fall photos'09

While on a bike ride, Paul and I snapped some photos of a local
pumpkin seller. There are so many more varieties to chose from here,
as most are used for cooking of some sort of cake, soup, sauce, chutney or pickle and
not just for carving or decorations.

But they do grow them big!

and even carve their name in them so no one will mix them up at the local pumpkin festival weigh-in!
This one says "Von Rosey"...so this must be Rosey's pumpkin

Our School, the FES, Freie Evengelical Schule, had its Fall festival this past weekend and celebrated their 20th anniversary. Three days before the Festival, the students had to pick a project. Here is Stryker-Ann and part of the project her group made, and then presented. The main project was an audio CD of what it might be like to live in the Middle Ages. She was a cook and had to write her script, complete with sound effects. She also made some Middle Age type spice cookies for her group to try.

Vaden was in the 3 day Project Tag group "English Poetry Anthology" . They had three days to write (in German, English or French), print and bind a collection of their poetry. It turned out to be quite fun as the group had an over night the Wednesday before this Saturday to get them started. Here is Vaden, in blue, with some of her friends as they sell their books of poetry.

Wils and Vaden!

Wils' part in the FES Tag was to help his class in the children's games area. His class was to help teach this jumping game with a "Gummy Twist".
This is a gummy, elastic band and you jump in and out and cross and, and, and all to a song or songs. It is like jumping rope, except the gummy twist gets higher and higher up the holders' legs the more successful you are.

Alone time at the Bad

Friday was a new experience for me. I went somewhere by myself! While I do go places by myself these days, it is usually to go grocery shopping, on an errand or to pick up or return from dropping off kids. This day all of the kids were being taken care of by Paul and I truly did not have any responsibilities other than to be alone with myself at the Thermal Baths. I had even taken care of supper by throwing a chicken in the crock pot on low. So there I was, ahhhh.

So now what? what does a person so used to running in fifth gear do with herself. Fortunately the baths take care of that by proving a relaxing warm environment to think, people watch and contemplate the future. This day I had a plan and that was to read : "How to Hear from God" by Joyce Meyer, the book my small group is reading at the moment. Life for us has been so fast and crazy these past three plus years that best we try, to hear God has been tough. So this day I was going to be quiet and open and read what God, through this lady, might have to say.

After an hour of swimming and soaking and then a nice lunch plate special, I settled into my reading for the next three hours or so, occasionally dosing off or listening to the birds, train or what ever language that caught my ear as my mind relaxed and wandered; and I must say that the book is interesting, somewhat thought provoking and good to ponder through. It is a positive read, which is something I have needed.

One of the biggest things I came away with from this time alone is how do I discern God's voice and leading from all of the other voices running around in my head? This book pointed me in a good direction without telling me what to do (thank goodness), and for me I discovered: God will not rush the answer and if it is from God, than it will be the same answer over a period of time, perhaps hours, days or weeks and longer.

I also, came away with the feeling and an answer that I do not need to push at life so hard. I have been trying to do and to be and to push in all directions to get "it" all at once, so that I am exhausted and running on fumes. My mind has a image of me in a paper bag hitting and batting at the sides, frustrated that, while I know the sides are just paper and should be able to be broken through, they seem to flap , crinkle and reverberate harsh sounds each time I swat at them. So, this day of pulling back, let me see that pushing harder as things and life get tougher, more hectic, more demanding may actually be making them tougher, more hectic and more demanding. If I relax and concentrate on hearing from God and let my life flow towards the most imported things He has for me to hear and do than the result for me is: the paper bag feeling melts away and I can rip much the sides more easily instead of punch then out.

In closing, ( a month and a half later, 24.11) this day has lingered with me and continues to give me strength. I am looking forward to my next Spa Day!