When telling people we were moving to Germany I would get one of two responses. 1. You will love it there and 2. You will see how "new" the USA is. Number 1 was usually from military members who had lived in Germany at one point so I definitely felt comforted by that response. Number 2 was strange for me. If you really know me, you know I don't have a clue when it comes to sports, politics and history. I never have and although I'm not proud of it, I admit those faults. I'm very fortunate to have married a man who is the complete opposite when it comes to those things and he helps in explaining things to me. I am the one who is up to date on other important stuff. Like which Kardashian is getting married or having a baby or which Real Housewife of OC is backstabbing the others (ok they all are) or how Rosie Pope would handle your pregnancy issue..yep I know the important stuff :) So to go back to number 2 and how new the USA is. Well I think old and I picture old buildings, roads, etc. I thought the USA was old because I know of a few roads in the South Hill area of Spokane that are still made of brick...now that's old! Well after living here just 3 weeks I have a whole different understanding of the number 2 response.
Just last week there were areas blocked off around the base we are at because they found a WWII era bomb! Seriously!! Now even I know WWII wasn't eons ago but it was a long time ago. When that bomb was found it made me think about the history that is surrounding me. I can see the history when going into Germany and even on base. So many roads are brick and bumpy or are "old fashioned" as Joslyn likes to call them. The buildings and houses are so much older then I had ever seen in the states (granted I never really went farther then WA!). There is greenery everywhere! I'm used to seeing condos, buildings, houses, shopping malls, etc smushed together and stacked on top of each other. I see the cute, authentic German houses with their laundry being hung outside to dry. It's amazing! So many villages have been "untouched" by the modern world and it really takes my breath away.
I think of the personal history from mine and Josh's family. Growing up my Grandma Betty talked often about Switzerland and her mom's life there. I listened to tapes of my Great Grandma yodeling and now I'm less then 4 hours away from that very place...how cool is that?! We are close to the beaches of Normandy which Josh's Grandpa walked! If I'm told correctly, I'm at the exact base that my Grandpa and cousin both were stationed at many years ago. Being here makes me want to learn more about the history. I want to soak in all I can in the limited time we are here. Even 5 years ago I would have had a much different feeling being here but I know God has worked in me over the past couple years and He has prepared me. He has prepared me to be strong enough to leave my family and friends, He has opened up my heart to accept a new lifestyle I am not use to and He has opened my eyes to see the world in a whole new way....and in the end this world is nothing compared to what He has in store for me :) I truly feel blessed that we were given this opportunity by the military and even though Josh wishes we could have been here years ago, I know that our timing here was planned out perfectly by someone much higher then the Air Force! I can't wait to see more of this country and the surrounding areas and to share it all with you.
P.S. the USA is sooo new :)
Just last week there were areas blocked off around the base we are at because they found a WWII era bomb! Seriously!! Now even I know WWII wasn't eons ago but it was a long time ago. When that bomb was found it made me think about the history that is surrounding me. I can see the history when going into Germany and even on base. So many roads are brick and bumpy or are "old fashioned" as Joslyn likes to call them. The buildings and houses are so much older then I had ever seen in the states (granted I never really went farther then WA!). There is greenery everywhere! I'm used to seeing condos, buildings, houses, shopping malls, etc smushed together and stacked on top of each other. I see the cute, authentic German houses with their laundry being hung outside to dry. It's amazing! So many villages have been "untouched" by the modern world and it really takes my breath away.
I think of the personal history from mine and Josh's family. Growing up my Grandma Betty talked often about Switzerland and her mom's life there. I listened to tapes of my Great Grandma yodeling and now I'm less then 4 hours away from that very place...how cool is that?! We are close to the beaches of Normandy which Josh's Grandpa walked! If I'm told correctly, I'm at the exact base that my Grandpa and cousin both were stationed at many years ago. Being here makes me want to learn more about the history. I want to soak in all I can in the limited time we are here. Even 5 years ago I would have had a much different feeling being here but I know God has worked in me over the past couple years and He has prepared me. He has prepared me to be strong enough to leave my family and friends, He has opened up my heart to accept a new lifestyle I am not use to and He has opened my eyes to see the world in a whole new way....and in the end this world is nothing compared to what He has in store for me :) I truly feel blessed that we were given this opportunity by the military and even though Josh wishes we could have been here years ago, I know that our timing here was planned out perfectly by someone much higher then the Air Force! I can't wait to see more of this country and the surrounding areas and to share it all with you.
P.S. the USA is sooo new :)
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