European Football Championships

Just one more post before we go...
The European Football (soccer) Championships are going on right now
and Switzerland and Austria are hosting them.
Soccer is HUGE in Europe so the fans come out in droves...
This is downtown Basel.
I borrowed the picture from the internet.

One of the big screens is even set up on one of the bridges over the
Rhein.
Pretty amazing what these Swiss come up with.

Closer to home, our neighbour boy was sitting outside our fence
this afternoon
trading soccer cards with some friends. I told them that kids in
Canada trade hockey cards
and they thought that was rather funny!
I suppose they couldn't imagine such a thing.

We're off

Early (hopefully!) Monday morning we are leaving for a long-awaited and
long-anticipated trip to England.
I will finally meet my grandma's cousin
who has been urging us for a long time to come to visit.
He and his wife, Mary, live in Reading and have promised
to show me where my grandma was born.
We also hope to meet up with Howard's cousin
whose birthday Howard shares.
We are very excited about this trip
and though we will pass by and possibly stop in at Windsor Castle...

...I doubt very much that we will see the queen!

See you in a few weeks!

Germany's flag

We have lived in Germany almost 10 years, and it is a surprise to us when we see a German flag flying. Of course, during the World Cup which was hosted here 2 years ago, there were flags everywhere. And now the Euro Cup is being played and the flags are out again. But why aren't flags a normal part of the scenery? Here's part of an article on why the Germans seldom fly their flag...
"The German flag, long weighted by the country's postwar reluctance about open displays of national pride, is flying again. When you see so many German flags flying from windows, that's a development that was long overdue, while not forgetting what happened in this country before."
"For most of the years since World War II, the Germans have not really been sure whether it was appropriate to display emblems showing that they loved their country."
"For decades patriotism was associated with nationalism, and that most terrible manifestation of nationalism, blind obedience to an evil leader. If Germans loved Germany, it still seemed bad form to express that love in symbols like the flag."
But when it's time for sports, the flags come out. Still, it's a strange sight to see them. It's plain to see in this and other ways as well that the German people are still dealing with deep guilt and humiliation from the war.

Good-bye dear Rachel

Yesterday morning I went with Ellie to take Rachel to the airport. She is on her way back to Bonnyville, Alberta, for now until she decides what to do in the fall. It will not be the same without her in the dorm next year. We will sure miss her...

A quilter's paradise

After we left Rachel at the airport, Ellie and I zoomed over to the quilting store, conveniently located in the town where Bethany will be working as an aupair. Anyway, today was my day to just look and think about what Katy's grad quilt might be, but mostly to help Ellie choose her fabrics for her next quilt. What a delightful project!

I love this store and the ladies are so friendly. The owner, Astrid, is originally from Austria but speaks English fluently.There are always far too many beautiful fabrics and ideas to choose from...

Annie get your gun

I was upstairs working on new curtains for the girls' room when I saw this lovely magpie on top of the shed. I knew it would fly away if it saw any movement in the house, so I carefully grabbed my camera and took this picture through two layers of glass. Fortunately I had cleaned my windows a few weeks ago! These birds (plus crows, ravens and black birds) are everywhere in our town. They chase all the nice birds away and make such a horrendous noise. I'm not sure why I even took these pictures except that I could! I do not like these birds and I feel like I'm back on the farm, which makes me want to get out my gun!

What to do...?

This was Katy's accomplishment after her first day of summer holidays. Not a bad start!

Grad one more time...

I was going through Katy's pictures and I found these pictures of Josh and Tiff, thoroughly enjoying themselves...! We sure enjoyed their time here.

An aupair

In all the craziness of the last few weeks, I failed to report that the family that Bethany will work for next year has received her work permit, and now we just wait to hear where she has to go to pick up her visa. We are so thankful for this position for Bethany, especially because it means she can still be close to home next year. She starts her new (and first!) job on August 11.

Flowers galore

I wish I could say that this is my front porch, but I can't. This is the view from our bedroom window and it seems like the collection grows daily!

Faspa with friends

Grad is over and Bethany and Katy have been busy saying their good-byes. Last night we invited a few friends over to visit and enjoy faspa together.
From the left: Laurie (my boss) and her husband Mark (Howard's boss) and Cynthia who taught English here for several years. Last summer she and her husband returned to the States and then Cynthia was invited back to speak at grad.
Bill and Deb left BFA at Christmas to take on a position at their church in the Philadelphia area. They had been here for many years (13?). Bill served as vice-principal and then principal (and also Bible teacher) and Deb taught high school art and also grade 1 for a few years.
It was great to have these friends back and actually have a bit of time to visit!

They're back!

Josh and Tiff got back from their quick trip around Europe and came with us to the awards ceremony last night.
Two of these guys were in Howard's Romans class this semester.
Signing yearbooks goes fast and furious once the books arrive. Howard is signing Yohan's yearbook...
...the 2008 Valedictorian and a special young man to us both.

Today Bethany graduated from High School

Flowers and cards for our graduate.
Special cousins with more flowers! (and a great gift too...)
Bethany's best sister.


Waiting in the line to start the processional.
Here she comes!

Part of BFA's class of 2008.

Each graduate is recognized individually with personal words compiled from dorm parents, RAs or teachers...
"Bethany, your teachers say you are kind about everything. You are compassionate to those around you. You believe the best in people and have the gift of putting others at ease.
You have been given the gift of music and we're thankful you shared it with us." Proverbs 16:20
It's a special moment for each graduate.
The class singing "All for Jesus".
Each grad is given a rose to deliver to their mom.
Now it's over, the tears flow and there are lots of hugs all around...




The reception for the grads and their families is held in the gym.More yearbook signing and then the grads are off for their cruise and dinner on the Rhein. It was a beautiful graduation ceremony and a very special day.