Haze and Babel

Really, it's Babe and Hazel but when I was little that is what I called my great aunt and uncle once and it stuck.  Saturday evening Uncle Babe passed away after a battle with cancer.  He and my Grandpa looked the most alike out of the 7 Bailey boys and whenever I saw Babe I could see my Grandpa again.  He will be sorely missed and I ask that you join with me and many others in prayer for Aunt Hazel and the whole family.

Along these same lines, please pray for Mr. Clyde whose beautiful, sweet wife Georgine passed away Saturday evening as well.  I'll never forget one of the first Lifetalks we went to at their house where everyone went around the circle stating their name.  Georgine said, "My name is Georgine." Pause. "My Dad's name was George."  Perfect comedic timing.  Please pray for Clyde and the Central church as they mourn the loss of this wonderful woman.

Because nothing says, 'I love you' like a hacksaw.

We had a wacky Valentine's Day this year by taking a trip to B & Q.  Think Lowe's and Home Depot but with Euro prices.  Instead of the obligatory one dozen long stemmed roses we got Bailey an Orange Dream rose bush.  Davis got a pear tree and a hacksaw to whittle wood.  I got some nesting pots to paint and plant, a hanger for a flower basket and 2 bushes for the front garden.  Scott got to borrow a shovel to dig holes. Mr. Pat (two doors down, not to be confused with Mr. Pat next door) came over to help drill holes for the hanger today.  It takes a village, people.

Time Flys When You...

...tell others about Jesus.

...Santa brings you a look alike.

...represent your team.

...have snow at Christmas time.

...love these three.

...get to see these beautiful people.

...make new friends.

...explore new towns.

...learn a new game.

...are chillaxin'.

...pose for a pretty picture.

...take a road trip with these great team mates.

...work with your neighbors.

...do a Tom Sawyer project.

...take silly pictures.

...visit with family.

...love on leprechauns.

...have a front row seat at a parade.

...lose a tooth.

...have a birthday party.

...go hiking with Jo.

...play.

...love your family.

...love your friends.

...watch Ashlyn grow.

...smile.

...get stuck because of a volcano.

...play on a team.

...learn to pitch.

...get one of these

...and one of those.

...relive the glory days.

...make evil plans.

...go to camp.

...win a trophy.

...move across the pond.

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.