The Hills are Alive

The best word to describe Switzerland has to be: Glorious. It has that too-beautiful-to-be-real look about it. Very similar to the first time I visited the Grant Canyon, I was thinking to myself that everything just looks like a giant backdrop or an enormous painting...you know because you can't perceive its depths. You try to perceive it, but it can't be done. And then taking photos is rather deflating, because those don't turn out anything like the real deal either. A small group of us went on what Brad described as an "aggressive adult hike" on Saturday, which was the highlight of my wonderful weekend. It took about six hours to complete and had a good incline the whole way. We climbed 4,500 feet, which my butt and calves can confirm. I have posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook, but I will try to throw some up on Das Bloggerstein as well for those of you who are not Facebookers.

Elliot, a 19 year old soldier here, has been a great source of encouragement to me over the last few days. Elliot has been hanging around with Brad & Debbie and the Festaburg crew since January and recently decided to follow Jesus about six weeks ago. He is, just as Brad described, a sponge. Elliot says he never really thought about or was exposed to Christianity. Elliot's questions, observations, and insights are so honest and refreshing, and his curiosity is contagious. He recently wrote his story down on paper, which will be highlighted on Brad & Debbie's blog this week at www.ellgens.com. Super cool guy. I am very grateful to the new friends I am making here and the great conversations we have had. 

And I'm on the move yet again tomorrow. I fly out in the morning for Istanbul, Turkey to spend 10 days with a very special Mrs. Anneliese Madrigal and her newborn babe, Rahel. Cannot wait to meet her child and spend time in a city so near and dear to my heart! Chelsea and my roomie, Charlotte, will be joining in on the fun as well. I'll keep you up to speed on the happenings here. 

Much love.

I have arrived!

I cannot tell if I am actually in Germany or if I am dreaming. A pinch may be necessary here soon. There has been so much time spent over the last two years thinking about, preparing for, and imagining this adventure that I can't really grasp that it's happening now. Is this real life? Is this really happening? Or is it Dream Land? The fact that I've had approximately ten hours of sleep since Tuesday probably does not help, ha ha. 

jet lag

 

noun

a temporary disruption of the body's normal biological rhythmsafter high-speed air travel through several time zones.

I arrived this morning at 7:30am GST (German Standard Time), and Brad & Debbie are taking great care of me already. A few of the friends I made during my 2010 visit are still here, and I got to see Angelica (pronounced an-hel-ica) today briefly already. I'm really looking forward to connecting with new and old friends here! I've already had some great conversations. Man I love good conversation, I'm a sucker for it really. In approximately four hours, we will be on our way to Switzerland. A group of 40 (25 adults, 15 children) of us will be camping in the Swiss Alps for Memorial Day weekend. Brad & Debbie have put in a ton of work and preparation for this trip. The base is in the midst of major transition right now and many of the soldiers and their families are leaving very soon to go to one place or another, some as soon as this week, which means this trip is bitter-sweet for a lot of folks. It's like the last hurrah. I was chatting with a couple of soldiers connected to the Festaburg ministry here, and learned that something like 96% of the businesses in downtown Baumholder are strip clubs. The other 4% are tattoo parlors. Crazy, right? It just sounds...imbalanced. They said they were so so glad when they met Brad at chapel and learned about the Festaburg, because they didn't want to go to the strip clubs or the bars or get tattoos but they didn't want to sit in their rooms and do nothing either.  

More praises - 

1. They are already putting me to work here! Today I washed the griddle, watered the plants, and helped load the camping trailer. 

2. I was able to fly standby with almost no trouble whatsoever and arrive in time for the group camping trip this weekend. Not gonna lie, so excited. I'll have to post some photos soon. 

I'll check in again soon, friends. Thanks again for your support. 

Jess