want to do.

arg, anyways, I hope that made sense. I'll let you know immediately when I have my first conversation with a German speaking stranger : )

my third week

As I approach the third week of my stay in Germany, my brain is beginning to feel the intensity of this whole experience. The first two weeks were no problem, but this week, I can't turn my brain off at night and I get headaches during the day. I suppose that is all part of being submersed in a culture. I wish I had a picture of my face when people talk to me in public.....since I don't understand half of what they are saying yet, I have to wait until they stop talking, then give them, "I don't speak much German" line. I feel so stupid, but its incentive to study more and more so I can converse like a normal person soon.

Everyone I have met so far is so nice and warm. The grandmother of my host family speaks a little English, and she told me the other day that she learned her English from the American soldiers who came to Germany after WW2. She said they gave the children gum, which was pretty unheard of back then. It is hard to believe that most of the elderly people I see everywhere saw first hand the horrors of the Nazis (if that's what you call it). They lived in a totally different time, and I can't imagine they stories they have to tell.

Pray that I sleep well at night and learn German very fast. I already have learned so much, but your brain can only handle so many words everyday.

and, I miss driving my car : (

Hasta luego!

P.S. You should get a FACEBOOK account if you want to see pictures of Germany. ok, that's all : )

here is one picture

Ok, so I finally took A picture. Hopefully, more will follow.

This morning, I awoke to the glorious sight of an intense sunrise. Wouldn't it be great to wake up to that sight every morning? Anyways, I stumbled across the room to retrieve my camera, only to discover that the batteries were dead. argggg So, there would have been a beautiful picture of that here, but alas. Try and picture one in your head.

Here is a picture of a village street in Kirkheim. That's pretty much the view of any street there, which is ok with me, because its so quaint. There were so many delicious smells of food everywhere, so it made me hungry walking around.

Well, back to school work.

Later,

Hannah

my home away from home

Hello everyone!! Its been a while since I've updated, and MUCH has changed since then. On August 15, I left Norfolk International Airport for Stuttgart, Germany. I will return in four months!!! My flight there was very exciting, and its amazing that I made it there in one piece (with all my luggage). I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was pretty absent minded as during the trip....I kept leaving my glasses and planner in random bathrooms all over the airport. Thankfully, they stayed where I left them, so all is well.

So, I've been in Germany roughly a week now, but it seems like so much longer. I love it here! Its beautiful!!! I will post pictures as soon as I take some. I'm pretty good at forgetting my camera when I go out.

On the way over, I had a 9 hour layover in London, so I ventured out of the airport. After an hour on the tube, I decided my stomach wasn't up for the ride, so I went back to airport. All the Londoners I saw have a unique way of dressing......I don't know....interesting. Hopefully, I will be able to return to London sometime in the future (but hopefully not by myself).

Ciao from this side of the world! Hope you have a lovely day (wherever you are).

Hannah

ummm....ya....I'm still alive....

though I can't say the same for my computer.

so, I'll be MIA for a while.

an update on my life would take a while, and I'm tired right now, so stay tuned.

: )

later beloved

the barbarian way

Well, I wasn't able to attend the Regent Movie Night at Cinema Cafe, but I still was able to see OCEAN'S 13! It was incredibly clever, and funny, and just cool. So, you should see it : )

Also, you should read The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus.

"This is the barbarian way: to give your heart to the only One who can make you fully alive. To love Him with simplicity and intensity. To unleash the untamed faith within. To be consumed by the presence of a passionate and compassionate God. To go where He sends you , no matter the cost. "

Its a fast read (only 141 pages), and its phenomenal. I found myself saying YES, YA, and RIGHT ON throughout the whole book. Being a Christian means following a dangerous, wild, and sometimes lonely road. So many Christian leaders and books push living a tame, obedient, passive life. Instead, Christians should be fighting for the "heart of the King!"

"forward!"

are you a barbarian?

Hannah

tubing pics

I finally outwitted my computer....so here are a few pictures from tubing. Awesome? yes. My dad's favorite maneuver is to go really fast over a boat's wake, which throws us into the air (and usually into the water). Fun stuff. AND, we now have a hovercraft. Its REALLY loud, but other than that, its pretty fun.

So there you have it...a bit of my summer fun. What do you like to do in the summer?