Jin says, "Goodbye" and Jo says, "Hello."

Delicious shamrock cookie made by Merschon!

This week our team was at the airport a lot.  Our good friend Jinhwan left Tuesday for South Korea after a year of English study here in Dublin.  We were able to throw him a going away party in conjunction with our Sunday night communion devotional time.  We are sad to see him go but look forward to staying in contact with him through Facebook and Skype.  Jin's girlfriend will still be here through June so we ask you to pray for the rest of her time here and that we can build a stronger relationship with her during that time. 

On Wednesday most of us went to the airport again to welcome Jo for a two week visit.  We are super excited to have her with us.  We all needed face to face communication. 

Awkward side hug with Shay.

 

 

 The Smiths got to go to the airport 3 times this week, twice in Dublin and once in Shannon.  Their pulpit minister, mission committee head and friend Roger was here for a week but was delayed getting home because of snow in New Jersey.  Shay's mom couldn't get here until Friday because of a snow lay over in New York plus she was rerouted to Shannon.  At least Shay got to drive there in his new- to- them 7 passenger van.  I see some more road trips in our future.

Bailey and I got to sit on the sideline a lot this week because of a virus she has had.  We are getting a little stir crazy.  Her fever has gone away and now we are dealing with an inhaler for a croupy cough.  She has been perfecting her Wii skills much to the chagrin of Davis who would like to skip school too.

Ski Trip: the Remix

Instead of 100 college students, various adult-type people, Henry Moore, 7 church vans, several SUVs, a couple of trucks, the King Electrical trailer, tons of food from Sam's Club and a partridge in a pear tree, our ski trip 2011 consisted of 4 Americans, 2 South Koreans and the German Alps.  We had great weather with lots of sun which made for an easier learning environment but not a lot of powder to shred through.
Day 1:  The Bourne Idiocracy
    After an "on-time Ryan Airflight",  we took a taxi to the train station.  We had some time to kill so we ate across the street at Doner Kabob, a little pocket of Greece in the heart of Memmingenburg.  Then we picked the brain of an Australian guy who now lives in Lindau.  Bailey had an interesting conversation with him:
"Are you Irish?"
"No."  Pause.
"Are you British?"
"No."  Pause.
"Are you South African?"
"No."  Pause.
"Are you American?"  Pause.
"No, I'm Australian."
"Oh."

We changed trains 3 times and made it to Sonthofen where we took another taxi to Fishen where we got the key to our lodge and then on to Schollang.  Our taxi driver was great and got us there safe and sound.  The whole day felt less like Jason Bourne and more like Planes, Trains and Automobiles. 
Day 2:  Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth

   We got up from our Fred Flintstone beds and ate lunch at a cafe near our lodge.  (Three words Germany:  Memory Foam Mattresses.  I'm just sayin'.)  Then on to Oberstdorf  for ski rental and skiing!  Bailey was super excited and stayed that way on the gondola but soon dissolved into frustration and defeat.  Scott tried his hardest to teach her but all she heard was yelling.  Perception is reality people.  I walked back up to the gondola (ouch!) with her and we turned our skis in for the day.  After 14 years of not skiing, it came back to me pretty quickly.  The T-bar threw me into the rocks but I finally got the hang of it.  Score:  Mountain 1.  Bailey 0.
Day 3:  Nothing's Going to Stop Us Now

Davis is a rock star on skis!

Proof of my mad skiing skills.

     Monday we went to another ski slope that had more green runs.  Bailey tried the big mountain at first, but we walked up to the gondola again to get back down.  After lunch Bailey practiced on the bunny slope and got her confidence.  Davis and Scott had been helping Jinhwan and Hyejin and they were all pleasantly surprised that Bailey wanted to try again.  We all made it down in one piece but I decided to call it a day and turn my skis in for good.  If Momma breaks a bone, ain't nobody happy.
Day 4:  Austria Bound

There are no Longhorns in Germany but there are Razorbacks!

     20 minutes from Oberstdorf gets you to Austria and some awesome snow.  I camped out with a book and apple streudel at a cafe across from the ski lift and watched our group tear up the slopes.  Everyone had a great day and came away tired but happy.  Ski Trip Success!
Day 5:  Schollang Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good Bye!
     Yesterday Germany got some major snow while we were leaving but we had the train system by the horns and got to Memmingen airport in time for our flight home.  It is good to be home.

You know it's cold inside the church building when...

a man with all his worldly possessions in tow, comes inside with a cup of tea, stays for 10 minutes and then leaves because he's freezing. INSIDE THE BUILDING.  Maybe next week we'll get the heating situation figured out.

How to get your house clean, or When the landlord comes for a visit

This afternoon Mr. Little came to call.  He brought his brother and our real estate agent Paddy came too.  We had a lovely visit and cuppa.  Yesterday and this morning were spent cleaning like crazy.  The good news is we get to keep the cats and we don't have to move out any time soon.  I think the snickerdoodles Bailey made last night put us over the top.

Happy Birthday Juli!!!!

 Steve enjoying the movie.

 

The best way to watch a movie--lying down.

I like spaghetti but my white shirt does not.

Happy Birthday Juli!

Hello, my name is Scott and I'm addicted to puzzles.

We got to celebrate Juli's birthday with spaghetti and chocolate cherry cake on New Year's Eve.  Then Saturday night we had the kids from Ranelagh over for pizza and a movie on the big screen a.k.a. the wall.

If loving Tesco is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Around here, Tesco is known by its pet name, the Evil Empire.  But in my book the store that is open on New Year's day and only has 12 other shoppers in it is pretty good.