Newsletter and Photos

Our January Newsletter is now posted under the 'prayer' section, click here to read.

Photos of the recent snow are now posted on our Picasa page, click here to view.

Prayer 1/25/2007

January 2007

Adjusting to new life in Kandern!

To view letter in PDF format, click here

First Snow and Storm over Europe

We were a little late in knowing the extent of the storms from last week here in Europe. I guess that is due to the fact that we do not have a TV, so we don't catch those sort of things on the news!! We were told by friends in the office to stay home one day last week because hurricane force winds and rain were expected. I was certainly a little taken back by that, so we boarded up our windows (closed the shutters), and spent our time taking care of things around our apartment. We waited and waited and then went to bed later that night. I remember hearing wind outside, but it didn't sound very bad. So we slept. We woke up to rain the next morning, just a steady drizzle sort of rain. And that was all we had. We thought "that was it, no problem."

That is until we received emails, phone calls, instant messages all asking if we were okay and survived the storm. We thought, of course we're okay, how did everyone know about the 'storm' here? When talking to my dad, he told me that the paper had photos, the news showed all sorts of destruction, and all he knew was that Germany was hit really bad. Oh dear, I thought, we had NO idea!!! So, this is a wee bit late, but I just wanted you to know that we are perfectly fine. Obviously, we didn't even know what hit us since apparently the storm skipped over Kandern, but please pray for those who were affected.

Well, while I'm on the subject of weather, I thought I would let you know that we are having our first snowfall (first, for us at least!!) here in Kandern. I look forward to waking up to the winter wonderland tomorrow!!

***Our January Newsletter is in the mail. The electronic version will be a little slower in coming due to technichal troubles (ie...the computer needed is not hooked up right now!), but we hope to have it up on our site by the end of the week.

Culture Shock - The "Sch"s

In this little German town, there are several establishments that begin with "Sch." My brain can barely keep up!!

There is the kitchen/hardware store Schneider
The Soap/shampoo/lot's of other stuff store Schlecker
Which is next door to a casual eating place called Schinderhannes (can not remember if this spelling is even close!!)
Then the electronic store Schlegel
And of course, let's not forget the restaurant Schneke (German for snail!!)

Oh and just a town or two away, where apparently a good hair stylist resides, is Schliengen. Need I remind you that this all at the edge of the Black Forest, otherwise known as Schwarzwald!!

I promise if more come to my attention, you will be the first to know!

Our Container Arrived!!!

We just wanted to let you know that our container arrived today. It was totally unexpected. We were informed this morning around 9 that it would be arriving sometime after 11, and it did! So, now we have boxes everywhere and lots to do!! We had several people show up to help unload, and we were finished by around 1. What a wonderful blessing!!

Thank you for praying...so far everything seems intact.

Here are a couple of photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/thadhoskins/ContainerArriving

Gutes Neues Jahr

Happy New Year!!!

We watched a glorious fireworks show as the New Year began. It was an amazing sight from the edge of the woods looking over Kandern in it's valley...fireworks went off all over town just above the rooftops. Firecrackers are sold in the regular grocery stores here and area allowed to be fired off anywhere. We could see most of the town from where we were and wished that we had thought to grab our video camera. Next year we will remember!!!

May the Lord bless you as you begin this new year!

Jana's quote for the night: "I feel like I am in a Disney movie!"