2010-A New Phase

The common saying in Berlin in the days between Christmas and New Years Eve (Silvester) is "einen guten Rutsch!" which means literally a good slide. As I think about our personal family transition into 2010 I think of it not only beginning a new year or for that matter a new decade, it is also entering a new phase of life.

As I reflect back on the "naughties" (2000-2009) it is amazing to think about the changes that I have seen in my life in a short ten year period. Starting as a single college student, graduating, marrying Stephanie, buying a house, Grace being born, selling our house, moving to Berlin, Caleb being born, moving to another area in Berlin, relocation to US for furlough, Hanna being born, living for 7.5 months in the US, and moving back to Berlin. It is insane! That was the decade of establishing our family, establishing who we are as a family and establishing in what direction we are headed as a family. There were many many ups, with of course plenty of challenges in between. I must admit, I hope not to see that many serious changes in my life again all within one decade.

As we slide into the next phase of life from establishing a family to raising a family, I get really excited about what lies ahead. Now I know that there will be changes that lie ahead, but there is a lot of comfort in knowing also what is already there, wife and three kids (there are no more being added). It is funny to think in reality I have no idea what this next decade has in store for us, I guess that is part of what this career choice brings. Ironically there will already be another move in the beginning of 2011, which reminds us, that it is the five of us being together that makes us feel at "home".

It is crazy to think of the challenges that are going to lie ahead raising three kids in the city who at the end of the decade will be 15, 13 and 11. So although we are putting behind us the sleepless nights due to breast feeding, bottles, teething, and nightmares a new set of reasons arise for sleepless nights. The struggle on figuring out what is proper discipline will continue especially as the kids get older. One thing that this past decade really taught us and continued to remind us, is to seek not our own will or our own direction, but His alone and then there will at least be peace knowing that we are at least following His will, even when we do not always understand it. Here some verses that give us comfort entering this new phase of life.

Matthew 6:31-34 (New International Version)

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (New International Version)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.

Picture Descriptions:

1) Fuzzy view from Balcony of Berlin Fireworks. New Years Eve is the one time when people can buy fireworks and shoot them off and not just the small puny ones.

2) This was the first year that we allowed Grace and Caleb to stay up to celebrate with us. We were invited to our neighbors apartment who live on the top floor and have a great view of Berlin to see all the fireworks across this city.