Family Fudge: December 2014

*disclosure: I have tried to publish this several times and keep losing what I've typed because I've taken too long. So below is the condensed version. Still a ton of pictures, but not so much dialog. ;)

The Bible verses I chose to memorize this year was Colossians 3:12-15. They describe how we are to act, as Christians. Kind, compassionate, patient, forgiving, etc. The passage ends with, "And be thankful." We aren't just to practice outward acts in our relationships-we are to be thankful in the depths of our hearts for those very relationships and every thing the Father has chosen to give us.

Thanksgiving this year was a real test of my faith and trust in His providence. We are so away from 3/4 of our children and my big ol' farm table has been feeling pretty empty. Yes, I see His blessings in so many ways. I'm living in an incredible place with two people I adore, I'll have the Middles here in ten days, I'll get to see our new grandbaby in a little over a month, there's FaceTime and Facebook.....we have so many friends here already, a wonderful church, and on and on. Thank you, Lord, for caring about what I care about...

This year we eschewed traditional Thanksgiving in favor of a trip to the Alps. We didn't have turkey and mashed potatoes, but after a long day of hiking Joshua pronounced his schnitzel and pommes and worthy substitute.

Get ready to enjoy a feast for your eyes:

First day-we drove through Austria so we could see a castle and new pedestrian bridge we had just found out about from a friend. It was AWESOME. It was about a 20-25 min hike up the mountain to the castle..

We passed by it so we could cross the bridge and check out Fortress Claudia before it got too dark. Thelma Lou was a little scared on the bridge and I think the grates hurt her toes, but she was a trooper!

Fortress Claudia was great-ten years ago it was completely overgrown in the woods and a big restoration project has it cleared and in fantastic shape.

After we crossed back on the bridge we went to explore the castle ruins. It was very impressive-everything there was-and we made plans to come back again soon with swords and shields!

Friday Joshua said he wanted to see a castle that was not in ruins.

So we delivered.

His first trip to Neuschwanstein was pretty successful. The fog threatened to obscure all our views, but instead contributed to the fairy-tale like setting in a big way.