On Thursday, we counseled two married couples in Toni and Maren's church, both separately and together. We felt it was a very profitable time and that the Holy Spirit led us. Thank you for your prayers, as we continue to seek to minister truth and encouragement to the people here in Germany. There are many problems, and many things out of God's order. There are few true believers, and they are often persecuted by their families and friends for not being in the Catholic or Lutheran religions. On Friday evening, we ministered to the whole church, which is very small and meets in the basement of Toni and Maren's house. Ron taught them about the two covenants--salvation and marriage.

On Friday, Maren was taking me to a doll (puppen) museum that was supposed to be an hour away from here. But instead, it ended up being a 9 hour adventure that was very difficult, especially for Maren with the toddler Josef and the baby Aimee. Everywhere she went, there were roadblocks and detours, taking us way off course and into country she had never been before. When we finally arrived, it was 3 1/2 hours later. Then we discovered, that the museum was closed--permanently, even though it was currently still advertised on the Internet. It was so disappointing. Now it was cold and raining and there were no bathrooms or restaurants open at this hour (they close from 2-5 or 6). Someone Maren asked for info. let us use their home toilet, and she nursed the baby in the car. By this time, my back was killing me from sitting in the car so long, and Joseff was climbing the walls to get out of his car seat (he is 2 1/2 years old). So the man had told us about an old castle called Sigmarinder Schloss that he said was worth seeing and that it was not far away. We finally found it, and had to park and walk in the rain with both children in a stroller. When we got there, they were ready to begin the last tour of the day and strollers were not allowed. We paid, put the stroller and umbrellas in a room, and carried the baby and stuff. Everyone had to stay on the red carpet, nothing could be touched or photographed, and the tour person was talking in German of course. Can you imagine Maren trying to translate for me, keep Josef quiet--he talks constantly, loudly, and with much expression!, on the red carpet, not running off or touching anything, carrying a 4 month old baby, and going up and down stairways, etc. I realized that I was not young anymore. I also realized that Maren was such a trouper to do all this for me. She is my new hero (after yesterday's trip especially). What a beautiful woman of God. I wish you ladies could meet her--she would inspire and challenge you. She leads worship, plays piano, has written 15-20 worship songs, preaches and teaches and takes care of the church and the people, especially while Toni is gone. She is very hospitable, a great cook, and an awesome wife and mother. I am so glad we are here to support and bless them! Anyway, after the castle the journey back was long and difficult, raining, dark, more roadblocks, crying baby, and very frustrated toddler--and no toilets. We at least got a pita sandwich after the castle. When we arrived back home, Ron was already preaching with Maren's mom doing the translation until Maren arrived.

Meanwhile, Ron had a wonderful, relaxing day, and went on his first bike ride since his accident. He was very pleased to do this again and said it helped him.

This morning, it was cloudy and misty after all the rain. We went for a walk in the nearby forest, and I took nature and landscape pictures this time. I will post of few of both days here, plus one of the couples we counseled.