Reflections......

As I reflect back on our first month here in Germany, I realize that even though all of our "adventures", we have been extremely blessed!  Blessed by so many that didn't even know us, blessed by our friends, and blessed by our family. 

As I think about our first month, I realize the blessings started even before we left.  My dear friend Janet, and her husband Bill, welcome our entire family into their home, including the dog and cat (and Bill is allergic to cats), then our friends, Tim, Inga and Sue, welcomed our family into their home for FIVE days, including the cat and dog.   Not only did Tim and Inga welcome us into their home, but they instantly made us feel welcome and a part of their family.  Having 8 kids in the house never even phased them!  They also let us borrow their minivan for an entire month before we left, so we would have a car that fit our entire family (since we had shipped the van already).  When I tell people this all they can say is "WOW - those are great friends"!  The crazy part is we became friends only in February when we attended the same conference in Kansas, only to find out they lived in Virginia, and NOW they're going to be our neighbors here in Wiesbaden!  God is SOOOO good!  Tim and Inga also brought us to the airport at 10pm the night we were leaving, driving 2 vehicles, 10 suitcases, 2 pet kennels and 6 of us up to BWI, over an hour from their house.

Once we arrived in Germany, we were immediately blessed by a wonderfully warm welcome by members of Jasons unit, to include the Cardenas', Lee, Stephen, David, and several others.  Prior to our arrival, Lee and his wife, Tricia, helped answer my MANY questions about Germany, they "house hunted" for us, signed for our housing, got our temporary furniture delivered, arranged for our post office box, and so many other things that it would take too many pages to detail.  Noel and his wife, Cristi, were the first to email us and welcome us to the unit.  Cristi answered tons of email questions, helped me figure out what to send in our advance shipment, welcomed us with a wonderful dinner at their house the day after we arrived, and helped coordinate a welcome picnic for us (so we could meet the families of our unit).  Their children welcomed our children with open arms, showing them the neighborhood, introducing them to other kids in the neighborhood, teaching them "where" and "when" the ice cream truck come in the neighborhood, and showing them the walking route to the nearest bakery (bakeri).  Stephen, who is the units FRSA has been a blessing to me from the moment we arrived.  He has been a wealth of knowledge, a sounding board, great support and someone I am pleased to call "friend". 

Then there were those that drove us around our initial days on post, from in-processing, to going to the commissary for groceries, to going to buy shower curtains and towels, to showing us where to pick up our mail, and teaching us all we needed to know. 

I cannot forget Gordana, in the housing office, that took care of everything for us, so that upon our arrival, we had a fully furnished home, ready for us, so we would only have to stay in temporary quarters for one night.  This is almost unheard of, in the overseas community - most people are in the hotel for at least a week, if not several.

The person, Beirgit, in housing that worked hard to ensure that our yard was done properly, and to our satisfaction.

To the staff at the Wiesbaden Health Clinic, that on our several visits, we were taken care of promptly (always before our appointment time), and always with superb customer service

To MAJ Knapp, who helped identify our "caterpillar crisis"...without him, we would've never found the source of our rash, and could've spent several more weeks in itchy pain.

To the members of DPW that quickly responded to our need to remove the caterpillar nests.  Eventhough the machine broke, they returned first thing the next day with a new machine, and took great care of our family, and pride in their work.

To the members of the 421st MMB for welcoming our family....more like embracing our family....making us feel as if we'd been a part of the unit for a long time.

To the spouses of the 421st, for being a great group, filled with smiles, and welcoming me into their "family"

To the FRG leaders of the unit, for loving their military family so much, that they are willing to give up their own time to tend to the needs of others - what a blessing they are.

To our friends that email, facebook, and IM....without your constant support this first month, our transition overseas would have been terribly difficult.  Each time I logged onto the computer and saw an email from one of you, a smile quickly came to my face as I read your email.

To our families for understanding when we couldn't call during the first few weeks, but always emailing to let us know we were missed.  To sending the cards and packages in the mail - something we typically don't do in the states, but was such a "touch of home", when we're on foreign soil.

To our children, who has been so understanding about the time we are away from them, about the many functions they've had to attend (and always stay smiling), about learning about how to take care of our Army Family, and give of themselves!  We are truly blessed by our children, and they continue to teach me so much each day!

Forgive me to those of you that I have not mentioned, which I know are many.  It was not ill-intended...just impossible to list everyone.

We have been blessed beyond what we deserve, and for that we thank each of you for blessing us.  We also thank God for putting each of you in our lives, and for the knowledge that even through long distances we know that we will one day meet again!

We love each and every one of you and THANK YOU!!!!!