I’m in Germany over Easter. On Friday I attended a Seder Dinner with a family from Cadence. It was very enjoyable and helped me remember our small group’s Seder dinner last year. I think we should do it again or something similar. It is such a testament to the need of remembering. The looking back and understanding how God delivers us — in so many circumstances.

Then on Saturday I took a very eventful drive and train ride to Osnabrück to meet Britta and stay with her family. In Germany, Easter is bigger as far as holidays go. Everyone greets everyone else with “Frohe Ostern” the whole week before and after Easter. Eggs, bunnies, and very cute decorations are everywhere. It’s almost similar to Christmas as far as all the hoopla goes.

I went with Britta’s family to a big, old, historic church in downtown Osnabrück on Easter morning (after a big Easter breakfast including special breads, soft eggs, hard-boiled eggs, cheeses, coffee, meats, and chocolates…. mmmm…)
I didn’t understand much, really, while at the church, but I watched the pastor intently. Up in front of this glorious church, he stood at the large wooden lectern and spoke for about 20 minutes. His hands and body language gave me the impression that he really believed and felt and wanted to over his words. He seemed a gentle man with this loving story to tell. Britta told me later the sermon was about the women who went to find Jesus and he wasn’t there. But overall I could feel how special that particular story was… that Jesus wasn’t there. And I too was reminded of how special it is.

I did picked out some phrases in some of the hymns we sang. One being “Jesus bringt Leben” or Jesus brings life. Isn’t that the best message on Easter?

This has been a good trip (although at times a bit testing—dealing with jetlag, missing and transferring trains, driving on the Autobahn, trying to speak German and failing quite often to get out the right words). But it has been great to meet new people, to see Britta and her family again, and to have a little bit of rest. But I can’t wait to return home and get back to my “normal” life and I miss people terribly (especially Adam).

So… from here in Germany I continue wishing you a Happy Easter!

On the plane back and forth to and from Kentucky, I did some doodling. Then I scanned in the doodles and made some vector illustrations in Adobe Illustrator. This is one that turned out Halloweenish. I’m excited to be doodling again…

On other fronts, still a lot going on. I went to see my family and to go to a 10 year high school reunion. I enjoyed most parts of it, but the reunion wore me out! Hello to all my long lost friends from Woodford County. It was good to see you. I miss Kentucky a lot. But Fall is nice in Colorado right now, so I’m enjoying it!

This is not a well thought-out post. I’ll do better another day.

Vacation in New Mexico was wonderful. I loved it. We stayed at a place called Sunterra de Taos, a little spa and lodge run by a local lady. She gives massages too, but we didn’t take her up on that. This picture is looking outside the window of our “casita.” Beautiful.

Lately I haven’t been enjoying my job. Mostly because we have been short a person (or two) in our department for going on a year now. And it’s finally catching up and overwhelming us. Being in a Christian non-profit means an uphill climb to find the right person who will accept lower pay but still have the skills. It’s crazy hard. I’ve never hired anyone before, so this is a new experience for me and one that I’m not too excited about repeating.

Also, I’ve been super conscience lately about material possessions and how much I have and how much I throw away. Being an American it is so freakin hard not to buy something that doubles its weight in packaging that you just throw away. I try to recycle but why all the packaging in the first place. I’ve been reading Sex God lately by Rob Bell (it’s one of the 5 books I’m in the middle of reading) and he writes a bit about that and it really got me thinking of how I can be aware of this and do something about it. I’m still working out exactly how to. If anyone has ideas or a responses to this I’d love to hear them.

And… I’ve also been spending many waking (and sleeping moments) lately working www.evermeg.com. I purchased that url practically 6 months ago. So… I might neglect this blog til I finally get it done. Thanks to those of you who have “held me to it” like I asked in a previous post. I need all the motivation I can get.

Well friends… I just ran 4 miles this morning during the Denver Marathon. I ran with my friend, Jherysa, who is running the whole thing. I’m gonna go meet her at the finish line now so gotta go. I have a lot of respect for people who can run a Marathon. My puny 4 miles almost killed me.