Wow where to begin with our overseas trip!? Well, it was awesome and amazing, yup that's about right, an intense holiday :) There was just too much that happened to blog it all so here's a summary...
The flights were pretty cool actually, as we were generally greeted with warm smiles because of the cute little person on my hip...I found this interesting because I wouldn't be super keen to be flying next to a baby, but no one was bothered and the air hostesses were so kind and just loved her, she slept for large portions of the journey, such a blessing! Go bassinets!!!
Dubai was well, stinking hot (not sure how they survived in the no air con days) and the airport was super busy, yes that summarizes our time there nicely. Germany, however, was so great! One word for the Germans they are EFFICIENT and everything just works because of it. The train ride was so cool! My first time on a train was so beautiful, we travelled from Frankfurt to Hannover, lovely green fields and neat little pointy roofed homes, all just so!
Thom picked us up in Hannover and man was it good to see him! Sure we missed him but the 48 hours of commuting made him as sweet as a lindt chocie to see. We drove quite a way to the small town of Meine where we would spend the next week of our time with the oh-so-lovely Kelly family. This family just rocked in every way, they were so godly and hospitable a true example of Christ to us. We were very edified by the time spent there and blessed to meet a friend of the family Lana, who eagerly babysat for us :). Fellowship was sweet, it was in fact so great that we could of just come home again, having had a wonderful holiday that couldn't possibly get any better. I got a bit ill and was taken care of by Linda as if I were a sister of hers, she made me feel so at home. Stellah left with a one of a kind fluffy sleep-with-me lamb, made by excellent seamstress Linda. We so envy Thomas as he gets to see them on a regular basis. Wonderful to have met new family in Christ, I pray that their church is richly blessed through Tim and his family and that the new building (which they are building themselves!!!!) is ready in no time!
Highlights of our week with them included great fellowship whilst sharing Linda (m0m)-Solea (daughter) food, fun times chatting, a trip to Braunschweig where we tasted our first Doner and a trip to Starbucks, a meal out in a beautiful and very old German castle type thing and much more. Sadly I didn't get pics of the whole family but here are a few highlight ones...
We left Meine with heavy hearts but boy where we in for some beauty on the road trip Thom had planned for us. The rest of our time was intense touring and some amazing sights...The first town we stopped in was Heidelberg, which is so picturesque. We trekked up a rather mean hill (for me) to see the Heidelberg castle.
We worked our way down south and drove through the amazingly beautiful black forest, not able to capture that kind of atmosphere on camera though, it was so lovely. We then headed towards Stuttgart to stop at Thom's mother's home in the small town of Heimsheim. We were treated to some more amazing cooking and very generous hospitality with Thom's family and headed the next day for Berne, Switzerland.
The long trips on the road kind of got to Stellah, so our drives needed to be extended for fresh air etc. We finally got to Switzerland, where they simply wave you through the border and then on the horizon Thom pointed out that those bits of white are not clouds but the snow-capped beauty of the Swiss Alps themselves. A phenomenal experience being there as a believer, God is truly wonderful and so creative. We stayed at the Manton's, another missionary family. So special to share a quick time of fellowship with them and we were again thoroughly blessed leaving with much chocolate to add to the stash that Linda sent with us. I was so challenged to up the anti on hospitality! WE would leave with gifts after staying at people's home's, crazy!
Some of the scenery, so incredible...
We made our way back to Heimsheim where we introduced to many more German ways..how everyone has nutella in their breakfast entourage and some even do beer, they just love soccer and had a tent erected at Thom's house with a big screen to watch the games, where half the town would come watch but one of my absolute highlights was a walk overlooking the black forest just before we left.
Most of the thanks need to go to Thom who was so generous and kind throughout the trip, which he entirely organized himself! Thank you Thom x infinity!!!!
And sadly it was all over in a flurry of activity and we were on the plane again to see my Dad and family in Madeira, who all eagerly awaited the first grandchild..
It was such an amazingly special time, I was so grateful that Julie was there and that I could see her too, not to mention watching how chuffed my dad, step mom, step brother, step sister, gran, aunt, uncle and cousins were, to meet the new addition to our family. Stellah was loved to bits and left with two dresses, one from her Step gran and one from her great Aunt. So blessed to have a family like ours...sad they are so far away, love you guys!
Chocolate mouthy...
Was lovely to have an Easter roast at my sister's and Stelly got spoiled with a big princess duck Easter egg. Had such lovely braais and visits, really great Easter time.
