The last few weeks have been full of packing, cleaning (the German way or as close as I could get!), re-packing, a few more bike rides in the Black Forest, and completing the tasks on my Home Assignment list before leaving Germany. These tasks included de-registering at the Rathous (City Hall), canceling garbage and cleaning them out before putting them on the curb to be picked up, ordering and picking up items to replace burned out light bulbs, etc., cleaning up the patio area and planting Hydrangea and Begonia's, turning in my BFA and apartment keys, getting signatures from Administration for completed steps and whatever else I am forgetting. Oh! And getting Skype messages from my friend, Tess "Why aren't you here yet?"
Over the last five years, I have had opportunities to travel to the US to see family and supporters and around Europe. So when the Basel airport closes some of their halls because of unclaimed baggage and you have to lug your heavy bins, suitcases and a bike in and out of an elevator yourself (the cart would not fit with everything piled on!) or leave the really good strong cheese I purchased for the trip on the first plane (NO!!!!); I have learned to breath and roll with what comes my way. God manifests himself so well in the little things. Many times we have to stop and pay attention in order to see his goodness and blessings. As I was checking in at the British Airways counter and getting my bags weighed, I realized my suitcase was half a kilo over the 23 kilo limit (51 pounds), my bin was 1.5 kilos over and my carry-on suitcase was too big and needed to be checked in. I was floored when the lady said she would check in the extra bag for free and put stickers on all three alerting the baggage handlers they had fragile items (German pottery!) and even sent them to over-sized baggage for a little extra protection. That situation could have been very different and I am so thankful for her generosity!
When I arrived at my friend's home in Windsor, they have just sat down to dinner. After traveling so many hours I have lost count but it was almost 4 am in German time, I was exhausted and starving. A Ribar family trait is to show up right when the food is done and ready to be served. Guess when I showed up? Got my timing down!
I am looking forward to taking some time these next few weeks to rest, figure out my next steps for schooling, car, phone, minor medical (preventative) items, insurance, support raising schedule and Home Assignment connecting with TeachBeyond. And keeping up the minimal German language skills as well! And being surprised by my Father's fingerprints in my life and how He is taking care of me during this time. The last five years have been so full that I find I need some rest and recuperation but also need to balance that with growing in my field of teaching math, art and science. I will miss my teaching role in Germany along with my students yet look forward to what God will bring during my year here in the US. I am already loving the dry heat here in Colorado! And that I don't have to translate signs and conversations around me!
Would you please pray for a good balance this year as I work through these details? Especially for the schooling portion. I just received notification from University of Colorado Denver that I am accepted as a student. The program I am planning on working through takes at least 1.5 to 2 years to complete. Some classes are online and a few are face to face. There are some logistics I need to work through; time requirement to complete the program, ability to travel hopefully not impacting my face-to-face classes and checking to see if prior classes from my Bachelor's degree will transfer. Would you pray that all of these details are worked out in the next few weeks? And that if God wants me to go somewhere else, He will lead me in that direction. I was also looking at Walden University which is all online but more expensive than University of Colorado Denver.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers, encouragement and support during this time! I appreciate each one of you and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible this next year!
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