Thank God For Omas!

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for checking up on the Coronel Family D'dorf.

As you all know, Anne is in smoldering California where the fires are coming to rest.
The fires could not stop the family from taking a trip to Disneyland! Are you kidding?! So while Karis and I were having our own fun here in Germany, Anne and the boys were heading towards Disney, where they had a great time going on roller coasters, driving at Autopia (you Californians know what I mean) and watching the parade at California Adventures. Anne told me that Zeeky-Dude had a blast driving the cars at Autopia but when it came time to get off she must of left his heart on the seat of one of the cars 'cause he freaked out! He did not want to leave, he could have driven around that track till the 'cows came home'.

Anyways, this last week was a special time for Karis and I because my mom came to comfort us for the week. She is amazing! She just got home from the craziness of California to the craziness of Herborn and before she could say 'Was hast du mit mein Haus getan?" I was there to pick her up and put her to work. My dad barely had time to ask "Was haben wir fur Abendessen" when she was already cooking us chicken tacos, enchiladas, Albondiga soup and baking us scones! C'mon! That's my Mexican Mamma! Sorry my dear sisters, I know your mouths are watering but wipe up the drool and ask God to forgive you for being jealous! J/K! Hey, she was with you guys for 3 months! ;0)

I think it was the first day when our adventures began. I thought I would show my mom how to find her way to pick Karis up from school. It is not far but I thought it would by nice to show her exactly where to find our little one in the sea of yelling, screaming, running, jumping, German speaking school kids. We walked out the door of our apartment and she closed the door behind her as I checked my pockets for a house key...yup, we were locked out on the first day together. This is what happens to me and my mom when we team up to make life easier. So we got Karis and came back in time for me to show my worried Muttie how I had some skills in opening the door to our house with a credit card. But before I could say "Ich habe geschaft" our Turkish 20 something neighbor walks out of his apartment one level up from us, sees me trying to get in, walks down the stairs, grabs the card out of my hand and opens it for me in about 3 1/2 seconds. My mom is now officially freaked out and locked the door from that time on at all times of the day. I don't blame her, now I am too. (Nothing against Turks)

That brings me to my next story. We made it to the end of the week pretty uneventful but now it is Saturday and we have to take my long haired, brown-eyed, German speaking daughter to a birthday party. Echinoa is how her name sounds it would be spelled, she is a friend of Karis who turned 8 and wanted Karis to come to her party. Now I wasn't sure how this would go, some times parents stay at the party, sometimes they take a look around to see if things are safe and then leave until the appointed pick up time. We were invited in as we arrived and before we knew it we were sitting on the couch with uncles, grandmas, grandpas and in-laws. Turkish style. It was a great experience and the first I must add.

We ate pizza, bread, drank cola and shared our faith in Jesus with the whole family. Some of the family was really open, like the brother they called Isa (Jesus). I was kinda glad the brother they said they called "Hezbollah" wasn't there though. Anyways, it was time for us to leave and the father of the girls dad wanted to ask one more question which I was glad to try and answer in my limited Deutsch. As I was struggling through to answer and then understand the man speaking to me in even worse Deutsch than I, the father of the girls mother was staring me down and waving some kind of Islamic rosery at me. I didn't even realize it, my mom was the one who was watching the whole thing, praying silently but with all her might. The conversation ended friendly and I had to excuse myself to go home and finish studying for Sunday's sermon.

Mom and I got home and prayed for God to bless the Word we shared to the hearts of those who were open to listen and that the love we displayed would go a long way.

Thank you Muttie, it has been an adventure and mucho fun-o. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us! God bless you! Tomorrow I will fry up some enchiladas and eggs for 'fruehstuck'. Mmmm....

Oh, and big thanks to Auntie's and Grandma's that contributed to making this little Karis Grace soooo happy with the letters, the gifts and all the love that you sent her while Mommy is gone.