A New Home

Today I met the people that I will be living with for the next ten months. It's a weird feeling. I barely know them at all, but they will be my support and family during this year. It's only been a day, but they have been absolutely amazing. I love the room they've prepared for me and they have such a beautiful house. I'm incredibly lucky to have been given such a wonderful family. The little girl, Rahel, is adorable, though she makes me miss my sister more than ever.

They don't speak much English with me though, and everything is in German. It's difficult for me, and a bit awkward, but so far so good. I can understand much more than I can say. And things will get better and easier with time. 

I get to meet some other family members tonight, and then tomorrow we're going to church and then Monday I start school. It's a lot to take in in such a short amount of time. My body and mind are exhausted. I'll be sleeping well tonight! And probably every night for the next few months. 

The Ride of a Lifetime

Today is the last day of language camp and I'm bombarded with a whole slew of emotions. I'm so sad to see all my new friends and mentors leave, and I am so scared to leave the safe little American bubble that Schloß Wittgenstein has provided. But more than anything else I am excited. Excited to meet my host family and get settled into my new room. Excited to attend my new church and start my new school. I'm so full of emotion it's a bit overwhelming. I may explode at an moment. But it's an amazing feeling.

Camp has been wonderful and weird and eye opening. I've learned so much about Germany: the language, the people, the culture; but I've also learned a lot about myself. It's been an incredible and exhausting three weeks and I'm a little scared to leave it all behind.

But I'm ready. Ready for the real German world. Let the challenges begin. God has armed me with an amazing brain to think with, wonderful people to support me, a positive attitude, and an incredible opportunity to go to a new place and stretch my limits. With Him all things are possible. Even high school in a language you're just beginning to understand. Leh go.

In dem Schloß!

I have been in Germany for about two days now and it is... hard to express. Everything is, well, so German. The houses, the people, the ice cream shops. It's wonderful and confusing. The mornings in Germany are lovely. Almost lovely enough to make me  morning person, but not quite. The meals are different, but not bad. There's a lot of bread. Like, a ton. The people in my group are great, and the scenery is breathtaking. The teamers and teachers are the best, and I already know I'm going to learn a lot. I'm missing my friends and family like crazy, but I'm so excited to begin my adventure! Bis bald!