The Answer to Our Most Common Question

(Krista) The most common question people have been asking us lately is "So how do you like it there?" I think this is a great question. I met an American woman the other day at the park and she asked me the same question. I said "We love it." She replied, "What do you love about it?" which I thought was a great question in response, and so here are a few reasons why I love our new life here:

--I love the city of Hamburg. It is really a beautiful city. I don't think you'd often call a city beautiful, but Hamburg really is pretty. It is known as the "Venice of the North" as there are tons of waterways, lakes, and rivers everywhere you look. It's also been noted to be the most 'green' city of Europe, so surrounding all of the water is lush green trees--and now that spring is coming into bloom, it is really gorgeous. The old bulidings of the city are also one of my favorite parts of the beauty--I love looking at the old architecture, or walking on old cobblestone paved streets, wondering what it was like here in years past.

--I love the people we have met here. Some say that Northern Germans are more reserved, and hard to get to know. I have found the opposite to be true. We have met so many lovely, welcoming, friendly, fun people. We are meeting new friends all the time and it is very cool how God has connected us with so many people in such a short amount of time. We feel very welcome and loved.

--I love the adventure of being here--of living in a new place and city. It hasn't been overwhelming or hard--but rather exciting and fun. I like going to the market and looking at all of the different types of food or shampoo...I like exploring new parts of the city...discovering a new park for the kids...learning a little more German each day. It's nothing like 'home' but it's wonderful.

--I love being right where we believe we are supposed to be. We believe God has called us here, and now that we are here, it feels so good...we are filled with such joy and peace about being here. We really, really love it. Almost like if you bought a new house, or a car, and at times you look at it, and delight in it, like, "Yes, I love my purchase, I made just the right choice." I feel like "Yes, we did what we felt called to do, and we did just the right thing in coming here."

The next question is often "Do you miss Los Angeles?" The answer is no...I really don't. But do I miss my family and friends like you? But of course :) I do have to say that having Skype and email has made it so nice to able to be in close contact with you all--and for that I am so thankful.

Love to you all,
Krista