Summer in Deutschland!

Frau Cummings & Ellrich

Remember when I said that Germany was miserable in the winter? Well, imagine just the opposite with days that go have light until near 10pm! The "rosen" are in full bloom everywhere. Wildflowers cover the sides of the roads. My bike and I are having a blast cruising around the endless trails of Germany.

The other great part of Germany summers are the Fests! There is just about a fest for anything and everything. I have attended the "Fruhlingfest" (SpringFest) in Stutgartt where I bought my beloved dirndl and last weekend attended the "Erdbeer" (Strawberry) festival in Erbach, Germany. (Did you know that there are 7 Erbachs in Germany and only had to go to three to find the right one?). Fests are full of rides, beer gardens, brats, and German bands. There is no way to be sad at a fest!

May and June have been full of adventures. I went to Budapest, Hungary for an international singles retreat with my church. I met people from every continent besides Anartica (I wonder why?). It was neat to experience Eastern Europe and how different it is than western Europe. I traveled to Ireland- one of the places I have always wanted to visit. The Wicklow hills were beautiful. Remember P.S. I love you where they filmed the bridge scene where they meet? Wicklow Valley. Remember in Braveheart where they have the secret wedding? Yep! Wicklow Valley. We also visited Glendolaugh "The Valley of Two Lakes." The Irish landscape was breathtaking. The Irish were by far the friendliest people I have ever met. They just love their Guinness! I also went by train to Belfast, Ireland in the northern part of the country that is still part of the United Kingdom. It was sad to learn how much terrorism rules the city because of the terrorist groups of the Protestant and Catholic churches that still fight over hundreds of years of disagreement. The music of Ireland is contagious, and I still have it blaring in my car on the way to work!

Belfast, Ireland where the Protestants and Catholics still fight and kill

Wicklow Valley

My last adventure in early June had the most impact on me. Shannon, Sarah, and I travelled to France to go to the D-Day Festival celebrating 66 years since D-Day. We visited Omaha Beach where 9,000 US soldiers lost their lives, the site where the 82nd Airborne parachute dropped troops, Point du Hoc where the Rangers raided the Germans, and the cemetery where the fallen were laid to rest. I think that being in the United States Army took on a whole new meaning for me during the trip. The price of freedom was not cheap. So many young, young men lost their lives in Normandy. I had the privilege to see a few of the remaining vets there. As a nurse at Landstuhl the question came to mind, "How will the fallen soldiers of today be remembered?"
At the Ste Mere Eglise Village where thousands of paratroopers were dropped for battle! A reenactment with German, American, French, and British soldiers happens every year on D-day. (I wish I could have jumped too!) The hat you see my friends and I wearing we gave to two 10 year-old French girls who loved America!

I was very sad that I was unable to make it to my cousin Courtney's wedding in Saint Louis where many of my family gathered to celebrate on June 12th. Also in June, my twin sisters turned 20 on the 9th and Cassidy celebrated her birthday yesterday. I hate being away from my family, but I know that someday after this crazy adventure is over I will return!

I praise God for the opportunities he has blessed me with and the people I share the experiences with. The Wounded Warriors at Landstuhl continue to amaze me with their attitudes. If you are interested in sending the troops here items--- let me know! I have ideas.