Front entrance to “House Nazareth”

After 20 hours of flying (Boise-Atlanta-Frankfurt-Berlin), I was waiting for my checked-in bag at Tegel airport. Then, through the glass wall, I spied Matthias waiting for me. We piled into the car and headed “home”. I had not connected in my brain how close “House Nazareth” is to the embassy quarter in Berlin. We drove past the Thai, Iranian, and Canadian embassies as well as several others that I can’t remember.

“House Nazareth” is perfectly located, not only for the Free University and the metro connections to downtown, the parliament and the other major universities. It is also perfectly situated for outreach to the representatives of the nations that are sent to Berlin.

About a half an hour at the Ploner’s to freshen up and call Ann and Charissa, then we headed out to a very special meal. It was Sieglinde’s birthday on Friday and the family (plus several friends of the kids and me) were invited to eat roast goose out at a restaurant on the Wannsee (infamous for the secret conference that took place there during the Nazi dictatorship). It was good to warm up my German and catch up on news with Sieglinde (I had the honor of sitting next to the “birthday girl”.)

Then we drove back to the Ploner’s and walked over to “House Nazareth”, where I’ll be staying this week.
What an amazing feeling to walk through the gate and realize: God seems to want to give this house to Philosophia. What a grace! What a sense of responsibility!

Sister Ursula (the Mother Superior) is every bit as Jesus-centered and Spirit-filled as Matthias and Sieglinde told us! There is a real sense of peace and joy about her.

We walked through the main chapter house. I’m sorry to keep using the words “special”, “amazing” and “grace” so often, but that’s all I can say: Special! Amazing! Grace!

Coffee and German Christmas cookies followed at the Ploners.
A good friend of Matthias and Sieglinde came too (Gaby - another physician and psychotherapist). I was so tired! I’m going to have to ask them today if I said anything stupid ++ !

Sleeping in “House Nazareth” for the first time was an unforgettable experience. (There! I used a word other than “special”, “amazing” or “grace”.)

It’s now 6:00am on Monday (Berlin time). I’m ready for the future. Please continue to pray for our family!