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:)