Like a boss

Last week in small group we talked about reducing stress... And one of the 'stressful' things in my life right now is a trip I'm planning. 

Let me explain.... 

I am not from the US. I'm from Germany. I grew up in Germany in a lovely house in the middle of nowhere. (In the picture the house doesn't looks so 'lovely' coz it's over 110 years old and for the past 6 years nobody has lived in it. The new owners are in the middle of giving some much needed TLC)

About 6 years ago my Dad died and my Mum moved to her old house. And since I don't have warm and fuzzies toward my Mum's place (nor actually to my old house) I am now indeed 'homeless' when I go home. And that in a way adds stress.

So now I have to organise places to stay and people to see like it's a business trip. On top of that comes that I've lived in the States for quite a while and sometimes have a hard time figuring out what is American and what is German. 

One of the best examples is restaurants. Here in the States you see this:

             

 And everybody waits to be seated. Coz that's what you do! 

In Germany you're expected to find your own seat. And everyone does. It's NOT THAT HARD. But sometimes I forget which system works in which country.

So what's the deal? There's not much of a deal. It's just a fact. I know that for me to tell people about stuff from Germany here in the States means explaining it as well. And it ends up being a loooong story that no one wants to hear. 

(My friends for example have a very hard time understanding why a 'Bring Your Own Meet BBQ' is a really weird concept in the States.)

So you see, going 'home' for me is stressful. I have to organise places to stay, people to see, transport and a lot of other things. I have to mentally brace myself for the ridiculously bad customer service I will get and yet I will enjoy paying the price that is posted on the product - in the supermarket or in the restaurant, it won't matter! I can't wait for mettbroetchen (ground beef/pork on a buttered roll) and spaghetti ice cream (it only looks like spaghetti!). I will use the public transport and miss air conditioning, and I will bring my own meat to my friends BBQ (and it's gonna be sausage!) 

I'm gonna rock this trip like the boss I am! And thus I will finish this rather lengthy blog post about how small group helped me reduce stress by organising a trip like a boss

The days that don't feel right

Some days I feel like I don't fit in; don't belong. 
Some days I miss living among Germans. 
Some days the slight cultural difference gets to me. 
Then I remember who Jesus is and what he's done for me.
And I know I belong. No matter how I feel.

Trip into town

I was driving down the road towards town. After only one day up on the mountain I felt the need to see some other people again.

I had a whole shopping list of things to get from the supermarket for some other people.

The morning had been great so far. Being on the mountain with a bunch of people who were deeply in love with and committed to Jesus was a huge blessing. We prayed a lot and just spent so much time talking to Jesus and asking him questions.

I came up to the crossroads near the supermarket... There was only one in town. I noticed the fast food restaurant right next to it...

The music changed to a fast paced song I really liked, so I turned it up a bit more.

That one second of not paying attention to the road did it... I took the turn, but the supermarket, that had just been there a second ago, had disappeared. Gone! One second it was there, and the next it was gone.

I drove around circles for the next few minutes, but to no avail. I could not find the supermarket for the life of me! Supermarkets don't just disappear, do they?

What happened? It didn't make sense. I drove slowly back to the main road. Still, I couldn't see the supermarket anywhere. Where was it?

I finally turned to the man in my passenger seat. He was trying to find the next good song on my ipod. He seemed totally into it, but I knew that he knew that I was lost. It had happened before.

He stopped playing around with the ipod and turned to me: 'Do you want to talk about this?' he asked.

I frowned. Here we go again, I thought. It was my fault! I do know better than that. Why could I never remember?

I sighed. 'Sorry. I just didn't think... Again.'

He smiled and said ' Oh, no worries. I totally enjoyed the drive and listening to your music was great. I just wish you would talk to me more. I want to hang out with you, hear your opinion on this music, have a discussion on dress codes or funny accents. So what do you think?'

'Me too. Thanks Jesus! Sorry I don't include you at times. Oh, and would you please help me find the supermarket?'

'Make a left here!'