Toy Jenga @ Mega Size Blocks

 We gave this giant-version Jenga toy as a Welcome-to-America gift for the grandkids. 

 It was a hit.  They quickly became adept at figuring out which block is loose enough to remove -- even the 2-year-old 😯😁 

What was the most fun?  Hearing the laughter and screams of the players as the lop-sided wood tower finally topples, LoL
 😂😁😀😂

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Lufthansa Airlines: Boeing B747-8 Seat Map

Lufthansa Airlines' workers went on strike during the week our son and his family was set to leave for the USA. 

Here are the deets on the strike 🠚 Lufthansa cancellations impact more than 130,000 passengers

Thank God most issues were resolved by their departure date.  However, there may be more strikes up ahead, sigh 😟😞

Seat maps Boeing B747-8

Upper Deck

so excited!!

farewell to Germany for a little while!

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College Life: When a Federal Student Grant (Pell) Must Be Repaid

Son recently received a letter from Wheaton College (Illinois). 

He had to repay his Federal Pell Grant!! 

    😮😕😧😯😐😑😮

With all the political-talk about student debt forgiveness, what the heck was this?!!

Pell Grants do not ever need to be repaid by a college student.  However, there are a few exceptions (there may be others):

When You May Have to Repay a Grant

Here are some examples of why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant:

• You withdrew early from the program for which the grant was given to you.

• Your enrollment status changed in a way that reduced your eligibility for your grant (for instance, if you switch from full-time enrollment to part-time, your grant amount will be reduced).

• You received outside scholarships or grants that reduced your need for federal student aid.

• You received a TEACH Grant, but you did not meet the requirements of your TEACH Grant service obligation.

Yep, my dear son fell in one of the few cracks regarding this federal grant and was obligated to repay it in full.  I am proud to say that he did it within a few days -- with tears in his eyes, certainly,  but with determination to work harder than ever.  His small treasure trove of hard-earned cash got lessened by 2K, but our estimation of his maturity as a man increased tenfold. I am so very proud of you, my beloved boy ❤💙❤💚  (Repost from May 2021)

This phone call from another college student made me angry 😠 😖 

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Proverbs 11

Federal Student Aid

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Favorite Tech-Free Summer Activities

Inexpensive, yet fun 👍 activities with your children during these dog days of Summer 2022 (by Rachel Cruze):

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.( John 16:33)

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Rachel Cruze: Chic fil-A Hacks to Save Money $ at the Drive-thru

George Kamel, wikipedia

It's Summertime!  

Treat your kids at Chic fil-A once in a while and not feel so poor $$ afterward. 

Below are good, easy money-saving ideas from Dave Ramsey's daughter, Rachel Cruze, and Dave Ramsey co-host, George Kamel.  Watch their facebook video about this with the link below:

We went to Chick-fil-A to test some money-saving drive thru hacks! Try these hacks and let us know what you think! 👇

🔴 BLT: Just order a toasted bun with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. A great sandwich for about $2!

🔴 KID YOURSELF: Order a kids meal, and swap the toy for an Ice Dream in cup or cone. Food, drink, and dessert for under 6 dollars!

🔴 TWO SANDWICH HACK: Get two sandwiches on the cheap by getting an order of 4 count chicken strips and two buttered buns. Should save you about $2!

📍*exact prices will vary depending on your location

🠊Link to Rachel Cruze's  Facebook video 🠈

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Black Fathers Matter

My own Dad was far, far, far from perfect (likewise 😐); yet I am thankful for his presence in our home. 

 He did not abandon us, nor divorce my Mom.  If he had been absent by his choice, the hole in our emotional hearts would never have been reparable. Thanks, Dad ❤

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Are Father's Necessary?

 A 5-minute video with the answer:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: 

but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6

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Candles and a Honeymoon

I had wondered what had happened to a nice gift I had given to Lily on her birthday last year.  A wooden, heart-shaped, hand-poured soy candle with a delicious aroma called Sweet Lemon. 

Was it given away, quickly used up, or forgotten in a corner?? No --- Lily saved it 😊  For several months! 👍

She took it with her for their wedding honeymoon in Tennessee. They had rented a cabin for a week. 

My respect for her self-control and ability to wait to use it for a worthwhile, memorable event went up several notches. 

So happy for our son.  He is blessed of the Lord thru Lily.

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Foster Care: A Meaningful Simple Sign

 

I never thought a simple sign could mean so much.

In the parking lot at work, in addition to handicapped parking spots, we also have ones also reserved for expectant moms. I have passed by these spots day after day for years. I love what they represent and the heart to serve the moms here at Focus on the Family

As my husband and I started our journey of foster care and adoption, this sign started to take on a new meaning. I joked a couple of times that I would love to park there when we became licensed. But in all seriousness, I really wanted to. In a lot of cases, getting licensed to be a foster parent doesn’t come with “showers” or parties. But it is something to be celebrated! So, I reached out to our Human Resources and Facilities teams and asked, “When we get licensed, can I park in one of the spots?” The response was an overwhelming “Yes!”

Today I was able to park in the spot. My car pulled up to the curb, with a sign in front announcing that I am an expectant mom. I cried. Yes, I cried again. I have cried over a twin bed and am now crying over a sign. But I wouldn’t change these tears for anything. I am honored to be stepping into this role, and I pray for the children that will come in into our hearts and home.

This is foster care.

This is love.

Wait No More, Facebook

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Daughter Bitten by a Feral Cat

 

The cat at the Park looked friendly, says she.  But it suddenly took a vicious bite at her  wrist. The painful injury required a 10-day dose of antibiotics, sigh ... Thank God for a friend's Physician-mom for the Rx.

We are cat-sitting her two friendly/affectionate cats here at our home for a couple more months, but why take a risk petting an unknown, home-less, German cat? Because daughter misses her own Pets and she's a cat-lover at heart that's why!!  It did not help any that the feral cat is a look-alike to one of our own cats (who truly is a friendly cat, see picture). Appearances can be deceiving otherwise!

Day 1

Day #2

Day #3

Day #4

Day #5

The wound has healed, thank God.  As for our main concern of Rabies, the Physician assured her that the German town vaccinates its feral animals against rabies. There have been no recent reported cases. Praying, in Jesus' name,  for the continued well-being of our daughter ❤💚❤

Ciprofloxacin

Rabies

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AIRBNB: Darmstadt, Germany

 Throw Back Tuesday Time!   This may have been the occasion that further promoted my love for skylights, large windows, and free-standing bathtubs  😀😁😃

❤💙💚💛❤

Our very first rental though AIRBNB! We arrived safely from Chi-town, and this gem was our destination for our first 2 nights. We rented a whole apartment located on the 3rd floor. 

Frankfurt

The apartment itself had 3 levels of living space. There were enough beds to house 4 guests. Complete with kitchen, full bath, wifi, cable, and plenty of windows to let the sunshine in.  Its real appeal to me was its modern vibe and airiness; along with its reasonable rental cost. The whole building is owned and designed by a friendly architect married to a hairdresser wife (her shop was in the basement). They also happen to live in the same building, one floor down. 

Front of building facing the street.  

That's our bedroom and balcony on the third level.

Metal stairs to the apartment's  upper level and catwalk. 

Entry/Front door on left

Upper level kitchen

Upper level sitting area; same level as the kitchen. 

 Rooms connected by catwalk

Steps to loft area, uppermost level.

 View is facing catwalk to the kitchen from upper-level sitting area.

Bedroom (ours), lower level 

Another view of the bedroom; balcony, mirror, floor-to-ceiling window.  Faces the main street.

Bathroom's bathtub area, lower level

Outdoor view from kitchen, upper level

Looking down at the backyard from the same kitchen. 

We saw a cat "fishing" at the little pond

Flower pot in garden

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