"How great are his signs,how mighty his wonders!  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,  and his dominion endures from generation to generation."  Daniel 4:3

Has it really been six months since my last post?  Somehow the winter swallowed me!  When I think back on the winter and the last six months, I think of the word "challenging".  The winter itself was not bad!  We played more board games and read more books than we ever have!  We enjoyed our fireplace and loved playing in the snow.  But there was a lot of sickness this winter. We have never been so sick! In January Silas got very sick.  On the very memorable night when I drove to the hospital with him, I realized that my baby was dying.  In the 12 hours following our arrival at the hospital, I witnessed the doctors fight for his little life.  I practice alternative medicine, but have always said that there is a place for modern medicine...in the case of emergency.  The doctors were so amazing, and I am so thankful for the wonderful way they took care of Silas.  We were in the hospital for seven days. I have always been thankful for my children, but witnessing my baby fighting for his life has left me literally prostrate before my God, thanking him for the gift of life, and the gift of my children. 

 

But physical sickness has not been our only challenge this winter.   We have also been challenged by the state of our children's hearts.  Parenting is such an enormous challenge.  Can I get a virtual "amen!"...anyone?  We have been concerned by some attitudes and sentiments that have developed in these last few months. We are clinging to God's promises for our children, and begging him for wisdom. Not all is bleak though!  We have also seen some wonderful characteristics and relationships develop with our sweet kids!

Lukas and Rebekah have developed and really special bond.  They are like best friends.  There is just something really special between these two.  They build forts, play "Mutter, Vater, Kind" (Mother, Father, child), and endless other imaginary games together.  It is so fun to watch them together! 

I keep telling Daniel "SHOW ME YOUR TEETH"...but I was informed by my sweet husband that was a very "American" demand.  Haha :)  Daniel has almost finished first grade.  His reading and writing in German is exceptional.  Unlike me, he has almost no accent when he speaks German.  He had made a lot of friends, and loves the freedom of living in a little German town where he can just walk to his friends house, or play soccer in the street. 

So what about Germany?  We love it here!  Around every corner we are discovering amazing pieces of history.  On Saturday, I took the kids to Bensheim to meet some of our friends for breakfast.  We ended up having a hug conversation about bombs since we walked through the old part of downtown and then the "rebuilt" part of downtown.  It is so sad to witness a tiny little bit of the devastation that war causes.  These building were part of Bensheim that was not destroyed...built in the 1700's!  There are just discoveries around every corner.  Our German is continuing improve (well all of us except Matt...his German of course is perfect).  I personally spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to roll the BACK of my tongue.  It is quite tricky.  I have gotten a few strange looks as I walk down the road saying "grün" (green) over and over and over.  I know I will never lose my accent, but it is just so extreme sometimes.  They say it is harder for adults to train the tongue muscles, but I am determined!

So now you all know that the Funks are still alive and well.  We have survived our first full winter!