Adventures in Germany Day 7

Talk about an early morning. I slept for about 4 hours last night and then jumped out of bed at 3 this morning to head back to Tegel airport and make my way back to the states. I was greeted in the lobby of the airport by a group from the African delegation and a couple of other Americans. We all loaded up into vans and headed off to the airport.

Once we got to the airport pretty much everything was closed. We actually had to figure out where to go in order to check things in. Turns out in Berlin you go straight to the gate and they take care of everything there. You even go through security right at the gate. It’s actually pretty interesting.

I took a quick little jaunt over to Zurich where I had to go through customs, and then check in for my flight back to Philadelphia. It’s a long flight, 9 hours about and I am currently writing this in the middle of it. Turns out my passport says I went to Frankfurt and Zurich, but never Berlin. Hmmmmmm

A great part of my morning time was that I got to travel with a few people I had not met from Delaware. I had some good conversations about ministry, about the conference, about our time in Berlin and we got to help each other through the airport. I also think we may have another couple people coming to Relevance X this yearJ

I figured today was a good day for some final thoughts on the conference. I feel very blessed to be able to participate in a global event like this. Where youth and young adults come together in order for their collective voice to be heard by the rest of the church. I feel especially blessed because so few people get to experience something like this once and I now have experienced something like this twice. What an amazing feeling to be able to participate in and watch how a group of young people can come together and make a difference in the world.

While we vary in our beliefs, while we are divided over many issues, this week we were able to come together, to be the body Christ. To be one world, one church, one people. It does not matter which side of the debate that you are on. It does not matter if you and I believe the same things. It does not matter the color of our skin, the country of our origin, the background that we have. What matters is that we are one in Christ. What matters is that we seek to live with one another, to understand one another, and to share the love that we know in Christ with others.

It gives me hope that the church can overcome differences, can disagree and can still be one. Our young people of the UMC came together, in a city that had once been divided, so that we could say to the world, we are indeed one church. Thanks be to God.

Adventures in Germany Day 6

A little bit sleepy this morning as we were up so late last night, but ready to begin again. This morning we began again with worship and continued with the legislative assembly, led by one of the co-chairs in German.

While this was going on, I took sometime to go with Marcy and Kayla and we went and did a little exploring of the city and shopping. This included a trip to a Berlin StarbucksJ Yes, it’s true I have now visited a Starbucks in another country. The coffee was just as amazing and truly made me happy. It was nice to spend a little time out in the city without a big group of people as well. And we made it there and back on the bus by ourselves without getting lost, plus we got some nice little souveniers for our family and friends back home.

Upon returning to the hotel we had a delicious lunch and a little break, then we went back into the legislation room. Glen has been busy filming and voting and hasn’t gotten a break so he has gone out to get some lunch and I get to vote as a delegate for a short time. Thanks GlenJ

As I am sitting in legislation I realize that the German translator is quite hilarious, she has a great sense of humor and during pauses, etc. she will often make funny noises or ask us to do silly things. It helps to pass the time as we wait for people to understand in their language what is going on.

As the legislation comes to a close, we are preparing ourselves to have dinner, closing worship and a culturally celebration. Should be good times. And then, I have a short amount of sleep before I leave for the airport bright and early tomorrow morning, 3:30 am, it’s true. But then I will be home on Monday night!!!!!!!!

Adventures in Germany Day 5

This morning began with another wonderful worship service. We were able to participate in singing, dancing, and expressing ourselves in the ways in which we all choose to worship. The speaker was with us from Switzerland and brought us a message of being one with the world.

Following worship we were given a delicious coffee and croissant break. Mmmmmmmm….hopefully it puts everyone in a loving mood as we begin our legislation process where we will remember that we are one, while we are also each of us unique.

One of the most amazing pieces of the legislative assembly this year is that all people, no matter the language they speak were asked to wear listening devices so that people could speak in their own native language and all could be translated as they were speaking instead of having to stop and retranslate.

We had an exciting experience this afternoon for our cultural excursion. We got to go to the Holocaust Memorial, the German Parliament and many other historic Berlin buildings. We had to go through security at the Parliament building, and my pedometer of all things set the security off, so I had to get wanded. Pretty crazy since it has never set anything off in any airport.

Once inside the building we had a great guided tour of the building and what it means to be part of the German parliament. We also got to go and see the large earth friendly dome on the top of the parliament building. It was all in all an amazing tour. And, on our way there we got to see the Olympic torch being brought through the city of Berlin, for the youth Olympics. It was pretty cool.

Following our tour we got to go to an amazing little United Methodist Church that had prepared a pretty authentic German meal for us including potato salad and schnitzel. We had great hospitality and learned about the amazing ministry of a church in Germany who is doing outreach to children, families and everyone in their area. It was a wonderfully cultural experience.

Now we are back in the big room finishing up some legislation and then going to bed for another day of legislation tomorrow.

Today we dealt with some of the difficult issues surrounding same sex unions in states and countries which allow them. We did our best to remain civil with one another, recognizing our differences as well as trying to work within the bounds of unity. I believe that the votes here at our Global Young People’s Convocation are what will be similar to the votes at General Conference 2012, it saddens my heart to see that the direction we are headed as a church seems to be further and further away from unity and more toward division. It also saddens my heart to know that perhaps this may be the beginning of a new phase in the United Methodist Church in which we find different parts of our denomination going their separate ways.

On a personal note, ask Marcy or Glen, it’s true, I have acquired a stalker here in Germany. That’s all I will say, you can ask me or them for detailsJ

Adventures in Germany Day 4

This day was quite the adventure. We woke up and left the hotel by 8:45 with our boxed lunches in hand. We hopped on some charter buses and headed to the historic Berlin Dome Cathedral to have an ecumenical worship service. The Cathedral is Lutheran so they were represented as well as a Baptist Youth Pastor and then the United Methodists from all over the world. It was an amazing service. The dome itself is beautiful as you will see in the pictures. But the most amazing part for me was that the Russian delegation was sitting behind us for worship and it was so cool to hear words spoken in either English or German and then translated behind us in Russian. It was just neat to be reminded at that time how global we truly are as a church.

And this was the theme for worship. One church. That no matter where we are, what branch of Christianity we are from, or how we worship, we truly are one church in Christ. It was a great reminder that we are the ones who decide what church should be and if we do not make a decision than that also falls on our shoulders.

Following the service in the dome, we divided into our tour groups and were set out on the public transportation systems of Berlin. Let me tell you get groups of 30-50 people on and off the right trains and buses is no small feat, but I don’t think that anyone got lost.

Our first stop was the Eastside Gallery, which is the only remaining portion of the Berlin Wall that is still standing. This is probably about a mile long walk of wall that has been painted by various artists depicting their feelings and understanding of the wall and its effects on Berlin. Some interesting, beautiful and weird artwork, but a really neat experience. It was amazing to me how much of the wall they had left standing in tact as a reminder of what was.

Following this we crossed over the river and hopped on another train to a little artsy community with interesting shops and restaurants. We stopped and had some Kabob Pita. MMMMM, MMMMM, Good. Then we poked our heads in and out of shops. It was a good time, but lots and lots and lots of walking.

Following this we made our way on foot to a local United Methodist Church where we were given dinner by the church members and then told the history of the area and the church. We ended this time together with a Vespers type service. It was really neat to hear and experience what it means to be United Methodist in Germany. We had the pleasure of having the pastors son sit at our table and tell us some interesting insights as well.

Overall a great day, one filled with much adventure and much walking. Now I am ready to get some sleep so that I can get up and experience more tomorrow.

Adventures in Germany Day 3

This morning, after a good night of much needed sleep, breakfast began at 8am. Did you know in Germany that you can get meat, cheese and potato salad for breakfast? I was less adventurous and had a fried egg, bacon sausage and kiwi. Oh and of course, lots of coffeeJ

Following breakfast we went into worship where a wonderful Russian Praise Band led us in music. We celebrated being in unity with one another as Christians and a pastor from Russia brought us the message. He used an amazing example of the Holy Spirit working in our lives better if we are united with one another in Christ. Look for me to use this in church sometime soon. We concluded the service by celebrating our unity through Communion. Bishop Wenner, of Germany led us in communion with the German language.

Following worship we were briefed on the rules for the legislative assembly and how all of the voting and legislation will work. A lot of this was review of how we do things in our annual conference, it was good clarification for us and for those from other countries. The thing that I am most looking forward to tomorrow is that we will be worshipping at the famous Berlin Dome for church. Now a short break for lunch followed by breakout legislation groups.

The afternoon consisted of legislation discussion and recommendations for the whole body at the legislative assembly which will be on Saturday and Sunday. We had some free time after our committee was out and so I did a little bit of mingling and little bit of exploring the hotel and a little bit of relaxing and talking to my boys at home.

After dinner they had what is called a ministry fair. This was a cool way for us to see some of what other churches are doing and to get information from the general boards and agencies relating to youth and young adults. Overall this was a pretty cool experience, got to see some interesting things and various ministries were able to sell things for their programs, etc.

We ended the evening with a Western Jurisdiction delegate meeting and it was cool to see all the youth and young adults come together as a group and talk about representing not only their individual conferences but also representing the Western Jurisdiction and presenting a united front to the rest of the global church.

It was a long day, and tomorrow promises to be even more involved as we will be spending the entire day outside of the hotel and doing things in the city. Should be pretty fun and exciting.

P.S. as I write this it is raining outside my window. Hopefully it won’t be rainy all day tomorrow as we do our sight seeing. I kinda forgot my umbrellaJ

Adventures in Germany Day 1

So, I am going to try and write down my daily thoughts and impressions of Germany and then once I am home I will transfer them over to our blog to share them with you. This is of course in a perfect world so we will see how it goes.

I basically spent the last day on planes and in airports trying to eat, drink and sleep enough. Oh and make it from one gate to the next on time. Needless to say, I am tired and bed after worship tonight will be greatly welcomed.

One of my biggest observations so far is how easy going it is to land and be in Germany. When I landed in Frankfurt I prepared myself for the quick jaunt to get my luggage, make it through customs and get back on the plane to go to Berlin. This didn’t happen. I casually strolled off one plane and walked through the terminal to a place where they stamped my passport without declaring anything and sent me to the next plane. My luggage went straight to Berlin. Different world huh?

Once we landed in Berlin we had to take the bus and the train to the hotel. The directions were mostly in pictures and German words. I am taking a picture so you can see them. You will be glad to know that I made it without getting lost, but it was at least an other 45 min. of travel after getting off the airplane.

I have checked in now, gotten my room, taken a shower, in a monster bathtub to climb into, pictures also to come, and exchanged my money. Shouldn’t need to buy much while I am here. We start with worship tonight at 7:30, I am supposed to dance, I choreographed the whole thing sitting on the plane and in airports so hopefully it’s goodJ If I am not exhausted I will give a quick update about worship tonight. For now, good bye.

Just a quick note before bed time for Melissa. Worship was amazing. A local German praise band led the music and they were absolutely incredible. And most of the songs were in EnglishJ I was reminded of the beauty of being one people with many difference. That together as the Body of Christ we can do anything, acknowledging that which makes us unique and then coming together as one to change the world. I think the conference is going to be amazing, lots of action packed days and hopefully restful nights. For now. Gutten Nacht

Our Summer...So Far

Well, needless to say, the Rynders family has been keeping busy this summer. In June we went to Vegas for a week, where we play with Gammie and Grandude, explored dolphons, tigers and lions. We made new friends and mom and dad even got a date night or two out of the deal;)
I have been off and running since June started. After vacation I came back and took some amazing Junior Higers on a mission trip to Tucson. When I got back from that we started VBS at NSUMC. Colby even got to come for two days. He did pretty good for a kid who wasn't quite old enough to be in the 3 year old class. After that we took off to Glendale for Annual Conference and Rob's Ordination:) We had a great time, attending meetings, hanging at the pool and getting new IPhones.

Immediately following conference i left for SSP with the senior high in Teec Nos Pos. IT was gorgeous and amazing and we all had a wonderful time. While I was gone Colby got daddy and Grandma Fran all to himself. We ended that week with pool time and a BBQ for the fourth of July.

Now we are at home for a week, getting work done, Rob is hoping the Residence Hall for Wesley passes tonight and preparing for more vacation for my 30th Birthday.

Next week we take off to San Diego and then upon our return I will go to Germany. Many more adventures to come. Hope you enjoyed the update and pictures:)

Oh... and the news of my 9 month post chemo scan is all good. Everything is still clear, except I have some kidney stones. Ain't life grand??? Don't worry, the doc thinks they will pass without my knowing because the scan says they are stable:)

Life is Good

So I realize it has been a while since I have posted anything. While this is the Rynders Family blog I feel like it has turned into my blog since Rob decided to start his own. When I get inspired perhaps I will come up with a more creative name. At least you know, this will still be about my life as a mom, a pastor, a wife and friend:)

Our life is doing well, my last check up was all clear and I have another scan and checkup in June/July. It was basically a year ago this month that all the treatment and prayers and treatment and more prayers started. Needless to say, this year is already better because we aren't going to chemo.

Rob is doing well and we are all getting excited to celebrate his ordination at the end of June. Rob is currently in Nashville and this week kind of begins our long summer of being in and out. Up next for us, vacation in Vegas. Then home for a mission trip to Tucson for me, followed by VBS, then Annual Conference in Glendale, followed by another mission trip to Teec Nos Pos for me. Then, home for a week and then another family vacation to celebrate my 30th birthday in San Diego. We are going to Legoland and Sea World!!!!! Then home so that we can celebrate 7 years of marriage and then off on a plane to Germany for me:)

So follow along as we have our many adventures. We will try to keep this updated and post pictures!!!!

Free Food

So last night, my dad picked Colby and I up from the airport in Las Vegas and then we headed to find some dinner before dad's worship service. We decided on Taco Bell and parked and went inside.

Colby being his adorable self, smiled at everyone and just looked cute as normal. Well, the workers at Taco Bell decided that he was just the most adorable thing they had ever seen. They spoke in Spanish, which I could understand, about his beautiful eyes and how cute he was and how brilliant they were. And they kept calling other workers to come and look. I think by the time we were done ordering everyone had seen him.

The lady calls out our number and I go to get the food and see that there are some cinnamon twists on the tray, which we did not order. The lady looks at me, smiles and says, these are for the cute little one. A Special treat. It was wonderful:) Wonder what we'll get free next????

Holiday Bowl

My sister Pookie and I headed out to San Diego to watch the Wildcats get trounced in the Holiday Bowl. While we did not win, we had a great time at the game and Colby had a great time visiting his aunt and uncle. Enjoy some pics from our vacation in San Diego. This week Colby and I are hanging at home with daddy, and taking day trips with friends. Like today we went to the zoo with Janie and Michael. Pics to come:)