Germany

Just very VERY busy with life.  Its been a while since I've posted anything.  I did just catch up on everyone's blogs and your kids are all getting so BIG!!  I also have the book club "writing club" stories in a folder in my e-mail that I will get to at some point.  But it looks like everyone is doing well and I hope its true.

I went to Germany and back.  I can't decide if it was epically magical or magically epic?  Either way, it's check off the old bucket list and it feels good.

Lessons Learned 

(not necessarily for the first time but solidified none the less)

-Spontaneous friendships are my favorite:  Like the random guy I met on the plane from Kazakhstan who gave me a loaf of ethnic bread for no apparent reason (providing an easy breakfast for my sister and i for 2 days). Or the random followers of the street performer "Rent-a-Fab" who then invited us to eat dinner with them in the gardens of Munich (where I proceeded to have the best potatoes I've ever eaten and added some new facebook friends).  I am resolved to try to encourage such friendships more readily in my life because the world is full of some rather awesome people.

-Don't leave things on the train:  Like your camera....  or your bag of fruit and almonds...  or that mystery soda that turned out to be herbed lemonade.  So many wonderful things that I won't ever see again and it makes me sad.

-Singing in the public happens:  At least it does when you travel with Jessica.  I spontaneously sing to myself when I'm distracted and am pretty sure no one can hear me/is bothered by it.  Jessica belts it out and knows everyone is listening and doesn't care.  It made me feel a little awkward at first because she is basically holding out a big sign saying "YES, I'M AN AMERICAN TOURIST!" or in a more basic sense, I don't like being the center of attention.  Then Jessica pointed out that I wouldn't see any of these people ever again so stop caring.  Turns out most people enjoyed Jessica's vocal outbreaks, particularly on the "Sound of Music Tour" and the relatives (Jessica was the favorite).  Evidence that I probably shouldn't let myself worry about what others think as much.

-Adventure is there if you look for it:  We did plenty of organized tours, but there was still a lot of unscheduled exploring of old churches, shops, etc.  The German churches, architecture, history was often breath taking and it really enriched our trip.  I realized that I'm just as capable of adventuring in this manner in Arizona or anywhere.  I read a book where a couple went on a "tourist date" in their home city and I am determined to continue to really explore the Phoenix area with a new energy.

-Technology hates me sometimes:  Which is why I'm alright not owning a smart phone...  My ipod touch is glitchy enough and turns out we survived even though our cell phones from Verizon didn't work or the fact we didn't have a GPS.

-Slow down:  Europeans are rather chill people.  They go to work, come back, and then go socialize at a restaurant, at home, etc.  There are lots of times that I feel like my life's "To Do" list is a mile long but sometimes you need to ignore it to go eat a "mystery pastry" at the local backery and call it a day.

-I don't know everything but God does so everything is alright:  My little sister was my travel companion which was great since I've been worried about her a lot.  She has been dealing with a lot of issues but something that was a particular blow was learning that Jessica had left the church.  She still lives a lot of the Mormon standards (no caffeine, sabbath day, etc.) and still has a strong testimony of God.  However, she did research, learned things that shook any faith in major Mormon doctrines (Joseph Smith, the priesthood, etc.), decided that she wasn't in the right church, and has begun exploring other Christian denominations.

Before the trip, I was preparing to be devastated.  In spite of everything, I only feel a mild heart ache blended with an overwhelming sense of peace.  God has everything under control and everything will work out for the best.  Jessica still loves God and I trust that on the other side of the veil there will be purpose, mercy, and clarity.

-I love the temple: I'm grateful for the temple and my resolution to go weekly because as Jessica questioned "How do you know you couldn't have the same relationship with God through another church" I kept thinking of all of the meaningful truths I've learned at the temple.  Other churches offer great things but without the temple, my understanding of God's plan for me, of the atonement, of sacrifice, of my relationship with Him would be incomplete.  This trip was very much inspired by my love for the temple/family history and I feel like I've been reminded of why I need the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

Well, I have errands to run again.  Sorry no pictures (they'll end up when Jessica posts hers on facebook...  I still have heard no news about my camera.)