Ok, time to catch you up on what’s been going on…Munich lifestyle – Walking around it is rare that dogs are on a leash. It is quite amazing how they walk around and keep up with their owner. Dogs of all sizes, some lag way behind the owner who does not seem to care they are way behind them. Sometimes it is a little scary seeing a huge dog walking alone up towards you. Alexis loves it! Different from France, here people look at you in the eyes, but have no smile or anything – just a cold stare, whereas in France they don’t look at your face, they look you up and down to see what you are wearing. In both places though, people are super nice and very welcoming once you talk to them.

Found a Playgroup!!! I met these 2 ladies a few weeks ago and their babies at a coffee shop. I asked them about a playgroup and they invited me to join theirs. Since then I have been hanging out with one of the girls “Katja” and her baby “Isabella” (10 months old), 3 times a week. We first met another 2 mommies and their baby’s at an outdoor café and let the babies play in the grass. Then we met the next day to watch Katja’s boyfriend surfing and then went with them and another couple to the Englisher Garten’s Biergarten. Lots of fun! I’ve also met up with Katja just to walk, shop or go have coffee. She is so nice and so welcoming – she’s introduced me to so many other mommies and their babies. Alexis loves playing with all the other babies and mommies. She is very social with them all and it is so great to see that.

Ronnie and I saw a travel video that showed guys/girls surfing at the Isar River. Katja’s boyfriend is one of the few who can do it. So when we went to go watch it was amazing (watch videos). They are really crazy – it is very dangerous. There is a sign that said “Surfing Prohibited” – funny because it is a huge attraction to go watch them if the “waves” are right. They would get so close to the side of the river and wipe out, there were logs on the side and it was very shallow!

We also went to the Deutsches Museum (http://www.deutsches-museum.de/en/) alongside the Isar River. The place was so huge we have to go back again to see the rest. We took some photos of some American aircraft that was pretty cool to see there. It was a huge museum with “how they made” all sorts of stuff from scratch. Everything from glass, paper, tunnels, aircraft, toys you name it! Great teaching tool! We later found out it is a requirement of the schools to take the students there.

We found a Babysitter!!! YAY! This Friday night we be our first date night in Europe! One of Ronnie’s co-workers, who is the Munich’s office administrator, will be watching Alexis. She came up to Ronnie out of the blue and asked him if we would like her to watch Alexis sometime so we can go out – free of charge (crazy - of course we will pay her something). Her name is “Ulrike” and she used to be a nanny. I met her for lunch and she is around our age and super nice. We’ll let you know how Friday goes – please pray all is well.
As you can tell, God has answered many of our prayer requests, above and beyond. We now have a church, a babysitter and a playgroup. All very welcoming and we can’t wait to get to know all of these people better over the next few months. Thank you God and thank you for the prayers! Love – Us3