GCC Visitors!!

Over the last view months I have had the pleasure of hosting and visiting with some awesome friends from Grove City College. I feel so blessed to be able to stay in contact with these girls and wanted to dedicate this blog post to them!!

It is so fun to be able to share a piece of my home here in Germany with them and to show them around this unique section of Europe. I have been so encouraged by their company and feel so fortunate to maintain such great relationships with college friends. Having visitors here really helps to validate what I'm doing and to feel connected back home. My hope is that it is a blessing to them as well!

Jocelyn and Sarah were both studying abroad as juniors in Spain and came to visit during the Christmas season back in December. We had a blast visiting Christmas markets, going for walks, and they even got to attend the Elementary Christmas Concert! It was an AWESOME weekend! I was so glad they were able to come visit :) I love these girls lots!

Enjoying some punch during Christmas season in downtown Kandern.

Exploring Freiburg together and going to the Christmas markets.

Making pancakes in my kitchen!

Going for a walk in the beautiful snow. :)

Alicia and Rachel are currently studying abroad as juniors in Berlin. They are studying German and doing so well! They flew down from Northern Germany to see a bit of small town life in Southern Germany. We had so much fun going for a hike together and exploring a bit of Basel, Switzerland. They even got to come to my German church with me on Sunday and could understand a lot of what was going on! It was so neat to exchange stories about living in Germany with one another. I was so blessed by our conversations and the heart these girls have for learning and for being a light to others!

Posing by a sign that says "City Kandern"

On top of the local castle looking out over France, Germany, and Switzerland in the far distance.
(You can only see Germany in this shot though!)

Alicia and I at the foot of the castle tower.

Hanging out by the Rhein in nearby Basel, Swtizerland.

Monica and Christina are currently seniors at Grove City College. They were able to come to Kandern for the ACSI conference to present some educational research at workshops during the conference. I was so happy to host them in my home and to attend the conference together. We learned so much! Then, after the conference we planned a fun trip to Munich and Salzburg and had so much fun exploring some of the classic sights in and around these two cities. They were such an encouragement to me and I was so blessed by our time together. I can't wait to see what the Lord has for them in the future as they graduate this May!

Monica and I at the conference.

Such great traveling companions!

Visiting Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein!

Exploring Salzburg!

Even though miles may separate, the bond between friends can transcend any distance. But when the opportunity presents itself for someone to come and visit, it is all the more sweeter! I think all these girls would agree that our time together was super special and brought wonderful memories that will stick with us!

If you are ever in the area or are able to find the means to make a special trip to Germany, I would love to host you! It is so fun to share this part of my life with others and to be reminded of what a priveledge it is to serve here.

Now back to planning for school which starts up again tomorrow!!