I'm not going to write you a blog-post 'cuz you asked for it...

I am sitting here in Lauf, Germany in my pajamas that double as soccer clothes, and I am talking with Ric about what I should post on my blog. Apparently, I have a problem with posting on a regular basis, and unbenounced to me, people actually read my blog. So, despite my lack of time and creative writing skills, I am going to post exactly what is on my mind...

Spending an entire week with some of the most amazing people in the world in the most beautiful place in the world, is refreshing to the soul. The salad-bowl mixture of stories from China, Germany, Ethiopia, New Hampshire, and England were just a taste of the "dijour" life that was missed over the last year. Once again sharing life with these dear friends who have been an encouragement in this place, and creating new memories, such as Bethany and Josh's engagement, was a reminder of the blessings friendship can bring.

Reflecting over the last week, and looking forward to the next, the beautifully set table accented by laughter and good conversation deserves a toast. So, here is a toast...to friends, the swiss alps, propositions, good conversation, and being together....

Prost!

Quickly passing me by like an Eternity

As I stand here waiting at the train station, an endlessly long train, zooming along the tracks of life, seems to be quickly passing me by like an eternity.

It has been almost a year since I have seen some of my greatest friends in the world. An entire four seasons have gone by since last summer, which was filled with graduation, weddings, cliff-jumping, hiking, laughing, soccer, swimming, golfing and moving. Surely, for us all, there have been mountians climbed, new friendships made, traditions created, and timeless memories experienced.

However, when I look back to the beginning of this year, it seems to have passed by so quickly. I can hardly believe that another summer is here again, nor that in just a few LONG days I will get to see the friends that I truly love. We will swim, eat, talk, laugh, play, hike, and listen to the stories of mountains climbed, friendships made and a few of those memories created throughout the last year. Most of all, I will get the blessing of just being in the same city as you amazing people again.

I am now ready for this endlessly long train to stop, and to see my friends once again. I can see the train I am waiting for just at the point on the horizon where the tracks become one, and over the loud speaker I can hear, "Gleis eins, ankunft am siebzehn uhr von die Welt..." (Track one, arriving at five 0'clock from the world)

Finally, the longawaited train has come...