Auf Wiedersehen, Grafenwohr!

Sitting in this Army hotel, on the base at Grafenwohr, for one last night, has been emotional to say the least.  This past year in Germany has been one of the best of my life.  Spending my first year of marriage in Europe, alone with my husband, has been such a blessing.  Justin and I have learned how to build a marriage based on trust in each other and a love for the Lord.  Had we not been "secluded" in Germany, I'm not sure that we would have learned those valuable lessons as beautifully as we did.  God knew we needed this time here, and His grace and sovereignty has been evident throughout our journey in Germany.  

Reflecting on my time here has been a cry-fest, but I am thankful to take away so many blessings.

Besides the blessing on our marriage, the blessing of friends is one that will always be treasured dearly in my heart.  During this past month, with all of our things floating on a boat heading towards America, proved just how loving our friendships here have been.  Several friends had us over for dinners, bar-be-ques, hang out times, they have offered to drive us places, loaned us kitchenware and whatever we needed (including a car), and have honestly made us feel like we will truly be missed.  It is in these moments that I wish we didn't have to leave.  That we could stay with these beautiful people and spend this precious time loving on each other and knowing each other better.  

This blessing also extends to our landlords.  This sweet German couple showered us with love, cooked us many wonderful German meals, and sent us on our way with lovely steins and German keepsakes.  Though we didn't always understand each other due to the language barrier, there was a mutual understanding of love.  A love that will always be dear to my heart.

Rosaline, me, Justin, and Wilhelm
The Hacker Family

Auf wiedersehen, first house we lived in together

Our blessing of travel in and of itself is unbelievable.  Looking back through all the places we have been, all the sights we have seen, and all the experiences we have gained has honestly been more than some people will have in a lifetime.  We did it all in a year.  One beautiful year blessed by God.  I am thankful for pictures and memories, especially in the form of this blog, to help us treasure those moments of discovery and inspiration.

Sadly, this blog, and our time in Germany must come to an end.  I am confident that God is leading us along this journey to the next place we are supposed to be.  Words of thankfulness and gratitude cannot even begin to be expressed properly, but all of the people, places, and experiences I have captured here will never be forgotten.  Just like when you eat your favorite piece of cake, trying your very best to savor each bite, knowing with the next bite it will be closer and closer to being gone, realizing you don't want the deliciousness to end, but accepting that alas, it must, is exactly where I am right now.  Savoring each memory, each person, each place...savoring Germany for as long as possible, because before I know it...

...it will be gone.