Follow The Leader

I just said "Good-night" to my youngest boy who is snuggling under the train quilt (crafted by his Mimi) on the top bunk ... all by himself.  Since leaving Hawaii, Bear has grown accustomed to sharing a room with his older brother, but tonight he faces the dark alone.  Big brother is in France with Dad ... Paris-Roubaix, one of the biggest spring classics in the world of cycling.  (More on that subject to follow once the men return!)

They say, "Imitation is the purest form of flattery," or something along those lines;  I see that lived out on a daily basis.  Although they may not always believe me, I assure the older siblings that "others" are watching.  Or at the very least, sitting nearby.

I am thankful that God designed the family, and all the relations that come with it, as a picture of His love for us. 

There are times when we catch an ever-so-small glimpse of how great that Love is.   Just a few days ago, I sat at a picnic table and watched big brother help little brother on the favorite park-toy in Degerndorf ... the zip-line.  Sometimes the ten-year gap just doesn't matter; family does.  And I smile as I think of how little brother now has a baby sister to care for and love ... just as he has been loved.

In & Out

Here is small glance into the Lopez Life in Lupburg.

Come inside ... our door is the one on the right.

Upon entering and descending eight stairs, this is your first view of our main living area ...

a quick glance around the corner from the blue chair and behold, our dining area ... site of family feasts.

And through that door ... our kitchen (I miss our spacious Hawaiian one!).

The theme of our house is stairs, stairs, stairs!  We have four different levels and no need for a gym membership!  

And now for just a few highlights of life in

LUPBURG

Along the main road through the village ...

 
you will find the Backerei,

our convenience store, the nah & gut,

and this fun restaurant.

With the arrival of spring, I am sure that the explorations of and around our village will increase.  And soon this will become Home away from home.

Belle

Most of the house is quiet, save the unique sounds coming from the dishwasher. It's just Belle and me ... up for one last feeding of the night. Here we sit at the computer, and I'm wondering why I am sitting here and NOT putting her to bed so that I can grab some precious hours of sleep. Then I remember that these are the moments that it's just Belle and me ... no one is asking to hold her and no one else needs my immediate attention. And this is the face that makes me prolong these moments ...

Belle ... another blessing from our Heavenly Father

New Miracles, Family Blessings and a Valentine Wish

Today my family celebrated the Sabbath together for the first time as a family of seven.  Our little Cristabel slept through the majority of the celebration, but the event was clearly enhanced by her presence.  At a mere five days old she has already seen God's hand upon her life.  It seems that the umbilical cord and placenta were not attached appropriately, and because of this Shelly should have suffered internal bleeding and an emergency C-section.  The midwife and doctors were amazed that none of this occurred given what they saw.  They told us we were very lucky.  We felt blessed and thankful.

The sleepy little girl with chubby cheeks and a head that seems much too heavy for her to keep in a normal position has added much to the atmosphere of our home.  However, she was not the sole source of my thankfulness.  From the Sabbath feast prepared by my oldest daughter through the sermon delivered by Chaplain Price to the family discussion that lasted long past bedtime, I was reminded of the joys of parenthood.   With two little ones who want to fall asleep in my arms and three older ones who love discussing the important details of the morning's sermon and the impact of their beliefs on their future lives, I write this feeling very blessed.  

Of course all five of these blessings are available to me because of one great blessing that God bestowed upon me eighteen years ago.  My lovely bride has been a loving wife and wonderful mother and teacher to our children and continues to be the biggest reason why our home is such a tremendous blessing to me.  And just this week she has once again amazed me with her strength and courage. 

To my wonderful wife and once more "new" mother I say Happy Valentine's Day.  I love you.

FUNF

Introducing... Adele Cristabel Lopez

She arrived at 5:30 p.m. (Central European Time) on Tuesday, February 8,

weighing 8 lbs. 12 oz. and measuring 21 1/2 inches long.

What a blessing from God!

Capturing a Bit of "Home"

This was our first glimpse of our new house ...

As you travel along Hohenfelserstrasse, you would catch this view of the back of our house ...

Hiking up the hill from our house, you would reach some castle ruins that overlook Lupburg ...

The next two photos capture the village of Lupburg from about three kilometers away...

 
and a bit closer...

Lupburg ... soon to be Home Sweet Home.



Information OVERLOAD

Did you know that ...

• while Germany is slightly smaller than Montana, it is divided into 16 Bundeslander, or Federal States?
• nine different countries share borders with Germany? Can you name them??
• there is a 19% sales tax on everything (except food purchased in grocery stores, 7% sales tax) in Germany, and it is the lowest rate in the European Union?
• we live in Bavaria (Bayern), the largest German state with Germany's tallest peak, the Zugspitze, located in the Bavarian Alps?
• Germans recycle EVERYTHING???

For example, a quick "We're living on pre-packaged microwaveable food in this small hotel room" lunch consisting of Bagel Bites, an apple, and a bottle of Coke would be recycled in the following manner:

1) The outer packaging of the Bagel Bites box = cardboard and would be recycled in the paper bin.

2) The inner packaging of the Bagel Bites = plastic and "layered packaging" and would be recycled in the yellow bag (if living in Lupburg, which we are!).

3) The apple core = food waste and would be recycled in the green "bio bag."

4) The bottle of Coke --- is it glass? is it hard or soft plastic? was it purchased on the Germany economy or at the Shoppette on post? is it labeled Mehrweg Flasche (return for deposit to any store) or Pfandfrei (no deposit, just recycle)?

Someone, get me a glass of water. But wait ... that water could be carbonated, slightly carbonated, mineral, still, or tap ...

Did you know that after just a little over a month of living in Germany, we still have so very much to learn?!?