Spring has Sprung in Deutschland!

There was a reason I was born in March...because it is the beginning of spring and coincidentally my favorite season! Just like a butterfly metamorphs out of their cocoon, so the world awakens from its winter slumber. It gets me every year and never will stop amazing me!

Germany is finally getting warmer! Praise God! This winter was no joke. Thankfully, I had many friends in Germany to keep my spirits warm and lots of blankets to keep me physically warm. I am on the search for a bike, so I can ride the trails of Germany. I need one badly! But until then the joys of trail running will suffice!

New adventures include going back to Switzerland for a second go on the Alps. I love skiing the more I go and can't wait for next season. You can't beat skiing in a thin jacket with no hat and your toes not screaming. The snow was a bit like mashed potatoes though...

Last weekend I made a trip to visit my Scotland cronies in Bavaria. Bavaria is much more of your rustic Germany and less like the Americanized Kaiserslautern community I live in. We visited Nuremberg for the day and saw a few sights. It was even complete with a wonderful birthday party put on by dear Sarah for me and Tim, my birthday buddy. We both were born on March 31, 1987- just two hours apart.

Easter is a big deal in Germany! Did you know the bunny originated from Germany? My town has a haystack Easter bunny greeting you as you enter. Oh Erzenhausen...

I can't wait to see my mother and aunts soon in London although for a short time! I miss my family, but thanks to Skype and the telephone we keep in touch. I love technology...

I hope this post finds you having a blessed Easter season. Easter was always a big deal in the Cummings house because Cathy loves bunnies and the Cummings girls love chocolate, so a perfect fit! I look forward to celebrating Christ's resurrection with my new church, Frontline. What a blessing it is to me. God has been asking me lately how I am going to use my spiritual gifts in my life for Him and I am trying to figure it out... I don't want to go to heaven with my hands empty.

Happy Easter! Bunny kisses! (that one was for you Cath)

The Begining of my Nurse Career at Landstuhl

This may be a shock, but I actually came to Germany to work as a nurse! Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (or LRMC pronounced LARM-C) is the biggest US hospital outside of the US. It is on the "hilltop." I drive twenty-five minutes into work everyday up the hill, through the security gates, park far away, have a security officer check my ID again and bag, then I finally make my way to the floor! Security is high as it should be.

Can I talk a little bit about the mission of LRMC? I always knew that it played a huge role in the link between the conflict in the Middle East and the US, but in the past couple weeks this role of my hospital has become very clear to me. Everyday LRMC gets a bus full of injured soldiers who come from Iraq and Afghanistan. Their injuries vary from psychological to critical blast injuries. It is heart wrenching and warming at the same time. Everyone works together to accomplish our mission to take the best care of the troops until we can send them to the States or back to the battlefield. I am in love with our mission and can't talk enough about it. I love being a nurse here! I have been rotating through the flight line, OR, and receiving new patients and finally see "the big picture."

There are many, many new nurses at Landstuhl, but everyone has such a high motivation for what they do! I think that I have been negative in previous posts about being in Germany. It is all worth it to be at Landstuhl with our men and women who serve us. I am humbled by their stories and wish I could share them with you on the Internet! (but I can't :( )

Finally, I thought I would share a few pictures of my apartment if you haven't seen them yet on facebook:



Wow, it takes long to upload photos. Guess this is it for now! Auf Wiedersen friends!