Weeks 9 & 10

A lot has happened since my last post. On Oct. 13, 2007, my mother died unexpectedly. It was very much a surprise. On top of that, my dad has been diagnosed with severe dementia and is now in an assisted living facility in Knoxville, Tennessee. The week after my mom's death, I had to go to a training workshop in Schwetzingen, near Heidelberg, which is where Stephen and Megh live. I got to spend an evening or two with them there. On Oct. 19, I flew back to the States to bury my mom and help my brother take care of my dad and their house. Stephen flew back also, and Cait and Drew were there too. Jacob is getting ready to move to Asheville and couldn't come. We missed having him there, but I was able to visit with him briefly on my way through Atlanta. The private family graveside service was held in Knoxville on Oct. 24, with close family and friends present. It was poignant and sweet, especially at the end when we all placed a gladiolus blossom on her casket and each said a private goodbye. The hardest part of that week was putting my dad in an assisted living facility. It is a very nice place, small and personal, but Dad can't have his car anymore, and he took that very hard. He is mostly lucid, but has periods of delusion and denial. Please be praying for him and for my brother, who is carrying the majority of the burden of taking care of Dad and Mom's estate and finances. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for us these past two weeks, and thanks to those who sent flowers, cards, etc. ( A special thank you to my cousin Lisa Skinner and her husband Steve, who generously gave Ben and me a place to stay and fed us very well. Ask me about Evil Jungle Prince sometime!) The lovely autumn tree photo was taken by Caitlin Barker Foreman.

Fall is officially here in Germany, with beautiful golden & green colors and crisp temperatures. Good news: Kitty flew back to Germany with me! She did very well on the flight over and is settling in quickly. It is nice to have company.

Only 7 more weeks until Ben comes over!

I can't wait to get back to work tomorrow, if I can stay awake. I know I have a lot to catch up on at work, so I thought I would do this blog before that all starts.

Here is a recent photo of my mom and dad with Drew.

I love you, Mom.

Nan

Weeks 7&8

I am really missing my family these last two weeks. Caitlin sent me a link to view her wedding photos online, so I sat and viewed and cried. This is of course the hardest part of this whole 'adventure'- missing friends and family so much. Ben and I talk every week, and we email several times a week. Ben has been so wonderful to send me cards every week too. It feels like back in college when we were separated for a year. He sent me cards and letters then too. I like it, but I am not quite as good as he is at remembering to send cards. Good intentions and all that...

God is so good! The house is sold, and for a good price too. The buyer is also interested in our dining room set, washer and dryer, and freezer. More than we could ever ask or think, right, God? Ben is working like a madman to get everything ready to be packed up later this month. He will be staying with friends (looks like it will be Libby and Greg Hale-thanks, y'all) after the house is closed. I have to get a move on to get the cat over here, as that is one more complication he doesn't need. He should be able to be here the week before Christmas- yea! Praise God. I miss Ben every day.

Stephen and Meghan are here visiting me this weekend, with their two sweet doggies, Lola and Bella. We enjoyed a trip to Nuremburg yesterday (Saturday) and had a good walk today up to my local castle ruin. Here are some pictures of Nuremburg- it has several beautiful Kirchen (churches), almost cathedrals. There is also a schloss (castle) on the hill there. The fountain pictured is, ironically, called the Fountain of the Seven Virtues. Scandalous! (But funny too.) We met a precious older lady named Ingrid when we ate an early dinner at a bratwurst restaurant. She did not have much English, and of us three, only Megh had enough German to even begin to understand her, but apparently she grew up in Nuremburg; she was telling us about her experiences during WWII when Nuremberg was bombed heavily. She and her 5 month old daughter had to stay in a bomb shelter for 3 days. Amazing to be able to talk to someone who lived through that historic event.

Oh, and the picture of the house in the cliff is from a village called Kallmunz, near where I live. It is called the House With No Roof, and it is below a bluff upon which is a cool castle too.

My job is going a little smoother. I am learning. It is so different from teaching, but that is ok. It is a good different. I do miss teaching sometimes, though.


Hey, please, comment on my blogs, email me, something. I need to hear from home! (Thanks to all who have emailed or written me. I really appreciate it- more than you can know.)

Remember, God is good.


Nan